Who, and what are the medicine-men (or medicine-women), of the American Indians? What powers do they possess in time of peace or war? How is this power obtained, how renewed, how exercised? What is the character of the remedies employed? Are they pharmaceutical, as we employ the term, or are they the superstitious efforts of empirics and charlatans, seeking to deceive and to misguide by pretended consultations with spiritual powers and by reliance upon mysterious and occult influences? Such a discussion will be attempted in this book, which will be restricted to a description of the personality of the medicine-men, the regalia worn, and the powers possessed and claimed. To go farther, and enter into a treatment of the religious ideas, the superstitions, omens, and prayers of these spiritual leaders, would be to open a road without end.

This eBook has been formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Who, and what are the medicine-men (or medicine-women), of the American Indians? What powers do they possess in time of peace or war? How is this power obtained, how renewed, how exercised? What is the character of the remedies employed? Are they pharmaceutical, as we employ the term, or are they the superstitious efforts of empirics and charlatans, seeking to deceive and to misguide by pretended consultations with spiritual powers and by reliance upon mysterious and occult influences? Such a discussion will be attempted in this book, which will be restricted to a description of the personality of the medicine-men, the regalia worn, and the powers possessed and claimed. To go farther, and enter into a treatment of the religious ideas, the superstitions, omens, and prayers of these spiritual leaders, would be to open a road without end.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1892 Edition.

Excerpt from The Medicine-Men of the Apache The Caucasian population of the United States has been in inti mate contact with the aborigines for a period of not less than two hun dred and fifty years. In certain sections, as in Florida and New Mexico, this contact has been for a still greater period; but claiming no earlier date than the settlement of New England, it will be seen that the white race has been slow to learn or the red man has been skillful in withholding knowledge which, if imparted, would have less ened friction and done much to preserve and assimilate a race that, in spite of some serious defects of character, will for all time to come he looked upon as the noble savage. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

John G. Bourke's 'The Medicine-Men of the Apache' delves into the intricate world of Apache medicine men, providing a detailed account of their practices, beliefs, and rituals. Written in a meticulous and scholarly style, the book offers an invaluable insight into the cultural and spiritual significance of these healers within the context of Apache society. Bourke's thorough research and firsthand experiences with the Apache people bring authenticity and depth to his study, making it a must-read for anyone interested in Native American traditions and indigenous healing practices. The narrative is rich with anecdotes and observations, painting a vivid picture of a largely misunderstood aspect of Apache culture. John G. Bourke, an American soldier and ethnologist, draws on his extensive interactions with the Apache tribes to present a nuanced and respectful portrayal of their medicine men. His background in anthropology and military service provided him with a unique perspective that informs his writing, offering a blend of academic rigor and personal insight. Bourke's dedication to understanding and documenting Apache customs shines through in 'The Medicine-Men of the Apache,' making it a seminal work in the field. I highly recommend 'The Medicine-Men of the Apache' to readers interested in anthropology, Native American studies, and cultural history. Bourke's comprehensive study sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Apache culture and offers a thought-provoking exploration of traditional healing practices.

This book is a summary of the last conflicts between the U.S. Army and the Apaches, basically the last days of Geronimo. It also has many recipes on the Chihuahuan Desert plants that were used by the native medicine men for treating illnesses as well as food sources. These recipes are preserved for posterity. In this book, interwoven with the history of the Apaches, the reader will find the culmination of the Native Indians adaptation to and experimentation with the natural world of the Chihuahuan Desert.