Seventeen years among the Sea Dyaks of Borneo; a ... - Sabrizain.org

NATIVE REMEDIES AND CHARMS 183
born babes have their stomachs and chests covered with
daih- applications of the same thing by their mothers.
Ground ginger is also used as a poultice, especially in
the case of women who have given birth to a child ;
and
the water in which pieces of ginger have been boiled is
drunk by people suffering from ague, as well as by lying-in
women .
The Dyaks are very fond of blood-letting whenever
there is pain in any part of the body or limb, and they
have a method of " cupping " which is rather ingenious.
The part from which the blood is to be drawn has in-
cisions made in it with a small knife. The " cuppingglass
" is a young wet bamboo which has a knot at one
end, but is open at the other. This is heated at the fire,
and then placed firmly over the incisions made in the
flesh. Cold water is then poured on the bamboo, and it
draws out the blood. The heat fills the bamboo with
steam from its dampness. The cold water condenses
this steam, and makes the bamboo an excellent " cupping-
glass."
As the Dyak believes that all sickness is caused by the
spirits, it is not surprising
that his faith in medicines is
small, and that he knows of few remedies, and depends
for his cures either on the mysterious ceremonies of the
witch-doctors or on charms which have been made
known by the spirits to the fortunate owners by means
of dreams. These charms are generally pebbles, roots,
leaves, feathers, or bits of wood. The pebbles and roots
are rubbed on the body, or else put in water and the
water applied. The leaves, bits of wood, feathers,
etc., are burnt, and the ashes rubbed on the affected
part.
Though the manang depends upon his power over