ysicians were called by the name in the
text, _Autmoin_; it was commonly the chief of the village who was
invested with this dignity. The ceremonies and practices observed by
the Acadian jugglers being common to the "profession" throughout the
Indian nations, I shall insert an account of them from Charlevoix.

When they visited a patient, they first inspected him for a
considerable time, after which they breathed upon him. If this
produced nothing, "of certainty," said they, "the devil is in him; he
must, however, very soon go out of him; but let every one be upon his
guard, as this wicked spirit will, if he can, out of spite, attack
some here present." They then fell into a kind of rage, were shaken
with agony, shouted aloud, and threatened the pretended demon; they
spoke to him, as if they had seen him with their eyes, made several
passes at him, as if they would stab him, the whole being only
intended to conceal their imposture.

On entering the cabin, they take care to fix into the ground a bit of
wood, to which a cord is made fast. They afterwards present the end of
the cord to the spectators, inviting them at the same time to draw out
the bit of wood, and as scarce any one ever succeeds in it, they are
sure to tell him it is the devil who holds it; afterwards making as if
they would stab this pretended devil, they loosen, by little and
little, the piece of wood, by raking up the earth round it, after
which they easily draw it up, the crowd shouting the while. To the
under part of this piece of wood was fastened a little bone, or some
such thing, which was not at first perceived, and the quacks, shewing
it to the company, "Behold," cried they, "the cause of the disease; it
was necessary to kill the devil to get at it."

This farce lasted three or four hours, after which the physician stood
in need of rest and refreshment. He went away, assuring them that the
sick person would infallibly be cured, provided the disease had not
already got the better, that is to say, provided the devil, before his
retreat, had not given him his death-wound. The business was to know,
whether he had or not. This the autmoin pretended to discover by his
dreams, but he took care never to speak clearly, till he saw what turn
the disease took. On perceiving it incurable, he went away; every one
likewise, after his example, abandoned the patient. If, after three
days were expired, he were still alive, "The devil," said he, "will
neither a