e-man
possessed much personal magnetism and authority, and in his treatment
often sought to reestablish the equilibrium of the patient through
mental or spiritual influences--a sort of primitive psychotherapy.

The Sioux word for the healing art is "wah-pee-yah," which literally
means readjusting or making anew. "Pay-jee-hoo-tah," literally root,
means medicine, and "wakan" signifies spirit or mystery. Thus the three
ideas, while sometimes associated, were carefully distinguished.

It is important to remember that in the old days the "medicine-man"
received no payment for his services, which were of the nature of an
honorable function or office. When the idea of payment and barter was
introduced among us, and valuable presents or fees began to be demanded
for treating the sick, the ensuing greed and rivalry led to many
demoralizing practices, and in time to the rise of the modern
"conjurer," who is generally a fraud and trickster of the grossest kind.
It is fortunate that his day is practically over.

Ever seeking to establish spiritual comradeship with the animal
creation, the Indian adopted this or that animal as his "totem," the
emblematic device of his society, family, or clan. It is probable that
the creature chosen was the traditional ancestress, as we are told that
the First Man had many wives among the animal people. The sacred
beast, bird, or reptile, represented by its stuffed skin, or by a rude
painting, was treated with reverence and carried into battle to insure
the guardianship of the spirits. The symbolic attribute of beaver,
bear, or tortoise, such as wisdom, cunning, courage, and the like, was
supposed to be mysteriously conferred upon the wearer of the badge.
The totem or charm used in medicine was ordinarily that of the medicine
lodge to which the practitioner belonged, though there were some great
men who boasted a special revelation.

There are two ceremonial usages which, so far as I have been able
to ascertain, were universal among American Indians, and apparently
fundamental. These have already been referred to as the "eneepee," or
vapor-bath, and the "chan-du-hu-pah-yu-za-pee," or ceremonial of the
pipe. In our Siouan legends and traditions these two are preeminent, as
handed down from the most ancient time and persisting to the last.

In our Creation myth or story of the First Man, the vapor-bath was the
magic used by The-one-who-was-First-Created, to give life to the dead
bones of his you