vol. ii. p. 56.]

The symbolism of the black cloth in the left hand seems evident. The dying
man repudiates all his former evil deeds. And he puts his trust in
holiness, symbolized by the white cloth in his right hand. Then follow
some obscure lines about the spirits--

Their heads shall remove from his head:
their hands shall let go his hands:
their feet shall depart from his feet:

which perhaps may be explained thus--we learn, from another tablet, that
the various classes of evil spirits troubled different parts of the body.
Some injured the head, some the hands and feet, etc., etc. Therefore the
passage before us may mean: "The spirits whose power is over the hand,
shall loose their hands from his," etc. But I can offer no decided opinion
on such obscure points of their superstition.

INHERITED OR IMPUTED SINS

These were supposed to pursue a sick man and torment him. [Footnote: See
"Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," vol. iv. p. 7.]

1 The _mamit_ for him reveal! The _mamit_ for him unfold![1]
2 Against the evil spirit, disturber of his body!
3 Whether it be the sin of his father:
4 or whether it be the sin of his mother:
5 or whether it be the sin of his elder brother:
6 or whether it be the sin of someone who is unknown![2]

[Footnote 1: A holy object, the nature of which has not been ascertained.]

[Footnote 2: "Trans. Soc. Bib. Arch.," vol. ii, p. 58.]

MAGIC KNOTS

Justin Martyr, speaking of the Jewish exorcists, says "They use magic ties
or knots." A similar usage prevailed among the Babylonians. [Footnote 7:
Ibid., p. 54.] The god Marduk wishes to soothe the last moments of a dying
man. His father Hea says: Go my son!

1 Take a woman's linen kerchief
2 bind it round thy right hand! loose it from the left hand!
3 Knot it with seven knots: do so twice:
4 Sprinkle it with bright _wine_:
5 bind it round the head of the sick man:
6 bind it round his hands and feet, like manacles and fetters.
7 Sit down on his bed:
8 sprinkle holy water over him.
9 He shall hear the voice of Hea,
10 Davkina[1] shall protect him!
11 And Marduk, Eldest Son of heaven, shall find him a happy
habitation![2]

[Footnote 1: One of the principal goddesses, the wife of the god Hea.]

[Footnote 2: "Trans. Soc. Bib. Arch.," vol. ii. p. 84.]

TALISMANS

To cure diseases they seem to have relied wholly on charms and
incantations.

The first step was to guard