Decoctions made from the charred carcasses of animals at one time were much employed, certain animals being regarded as specifics for certain diseases. Thus, during an epidemic of whooping cough (_xinki sen_) a decoction from the charred remains of the cane rat was almost exclusively given to the children to relieve the cough, though in this case it is difficult to trace the connection between the remedy and the disease. Many eye troubles are treated by placing a small rough seed beneath the lower lid of the affected eye, where it remains for a day; when the seed is withdrawn it is covered with mucus, to which the doctor points as the injurious matter, the cause of all the trouble, which he has removed. Massage is practiced chiefly for uterine and ovarian pains by the older women, who also act as midwives; it is used also in conjunction with kneading and manual manipulation in the cure of neuralgic pains, strains, stiffness, and rheumatism. In confinements, which usually take place either in the hammock or on the floor, the dorsal position is invariably assumed. In such cases also massage over the uterus is performed by the midwife. If the desired results are not secured, the patient is made to vomit by thrusting a long coil of hair down her throat, while a woman of exceptional lung power is sent for to blow into her mouth, with the object of hastening delivery. The Indians use for medicinal purposes a great variety of plants which grow in their country; some of these are purely empirical remedies; others produce definite physiological results and are frequently used with good effect, while a few, apparently on the assumption that "similia similibus curantur," are employed because of some fancied resemblance in form to the diseased part, as _xhudub pek_, twin seeds of the size of small eggs, the milky juice of which is used as an external application for enlarged glands and for various forms of orchitis. The following plants are used medicinally by the Indians as remedies for the diseases named, respectively: _Acitz._--The milky juice of a tree, used as an application for chronic sores and ulcers. _Acam._--The leaves of this plant are applied hot to reduce the swelling and relieve the pain in enlargement of the spleen and liver. _Purgacion Xiu._--An infusion made from the leaves is administered warm in bladder and urethral troubles. _Pakaal._--An infusion made from the leaves of the orange tree is given as a sudorific. _Pichi._--A paste made from the leaves of the guava is applied to "bay sore," a specific ulcer somewhat resembling "oriental sore." _Pomolche._--A mouth wash made from the milk of this tree is used in cases of stomatitis and ulceration of the mouth. _Quimbombo._--The wild okra is greatly esteemed as an external application in cases of snake bite.