Sign talk

by Ernest Thompson Seton

Fr. la viande; Ger. das Fleisch.

Medal. Make a circle of right thumb and index (other fingers closed); lay it little finger in, on the centre of the breast. (C) Compare Policeman.

Fr. la médaille; Ger. die Medaille.

Medicine, Mystery, Holy, Sacred, or Wonderful (In the sense of Sacred Mystery). Hold V right hand close to forehead, palm forward, pointing up, separated; move the hand upward, twisting it so that the tips of the extended fingers will describe a spiral curve. This is hardly translatable.

Fr. le mystère sacré; Ger. das heilige Geheimnis.

Medicine (A curative drug or potion). Hold out left C back to left and pour into it from a bottle in right C hand. If a powder, pour on flat left palm. If a pill, pour on palm and afterward pick up with index and thumb. (Pop.) Sign Medicine and Eat. (Cheyenne, recent.)

Fr. la médecine, le remède; Ger. die Arznei.

Medicine-Man or Shaman. Make signs for Man and Medicine.