The attacks from the disease were therefore unusually violent, and by November Say Koitza thought herself dying from weakness and exhaustion.

Her condition was such that her husband felt alarmed, and every effort was made to relieve her by the aid of such arts as the Indian believes in.

The chief medicine-man, or great shaman, of the tribe had to come and see the patient, pray by her side, and then go home to fast and mortify himself for four consecutive days.

His efforts had no effect whatever.

Every indigenous medicine that was thought of had been already used, and none had been of any avail.
At last the shaman, encouraged by the many blue and green stones, cotton wraps, and quantities of corn meal which Zashue Tihua contributed in reward of his juggleries, resolved to make a final trial by submitting himself and his associates to the dangerous ordeal of fire-eating for the invalid's sake.