DCHP-1 Online

medicine bag

• a bag or pouch, often decorated with beadwork, used by the Indians to carry various objects believed to have magical powers in protecting the bearer from harm.

  See also: medicine (def. 2)  medicine box  medicine bundle  medicine pouch  powahgen (def. 2)  

  • 1797  (1964)  [I] made him consent to go for his Medecine Bag that was at the English [post] and not return any more to them. . . .
  • 1804  (1890)  [They] pretend, by virtue of their medicine bags, to baffle all the secret machinations of their most inveterate enemies, and even to kill them at pleasure without being detected.
  • 1956  Each carried across one arm a medicine bag made of otter or some other fine skin and embellished with a wonder fully designed beaded piece of pure white leather, like a stole.