Final answer:
Native Americans sought to cure diseases through a combination of medicinal herbs and spiritual practices, including games like lacrosse, which were believed to help fight off disease-causing spiritual forces and improve the well-being of the sick.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to historical accounts, Native Americans used various methods to try to cure diseases, one of which involved social and spiritual activities such as games. They believed that diseases were caused by hostile spiritual forces, leading them to engage in practices like "mourning wars" to combat these forces. The prescription of a game of lacrosse might have been seen as a way to improve the well-being of the sick through communal activity and possibly to invoke spiritual aid in the healing process.
Native Americans had complex approaches to healing that combined physical, spiritual, and communal elements. They utilized their intimate knowledge of local plants and medicinal herbs, but also engaged in practices that addressed the spiritual and social dimensions of illness. The Europeans recognized the Native Americans' knowledge in these areas and sought their help, viewing them as potential "medicine men" due to their understanding of local flora and their medicinal properties.
The game of lacrosse, in this context, was likely believed to bring health benefits for the sick by providing exercise, boosting morale, and creating a sense of community support, which could all contribute to an individual's overall well-being and potentially aid in their recovery.