Ni fallat fatum Scoti quocunque locatum
Invenient lapidem, regnare tenentur ibidem.
[110]. Island’s Colect. A. D. 1726.
Such natural Power against Diseases did in our Days appear in the celebrated Mr. Greatrix, before whose Hand they fled. In the Philosophical Transactions we have the following Account of it, received from Eye-Witnesses,—e. g.
“... My own Brother, John D——n, was seized with a violent Pain in his Head and Back: Mr. Greatrix (coming by accident to our House) gave present Ease to his Head, by only stroaking it with his Hands. He then rubb’d his Back, which he most complain’d of, and the Pain immediately fled from his Hand to his right Thigh; then he pursued it with his Hand to his Knee, from thence to his Leg, Ancle and Foot; and at last to his great Toe. As it fell lower, it grew more violent; and when in his Toe, it made him roar out, but upon rubbing it there, it vanish’d.
“A young Woman being seiz’d with a great Pain and Weakness in her Knees when a Girl, used divers Means to no effect: After six or seven years time, Mr. Greatrix coming to Dublin, he stroak’d both her Knees, and gave her present Ease, the Pain flying downward from his Hand, till he drove it out of her Toes; the Swelling that always attended it, did in a short time wear away, and never troubled her after.
“... A certain Gentlewoman being much troubled with a Pain in her Ears, and very deaf, Mr. Greatrix put some of his Spittle into her Ears; which, after chafing them, soon cured her, both of the Pain and Deafness.... Her Uncle was cured by him of the same Malady, and in the same manner.
“... A Child, being extremely troubled with the King’s-Evil, was touch’d by King Charles II. and was nothing better; but was soon and perfectly cured by Mr. Greatrix.[[111]]”
[111]. Lowthorp’s Philosoph. Transactions abridged, vol. iii. p. 10, 12. Edit. 2. Communicated by Mr. Thoresby, N. 256. p. 332. 1699. In Page 10. an account is given of the wonderful Effects of Touch and Friction.
IV. The Hemorrhous Serpent is an Egyptian of the viperine kind; of sandy and bright Colour, enamel’d with black and white Rays on the Back; flaming Eyes, corniculated Brows, and is defended by an Armature of rough and sharp Scales; which by one is given as the Reason of making some Noise as it goes, which another denies, because it wants the Sonalia[[112]].