Sweeps down no cobwebs here,
But sells ’em for cut fingers; and the Spiders,
As creatures rear’d of dust, and cost him nothing,
To fat old ladies’ monkies.[1218]
And Shakspeare, in his Midsummer-Night’s Dream, makes Bottom say to the fairy Cobweb:
“I shall desire you of more acquaintance, good master Cobweb. If I cut my finger, I shall make bold with you.”[1219]
Pills formed of Spiders’ webs are still considered an infallible cure for the ague.[1220] Dr. Graham, in his Domestic Medicine, prescribes it for ague and intermittent fever. And Spiders themselves, with their legs pinched off, and then
powdered with flour, so as to resemble a pill, are also sometimes given for ague.[1221] Dr. Chapman, of Philadelphia, states that in doses of five grains of Spiders’ web, repeated every fourth or fifth hour, he has cured some obstinate intermittents, suspended the paroxysms of hectic, overcome morbid vigilance from excessive nervous mobility, and quieted irritation of the system from various causes, and not less as connected with protracted coughs and other chronic pectoral affections.[1222]
Mrs. Delany, in a letter dated March 1st, 1743–4, gives two infallible recipes for ague.
1st. Pounded ginger, made into paste with brandy, spread on sheep’s leather, and a plaister of it laid over the navel.