[108:1] This is the earliest mention of a medical charm in classic literature, and hence originated the phrase "Homeric Cure," as applied to healing by magical verses.
[108:2] Canto III, section xxiii.
[109:1] James Mooney, The Medical Mythology of Ireland.
CHAPTER X
HEALING-SPELLS IN ANCIENT TIMES
Neither doth fansy only cause, but also as easily cure diseases; as I may justly refer all magical cures thereunto, performed, as is thought, by saints, images, relicts, holy waters, shrines, avemarys, crucifixes, benedictions, charms, characters, sigils of the planets, inverted words, etc. And therefore all such cures are rather to be ascribed to the force of the imagination, than to any virtue in themselves.
Ramesey, Elminthologia: 1668.
His night-spell is his guard, and charms his physicians.