Epilepsy is treated with an oil prepared by the quack out of horseradish; also some brimstone and other things.
External wounds and sore nails are cured by placing a live toad on the place.
The rash called St. Anthony's Fire. A man whose Christian name is Anthony has to produce sparks with steel and flint.[101]
Scab is treated with an ointment made of beef-fat and brimstone; the ointment to be used for three days, and to be followed up by a hot-air bath. As these useful establishments only exist in large towns, the unfortunate sufferer is put inside a hot oven.
Quinsy.—With the child's finger stroke the throat of a lizard,[102] caught before St. George's Day.
Cramp.—Place a left-hand window-frame across the child suffering from cramp, or burn feathers under its nose.
Hand of Glory.[103]—The little finger of the human foetus has all the virtues of (and is used for the same purpose as) the hand of glory. All the famous brigands are believed to have one of these articles in their possession.
When a person is in extremis they place him or her, bed and all, in a line with and under the main joist of the ceiling. If the dead person's eyes are left open somebody will soon follow him or her.