"After a careful search in Pliny, Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, and Sir Thomas Browne's Vulgar Errors, I can find no mention of this strange remedy."
I am inclined to suspect that the application of pigeons was by no means an uncommon remedy in cases particularly of fever and delirium. To quote one passage from Evelyn:
"Neither the cupping nor the pidgeons, those last of remedyes, wrought any effect."—Life of Mr. Godolphin, p. 148. Lond. 1847.
Some of your correspondents may possibly be able to furnish additional information respecting this custom; for I am confident of having seen it alluded to, though at the moment I cannot remember by whom.
RT.
Warmington.
Obeism.
—In the Medical Times of 30th Sept. there is a case of a woman who fancied herself under its influence, in which the name (in a note) is derived from Obi, the town, district, or province in Africa where it was first practised; and there is appended to it the following description of one of the superstitions as given by a witness on a trial:
"Do you know the prisoner to be an Obeah man?—Ees, massa; shadow catcher true.