1. In olden times there were not as many doctors in Ireland as there are now. There were men of learning in parts of the country, who had power to set charms, and make medicines from the herbs which were found growing by the wayside.
When any person broke his leg or hand, the "quack" as he was usually called would take a briar in his hand, and hold it over the broken bone, and say the words of the charm over it; and then bind up the affected part.