School: Clooncullaun (roll number 13163)

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1. Local Cures (continued)

   

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   An ailment known to the old people of this district was "having the spool of the breast down". An old woman was supposed to be able to cure it. the "patient" came to her on a certain day in the week. She put him or her lying on a bed or table and inverted a cup on the affected part and said certain prayers to bring back the "spool" to its proper position.

   For various sores, rashes or skin diseased local people were supposed to have secret cures especially for such diseases as scurvy, ring-worm and cattle itch. The cure for these were certain herbs pounded up and applied in the form of a poultice. One or two people in this neighbourhood still practise this cure.

   For kidney trouble of various forms a certain herb known locally as "mouse's bug" was supposed o be very effective. The herb was pulled in sufficient quantity and boiled or brewed for a considerable time. The brew was then bottled and given as a cure. It was supposed to cure all kidney ailments.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. medical practice
         1. folk medicine (~11,815)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Frank Mc Grath

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   60

   Address

   Clooncullaan, Co. Roscommon