School: Rathkenny (roll number 15483)

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1. Local Cures - A Cure for Whitlow Locally Called Bust

   

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   (This is a disease which attacks the joints of the fingers, and often people lose portion of the finger as a result.)

   Take a handful of each of the following herbs:-

   Yarrow
   Key of the Gentry (local name of herb)
   Common Nettle
   Common Sorrel
   Wild Water Grass
   * Rib Grass } The Rib grass here mentioned is that found growing up through furze or gorse on "Whin Hills".

   Put 1 lb of unsalted butter - goats' butter if possible and melt in saucepan over the fire. Then put in the herbs in equal quantities and allow all to boil for a short time. Then add the white of two eggs and stir well. When cool apply to the whitlow

   (P.S. This woman makes up this ointment without fee for any person needing it. I have recently seen two whitlows cured by this ointment. The person cured was once a pupil of mine - Patrick Meade, Foolstown, Ardee)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. medical practice
         1. folk medicine (~11,815)
            1. medicine for human sicknesses
               1. whitlow (~25)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Thomas Carty

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Rathkenny, Co. Meath

   Informant

   Mrs Kate Doherty

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Mullagha, Co. Meath