The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-08-26

space, uedllS al
- II better known species nav
l!!9II !i2lI ing been, at one time or
anO.A1r. neld as q cure for the cause
of some ailment. These superstitions
are not confined to one country alone,
but seem to spread all over the world,
and are common from the earliest
ages. A few of these traditions are
founded on fact, 'but the great major
ity are fiction pure and simple.
The common tench has been termed
the fishes physician" and Camden,
in his Britannia, states that he had
seen the bellies of pixies closed by the
touch of the tench and by their glu-
tinous slime perfectly healed up. At
one time archaeological writer's be-
lieved that pike, perch and cells knew
of this propensity of the tench and
spared it in consequence.
In olden times it used to be applied
to the palms of the hands and feet in
order to absorb fever, or laid upon the
liver in case of jaundice, when the
fish. it was asserted, became yellow
and retained the disease. 1t was to be
buried at once after being removed.
In case of a nervous headache the fish
would be tied to the temples, while fer
sore eyes it was to be wound around
the neck. 1t would stop hemorrhage
and was said to be efficaClous in OBJ
Stinate cases of worms.
In Russia the small miller's thumb
(cottus gobio) is employed as charm
against fevers. In the time of Galen
the flesh of the electric fishes was re-
commeded to be eaten by epileptic
persons. who were likewise to have
shocks from the living fish applied to
their heads.
Even prior to this DESCRIBES had
recommended its external application
for pains in the head, while in more
recent times persons suffering from
govt were advised to place the af-
fected part on one of these fishes and
keep it there until the numbness eX-
tended as high as the knee. In Abys-
sinia fever was cured with an electric
eel, while the tetroden was said to be
excellent in lung affections.
L
liver of the sting ray to be good for
burns and other wounds. while the
Norwegians use oil from the liver of
the king of herrings (chimaera mon
trosa) for treating some disorders Of
the eyes. The latter is also said to be
good for all wounds and bruises.
The oil of the turbot is considered a
good external remedy for swellngs,
while the gall is said to be excellent
for affections of the eyes. The oil
from the liver of many fishes is used
incidentally, the more notable eX-
amples being the cod and the oolo-
chan, or candlefsh, of the Pacific
coast.
The eggs of the angelfish were at
one time dried and used incidentally,
while its skin was also dried, and
when powdered, prescribed for itch
and other skin diseases When the
flesh of the -gilled or Mediterranean
shark is eaten, it is said to act as a
strong purgative. Sharks teeth
rubbed on the gums were said to help
children speedily through the trying
teething period, while the liver Of the
muroena cured poisonous bites.
The lamprey, while having an i'll
omened reputation, was said to remove
smallpox scars when its fat was ap-
piled to them. That rubbing the part
affected with a red herring will cure
rheumatism is still positively asserted
by the old fishermen Of England, while
in Scotland toothache can be got rid
of by carrying about person a piece
of dogfsh, the fish being returned alive
to the water after the incision is made
A quite general tradition is that
whooping cough can be cured by put
ting a live fish into child's mouth
After being used the fish must be
thrown back into the water alive
Cancer could be cured by tying a crat
to the affected part.
Eels were favorite subjects with the
old physicians. Hippocrates forbade
their use as food in tables and dis
: eased spleen, while Galen prescribed
: them as medicine in nephrltic com
plants, where the gluten might bt
thought to convert grale into stone.
Pliny claimed their use as food i'm
: paired the singing voice, while they
5 cleared choleric of phlegmatic humor!
} out of the system, likewise the mfr
; mites of the spleen. The monks O.
: Salerno did not like them. and com
f planned chat to live on cells is a sur
f recipe for spelling the voice."
5 In an old manuscript of the four
teenth century persons who desire t,
l avoid collie are recommended to MAX
: n nirdln of thn skin Of an col md q