Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-06

eA&SSYgI the point of unbelief Physicians
poured drugs of which they knew little
into bodies of which they knew less.
The most repulsive insects and substances were
taken internally in the firm belief that they
were patent in curing disorders In these olden
days, for instance, even lice We're taken for
stomachic troubles, and the dose for an adult
was five or SIX John Quincy, London medi-
cal practitioner of the seventeenth century,
bold man, and took stand against such rem
edial agents, which he describes as "villainous
beastes." An external cure was often given by
rubbing with dead mans hand-the hand be-
ing severed of course. Ontments We're made of
human fat. Earthworms, precious stones the
entralls of cats and dogs, crushed spiders, and
many other products of the animal and mineral
Kingdoms were common items in the prescrip-
tions of Old-time apothecaTies.
THE HOME OF SUPERSTITION.
We have Travelled far since those days but
superstition dies hard and it will be a very long
time before it ceases to influence the lives and
actions of some communities. 1t finds a stub
born home among the peasants of Brittany. The
superstitions and customs of the Breton peasants
have often been written about, and are subjects
of great interest to those who take the trouble
to investigate them. The lot of these peasants
is hard one. OF intellectual pleasures they
have few, and of hard toll more than fair
snare. Iney are compensated somewhat IN rude
health and strong constitutions. One result of
their lives is a childlike faith in the healing po
tency OF incantatons. In matters OF hygiene
they little higher than the savage tribes OF
Central Africa, where the village medicine man
reigns virtual, if not nominal chief of the lraal
PEASANT DOCTORS.
Many of the village healers, or rebouteux are
honest practitoners-ignorant, perhaps, but sin.
cere, and practice has lent many OF them "A rare
skill IN setting broken bones and di,ocated
Joints. Should the tourist have toothache and
make wishes known, he may have the offending
molar removed with an ordinary pair of nail
pincers. 1t is by no means certain, however
that the tooth will be removed entire, Even
high professional skill with nail pmcors for
forceps has limit to its capacity
CURES FOR HEADACHES.
In that country would be likely to see
The peasant woman seated ON the bench afhict
ed with headache and the rebouteuN is earning
his modest fee by massaging the temples, while
the audience are watching the facial expression
of the patient to discover how the cure is pro
crossing The healer frequently uses mcantation,
10 assist the massage. Another headache cure i,
hy means of a cabbage leaf The efficacy of the
remedy is established but his patients never
think of applying it themselves. It derives it,
virtue from the magic touch of the rebouteux
Three centuries ago the touch of a royal hand
was considered "A specific in curing disease. Some
old French writers, whose works may stll be
read. claimed this virtue in superatve degree
for the touch of the rulers of France but de,
MED it to the Kings OF England.
Another of these pOW-wowists has a speciality
He halls from Faouet and has the reputation OF
being especially successful in the matter OF
sprains
There are number of women in that country