The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-12-17
SANITY DISEASES

From Casselrs Saturday Journal
One of the most remarkable things in
connection with the history of medicine
is the way in which certain diseases have
been associated with the names of saints.
How this came about in all cases 1t would
perhaps be difficult to say, but there is
little doubt that In general 1t was due
either to the saint having had the COM
plant or to his having cured it. While
the old writer's, as a rule, associated the
saints names with the disease almost to
the exclusion of the scientific term, the
modern practice has been to reverse this
in obedience to what may be regarded as
the archaeological accuracy-to trans
pose a familiar phrase which in its orig
inal form has had an unenviable noto-
riety thrust upon it-of modern educa-
ton.
Even today, however, the old habit still
clings 1t is only the doctors, as a rule,
who speak of child having chorea, for
most people still call the we'll known
nervous twitchlng of the muscles of the
eyes and face by its old name of St. vi
tuss Dance. How that twitching of the
eyes came to be associated with his name
is Interestingly demonstrated by the fol-
lowing story: st. Vituss father was a
heather, and when no heard of his sons
conversion to the new faith he became
exceedingly angry. In his anger he
called for scourge, and having whipped
his son very severely. cast the unfortun-
ate young man into a dungeon. Sudden
ly, says tradition, through the walls of
the prison angelic figures floated and
danced in a dazzling light before the suf-
fering youth. The light struck his father
blind, and his sight was restored to him
only through the ministrations of the
sanity son.
across people who talk of st. Anthony's
Fire instead of crysipelas. The name has
been traced back, with considerable ac-
curacy, to the year 1899, when a pestilence
of cryspelas destroyed vast numbers of
people in France. The physicians were
helpless against its ravages, and the
clergy were ordered to offer public prayers
and to organize professions for the dis
continuance of the scourge. Among the
other saints whose intercession were i'm
plored was ST. Anthony, the hermit saint
who lived in the fourth century. A great
number of pilgrims repaired to the
church In which his relics were deposited,
and when they reported that many of
those who prayed there were saved the
word went throughout France that he, in
particular was to be entreated to make
divine intercession for the unfortunate
sufferers.
Quinsy-the name given to Inflammation
of the tonsils, which may lead to the
formation of an abscess there-used to
be known as ST. Blaises Disease. in rec
ignition of the fact that he healed the
only child of a poor woman who was
choked by fish-bone which stuck across
it's throat. His relics became associated
with many miraculous cures, especially
of sore threats, for which reason Scott,
in his Discover of Witchcraft,n men,
lions a charm which will fetch a thorn
out of any place of ones body or bone
out of ones throat.
Hydrophobia used to be called st. HUI
bert's Disease in memory of a nobleman
of Aquitaine, who, at one time famous
hunter, renowned the world and lived
as a hermit in the forest of Ardennes. In
memory of his career he became the
patron saint of the chase and dogs, and
his shrine was noted for many cures, es-
pecially of people who had been bitten
by mad dogs.