The Doctor in History, Literature, Folk-Lore, Etc.
History
The Doctor in History, Literature, Folk-Lore, Etc.
Literature and medicine; Physicians; Physicians in literature
The following curious passages have been transcribed by my friend, Mr.
George Neilson, solicitor, Glasgow, from the Kirk Session Records of the
parish of Gretna, and are here inserted by his consent, most freely
given:--
"GRAITNEY KIRK, _Feb. 11, 1733_.
Session met after Sermon.
It was represented by some of the members that the Charms and Spells
used at Watshill for Francis Armstrong, Labouring under distemper of
mind, gave great offence, and 'twas worth while to enquire into the
affair and publickly admonish the people of the evil of such a course,
that a timely stop be put to such a practice.
Several of the members gave account that in Barbara Armstrang's they
burned Rowantree and Salt, they took three Locks of Francis's hair,
three pieces of his shirt, three roots of wormwood, three of mugwort,
three pieces of Rowantree, and boiled alltogether, anointed his Legs
with the water, and essayed to put three sups in his mouth, and
meantime kept the door close, being told by Isabel Pott, at Cross, in
Rockcliff commonly called the Wise Woman, that the person who had
wronged him would come to the door, but no access was to be given.
Francis, tho' distracted, told them they were using witch-craft and
the Devils Charms that would do no good. It is said they carried a
candle around the bed for one part of the inchantment. John Neilson,
in Sarkbridge, declared before the Session this was matter of fact
others then present. Mary Tate, Servant to John Neilson in Sarkbridge
is to be cited as having gone to the Wise Woman for Consultation."
"GRAITNEY KIRK, _Feb. 25, 1733_.
Session met after Sermon
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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