1R87.1 -L^^ [Mooney. 



the western coast, while the alluvial soil is deposited upon a stratum of 

 turf or peat, whicli crops out at intervals in tlie numerous hogs. We 

 should thus expect to find in these wells the same constituents that 

 give a reputation to the mineral springs of the mountain region of Vir- 

 ginia and Pennsylvania, According to Dr. Jolin Rutty, the author of two 

 valuable works* on the mineral springs of Ireland and of Europe in gen- 

 eral, some of the Irish wells commonly resorted to by the people are equal 

 to any of the celebrated continental spas, while those noted for the cure 

 of particular diseases contain just the constituents most beneficial in such 

 cases. Tlie ordinary impregnations are combinations of iron, lime, soda, 

 magnesia and sulphur. In addition to these, many wells and streams are 

 impregnated with petroleum and bituminous compounds, owing to their 

 vicinity to the bogs, which contain large quantities of half- fossilized pines 

 and other resinous conifers. It is a well-known fact that bog water has 

 preservative qualities, and bodies of persons drowned in these bogs have 

 been recovered long afterward still undecayed. There are also some 

 streams and lakes, notably Lough Neagh, whose waters have petrifying 

 properties. Were Ireland free to develop her own resources, not only 

 would her neglected mines and marble quarries be made available, but her 

 healing springs, now visited only by barefooted peasants, would speedily 

 acquire a reputation, which, together with the natural beauties of the 

 country, would attract thousands of those who yearly seek health or 

 pleasure on the continent. There is nothing but simple truth in the proud 

 boast of the people of Ireland that in their native country the grass is 

 always green, the soil harbors no venomous reptile, and the waters are 

 blessed. 



Miscellaneous Charms. 



Besides the blessed wells and the sig'efreog, the people have a number 

 of charms for various diseases — in fact, it is probably safe to say that they 

 have a charm for every malady, real or imaginary, that ever existed. 

 Many of these charms are accompanied by verses or other formulas, 

 which have been handed down for generations, and there is generally a 

 legend to explain the formula. A. few of these charms are here given. It 

 must be stated at the outset that the application is always made in the 

 name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Should any one become sick 

 in church while wearing a garment sewn on Sunday, it will be impossi- 

 ble to cure him. 



Epilepsy is c&Wed tinneas »io?',f the "great sickness," and is regarded 

 with such dread that it is seldom mentioned except under some figurative 

 name. The patient is cured by drinking milk boiled in a human skull. 

 An "essence " prepared from a human skull was formerly used in Italy 

 lo cure the same disease, according to a medical work published in that 



• A Mettiodical Synopsis of Mineral Waters, &c., and Essay Towards a Natural, Exper- 

 imental and iVIedicinal History of the Mineral Waters of Ireland. 

 + Pronounced chinyas moer. 



