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age must obviously have lost more and more of its significance. 

 As the people became accustomed to the change in their New- 

 year's day, -sve can readily imagine that the Mistletoe would be- 

 come associated with the change, as stUl the sacred charm for 

 •prosperity in the coming year, and the cherished symbol of -their 

 old superstitious festivities. 



Medical writers of all times seem to have regarded the 

 belief in the fertilizing powers of the Mistletoe, as a mere fanati- 

 cal superstition and unworthy of scientific notice. Hippocrates, 

 Dioscorides, Galen, Matthiolus, Paracelsus, Kolderer, Cartheuser, 

 Colbatch, Loseke, Van Swieten, «&:c., &c. whilst they extol its 

 virtues, as a remedy for EpUepsy in chief, and also for Paralysis, 

 Chorea, Hysteria, and other Nervous, and Convulsive diseases ; — 

 and the glutinous matter of the berries for external uses — say 

 nothing whatever of any more special virtue. Even in Epilepsy, 

 says Pliny "Quidam id religione efficacius fieri putant, prima Lufla 

 coUectum e robore sine ferro. Si terram non attigit, comitialibus 

 mederi." (p. 442.)* 



The real properties of the plant itself are those of a slight 

 tonic. (Barton and Castle British Flora Medica, Vol. ii. p. 146.) 

 The leaves and shoots have an astringent and rather bitter taste, 

 and "strong extracts made from them are nauseous, bitterish, and 

 sub-austere." (Lewis's Mat. Medica, p. 575.) The berries are 

 reputed to act as a purgative, and are even now sometimes given 

 to sheep for this purpose. 



• What is the Mistletoe good for ? I asked of a man learned in country 

 customs, and great in faith — "That do depend on what tree it comes from" 

 he answered. "It he a very fine thing for fits. My father had the Leptic fits 

 for many years afore he died. He tried amost all the Doctors in Hereford, 

 and the Infirmary too, hut nothing never did him so much good as Mistle- 

 toe from the Haw, mixed with Woodlaurel, and he took nothing else— 

 Sometimes he took it in powder, with honey, and sometimes made a tea of 

 it. Then my daughter took Mistletoe for the Sterricks hut it didn't cure her; 

 80 may he, it was not the right sort. — They do tell me that Mistletoe from 

 the Maiden Ash he a fine thing for Convulsives, hut I never had much to 

 do with giving it to people. I k-now when you get it from the Mawpell it's 

 good for animals. It's capital for sheep when they don't go on well at 

 lambing time, and for cows too. That as comes from the Apple tree, and 

 Poplins, is the best to hang up in the house on New year's day for good 

 luck through the year, but a many people use any that comes first." 



