190 THE FARAGURTA. 



for the second, there is " balm in Gilead," and certain holy 

 loughs afford an antidote to this elfin visitation. 



The cow, I believe, should be present at the operation, 

 which is performed by committing her tether and some butter 

 to the waves, with (of course) a due proportion of prayers for 

 her recovery. Whether the animal be benefited or not, there 

 be others who reap sure and solid advantages. At the proper 

 period, some saint's day, no doubt, when Lough Keiravvn is 

 frequented by the proprietors of bewitched cattle, many of the 

 poor of the neighbourhood congregate on the lee-side of the 

 lake, and a lively and profitable fishing of fresh butter con- 

 tinues, until the oblations to the saint or saintess of the lake, 

 on the part of the afflicted cows, have ended. 



Among the human diseases ascribed to supernatural causes, 

 the faragurta is the principal. Conjectures touching its 

 origin are numerous and contradictory, and it is attributed to 

 everything but the true cause. The faragurta comes on sud- 

 denly a general weakness precedes the attack the sufferer's 

 strength is prostrated in an instant he sinks down, and, if 

 assistance be not at hand, perishes. Many persons are lost 

 through this disease, while crossing the extensive wilds around 

 us, where human relief is generally unattainable. 



The causes, to which in popular belief it is ascribed, are 

 many. Some assert that it is brought on by treading upon 

 a poisonous plant; others, that it is occasioned by fairy 

 influence ; while more affirm, that it is produced by passing 

 over the place where a corpse has been laid down. But this 

 mystified cLaorder is, after all, nothing but exhaustion conse- 

 quent upon hunger and fatigue. The lower classes are parti- 

 cularly obnoxious to its attack. They eat but seldom, and at 

 irregular seasons ; and commonly labour for many hours before 

 they break their fast. Want of food produces faintness and 

 exhaustion ; and a supernatural cause is sought for a simple 

 malady, which is only the natural consequence of dyspepsia 

 and an empty stomach. 



One would imagine that the specific for faragurta would 

 at once point out its origin. Bread, or even a few grains 

 of corn, are believed to cure it instantly ; but any kind of 

 food is equally efficacious. " I have seen," said my kins- 

 man, " many persons attacked with faragurta, and have 

 myself een patient and physician. Some years ago, a fine 



