GHOSTS AND FAIRIES. 219 



fairy influence ; while more affirm that it is produced 

 by passing over the place where a corpse has been laid 

 down. But this mystified disorder is, after all, nothing 

 but exhaustion consequent upon hunger and fatigue. 

 The lower classes are particularly 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 jaragurta 

 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 kinsman, *' many persons attacked with 

 jaragurta, and have myself been patient and physician. 

 Some years ago, a fine, active boy, called Emineein* 

 commonly attended me to the moors, and one day he 

 was suddenly taken ill, in the very wildest part of the 

 hills. He lost all power of limb, and lay down upon the 

 heath unable to proceed a step. We had no grain of 

 any kind to administer, and in this emergency tried 

 that universal panacea — a glass of whisky. After he had 

 swallowed the cordial, the boy rather got worse than 

 better, and we were obliged to carry him to a still-house, 

 at nearly two miles distance. On our arrival, fortunately 

 for Emineein, we found the operators collected round 

 a skibh-\ of potatoes. After eating one or two, the 

 patient was able to join the party, and next morning 

 proceeded stoutly home. 



" In my own case, the predisposing cause was no 



* Synonymous to Neddy. t ^ basket. 



