52 



sufficient evidence that the Druids held sway in Ireland — a 

 fact which some deny — but those people who are acquainted 

 with the folk-lore and customs in connection with Halloween, 

 Hogmanay, and May-day will not need any further evidence. 



Amcngst the deities worshipped by the Druids was a god 

 of medicine named Rictenus. To him was dedicated the 

 herb Belinimica, said to be a species of henbane. 



Pliny says that nothing was so sacred to the Druids as the 

 mistletoe and the oak. Whenever the mistletoe was discovered 

 growing on the oak it was the occasion of great ceremony. 

 The Druids on the sixth day of the moon ascended the oak 

 with a golden knife, gathered the all-healing mistletoe and 

 placed it on the altar under the parent tree. Here, at least, 

 in the early days of Druidism, were offered human sacrifices ; 

 the victims included prisoners, criminals, and at times even 

 their (the druids) own children. 



As a sanitary precaution somewhat similar to our modern 

 quarantine, but more drastic, was the practice of offering in 

 sacrifice all persons suffering from dangerous and contagious 

 diseases by placing them within a circle of osier twigs, to 

 which fire was applied, thereby reducing the unfortunate 

 mortals to ashes, but at the same time preventing the spread 

 of disease. 



While we have evidence that the sufferers from contagious 

 diseases were put to death, we also hear of more humane treat- 

 ment for the sick and feeble. Even in the remote pagan times 

 Princess Macha, B.C. 300, founded the Broin Bhearg (house 

 of sorrow). This is one of the earliest hospitals on record. 

 It was used by the Red Branch Knights, and served as the 

 royal residence in Ulster until its destruction in A.D. 332. 

 (Seanchus Mor). 



In the Genealogies of MacPirbis we get a glimpse of the 

 ancient Irish masters of medicine. O'Curry's translation 

 reads thus : — . 



" Thus saith the ancient authority : — the first doctor, 

 the first builder, and the first fisherman that ever were' 

 in Erin : — 



Capa, foremost healer of the sick in his time, was all 



powerful. 

 Eaba, the female physician, who accompanied the 

 lady Ceasair, was the second doctor. 



