Irish Folk Medicine

the long version

At a time when people are increasingly interested in natural medicine and holistic remedies, this book traces the history of folk medicine in Ireland and examines its continued popularity. It reviews a comprehensive range of country cures for both people and animals, noting that many remedies date back to early pagan times before the rise of medical science in the 19th century while others arose in the 20th century as an alternative to modern medicine. With often lighthearted humor, this guide examines how folk medicine has always been a curious blend of common sense and nonsense. From attempts to cure a child of dropsy by tying it up in a rope used to hang an innocent man to driving away whooping cough with medicine made from sheep droppings boiled in milk, this book looks at how practical observations and natural cures often went hand in hand with useless and often dangerous remedies.