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Healing powers associated with particular types of people an...

Date August 1975
Track ID 76337
Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1975.107

Original Tape ID

SA1975.107

Summary

Healing powers associated with particular types of people and with early death.

It was discovered that Betsy Whyte's Uncle Davy, who was a seventh son, had a power of healing. A piece of his hair was put into water, which was then used to bathe cuts and bites. It often happened that people who were gifted in this way died young. When Davy was hungover one morning, he accidentally drank spirits of salts [hydrochloric acid], which tinsmiths used to melt solder.

Women healers had particular skills, for instance as a howdie [midwife], or in curing whooping cough. A woman, like Iris Whyte, who married a man with the same surname, was supposed to be good at nursing invalids. Bryce Whyte recalls a bonesetter who died about twenty years previously [tape cuts off abruptly].

Recording Location

County - Angus

Parish - Montrose

Village/Place - Montrose

Language

English

Collection

SoSS

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good