Healing powers associated with particular types of people an...
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1975.107
Original Tape ID
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
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good