n execution
days at Northampton, numbers of sufferers used to congregate round the
gallows, in order to receive the "dead-stroke," as it is termed. At the
last execution which took place in that town, a very few only were
operated upon, not so much in consequence of decrease of faith, as from
the higher fee demanded by the hangman.

_Epistaxis._--For stopping or preventing bleeding at the nose, a toad is
killed by transfixing it with some sharp pointed instrument, after which
it is inclosed in a little bag and suspended round the neck. The same
charm is also occasionally used in cases of fever. The following passage
From Sir K. Digby's _Discourse on Sympathy_ (Lond. 1658) may enlighten
us as to the principle:--

"In time of common contagion, they use to carry about them the
powder of a toad, and sometimes a living toad or spider shut up
in a box; or else they carry arsnick, or some other venemous
substance, which _draws unto it the contagious air_, which
otherwise would infect the party." p. 77.

_Another for the Same._--If it be a man who suffers, he asks a female to
buy him a lace, (if a female she asks a man), without either giving
money, saying what it is wanted for, or returning thanks when {37}
received. The lace so obtained must be worn round the neck for the space
of nine days; at the expiration of which, it is said, the patient will
experience no return of the disorder.

_Cramp._--We still retain such a high sense of the efficacy of the form
of the cross, that in case of spasms, or that painful state of the feet
in which they are said to "sleep," it is commonly used, under the
impression that it mitigates, if not entirely allays, the pain. Warts
are also charmed away by crossing them with elder sticks: and a very
common charm for the cramp consists in the sufferer's always taking
care, when he pulls off his shoes and stockings, to place them in such a
position as to form a resemblance to the "holy sign."

Another and very common charm resorted to for the cure of this painful
disorder, consists in the wearing about the person the patella of a
sheep or lamb, here known as the "cramp-bone." This is worn as near the
skin as possible, and at night is laid under the pillow. One instance of
a _human_ patella being thus used has come under my notice, but I
believe this to be by no means common.

_Toothache._--Few ailments have more charms for its cure than this. In
point of efficacy non