Shetland Folk-Lore
disease (jaundice), was treated by an oil obtained from the gulsa whelk, or garden snail.
In sprained joints the wrestin treed was considered the best remedy. This thread was made of black wool, and knotted in a peculiar way, viz., a knot for every day in the moon's age. This was tied round the sprained joint, the operator muttering in an undertone:
“Da Loard raed,
Da foal slaed,
Sinnin ta sinnin,
Bane ta bane,
Hael i' da Father,
Da Son, an' da
Holy Ghost's name.”
Burning and toothache were “told out” by uttering over the patient certain formulas of words in Norse, only known to the speaker. Ringworm was “told out” in a rather peculiar way. The practitioner took three straws, on each of which were three knots or joints, and
lighting these in the fire, the following
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