_Northamptonshire Folk Lore_ (Vol. vii., p. 146.).--In Norfolk, a ring made
from nine sixpences freely given by persons of the opposite sex is
considered a charm against epilepsy. I have seen nine sixpences brought to
a silversmith, with a request that he would make them into a ring; but
13½d. was not tendered to him for making, nor do I think that any
threehalfpences are collected for payment. After the patient had left the
shop, the silversmith informed me that such requests were of frequent
occurrence, and that he supplied the patients with thick silver rings, but
never took the trouble to manufacture them from the sixpences.
A similar superstition supposes that the sole of the left shoe of a person
of the same age, but opposite sex, to the patient, reduced to ashes is a
cure for St. Anthony's fire. I have seen it applied with success, but
suppose its efficacy is due to some astringent principle in the ashes.