The fairy doctors are generally females. Old women, especially, are
considered to have peculiar mystic and supernatural power. They cure
chiefly by charms and incantations, transmitted by tradition through
many generations; and by herbs, of which they have a surprising
knowledge.
The fairies have an aversion to the sight of blood; and the peasants,
therefore, have a great objection to being bled, lest “the good people”
would be angry. Besides, they have much more faith in charms and
incantations than in any dispensary doctor that ever practised amongst
them.