_Spiders a Cure for Ague_ (Vol. ii., p. 130.).--Seeing a note on this
subject reminds me that a few years since, a lady in the south of
Ireland was celebrated far and near, amongst her poorer neighbours, for
the cure of this disorder. Her universal remedy was a large house-spider
alive, and enveloped in treacle or preserve. Of course the parties were
carefully kept in ignorance of what the wonderful remedy was.
Whilst I am on the subject of cures, I may as well state that in parts
of the co. Carlow, the blood drawn from a black cat's ear, and rubbed
upon the part affected, is esteemed a certain cure for St. Anthony's
fire.