There is in India a small state called Raghoghur, the Rajahs of which
are said to possess the power of curing snake-bite, even though it
be from the most deadly cobra or karait. This power has been handed
down for centuries, and was firmly believed in during the year 1896,
and even up to the present moment.
Every man bitten by a deadly snake in that place takes a bit of string,
ties seven knots in it, and places it round his neck. As he goes along
towards the Palace of the Rajah or Raghoghur, he keeps repeating "Jeth
Singh," "Jeth Singh," "Jeth Singh," untying each knot while so doing.
Arrived at the Palace, he salutes the assembled courtiers, and in
their presence undoes the last of the seven knots. This done, the
Rajah pours water on the bite and on the man's hands. A Brahmin gives
his blessing, and he returns to the village cured.
This power descends from father to son, and many are the wonderful
cures reported from Raghoghur.