Popular Cures
Chincough:
(no. 8) Boil a black snail in sweet milk and give milk to child.
Warts:
(no. 1) Get a black snail without looking for it, rub it on warts three times, then hang on a white-thorn bush. As snail withers warts will disappear.
Earache:
Get a black snail, cut off both horns with one cut - instant cure.
Excerpts from 'Folklore from Co. Longford' by Cait Ni Bhradaigh, in Bealoideas, v6 (1936).
* chincough = whooping cough.
Divination of your future husband
At May Eve a snail is picked and put into a clean metal pot and covered close during the night by the young unmarried females, chiefly Roman Catholic, who in the morning expect to see the name of the man, to whom they will be married, written by the trail of the snail.
'Folklore in Maghera Parish* by O. Davies, in the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, v8, 1945.
*County Derry.
Taken from the 1835 O.S. Memoirs for Co. Derry.
'Folklore in Maghera Parish* by O. Davies, in the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, v8, 1945.
*County Derry.
Taken from the 1835 O.S. Memoirs for Co. Derry.
Snails and warts
Wart curing is very common, and in most classes there will be someone who has had experience of it. At Fowlmere in Cambridgeshire I was told this story by a man over seventy who, incidentally, never missed [an evening] class.
"When I was a boy I had warts on the back of my hands, and was advised to rub a black snail on them, then stick the snail on a thorn, and at the new moon I was to point my hand to the moon and blow along the back of it. I did that, and the warts went." He added humorously, "I don't know where they went to."
'Adult education and folklore', by GW Pattison, in Folklore v.64 (1953).
"When I was a boy I had warts on the back of my hands, and was advised to rub a black snail on them, then stick the snail on a thorn, and at the new moon I was to point my hand to the moon and blow along the back of it. I did that, and the warts went." He added humorously, "I don't know where they went to."
'Adult education and folklore', by GW Pattison, in Folklore v.64 (1953).
Orkney snail drink
There are in these isles many little Chappels, now generally ruinous, as in the isle of Unst there are 24 and upwards. In the isle of Yell there are 21 and many in other isles. I saw one of them in the Parish of Tingwal, wherein also there are several mo; it would have contained scarce 30. People, as I judge, and tho so little, yet very great Stones were in the Walls, which was strange to me, how that in this Countrey, where their Beasts are weak, and they have not the help of Machines, they got them lifted and laid.
These are said to have been built by Superstitious Zealots in the time of Popery, or as some rather think by Ship-wrackt Seamen, who coming late[?] to shore, have Built them according to their Vows made by them when in danger, which they dedicated to so many several Saints, whom they looked upon as the Patrons of their Respective Chappels. About which also Men and Women of Old had their night walkings, which occasioned much uncleanness, but now such walkings are but little used.
About the Walls of these old Chappels are found Snails, called Shell-Snails, which they dry and pulverize, mingling the dust with their drink for the Jaundice, by which means these who labour under this sickness in 3 or 4 days time will recover of the same, but if they let this dust ly for a Year, without making use of it, it turneth into small living Creatures or Vermine, which they dry and bray over again, if they make any further use of it.
From A new description of Orkney.. by John Brand, 1703.
These are said to have been built by Superstitious Zealots in the time of Popery, or as some rather think by Ship-wrackt Seamen, who coming late[?] to shore, have Built them according to their Vows made by them when in danger, which they dedicated to so many several Saints, whom they looked upon as the Patrons of their Respective Chappels. About which also Men and Women of Old had their night walkings, which occasioned much uncleanness, but now such walkings are but little used.
About the Walls of these old Chappels are found Snails, called Shell-Snails, which they dry and pulverize, mingling the dust with their drink for the Jaundice, by which means these who labour under this sickness in 3 or 4 days time will recover of the same, but if they let this dust ly for a Year, without making use of it, it turneth into small living Creatures or Vermine, which they dry and bray over again, if they make any further use of it.
From A new description of Orkney.. by John Brand, 1703.
"Wall Fish" in Somerset and beyond
WALL FISH. - Snails have long been recommended as a cure for tuberculosis, and in Somerset, in my younger days, it was quite common to meet with cases where this cure was applied.
I know, too, that in Bristol it was quite a usual practice for men to visit houses where ivy covered the walls to seek permission to search for wall fish, or wall fruit, as snails were often designated. Probably the custom is still in existence. Not long since an attempt was made in some quarters to make the snail a popular edible dish, but I have not heard it succeeded to any extent, as in France. Snail farming is said to be quite interesting once you can get over that slippery, slimy sort of feeling that every snail fancier must experience the first time he finds himself alone and unprotected in the midst of a few thousand real live snails.
Two years ago a note on snail eaters appeared in the "Herald." We were then told cooked snails were rather insipid, but are said to be as nutritious as calves' foot jelly when stewed in milk. Glass blowers in many parts of England have a firm belief in the efficacy of garden snails as a cure for consumption. Mr. Walter Raymond, in his "Book of Crafts and Character," devotes a chapter to the snail merchant who collects snails and they are described as tasting better than the best mutton.
Southey tells us that Maecenas of Cookery, Sir Kenelm Digby, who is remembered for so many odd things, was one of the persons who introduced the great shell snail (Helix Pomaria) into this country as a delicacy. He dispersed the breed about Gothurst, his seat near Newport Pragnel; but the merit of first importing it is due to Charles Howard, of the Arundel family.
Snails were sold in Covent Garden as a remedy for consumption. Fifteen years ago snails were sold in Swindon Market, being considered nourishing, especially in cases of consumption or after illness. The sort found most often is the common garden snail, Helix Aspersa.
Udal, in "Dorsetshire Folk-lore," says "The value of the snail for medicinal purposes is well known. Richard Jefferies, in his book, 'Round about a Great Estate' states that in Dorsetshire an extract of snails is sometimes prepared, and, mixed with rum, is rubbed into weak backs, or legs, especially of children. I myself have known of the use both internally and externally of the 'liquor' of snails, in West Dorset. I think this was used as a cure or palliative, for 'sore legs.'" -- W.G. Willis Watson.
In the Taunton Courier, 10th June 1925.
I know, too, that in Bristol it was quite a usual practice for men to visit houses where ivy covered the walls to seek permission to search for wall fish, or wall fruit, as snails were often designated. Probably the custom is still in existence. Not long since an attempt was made in some quarters to make the snail a popular edible dish, but I have not heard it succeeded to any extent, as in France. Snail farming is said to be quite interesting once you can get over that slippery, slimy sort of feeling that every snail fancier must experience the first time he finds himself alone and unprotected in the midst of a few thousand real live snails.
Two years ago a note on snail eaters appeared in the "Herald." We were then told cooked snails were rather insipid, but are said to be as nutritious as calves' foot jelly when stewed in milk. Glass blowers in many parts of England have a firm belief in the efficacy of garden snails as a cure for consumption. Mr. Walter Raymond, in his "Book of Crafts and Character," devotes a chapter to the snail merchant who collects snails and they are described as tasting better than the best mutton.
Southey tells us that Maecenas of Cookery, Sir Kenelm Digby, who is remembered for so many odd things, was one of the persons who introduced the great shell snail (Helix Pomaria) into this country as a delicacy. He dispersed the breed about Gothurst, his seat near Newport Pragnel; but the merit of first importing it is due to Charles Howard, of the Arundel family.
Snails were sold in Covent Garden as a remedy for consumption. Fifteen years ago snails were sold in Swindon Market, being considered nourishing, especially in cases of consumption or after illness. The sort found most often is the common garden snail, Helix Aspersa.
Udal, in "Dorsetshire Folk-lore," says "The value of the snail for medicinal purposes is well known. Richard Jefferies, in his book, 'Round about a Great Estate' states that in Dorsetshire an extract of snails is sometimes prepared, and, mixed with rum, is rubbed into weak backs, or legs, especially of children. I myself have known of the use both internally and externally of the 'liquor' of snails, in West Dorset. I think this was used as a cure or palliative, for 'sore legs.'" -- W.G. Willis Watson.
In the Taunton Courier, 10th June 1925.
Snails and the weather
The domestic hen persistently rolling in the dust is an omen of wet; whilst even the humble snails are aware of the changing conditions. They will cross roads and paths when the signs are bad. Thus the old English saying: "When black snails cross your path, black clouds much moisture hath."
Similarly, those who recall childhood days in the countryside, will remember the village boy crooning to a snail: "Snailie, snailie, shoot out your horn, and tell us if it will be a bonny day the morn?"
Britannia and Eve, 1st June 1932.
Similarly, those who recall childhood days in the countryside, will remember the village boy crooning to a snail: "Snailie, snailie, shoot out your horn, and tell us if it will be a bonny day the morn?"
Britannia and Eve, 1st June 1932.
Gloucestershire Folk Lore
The exuded froth of a pickled snail dropped into the ear is a cure for earache.
The same insect sewn up in a bag and worn round the neck for nine days is an antidote for ague. After the nine days the bag is opened, and the snail thrown into the fire, when it is said to shake like the ague (no doubt!) and after this the patient is never again troubled with the complaint.
The poor snail is again tortured to cure warts. One is to be pierced as many times as the warts in number, and then stuck on a blackthorn in a hedgerow; as the creature dies, the warts wane and disappear.
Gloucester Journal, 15th May 1880.
The same insect sewn up in a bag and worn round the neck for nine days is an antidote for ague. After the nine days the bag is opened, and the snail thrown into the fire, when it is said to shake like the ague (no doubt!) and after this the patient is never again troubled with the complaint.
The poor snail is again tortured to cure warts. One is to be pierced as many times as the warts in number, and then stuck on a blackthorn in a hedgerow; as the creature dies, the warts wane and disappear.
Gloucester Journal, 15th May 1880.
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