Ossman and Steel’s Classic Household Guide to Appalachian Folk Healing

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

The subtitle is A Collection of Old-Time Remedies, Charms, and Spells which comes closer to describing the contents.  Jake Richards, author of Doctoring the Devil and Backwoods Witchcraft, says that he wanted to reprint this compendium as part of his desire to preserve Appalachian folkways.  He also provides some commentary on some selections. An uncredited note in the front of the book is a disclaimer about using some of the suggested remedies; not only could some of herbs prove harmful, but an accurate diagnosis is crucial. Readers are advised to consult a doctor or other medical professional.

That said, the cures in the first section are more like prayers or charms, and often call on Jesus.  For example, the first few entries in the book are protections against evil, be it against bad luck on a trip, firearms, or enemies.  There are several charms to make thieves return stolen items and others to repel witches and witchcraft.

Physical ailments are also addressed.  For a cold or inflammation, the recommendation is:

‘Speak the following:

“Inflammation lose thy color, like Judas lost his color when he betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen.”’

The instructions go on to say that these words are to be repeated three times while touching the sick person’s bare skin, and then blowing your breath over the patient three times.

Other remedies do employ ingredients such as lard, wine, or herbs.  There are salve-making instructions and cough syrups.

The “Household” part includes stain removers, hair-curling lotions, and how to make a cement to mend glass or china.

I remember hearing older people talk about going to faith healers in the community who would murmur words to cure the affliction but I had never heard of a book which detailed these remedies.  It’s possible that the cost of the book was out of reach for most, who relied instead on oral histories to obtain such knowledge.

This is an interesting little book; while some ingredients may not be readily obtainable now (laudanum, for instance) or instructions a bit—um—unpleasant (urinating into your shoe and then pouring the urine into a horse’s ear to cure it of “wind colic”) it did make me appreciate modern drug stores.