Man, it IS cold and we all HAVE colds. Autumn Schmautumn.
We had been feeling very sorry for ourselves as we downed cold and flu remedies and stocked up on tissues until we read this list of old Orcadian remedies from the Ernest Walker Marwick collection which is stuffed with local lore and legend.
For earache they used limpet juice! For sore eyes, try pee! Roast up some mice when your loved one develops whooping cough!
The most hilarious remedy by far is for warts. You were supposed to secretly rub your warts against the clothes of an acquaintance whose spouse had been unfaithful. This must have been so awkward:
CUCKOLDED WOMAN: "What are you doing?"
WARTY WOMAN: "Nothing."
CUCKOLDED WOMAN: "Are you rubbing your arm on me? Are those... warts?...
"MALCOLM!!!!!"
