tales-of-Fogo-Island

Remedies and CuresLocal people have always used home remedies. There were very few doctorsand nurses in their communities, so they had to find ways to care forthemselves. The following is a brief look at some popular cures.Poultices were used to treat infections in cuts and wounds. For example, a'gathered', or infected finger could be treated using a poultice. In 1984, MrRoy Athony shared his recipe for making a 'bread poultice'.He explained that a slice of bread would be soaked with boiling water. Then itwould be drained and placed on a piece of cotton. A few drops of mineral orolive oil would also be added to keep the bread from drying out. When cooled,the poultice would be placed on the infection and left for several hours. Mostpeople would apply a poultice just before going to bed. This would berepeated several times until the infection was 'drawn' out. If the infection wasdifficult to cure, dried elder blossom or tansy would be added to the poultice.Poultices were used to treat both people and injured animals. Mrs. DaisyBlundon remembers using a poultice on the family horse:Lewis was gone away to work and I was home alone. Clyde and Maxcame down to tell me that someone saw 'Prince' over on the island. Theysaid he was walking on three legs because he had a nail drove up in hishoof. They went over in the trap skiff to catch him and bring him home,but they could not get handy to him, though he was only just able tocripple along. They came back and got me to go with them. I wasfrightened to death, but I had to do it. I went up on the island with a bagof oats and here he comes. I got him hold 'be the neck. Then the mencame and grabbed 'en.They put him in the trap skiff and come home. Then they hauled the nailout of his hoof. There was a lot of infection there, so I went to work andmade a bread poultice to put on it. I put a fresh one on his hoof everynight. After a spell all the infection was drawn out and he was the bestkind. My, that horse got some tame after that! He used to lie on theground and let the youngsters sit on his stomach.