Note 23 — Chapter I · THE EVIL EYE AND THE SCARING OF GHOSTS.

This idea appears in many various forms. We have already noticed the use of iron as a charm against hail. In the same way a sword or knife is placed in the bed of the young mother. She is, at this crisis of her life, particularly exposed to the influence of evil spirits, as the Scotch fairies are very fond of milk, and try to gratify their desires on “unsained” or unchurched women.23 There is a case in the Indian Law Reports, where the knife thus placed near the woman was used to murder her.24 Pliny advises that a piece of iron should be placed in the nest of a sitting hen to save her eggs from the influence of thunder. This is now done in Sicily, with the object of absorbing every noise which might be injurious to the chickens.25 So, the Indians of Canada put out swords in a storm to frighten off the demon of thunder.26 The common belief is that the evil spirit is such a fool that he runs against the sharp edge of the weapon and allows himself to be wounded.