Curved Basaltic Pillar at Doon Point, Rathlin Island.
population at that time numbered about 1100. It is now reduced to less than one-half, chiefly from emigration, the people having discovered that they can live more comfortably on larger farms, so that the younger branches of families in place of being content to settle down on a small potato field, seek their fortunes in other countries as tradesmen and emigrants.
Rathlin is in general a healthy spot, and many of the people have attained to a good old age. When they are attacked with rheumatism, which is rather a common ailment, they have recourse to a remedy of very long standing, which, from its proved efficacy, has continued in use up to the present time.
In several parts of the island small buildings, called “sweat houses” (in more refined language they would be Turkish baths), are constructed of stones and turf, the roof being formed of the same materials, and put together with great precision. They are built in the shape of a bee-hive, and have a small hole in the roof, with another aperture below sufficiently large to admit one person on his hands and knees. When required for use a large fire of turf is lighted on the floor in the centre of the house, and allowed to burn out, the entrance having been carefully closed. When the house has become thoroughly heated, the ashes are swept away, and the patient goes in, having taken off all his clothes with the exception of his shirt, which he then throws outside and is ready for his bath. The hole in the roof is then covered with a flat stone, and the entrance is also completely closed up in such a manner that the heated air within can have its full effect on the patient who remains there until he begins to perspire copiously, when he comes out, and if young and strong plunges immediately into the sea, but the aged or weak retire to bed for a few hours.
This primitive vapour-bath has frequently been successful in removing pains of long standing, besides other ailments, and strangers have sometimes come for the express purpose of trying its efficacy. It is not, however, applied exclusively to the cure of disease, as the young women frequently resort to it as a means of clearing their complexions after having been exposed to the heat of the sun in their out-door work, and especially if a fair or market should be near at hand, which they generally contrive to attend. In other respects their habits and customs do not differ at all from those of other parts of Ireland or Scotland, with both of which countries they hold constant intercourse, and which has no doubt been the means of effacing many of the peculiarities and superstitions of former times.
Arrangement of Basalt at Runascariff, Rathlin Island.
