The Folk Doctor

Among the various beings like dwarves, elves, gnomes, goblins, and others, whose origins are tied to fey lords, divine intervention, or magical genetic engineering, there exists an inherent grasp of magic. Similarly, intelligent creatures like dragons and giants, who evolved to naturally harness magical energy, possess an innate understanding of its ways. However, Humanity, Halflings and a handful of others stands apart in this regard. Magical talent among humans especialy can be unpredictable at best, and their connection with magic has been shaped by a long process of evolution, and trail by error sciences marked by periods of disastrous misunderstanding and a lack of true comprehension of mystical forces.
Throughout human cultures worldwide, an array of strange, wild, and bizarre superstitions has been recorded. Alongside these beliefs, a myriad of peculiar "professions" emerged, often deemed Folk Doctors. These individuals were once regarded as serious and skilled experts in the realm of magical healing. Although their methods might be classified as quackery by modern standards, it's essential to recognize that most Folk Doctors genuinely believed in the magical efficacy of their practices.
For ages, Folk Doctors thrived in the diverse regions of Terigoth, offering their unique healing arts to those seeking relief from various ailments. These practitioners who often had no real understanding of magic and rarely even a knack for it claimed a wide array of magical abilities and knowledge of how to cure sickness, impotency, curses or a dozen other problems with their folksy wisdom.
However, in recent times, the influence of Folk Doctors has waned as understanding of healing magic has expanded and become more widespread. The knowledge of divine spellcasters, the science of alchemy, and the wisdom of witches' brews have gained broader acceptance and prominence. As a result, the once revered and enigmatic Folk Doctors find their arts having faded into the annals of history.
Though their practices may be seen as outlandish today, it's crucial to remember that these Folk Doctors were once integral members of their communities, offering solace and hope to those in need. Their stories remind us of the ever-changing nature of knowledge and the evolution of beliefs and practices over time.
Alas medical quakery is still a popular and harmful art but in our modern age it is now done under the veneer of knowledge of medicine and magic with slick snake oil salesmen, quacks and hucksters all eager to take folks coin replacing the often inept but well meaning Folk Doctor.

Career

Qualifications

Compared to the rigorous training and qualifications required to become a medicant, chiurgeon, white witch, or a healer using non-magical methods, the qualifications to be a Folk Doctor were laughable. The title of Folk Doctor often required only a vague understanding of folk remedies, coupled with a willingness to sell or offer these remedies to those seeking help.
While some Folk Doctors might have possessed a slight inkling of actual healing knowledge, such individuals were scarce among their ranks. Instead, individuals with more substantial understanding and expertise in healing arts were more commonly found among herbalists and midwives. These professionals often garnered real knowledge of medicinal herbs, natural remedies, and effective healing practices through generations of experience and study.
The emergence of Folk Doctors highlights a time when magical or superstitious beliefs greatly influenced the perception of healing. People turned to these individuals in the hopes of finding relief from their ailments, even though their qualifications were questionable at best. As societies progressed, and knowledge about medicine and healing expanded, the role of Folk Doctors gradually faded away, replaced by more structured and evidence-based practices in the medical field.

Career Progression

The advancement of most Folk Doctors was often based on luck and the superstitions of the people they served. Their purported magical cures were frequently baseless, offering little to no real healing benefits, and in some cases, could even worsen a person's condition. Unlike modern showmen and quacks, Folk Doctors typically operated on a smaller scale, catering to local communities and individuals seeking a remedy for their ailments.
Though some Folk Doctors managed to gain favor and status in the courts of kings and rulers during their time, this success often came at the annoyance and skepticism of actual healers and practitioners of healing magic. These genuine healers, would have been critical of the questionable methods and lack of true healing knowledge displayed by the Folk Doctors.
Throughout history, the line between effective healers and those relying on superstition and unfounded magical claims has often been blurry. As societies progressed and medical knowledge improved, the prevalence of such dubious practices gradually diminished, paving the way for more evidence-based and effective healing approaches in the medical field. Today, the legacy of Folk Doctors serves as a reminder of the evolution of medicine, Magical understanding and the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based practices in healthcare.

Payment & Reimbursement

The payments received by Folk Doctors varied significantly depending on the time period, location, and the perceived value of their services. Folk doctoring was often not a regulated profession, and as a result, the fees charged for their remedies could be quite diverse and based on local customs and traditions.
In more rural or less affluent communities, payments to Folk Doctors might be as simple as a chicken, a few coins, or some food. These communities might not have had the resources to offer more substantial compensation.
In wealthier or more prosperous regions, Folk Doctors might receive more valuable payments. It is not uncommon to find historical records mentioning payments such as a larger number of coins, livestock (like the case of six cattle for curing gout), or other valuable commodities.
Since Folk Doctors relied on superstitions, magic, and promises of healing through unproven methods, the value of their services often depended on the beliefs and desperation of the people seeking their help. While some individuals might have been willing to pay dearly for even a glimmer of hope, others might have been more skeptical and thus offered lesser payments.

Other Benefits

The benefits and reputation of Folk Doctors were highly dependent on various factors, including luck, local superstitions, and the outcomes of their supposed cures. The perception of Folk Doctors often hinged on the belief and trust of the people they served, and the consequences could be drastic depending on the success or failure of their treatments.
In some cases, Folk Doctors were indeed well-regarded in their communities, especially if they appeared to have achieved positive results for certain ailments or conditions. However, the moment one of their cures failed, their status could quickly change, and they might face harsh consequences.
In less forgiving circumstances, Folk Doctors who were perceived to have caused harm or exacerbated a patient's condition might find themselves subjected to public ridicule and humiliation. Being locked in a pillory and pelted with rotten eggs and fruits was a common form of punishment for those whose treatments were deemed fraudulent or harmful.
On the other hand, some Folk Doctors might have enjoyed favorable outcomes, as illustrated by the example of the folk doctor who cured a prince with sleeplessness using a live toad that he sat upon the princes head and was subsequently rewarded with noble status. Such instances are likely based on local superstitions and the belief in the magical powers of these practitioners.
However, as demonstrated by the story of the well-meaning Folk Doctor who attempted to cure a knight's wound using unhygienic methods, the consequences of their actions could be severe and even fatal. If their treatments led to complications or worsened a patient's condition, they might face serious punishment, as illustrated by the gruesome fate at least one being drawn and quartered.
The stories of Folk Doctors highlight the diverse and often unpredictable outcomes they faced in a world where medical knowledge was limited, and superstitions held significant sway. While some might have genuinely believed in their magical abilities, others could have exploited people's desperation and credulity for personal gain. Others happily charging next to nothing compared to the price of real magic that actually worked.

Perception

History

The history of Folk Doctors is marked by a mix of genuine belief in their practices and methods, coupled with a lack of scientific understanding and the influence of superstition. While some of them genuinely thought they were helping people and sincerely believed in their strange customs and methods, others indeed took advantage of people's ignorance and vulnerability for their own gain.
The Best among Folk Doctors:
Some of the best Folk Doctors were individuals who grew up in societies where magical beliefs and superstitions were deeply ingrained. They genuinely thought they possessed special knowledge and abilities to heal and alleviate suffering through their unique remedies and rituals. These individuals had faith in their customs and methods, which had often been passed down through generations, and they truly believed in the efficacy of their treatments. Their intentions might have been benevolent, but their practices were often not based on scientific evidence or proven medical principles.
The Worst among Folk Doctors:
On the other hand, there were certainly individuals who used the guise of Folk Doctoring to exploit people for their own financial gain. These medical quacks were not interested in genuinely helping others but saw an opportunity to take advantage of people's desperation and lack of knowledge about medicine. They peddled dubious remedies and offered false promises of healing, siphoning money that could have been better invested in the services of actual trained healers.

Operations

Tools

the tools of Folk Doctors were often a mix of quirky, bizarre, and sometimes downright silly items. These items, which were once considered serious tools of their trade, have now become curiosities displayed in museums and collections.
Snail Cage: Folk Doctors often believed that carrying a snail shell amulet , or better yet a live snail in your pocket could protect against various illnesses and ward off evil spirits. The belief in the protective power of the spiral shape and the snail's association with slow, steady healing likely contributed to this superstition and many Folk Doctors would carry cages to house these important snails.
Ointment Trowl: This specialised trowl had to be made from a sheeps bone and was used to spread all manner of healing ointments under the belief that it prevented contamination.
Crystal Ball: Some Folk Doctors claimed to have divination abilities, and they would use a crystal ball to "see" into the future or gain insight into a patient's condition. This was more common among those who dabbled in both magical healing and fortune-telling practices. Many Poor Folk Doctors could only afford glass balls or those made of less valuable stones a sure sign of a Folk Doctors prowess was the expense of the ball they employed to discern internal sickness.
Toad Sack: A small sack used to capture live toads or frogs, believed to have magical properties. Placing the toad on someone's head was thought to cure insomnia, while wearing it around the neck was believed to ease a sore throat.
Dung Bag: The dried dung of various animals, though not openly discussed, was attributed to numerous supposed curatives by Folk Doctors. These practices might seem odd or unappealing to us now but were once part of their healing repertoire.
Scissors and Razors: Folk Doctors provided not only magical remedies but also practical services. Many offered simple bandaging for minor wounds and surprisingly, haircuts. Some even made wigs out of shorn hair, and wearing a wig made from a young person's hair was believed to counter various age-related ailments.
The tools and practices of Folk Doctors might seem amusing or strange to us today, but they reflect the historical context of a time when magical beliefs and superstitions held significant influence over people's lives and actually magical knowledge was a rare comodity.

Materials

The materials used by Folk Doctors were often easily accessible and drawn from a combination of traditional teachings and the writings of other Folk Doctors. Their tools and remedies ranged from the mundane to the seemingly magical, with a mix of local materials and superstitions.
Some of the common materials used by Folk Doctors included:
Owl Feathers Steeped in Wine: For those suffering from nearsightedness or farsightedness, Folk Doctors recommended sleeping with owl feathers placed over the eyes, after steeping them in wine. It was believed to offer healing benefits for vision-related issues.
Herbs and Stones: Folk Doctors relied on various herbs and stones believed to have medicinal or magical properties. These natural elements were often gathered from local surroundings and were integral to their remedies and rituals.
Household Items: Everyday objects found in households were repurposed for healing purposes. From simple cloth bandages to containers for holding remedies, or brooms that could sweep out curses from wicked faeries these items were readily available and commonly used by Folk Doctors.
Weird trinkets & Artifacts: Folk Doctors sometimes incorporated unusual objects and materials into their practices. For instance, a bit of leather from a preacher's shoe might have been seen as having protective or healing qualities, while other artifacts that most would consider junk were thought to been imbued with symbolic significance (As a note this about as close to understanding how real magical focus objects work as they got).
Magical Tools: Wands, staves, and various other magical tools were crafted from local materials, often with specific beliefs tied to their usage. These tools were thought to enhance the Folk Doctor's abilities and channel magical energies for healing purposes.
One fascinating example of a magical tool is the femur of a sheep adorned with rooster feathers, which was believed to have the ability to awaken someone being dream ridden by a hag. The mere act of tickling the person's nose with the feathers was thought to disrupt the hag's malevolent influence and wake the individual from the nightmare.
The materials and tools of Folk Doctors showcase the eclectic and diverse nature of their practices, combining elements of local traditions, natural remedies, and superstitions.

Provided Services

Healing, curse breaking, evil magic cleansing, witch-vexing, and a long list of other reputed powers offered to you, your farm and your household at a fraction of what you would have to pay to trained wizard, witch or cleric.

Dangers & Hazards

The primary hazard of a Folk Doctors cure was premature death because one of their supposed cures might be worse then the sickness.

"Quack. Charlatan. Unknowing lucky healer's hand. These are three terms I have heard used for Folk Doctors in the past. I will admit freely, I have seen what happens when a Folk Doctor is unable to offer proper aid to the sick. However. Those of this vocation that are apt healers provided a lot of the early backbone of knowledge alongside Clergy, White Mages, Witches and similar that we Physicians and Chireurgeons draw upon to this day. " - Dr. Matthias Carre, Physician and Chireurgeon trained by the Collegiate Physique Du Saint Elsair.

Alternative Names

Toad Doctors, Leech-Wrangers, Dung-Doc's. Village Healer, Witch-Mender, Curer of Curses (Dozens of other names were also used in various places)

Type

Healthcare

Demand

Very high at a time when most people in the Terigoth little understood magic or mundane healing and couldn't afford its cost.

Legality

Up until little more then a few centuries ago Folk Doctors were legal and widly accepted everywhere. It has only been by the focused efforts of the priesthood of the goddess of healing and other less active faiths and others working diligently to dismiss the work of Folk Doctors as being dangerous or useless. While not strictly illegal if anyone claimed to be a folk doctor in all but the most backwater and poorly educated villages they would be laughed at, mocked and maybe even run out of town.