I get the impression that Phistic would indicate a course of treatment for whatever ailment they believed to be the case, but wonder if this referred to bloodletting. Phistic apparently stressed the body, and bloodletting could have that effect. She was considered to possess mental abilities equal to assessing her situation which would rule out certain conditions. She might have been a ward or charge of someone who was making sure they would be repaid for an expensive treatment before committing to it.

Janice

 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: John Wyles <[log in to unmask]>
To: VA-ROOTS <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tue, Oct 28, 2014 12:17 pm
Subject: [VA-ROOTS] Word meaning


In a 1711 Vestry entry, the following is recorded:

 

"Ordered that ye church wardens agree with some doctor to cure Mary Wild of
her ailment, & if she think herself able to undergo a course of Phistic, the
church wardens agree with ye doctors for ye same."

 

I am trying to understand the meaning of the word "Phistic". Is this a
physical ailment, or a mental ailment, or a course of treatment for an
ailment?  If a course of treatment, what was involved?

 

 

Thank you.

 

 


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