broken limb so that the sufferer might not die through excess of pain and
loss of blood. All replied that they could not endure to dress the wound
owing to their horror thereof. But there was one of the company, Daluadh
by name, who faced the wound boldly and confidently and said: "In the
name of Christ and of Declan our patron I shall be surgeon to this foot";
and he said that jestingly. Nevertheless he bandaged the foot carefully
and blessed it aright in the name of God and Declan, and in a little
while the wound healed and they all gave praise to God. Then Declan said
to Daluadh: "You promised to be surgeon to that foot in Christ's name
and in mine and God has vouchsafed to heal it at these words: on this
account you will be a true physician for ever and your children and your
seed after you for ever shall also possess the healing art, and
whomsoever they shall practise healing upon in God's name and mine,
provided there be no hatred [in their hearts] nor too great covetousness
of a physician's fee to him, God and myself shall send relief." This
promise of Declan has been fulfilled in the case of that family.

37. On another occasion, as Declan was travelling in the northern part
of Magh Femhin beside the Suir, he met there a man who was carrying a
little infant to get it baptised. Declan said to the people [his
"muinntear," or following]: "Wait here till I baptise yonder child," for
it was revealed by the Holy Ghost to him that he [the babe] should serve
God. The attendant replied to him that they had neither a vessel nor
salt for the baptism. Declan said: "We have a wide vessel, the Suir,
and God will send us salt, for this child is destined to become holy and
wonderful [in his works]." Thereupon Declan took up a fistful of earth
and, making prayer in his heart to God, he signed the clay with the sign
of the cross of redemption. It (the handful of earth) became white, dry
salt, and all, on seeing it, gave thanks and honour to God and Declan.
The infant was baptised there and the name of Ciaran given him. Declan