freaky, frondiferous doll. “It’s a mandrake,” Tuck told her. “Physicians like the Antonines used them as a sedative for amputations.” Saint Anthony stared down at them with mouth agape in speechless horror. “Is that what all that’s about?” Recovering from her shock somewhat, she directed the beam up at the severed hands and feet. “Yeah. Ignis sacer.” “Ignis what?” “Saint Anthony’s Fire. It was a sort of medieval epidemic. Caused gangrene and hallucinations and made people feel like they were being burned alive.”
