The Midwife's Warning to Mrs. Gable

Epistolary

October 14, 1842 Dear Mrs. Gable, I write to you regarding the infant born on the twelfth. While your physician may speak of infantile wasting or a melancholic temperament, the physical evidence suggests a replacement. These occurrences are frequent in the valley; they are tedious, but manageable if handled with precision. You will observe the following markers. First, the child will reject the breast in favor of raw wool. If you find the wool bins in the laundry disturbed, or if the infant attempts to chew upon the blankets, the substitution is confirmed. Second, you must feel for a pulse at the left wrist. You will find the right wrist beats strongly, but the left remains cold and silent. This is the primary biological discrepancy of the changeling. To restore your own child, you must act before the first frost. Delaying past the freeze makes the entity permanent. The procedure is as follows: place a heavy iron pot of water upon the hearth. Bring it to a rolling boil. Do not add salt or herbs; the heat alone is the catalyst. Hold the entity over the steam, ensuring the vapor reaches the nostrils, and inform it in a clear, loud voice that you know its nature. You must demand the return of the true child. The entity will likely scream or attempt to bargain. Do not listen. Maintain the steam until the entity vanishes or the true child is returned to the cradle. Once the exchange is complete, scrub the hearth with vinegar to remove the residue. I shall return on Tuesday to check the infant's pulse. Ensure the fire is well stoked. Yours sincerely, Agnes Thorne, Midwife