The ‘Isle of Man’ birch was, essentially, a group of canes bound together and, as such, bears almost no resemblance to the birch traditionally used in British schools – which was essentially a spray of twigs.
I have no difficulty understanding how the IOM birch caused pain but I’ve always wondered about the ordinary birch.
Given that it had almost zero impact, did it simply scratch, cut and tear the skin – much the same as a group of needles might have done?
Very very very uncivilised – almost MEDIAEVAL – if such is the case!