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PREGNANCY BELIEF

MANY FEMALE PATIENTS EXPLAIN THEIR BAD TEETH AS BEING THE
RESULT OF CHILD BEARING. MANY MORE ASK THEIR DENTISTS IF HAVING
CHILDREN WILL CAUSE THEIR TEETH TO FALL OUT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS A DENTIST WHO HEARD THE MATTER FROM HIS PATIENTS.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 10-22-1965

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CEMETERY STATUE

THERE IS A CEMETERY IN WILMERDING, PENNSYLVANIA WITH A SIX
FOOT STATUE OF A GIRL, DRESSED IN A FLOWING ROBE, CARRYING AN ARMFUL
OF SCHOOL BOOKS, PENCIL CASE, ETC.
THE HISTORY OF THE FIGURE IS AS FOLLOWS:
THE GIRL WAS COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL
ONE DAY WHEN SHE WAS ATTACKED, RAPED, AND KILLED BY TWO HOODLUMS,
ON THE DAY OF HER BIRTHDAY. HER PARENTS HAD A
STATUE MADE IN HER LIKENESS AT THE TIME SHE WAS KILLED, AND PLACED ON
HER GRAVE, WHICH IS ON A HILL OVERLOOKING
A LARGE PART OF THE CEMETERY.
BECAUSE SHE WAS A VIRGIN AT THE TIME OF DEATH, IT IS BELIEVED THAT
ANYONE GOING INTO THE CEMETERY AT THE DEAD OF NIGHT
AND WHO DARES TO WALK THE
LONELY WALK UP TO THE STATUE, AND TOUCH IT WILL DISCOVER WHETHER OR
NOT THEY ARE A VIRGIN. A VIRGIN WILL
RECEIVE NO HARM FROM THE STATUE,
BUT A NON-VIRGIN WILL RECEIVE A SMALL
CUT AND CONSEQUENTLY BLEED FROM TOUCHING THE GARMENT OF THE
STATUE. IN ADDITION, ON THE EVE OF HER BIRTHDAY, THE
STATUE IS BELIEVED TO COME ALIVE AND WALK THE CEMETERY LOOKING
FOR HER MURDERERS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MELVINDALE

Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; GHOST ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Urban Legend ; Virgin

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-15-1965

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LE GNOMME ROUGE

THE CITY OF DETROIT HAS A FRENCH ORIGIN. BOTH CADILLAC AND
FATHER RICHARD GREATLY AIDED THE CITY'S FOUNDING. BOTH OF
THESE MEN WERE ADVISED BY "LE GNOMME ROUGE". THIS LITTLE
MAN HELPED IN MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS. MANY OF THE CITIZENS
SAW HIM FROM TIME TO TIME. HE WAS LAST SEEN IN 1806 DURING THE
DETROIT FIRE AND IN 1943 DURING THE RACE RIOTS. AT THAT TIME,
SOME CITIZENS SAW HIM, OPENLY SOBBING, WALKING THE STREETS
OF DOWNTOWN.

Submitter comment:

BILL GORMAN HEARD THIS, I WOULD THINK, FROM TRADITIONAL SOURCES.

Data entry tech comment:

SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; Gorman, William

Keyword(s): Detroit ; FRENCH ; Le Gnomme Rouge ; Legend ; Lore ; The Nain Rouge

James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARE THE GRAY CHAMPION OF NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 07-08-1964

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STRASBOURG, THE KNOCK, KNOCK STREET

IN DETROIT, IF YOU DRIVE DOWN STRASBOURG STREET, YOUR CAR WILL
KNOCK. THIS IS BECAUSE MANY YEARS AGO, A LITTLE GIRL WAS PLAYING
IN THE STREET WHEN HIT BY A CAR, WHICH DRAGGED HER BODY DOWN THE
STREET WITH HER HEAD KNOCKING AGAINST THE CAR DOOR UNTIL SHE WAS
DEAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT RECORDED

Keyword(s): Auto ; DEATH ; Haunting ; Knock ; Legend ; Lore

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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GROWTH BELIEF

IN THE UKRAINE IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A SMALL CHILD IS LYING
DOWN AND A PERSON JUMPS OVER THEM, THE CHILD WON'T GROW.
BUT IF THE PERSON JUMPS BACK OVER AGAIN, THEN WALKS AROUND HIM, HE
WILL
GROW NORMALLY.

Submitter comment:

BELIEF STILL HIGHLY RESPECTED, HEARD FROM GRANDPARENTS.
BY INFORMANT IN UKRAINE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P644] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Flypin, Stephanie

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CHILD ; GROWTH ; HEIGHT ; Jump ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; RITUAL

Subject headings: Custom
Favorites
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 10-01-1967

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CURE FOR ARTHRITIS

ALWAYS CARRY A CHESTNUT IN YOUR POCKET.

Submitter comment: A NEIGHBOR WHO LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM HIM BELIEVED THIS AND
CARRIED THE SAME CHESTNUT SINCE HIS EARLY CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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CHILD BED WETTING

IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU PLAY WITH MATCHES YOU WILL WET THE BED.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): CAUSE ; FUNCTION ; MATCHES

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 11-19-1968

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COUGH

TO CURE A COUGH, DIP THE END OF A SOFT CLOTH IN BRANDY AND RUB THE
SOLES OF THE PATIENT WITH IT.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM YOUTH.

Where learned: INDIANA ; GREENFIELD

Keyword(s): HIDDEN CONNECTION

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-23-1967

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EARACHE

WHEN ONE IS SUFFERING FROM AN EARACHE, TO EASE THE ACHE PLACE
A PLASTIC BAG FILLED WITH HOT SALT NEXT TO YOUR EAR.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT DOES THIS WHENEVER SHE SUFFERS FROM AN EARACHE.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 21126 ORCHARD

Keyword(s): HEAT REMEDY

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 02-20-1971

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EARACHE

TO CURE SOMEONE OF AN EARACHE, FILL YOUR MOUTH WITH MILK AND LET IT
WARM IN YOUR MOUTH TO BODY TEMPERATURE AND SPIT THE WARM MILK
INTO THE PERSON'S EAR. DON'T LET ANY OF THE MILK DRAIN OUT UNTIL
THE EARACHE IS BETTER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THAT THIS CURE ACTUALLY WORKS AND SAID THAT HER
GRANDMOTHER HAD THIS DONE TO HER IN YUGOSLAVIA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): HEAT REMEDY

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- P763

Date learned: 10-00-1971

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EARACHE

IF YOU HAVE AN EARACHE, GET A PIECE OF HAIR FROM SOMEONE NOT RELATED
TO YOU, WRAP IT IN COTTON, AND PUT IT IN YOUR EAR. THE EARACHE WILL
STOP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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EARACHE

TO CURE AN EARACHE, WRAP STRIPS OF A RAG
AROUND A PENCIL.
DIP THIS IN BEESWAX AND TAKE THE PENCIL OUT.
STICK THE POINTED END IN THE EAR AND BURN
THE OTHER END.

Submitter comment: FROM MRS. LAWRENCE OF POLISH DESCENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER

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EARACHE

MY MOTHER TOLD ME OF THIS CURE FOR EARACHES.
MY UNCLE WHEN HE WAS SMALL HAD A VERY BAD EARACHE
AND WAS VERY SICK.
MY GRANDFATHER HEARD OF A CURE BUT HAD NEVER TRIED IT HIMSELF.
GRANDFATHER SHAPED A PIECE OF CARDBOARD INTO A FUNNEL OR DUNCE HAT
ABOUT TWELVE INCHES HIGH AND FOUR TO FIVE INCHES IN DIAMETER
AT THE BASE. OVER THE CARDBOARD LINEN CLOTH
WAS PLACED. OVER THE LINEN, MELTED WAX WAS PLACED AND THE CARDBOARD
WAS NOW REMOVED, THE FUNNEL NOW CONSISTED OF ONLY THE CLOTH AND WAX.
GRANDFATHER THEN HAD HIS SON, MY UNCLE, LIE DOWN ON THE FLOOR
AND HE PLACED THE BASE OF THE FUNNEL OVER THE ACHING EAR.
HE THEN LIT THE TIP OF THE WAX-CLOTH FUNNEL
AND ALLOWED IT TO BURN DOWN FOUR TO FIVE INCHES.
WHEN HE REMOVED THE FUNNEL, A LARGE AMOUNT OF PUS FROM THE EAR
WAS FOUND UP INSIDE WHAT REMAINED OF THE FUNNEL.
THE AREA AROUND THE EAR WAS SOMEWHAT SINGED FOR AWHILE.
SINCE THAT TIME MY UNCLE HAS NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH HIS EARS.

Where learned: ROYAL OAK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): HEAT REMEDY

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-16-1969

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TECHNIQUE FOR PASSING OUT.

INHALE DEEPLY AND THEN RAPIDLY PUSH THE AIR IN AND OUT
TEN TIMES. ON THE TENTH TIME HOLD THE BREATH AND YOU WILL PASS OUT.

Submitter comment: THIS HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER WHEN WE WERE IN GRADE SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO

Keyword(s): CAUSE ; FAINTING ; NUMBERS

Subject headings: 686 First / Once / One / Newness
Favorites
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 11-12-1971

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FATIGUE

WHEN YOU ARE EXTREMELY TIRED YOU SHOULD SLEEP WITH YOUR
HEAD POINTING NORTH.
THAT WAY THE MAGNETIC RAYS OF THE EARTH WILL FLOW INTO YOUR
BLOODSTREAM AND YOU WILL BE REVITALIZED IN JUST A FEW HOURS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 02-13-1972

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FEVER

TO REMEDY A HIGH FEVER, FIND A RABBIT, KILL IT,
SPLIT IT LENGTHWISE AND WHILE IT IS STILL WARM
LAY IT ON YOUR CHEST.
IF LEFT OVERNIGHT THE
FEVER WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE RABBIT AND IT WILL TURN GREEN. BURY
THE RABBIT, AFTER IT'S GREEN, IN A DEEP HOLE.

Where learned: 1971 MORRELL

Keyword(s): TRANSFERENCE

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-00-1971

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HANDS

THE INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT YOU SHOULDN'T WASTE TIME COUNTING
THE STARS. NOT ONLY IS IT AN INFINITE TASK BUT ALSO YOU ARE REWARDED
WITH STAR MARKS ON YOUR PALMS.

Where learned: 14887 ALMA

Keyword(s): CAUSE ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Star
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 03-15-1967

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HEADACHE

IF YOU FOLLOW EXACTLY IN SOMEONE'S FOOTPRINTS YOU WILL HAVE
A HEADACHE.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): CAUSE ; WALKING

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 01-19-1971

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HEADACHE

IF YOU HAVE A HEADACHE, IT MEANS THAT BIRDS ARE EATING HAIRS
WHICH HAVE FALLEN OUT.
YOU SHOULD DISPOSE OF IT IN THE TOILET OR OTHERWISE.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): CAUSE ; PREVENTION

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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HEADACHE

IF YOU LET A STRAND OF HAIR FLY OUT THE CAR WINDOW THE PERSON TO WHOM
THE HAIR BELONGS WILL GET A HEADACHE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; CAUSE

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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