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WHEN SHE WOULD GET A SEVERE BACKACHE, SHE WOULD SEND HER SON OUT TO
THE RAINBARREL TO GET A FROG. THEN HER SON WOULD PUT THE FROG IN
HER GIRDLE (SHE WAS TINY AND WORE A GIRDLE FOR BACK SUPPORT.).
WHEREVER THE PAIN WAS THE FROG WOULD GO AND IT WOULD SET RIGHT
WHERE THE PAIN WAS. WHEN THE FROG DIED THE PAIN WAS GONE.
IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES FOR THE FROG TO DIE.

Data entry tech comment: ONE PARENTHESIS ADDED BY KEYPUNCHER

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; TRANSFERENCE

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 02-22-1967

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BLEED

IF YOU PULL YOUR TEETH ON THE WASTE OF THE MOON
YOU'LL BLEED TO DEATH.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER BELIEVED IN THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC-IMITATIVE MAGIC

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

Date learned: 01-17-1972

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TO BUILD UP YOUR BLOOD THIS MIXTURE SHOULD BE TAKEN DAILY:
A RAW EGG YOLK MIXED WITH A SHOT OF WINE.
THIS WILL INSURE GOOD HEALTH.

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): BLOOD ; HOMEOPATHIC-IMITATIVE MAGIC ; PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE

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

Date learned: 11-16-1969

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REMEDY

PUT A SILVER KNIFE OVER A BUMP ON THE HEAD
TO TAKE AWAY THE PAIN.

Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVE CONTAINS A SIMILAR CURE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; 714 SHIPLE HALL

Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-23-1967

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MY FRIEND AS A CHILD, BIT HER NAILS
UNTIL HER FATHER TOLD HER THAT THE NAILS
WOULD MAKE BUMPS ON HER STOMACH THAT WOULD SHOW
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC

Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; NAILBITING ; STOMACH AILMENTS

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

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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CHILL REMEDY

TO CURE ONE FROM CHILLS:
TAKE A STRING AND TIE AS MANY KNOTS IN THE STRING AS YOU HAVE CHILLS.
THEN SOAK STRING IN TURPENTINE AND WEAR STRING AROUND YOUR WAIST.
WHEN YOU LOSE THE STRING THE CHILLS WILL HAVE LONG AGO STOPPED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 3235 CARTER

Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 01-00-1971

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CORNS

IF YOU WANT TO GET RID OF A CORN- CUT IT OFF
AND BURY IT SOMEWHERE YOU WILL NEVER GO AGAIN AND IT WILL GO AWAY.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 03-31-1968

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CURE FOR CORNS

FOR THOSE WHO SUFFERED FROM CORNS ON THEIR FEET, WOULD SAY
BEFORE BREAKFAST, 27 CONSECUTIVE TIMES, "EARTH TAKE MY PAIN" AND FOR
ANOTHER 27 CONSECUTIVE TIMES WOULD SPIT ON THE GROUND.
SPITTING ON THE GROUND ALSO HAS THE VIRTUE
OF HAVING A MEDICINE TO TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY,
AND WAS AN EFFECTIVE ANTIDOTE AGAINST THE EVIL EYE.

Submitter comment: PEOPLE STILL PRACTICE THIS CURE IN ITALY

Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL FORCES ; SUPERNATURAL ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Number P686.1.27
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-20-1967

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FIRST AID FOR DOG-BITES

"WHEN I WAS YOUNG, BACK IN IRELAND,
WE HAD A LOT OF STRANGE REMEDIES FOR AILMENTS.
IF YOU EVER GOT BITTEN BY A DOG
YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PULL A HAIR OFF ITS BACK
AND PLACE IT OVER THE WOUND IN YOUR SKIN.
THIS WOULD KEEP IT FROM BECOMING INFECTED."

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAYS THIS WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE
TO ANYONE WHO WAS BROUGHT UP IN IRELAND,
AND THAT IS WHERE SHE LEARNED IT.

Where learned: WASHINGTON DC

Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; CONTAGIOUS MAGIC

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Animal

Date learned: 00-00-1959

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METHOD OF CURING

THE BEST AND QUICKEST WAY TO CURE A SWOLLEN GOITER
IS TO WRAP A GREEN SNAKE (CAN BE A GARDEN SNAKE) AROUND YOUR NECK
AND KEEP IT THERE FOR 1 OR 2 HOURS UNTIL THE SWELLING GOES AWAY.

Submitter comment: ACCORDING TO THE INDIAN (AMERICAN) GIRL THAT GAVE ME THIS,
IT HAS CURED MANY GOITERS FOR HER BROTHER-IN-LAW.

Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS

Keyword(s): ANIMAL CURE ; SYMPATHETIC MAGIC ; TRANSFER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-25-1969

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BELIEF-MEDICINE

IF A LEAF IS HEART-SHAPED, IT WILL MAKE A GOOD TEA FOR THE HEART.

Submitter comment: HEARD IN YOUTH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HEART ; HOMEOPATHIC-IMITATIVE MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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REMEDY FOR MALARIA

WHOEVER WISHED TO GET RID OF MALARIA WOULD SCRAPE HIS FINGERNAILS
MAKING A BALL OUT OF THE SCRAPINGS
AND WITH THE BALL THEY WOULD HANG IT TO THE DOOR
OF A NEIGHBOR.

Submitter comment: THIS IS STILL PRACTICED BY SOME PEOPLE IN ITALY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 11-20-1967

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PLANT CURE FOR RHEUMATISM

IN ORDER TO CURE RHEUMATISM, SOME PEOPLE
WILL CARRY A HALF OF A POTATO AROUND IN THEIR POCKET.
WHEN THE POTATO TURNS BLACK, IT'S A SIGN
THAT IT HAS DRAWN OUT ALL THE POISON.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS TOLD OF THIS CURE BY A FRIEND
IN HAMTRAMCK WHO ABSOLUTELY SWEARS BY IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE ; 938 3 MILE DR

Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 02-18-1970

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CURING RHEUMATISM

A SWISS METHOD OF CURING RHEUMATISM IS TO TAKE THE FUR
OF A MARMOT AND PLACE IT OVER THE AREA IN PAIN.
THIS WILL CAUSE THE PAIN TO GO AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; 25275 BRIARBANK

Keyword(s): ANIMAL CURE ; IMITATIVE MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Animal

Date learned: 10-28-1970

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CARE OF SLEEPLESS CHILD

FOR THE BABY WHO HAS "NIGHT TURNED INTO DAY" (STAYS AWAKE ALL NIGHT
AND SLEEPS ALL DAY) - TURN THE BABY END OVER END (SOMERSAULT STYLE)
SEVEN TIMES. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO END THEIR CONFUSION.

Submitter comment: ORIGIN: MRS. MARY JANE SMELSER, MOTHER-IN-LAW, LONDON, ENGLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 18254 LIVERNOIS

Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; INSOMNIA

Subject headings: 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 07-27-1964

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SUPERSTIYIOUS BELIEF

I HAVE A BIRTHMARK ON MY CHEEK.
WHICH MY MOTHER ATTRIBUTED TO HAVING EATEN STRAWBERRIES
BEFORE SHE KNEW SHE WAS PREGNANT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON ; 24531 PENROSE DR

Keyword(s): BIRTHMARKS ; CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; FOOD ; PREGNANCY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body)
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 11-29-1969

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NEW MOON BELIEF

GRANDMOTHER AND HER SISTERS HAD THEIR HAIR TRIMMED AT THE NEW MOON.
IN THIS WAS IT WOULD GROW WITH THE NEW MOON
AND WOULD GROW FASTER TOO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 26251 ELKA

Keyword(s): HAIR CUTTING ; HAIR GROWTH ; IMITATIVE MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak

Date learned: 03-31-1971

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HAIR

TAKE A LOCK OF SOMEONE'S HAIR FROM THEIR COMB OR BRUSH,
STICK IT BETWEEN TWO PICTURES OF YOURSELF FOLDED OVER,
PUT IT BETWEEN THE PAGES IN A BOOK.
THE RESULTS ARE THE PERSON WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ALONE EVER.
20 YEARS LATER THEY WILL STILL BE IN LOVE WITH YOU.

Submitter comment: NOTE; THIS WAS THE WAY MR. BROWN GOT HIS WIFE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; LOVE ; MARRIAGE ; ROMANCE

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 02-10-1972

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MAGIC MOUSTACHE FORMULA

IF YOU WANT YOUR MOUSTACHE TO GROW
SPRINKLE SALT ON YOUR UPPER LIP
AND SET A GLASS OF WATER NEXT TO THE BED
BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.
THE SALT WILL REACH OUT FOR THE WATER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak
BELIEF -- Mineral

Date learned: 09-16-1969

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NEW YEARS SUPERSTITION

HAVING ANY FORM OF FOWLIN THE HOUSE ON NEW YEARS DAY WILL CAUSE ALL
LUCK FOR THE YEAR TO FLY OUT THE HOUSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
Food Drink -- Meat Bird Poultry
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 09-23-1969

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