Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P760 returned 622 results.
NECK
IF YOU HAVE A STIFF NECK, HAVE A LEFT-HANDED PERSON CRACK IT FOR YOU.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
Keyword(s): LEFT HANDEDNESS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
PLANT CUREALLS
IF YOU CUT A SPANISH ONION AND SIT IT AT THE FOOT OF YOUR BED
WHEN YOU ARE SICK
AND THEN OPEN YOUR WINDOW A LITTLE,
IT WILL DRAW THE SICKNESS OUT OF THE ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-16-1971
PLANT CUREALLS
MR. LEHR WAS OUT HUNTING ON HARSEN'S ISLAND. HE MET AN INDIAN WHO
TOLD HIM ABOUT A WONDERFUL CURE FOR ALL TYPES OF DISEASES, PARALYSIS,
ETC. THE INDIAN GAVE HIM SOME SMALL CLEAR CAPSULES. THE CAPSULES
SMELLED LIKE THE SAP FROM BALSAM TREES. BOTH HE AND I TOOK A CAPSULE
AND WE BOTH BURPED BALSAM TREE SMELL FOR TWO DAYS. NEEDLESS TO SAY
THE REST OF THE PILLS STILL REMAIN IN HIS DRESSER DRAWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-24-1967
PNEUMONIA
A REMEDY FOR PNEUMONIA IS TO FRY ONIONS AND PUT THEM IN A CLOTH AND
APPLY IT TO THE CHEST UNTIL THE CONGESTION BREAKS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
POISON IVY
USE EQUAL PARTS OF VINEGAR AND WATER ON THE SKIN FOR POISON IVY, AND
LET IT DRY. DO IT OFTEN.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-10-1971
SORES
SORES ARE HEALED BY LITTLE MEN WHO WORK AT NIGHT KNITTING THE EDGES
BACK TOGETHER. DON'T PICK THE SCABS BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE TO WORK
OVERTIME. INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER'S LADY FRIEND WHO
VISITS QUITE OFTEN. ALISON HEARD THIS WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG CHILD.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): HEALER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-19-1971
SORES
A BELIEVED METHOD OF CURING FOR ANY SORE
WAS BY PUTTING A COMBINATION OF ONION AND BUTTER ON THE SORE.
AFTER THAT ONE WOULD WRAP IT WITH A CLOTH.
Submitter comment:
THIS METHOD OF CURING WAS DONE BEFORE THE ARMENIAN MASSACRE
IN ARMENIA DURING THE YEARS 1913 TO 1915.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
TOENAILS
HER FATHER ONCE HAD AN INGROWN TOENAIL AND SO CUT A HOLE IN A POTATO
AND PUT THE POTATO ON HIS TOE.
HE KEPT IT ON HIS TOE FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS,
AFTER WHICH THE POTATO TURNED A BLUEISH GREEN COLOR
AND THE TOENAIL WAS NO LONGER INGROWN.
Submitter comment: NO DOUBT IN HER MIND THAT THE POTATO REALLY WORKED.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-29-1971
TOOTHACHE
WHEN YOU HAVE AN ABCESSED TOOTH
TO CEASE THE SWELLING, PUT HALF A RAISIN
ON THE TOOTH AND THE RAISIN WILL TAKE THE POISON OUT OF THE TOOTH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER PARENTS WHEN SHE LIVED
ON A FARM AS A GIRL.
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
VOMITING
THE VICTIM IS KNEELING BY THE TOILET,
TRYING TO VOMIT,
WHEN HE STARTS TO HEAVE,
PUT YOUR KNEE IN THE CENTER OF HIS BACK
AND LOCK YOUR HANDS AROUND HIS STOMACH AND PULL.
THIS RELIEVES STOMACH PAINS
AND HELPS TO GET MORE OUT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): STOMACH AILMENTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
WHOOPING COUGH
BURY A DISHRAG IN BACK YARD WILL HELP CURE WHOOPING COUGH.
Submitter comment: NO LONGER BELIEVED.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
WORMS
A TALL GLASS OF WATER IS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE PERSON TO BE CURED.
THEN A PIECE OF REGULAR SEWING THREAD IS USED TO MEASURE THE PERSON
FROM HEAD TO TOE THREE TIMES.
THEN THE PERSON SUSPENDS HIS HANDS IN THE SHAPE OF A CROSS
AND IS MEASURED FROM FINGERTIP TO FINGERTIP WITH THE SAME THREAD
THREE TIMES.
THEN THE LENGTH OF THREAD IS FOLDED IN HALF,
THEN FOLDED ONCE AGAIN IN HALF AND SO ON
UNTIL THE THREAD'S FORM HAS A LENGTH OF ABOUT 6 INCHES.
THE THREAD IS THEN HELD LENGTHWISE ABOVE THE GLASS OF WATER
AND SLOWLY CUT IN LITTLE PIECES
ABOUT AN INCH LONG.
AS THE THREAD FALLS INTO WATER SOME THREAD WILL STAY AT TOP
OR REST IN THE MIDDLE OR FALL TO THE BOTTOM.
DEPENDING ON WHERE THE THREAD RESTS, THE PERSON
PERFORMING THE CURE CAN TELL WHERE THE WORMS ARE IN THE BODY.
THIS CEREMONY IS CARRIED OUT FOR 3 DAYS IN A ROW.
AND ON THE THIRD DAY THE PERSON IS CURED
AND FEELING MUCH BETTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-21-1969
WORMS
TAKE TINY LEAVES OF PEPPERMINT, WASH THEM, THEN MASH THEM UP WITH A
LIITLE VINEGAR. THEN ADD TWO CLOVES GARLIC, MASH, STIR AND COVER.
THEN SET ON A WINDOW LEDGE IN THE MOONLIGHT OVERNIGHT.
IT FERMENTS AND EVERYTHING
SETTLES TO THE BOTTOM. TAKE A TEASPOONFUL OF TOP MIXTURE ON AN EMPTY
STOMACH 3 TIMES DURING THE DAY, ONCE BEFORE EACH MEAL, AND IT WILL
CURE THE WORMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): MOON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-21-1969
WORMS
WHEN SOMEONE HAS WORMS, TIE A STRING AROUND THE NECK
AND HANG GARLIC ON IT
AND THEY WILL GO AWAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER NEIGHBOR IN BERKLEY, MI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
WORMS
BREAK THE BUDS OFF SOME GARLIC AND TAKE A NEEDLE AND THREAD
AND THREAD THE NEEDLE THROUGH THE BUDS.
THEN STRING IT AROUND YOUR NECK.
THIS WILL KEEP ANY WORMS IN YOUR STOMACH
FROM CRAWLING UP YOUR THROAT AND STRANGLING YOU.
Submitter comment: HIS MOTHER BELIEVES THIS TO BE THE GOSPEL TRUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
WOUNDS
IN UKRAINE IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU SPEAK OF ANOTHER'S OPERATION
OR WOUNDS AND DEMONSTRATE ON YOUR OWN BODY THEIR LOCATION
THE SAME WILL HAPPEN TO YOU.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECEIVED INFORMATION
PASSED ON FROM GRANDPARENTS IN THE UKRAINE.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; TRANSFERENCE
| Subject headings: | DRAMA -- Secular BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-01-1967
WOUNDS
THE PERSON WHO GAVE ME THIS CURE LIVES IN DETROIT AND WAS IN EUROPE
DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. URINATING ON OPEN WOUNDS OR SORES HELPS
TO SPEED UP THE HEALING PROCESS. THIS PERSON WAS IN A GERMAN LABOR
CAMP AND SAID THIS IS WHAT HE WAS TOLD TO DO
BY THE MEDICS WHEN HE WAS COLLECTING THE WOUNDED.
Where learned: GERMANY ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-08-1969
WOUNDS
TO HELP AN OPEN WOUND HEAL, URINATE ON SOME DIRT,
AND WITH THE RESULTING MUD, COVER THE WOUND.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DOESN'T BELIEVE THIS ACTUALLY WORKS
AND DOESN'T KNOW WHERE SHE GOT THIS CURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
IF YOU BURN YOURSELF, YOU SAY:
"THREE LITTLE ANGELS FLYING SOUTH, WANTING FIRE, LEAVING FROST"
THEN YOU BLOW THREE TIMES ON THE BURN AND SAY AGAIN,
"THREE LITTLE ANGLES FLYING SOUTH, WANTING FIRE, LEAVING FROST"
THEN YOU BLOW THREE TIMES ON THE BURN AND SAY AGAIN,
"THREE LITTLE ANGLES FLYING SOUTH, WANTING FIRE, LEAVING FROST"
AND BLOW AGAIN ON THE BURN THREE TIMES.
NOW YOU SAY:
"IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER"
AND BLOW ONCE ON THE BURN, THEN SAY,
"IN THE NAME OF THE SON"
AND BLOW ON THE BURN AGAIN AND SAY
"IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY GHOST"
AND BLOW AGAIN ON THE BURN. THIS WILL INSURE HEALING AND
PRECLUDE SCARRING.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED BY MY INFORMANT FROM SOMEONE IN THE
SOUTHEASTERN REGION OF OHIO.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.670 BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
CHILDREN'S FIRST SPEECH
IF A CHILD IS LATE STARTING TO TALK THE PARENTS TAKE THE CHILD TO
THE CHURCH IN THE MORNING AND WITH THE CHURCH KEY THEY PUT IT IN THE
BABY'S MOUTH, THEN OPEN THE DOOR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-00-1977