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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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CURE FOR BUMPS ON THE HEAD

BEFORE ICE WAS A HOUSEHOLD ITEM, THE STEEL BLADE OF A BUTCHER KNIFE
WAS APPLIED TO RECENTLY RECEIVED BUMPS ON HEADS.

Submitter comment: THIS CURE WAS BELIEVED EFFECTIVE EVEN AFTER 'ICE BOXES' WERE
COMMON. I (THE COLLECTOR) REMEMBER, WHEN I WAS A CHILD, EVERY
TIME I BUMPED MY HEAD, ADULT FAMILY MEMBERS WOULD COME AT ME
WITH BUTCHER KNIVES. IT IS UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE STEEL IN THE
BLADE OR THE COLDNESS OF THE BLADE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REDUCING
THE SWELLING OF BUMPS ON THE HEAD.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: CA00001916 ; 01-13-1980

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HOW TO REMOVE A FOREIGN OBJECT FROM YOUR EYE.

WHEN A FOREIGN OBJECT ENTERS YOUR EYE, PULL THE UPPER EYE LID
OF THE AFFLICTED EYE RAPIDLY AND REPEATEDLY. WHILE PULLING THE
EYE LID, SPIT CONTINUOUSLY. THIS PROCEDURE ALLOWS YOU TO SPIT
THE FOREIGN OBJECT FROM YOUR EYE.

Submitter comment: AS A CHILD, THE INFORMANT BELIEVED THAT THIS CURE WAS EFFECTIVE.
NOW, BOTH THE INFORMANT AND I REGARD THIS CURE AS AN EXAMPLE OF
IMAGINATION.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SPITTLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: CA00001916 ; 01-13-1980

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RUB A WART WITH A PENNY TO GET RID OF THE WART.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; FAIRFAX

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 02-00-1980

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HICCUP CURE

HOLD YOUR NOSE AND SWALLOW 3 TIMES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00-00-1966

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HICCUP CURE

BREATHE IN A BROWN PAPER BAG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROMEO

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00001970S

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HICCUP CURE

DO A SUDDEN SCARE TO THE PERSON HICCUPPING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00001960S

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HANGOVER CURE

DRINK WHAT MADE YOU DRUNK

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00001970S

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BELIEF IN A METHOD OF CURING ASTHMA

STAND AN ASTHMATIC CHILD STRAIGHT AGAINST A TREE AND MARK THE SPOT
AT THE TOP OF HIS HEAD WITH A NAIL. AFTER THE CHILD MOVES TO THE
SIDE, DRIVE THE NAIL ALL THE WAY INTO THE TREE. AS SOON AS THE
CHILD'S HEIGHT PASSES THE NAIL, HE WILL BE RID OF HIS ASTHMA.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN MONTERREY, MEXICO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): MEASURING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 02-05-1980 ; 12-00-1979

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BELIEF IN A METHOD OF CURING A NOSE BLEED

WHEN YOUR NOSE BLEEDS, PUT ONLY THE WHITE OF A PIECE OF BREAD ON THE
ROOF OF YOUR MOUTH TO MAKE IT STOP.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER SISTER, GRACIA ESQUIVEL WHO IS A
HOUSEWIFE OF 23.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 02-07-1980

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TO GET RID OF THE HICCUPS, COUNT TO TEN, HOLD YOUR BREATH AND THINK
OF TEN BALD MEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS

Subject headings: 686 First / Once / One / Newness
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face
BELIEF -- Number P686.3.10
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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SICILIAN-AMERICAN REMEDY

A SLICE OF POTATO PLACED ON A SCARF AND WRAPPED AROUND THE
FOREHEAD WILL CURE A HEADACHE.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT STILL PRACTICES THIS REMEDY TODAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

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GERMAN-AMERICAN REMEDY

MANY GERMANS BELIEVE THAT CARRYING A CHESTNUT IN THE BACK
POCKET OF A PAIR OF PANTS WILL CURE RHEUMATISM.

Submitter comment: THE CHESTNUT MUST BE FRESHLY PICKED OFF A TREE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: CA00001930

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HOLY WEEK CUSTOM-HOLY UNCTION

ON HOLY WEDNESDAY, IT IS CUSTOMARY IN THE GREEK
ORTHODOX CHURCH TO DELIVER THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY
UNCTION TO THE PARISH. THIS IS THE ONLY DAY OF THE
YEAR WHERE HOLY UNCTION IS OFFERED TO THE ENTIRE
PARISH.

Submitter comment: HOLY UNCTION IS USUALLY ADMINISTERED TO THOSE WHO ARE
EXTREMELY ILL. WHEN IS IS ADMINISTERED ON HOLY
WEDNESDAY, THE OIL PLACED ON THE BODY SIGNIFIES THAT
THE PERSON RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT WILL BE BLESSED
FROM ALL DISEASES AND ILLNESSES.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.12
BELIEF -- Remedy
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

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FOLK CURE AND REMEDY

A SURE CURE FOR WARTS INVOLVES THE USE OF LEAVES FROM A WEEPING
WILLOW TREE. THE INFLICTED PERSON RUBS THE LEAVES OVER THE WART IN
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. THEN THEY BURY THEM.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS REMEDY AROUND THE YEAR 1910 IN
POLAND. IT IS A PLUGGING CURE IN WHICH THE OBJECT USED TO CURE
THE WARTS IS BURIED IN THE GROUND. A HIGH DEGREE OF BELIEF WAS
PORTRAYED WHEN SHE DISPLAYED HER HANDS TO THE COLLECTOR. WHERE
THERE USED TO BE WARTS, THERE WERE NONE PRESENT. THE INFORMANT
DID NOT INDICATE WHETHER A TRANSFER OCCURRED FROM THE HAND TO THE
LEAF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-00-1980

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FOLK CURE AND REMEDY

MIX DRY MUSTARD AND FAT TOGETHER. PUT IT ON A CLOTH. PUT THE
CLOTH ON YOUR CHEST TO CURE PNEUMONIA OF NEW KIDNEYS.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST LEARNED OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN
POLAND. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BOTH NEW AND OLD ELEMENTS.
PNEUMONIA HAS BEEN AROUND FOR AGES, BUT NEW KIDNEYS ARE A RELATIVELY
NEW DEVELOPMENT. THE CLOTH IS PUT CLOSE TO THE AREA INVOLVED.
THIS MIGHT INDICATE THAT THE MIXTURE "SEEPS" IN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; CA00001910

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FOLK CURE AND REMEDY

DRY A CERTAIN PLANT THAT HAS BLUE FLOWERS. MAKE A TEA OUT OF
IT AND DRINK IT TO CURE DIABETES.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN
POLAND. THE INFORMANT DID NOT KNOW THE NAME OF THE BLUE FLOWERED
PLANT, BUT CLAIMED THAT IT HELPED MANY FRIENDS WITH DIABETES. TEAS
ARE COMMONLY USED WITH FOLK CURES. PERHAPS IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE
PLANT TO HAVE SOME TRUE MEDICINAL POWERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: CA00001910

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FOLK CURE AND REMEDY

TAKE BABKA BREAD, WASH IT AND PUT IT ON A BOIL. THIS HELPS DRAW
OUT THE PUS.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST OF THIS FOLK REMEDY AROUND 1910 IN POLAND.
BABKA BREAD WAS ORIGINALLY A POLISH STAPLE FOOD. BREAD SEEMS TO
REAPPEAR AS AN INGREDIENT IN HOME REMEDIES INVOLVED IN QUICK HEALING
OF SORES AND BOILS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-00-1980 ; CA00001910

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CURE

TO GET RID OF WARTS, DO THE FOLLOWING:
1) CUT A POTATO IN TWO HALVES.
2) WITH ONE OF THE HALVES, RUB THE WART WITH ITS CUT ENDS.
3) BURY THAT HALF OF POTATO.
THE WARTS WILL BE GONE IN TWO WEEKS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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REMEDY

THIS REMEDY CAN BE USED FOR ANY TYPE OF RASH. TAKE OATMEAL AND BAKING
SODA AND PUT THEM TOGETHER IN A SOCK. RUN A BATHTUB OF WATER WHILE
YOU HAVE THE SOCK TIED TO THE END OF THE FAUCET. THIS WAY THE THINGS
INSIDE THE SOCK WILL FILTER INTO THE BATHTUB. THIS TAKES AWAY THE
ITCH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 00001930S

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REMEDY

WHEN YOU HAVE A STONE BRUISE YOU CAN DRAW OUT THE SORENESS BY
PUTTING COW MANURE IN YOUR SOCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

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

Date learned: 00001930S

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