Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
THERE IS A BELIEF AMONG SOME ITALIANS THAT ON MARCH 1ST A
PERSON MUST WASH HIS HAIR TO AVOID BALDNESS. IF A PERSON DOESN'T
WASH HIS HAIR HE WILL GO BALD FOR SURE.
Data entry tech comment:
OTHER METHODS OF PREVENTING BALDNESS FOUND IN ARCHIVE:
SHAVE HEAD TO SKIN FOR 10 YEARS
CLOSE CROPPING OF HAIR EVERY 2 TO 3 YEARS
USE OF VINEGAR ON HAIR
MIXTURE OF TEA LEAVES, GARLIC, MUSTARD AND ALUM
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): BALDNESS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 1 BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 04-01-1970
CURE FOR BLEEDING
IF YOU PUT A COLD KEY DOWN YOUR BACK, IT WOULD STOP
BLEEDING - ESPECIALLY NOSE BLEEDING.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A GIRL IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HIDDEN CONNECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
POULTICES
A CARBUNCLE IS ABOUT TEN DEGREES WORSE
THAN A BOIL.
WHEN I HAD ONE, THE DOCTOR CAME DOWN
AND TOLD ME TO PUT A BREAD AND BUTTER POULTICE ON IT.
IT WASN'T READY TO LANCE YET --
IT HAD TO BE DRAWN TO A HEAD.
NEXT TIME, HE LANCED IT.
Submitter comment: HAPPENED IN HOLLISTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
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
Keyword(s): IMITATIVE MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
ONE OF THE WOMEN I KNEW HAD A CURE FOR CRAMPS.
SHE USED TO GO ON THE STREET, WHERE THE HORSES
JUST WENT BY PULLING CARTS.
SHE WOULD TAKE THE HORSE'S MANURE AND SQUEEZE IT OUT.
SHE THEN MIXED THE DRIPPINGS WITH HOT WATER AND DRANK IT.
SHE CLAIMED IT ACTUALLY WORKED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT (I.E. COLLECTOR) DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS CURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MENSTRUATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
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
FOLK CURE- HEADACHE
IF YOU HAVE A HEADACHE, TAKE THREE MATCHES AND LIGHT THEM.
TAKE A GLASS HALF FILLED WITH WATER AND LET THE MATCHES BURN
ALMOST TO THE END. THEN LET THE MATCHES DROP INTO THE WATER,
AND IF THE HEADS OF THE MATCHES DROP STRAIGHT TO THE BOTTOM OF
THE GLASS, SOMEONE GAVE YOU THE EVIL EYE.
THEN YOU TAKE YOUR THUMB, FOREFINGER, AND INDEX FINGER, AND YOU
DIP THEM IN THE GLASS OF WATER. NEXT, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
ON YOUR FOREHEAD AND TAKE SOME MORE WATER AND PUT IT ON THE BACKS
OF BOTH HANDS. THEN YOU TAKE THE INSIDE HEM OF YOUR DRESS AND
YOU WIPE THE BACKS OF YOUR HANDS AND YOUR FOREHEAD ON THE HEM.
PUT A LITTLE BIT OF WATER ON THE HINGE IN THE CORNER OF A DOOR
SO THE HEADACHE WILL GO OUT THE DOOR AND POUR THE REMAINDER
OF THE WATER DOWN THE SINK AND TURN THE GLASS BOTTOMS-UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Remedy SPEECH -- Gesture |
WHEN A TYPE OF INFECTION OR SORE IS FOUND TO BE MEDICALLY
INCURABLE, THE FOLLOWING METHOD IS TO BE USED AS A CURE.
A PIECE OF CLOTH THAT A DECEASED PERSON WAS CLEANSED WITH
IS TO BE STROKED ACROSS THE INFECTED AREA THREE TIMES AND
THEN DISPOSED OF IN A DAMP PLACE.
BEFORE THE CLOTH WILL DECAY THE SORE SHOULD BE HEALED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WEDDING
Keyword(s): INFECTION ; TRANSFERENCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
STY
IF YOU HAVE A STY IN YOUR EYE, TO GET RID OF IT YOU CROSS
AN INTERSECTION CATTY CORNER AND RECITE THIS RHYME:
STY, STY LEAVE MY EYE
GO TO THE NEXT ONE WHO PASSES BY.
Submitter comment:
(INFORMANT BELIEVES IN THIS BECAUSE WHEN SHE TRIED IT WHEN SHE
WAS YOUNG SHE WAITED TO SEE WHO THE NEXT PERSON WAS. HER STY LEFT,
BUT THE GUY WHO PASSED BY INSTEAD OF GETTING IT, DIED.)
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RHYME ; TRANSFERENCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.760 BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-20-1968
BELIEF
IF YOU EAT A LOT OF SALT, YOU'LL LOSE YOUR MEMORY WHEN YOU GET OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FORGETFULNESS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
BELIEF
IF YOU MASTURBATE, I'VE HEARD OF ANY OF THESE REPERCUSSIONS:
1) YOU WILL GET HAIR ON YOUR PALMS.
2) YOU WILL GO INSANE.
3) YOU WILL GET WARTS.
4) YOU WILL GO BLIND.
Where learned: SCHOOL APARTMENT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 09-18-1969
STAGE FRIGHT
TO ALLEVIATE STAGE FRIGHT, HELEN HAYES WOULD LOOK OUT AT THE
AUDIENCE FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN AND CALL THE AUDIENCE ALL
SORTS OF CRUEL AND VULGAR NAMES.
Where learned: OUR LADY OF MERCY HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): ACTRESS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU STRIKE YOUR FATHER,
YOUR HAND WILL GROW OUT OF YOUR GRAVE,
ATTEMPTING TO SEEK FORGIVENESS FROM HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
POST DEATH BELIEF
IT IS SAID THAT IF A PERSON STRIKES HIS PARENT
AT SOME TIME IN HIS LIFE
THE HAND WHICH IS USED WILL STICK OUT OF THE GRAVE AFTER DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-29-1969
CUT A BABY'S FINGERNAILS BEFORE HE IS A YEAR OLD, THE BABY WILL HAVE
POOR EYESIGHT.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; LINCOLNSHIRE
Keyword(s): HIDDEN CONNECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-14-1971
FINGERNAILS
IF YOU GROW AN INCH LONG FINGERNAIL
YOU CAN SELL IT TO REVLON FOR $25.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
SIGN OF A LIAR
IF THE PART OF YOUR FINGERNAIL AT THE BASE IS VERY LARGE,
THEN YOU ARE APT TO LIE A LOT.
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
PREDICTION
CUT YOUR NAILS ON MONDAY, CUT THEM FOR NEWS.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON TUESDAY, A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON WEDNESDAY, CUT THEM FOR HEALTH.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON THURSDAY, CUT THEM FOR WEALTH.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON FRIDAY, CUT THEM FOR WOE.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON SATURDAY, A JOURNEY TO GO.
CUT YOUR NAILS ON SUNDAY, CUT THEM FOR EVIL,
FOR ALL THE NEXT WEEK YOU'LL BE RULED BY THE DEVIL.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
DIMPLES
DIMPLES ARE WHERE THE ANGELS HAVE TOUCHED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Date learned: 10-15-1968