The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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

Date learned: 11-16-1969