The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IF YOU PUT LEECHES ON YOUR CHEST THEY WOULD RID OF THE
POISONS OF DISEASE RELATED TO THE CHEST.
THE LEECH SUPPOSEDLY DRAWS THE BLOOD AND GETS RID OF THE
POISONS OF THE DISEASE.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT EXPRESSED THE FACT THAT THIS WAS BELIEVED TO BE TRUE
BY PEOPLE IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD WHILE HE WAS GROWING UP.
HIS MOTHER NEVER USED IT BUT HE KNEW OF MOTHERS THAT DID.
THIS COMMUNITY WAS IN NORTHEAST DETROIT ON THE BORDER OF HAMTRAMCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1928