The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CURE FOR COLD SORES AND FEVER BLISTERS

EAR WAX PLACED DIRECTLY ON A COLD SORE OR A FEVER BLISTER
WILL CAUSE THEM TO DISAPPEAR. YOU KNOW, BLACK PEOPLE IN
THE 1930'S HAD ALL THEY COULD HANDLE JUST TO FEED AND
CLOTHE THEMSELVES. THE DEPRESSION HIT RURAL BLACKS
ESPECIALLY HARD AND HOME CURES BECAME A WAY OF LIFE.
WE (INFORMANT'S FAMILY) NEVER TRIED THE CURE, BUT IT
WAS COMMONLY BELIEVED TO BE EFFECTIVE AND I USED TO HEAR
PEOPLE SWEAR BY IT ALL THE TIME.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LIVED IN LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI FROM
1925 UNTIL THE FAMILY MOVED TO DETROIT DURING WORLD WAR II.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 09-00-1982