The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BLACK FOLK MEDICINE

THE USE OF THE WHITE POTATO FOR TREATING ILLS.
TO BREAK A FEVER DICE A PORTION OF A WHITE POTATO AND
STRING THE PIECES ON A PIECE OF THREAD OR FISHING LINE
TO MAKE A NECKLACE. TIED AROUND THE NECK THIS WILL DRAW
FROM THE BODY, ABCESSED TEETH, AND EXTRACTIONS.
FOR PUNCTURE WOUNDS SLICE A PIECE OF WHITE POTATO AS THIN
AS POSSIBLE, PLACE IT AGAINST THE WOUND, PLACE A PIECE OF
FAT MEAT ON NEXT, THEN A PENNY. THE PENNY WILL TURN GREEN
AND THE POTATO WILL BE BLACKENED WHEN THE FEVER AND POISON
HAVE BEEN DRAWN OUT. IN THE CASE OF THE NECKLACE THE POTATO
WILL BLACKEN WHEN THE FEVER HAS BROKEN. MM
RED ONIONS AND SULFUR MIXED IN HOT WATER AND DRUNK ACTS
AS A LAXATIVE. GARLIC BULBS SOAKED IN WATER REDUCE BLOOD-
PRESSURE WHEN THE WATER IS DRUNK.

Where learned: DETROIT