The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

To cure asthma, take the child outside and place him/her in
front of a tree on your property. Take a nail and drive it
into the tree at the same level as the top of your child's
head. Make sure the nail can slide in and out of the hole
easily, so that the hole will remain a permanent part of the
tree. If it closes up repeat the process, every year until
the asthma goes away.

Submitter comment: The informant told me that since most children outgrow asthma
as they enter adolescence this is done for only two years
maybe before it is believed that this has cured him/her.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MEASURING ; PLUGGING

Date learned: 03-00-1991