The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THUMB SUCKING CURE

TO CURE AN INFANT OF SUCKING ITS THUMB MY MOTHER PRESCRIBED THIS:
WRAP A PIECE OF CLOTH SOAKED IN CAMPHOR OR SOME OTHER STRONG
TASTING LIQUID ON THE THUMB AND SECURE IT WITH STRING SO THAT
IT COULD NOT EASILY BE REMOVED. WHEN THE CHILD TASTED THE
CAMPHOR OFTEN ENOUGH, IT WOULD REMEMBER THAT THE THUMB WAS NOT
TO BE SUCKED.

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; SALEM

Date learned: NOT GIVEN