The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE WAY TO GET RID OF AN EAR ACHE, IS TO GET A BETSY BUG, WHICH
ONLY HAS TWO DROPS OF BLOOD IN IT, PULL HIS HEAD OFF WHILE STANDING
OVER THE PERSON WITH THE EAR ACHE, AND LET THE TWO DROPS OF BLOOD
FALL IN THE INFECTED EAR. THE EAR ACHE WILL DISAPPEAR.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER DID THIS FOR HER EAR ACHE WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
HER MOTHER WOULD GET UP EARLY EVERY MORNING FOR THREE MORNINGS
AND CRAWL UNDER THE HOUSE AND DIG UNTIL SHE FOUND A BETSY BUG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

Date learned: 12-07-1971