The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IF A BABY IS PRAISED ON HOW GOOD
LOOKING HE IS AND THEN THE BABY, WHEN HOME
SCREAMS FROM PAIN, MY GRANDFATHER USED
THIS TO RID THE CHILD OF THE PAIN.
HE WOULD PLACE THE CHILD ON THE FLOOR AND THEN
GRANDFATHER WOULD PLACE SOME OF HIS OWN SPIT
ON THE CHILD'S FOREHEAD AND CHEST.
THEN HE WOULD JUMP OVER THE CHILD AND SPIT EACH TIME
HE JUMPED. (THERE WAS A CERTAIN PATTERN TO THIS
JUMPING BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW JUST
WHAT IT WAS). 10 TO 15 MINUTES AFTER
THIS WAS DONE THE CHILD WAS HIMSELF AGAIN.
ONLY THE FIRST BORN OF THE FAMILY COULD
PERFORM THIS ACT AND MAKE IT WORK.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): EVIL EYE

Date learned: 11-16-1969