CURES.
AMULETS.
795. Green glass beads worn about the neck will prevent or cure erysipelas. Chestertown, Md.
796. Gold beads were formerly a protection against the "King's Evil" (scrofula), and nearly every maiden and matron wore ample strings of beautiful large beads. Adams, Mass.
797. Gold beads worn about the neck will cure sore throat. Windham, Me.
798. Gold beads worn about the throat were thought to cure or or prevent goître. Northern Ohio.
799. A string of gold beads is still held to be a preventive of quinsy, sore throats, and so on. New Hampshire.
800. A string of gold beads worn on the neck will cure or prevent quinsy. Prince Edward Island.
801. Red beads about the neck cure nose-bleed. Cazenovia, N.Y.
802. For nose-bleed wear a red bean on a white string round the neck. Bedford, Mass.
803. A black silk cord about the neck cures croup. Cazenovia, N.Y.
804. A key worn hanging about the neck by a string prevents nose-bleed. Central Maine.
805. Wearing brown paper on the chest will cure sea-sickness. Newton, Mass., and Chestertown, Md.
806. Tie a piece of black ribbon around a child's neck, and it will prevent croup. Waltham, Mass.
807. Brass earrings or rings are thought by negroes to keep away rheumatism. Alabama.
808. To cure rheumatism, wear a brass ring on the finger. Boston, Mass.
809. Wearing brass rings will prevent cramp. Alabama.
810. A brass ring worn on the finger will cure rheumatism. Chestertown, Md. (negro).
811. Sailors wear gold earrings for weak eyes or to strengthen the sight. Brookline, Mass.
812. A common custom among negroes is to wear a leather strap about the wrist as a cure for rheumatism, sprains, etc., and to give strength. Chestertown, Md. (negro).
813. As a cure for nose-bleed, tie a string about the little finger. Cape Breton.
814. A leather string commonly worn around the neck is supposed to prevent whooping-cough. Chestertown, Md.
815. A red string tied about the waist cures nausea or sea-sickness. Massachusetts.
CHARM.
816. To keep fire always burning on the hearth will prevent cholera among chickens. Alabama.
817. If a fish-hook pierces the hand, stick it three times into wood, in the name of the Trinity, to prevent festering or other evil consequences. Newfoundland.
818. If you scratch yourself with a rusty nail, stick the nail immediately into hard wood, and it will prevent lockjaw. Salem, Mass.
819. A man who "stuck a nail in his foot" was told by a neighbor to pull it out, grease it, and hang it up in the "chimbly," otherwise he might have lockjaw. New Brunswick.
820. To cure nose-bleeding, write the person's name on the forehead. Newfoundland.
821. For rheumatism, carry a horseshoe nail in the pocket. Central New York.
822. To get rid of rheumatism: "You go in de lot an' go up to fence. Den put you breas' on it and say, 'I lef you here, I lef you here,' tree times, den you go 'way and don't you never come back dere no more." French Canadian.
823. To cure fits, the first time the child or person has one, tear off the shirt of the patient and burn it up, and no more fits will return. Chestertown, Md. (negro).
824. If you don't want the cramp in your foot, turn your shoes bottom up at night. Nashua, N.H.
825. To keep off nightmare, put your shoes at night with the toes pointing away from the bed. Central New York.
