ii«9.] 339 ,„ ^ 



[Hoffman. 



When the patient has reached the age of atl.lcscence, the alleged relief 

 is obtained by urinating into a newly made grave ; the corpse uTust be of 

 tae oppjsite sex to that of the experimenter. 



Inflamed Eyes. 



Quince seed, soaked in cold water until it is slightly mucilaginous, forms 

 a common remedy for inflamed eyes. 



The pith taken from the green branches of sassafras is similarly used. 



When the eyes become unusually sore a small piece of bluestone (sul- 

 phate of copper) is dissolved in water, and a few drops applied several 

 times daily. 



Another common remedy is to put a drop of molasses into the eye and 

 allow it to remain until washed out by the tears. 



When sore eyes are accompanied by symptoms of scrofula or other con- 

 stitutional disorder, the lobes of the ears are punctured and gold rings 

 inserted. This is practiced by men as well as women. 



Itch. 



The following is from Fayette county: "Mix equal parts of lard sul- 

 phur, and the inner bark of the alder ; heat the mixture, and prepare as 

 an ointment which must be used on three successive mornin^rs when on 

 the morning of the fourth day, after careful washing, ne\v clothes must 

 be put on." 



The addition of the alder bark is probably on account of some mysteri- 

 ous property attributed to it. 



Jaundice. 



Hollow out a carrot, fill it with the patient's urine and hang it, by means 

 of a string, in the fire place. As the urine is evaporated and the carrot 

 becomes shriveled, the disease will leave the patient. * 



In this there is an evident belief in the connection between the proper- 

 ties and colo^of the carrot and the yellow skin of a patient having jaun- 

 dice. To this class may belong the belief respecting the use of a band of 

 red flannel for diphtheria, and yellow-or amber-beads for purulent dis- 

 charge irom the ears. 



Measles. 

 A patient having the measles is required to remain in a close warm 

 room, and tea made of elder blossoms is administered at intervals to keep 

 him in a perspiration, to hasten the eruption. 



Mumps . 

 To cure the mumps, the swollen parts must be rubbed against such parts 

 of a hogtrough as have been worn smooth by that animal. 



* Mr. Black records a somewhat similar custom prevailing in StaffonWiire where a 

 bladder is filled with uriue and hung near the Are. Folk-Medicine, Loudon, 1S83, p. 5G. 



