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._

826. To ward off nightmare, sleep with shears under the pillow.
_Central New York._

827. Nightmare is caused by the nightmare man, a kind of evil spirit,
struggling with one. It is prevented by placing a sharp knife under the
pillow, and stuffing the keyhole with cotton.
_Windham, Me._

828. Sores can be cured by those who possess magical powers going through
certain incantations, which are to be followed by applications of oatmeal
and vinegar.