_Newfoundland._
829. For a sty on the eye, take a small piece of paper, rub it on the
sty, go across the road three times, and say each time,--
Sty, sty, go off my eye,
Go on the first one that passes by.
This is a sure cure in two or three days.
_Talladega, Ala._
830. To cure a sty repeat at a cross-roads,--
Sty, sty, leave my eye,
And take the next one that passes by.
_Massachusetts, Indiana, and California._
831. Toothache may be cured by conjurers, who apply the finger to the
aching tooth, while muttering a charm, or tie a number of knots in a
fishing line.
_Newfoundland._
832. Toothache may be cured by a written charm, sealed up and worn around
the neck of the afflicted person. The following is a copy of the charm:--
I've seen it written a feller was sitten
On a marvel stone, and our Lord came by,
And He said to him, "What's the matter with thee, my man?"
And he said, "Got the toothache, Marster,"
And he said, "Follow me and thee shall have no more toothache."
_Newfoundland._
833. For toothache take an eyelash, an eyebrow, trimmings of the
finger-nails, and toe-nails of the patient, bore a hole in a beech-tree,
and put them in. The sufferer must not see the tree, and it must not be
cut down or burned.
_Cape Breton._
834. Treat biliousness by boring three holes in a tree and walking three
times around it, saying, "Go away, bilious."
_Eastern Shore of Maryland._
835. The most powerful charm is a piece of printed paper called "the
letter of Jesus Christ." This, in addition to the well-known letter of
Lentulus to the Senate, contains many absurd superstitions, such as the
promise of safe delivery in child-bed, and freedom from bodily hurt to
those who may possess a copy of it.
_Newfoundland._
WATER.
836. Rub the hands with the first snow that falls and you'll not have
sore hands all winter.
_Winn, Me._
837. On Ash Wednesday before sunrise dip a pail of water in a running
brook (up stream), bottle it, and keep as a cure for anything.
_Maine._
838. Catch the last snow of the season (_e.g._, in April), melt and put
into a bottle. It will cure sore eyes.
_Chestertown, Md._
839. Water made from snow that falls in the month of May will cure sore
eyes.
_Prince Edward Island._
840. Rain-water caught the first of J
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