Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/285

 Items of Maryland Belief and Custom. 273

��ITEMS OF MARYLAND BELIEF AND CUSTOM.

That the belief in charms as a means of preventing and curing disease is not a thing of the past, at least in Maryland, and that it is not even there confined to the negro, has been convincingly- proved recently. One proof came in the spring when Druid Hill Park, in Baltimore, was infested with moles. Through the efforts of the Park Board to get rid of them, it was discovered that a Dutchman, who was very successful in catching them, was cutting off the feet while they were alive, and thereby increasing his in- come ; for he found ready sale for these feet among fond mothers who believe that, if worn round the neck of a child in a bag, they will prevent diseases incident to teething. In one part of the State, it is " the left hind-foot " of the mole that is used " to cut teeth on."

A charm against whooping-cough has also been brought promi- nently into notice lately in Maryland. It is asserted that the mother of twins has power to drive the disease away from a child by giving it a piece of bread and butter. That the efficacy of this is most firmly believed in was proved when whooping-cough broke out in Annapo- lis last winter. The " Governor's Mansion " was soon besieged by children who came to ask bread and butter of the governor's wife, she being the mother of twins. At first these requests were com- plied with, but soon the demand became so great as to be a tax upon the giver, and it was found necessary to put a stop to the whole thing.

Maryland has another cure for the same disease that is some- what similar. This time it is a woman who has married without changing her name who "has the power," and who at any time is likely to be called on, as was the governor's wife. In this case it is said that if a child with the whooping-cough goes to her for a piece of bread and butter, and if she spreads the butter on the bread her- self, and the child takes it without thanking her, " there will be no more 'whoop' to that cough."

A CURE FOR "FLESH DECAY," OR WASTING DISEASE, IN A BABY.

To cure this disease, a baby is measured by a seventh son or a seventh daughter three days in succession, before sunrise or after sunset, being passed through the measuring string each day ; while, during the process, an unintelligible charm is repeated over the child. After the third measuring, the string is doubled and tied to the hinge of a door or window, and if it rots out in a certain time the baby will recover ; but if the child is " foot-and-a-half gone," there is no possible cure.

vol. xii. — no. 47. 18

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