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Rh Similar rites of sneezing have long been observed in Eastern Asia. When a Hindu sneezes, bystanders say, 'Live!' and the sneezer replies, 'With you!' It is an ill omen, to which among others the Thugs paid great regard on starting on an expedition, and which even compelled them to let the travellers with them escape.

The Jewish sneezing formula is, 'Tobim chayim!' i.e. 'Good life!' The Moslem says, 'Praise to Allah!' when he sneezes, and his friends compliment him with proper formulas, a custom which seems to be conveyed from race to race wherever Islam extends. Lastly, the custom ranges through mediæval into modern Europe. To cite old German examples, 'Die Heiden nicht endorften niesen, dâ man doch sprichet "Nu helfiu Got?"' 'Wir sprechen, swer niuset, Got helfe dir.' For a Norman French instance in England, the following lines (A.D. 1100) may serve, which show our old formula 'wæs hæl!' ('may you be well!' — 'wassail!') used also to avert being taken ill after a sneeze: —

'E pur une feyze esternuer Tantot quident mal trouer, Si uesbeil ne diez aprez.'

In the 'Rules of Civility' (A.D. 1685, translated from the French) we read: — 'If his lordship chances to sneeze, you are not to bawl out, "God bless you, sir," but, pulling off your hat, bow to him handsomely, and make that obsecration to yourself.' It is noticed that Anabaptists and