Show WHY of superstitions by D y H KIN KINQ I 1 NUTMEGS THE popular superstition about nut tiegs megs la is that pierced and hung about the neck in the manner of a charm they are a cure for various physical ills not long ago a schoolteacher advised her pupils to wear nutmegs in this manner to prevent cold sores and the daughter of a new hampshire legislator wore one for a night and day to cure earache though different sections select different diseases for which the nutmeg Is most recommended the general belief to is that nutmegs are efficacious in all diseases the key to the supers tl tion Is found in the name of the genus genua of plants to which the nutmeg belongs which w Is from the I 1 greek work myris meaning fit tor for anointing though a native of the islands of the indian seas the nutmeg or its kin appears to have found its is way though sparingly to egypt and the eastern shores of the mediterranean when it if became known to the greek communities of asia minor and received its greek name it was the oil produced from the covering of the kernel of the nutmeg which was Is suitable I 1 for or anointing and it was that figure of speech known as metonymy met onomy which extended tho the name to the whole fruit originally anointing had three purposes bodily health and comfort honor and consecration reasoning by analogy the best authorities consider the roost most ancient use to have been for purposes of health the schoolmarm school marm advising her pupils to wear ivear nutmegs around their necks to prevent cold sores furnishes an ex ample of a primitive sanitary idea degenerated through the long ages into a popular superstition aa by mcclure re ne syndicate |