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Show ODD CURE FOR RHEUMATISM Might Have Been Effective in 1742, but One Would Hesitate to Recommend It. Kheumatism is associated with a greater number of superstitions than any other complaint. In Holland there are people who believe be-lieve that a potato begged or stolen la an effective preventive, while chestnuts chest-nuts are said to possess the same efficacy. In the Midlands of England the right forefoot of a hare, carried in the pocket, is regarded as a tine amulet, and the Cornish villager is apt to put his trust in a piece of the wood of the mountain ash. Perhaps the strangest "cure" for rheumatism is that which is to be found In the "Compleat Housewife, or Accomplished Gentlewoman's Companion" Com-panion" a work published In J742: "Let the party take of the finest glazed gunpowder as much as a large thimble may hold ; wet it in a spoon with milk from. the cow, and drink a , good half-pint of warm milk after it; , be covered warm In bed and sweat;. give it fasting about seven in the morning, and take this nine or ten mornings together." ( . , j |