Record

Ref NoDEP/RIJ/8/15
TitleFolios relating to superstitious abortion methods involving cotton wool applied to the umbilicus
Date[1919]
Description Of ItemTwo clipped folios in a scrapbook from the collection of John Ritchie relating to a medical superstition – referred to as ‘sympathetic magic’ – that suggests applying cotton wool to a pregnant person’s umbilicus [navel] would suffocate the embryo. The second note is a response to the first by Dr Matthew Cursham Corner, who suggests this superstition arises from local beliefs about fastening a bandage made of sheep’s wool to an umbilicus to keep an infant warm.
Extent1 item
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