SUPERSTITIONS OF A LYING-IN ROOM A CENTURY AGO

[摘要] Most of the following list of English superstitions about pregnancy and birth were brought to this country and were commonly believed by American parents of a century ago.1. If a pregnant woman suffer from acid dyspepsia [heartburn] the child will be born with a good crop of hair. 2. If the gravid uterus project much in front, it is a boy; if "all round," a girl. Another version is that, if a woman carry a boy on one side, and on the next pregnancy on the opposite side, it will be a girl. 3. A child born with a caul will be lucky and will not be drowned. 4. It is unlucky to have kittens in the house with young children, because they are supposed to suck the breath of the children and so kill them. Does the milk about the infant's mouth occasionally attract the kitten? 5. In tying the cord of a newly born infant, the length of cord left attached to the umbilicus must be considered with reference to sex: if a boy, it must not be too short, or his penis will be in proportion. 6. When the cord is detached from the umbilicus, it must not be allowed to fall to the ground, or the infant will be a "pee-a-bed." 7. It is unlucky to weigh new-born child; they will probably die, or will not thrive. 8. It is customary to burn the placenta, and the process gives indication of a woman's fertility. The nurse counts the number of "snaps" or "crackles," which equal the number of children the woman will bear.

[学科分类] 儿科学