{"id":2195,"date":"2012-11-20T22:40:06","date_gmt":"2012-11-21T03:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington2\/?page_id=2195"},"modified":"2015-01-18T13:36:15","modified_gmt":"2015-01-18T18:36:15","slug":"folk-medicine-lexicon-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/research-aids\/folk-medicine-lexicon-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Folk Medicine Lexicon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source:\u00a0A Folk Medical Lexicon of South Central Appalachia,<\/strong>\u00a01990<\/em>; with permission from the History of Medicine Society of Appalachia, Medical Library, PO Box 23290A, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614.<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

acting up<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0the manifestation of symptoms of any physical disorder: “My arthritis has been acting up lately.”<\/span><\/p>\n

air hungry<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0difficulty with breathing<\/span><\/p>\n

all to pieces<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0an expression used to describe an acute state of anxiety<\/span><\/p>\n

(to) allow<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0to say; “What did the doctor allow about the pain in my chest?”<\/span><\/p>\n

angry<\/strong> (sore) \u2013\u00a0a sore that is infected and sensitive to the touch; “I’ve got an angry sore on my arm.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0asafetida<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0[commonly pronounced “fidity”] used in the phrase “fidity gum”; a gum resin derived from the roots of plants from the Near East worn in a pouch around the neck to ward off illness.<\/span><\/p>\n

B<\/span><\/strong>
\nbaby dropsy<\/strong> \u2013<\/span>\u00a0death in babies caused by swollen heart due to Rh incompatibility<\/span><\/p>\n

baby in the oven<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0pregnancy<\/span><\/p>\n

back door trots<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

back of this<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0a phrase meaning “before this”; “Back of this, I had headaches and vomited a lot.”<\/span><\/p>\n

bad blood \u2013 <\/span><\/strong>a. used in reference to contemptible behavioral traits believed to be inherited from one generation to the next: “I wouldn’t trust him because his family’s got bad blood.”;\u00a0b. syphilis;<\/span>\u00a0c. poor social relationsbetween people; “There’s been bad blood between them for years.”<\/span>bag of waters<\/span><\/p>\n

beal<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0placenta with amniotic fluid;\u00a0<\/span>to become infected, to fester, and feels awful.” Also used as a noun. There is a bealing on my back.” Usually indicates an otitis condition<\/span><\/p>\n

beggar’s itch<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. scabies;\u00a0b. a lice condition<\/span><\/p>\n

big eye<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0insomnia, sometimes used in the expression “took the big eye”; I don’t feel well today because I had the big eye last night.”<\/span><\/p>\n

bigged<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0pregnant; also used as a verb; “He bigged her.”<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) binds<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0constipation; “She’s got a bad case of the binds.”<\/span><\/p>\n

birth palsy<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a birth injury causing paralysis<\/span><\/p>\n

black liver<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0hepatitis<\/span><\/p>\n

bleeding disease or\u00a0bleeder’s disease<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0hemophilia<\/span><\/p>\n

blind staggers<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. a feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness;\u00a0b. inability to walk due to intoxication<\/span><\/p>\n

blood blister<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. a trauma to the skin causing blood formation between the dermis\u00a0and epidermis;\u00a0b. a hemangioma<\/span><\/p>\n

blood wart<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. superficial telangiectasia or hemangioma;\u00a0b. hemorrhoid<\/span><\/p>\n

bloody flux<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. bleeding from the rectum;\u00a0b. menstruation; See flux.<\/span><\/p>\n

bloody tide \u2013\u00a0extreme menstrual flow<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

blossoming out<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. the symptoms of an illness manifesting or becoming worse; See also flare.;\u00a0b. attaining puberty; See budding out.<\/span><\/p>\n

blues \u2013<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0mental depression<\/span><\/p>\n

bluing the face and hands<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0turning blue<\/span><\/p>\n

bold hives<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0particularly large wheals or blisters on the skin<\/span><\/p>\n

bone tired<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0severe exhaustion from physical labor<\/span><\/p>\n

bounded gut<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. constipation;\u00a0b. impaction of the bowels;\u00a0c. obstruction of the bowels<\/span><\/p>\n

brain fever<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0encephalitis or meningitis<\/span><\/p>\n

breaking out<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0the manifestation of a skin rash; also used as a noun to refer to a rash<\/span><\/p>\n

brown headache<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0headache associated with constipation\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

budding out<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0attaining sexual maturity; See blossoming out<\/span><\/p>\n

bug<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0flu; “He’s been down with the bug for two days.”<\/span><\/p>\n

bugs<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0scabies<\/span><\/p>\n

bumfuddled<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0confused mental state; also used as “bumfuzzled”<\/span><\/p>\n

burning up<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0having a fever<\/span><\/p>\n

bushed up<\/strong> \u2013<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>nervous<\/span><\/p>\n

C<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

(the) “C’<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0\u00a0cancer; “We may lose him to the big C.”<\/span><\/p>\n

can’t help its \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a. menstruation;\u00a0<\/span>b. lethargy\u00a0<\/span>c. mental depression<\/span><\/p>\n

canker ear \u2013\u00a0itchiness of the ear canal<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

catarrh \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>inflammation of the mucous membrane; used in reference to allergy or URI symptoms or sinus drainage<\/span><\/p>\n

catch \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>sharp muscle pain in the neck, back, or knee associated with limited movement: “I’ve got a catch in my neck.” See crick.<\/span><\/p>\n

(to) catch \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>to deliver a child; “She caught every baby in this community.”<\/span><\/p>\n

caul<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0[pronounced “cowl”] amniotic sac; see onion skin and veil.<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) changes<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. menopause;\u00a0<\/span>b. mental depression; “Since he’s had the changes nobody can talk to him.”;\u00a0<\/span>c. menstruation<\/span><\/p>\n

chested \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>chest congestion<\/span><\/p>\n

child bedfever<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>fever from postpartum infection<\/span><\/p>\n

clap<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0venereal disease; sometimes referred to as “the collapse”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) clutches<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. any abdominal cramping;\u00a0<\/span>b. menstrual cramps<\/span><\/p>\n

colic \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a. indigestion and\/or abdominal pain in babies; includes six-month and nine-month colic; commonly used in phrase “colicky baby.”;\u00a0<\/span>b. in adults any severe, intermittent abdominal pain; two varieties include “gall bladder colic” and “kidney colic.”<\/span><\/p>\n

consumption \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a. tuberculosis of the lungs, see galloping consumption;\u00a0<\/span>b. a rapid, progressive pneumonic condition<\/span><\/p>\n

cooties \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>lice or germs<\/span><\/p>\n

corded<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0tightness and stiffness of the muscles<\/span><\/p>\n

corruption<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. pus from an infected sore;\u00a0<\/span>b. phlegm, especially that containing blood resulting from a chronic lung problem; used in the phrase “bloody corruption.”<\/span><\/p>\n

courage<\/span><\/strong> \u2013\u00a0(male specific) sexual drive, impotency: “Doc, I’ve lost my courage.”<\/span><\/p>\n

course or courses \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>menstruation<\/span><\/p>\n

crabs \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>body lice; used most frequently in reference to pubic lice<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>cradle cap\u00a0\u2013 \u00a0<\/strong>seborrheic dermatitis of the newborn, infant, or small child<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0cramp colic \u2013\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>a. menstruation;\u00a0<\/span>b. painful contraction of the intestine<\/span><\/p>\n

creel \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>to sprain: “He creeled his ankle when he slipped off the porch”; variant form “creen” also used.<\/span><\/p>\n

crick<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0sharp muscle pain in the neck; See catch.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

cross over<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0to die; “When did your brother cross over?”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0crud<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a sickness characterized by symptoms of feeling tired, dull, and achy; often used in reference to the flu; commonly used as “the crud:” “He’s down with the crud and can’t go to work\/” also used as an ajective: “I’ve been feeling cruddy lately.” Also described as the “creeping crud,” meaningthe onset of the symptoms of the crud, and the “galloping crud,” meaning the symptoms are fully manifested.<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) curse \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>menstruation<\/span><\/p>\n

D<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

deathly sick<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. a severe case of nausea, fever, and weakness; commonly used to express a feeling of wanting to die in reaction to a debilitating condition;\u00a0<\/span>b. a death threatening illness; See low sick.<\/span><\/p>\n

deep study<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. a mood of intense concentration or contemplation;\u00a0<\/span>b. a depressed mental condition. c. a vacuous state of\u00a0<\/span>mind characterized by staring off into space.<\/span><\/p>\n

dew poisoning<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. sores on the soles of the feet caused through contact with dew;\u00a0<\/span>b. a rash on the ankles or hands resulting from contact with dew; See frost poisoning.<\/span><\/p>\n

(to) doctor<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>to treat medically, especially through the administration of home remedies.<\/span><\/p>\n

don’t care<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0an expression that means “Yes, I would like to.”<\/span><\/p>\n

double pneumonia<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. both lungs, not just one, are inflammed and congested;\u00a0<\/span>b. severe pneumonia.<\/span><\/p>\n

down and out \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a. extreme fatigue;\u00a0<\/span>b. mental depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

down in my back<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0backache, usually severe.<\/span><\/p>\n

down in the dumps \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>mental depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

down there<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>genitals.<\/span><\/p>\n

down with it<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>contraction of an illness, such as a flu, that is incapacitating: “He’s been down with it two weeks.”<\/span><\/p>\n

draggy<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0sluggish, languid; also used as “the drags.”<\/span><\/p>\n

draw out<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. to induce an illness, such as a cold or fever;\u00a0<\/span>b. to treat a boil or other lesion by application of medicinal substances; also described as “bringing to a head.”<\/span><\/p>\n

drawed up<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. contraction of the arms, legs, hands due to cramping or injury;\u00a0<\/span>b. illness associated with extreme weight loss; See drawing spell.<\/span><\/p>\n

drawing spell<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. contraction of the arms and legs due to excruciating pain. See drawed up;\u00a0<\/span>b. inability to take in a deep breath;\u00a0<\/span>c. hyperventilation.<\/span><\/p>\n

drinlin<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. weak, ailing;\u00a0<\/span>b. weak constitution associated with loss of appetite and extreme loss of weight; see wasting away.<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) drip<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0gonorrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

drizzlins<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

dropsy<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0heart trouble, heart failure, generalized edema associated with heart problems; often used in the phrase “heart dropsy.”<\/span><\/p>\n

dwindlin’ away \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>losing weight<\/span><\/p>\n

dyspepsy \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>[derivative of dyspepsia] indigestion<\/span><\/p>\n

F<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

fagged out<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>extremely fatigued<\/span><\/p>\n

fair to midlin<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0used in reference to a normal state of physical and mental well-being; See midlin.<\/span><\/p>\n

fall sores<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. rash that forms on the legs and\/or feet and hands during the fall, particularly during “dog days” (i.e., late summer to early fall); a child specific pathology;\u00a0<\/span>b. impetigo<\/span><\/p>\n

fallen off<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0weight loss: “She’s fallen off quite a bit since she became sick.”<\/span><\/p>\n

fallen womb<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a prolapsed uterus; See laxed privates<\/span><\/p>\n

falling off the roof<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0menstruation<\/span><\/p>\n

filling out \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a. gaining weight;\u00a0<\/span>b. reaching a state of physical maturity<\/span><\/p>\n

fish skin \u2013 \u00a0<\/strong><\/span>scaly, dry skin common to the elderly<\/span><\/p>\n

fits \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>a. seizures; used as “the fits”;\u00a0<\/span>b. temper tantrum<\/span><\/p>\n

flare<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0the symptoms of an illness manifesting suddenly or becoming worse; frequently used with the preposition “up”: “My headache flared up again last night.”<\/span><\/p>\n

fleshy<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. corpulent, fat; also used to describe gaining weight as in the phrase “getting fleshy” or “fleshing up.”;\u00a0<\/span>b. a sore becoming swollen from infection: “That sore of yours is getting fleshy.”<\/span><\/p>\n

flooding<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>extreme menstrual flow<\/span><\/p>\n

flounder<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0[sometimes pronounced “founder”] bloated, stuffed feeling<\/span><\/p>\n

flower<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0[sometimes pronounced “flare”] a. the symptoms of an illness manifesting; “My arthritis flowered up last week.”;\u00a0<\/span>b. hymen<\/span><\/p>\n

flux<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0diarrhea; See bloody flux.<\/span><\/p>\n

frazzle<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>extreme fatigue, commonly used in the phrase “worn to a frazzle”; also used as a verb as in “I’m frazzled from painting the house.”<\/span><\/p>\n

French curse \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>syphilis<\/span><\/p>\n

fretful \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>used to describe an anxious, stressful mental state; “He’s feeling fretful about losing his job.” Commonly used in reference to babies that cry excessively.<\/span><\/p>\n

frost poisoning<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>sores on the soles of the feet resulting from contact with frost. See dew poisoning.<\/span><\/p>\n

G<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

galloping consumption<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. tuberculosis complicated by pneumonia;\u00a0<\/span>b. tuberculosis characterized by rapid, progressive symptoms<\/span><\/p>\n

gant up<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 to gain weight; “He’s ganted up some since he got out of the hospital.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

gasey<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0flatulence and\/or bloated feeling<\/span><\/p>\n

gaulded<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a heat rash, particularly in the groin area; “My leg is gaulded so bad I can hardly walk.” Rash area sometimes referred to as “scalded skin.”<\/span><\/p>\n

gism<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0[pronounced “jism”] semen; (not well known or used in the region).<\/span><\/p>\n

give out \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>severely fatigued, usually from physical exertion.<\/span><\/p>\n

glands \u2013 <\/span><\/strong>prostate glands; lymph nodes<\/span><\/p>\n

gleet<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. chronic gonorrhea. b. urethral discharge.<\/span><\/p>\n

glut<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0derivative of “glutton”,” to eat to excess; I glut today.”<\/span><\/p>\n

goozle \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>the throat or Adam’s apple<\/span><\/p>\n

grand itch<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0scabies<\/span><\/p>\n

granny cramps<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0menstrual period<\/span><\/p>\n

granny woman<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0midwife and\/or herb doctor; sometimes referred to as “granny midwife”<\/span><\/p>\n

gravel \u2013\u00a0gall or kidney stones<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

green apple \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a. diarrhea; sometimes used in the phrase “green apple trots”;\u00a0<\/span>b. abdominal pain; sometimes used in the phrase “green apple bellyache”<\/span><\/p>\n

(to) green up<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0to impregnate or become pregnant, possibly specific to African -American<\/span><\/p>\n

grippe \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a. an upper respiratory infection;\u00a0<\/span>b. an illness exhibiting the symptoms of flu.<\/span><\/p>\n

gripping stomach<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. hunger pains;\u00a0<\/span>b. queasy stomach<\/span><\/p>\n

growth \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>tumor; commonly used in reference to cancer<\/span><\/p>\n

gum boil \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>abscess on gums<\/span><\/p>\n

H<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

hair cut<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. canker on the genitals;\u00a0<\/span>b. a laceration of the penis caused by a pubic hair<\/span><\/p>\n

ham strung<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0extremely sore thigh or calf muscles<\/span><\/p>\n

hard measles<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0rubella<\/span><\/p>\n

hark \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>[phonetical variant of “hawk”; also pronounced as “hock” and “hack”] to cough up phlegm: “He harked up a lot of phlegm.” See hocker.<\/span><\/p>\n

heebie jeebies<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0nervous condition; also “the jeebies.”<\/span><\/p>\n

herb doctor<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>[“herb” sometimes pronounced “yarb”] a folk healer knowledgeable in the use of medicinal plants<\/span><\/p>\n

high blood<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. high blood pressure;\u00a0<\/span>b. an excessive quantity of blood in the body;\u00a0<\/span>c. high blood sugar;\u00a0<\/span>d. high blood count.<\/span><\/p>\n

hippoed<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a feeling of ill health or extreme fatigue; “I feel plumb hippoed.”<\/span><\/p>\n

hocker \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a wad of phlegm<\/span><\/p>\n

hunker<\/strong>s<\/span>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. haunches: “My hunkers are sore.”;\u00a0<\/span>b. used as verb “to hunker” meaning “to squat”; “He’s hunkering by the fire.”<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

in a delicate condition \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>pregnant<\/span><\/p>\n

in a family way \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>pregnant<\/span><\/p>\n

in the mother way<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0pregnant<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) itch<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>scabies; See grand itch.<\/span><\/p>\n

J<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

jack bumps<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0acne<\/span><\/p>\n

jake le<\/strong>g \u2013 a\u00a0disabled walk characterized by a loping gait where the feet fall hard or “slap” the ground; condition common in the 1920s and 1930s caused by drinking Jamaica Ginger, a ginger extract containing propylene glycol.<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) jitters<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0nervous mental state<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0job<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0[phonetical variant of the verb ” jab”] used to refer to a sharp, stabbing pain; “The pain in my neck jobbed me all day.<\/span><\/p>\n

johnny trots<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

K<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

kernels \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0swollen lymph nodes under the arms, on the neck or groin<\/span><\/p>\n

kidney trouble \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>often refers to any pain in the middle or lower back<\/span><\/p>\n

knock up \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>to impregnate; “She was knocked up by that boy from town.”<\/span><\/p>\n

knot<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>can refer to a tumor, lump, or tightened muscle<\/span><\/p>\n

L<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

laxed privates<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>a prolapsed uterus; See fallen womb.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>leaders \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>a. tendons or ligaments, most frequently used in reference to the ligaments in the neck and ankle;\u00a0<\/span>b. veins in the leg; the phrase “bad leaders” commonly used in reference to varicose veins<\/span><\/p>\n

lightheaded<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 dizzy<\/span><\/p>\n

lights<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 lungs<\/span><\/p>\n

liver grown<\/strong> [also known as “liver bound”] \u2013\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a. a physical disorder in an infant whose liver becomes attached to the spinal cord due to remaining flat on the back too long in the crib; disorder prevented by using the “liver shakes”, a process involving holding the infant by its feet and shaking it up and down;\u00a0<\/span>b. an infant or child with colic;\u00a0<\/span>c. an infant whose body is sensitive to the touch due to being handled too much<\/span><\/p>\n

liver shakes<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0See liver grown<\/span><\/p>\n

locked bowels<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. impaction of the bowels;\u00a0b. intestinal obstruction<\/span><\/p>\n

loss of manhood<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>impotency<\/span><\/p>\n

low blood<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. low blood pressure;\u00a0<\/span>b. an anemic condition;\u00a0<\/span>c. an abnormally low quantity of blood;\u00a0<\/span>d. low blood count.<\/span><\/p>\n

low sick feelin<\/strong>g<\/span>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0very ill and near death; See deathly sick<\/span><\/p>\n

lumbago<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0lower back pain<\/span><\/p>\n

lung hemorrhage<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the expectoration of blood or bloody mucus<\/span><\/p>\n

M<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

maidenhead<\/strong> \u2013 hymen<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>make water<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0to urinate; See pass water<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>markin<\/strong>g<\/span>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>a birthmark, physical characteristic or behavior trait caused during pregnancy by the mother having a frightening\/ unfortunate experience or violating a taboo<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) melancholy<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a depressed mental state<\/span><\/p>\n

midlin<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0not feeling well, but not feeling very sick; See fair to midlin.<\/span><\/p>\n

milk fever<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a. sore breasts during lactation;\u00a0<\/span>b. engorgement of the breasts;\u00a0<\/span>c. mastitis<\/span><\/p>\n

milk leg<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. phlebitis acquired by women shortly after birth;\u00a0<\/span>b. an infection in the veins of the legs;\u00a0<\/span>c. weakening of the arms and legs<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) miseries<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0a. menstrual period; b. a tired, aching feeling<\/span><\/p>\n

(a) misery<\/strong> \u2013 a pain<\/span><\/p>\n

mullygrubs<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>[sometimes pronounced as “mollygrubs”] a. hunger pains or growling sounds made by the stomach when hungry;\u00a0<\/span>b. feeling languid.<\/span><\/p>\n

N<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

nature<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. sexual drive, libido;\u00a0<\/span>b. excretory function;\u00a0<\/span>c. personality<\/span><\/p>\n

nerves<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0an anxious, nervous mental state; commonly ‘Used in phrases “a case of the nerves” or “bad nerves.”<\/span><\/p>\n

nervous breakdown<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>severe nervous state characterized by inability to perform day-to-day functions; usually prolonged illness requiring immediate professional medical attention<\/span><\/p>\n

nervous wreck<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0an anxious mental state, usually temporary<\/span><\/p>\n

nettle<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>rash a heat rash on the neck and under the arms; sometimes referred to as “netty rash” or “heat in the skin folds”<\/span><\/p>\n

no blood<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. anemia;\u00a0<\/span>b. easily chilled or cold natured constitution<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0not all together<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>confused mental state<\/span><\/p>\n

O<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

old Arthur<\/strong> \u2013 arthritis<\/span><\/p>\n

old Joe<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0gonorrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

old timer’s disease \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Alzheimer’s disease<\/span><\/p>\n

onion skin<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0amniotic sac. See veil and caul.<\/span><\/p>\n

out of heart<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 \u00a0<\/span>low in spirit or deep mental depression: “I’ve been out of heart ever since my mother died.”<\/span><\/p>\n

P<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

pass water<\/strong> \u2013<\/span>\u00a0to urinate; See make water<\/span><\/p>\n

peaked [pronounced “peekid”]<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. having a pale appearance indicating poor health;\u00a0b. feeling languid<\/span><\/p>\n

period<\/strong> \u2013 menstruation<\/span><\/p>\n

pert<\/strong> [often pronounced as “peart”]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>feeling lively, full of energy; commonly used to describe someone who looks very healthy<\/span><\/p>\n

phthisic<\/strong> [sometimes pronounced “tizzy”] \u2013\u00a0a. congested lungs, wheezy breathing;\u00a0b. asthma<\/span><\/p>\n

pieded \u2013 \u00a0<\/span><\/strong>skin or wound having a variegated, blotchy appearance; “My leg swelled up and got pieded.”<\/span><\/p>\n

piles<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0hemorrhoids<\/span><\/p>\n

pinched nerve<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0commonly used in reference to a ruptured disc<\/span><\/p>\n

pindling<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0ailing and weak; child specific; “That boy was born pindling.”<\/span><\/p>\n

pink eye<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0conjunctivitis<\/span><\/p>\n

pip<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0menstruation<\/span><\/p>\n

piss hard<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a morning erection<\/span><\/p>\n

pitching and staving<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0dizziness, vertigo<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) plague<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0menstruation<\/span><\/p>\n

pocketbook<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0vagina<\/span><\/p>\n

pone<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 \u00a0a painful lump on the body; “I’ve got a pone on my leg from when I accidentally hit myself with a hammer.” Also used in the phrase “poned out” in reference to a swollen part of the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

pooch<\/strong> \u2013 hernia; bulge out<\/span><\/p>\n

poorly<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>having an unhealthy appearance or feeling ill; “She’s been looking poorly for two days.”<\/span><\/p>\n

possible<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0\u00a0the genitalia or perineum<\/span><\/p>\n

pourin’ the blood<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>hemorrhage; commonly refers to a nosebleed<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

privates<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0genitalia<\/span><\/p>\n

proudflesh<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>granulation tissue<\/span><\/p>\n

pump knot<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a swelling produced by a blow to the body or sting from an insect; “I got this pump knot on my head from where he hit me.”<\/span><\/p>\n

puny<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. having a sickly appearance; “You’re looking puny today.”;\u00a0<\/span>b. sluggish, languid feeling: “I’ve been feeling kind of puny lately.”<\/span><\/p>\n

putting on<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. gaining weight: “I’ve been putting on a lot (of weight) lately.”;\u00a0<\/span>b. misbehaving;\u00a0<\/span>c. feigning illness<\/span><\/p>\n

Q<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

queasy<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0\u00a0nausea or upset stomach<\/span><\/p>\n

queer<\/strong> [sometimes pronounced “quar”] \u2013\u00a0<\/span>the sensation of an odd or strange physical feeling before the onset of an illness: “I felt a little queer yesterday and today I’m down with it.”<\/span><\/p>\n

quickie<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a sore area on the body that has a normal appearance but is sensitive to the touch<\/span><\/p>\n

quinsey<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>inflammation of the tonsils and throat<\/span><\/p>\n

R<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

red measles<\/strong> \u2013 rubella<\/span><\/p>\n

red mouth<\/strong> \u2013 thrush<\/span><\/p>\n

rheumatism \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a generic term used in reference to any disorder involving inflammation and pain of the muscles or joints, including arthritis and bursitis<\/span><\/p>\n

right smart of<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>an expression that refers to a significant amount of something, such as pain or bleeding<\/span><\/p>\n

rigors<\/strong> [sometimes pronounced “rygors”] \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a chill accompanied by mild trembling; commonly used as “the rigors.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

risin’<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a boil<\/span><\/p>\n

rose fever<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. allergy, \u00a0b. hay fever<\/span><\/p>\n

rosies<\/strong> \u2013 roseola<\/span><\/p>\n

running off \u2013diarrhea; also “the runs”<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

rupture<\/strong> \u00a0<\/span>\u2013 hernia<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

S<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

sack lice<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0lice in the pubic area<\/span><\/p>\n

scours<\/strong> \u2013 \u00a0[commonly pronounced “scares”] diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

seed(s)<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. semen; b. testicles; “The pain goes down to my seeds.”<\/span><\/p>\n

seeing \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>roses menstruation<\/span><\/p>\n

seven year itch \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a. a fungus that starts between the fingers and spreads over the hands.;\u00a0<\/span>b. a prolonged rash that is difficult to cure<\/span><\/p>\n

shaking palsy<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0Parkinson’s disease<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) shivers<\/strong> \u2013 chills<\/span><\/p>\n

shooting blanks<\/strong> \u2013 infertility<\/span><\/p>\n

side pleurisy \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a. inflammation of the pleura accompanied by pain when breathing;\u00a0<\/span>b. appendicitis<\/span><\/p>\n

sinking spell<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0a. fainting b. loss of energy or feeling tired<\/span><\/p>\n

smokies<\/strong> \u2013 menopause<\/span><\/p>\n

smothering<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0difficulty with breathing<\/span><\/p>\n

sore eyes<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0conjunctivitis<\/span><\/p>\n

spell<\/span>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>an episode of some symptom or illness; “He had a real bad coughing spell last night.”<\/span><\/p>\n

spindly<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0[variant -form “spindlin”] thin, weak, frail appearance<\/span><\/p>\n

sprangle<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0to spread or diffuse: “The pain sprangled out over my whole back.”<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) squirts<\/strong> \u2013 diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

St. Vitus’ Dance<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0chorea; jerky, uncontrollable movements of arms and legs<\/span><\/p>\n

stale<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0impotence or diminished sexual drive<\/span><\/p>\n

still<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0deceased; “He’s been still for five years.”<\/span><\/p>\n

stomach sore<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. stomach ulcer;\u00a0<\/span>b. ulcer on the mouth associated with vomiting and fever<\/span><\/p>\n

stone bruise<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>an abscessed sore on the heel of the foot caused by a severe bruise; common to children who go without shoes in the summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

stout<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. healthy;\u00a0<\/span>b. strong constitution;\u00a0<\/span>c. obese<\/span><\/p>\n

stove<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. to jam or stub a finger or toe;\u00a0<\/span>b. used with the preposition “up” in reference to bedridden condition; “He’s been stoved up for two days.”<\/span><\/p>\n

strain<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. gonorrhea; used as “the strain”; “He’s taking medicine for the strain.”;\u00a0<\/span>b. hernia;\u00a0<\/span>c. pulled muscle<\/span><\/p>\n

stretch<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0hives rash<\/span><\/p>\n

stretched out<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. a nervous, anxious state; “She’s all stretched out about having to go back to the doctor.”;\u00a0<\/span>b. bedridden<\/span><\/p>\n

strutted<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>filled to capacity, swollen to maximum extent; “He dropped a heavy box on his foot yesterday and now it’s strutted.” Also used as a noun as in “my foot swelled into a strut.”<\/span><\/p>\n

stubborn<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>commonly used in reference to constipation: “My bowels have been stubborn lately, nurse.” Also used in reference to a sore or wound that is slow to heal, or to a particularly bad infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

sugar \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>a diabetic condition; “My sugar has been acting up lately.”<\/span><\/p>\n

sugar tit \u2013\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a pacifier for babies made of a piece of soft, absorbent cloth soaked in a solution of sugar and whiskey<\/span><\/p>\n

swimmy headed<\/strong> \u2013 dizzy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

T<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

tacked up<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a surgical procedure for repair of a prolapsed uterus<\/span><\/p>\n

teder<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 \u00a0<\/span>a scaly, red skin rash<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

thick blood \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>viscous blood; often associated with a predisposition for stroke and heart attack<\/span><\/p>\n

thin blood<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>watery blood often lacking in essential properties; sometimes associated with profuse bleeding and having an unusually cold nature.<\/span><\/p>\n

thrash<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0[variant of “thrush”] inflammation of the mouth in children<\/span><\/p>\n

tired blood<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a condition of fatigue or having no energy<\/span><\/p>\n

tizzy<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. confused mental state;\u00a0<\/span>b. a nervous, anxious mental state; “He’s in a tizzy about losing his job.”;\u00a0<\/span>c. a state of intense anger<\/span><\/p>\n

toe itch<\/strong> \u2013 athlete’s foot<\/span><\/p>\n

tolerable<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a condition of feeling normal<\/span><\/p>\n

took down<\/strong> (sick) \u2013\u00a0to be bedridden by sickness; “He was took down last week.”<\/span><\/p>\n

touched<\/strong> [sometimes pronounced “tetched”]<\/span>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/span>commonly used in the phrase “touched in the head” to indicate being mentally off balance, feebleminded, or insane<\/span><\/p>\n

touchous<\/strong> [sometimes pronounced “tetchous”]<\/span>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0a. painfully sensitive to movement or touch; “This toe is so touchous I can hardly walk.”;\u00a0b. an irritable disposition; “She gets touchous when you talk about politics.”<\/span><\/p>\n

(the) trots \u2013 <\/span><\/strong>diarrhea<\/span><\/p>\n

V<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

vapors<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. fainting spells. b. mental depression<\/span><\/p>\n

veil<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0amniotic sac; See onion skin and caul.<\/span><\/p>\n

W<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

walking pneumonia<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>a. viral pneumonia;\u00a0<\/span>b. pneumonia that is not severely debilitating<\/span><\/p>\n

wasting away<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>degeneration due to a prolonged, debilitating illness often associated with extreme loss of weigh; “He’s wasting away to nothing.”<\/span><\/p>\n

weak trembles<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a feeling of general weakness associated with mild trembles of the body<\/span><\/p>\n

weed<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>an abscess in the breast acquired during breastfeeding that causes the breast to become hard and sore<\/span><\/p>\n

whipped out<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0tired, fatigued<\/span><\/p>\n

white eye<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0<\/span>severe exhaustion; “He’s white eye from working in the fields.” See wide eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

white liver<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0an insatiable sexual drive<\/span><\/p>\n

white mouth<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0thrush<\/span><\/p>\n

whites<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0vaginal discharge<\/span><\/p>\n

wide eye<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0a. severe exhaustion; \u00a0b. insomnia; See white eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

wind tumor<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0hernia in the groin area near the small bowel<\/span><\/p>\n

winter itch<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0dry, scaly skin that occurs during the winter<\/span><\/p>\n

woozy<\/strong> \u2013 dizzy<\/span><\/p>\n

wretching \u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>vomiting<\/span><\/p>\n

Y<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

yellow eye<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0hepatitis<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Source:\u00a0A Folk Medical Lexicon of South Central Appalachia,\u00a01990; with permission from the History of Medicine Society of Appalachia, Medical Library, PO Box 23290A, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN Continue Reading →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-fullwidth.php","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2195","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2195","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2195"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2195\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8992,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2195\/revisions\/8992"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}