Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1919 — Holding Breath, Gargle, and Sneezing, Hiccough Cure 400 Years Before Christ [ARTICLE]

Holding Breath, Gargle, and Sneezing, Hiccough Cure 400 Years Before Christ

The hiccough epidemic being prevalent In a mid-western state recently, a man comes forward with a remedy successfully used by a Greek poet 400 years before Christ. It is found in “The Banquet,” translated from Plato, and here it is: “When it came to the turn of Aristophanes to speak it happened that he had a hiccough which prevented him; so he turned to Eryximachus, the physician who was reclining close by him. and said: ‘lt is fair that you should cure me of my hiccoughs or speak until It is over.’ ‘I will do both,’ said the physician. T will speak In your turn and you shall speak In mine. Meanwhife, if you will hold your breath for some time it will subside. If not, gargle your throat with water, and If it still continues take something to stimulate your nostrils and sneeze; do this once or twice, and even though It should be very violent it will cease.”’