Memory Monday: Cures for Hiccups

My paternal grandmother

CURES FOR HICCUPS

I hate to get the hiccups because they usually go on until they hurt. The only way to get rid of them—at least, the only one that works for me—is to get a full glass of water and take ten swallows without taking a breath. Sometimes, I have to do this a couple of times, but it usually works with only one try.

Recently, I came across the following while doing some research. It is from a book titled AUDELS HOUSEHOLD HELPS, HINTS, AND RECEIPTS, and was published in 1913—three years after my grandparents were married and four years before my father was born. Note: they didn’t call them hiccups back then. They were called hiccoughs.

To Stop Ordinary Hiccough.—There are two simple methods of arresting this unpleasant affection—by a temporary check in either the respiration or the circulation. The first mode of doing so is by drawing in the breath just before the expected time, and holding it thus till the period is past. If it does not succeed with the first effort it will very likely do so with the second. The other plan is to squeeze the right wrist with the finger and thumb of the other hand, at the place where the pulse is generally felt.

A Brazilian physician, Dr. Ramos, states that refrigeration of the lobe of the ear will stop hiccough, whatever its cause may be. Very slight refrigeration, he asserts, will answer, the application of cold water or even saliva being sufficient.

Hiccough is relieved by a tight bandage about the abdomen, or the inhalation of a few drops of chloroform.

"There is only one specific for hiccough," says Dr. Henry Lewis, "and that is a small dose of wine vinegar, sweetened with as much sugar as it will absorb. I have used this remedy when the annoyance has passed almost into the dangerous stage, and never knew a case which one dose would not relieve and two cure. Sucking a lump of sugar will cure a very mild attack, but is not effective in severe cases.

To cure hiccoughs, sit erect and inflate the lungs fully. Then, retaining the breath, bend forward slowly until the chest meets the knees. After slowly rising again to the erect position, slowly exhale the breath. Repeat this process a second time, and the nerves will be found to have received an excess of energy that will enable them to perform their natural functions.

Ten drops of chloroform upon a lump of sugar is also considered an excellent remedy for hiccough and ordinary nausea.

There is just something I don’t even want to think about with the inhalation of chloroform or doing the last one—not sure if the sugar was to sniffed, allowed to melt in the mouth, or chewed and swallowed.

I think I will stick to the ten sips of water without taking a breath.

What is your best cure for hiccups? What is the weirdest one you’ve ever tried? Did it work?