_Hooping Cough: Hedera Helix._--In addition to my former communications on
this subject, I beg to forward the following:--
Drinking-cups made from the wood of the common ivy, and used by children
affected with this complaint, for taking therefrom all they require to
drink, is current in the county of Salop as an infallible remedy; and I
once knew an old gentleman (now no more) who being fond of turning as an
amusement, was accustomed to supply his neighbours with them, and whose
brother always supplied him with the wood, cut from his own plantations. It
is necessary, in order to be effective, that the ivy from which the cups
are made should be cut at some particular change of the moon, or hour of
the night, &c., which I am now unable to ascertain: but perhaps some of
your readers could give you the exact period.