Dr. Thomas G. Morton, of Philadelphia, imparts the information that not only is the use of human urine still general among ignorant women during pregnancy, but that it has been learned that female abortionists have been in the habit of vending a nostrum for defeating pregnancy, one of the components of which was the catamenial discharge.
Referring to previous remarks, on page 162, it may be noticed that a curious instance of survival by contrariety is to be detected in what Picart relates of the Hebrew ceremonial of the present day. He says of the behavior of the Hebrew while praying, that he should carefully avoid gaping, spitting, blowing his nose, or emitting any exhalations: “Il doit éviter autant qu’il se peut de bailler, de cracher, de se moucher, de laisser aller des vents.” (Picart, “Coutumes et Cérémonies,” &c., vol. i. p. 126). All this information seems to be taken from the work of the Rabbi Leon, of Modena.
In the above are seen the antipodes of the practices characteristic of the worship of Baal-Peor which the prophets had so much trouble in eradicating from the minds of the chosen people.