Most of the superstitions and folk beliefs in the book are outside of present-day knowledge and science. There were charms against witches and devils, who were entities to be feared. There are legends which describe superstitions about the cosmos and daily life. Others identify and describe the plants and animals used in remedies for diseases and illnesses. Many superstitions that were believed are now considered to be false. Some of the so-called cures can be attributed to psychosomatic illnesses and diseases.

Superstition in Medicine is a book by Hugo Magnus. It examines in detail what superstition in medicine is, its roots and causes and provides a remedy against dogma usually caused by theological misinterpretation.

A long-treasured but forgotten classic of folk healing, with an introduction and commentary by the author of Backwoods Witchcraft and Doctoring the Devil. Ossman & Steel’s Guide to Health or Household Instructor (its original title) is a collection of spells, remedies, and charms. The book draws from the old Pennsylvania Dutch and German powwow healing practices that in turn helped shape Appalachian folk healing, conjure, rootwork, and many folk healing traditions in America. Jake Richards, author of Backwoods Witchcraft and Doctoring the Devil, puts these remedies in context, with practical advice for modern-day “backwoods” healers interested to use them today. The first part contains spells and charms for healing wounds, styes, broken bones, maladies, and illnesses of all sorts. The second part includes other folk remedies using ingredients based on sympathetic reasoning, including sulfuric acid, gunpowder, or other substances for swelling, toothache, headache, and so on. These remedies are presented here for historic interest, to help better understand how folk medicine evolved in America. It is Jake Richard’s hope that reintroducing this work will reestablish its position as a useful household helper in the library of every witch or country healer.

"For the expert investigation of the human will to believe, we recommend "The Encyclopedia of Superstitions.""--The New York Times Do you avoid walking under a ladder, or touch wood to ward off misfortune? It may not be logical, but underlying these irrational beliefs are centuries of long-forgotten ways of thought--and many affect us still. This classic and thoroughly delightful reference explores the origins of hundreds of superstitions, and many of the entries read like short stories in themselves. Here are the charms once in daily use in dairy and kitchen; spells used by witches--and against them; fairy lore and legend; folk remedies and customs of birth, marriage, and death. You'll discover why it's unlucky in some countries for a person to reveal his age; why ships have long been fitted with figureheads; why lettuce was believed to possess magical properties; and why a child born after its father's death was said to have healing powers. This is truly a collection to muse over...but expect an occasional chill down the spine.