America's Pioneers Took These Superstitions Seriously A Sure Cure For Hiccoughs, according to one folk remedy, was to have someone pull your tongue hard until your mouth bled a little. Another treatment was to drink nine swallows of water while holding the breath, then to think of the person you love and take a tenth swallow. Many Americans, even today, still believe in this age-gold superstition. November 1, 1949.