It may be of interest here to note also that one of the most effective ear-ache cures we possess is a spring clothespin fastened for five minutes or thereabouts on the tip of the ring finger. (See Fig. 13.) Any manipulation over this zone is effective, but hollowed-out spring clothespins and rubber bands have been particularly so. [Illustration: FIG. 13.--Showing method of applying hollowed out spring clothespins for the relief of pain and to desensitize the teeth for dental operations.] To illustrate: During a recent medical convention in the West one of the physicians attending complained of a severe ear-ache. A physician present, well versed in zone therapy, requested permission to examine the ear-ache doctor’s fingers, alleging that by pressing intermittently on the finger nails, he could estimate the degree of blood pressure, and perhaps suggest a course of treatment which might permanently cure the ear trouble--if not caused by an abscess. The doctor extended the hand on the side of the afflicted ear. The zone therapy man squeezed the tip of the fourth finger, raised the finger nail, and let it settle back a dozen or more times, “to see how the circulation reacted,” as he said. After three or four minutes he said “By the way, Doctor, which ear did you say is giving you the trouble?” The Doctor looked up in blank amazement, felt his ears, shook his head, and said, “You don’t mean to say that that darned foolishness cured my ear-ache, do you?” It does seem silly, and yet it “works.” And anything that works is beneficent and helpful, and deserves encouragement. For deafness and ear troubles are common, and seem to be becoming more so. CHAPTER 6. PAINLESS CHILDBIRTH. Any method, no matter how improbable-seeming it may be, calculated to render labor or operations upon women less of an ordeal, is worthy of consideration by physicians, midwives, and the laity. Therefore there may be something well worth “trying out” in the “pressure” method of inducing relief from pain. A number of physicians have reported results that, if confirmed by further experiences, warrant us in believing that zone pressure promises to be a boon to womankind. To those who have had experience with pressure analgesia in dentistry, and in the relief of rheumatism, lumbago, neuralgia, and other painful affections, mitigating--or even entirely relieving--the pains of childbirth seem quite within the bounds of possibility. In any event, it will not be difficult to put it to a broad conclusive test. And it is absolutely harmless, there is no danger to mother or child in its employment, and no indication that it might be responsible for a “blue baby.” For in almost every case in which it has been tried, labor has been accelerated six hours or more--instead of retarded. [Illustration: FIG. 14.--This shows method of treating lumbago and pains in the back of the body, affecting all the zones.]