Caul

Caul, a term applied to the amniotic membrane [Amnion], which is sometimes carried before the head of the child at birth. Children born with their heads enveloped in a caul were supposed to be peculiarly lucky, and the possession of such a piece of membrane, whether obtained by accident of birth or by purchase, was supposed by the credulous to confer certain advantages upon the owner. The caul was supposed, for example, to be a certain preservative against death by drowning. Again, it was held that the owner of the caul could inform himself as to the state of health of the person who was born with it, by noting the degree of dryness or flaccidity of the membrane. The market value of a well-preserved caul was considerable up to within quite recent years.