Stopping coughs with Vicks Vaporub?

I just got one of these viral emails about an amazing discovery by the Canadian Research Council. Apparently Vicks Vaporub, stops night-time coughing in children when applied on the bottom of their feet and then cover with socks. Is this a hoax, has anyone tried it?

Here is the body of the email I received:

It works 100 percent of the time, although the scientists at the Canada Research Council (who discovered it) aren't sure why. To stop night-time coughing in a child, put Vicks Vaporub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime and then cover with socks.

Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about five minutes, and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. This works 100 percent of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition, it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. I heard the head of The Canada Research Council describe these findings by their scientists when they were investigating the effectiveness and usage of prescription cough medicines in children as compared to alternative therapies like acupressure.

One of the guys was talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good due to the chemical make-up of these strong drugs. It was found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime and in addition to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.

-Stefan