Observations placeholder
Perkins, Dr Elisha – Curing Bone and skeletal pain using tractors
Identifier
026208
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
As described in Illustrations Of The Influence Of The Mind Upon The Body In Health And Disease, Designed To Elucidate The Action Of The Imagination - Daniel Hack Tuke, M.D., M.R.C.P.,
CHAPTEE XVII. PSYCHO- THERAPEUTICS. PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE MIND ON THE BODY TO MEDICAL PRACTICE.
SECTION V. — Combined Influence of Arousing" certain Mental States, and lightly touching the Affected Part.
Dr. Alderson adopted the …. Treatment [of tractors] in the Infirmary at Hull, with what result will be seen in the following case, which is taken from the same work :
"Robert Wood, ait. 67, on June 4th, was operated upon with (wooden) tractors for a rheumatic affection of the hip, which he has had for these eight months. During the application of the tractors, which was continued for seven minutes, no effects were produced, except a profuse perspiration, and a general tremor. On ceasing the application of the tractors, to his inexpressible joy, and our satisfaction, the good effects of our labour were now produced and acknowledged ; for he voluntarily assured us that he could walk with perfect ease, that he had the entire motion of the joint, and that he was free from pain. To use his own words, ' As to the pain I have now, I do not care if I have it all my life; that will matter nothing; you may take your medicines, I'll have no more of them.' And prior to his leaving the Infirmary he remarked how very warm those parts were where the tractors had been applied, and then walked from the Infirmary to his own house, assuring his companion that he could very well walk to Beverley.
" June 5. Walked to the Infirmary this morning with very trifling difficulty; was so much pleased with the relief or rather cure obtained yesterday, that to use his own words again, he had very joyfully spread abroad the intelligence to his acquaintance. Has had some return of pain this morning, which, however, was removed by another application, and when asked how he felt, declared ' as bonny as augh,' and then marched off with a countenance expressive of his gratitude for the wonderful relief he had obtained" (op. cit.).
(Of the Imagination as a Cause and as a Cure of Diseases of the Body, exemplified by fictitious Tractors and Epidemic Convulsions. By Dr. Haygarth).