Psychic Surgery
Close Observation of a Popular Healing Practice
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2478181 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Philip Singer (corresponding author) |
| Year | 1990 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 443-451 |
| Publication date | 1990-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Medical Anthropology Quarterly (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0745-5194 • E-ISSN: 1548-1387 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1525/maq.1990.4.4.02a00050 |
| OpenAlex | W2129313763 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 1 |
Philippine "psychic surgeons" are reputed to "enter" the body bare-handedly, remove blood, tissue, and/or organs, then "close" the body, leaving no wound. In this article I report on a relatively controlled demonstration of psychic surgery held at Oakland University in September 1986. Observers included a professional magician and a pathologist. Analysis of videotapes made during the proceedings shows how a persuasive sleight-of-hand performance was achieved. Furthermore, none of the tissue or blood specimens supposedly removed during the procedure matched those of subjects. I conclude by discussing some of the forces that have contributed to the popularization of these healers
Alternative medicine · Pathology · Psychic · Psychoanalysis · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Empathy and Medical Education · Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices · Medicine · Psychology · Surgery
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,17 |
| Citation span | 1996 - 2023 (28) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |