Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Psychic surgery
Psychic surgery is a procedure performed by self-styled psychic doctors or psychic surgeons, chiefly in the Philippines and in Brazil. Practitioners claim that it involves the extraction of "tumors" or other presumed pathological obects (pus, bones, etc.) from the patient's body through a bloody but painless and invisible "incision", often made with bare hands and without the use of antiseptics or anesthetics.
Scientists, traditional medical doctors and stage magicians generally dismiss such practices as mere sleight-of-hand tricks, where the psychic doctor simply produces concealed blood and parts that he had suitably hidden in advance. Notably, debunker and retired magician James Randi has shown an ability to mimic psychic surgery.
Psychic surgery should not be confused with psychosurgery.
External links
- Psychic Surgery by the British Columbia Cancer Agency
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