Observations placeholder
Hack Tuke, Daniel – Healing - Sciatica by suggestion
Identifier
026171
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Helps to reduce any stress, thus relaxes muscles and may as a consequence cure the sciatica
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.,
CHAPTER XVI. INFLUENCE OF MENTAL STATES UPON DISORDERS OF SENSATION, MOTION, AND THE ORGANIC FUNCTIONS.
SECTION I. — Influence of Mental States upon Disorders of Sensation.
Sciatica. — A singular instance of the influence of the Imagination upon sciatica, may be found in a practice said to have been once common in Devonshire, related in "The Anatomie of the Elder," of Dr. Martin Blockwick, and cited in Brand's " Popular Antiquities" (vol. iii) :
"The Boneshave, a word perhaps nowhere used or understood in Devonshire but in the neighborhood of Exmoor, means the sciatica; and the Exmorians, when affected therewith, use the following charm to be freed from it. The patient must lie upon his back on the bank of the river or brook of water, with a straight staff by his side, between him and the water; and must have the following words repeated over him, viz. :
" Boneshave right,
Boneshave straight,
As the water runs by the stave,
Good for the Boneshave."
They are not to be persuaded but that this ridiculous form of words seldom fails to give them a perfect cure."