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{{Short description|Pseudoscientific medical fraud}}
{{dablink|This page is about ] ] surgery, not ].}}
{{Distinguish| psychosurgery}}
'''Psychic surgery''' is a form of medical fraud originating in the ], practitioners claim to be able to perform painless surgery using their fingers and unsterile tools.<ref name="pmid2110023">{{cite journal |title="Psychic surgery" |journal=CA: a cancer journal for clinicians |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=184-8 |date=1990 | url=http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/reprint/40/3/184 | pmid=2110023 | accessdate=2007-08-19 }}</ref> Practitioners say that they extract "]" or other pathological masses such as ] or ]s from the patient's body through an ].<ref name=skepdic>{{cite web |url=http://skepdic.com/psurgery.html |title=psychic surgery |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref> Psychic surgery is most prevalent in its countries of origin: ] and the ].
]
{{Paranormal}}
{{Alternative medicine sidebar |fringe}}
'''Psychic surgery''' is a ] ] in which practitioners create the ] of performing surgery with their bare hands and use ], ], and animal parts to convince the patient that diseased lesions have been removed and that the incision has spontaneously healed.<ref name="FTCD6">{{Cite web|url= https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/commission_decision_volumes/volume-86/ftc_volume_decision_86_july_-_december_1975pages_715-825.pdf|title= FTC Decision, Volume 86, July–December 1975|access-date= 2017-08-11}}</ref><ref name=FTC1>{{Cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1975/10/25/archives/ftc-curtails-the-promotion-of-all-psychic-surgery-tours.html |title= F.T.C. Curtails the Promotion Of All Psychic Surgery Tours |work= The New York Times |access-date= 2007-08-19 | date= 1975-10-25}}</ref><ref name="pmid2110023">{{Cite journal|author= American Cancer Society|author-link= American Cancer Society|year= 1990|title= Unproven methods of cancer management: "Psychic surgery"|journal= CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians|volume= 40|issue= 3|pages= 184–8|doi= 10.3322/canjclin.40.3.184|pmid= 2110023|s2cid= 7523589|doi-access= }}</ref>


Psychic surgery has been denounced by the ] ] as a "total hoax",<ref name=FTC1>{{cite web |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20E17F73C5B157493C7AB178BD95F418785F9 |title=F.T.C. Curtails the Promotion Of All Psychic Surgery Tours - The New York Times |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref> and the ] maintains that psychic surgery may cause needless death by keeping the ill away from life-saving medical care.<ref name="pmid2110023" /> Medical professionals and skeptics say that such paranormal talents do not exist, and argue that ] can best explain psychic surgery.<ref>{{cite book| last = Randi | first = James | authorlink = James Randi | year = 1989 | title = ] | publisher = Prometheus Books | id = ISBN 0-87975-535-0 }}</ref><ref> David Vernon in ''Skeptical - a Handbook of Pseudoscience and the Paranormal'', ed ], ], ], ], Imagecraft, Canberra, 1989, ISBN 0731657942, p47</ref> The ] ] describes psychic surgery as a "total hoax".<ref name=FTC1 /> Psychic surgery may cause needless death by keeping the ill away from life-saving medical care.<ref name="pmid2110023" /> Medical professionals and skeptics classify it as sleight of hand and any positive results as a ].<ref>{{Cite book | last = Randi | first = James | author-link = James Randi | year = 1989 | title = The Faith Healers | publisher = Prometheus Books | isbn = 978-0-87975-535-5 | title-link = The Faith Healers }}</ref><ref>David Vernon in ''Skeptical - a Handbook of Pseudoscience and the Paranormal'', ed ], ], ], ], Imagecraft, Canberra, 1989, {{ISBN| 0-7316-5794-2}}, p47</ref><ref>{{Cite book
| last = Evan
| first = Dylan
| title = Placebo. Mind over matter in modern medicine.
| publisher = Harper Collins Publishers
| year = 2003
| location = Great Britain
| isbn = 978-0-00-712613-2
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book
| last = Brody
| first = Howard M.D. PhD
| title = The Placebo response
| publisher = Harper Collins Publishers
| year = 2000
| location = New York
| isbn = 978-0-06-019493-2
| url = https://archive.org/details/placeboresponseh00brod
}}</ref>

Psychic surgery first appeared in the ] communities of the ] and ] in the middle of the 20th century; it has taken different paths in those two countries.<ref name="Hines1988">
]. (1988). ''Pseudoscience and the Paranormal: A Critical Examination of the Evidence''. Prometheus Books. p. 245. {{ISBN| 0-87975-419-2}}
</ref>


==Procedure== ==Procedure==
Although psychic surgery varies by region and practitioner, it usually follows some common lines. Without the use of a surgical instrument, a practitioner will press the tips of their fingers against the patient's skin in the area to be treated. The practitioner's hands appear to penetrate into the patient's body painlessly and blood seems to flow. The practitioner will then show organic matter or foreign objects apparently removed from the patient's body, clean the area, and then end the procedure with the patient's skin showing no wounds or scars.<ref name="Hines1988"/>
Although the practice of psychic surgery varies by region and practitioner, there are some themes which are common to the practice. With no surgical instruments, practitioners push against the patient's skin. Their hands appear to enter the body without causing pain, and their hands become covered in blood. Some psychic surgeons will then hold up objects which they say are human tissue removed from the patient's body. According to testimony in the FTC trial given by two psychic surgeons, these objects consist of animal tissue and clotted blood.<ref name="pmid2110023 Psychic surgeon testimony">{{cite journal |author= |title="Psychic surgery" |journal=CA: a cancer journal for clinicians |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=184-8 |year=1990 |pmid=2110023 |doi= |quote=''The Wrights learned to shop for the animal parts used to prepare "bullets" of animal tissue and clotted blood. They learned how to hide the bullets, palm them for transfer onto the patient, and create the illusion that their hands were penetrating the body.'' |accessdate=2007-08-19}}</ref> In regions where belief in evil spirits is prevalent, practitioners will sometimes demonstrate objects, such as glass, that they say were placed in the patient by the spirits. Using their fingers and hands to wipe away the blood, the practitioners will then end the procedure.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Psychic_Surgery.asp?sitearea=ETO |title=ACS :: Psychic Surgery |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref>


Most cases do not involve actual surgery although some practitioners make real incisions.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Spence| first = Lewis | title = Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology Vol. 2| publisher = Kessinger Publishing Co.| year = 2003| pages = 750| isbn = 978-0-7661-2817-0}}</ref> In regions of the world where belief in evil spirits is prevalent, practitioners will sometimes exhibit objects, such as glass, saying that the foreign bodies were placed in the patient's body by evil spirits.<ref name="pmid2110023" />
== Fraud and sleight-of-hand ==
In in 1975, the ] said in a unanimous opinion that "'psychic surgery' is nothing but a total ]."<ref name=FTC1 /> Judge Daniel H. Hanscom, in granting the FTC an injunction against travel agencies promoting psychic surgery tours, said: "Psychic surgery is pure and unmitigated fakery. The 'surgical operations' of psychic surgeons ... with their bare hands are simply phony."<ref>"F.T.C. Curbs Philippines Flights For Cures by 'Psychic Surgery'"; New York Times March 15, 1975, p. 11 (Judge Hanscom: "pure and unmitigated fakery... simply phony")</ref> In 1990, the ] stated that it ''found no evidence that "psychic surgery" results in objective benefit in the treatment of any medical condition'', and strongly urged individuals who are ill not to seek treatment by psychic surgery.<ref name="pmid2110023" /> While not directly hazardous to the patient, medical fraud of this kind carries considerable risk of the patient delaying or forgoing conventional medical help, sometimes with fatal consequences.<ref name="pmid2110023" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncahf.org/pp/faith.html |title=NCAHF Statements on Faith Healing and Psychic Surgery |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref>


==History==
], a stage magician turned psychic debunker, says that psychic surgery is a ] ]. He says that in personal observations of the procedure, and in movies showing the procedures, he can spot sleight-of-hand moves that are evident to experienced stage magicians, but might be missed by a casual observer. Randi has replicated the effects himself by sleight-of-hand.<ref> The following images are of Randi demonstrating "psychic surgery":
Accounts of psychic surgery started to appear in the ] communities of the ] and ] in the mid-1900s.<ref>]. (2002). ''The Dictionary of the Esoteric: Over 3000 Entries on the Mystical and Occult Traditions''. Watkins Publishing. p. 259. {{ISBN|1-84293-041-9}}</ref> The 16th-century explorer ] records an account, related to him by Native Americans, of a bearded figure known as "Mala Cosa" (Evil Thing), who would take hold of a person, cut into their abdomen with a flint knife, and remove a portion of their entrails, which he would then burn in a fire. When he was done the incision would close spontaneously.<ref>Narrative of the Narváez Expedition (The Lakeside Press) pp. 107–108.</ref>
*
*
* </ref> Professional magicians ] and Robert Gurtler have also observed psychic surgeons at work, and claim to have spotted the use of sleight-of-hand. On his A&E show "Mindfreak" in the episode "Sucker," illusionist Criss Angel performs "Psychic Surgery," showing first-hand how it is done (using fake blood, plastic bags and chicken livers).


===Philippines===
An explanation of psychic surgery as a ],states that first, the healer will slightly roll or pinch the skin over the area of the "operation". When his flattened hand reaches under the roll of skin, it looks and feels as if he's actually reaching into the patient's body. Simultaneously, the healer will have small bags of animal entrails palmed in his hand, or hidden beneath the table within easy reach. These entrails simulate the "diseased" tissue that the healer is supposedly removing. If the healer wants to simulate bleeding, he squeezes a bladder of animal blood. It is a simple illusion requiring very little practice. (Like most magic tricks, it's best practiced in front of a mirror.) If done properly, it can fool most patients and onlookers. Some "psychic surgery" does not rely solely on this magic trick.<ref>http://www.randi.org/jr/021805a.html#5</ref>
In the ], the procedure was first noticed in the 1940s, when performed routinely by ]. Terte and his pupil ], who was apparently associated with the '']'' (The Christian Spiritist Union of the Philippines), trained others in this procedure.<ref name="pmid2110023" />


In 1959, the procedure came to the attention of the U.S. public after the publication of '']'' by ] and ]. The authors called the practice "]al surgery", and wrote " still don’t know what to think; but we have motion pictures to show it wasn’t the work of any normal magician, and could very well be just what the Filipinos said it was — a miracle of God performed by a fourth dimensional surgeon."<ref name="ISU">{{Cite book
==Regional History==
| author = James Randi
=== Philippines ===
| author2 = Ormond, Ron
In the Philippines, the procedure originated in the 1940s with Eleuterio Terte. Terte and his student Tony Agpaoa trained others in his techniques. Terte and many of his students were associated with a religious organization, the ''Union Espiritista Christiana de Filipinas'' (The Christian Spiritist Union of the Philippines.)<ref name="pmid2110023" />
| author3 = McGill, Ormand
| others = Foreword by Carl Sagan
| title = Into the Strange Unknown By the Two Men Who Lived Every Moment of it
| publisher = The Esoteric Foundation
| year = 1959
| url = http://www.biblio.com/details.php?dcx=134022077&aid=frg
| isbn = 978-0-87975-535-5}}</ref>


In "...1973, a group of medical doctors, scientists, and parapsychologists visited the Philippine Islands to study a phenomenon that was causing increased furor amongst health professionals ... Filipino psychic surgeons, also known as spiritual/magnetic healers."<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Allison|first1=Stephen H.|last2=Malony|first2=H. Newton|title=Filipino Psychic Surgery: Myth, Magic, or Miracle|journal=Journal of Religion and Health|date=Spring 1981|volume=20|issue=1|pages=48–62|jstor=27505608|doi=10.1007/bf01533287|pmid=24311050|s2cid=8073204}}</ref>
In 1959, the procedure became widely known in the U. S. through the publication of ''Into the Strange Unknown'' by Ron Ormond and ]. They called the practice "]al surgery," and said " still don’t know what to think; but we have motion pictures to show it wasn’t the work of any normal magician, and could very well be just what the Filipinos said it was — a miracle of God performed by a fourth dimensional surgeon."{{fact}}


A known psychic healer with this speciality is ], who became well-known in the U. S. through association with actress ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rickross.com/reference/general/general475.html |title=Fake healing |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref> On ], ], Orbito was arrested by Canadian authorities and indicted for fraud.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filipinoreporter.com/archive/3327/headline03.htm |title=The Filipino Reporter |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref> ], who became well known in the United States through his association with actress ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.the-week.com/22sep08/events1.htm|title=Filipino psychic takes Indians for a ride - By N. Bhanutej|publisher=The Week (India)|date=September 8, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030621055939/http://www.the-week.com:80/22sep08/events1.htm|archive-date=2003-06-21|url-status=dead}}</ref> was a practitioner of the procedure. On June 14, 2005, Orbito was arrested by Canadian authorities and indicted for fraud.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/psychic-surgeon-a-heel-not-a-healer-police-say/article18229646/|title='Psychic surgeon' a heel, not a healer, police say|access-date=2018-12-29 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.filipinoreporter.com/archive/3327/headline03.htm |title=The Filipino Reporter |access-date=2007-08-19 }}</ref> On January 20, 2006, the charges were dropped as it then seemed unlikely that Orbito would be convicted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.filipinoreporter.com/archive/3424/headline05.htm |title=The Filipino Reporter |access-date=2007-08-19 }}</ref>


Psychic surgery made U.S. tabloid headlines in March 1984 when comedian ], diagnosed with ] ] (a rare ]), traveled to the Philippines for a six-week course of psychic surgery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.benatural.org/psychic-surgery.html |title=, Psychic Surgery |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref> Practitioner Jun Labo claimed to have removed large cancerous tumors and Kaufman believed the cancer had been removed. However, Kaufman died from renal failure, a consequence of his ] lung cancer, on ], ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/k/Andy%20Kauffman/dc.jpg |title=Andy Kaufman's death certificate |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref><ref></ref> Psychic surgery made U.S. ] headlines in March 1984 when entertainer ], diagnosed with ] ] (a rare ]), traveled to the Philippines for a six-week course of psychic surgery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.benatural.org/psychic-surgery.html |title= Psychic Surgery |access-date=2007-08-19 }}</ref> Practitioner Jun Labo claimed to have removed large cancerous tumors and Kaufman declared he believed this cancer had been removed.<ref>]. (2000). ''From the Wandering Jew to William F. Buckley Jr: On Science, Literature, and Religion''. Prometheus Books. pp. 32-33</ref> Kaufman died from renal failure as consequence of a ] lung cancer, on May 16, 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://vitals.rootsweb.com/ca/death/search.cgi |title=California Death Index |access-date=2007-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118141937/http://vitals.rootsweb.com/ca/death/search.cgi |archive-date=2008-01-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


=== Brazil === ===Brazil===
The origins of the practice in Brazil are obscure; it may derive from ] rituals, or it may have been inspired by reports from the Philippines.{{fact}} In any case, by the late 1950s several "spiritual healers" were practicing in the country. Many of them were associated with ], a major ] movement in ], and claimed to be performing their operations merely as ] for spirits of deceased medical doctors.{{fact}} The origins of the practice in ] are obscure, but by the late 1950s "spiritual healers" were practicing in the country. Many of them were associated with ], a major ] movement in Brazil, and claimed to be performing their operations merely as ] for spirits of deceased medical doctors.<ref>Stemman, Roy. (1976). ''The Supernatural''. Danbury Press. p. 118</ref><ref name="YO" />


One famous Brazilian psychic healer of this specialty was ], who claimed to be channeling for a certain ]. Unlike most other psychic healers, who work bare-handed, Arigo used a blade.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.randi.org/encyclopedia/Arigo,%20Jose.html |title=James Randi Educational Foundation — Arigó, José |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref> Other psychic healers who claimed to channel for Dr. Fritz were ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E1DD1039F931A25752C0A960958260&sec=health&spon=&pagewanted=all |title=Rio Journal;Live, in Brazil (Again): The Reincarnated Dr. Fritz - New York Times |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref> Popular today (especially abroad) is ], who operates in ], state of ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://skepdic.com/johnofgod.html |title=John of God |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref> A known Brazilian psychic healer who routinely practiced psychic surgery was ], who claimed to be channeling a (fictional) medical doctor named ]. Unlike most other psychic healers, who work bare-handed, Arigó used a non-surgical blade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.randi.org/encyclopedia/Arigo,%20Jose.html |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090711050748/http://www.randi.org/encyclopedia/Arigo,%20Jose.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-07-11 |title=James Randi Educational Foundation — Arigó, José |access-date=2007-08-19 }}</ref> Other psychic healers who claimed to channel Dr. Fritz were ] and ]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E1DD1039F931A25752C0A960958260&sec=health&spon=&pagewanted=all |title=Rio Journal;Live, in Brazil (Again): The Reincarnated Dr. Fritz - New York Times |access-date=2007-08-19 |work=The New York Times | date=1996-01-12}}</ref> Later, one João de Faria, also known as ], became popular while he operated in ], state of ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://skepdic.com/johnofgod.html |title=John of God |access-date=2007-08-19 }}</ref> Faria has since been arrested and found guilty of the rapes of several women.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/cotidiano/2020/01/joao-de-deus-e-condenado-a-40-anos-de-prisao-em-regime-fechado.shtml|title = João de Deus é condenado a 40 anos de prisão em regime fechado |trans-title =João de Deus sentenced to 40 years in prison |work=www1.folha.uol.com.br |date = 20 January 2020}}</ref> Dozens of similar accusations are awaiting trial.<ref name="g1goias">{{cite news |last1=Oliveira |first1=Rafael |title=Justiça concede prisão domiciliar a João de Deus por causa da pandemia de coronavírus |trans-title=Justice grants house arrest to João de Deus because of the coronavirus pandemic |url=https://g1.globo.com/go/goias/noticia/2020/03/30/juiza-de-abadiania-concede-prisao-domiciliar-a-joao-de-deus.ghtml |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=G1 |date=30 March 2020 |language=pt-br}}</ref>


According to the descriptions of ] (1997), Brazilian psychic surgery appears to be different from that practiced in the Philippines. Omura refers to practitioners using techniques resembling ], ] massage, and ] manipulation. Many patients were injected with a brown liquid, and alleged minor surgery was performed in about 20% of the cases observed. While Arigó performed his operations with kitchen knives in improvised settings, Omura reports that the clamping of the blood vessels and the closings of the surgical wounds are now performed by licensed surgeons or licensed nurses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aegis.com/aidsline/1997/oct/M97A0099.html |title=Yoshiaki Omura on psychic surgery in Brazil |accessdate=2007-08-19 |format= |work=}}</ref> According to the descriptions of ], Brazilian psychic surgery appears to be different from that practiced in the Philippines. Omura calls attention to the fact that practitioners in Brazil use techniques resembling ], ] massage, and ] manipulation. Some patients are also injected with a brown liquid, and alleged minor surgery was performed in about 20% of the cases observed.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Omura Y | year = 1997 | title = Impression on observing psychic surgery and healing in Brazil which appear to incorporate (+) qi gong energy & the use of acupuncture points | journal = ] | volume = 22 | issue = 1| pages = 17–33 | pmid = 9188913 | doi = 10.3727/036012997816356815 }}</ref> While Arigó performed his procedures using kitchen knives in improvised settings, Omura reports that the clamping of blood vessels and the closing of the surgical wounds were performed by licensed surgeons or licensed nurses.<ref name="YO">{{Cite journal|url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9188913/ |title=Impression on observing psychic surgery and healing in Brazil which appear to incorporate (+) qi gong energy & the use of acupuncture points |date=1997 |pmid=9188913 |access-date=2023-07-21 |last1=Omura |first1=Y. |journal=Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=17–33 |doi=10.3727/036012997816356815 }}</ref>


=== Other countries === ===North America===
There are a handful of practitioners in the UK, {{fact}}.


In the 1970s a specific form of surgery known as psychic dentistry emerged in America. ] was the most well known proponent. It was alleged that Fuller could cause ]s to appear spontaneously, change silver into golden fillings, straighten crooked teeth or produce new teeth. However, ] and skeptics have found these claims to be unsupported by solid evidence. One dentist examined some patients of Fuller. In one case miraculous gold fillings turned out to be ] stains. In another case a female patient who reported a miraculous new silver filling admitted she had forgotten that the filling was already there.<ref>Nickell, Joe. (1993). ''Looking for a Miracle: Weeping Icons, Relics, Stigmata, Visions & Healing Cures''. Prometheus Books. pp. 141–142. {{ISBN|1-57392-680-9}}</ref><ref>Butler, Kurt. (1999). ''Lying for Fun and Profit: The Truth about the Media : Exposes the Corrupt Symbiosis Between Media Giants and the Health Fraud Industries''. Health Wise Productions. pp. 100–101. {{ISBN|978-0967328102}}</ref>
A San Francisco Chronicle article refers to psychic surgery as being practiced within "a kind of psychic underground in America, England, Russia and many other countries."{{fact}}


==Medical and legal criticism==
Psychic surgery is also practised in Colombia, Jamaica, Portugal, Spain, Marroc, Gabon, Mozambique, Angola and Thailand among others.{{fact}}
In 1975, the ] declared that "'psychic surgery' is nothing but a total ]".<ref name=FTC1 /> Judge Daniel H. Hanscom, when granting the FTC an injunction against travel agencies promoting psychic surgery tours, declared: "Psychic surgery is pure and unmitigated fakery. The 'surgical operations' of psychic surgeons ... with their bare hands are simply phony."<ref>"F.T.C. Curbs Philippines Flights For Cures by 'Psychic Surgery'"; New York Times March 15, 1975, p. 11 (Judge Hanscom: "pure and unmitigated fakery... simply phony")</ref>


In 1975 the FTC stated:
== Art and entertainment ==
* In the 1989 film '']'', comedic magicians ] demonstrate how to perform the illusion of psychic surgery.


<blockquote>It has been found that "psychic surgery" is pure fakery. The body is not opened, no "surgery" is performed with the bare hands or with anything else, and nothing is removed from the body. The entire "operation" is an egregious fraud perpetrated by sleight-of-hand and similar tricks and devices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/commission_decision_volumes/volume-86/ftc_volume_decision_86_july_-_december_1975pages_715-825.pdf#page=43|title=Federal Trade Commission Decisions, Volume 86, 1975, p. 757|access-date=2017-08-11}}</ref></blockquote>
*The song "Placebo Effect" by ] is about psychic surgery.{{fact}}


In 1990, the ] stated that it "found no evidence that 'psychic surgery' results in objective benefit in the treatment of any medical condition," and strongly urged individuals who are ill not to seek treatment by psychic surgery.<ref name="pmid2110023" />
*In the TV show '']'', Season 2 Episode "Sucker", Criss explains psychic surgery.


The ] "strongly urges individuals who are ill not to seek treatment by psychic surgeon".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/UnconventionalTherapies/PsychicSurgery.htm |title=Unconventional therapies--Psychic surgery |publisher=British Columbia Cancer Agency |date=February 2000 |access-date=2007-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202112741/http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/UnconventionalTherapies/PsychicSurgery.htm |archive-date=2007-02-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*In the 1999 movie ], a movie based on the life of ], Kaufman receives Psychic surgery and notices its "trick".

While not directly hazardous to the patient, the belief in the alleged benefits of psychic surgery may carry considerable risk for individuals with diagnosed medical conditions, as they may delay or forgo conventional medical help, sometimes with fatal consequences.<ref name="pmid2110023" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncahf.org/pp/faith.html |title=NCAHF Statements on Faith Healing and Psychic Surgery |access-date=2007-08-19 }}</ref>

==Accusations of fraud==
The physician ] investigated psychic surgery and his book ''Healing: A Doctor in Search of a Miracle'' (1974) uncovered many cases of fraud.<ref>]. (1974). ''Healing: A Doctor in Search of a Miracle''. New York: Random House. {{ISBN|0-394-49095-9}}</ref> ] a famous psychic surgeon was several times detected in trickery.<ref>Neher, Andrew. (2011). ''Paranormal and Transcendental Experience: A Psychological Examination''. Dover Publications. p. 171. {{ISBN|0-486-26167-0}}</ref> Stage magician ] said psychic surgery is a ] confidence trick. He said that in personal observations of the procedure, and in movies showing the procedures, he could spot sleight-of-hand moves that are evident to experienced stage magicians, but might deceive a casual observer. Randi replicated the appearance of psychic surgery himself through the use of sleight-of-hand.<ref name="Randi1982">]. (1982). '']''. Prometheus Books. {{ISBN|0-87975-198-3}}</ref><ref></ref> Professional magician ] also investigated psychic surgeons at work, and observed sleight of hand.<ref>]. (1975). ''Mediums, Mystics & the Occult''. Thomas Y. Crowell. {{ISBN|0-690-00476-1}}</ref> On his A&E show '']'' in the episode "Sucker", illusionist ] performed "Psychic Surgery", showing first-hand how it may be done (fake blood, plastic bags and chicken livers were used).

Randi said the healer would slightly roll or pinch the skin over the area to be treated. When his flattened hand reaches under the roll of skin, it looks and feels as if the practitioner is actually entering into the patient's body. The healer would have prepared in advance small pellets or bags of animal entrails which would be palmed in his hand or hidden beneath the table within easy reach. This organic matter would simulate the "diseased" tissue that the healer would claim to be removing. If the healer wants to simulate bleeding, he might squeeze a bladder of animal blood or an impregnated sponge. If done properly, this procedure may deceive patients and observers. However, some "psychic surgery" procedures do not rely solely on the "sleight of hand" described, as at least one Brazilian "surgeon" also cuts his victims' skin with an unsterilized scalpel to heighten the illusion.<ref name="Randi1982"/><ref>]. (1995). in '']''. St. Martin's Press. {{ISBN|0-312-15119-5}}</ref>

] has written there is no real case for psychic surgery as the explanation of fraud is highly likely in all the operations.<ref>]. (1980). ''Science and the Supernatural: An Investigation of Paranormal Phenomena Including Psychic Healing, Clairvoyance, Telepathy, and Precognition by a Distinguished Physicist and Mathematician''. Temple Smith. pp. 31–36. {{ISBN|0-85117-191-5}}</ref> The practitioners use sleight of hand techniques to produce ] or blood-like fluids, animal ] or substitutes, and/or various foreign objects from folds of skin of the patient as part of a ] for financial benefit.<ref name="Hines1988"/>

Science writer ] has written:

<blockquote>The "operation" starts as the hand appears to enter the patient’s belly. This is accomplished by creating an impression in the belly by pushing down and flexing the fingers slowly into a fist—the fingers thus appear to be moving into the belly, but are really simply hidden behind the hand. The blood that further disguises the true movement of the fingers and adds drama to the proceedings can come from two sources. One is a fake thumb, worn over the real thumb and filled with a red liquid. Such a fake thumb is a common magician’s implement. Blood can also be passed to the surgeon in red balloons hidden in cotton the psychic surgeon is using, the cotton and its hidden contents being passed to him by an "assistant". The bits of "tumor" can also be passed to the psychic surgeon this way, or hidden in the false thumb... the "tumor" material turns out to be chicken intestines or similar animal remains. The blood is either animal blood or red dye.<ref name="Hines1988"/></blockquote>

Two "psychic surgeons" provided testimony in a ] trial that, to their knowledge, the organic matter supposedly removed from the patients usually consists of animal tissue and clotted blood.<ref name="pmid2110023"/>

==In popular culture==
] using sleight of hand to duplicate "psychic surgery" on his ] series for ] in 1991]]
*In the 1989 film '']'', comedic magicians ] demonstrate how to perform the illusion of psychic surgery.
*A 1989 episode of '']'' featured a police officer whose mother claimed to have been cured by psychic surgery, only to die shortly thereafter; her autopsy revealed several tumors. The policeman described himself going undercover to feign illness and pretended to desire psychic surgery, having the feeling of the practitioner using sleight of hand to supposedly dig into his tissue, as well as suspecting that the "cysts" and "tumors" being removed from his body were actually ready-made chicken parts.
*], a sixth-season episode from '']'', features a killer accused of using psychic surgery on his victims, killing them in the process.
*In the ] TV series '']'', ] witnesses two separate instances of psychic surgery in the ] district of the Philippines. On raising his suspicion with the medic that it seemed a sleight of hand to him, the medic told him he was a westerner and could only understand the surgery if he had a ]. Palin assists another medic in a surgery and was told that no contamination happens in this procedure because of the use of ].
*In the 1993 novel by ], '']'', Filipino Dr. Tolentino performs psychic surgery on La Loca after diagnosing her with HIV.
*In the 1998 Christmas Special of the ] series '']'', entitled "]", the husband of the illusionist known as Black Canary undergoes psychic surgery at the start of the episode and this form of surgery forms a plot device throughout the special.
*In the 1999 movie '']'', based on the life of ], Kaufman (]) receives psychic surgery and notices the "sleight of hand," laughing at the irony. He is next seen dead, with his funeral being conducted.
*In the TV series '']'', Season 1 episode "]" features a doctor who practices psychic surgery.
*In the TV show '']'', Season 2 Episode "Sucker", Criss explains psychic surgery as a deception.
*In the television show '']'', a con artist was using this to scam poor country people, only to lead to his death when he used it on a ] from whom he caught the disease.
*In the 2012 movie '']'' Simon Silver, an alleged psychic, performs a psychic surgery on stage.
*In a deleted scene from the 2016 movie '']'', Wade Wilson (]) visits a psychic surgery clinic in an attempt to cure his cancer, but upon realizing the clinic is scamming innocent clients into spending their life savings on simple sleight of hand, he attacks and murders the head surgeon in front of the staff.


==See also== ==See also==
* ]
*]
*] * ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


==Footnotes== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist|2}}


==Further reading==
== External links ==
*]. (1988). ''Extrasensory Deception: ESP, Psychics, Shirley MacLaine, Ghosts, UFOs''. Macmillan of Canada. {{ISBN|0-7715-9539-5}}
*
*]. (1974). ''Healing: A Doctor in Search of a Miracle''. New York: Random House. {{ISBN|0-394-49095-9}}
* &mdash; overview by the ]
*]. (1982). '']''. Prometheus Books. {{ISBN|0-87975-198-3}}
*]. (1980). ''Science and the Supernatural: An Investigation of Paranormal Phenomena Including Psychic Healing, Clairvoyance, Telepathy, and Precognition by a Distinguished Physicist and Mathematician''. Temple Smith. {{ISBN|0-85117-191-5}}

==External links==
*
* ] debunks psychic surgery
* &mdash; overview by the ]
* &mdash; definition in the ] * &mdash; definition in the ]
*
* - a believer's view.
* "Psychic Surgery" (1990) ''Ca. Cancer J. Clin.'' 40(3) 184-8 Terte/Agpaoa origins; exposed by Milbourne Christopher and Robert Gurtler.
* - a description of an event involving Mr. Orbito with editorial commentary.
* "Sideshows of Science", David Perlman, San Francisco Chronicle, January 8, 2001. Reference to "psychic underground"
*
* Globe and Mail story on Orbito's 2005 arrest in Toronto
* "Psychic Surgery" (1990) ''Ca. Cancer J. Clin.'' 40(3) 184-8 Terte/Agpaoa origins; exposed by Milbourne Christopher and Robert Gurtler.
{{Parapsychology}}
* "Sideshows of Science," David Perlman, San Francisco Chronicle, ], ]; . Reference to "psychic underground"
* Globe and Mail story on Orbito's 2005 arrest in Toronto
* Filipino Reporter story on Orbito's 2005 arrest in Toronto


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Latest revision as of 21:23, 17 October 2024

Pseudoscientific medical fraud Not to be confused with psychosurgery.
An alleged psychic surgeon at work
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Psychic surgery is a pseudoscientific medical fraud in which practitioners create the illusion of performing surgery with their bare hands and use sleight of hand, fake blood, and animal parts to convince the patient that diseased lesions have been removed and that the incision has spontaneously healed.

The US Federal Trade Commission describes psychic surgery as a "total hoax". Psychic surgery may cause needless death by keeping the ill away from life-saving medical care. Medical professionals and skeptics classify it as sleight of hand and any positive results as a placebo effect.

Psychic surgery first appeared in the Spiritualist communities of the Philippines and Brazil in the middle of the 20th century; it has taken different paths in those two countries.

Procedure

Although psychic surgery varies by region and practitioner, it usually follows some common lines. Without the use of a surgical instrument, a practitioner will press the tips of their fingers against the patient's skin in the area to be treated. The practitioner's hands appear to penetrate into the patient's body painlessly and blood seems to flow. The practitioner will then show organic matter or foreign objects apparently removed from the patient's body, clean the area, and then end the procedure with the patient's skin showing no wounds or scars.

Most cases do not involve actual surgery although some practitioners make real incisions. In regions of the world where belief in evil spirits is prevalent, practitioners will sometimes exhibit objects, such as glass, saying that the foreign bodies were placed in the patient's body by evil spirits.

History

Accounts of psychic surgery started to appear in the Spiritualist communities of the Philippines and Brazil in the mid-1900s. The 16th-century explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca records an account, related to him by Native Americans, of a bearded figure known as "Mala Cosa" (Evil Thing), who would take hold of a person, cut into their abdomen with a flint knife, and remove a portion of their entrails, which he would then burn in a fire. When he was done the incision would close spontaneously.

Philippines

In the Philippines, the procedure was first noticed in the 1940s, when performed routinely by Eleuterio Terte. Terte and his pupil Tony Agpaoa, who was apparently associated with the Union Espiritista Christiana de Filipinas (The Christian Spiritist Union of the Philippines), trained others in this procedure.

In 1959, the procedure came to the attention of the U.S. public after the publication of Into the Strange Unknown by Ron Ormond and Ormond McGill. The authors called the practice "fourth dimensional surgery", and wrote " still don’t know what to think; but we have motion pictures to show it wasn’t the work of any normal magician, and could very well be just what the Filipinos said it was — a miracle of God performed by a fourth dimensional surgeon."

In "...1973, a group of medical doctors, scientists, and parapsychologists visited the Philippine Islands to study a phenomenon that was causing increased furor amongst health professionals ... Filipino psychic surgeons, also known as spiritual/magnetic healers."

Alex Orbito, who became well known in the United States through his association with actress Shirley MacLaine was a practitioner of the procedure. On June 14, 2005, Orbito was arrested by Canadian authorities and indicted for fraud. On January 20, 2006, the charges were dropped as it then seemed unlikely that Orbito would be convicted.

Psychic surgery made U.S. tabloid headlines in March 1984 when entertainer Andy Kaufman, diagnosed with large cell carcinoma (a rare lung cancer), traveled to the Philippines for a six-week course of psychic surgery. Practitioner Jun Labo claimed to have removed large cancerous tumors and Kaufman declared he believed this cancer had been removed. Kaufman died from renal failure as consequence of a metastatic lung cancer, on May 16, 1984.

Brazil

The origins of the practice in Brazil are obscure, but by the late 1950s "spiritual healers" were practicing in the country. Many of them were associated with Kardecist spiritism, a major spiritualistic movement in Brazil, and claimed to be performing their operations merely as channels for spirits of deceased medical doctors.

A known Brazilian psychic healer who routinely practiced psychic surgery was Zé Arigó, who claimed to be channeling a (fictional) medical doctor named Dr. Fritz. Unlike most other psychic healers, who work bare-handed, Arigó used a non-surgical blade. Other psychic healers who claimed to channel Dr. Fritz were Edson Queiroz and Rubens Farias Jr. Later, one João de Faria, also known as João de Deus, became popular while he operated in Abadiânia, state of Goiás. Faria has since been arrested and found guilty of the rapes of several women. Dozens of similar accusations are awaiting trial.

According to the descriptions of Yoshiaki Omura, Brazilian psychic surgery appears to be different from that practiced in the Philippines. Omura calls attention to the fact that practitioners in Brazil use techniques resembling Qigong, Shiatsu massage, and chiropractic manipulation. Some patients are also injected with a brown liquid, and alleged minor surgery was performed in about 20% of the cases observed. While Arigó performed his procedures using kitchen knives in improvised settings, Omura reports that the clamping of blood vessels and the closing of the surgical wounds were performed by licensed surgeons or licensed nurses.

North America

In the 1970s a specific form of surgery known as psychic dentistry emerged in America. Willard Fuller was the most well known proponent. It was alleged that Fuller could cause dental fillings to appear spontaneously, change silver into golden fillings, straighten crooked teeth or produce new teeth. However, magicians and skeptics have found these claims to be unsupported by solid evidence. One dentist examined some patients of Fuller. In one case miraculous gold fillings turned out to be tobacco stains. In another case a female patient who reported a miraculous new silver filling admitted she had forgotten that the filling was already there.

Medical and legal criticism

In 1975, the Federal Trade Commission declared that "'psychic surgery' is nothing but a total hoax". Judge Daniel H. Hanscom, when granting the FTC an injunction against travel agencies promoting psychic surgery tours, declared: "Psychic surgery is pure and unmitigated fakery. The 'surgical operations' of psychic surgeons ... with their bare hands are simply phony."

In 1975 the FTC stated:

It has been found that "psychic surgery" is pure fakery. The body is not opened, no "surgery" is performed with the bare hands or with anything else, and nothing is removed from the body. The entire "operation" is an egregious fraud perpetrated by sleight-of-hand and similar tricks and devices.

In 1990, the American Cancer Society stated that it "found no evidence that 'psychic surgery' results in objective benefit in the treatment of any medical condition," and strongly urged individuals who are ill not to seek treatment by psychic surgery.

The British Columbia Cancer Agency "strongly urges individuals who are ill not to seek treatment by psychic surgeon".

While not directly hazardous to the patient, the belief in the alleged benefits of psychic surgery may carry considerable risk for individuals with diagnosed medical conditions, as they may delay or forgo conventional medical help, sometimes with fatal consequences.

Accusations of fraud

The physician William Nolen investigated psychic surgery and his book Healing: A Doctor in Search of a Miracle (1974) uncovered many cases of fraud. Tony Agpaoa a famous psychic surgeon was several times detected in trickery. Stage magician James Randi said psychic surgery is a sleight of hand confidence trick. He said that in personal observations of the procedure, and in movies showing the procedures, he could spot sleight-of-hand moves that are evident to experienced stage magicians, but might deceive a casual observer. Randi replicated the appearance of psychic surgery himself through the use of sleight-of-hand. Professional magician Milbourne Christopher also investigated psychic surgeons at work, and observed sleight of hand. On his A&E show Mindfreak in the episode "Sucker", illusionist Criss Angel performed "Psychic Surgery", showing first-hand how it may be done (fake blood, plastic bags and chicken livers were used).

Randi said the healer would slightly roll or pinch the skin over the area to be treated. When his flattened hand reaches under the roll of skin, it looks and feels as if the practitioner is actually entering into the patient's body. The healer would have prepared in advance small pellets or bags of animal entrails which would be palmed in his hand or hidden beneath the table within easy reach. This organic matter would simulate the "diseased" tissue that the healer would claim to be removing. If the healer wants to simulate bleeding, he might squeeze a bladder of animal blood or an impregnated sponge. If done properly, this procedure may deceive patients and observers. However, some "psychic surgery" procedures do not rely solely on the "sleight of hand" described, as at least one Brazilian "surgeon" also cuts his victims' skin with an unsterilized scalpel to heighten the illusion.

John Taylor has written there is no real case for psychic surgery as the explanation of fraud is highly likely in all the operations. The practitioners use sleight of hand techniques to produce blood or blood-like fluids, animal tissue or substitutes, and/or various foreign objects from folds of skin of the patient as part of a confidence trick for financial benefit.

Science writer Terence Hines has written:

The "operation" starts as the hand appears to enter the patient’s belly. This is accomplished by creating an impression in the belly by pushing down and flexing the fingers slowly into a fist—the fingers thus appear to be moving into the belly, but are really simply hidden behind the hand. The blood that further disguises the true movement of the fingers and adds drama to the proceedings can come from two sources. One is a fake thumb, worn over the real thumb and filled with a red liquid. Such a fake thumb is a common magician’s implement. Blood can also be passed to the surgeon in red balloons hidden in cotton the psychic surgeon is using, the cotton and its hidden contents being passed to him by an "assistant". The bits of "tumor" can also be passed to the psychic surgeon this way, or hidden in the false thumb... the "tumor" material turns out to be chicken intestines or similar animal remains. The blood is either animal blood or red dye.

Two "psychic surgeons" provided testimony in a Federal Trade Commission trial that, to their knowledge, the organic matter supposedly removed from the patients usually consists of animal tissue and clotted blood.

In popular culture

James Randi using sleight of hand to duplicate "psychic surgery" on his Open Media series for ITV in 1991
  • In the 1989 film Penn & Teller Get Killed, comedic magicians Penn and Teller demonstrate how to perform the illusion of psychic surgery.
  • A 1989 episode of Unsolved Mysteries featured a police officer whose mother claimed to have been cured by psychic surgery, only to die shortly thereafter; her autopsy revealed several tumors. The policeman described himself going undercover to feign illness and pretended to desire psychic surgery, having the feeling of the practitioner using sleight of hand to supposedly dig into his tissue, as well as suspecting that the "cysts" and "tumors" being removed from his body were actually ready-made chicken parts.
  • "Milagro", a sixth-season episode from The X-Files, features a killer accused of using psychic surgery on his victims, killing them in the process.
  • In the BBC TV series Full Circle with Michael Palin, Michael Palin witnesses two separate instances of psychic surgery in the Baguio district of the Philippines. On raising his suspicion with the medic that it seemed a sleight of hand to him, the medic told him he was a westerner and could only understand the surgery if he had a third eye. Palin assists another medic in a surgery and was told that no contamination happens in this procedure because of the use of garlic.
  • In the 1993 novel by Ana Castillo, So Far from God, Filipino Dr. Tolentino performs psychic surgery on La Loca after diagnosing her with HIV.
  • In the 1998 Christmas Special of the BBC1 series Jonathan Creek, entitled "Black Canary", the husband of the illusionist known as Black Canary undergoes psychic surgery at the start of the episode and this form of surgery forms a plot device throughout the special.
  • In the 1999 movie Man on the Moon, based on the life of Andy Kaufman, Kaufman (Jim Carrey) receives psychic surgery and notices the "sleight of hand," laughing at the irony. He is next seen dead, with his funeral being conducted.
  • In the TV series Angel, Season 1 episode "I Fall to Pieces (Angel)" features a doctor who practices psychic surgery.
  • In the TV show Criss Angel Mindfreak, Season 2 Episode "Sucker", Criss explains psychic surgery as a deception.
  • In the television show 1000 Ways to Die, a con artist was using this to scam poor country people, only to lead to his death when he used it on a leper from whom he caught the disease.
  • In the 2012 movie Red Lights Simon Silver, an alleged psychic, performs a psychic surgery on stage.
  • In a deleted scene from the 2016 movie Deadpool, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) visits a psychic surgery clinic in an attempt to cure his cancer, but upon realizing the clinic is scamming innocent clients into spending their life savings on simple sleight of hand, he attacks and murders the head surgeon in front of the staff.

See also

References

  1. "FTC Decision, Volume 86, July–December 1975" (PDF). Retrieved 2017-08-11.
  2. ^ "F.T.C. Curtails the Promotion Of All Psychic Surgery Tours". The New York Times. 1975-10-25. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  3. ^ American Cancer Society (1990). "Unproven methods of cancer management: "Psychic surgery"". CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 40 (3): 184–8. doi:10.3322/canjclin.40.3.184. PMID 2110023. S2CID 7523589.
  4. Randi, James (1989). The Faith Healers. Prometheus Books. ISBN 978-0-87975-535-5.
  5. David Vernon in Skeptical - a Handbook of Pseudoscience and the Paranormal, ed Donald Laycock, David Vernon, Colin Groves, Simon Brown, Imagecraft, Canberra, 1989, ISBN 0-7316-5794-2, p47
  6. Evan, Dylan (2003). Placebo. Mind over matter in modern medicine. Great Britain: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 978-0-00-712613-2.
  7. Brody, Howard M.D. PhD (2000). The Placebo response. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 978-0-06-019493-2.
  8. ^ Hines, Terence. (1988). Pseudoscience and the Paranormal: A Critical Examination of the Evidence. Prometheus Books. p. 245. ISBN 0-87975-419-2
  9. Spence, Lewis (2003). Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology Vol. 2. Kessinger Publishing Co. p. 750. ISBN 978-0-7661-2817-0.
  10. Drury, Nevill. (2002). The Dictionary of the Esoteric: Over 3000 Entries on the Mystical and Occult Traditions. Watkins Publishing. p. 259. ISBN 1-84293-041-9
  11. Narrative of the Narváez Expedition (The Lakeside Press) pp. 107–108.
  12. James Randi; Ormond, Ron; McGill, Ormand (1959). Into the Strange Unknown By the Two Men Who Lived Every Moment of it. Foreword by Carl Sagan. The Esoteric Foundation. ISBN 978-0-87975-535-5.
  13. Allison, Stephen H.; Malony, H. Newton (Spring 1981). "Filipino Psychic Surgery: Myth, Magic, or Miracle". Journal of Religion and Health. 20 (1): 48–62. doi:10.1007/bf01533287. JSTOR 27505608. PMID 24311050. S2CID 8073204.
  14. "Filipino psychic takes Indians for a ride - By N. Bhanutej". The Week (India). September 8, 2002. Archived from the original on 2003-06-21.
  15. "'Psychic surgeon' a heel, not a healer, police say". Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  16. "The Filipino Reporter". Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  17. "The Filipino Reporter". Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  18. "Psychic Surgery". Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  19. Gardner, Martin. (2000). From the Wandering Jew to William F. Buckley Jr: On Science, Literature, and Religion. Prometheus Books. pp. 32-33
  20. "California Death Index". Archived from the original on 2008-01-18. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  21. Stemman, Roy. (1976). The Supernatural. Danbury Press. p. 118
  22. ^ Omura, Y. (1997). "Impression on observing psychic surgery and healing in Brazil which appear to incorporate (+) qi gong energy & the use of acupuncture points". Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research. 22 (1): 17–33. doi:10.3727/036012997816356815. PMID 9188913. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  23. "James Randi Educational Foundation — Arigó, José". Archived from the original on 2009-07-11. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  24. "Rio Journal;Live, in Brazil (Again): The Reincarnated Dr. Fritz - New York Times". The New York Times. 1996-01-12. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  25. "John of God". Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  26. "João de Deus é condenado a 40 anos de prisão em regime fechado" [João de Deus sentenced to 40 years in prison]. www1.folha.uol.com.br. 20 January 2020.
  27. Oliveira, Rafael (30 March 2020). "Justiça concede prisão domiciliar a João de Deus por causa da pandemia de coronavírus" [Justice grants house arrest to João de Deus because of the coronavirus pandemic]. G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  28. Omura Y (1997). "Impression on observing psychic surgery and healing in Brazil which appear to incorporate (+) qi gong energy & the use of acupuncture points". Acupunct Electrother Res. 22 (1): 17–33. doi:10.3727/036012997816356815. PMID 9188913.
  29. Nickell, Joe. (1993). Looking for a Miracle: Weeping Icons, Relics, Stigmata, Visions & Healing Cures. Prometheus Books. pp. 141–142. ISBN 1-57392-680-9
  30. Butler, Kurt. (1999). Lying for Fun and Profit: The Truth about the Media : Exposes the Corrupt Symbiosis Between Media Giants and the Health Fraud Industries. Health Wise Productions. pp. 100–101. ISBN 978-0967328102
  31. "F.T.C. Curbs Philippines Flights For Cures by 'Psychic Surgery'"; New York Times March 15, 1975, p. 11 (Judge Hanscom: "pure and unmitigated fakery... simply phony")
  32. "Federal Trade Commission Decisions, Volume 86, 1975, p. 757" (PDF). Retrieved 2017-08-11.
  33. "Unconventional therapies--Psychic surgery". British Columbia Cancer Agency. February 2000. Archived from the original on 2007-02-02. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
  34. "NCAHF Statements on Faith Healing and Psychic Surgery". Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  35. Nolen, William. (1974). Healing: A Doctor in Search of a Miracle. New York: Random House. ISBN 0-394-49095-9
  36. Neher, Andrew. (2011). Paranormal and Transcendental Experience: A Psychological Examination. Dover Publications. p. 171. ISBN 0-486-26167-0
  37. ^ Randi, James. (1982). Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions. Prometheus Books. ISBN 0-87975-198-3
  38. James Randi Replicating Psychic Surgery
  39. Christopher, Milbourne. (1975). Mediums, Mystics & the Occult. Thomas Y. Crowell. ISBN 0-690-00476-1
  40. Randi, James. (1995). Psychic surgery in An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-15119-5
  41. Taylor, John. (1980). Science and the Supernatural: An Investigation of Paranormal Phenomena Including Psychic Healing, Clairvoyance, Telepathy, and Precognition by a Distinguished Physicist and Mathematician. Temple Smith. pp. 31–36. ISBN 0-85117-191-5

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