Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions - James Randi [101]
The "psychic surgeons" also appear to reach inside the body, their fingers penetrating the abdomen. This is done with fat people, with the fingers curled up and the knuckles pressed into the flesh, giving the impression that the fingers are inside. That's all there is to it, but it fools many people. And the "surgeons" themselves? What do they do when they need a doctor? Tony Agpaoa, one of the wealthiest men in the Philippines as a result of his quackery, had his own appendix removed—in San Francisco, in a real hospital. When his young son fell ill, Tony took no chances. He could afford a regular hospital, and used it. Why? Because, we are told, the healers cannot use their powers on themselves. But Tony, there are dozens of available "psychic healers" there whom you taught yourself! Surely, if planeloads of dying people fly all the way to the Philippines for treatment, won't you avail yourself of these wonders?
Photo 4. Blood suddenly appears as an "incision" is made. Technology Review
Photo 5. Fibrous material begins to appear and is pulled out. Technology Review
The promoters of these charlatans advertise that there is no charge for their services. And there isn't. But how do the patients get there? They fly there (though the Federal Trade Commission forbids advertising for the tours in the United States) at about $1,300 a head, stay at the hotels, buy meals at astronomical prices, then pay registration fees and operating room charges. When they are ready to leave—just as sick as when they arrived, but much poorer—they are given a set of envelopes bearing the names of each person with whom they came in contact during the stay, and they are expected to donate freely. Says the brochure provided by the Christian Travel Centre:
Patients are reminded that the Philippine Healers are extremely religious, and at all times say that they are "Instruments" for this healing work, and as such, can promise nothing other than to give of themselves in healing the sick. It should also be remembered that they are extremely poor, and are specially brought to Manila from their various Sanctuaries to help you. Will you therefore please be as generous as you can when giving your donation on the final day of your treatment.
This quotation is a statement by Tom Williams, whose carefully edited and hyperbolized film showing the "surgeons" at work has been shown all over the world and has lured countless people into the hands of these fakes. They ignore or discontinue legitimate treatment in order to take advantage of the latest in fashionable miracles. And they die. The Granada film showed that very grimly, giving the results in the cases of all the patients who could be tracked down. Some declared that they had been healed, then suffered a relapse. Others just "felt a little better." Some were dead before the film was shown; others died subsequently from their ills.
Photo 6. The "incision" appears to close as the "tumor" is removed. Technology Review.
Photo 7. The area is cleaned up. There is no sign of an incision; only the stringy "tumor" material remains. Technology Review.
"People have been helped—and cured; when I say helped, you see, I mean cured. And you can check with your people in England. If it will not stand the test, I challenge you." So said the man in charge of the "psychic surgeons" in the Philippines to Mike Scott before Scott returned home with the Granada film team. Scott took him up on this challenge, submitting to the Department of Forensic Medicine at Guy's Hospital, London, the samples that he and his associates were able to snatch from the fakers. Blood samples turned out to be the blood of cows and pigs. A growth removed from a little girl's neck proved to be a biopsy sample from a mature woman's breast. There were no cures among the large group of patients who made the long and expensive trip. The tumors