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The so-called science of biorhythm is nothing more than glorified numerology that, on the basis of a simple birth date and some supposed research, generates infantile notions about predetermined cycles that govern human existence. It is one of the purest—and simplest—forms of idiocy to assume the mantle of logic and science.

* * *

* (1) In the UK, the Accident Investigation division of the Department of Transport issued an official report after extensive investigation of biorhythm influence No evidence at all was discovered.

* (2) Multiply by 3, if you accept "1/2-critical" days as well!

The Medical Humbugs

To follow foolish precedents, and wink

With both our eyes, is easier than to think.

—William Cowper

Homo vult decipi; decipiatur.

"Man wishes to be deceived; deceive him."

There is certainly no aspect of the whole parapsychology-occult-pseudoscience-spiritualism matter that more deserves condemnation than the widely publicized racket of Psychic Surgery. In Brazil, the Philippines, and now all over the world, sleight-of-hand artists have used the simplest of deceptions and the flimsiest of rationales to manufacture the notion that they can actually place their hands within the human body without making an incision and remove from it offending "tumors" and other materials that they claim cause various malfunctions. All this is done in the name of religion and psychic powers

During two visits to the Philippines back in the 1950s, I heard of these wonders being performed some distance from Manila. When it was discovered that I wanted to visit these places and look into the claims, I was suddenly summoned to the Immigration Office, where my passport was "inspected" by being confiscated for several days. This was an effective warning that my inquiry was not welcome. The official who questioned me asked me repeatedly whether I was there representing any press service or media outlet and kept referring to "causing trouble" for "religious people." In the end I was not only refused information but told that it could be dangerous to travel in certain remote areas of the islands. I took the hint, and when my passport was returned to me after the Canadian consulate there insisted upon it, I left without ever seeing the performance of these backwoods charlatans.

In Brazil, too, I found it difficult to contact the operators, though I made it quite clear that I was willing to pay for a demonstration. There, it was necessary to have the approval of the local spiritualists before an invitation could be issued. It was no surprise to discover that such validation was not obtainable.

But the more incautious of the "psychic surgeons" have left us a record on film that effectively damns them as fakes. The experienced eye is able to determine conclusively that simple trickery is used to perform these miracles. Hoping that the camera would not reveal their flummery, the so-called surgeons tossed "tumors" and other debris about amid copious flows of blood and alcohol, showing us exactly how it was done. It was simple sleight of hand. Several times I have duplicated the effects on film to be used on television in Italy, England, Canada, and the United States.

With all the information available to them, one would suppose that prominent medical associations would have prepared statements concerning these practices. To find out if any of the British organizations were either interested in knowing the methods of the "psychic surgeons" or had any statements to make, I contacted their offices. The British Medical Association, the Royal College of Surgeons, and the Royal College of Physicians all were queried. None was in the least interested in knowing more about the subject, and only one answered with the lame pronouncement that "those who depend upon such treatment may be disappointed." How true. Death is the ultimate disappointment.

The American Medical Association has never responded to my requests for a statement.