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Review
. 2019 Sep 26:5:79.
doi: 10.1038/s41394-019-0222-8. eCollection 2019.

Urtication (flogging with stinging nettles) and flagellation (beating with rods) in the treatment of paralysis

J R Silver  1 , M-F Weiner  2
Affiliations
Review

Urtication (flogging with stinging nettles) and flagellation (beating with rods) in the treatment of paralysis

J R Silver et al. Spinal Cord Ser Cases. .

Abstract

Urtication and flagellation were used as a last resort in the treatment of paralysis when all other means were exhausted, and very few cases are reported in the literature. Two cases were identified and reviewed, one of urtication (flogging with nettles) and one of flagellation (beating with rods). In both cases the symptoms were alleviated, but there was insufficient detail to evaluate the therapeutic value of each treatment.

Keywords: Quality of life; Spinal cord diseases.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Engraving magnified view of a stinging nettle leaf. From Micrographia: or some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon’ by Robert Hooke 1665. Reproduced by kind permission of the Wellcome Library London
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flagellants. Reproduced by kind permission of the Wellcome Library London
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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