There is evidence of the use of crystal balls as a means of divination in medieval times, and 'scrying' in some of its many forms was by no means rare in the Greek and Roman periods. The essential requisite for the exercise of this species of divination is a polished surface of some sort upon which the scryer shall gaze intently; for this purpose mirrors, globules of lead or mercury, polished steel, the surface of water, and even pools of ink, have been employed and have been found to ensure quite as satisfactory results as the crystal ball. The points of light reflected from the polished surface serve to attract the attention of the gazer and to fix the eye until, gradually, the optic nerve becomes so fatigued that it finally ceases to transmit to the sensorium the impression made from without and begins to respond to the reflex action proceeding from the brain of the gazer. In this way the impression received from within is apparently projected and seems to come from without.
It is easy to understand that the results must vary according to the idiosyncrasy of the various scryers; for everything depends upon the sensitiveness of the optic nerve. In many cases the effect of prolonged gazing upon the brilliant surface will simply produce a loss of sight, the optic nerve will be temporarily paralysed and will as little respond to stimulation from within as from without; in other cases, however, the nerve will be only deadened as regards external impressions, while retaining sufficient activity to react against a stimulus from the brain centres. It is almost invariably stated that, prior to the appearance of the desired visions, the crystal seems to disappear and a mist rises before the gazer's eye. The Achaians, as Pausanius relates, frequently used a mirror to divine diseases or to learn whether there was danger of sudden death. Research Crystal Gazing
The Achilles reflex, or anklereflex, is a deep tendonreflex that is produced when the Achilles tendon is firmly tapped at the back of the ankle. The foot should flex downward. The reflex is often absent in diabetics and in people with peripheral neurological damage. A deep tendonreflex is a sudden contraction of a muscle in response to a sharp tap of a rubber hammer on a tendon of insertion of the muscle. Absence of this reflex may indicate neurological damage or damage to the muscle being tested. Research Achilles Reflex
The Babinski reflex, named after the French neurologist Josef Babinski, is produced by firmly stroking the lateral border of the sole of the foot. This action causes the dorsiflexion of the big toe and the fanning of the other toes. The reflex is normal in newborns. If it exists in children or adults, it may indicate neurological damage, usually a lesion in the pyramidal tract. An opposite reflex, the plantar reflex, is a superficial reflex that occurs in older children and adults. It is easily evaluated. Using a moderately sharp object, the lateral border of the sole of the foot is stroked, starting at the heel and continuing to the ball of the foot, and then proceeding across the ball of the foot toward the big toe. This stimulus should cause all five toes to bend downward. Research Babinski Reflex
The biceps reflex is produced when the tendon of the biceps muscle is firmly tapped with a rubber hammer. This causes the biceps muscle to contract and brings the forearm up sharply. It is a form of deep tendonreflex. A deep tendonreflex is a sudden contraction of a muscle in response to a sharp tap of a rubber hammer on a tendon of insertion of the muscle. Research Biceps Reflex
A cough is a sudden and forcible expiration immediately preceded by closure of the glottis or narrowed portion of the box of the windpipe. The force for the action is obtained by a deep breath, then follows the closure of the glottis, succeeded by the expiratory effort forcing open the glottis. The action is performed by the expiratory muscles, that is the abdominal muscles, by whose contraction the diaphragm is forced up, and the muscles of the chest, by which the ribs are pulled down. The cavity of the chest being thus diminished air is driven out of the lungs.
The object of the cough is usually to expel any foreign material in the lungs or air-tubes. The offending material may be there present as the result of inflammation, catarrh, etc. It may also have gained entrance from without. Thus the irritating material may be merely some food or drink which has slipped into the larynx, or it may be dust, etc, in the air inhaled, and the cough is the means of expelling the intruder. But a cough may also be produced when there is no irritating material present. The larnyx or windpipe may be in an inflamed and irritable condition, in which state even the entrance of cold air will excite coughing. Moreover, cough may be produced by irritation of nerves, distant from the lungs and air-passages, by what is called reflex action. Thus irritation of the stomach, irritation connected with the ear, irritation of certain nerves by pressure of growths, etc, may produce a cough, when the respiratory organs are not directly affected at all. Irritation at the back of the throat, as of the tickling of a long uvula, and so on, also produces it. Research Cough
A counter-irritant is a remedy applied to the body externally which relieves a discomfort somewhere else by producing a local irritation. They effect relief by reflex action due to the sensation they impart to the nerves of the skin below. The term is more specifically applied to such irritating substances as, when applied to the skin, redden or blister it, or produce pustules, purulent issues, etc. The commonest traditional counter-irritants were such materials as mustard, turpentine, cantharides or Spanish fly, croton-oil, and the cautery. Research Counter-irritant
The Perez reflex is the normal response of an infant that includes crying, moving the arms and legs, and holding up the head and hips when it is on its back and a finger is pressed along the spine from the lower back to the neck. The Perez reflex is used to test for possible brain damage, the reflex usually ceasing at about six months of age. Research Perez Reflex
Squill is a medicine derived from the bulb of the squill plant. Squill resembles digitalis in its action, but its effects on the heart and blood vessels are much more powerful. In large doses Squill produces nausea and vomiting, and as such it was at one time used as an emetic. In smaller doses it mildly irritates the stomach, and produces reflex secretion from the bronchioles, and it is this characteristic that causes it to be much used as an expectorant in the treatment of coughs in chronic bronchitis. Research Squill
Vaginismus is a spasmodic painful contraction of the entrance to the vagina during attempted intercourse, thus preventing the entrance of the penis. It is usually of psychological origin, although it may be due to inflammation of the vagina, causing a reflex contraction. Research Vaginismus
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Crystal Gazing
