411 REFERENCE · Wiktionary
Perkinism
Reference material by Wiktionary contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
English
Etymology
From en Perkins ism, after inventor Elisha Perkins (1741–1799).
Noun
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en medicine archaic A pseudoscientific treatment in which two pointed metal rods ("tractors") were waved over the body, supposed to cure inflammation, rheumatism, etc. by drawing off an electrical fluid.
Synonyms
en tractoration
en tractorism
en eponyms
en Pseudoscience