Rasputin's Healing Powers

[Annie]

I just got finished watching "A&E Biography Rasputin the Mad Monk" and one of the commentators said he, as a historian, could not confirm the powers, but he personally didn't see any other explaination for the way people were cured. It's very strange.

[Tania+]

I have been in rooms, where there have been noted historians, who have seen people offer the old, 'laying on of hands'. It is my understanding in cases of this type, the person is in a high state of
accepting anything of a valued wellness, and the mind can play into accepting whatever the spengali offers them. They patient may have gotten themselves worked up into a height of hysterical frenzy, and opened up their psyche, and are flooded for that interim of connect. It however does not mean they are well, or are cured. They could neither confirm what they saw as well, and as to offering any explanations, who, or what is there to say? The medical interest is to see that the patient grows into wellness, or some other diseased issue is confirmed, it is no more.

In the medical issue of the young son of the Tsar, he was never cured. Neither is there any record that I know of, that any other person with a real illness, was actually 'cured' by Rasputin. The bottom line of these so called cures is to watch medically to see the long term after affects, as to their real wellness, and cure. None was ever to my knowledge offered as a medical understanding.

Unless something of actuality is shown as fact, first person, or from actual records from noted physicians, in the medical profession, I doubt seriously any of these claims about Rasputin.

In this understanding of the A&E Biography, this commentator was of this generation, so he is offering heresay, not anything of real, valid confirmation.

Tatiana+

I just got finished watching "A&E Biography Rasputin the Mad Monk" and one of the commentators said he, as a historian, could not confirm the powers, but he personally didn't see any other explaination for the way people were cured. It's very strange.

[AlexP@asia.com]

GuangZhou, PRC
2006.06.26

Dear Tania,

Your posts on this thread are really well done.  Exceptionally so.  I have learned a great deal.

Can you perhaps, with the help of others, explain to me what differences there would be between a case of hemophilia and aplastic anemia?  This is way beyond my league.  Is hemophilia always terminal, even in our times?  Is asplastic anemia terminal?

My God, this has brought much to life.  If the hypothesis holds, then for sure he was more than a charlatan.

And it is REALLY frightening that the Moscow Church came very very close to making him a saint about two years ago....

All the best,


Alex P.

[Tania+]

Dear Alex P,
I am not a physician. Howe But, I have gone to the following websites below to copy and paste, and bring to the forum a fuller understanding of both illnesses. If there are physicians, and or specialists reading our forum threads, and who may come across this thread, I would hope they might share further understanding about both of these illnesses. I hope that readers and posters will either add or read further to allow greater understanding than may be afforded below. With all the best, i remain,
Tatiana+

Part I of II
___________________________________________________________________________________
Information on Hemophilia Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
[From The Website : http://www.healthnewsflash.com/conditions/hemophilia.php]
What is Hemophilia?
Hemophilia is the oldest known hereditary bleeding disorder. There are two types of hemophilia, A and B (Christmas Disease). Both are caused by low levels or complete absence of a blood protein essential for clotting. Patients with hemophilia A lack the blood clotting protein, factor VIII, and those with hemophilia B lack factor IX. There are about 20,000 hemophilia patients in the United States. Each year, about 400 babies are born with this disorder. Approximately 85% have hemophilia A and the remainder have hemophilia B.

The severity of hemophilia is related to the amount of the clotting factor in the blood. About 70% of hemophilia A patients have less than one percent of the normal amount and, thus, have severe hemophilia. A small increase in the blood level of the clotting factor, up to five percent of normal, results in mild hemophilia with rare bleeding except after injuries or surgery. Enormous strides made in assuring the safety of the blood supply and in the genetic aspects of hemophilia research allow us now to focus on issues which will improve the quality of life of the hemophilia patient and, ultimately, develop a cure.

Causes of Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a genetic disease. A defective gene located on the X chromosome causes hemophilia. Men who have the defective gene will have hemophilia since they possess only one X chromosome. Since females have two X chromosomes, they will develop hemophilia only if both chromosomes carry the defective gene. However, females are carriers of this trait and will pass on the defective chromosome to fifty percent of their offspring. Approximately one fifth of hemophilia B cases and one third of hemophila A cases occur from a spontaneous gene mutation with no family history of the disorder. In spontaneous cases such these, the gene can be passed on to offspring.

Hemophilia Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of bleeding disorders vary from person to person and vary depending upon the disorder. The symptoms of hemophilia can include:
*heavy bleeding during monthly periods (menorrhagia),
*unusual bleeding after injury or surgery,
*bleeding from small cuts that starts and stops over several hours,
*frequent or prolonged nosebleeds, and
*unusual bleeding from the mouth or gums or after a tooth extraction.
 
Hemophilia Treatment
Cases of severe hemophilia will sometimes involve a doctor giving regular factor replacement treatments (a therapy called prophylaxis - literally "preventative treatment") to prevent most bleeding episodes. Also, episodes of spontaneous bleeding can be partially controlled with regular exercise to strengthen muscles and protect joints; however, under no circumstances should such a program be undertaken without the consent and direction of a physician.

Complications
Major complications stem from the psychological impact of a chronic disease on children, adolescents, and their families to life-threatening cerebral hemorrhage.

Some hemophilia patients develop antibodies (inhibitors) to the coagulation factors used to prevent bleeding. Approximately 15 percent of severe hemophilia A patients and 2.5 percent of hemophilia B patients develop such antibodies after exposure to transfused factors. When inhibitors are present in large amounts, the patient may require very high and expensive quantities of transfused clotting factors to stem bleeding, and, in some instances, even that may not be effective. The factor VIII products produced through biotechnology have been found to cause inhibitors in only about 5 percent of patients and are, thus, safer in this respect.

In the absence of prophylactic therapy, now recommended to begin at one to two years of age, potentially disabling arthritis occurs in joints that have experienced hemorrhage (hemarthrosis).

Pseudotumors -- cysts that arise from hemorrhage in muscle or the covering of the bone which then damage adjacent muscle, nerve, and bone -- also occur and must be excised completely to avoid recurrence.

There are also life-long concerns about availability, cost, and purity of replacement factor products

To be continued following this posting : Research on Hemophilia

[Tania+]

Part II of II

Dear Alex P,

Addition of comments by moi: In those years, many illnesses were life threatning. Remember, there was no cure even then for pneumonia, or various other health issues, and certainly little was known about Aplastic Anemia, or Hemophelia. For many just the name spelled doom, and death. Hopefully, with the advancement of medicine, and physicians specific and experts in the field, a human heart has much mor chances of living a healthy life. But, again, there was nobody then, or now who can wish away or magically cure these illnesses, unless they are medical physicians!  
All The Best, i remain again, just moi, the little old mushroom.  
================================================================
Part II

Research on Hemophilia
Although treatment for hemophilia has become safer, therapeutic products are still not risk free. The ultimate goal is to offer a cure for the disease. Hemophilia is known to be caused by defects in the genes for factor VIII and factor IX. The challenge is to transfer normal genes into a patient so that they will produce the normal clotting protein. A small amount of active factor produced by the patient's own body will correct the disease. Although much remains to be studied before such treatment can be offered to patients, there have been a number of studies done in animals such as mice and dogs in which a factor VIII or IX gene has been inserted and has produced the proper blood product for periods that exceed one year. Major issues that remain to be resolved include the low level of production of the clotting factor, reduction of immune reactions that stop the production after a period, and development of ways to insert the gene directly into the body without manipulating cells outside the body. Until recently, dogs with naturally occurring hemophilia were used for testing of gene therapy techniques; however, the number of such animals is very limited.

Recently, a mouse model of hemophilia produced through genetic technology was announced. The availability of this small animal will accelerate the development of technologies for ultimate use in humans.

Hemophilia Pictures - No pictures of hemophilia are currently available.

Keeping on Top of Your Condition Keeping in tune with your disease or condition not only makes treatment less intimidating but also increases its chance of success, and has been shown to lower a patients risk of complications. As well, as an informed patient, you are better able to discuss your condition and treatment options with your physician.

More Information on Hemophilia - Information about hemophilia is available from these organizations:

Hemophilia Federation of America
102B Westmark Boulevard
Lafayette, Louisiana 70506
Phone: 337-991-0067, 1-800-230-9797
Fax: 337-991-0087
Internet: http://www.hemophiliafed.org/

The World Federation of Hemophilia
1425 ReneLevesque Blvd. W. Suite 1010
Montreal, Quebec H3G 1T7 Canada
Phone: (514) 875-7944
Fax: (514) 875-8916
Internet: http://www.wfh.org/

National Hemophilia Foundation
116 West 32nd Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 328-3700
Fax: (212) 328-3777
Internet: http://www.hemophilia.org/
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

[Aplastic Anemia From The Website : http://www.aplastic-anemia.org/][/b]

Aplastic Anemia-This website was created as a resource to provide aplastic anemia patients and their families with up-to-date information. Specifically, we have the latest information on aplastic anemia (II), its symptoms (III), causes (VI), diagnosis (IV), and treatment (V). We have also collected important information on coping (VIII) with the personal and financial effects of aplastic anemia, which may be difficult to deal with without the proper preparation.
Anemia occurs when blood is low in red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body. Without enough red blood cells, your body can't get all of the oxygen it needs and you feel fatigued.

In aplastic anemia, the bone marrow stops producing enough new blood cells. This means that you have not only a deficit of red blood cells but also a shortage of white blood cells to fight germs and platelets to help blood clot. You're at higher risk of infections and uncontrolled bleeding.
Aplastic anemia can come on suddenly. The illness may be brief or it may linger chronically. The disease has different symptoms depending on which types of blood cells are deficient. Without treatment, it may progress and become fatal. Therefore, it is very important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. The Treatment Options section describes the different types of treatments available and has clinical trial information. In our Medical Financial Aid and Assistance section, we discuss how patients and their families may be helped with medical bills and financial concerns.

Because some cases of aplastic anemia are linked to benzene exposure, see our At Risk Jobs section to find out if you or a loved one has worked in a job associated with benzene poisoning.

Tatiana+

[loulia]

In a book by the french author Frederic mitterand I've learn that if Raspoutine saved Alexei's life during his crisis, it's because he asked the doctors to stop his medicines which were based on aspirin. Of course now we know it favour bleeding but is that possible that doctors ignored at this time and that they gave aspirin to Alexei?
I would like to know if somebody else heard about it

[anna11]

Well, i've got no proof but considering that he often did start to improve after Rasputin's advice, I'd guess that they stopped giving him those medications. But i'm confused because I thought that he wasn't given any painkillers during his hemorrhages?

[clockworkgirl21]

Another opinion is that the doctors kept poking Aleksey, and that was stopping any clotting. Rasputin told them to leave him alone, so he clotted better.

[Annie]

People like to say he hypnotized him. None of the theories explain how he healed him at Spala, from many miles away. He couldn't have hypnotized him long distance, and that was the most famous incident.

[Forum Admin]

OK,

Too much mis-information and speculation here. All Rasputin said in the telegram was "Don't let the doctors make him tired." Nobody will ever really know why Alexei recovered, much less whether Rasputin had anything to do with it (which is doubtful that he did, was probably just a historically significant co-incidence).

The most probable scenario is that the doctors did indeed give up, we know they said they "could do no more for him".  They did give him pain medication, probably opiate based, to ease his pain.  Most likely, once they left him alone, and he did nothing but sleep and rest quietly he was able to clot and heal. Again, we will never know, but I have really begun to follow what I know call the "Judge Judy" rule: If it makes sense, its probably true, if it doesn't make sense, it probably isn't true. 

[Annie]

That's true, but because Alexandra believed, and wanted to believe, it was very real to her and it increased her faith in him.

One more- how about the way he brought AV back in the hospital when the doctors had given up, and how he gave her his strength until the passed out in the floor? Was that an amazing coicidence of timing, too, or a psychological boost, or something else?

You know, IMO it actually seems like more, or just as much of a stretch, to accept that two people that close to death's door amazingly coicidently just happened to miraculously recover at the moment he interviened than to believe he may have had something to do with the healing.

[loulia]

about AV, in Radzinsky's book on Rasputin, he said that maybe she played a role, to make her recovery more spectacular, because she wanted to proof to Alix the Rasputin's strengh and power.
of course in this theory there are two obvious problems for me: Alix was already convinced, and Anya was probably in such a great pain that it is hard for me that she could play a role at this moment, she probably had something to think about!
Don't know what you think about Radzinsky's theory?

[Annie]

Yes he did say that, but he was very biased against her overall. He even claimed that she wasn't so bad off, but she was, and several doctors had refused to triage her for treatment, thinking she was so close to dying it would waste a bed!  In Anna's favor, in her own memoirs, she only mentions remembering waking up and hearing him say she would live and she had to be told the rest. She didn't tell all the dramatic stuff, that has gone around from other sources. It's documented in Nicholas and Alexandra. If she had wanted to exaggerate why did her book not even tell the details? This is why I think Radzinsky is wrong.

[dmitri]

It is hard to imagine Rasputin did anything apart from possibly hypnosis. Certainly there was no cure at all and the telegram couldn't have helped Alexis while he was at Spala. The ultimate irony was he survived only to be butchered at Ekaterinburg. Sometimes I think it might have been much kinder if he had simply passed away at Spala. What do others think?

[dmitri]

The fact that Alexis did not die from haemophilia after Rasputin was murdered shows how little Rasputin was important in the boy's health.