Edwin Hartley Pratt

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Edwin Hartley Pratt 1886 Shimer College Wiki

Edwin Hartley Pratt (1849–1930) was an American physician known for pioneering the practice of Orificial Surgery, a branch of medicine that focused on treating diseases by addressing conditions at the body orifices. His work, controversial at the time, contributed to the broader field of alternative medicine and has been both criticized and followed by various practitioners over the years.

Biography

Edwin Hartley Pratt was born in 1849. He pursued his medical education with a focus that eventually led him to develop the concept of Orificial Surgery. Pratt believed that many diseases were caused by pathological conditions at the body's orifices, such as the nose, throat, urethra, and rectum, and that correcting these conditions could restore health.

Throughout his career, Pratt faced significant opposition from the mainstream medical community, which largely dismissed his methods as unscientific. Despite this, he maintained a dedicated following and contributed to the establishment of the American Association of Orificial Surgeons, helping to spread his ideas among a wider audience.

Orificial Surgery

Orificial Surgery is based on the premise that irritation at the body's orifices can lead to systemic disease. Pratt's approach involved procedures to remove such irritations, which he believed would alleviate broader health issues. This could include anything from minor adjustments to more invasive surgeries. The practice was particularly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has since been largely discredited by mainstream medicine.

Legacy

Edwin Hartley Pratt's legacy is a mixed one. On one hand, his work on Orificial Surgery is seen by many as a footnote in the history of medicine, representing an outdated approach that lacked empirical support. On the other hand, his emphasis on the holistic consideration of health problems and the interconnectedness of body systems has echoes in some modern alternative medicine practices.

Despite the controversy surrounding his methods, Pratt's influence on the field of alternative medicine and his role in the history of medical innovation cannot be ignored. His work remains a subject of interest for historians of medicine and those studying the evolution of medical theories and practices.

See Also

• Alternative Medicine
• History of Medicine
• American Association of Orificial Surgeons