PARAPSYCHOLOGY ABSTRACTS INTERNATIONAL

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that the strict application of the double-blind method of-
fers the researcher the guarantee of absolute objectivity in
estimating results. - DA/R.A.W.
03616. Rigato, Mario. The possibility of suggestive in-
fluences in certain analgesic effects of mag-
netotherapy: A boundary problem between para-
psychology and unquestioned sciences. Quaderni di
Parapsicologia, 1986, 17(1), 46-48.
The clinical effects of pulsed magnetic fields are
easily controllable by means of radiography and other ob-
jective data. On the other hand, the purely analgesic ef-
fects declared by the patient are not controllable. Some
authors suggest that a placebo effect is present. On this
problem an experimental research program is presented to
he carried out in collaboration with the Parapsychology
Laboratory of The University of Utrecht. The aim is to
point out some aspects which could involve academic or-
thodoxy as well as parapsychology. - DA/R.A.W.
03617. Bersani, Ferdittando, and Travisan, Bruno. Ex-
periences with psycholinguistic PK. Quaderni di Para-
psicologia, 1986, 17(1), 49-53. 1 ref
Last year we presented a new method that could
detect some possible PK effects catalyzed by the interpreta-
tion of semirandom acoustic signals recorded on a tape re-
corder. In a previous study we investigated the possibility
of perceiving linguistic patterns in suitable nonlinguistic
acoustic events. The two essential conditions in order to
obtain such effects were: (a) the availability of sounds
that could be listened to over and over again on a tape
recorder, and (b) the propensity of the subject to under-
stand that what they are listening to is a linguistic mes-
sage.
As we showed last year, the hypothesis can be formu-
lated which says that a condition can be produced during
the linguistic interpretation that is particularly conducive
in order to produce some PK effects by which a
"nonintentional" modification of acoustic patterns could
result in better equating the acoustic event to a linguistic
model produced by the subject's mind. This hypothesis
also fits with Stanford's "conformance behavior" model. In
our set-up, the physical target of the PK is the electronic
device by which the acoustic events are processed.
In other words, our present investigation involves the
possibility of detecting some modifications in the electronic
"processing" of the acoustic signals previously recorded. In
our pilot attempts the subject was requested to listen
(using headphones) to suitable signals, and his emotional
involvement was monitored via an electronic device called
the "oracle," wherein the subject asks the "oracle" to speak
about some personal questions. In other words, the acoustic
signals can be used as targets for a short projective test in
which the subject is particularly involved. In order to im-
prove the psychological connection between the electronic
device and the subjects, we introduced some modifications
into the circuits with respect to the previous instrumenta-
tion, and we also introduced feedback by means of a small
light that flashes when the "oracle" speaks. With these
modifications we have conducted an extensive investigation
with quite a large number of subjects. No PK effect was
detected. Nevertheless, experimentation is still going on in
order to obtain a very large amount of data. - DA/R.A.W.
03618. Dettore, Ugo. A hypothesis of clairvoyance. Quad-
erni di Parapsicologia, 1986, 17(1), 54-60.
We hypothesize a sensoriality in time (past and fu-
ture) on the pattern of which the sensoriality in space
(present), peculiar to the five known senses, would have
formed. The sensoriality in time would be peculiar to all,
living and nonliving beings; the one in space would belong
only to living beings, even if potentially present in the
nonliving ones. Clairvoyance would consist in the sen-
soriality in time (retrocognition and 'precognition); clair-
voyance in the present, or cryptesthesia, would in reality
be a perception of the immediate past, displaced only by a
few moments as to the present. On the basis of time sen-
toriality, it would have formed intuitive thought which is
always creative and leads to the evolution of all beings; on
the basis of space sensoriality, it would have developed ra-
tional thought, which in itself isn't creative but only aims
at settling fixed relations, or laws, among beings. The in-
teraction between the two sensorialities and the two forms
of thought offers us the whole of reality. - DA/R.A.W.
03619. Martelli, Aldo. Experiences of collaboration with
certain prestidigitators in the investigation of some
presumably paranormal cases. Quaderni di Para-
psicologia, 1986, 17(1), 61-68.
On several occasions, during our investigations and
experimental researches on some supposed paranormal
phenomena, we availed ourselves of the collaboration of
two conjurors: Vanni Bossi and Alexander. In our
opinion, such collaboration is useful and advisable. Ob-
viously, one should consider certain difficulties, deriving,
for instance, from the conjurors' engagements.
We agree with Vanni Bossi that it is not enough to
have at our disposal a "tout-court" good conjuror. It is
also necessary that the conjurer is practiced, not only in
conjuring tricks in general, but also with those tricks that
"paranormal" subjects could perform.
Thanks to Alexander's collaboration, we investigated a
supposed phenomenon of water creation. The subject was
a 15-year-old girl. This case proved to be a trick as the
girl, thanks to her extraordinary skill, was able to put out
the salivary secretion through her imperceptibly half-open
lips. We also investigated a case of an 11-year-old boy
who had been described as the protagonist of many extraor-
dinary ESP and PK phenomena. In our presence, the boy
was able only to make a thermometer mercury rise, by
means of a "trick," unconscious perhaps, but soon revealed.
Moreover, in 1978, in Milan, Alexander caught Geller bend-
ing a key by hand, simulating PK. He was able to
reproduce the success in the same way.
We made use of the two conjurors' opinions also in
order to examine (as deeply as possible) about 30 experi-
ments. They involved metal bending and of other kinds,
selected among over 200 experiments performed during
some years with half a dozen "mini-geliers," and with
Professor Bersani's collaboration. We chose that experi-
ments because we considered them valid as far as their
paranormal "genuineness" was concerned.
In this case, we should be satisfied with the con-
jurors' posterior judgment that is given on the basis of our
account. In fact, we cannot have them at our disposal all
throughout the experiment. The explanations for the
phenomena, that the conjurors gave separately, partly coin-
cided, partly contrasted, and only two were judged tenable,
on the basis of our experimental experience. In some
cases, then, the conjurors admitted that, if things had ac-
tually gone as we had described, the only explanation they
could give was the operator's inattention. - DA/R.A.W.
03620. Cassoli, Piero. A contribution to the study of
pranotherapy. Quaderni di Parapsicologia, 1986, 17(1).
69-89. 43 refs; 1 table
The author, a physician, discusses problems concerning
"healers." For many years he has been investigating only
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parapsychology Abstracts International
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those healers who act by "laying of hands." He wrote two
hooks, one in cooperation with the parapsychologist G. Ian-
nuzzo, and numerous papers on the same subject, gathering
an extensive collection of historical cases. After having
dcalt with some problems connected with the peculiar situa-
tion of Italian healers (who maintain their position in spite
of important medical and surgical progress and their illegal
situation), the author discusses three topics: new historical
cases, laboratory results, and the placebo effect.
Regarding the first he refers to the results of some
cases of Muscular Progressive Distrophia. Some young
patients have improved both during and after pranotherapy.
After (from two to six months) patients got worse again:
they then repeated the treatment and got better. They are
like a battery that charges and discharges. If we are able
to get confirmation about such a phenomenon, how can it
be explained by the placebo effect?
The second subject dealt with is Kirlian photography.
In Italy a well organized and diffused Center issues a
diploma to healers (or presumed healers) certifying that a
fluid (bioplasma) emanates from their hands as attested by
Kirlian photography. It is certainly proved that Kirlian
photography depends on a well-known physical
phenomenon, but in Italy four Lower Court judges have
acquitted four healers, from the indictment of the illegal
practice of medicine. Their sentence was founded on the
results of Kirlian photography. It is advisable that major
parapsychological organizations (like the P.A.) suggest that
their members do not participate in any meeting, or any-
thing else that this Center might promote.
The third subject concerns the placebo effect (P.E.),
perhaps the most disturbing and puzzling problem for the
scientifically oriented mind of a physician when he is
facing the interpretation of pranotherapy results. Papers on
this subject agree that 35% of the benefits of all medical
treatments (chemical, physical, or surgical) may be referred
to P.E1 P.E. apparently is not a mere suggestion effect,
unless we acknowledge that suggestion can give rise to ex-
traordinary biological reactions (on enzymes, on chemical
blood components, on hormones, and so on). Furthermore,
well mastered researches in this field (P.E.) are necessary.
After 35 years of clinical observation and controls of a
good number of healers' results, the author is at present
very cautious on the possibility of the presence of PK in
this matter. The same position is maintained on the pos-
sibility that something "flows" or emanates from the
healer's body. He is waiting for clinically controlled ex-
periments (by blind and double-blind methods) to be
carried out only in Clinical University Institutes. -
DA/R.A.W.
03621. Rosa, Rodolfo. Reflections on the time-bound
universe. Quaderni di Parapsicologia, 1986, 17(1), 90-100.
3 graphs; I illus; 8 refs
The aim of this lecture is to introduce to the non-
specialist the Erhenfest urn model exploited by Cocke to
illustrate an oscillating universe model in which there are
two boundary conditions: one in the past (big-bang) and
one in the future (big-crunch). A simple Monte Carlo com-
puter code has been set up in order to simulate the statisti-
cal behavior of the system consisting of two urns and 36
balls numbered from 1 to 36. One starts with 27 balls in
the left-hand urn and 9 in the right-hand one. A random
number selects a ball which is moved from the system and
is defined as delta n = n subs (number of balls in the
left-hand urn)--n sub e (equilibrium value). Two typical
histories and the average of over hundreds of runs is
reported. The code saves only those histories which satisfy
the final boundary condition. Two such allowed histories
and the average of 14 of them are reported. It must be
emphasized that in double-ended statistics, even in the ex-
panding phase of the universe, the course of events can be
conditioned by the future boundary conditions. In this
sense we speak of causality violation or "pre-effect": the
future can influence the past. In such a context, time-
symmetric thermodynamics (i.e., a thermodynamics with
boundary conditions on both the past and the future) put
forward by J.A. Donald and B. Martin some years ago is
referred to. According to these authors, a past directed
neg-entropy associated with boundary conditions in the fu-
ture is the means through which living organisms can in-
fluence the past. In an analogous way they utilize the
usual neg-entropy to change the future states of the
universe. - DA/R.A.W.
03622. Bernardi, Sergio. The cradle of the paranormal.
Quaderni di Parapsicologia, 1986, 17(1), 101-110. 23 refs
People have wondered about the psychological origins
of paranormal phenomena. There has been some research
in what has been defined by Jan Ehrenwald, a famous
researcher now in New York, as the cradle of the paranor-
mal. More in-depth study has been made in this field.
Attention was at first given to the mother/suckling relation-
ship and to its paranormal components. This led to the
intrauterine mother/fetus relationship and research was con-
ducted at this level. This problem was brought up in the
1930's by the famous psychoanalyst Sadger, who said: "The
child knows from the uterine stage whether the mother
loves him or hates him." The Argentinian psychoanalyst
Arnaldo Raskovski discussed many aspects of this topic.
Recently, Mauro Mancia, a neuropsychologist and
psychoanalyst, shed more light on the subject. A book by
Otto Rank, The Trauma of Birth, is an in-depth study of
the psychic life of the unborn child. This topic has also
been researched by others such as Sandor Ferenzi, Georg
Groddek, and Wilhelm Steckel. The existence of an
oneiric life and therefore psychic life in the fetal stage
during the last months of pregnancy and after the first
months of birth has been demonstrated by experiments
using REM and EEG. Undoubtedly, these remarks are of
great importance in the evolution of research in this area,
which is so significant for a better knowledge of the
modalities and structures of the deep levels of human per-
sonalities. A distinguishing criterion is suggested about the
interpretations that various scholars have given to the con-
cept of "psychic regression" to primary stages in connection
with emerging paranormal phenomena. - DA/R.A.W.
03623. Iannuzzo, Giovanni. Psychiatry and spiritism:
Italian psychiatry of the early 20th century and
psychic research. Quaderni di Parapsicologia, 1986,
17(1), 111-125. 32 refs
The author discusses the relationship between
psychiatry and psychical research at the beginning of the
20th century. He deals mainly with two personages:
Cesare Lombroso and Enrico Morselli, leaders of Italian
psychiatry, both with a great interest in psychical research,
but along different lines. In fact, Lombroso became a fol-
lower of spiritistie doctrine after some mediumistic ex-
periences; Morselli retained a sufficiently severe and anti-
spiritistic scientific behavior. They were not the only
physicians approaching spiritism: other lesser known scien-
tists (Samona, Luciani, Bianchi) attended to this subject,
demonstrating that the interest in these phenomena was
very deep. The most important scientific journals of that
period dealt with this argument. This was the golden age
of psychical research in Italy, but it lasted only a few
years and soon our country lost its supremacy. The author
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analysis revealed no significant sun sign, effects on political
conservatism. - DA
03587. Miiller, Arno. Accident-prone persons in the
horoscope: Report on Part II of an astrological match-
ing test (Vernon Clerk Test) and discussion of the to-
tal study. Zeitschrift far Parapsychologie and
Grenzgebiete der Psychologie, 1988, 30(1-4), 230-235. 6
refs
After critical comments on a publication of Part I
presented by others, the results of Part II are reported. In
seven independent tests the astrologers had to select out of
three persons (one accident prone, two for 'control) the
accident-prone one on the basis of official time records on
the charts. The person was described, including his most
serious accidents with date of occurrence. Whereas Part I
yielded a slight positive result, Part II was distinctly nega-
tive. The total result vindicates the conclusion that the
astrologers were not able to identify persons with serious
accidents with statistical significance on the basis of the
chart. - DA
03588. Walti, Bernhard. Preliminary report on an un-
usual experiment with Silvio. Zeitschrift fir Para-
psychologie and Grenzgebiete der Psychologie, 1988, 30(1-
4), 236-242. 1 illus; 5 refs
We report an experiment in which a well-known al-
leged paranormally talented person intertwined two frames
made out of different materials (paper and aluminum) in
an as yet unexplained manner. Although the mere exis-
tence of the object cannot be regarded as ultimate proof
of a paranormal action, the threshold for a conventional
explanation is set high. Careful examinations of the object
have not revealed any trace of technical manipulation. -
DA
ITALIAN LANGUAGE
(Editors: Paola Giovetti; William Giroldini)
LUCE E OMBRA
Published quarterly in Italian by dell'Associazione Ar-
chivio di Documentazione Storica delta Ricerca Psichica (Silvio
Ravaldini, director). Founded in 1900, it is edited by Riccardo
Cesanelli, Lina de Boni, Giorgio di Simone, Pierangelo Garzia,
and Paola Giovetti. The address is Bozzano-De Boni, Via Or-
feo, 15; 40124 Bologna, Italia. Telephone [phone].
03589. Ravaldini, Silvio. From D.D. Home to "A" En-
tity: Is mediumistic phenomenology adapting to the
times and historical contexts to be better understood?
Luce e Ombra, 1988 (Jan/Mar), 88(1), 1-9. 8 refs
In the above article, the author makes an excursus in
paranormal phenomenology, going from the English
medium D.D. Home to the high level messages ("A" Entity)
still being received through the excellent medium at the
Parapsychological Study Center in Naples. Therefore, the
certainty of the existence of an "interiority" in humans is
confirmed by the various intelligent messages received
during this span of time. At the same time, this
"interiority" is also underlined by our modern philosophers
(Assagioli, Tagore, Fromm) who cannot accept in humans
an intelligence of a solely mechanic type. Life meaning
will be found through the discovery and the acceptance of
our own "interiority." Being able to read all the mediumis-
tic messages--even the simplest ones, such as those that
will be due to telepathy--with the detachment of a
research focus will make it possible to understand better
the intelligent pattern of the spiritual universe. -
DT/R.A.W.
03590. Piancastelli, Corrado. The interior in
psychotherapy: Introductory statement of a research.
Luce e Ombra, 1988 (Jan/Mar), 88(1), 10-18.
The author belongs to the new wave of parapsychol-
ogy which, in Italy, is centering its research aims inside
"the man," where respect for the traditional and
phenomenological extra-sensoriality are recognized as very
important paranormal aspects. In support of what was said
above mystical experiences are valuated and, above all,
those obtainable by the superior method of autogenic train-
ing developed by Schultz. The author talks about the sub-
jective evidence in which a verified clinical death is fol-
lowed by a return to life. These facts, verified even in
hospital, show a fantastic consistency and provide an impor-
tant analogy with mystic raptures, drug hallucinations, and
the perceptions obtainable by autogenic training. The
author attempts to identify an eventual structure independ-
ent of the psychic one, as we know it, and he does not
hesitate to call this possible structure the "soul." From
within the general theory of personality, it will be possible
to obtain the desired identification. - DT/R.A.W.
03591. Biondi, Massimo. Tables and mediums: History
of spiritism in Italy. Luce e Ombra, 1988 (Jan/Mar),
88(1), 20-30.
In the 1900s, in a wine shop in Turin there occurred
a typical poltergeist case. Attracted by the news that
started to spread about the case, many scholars carried out
some investigations (Prof. Lombroso among them). Within
a few days, the phenomena stopped after a boy who was
working inside the shop departed. Besides this one, many
other poltergeist events have occurred in Italy in all
periods. But scholars did not take a big interest in them,
even if some of these researchers proposed very interesting
theses and considerations.
This article is taken from the book Tables and
Mediums: History of Spiritism in Italy. It, will be the
first history of Italian spiritism from the last half of the
last century to the First World War. - DA/R.A.W.
03592. Giovetti, Paola. Findhorn community in Scot-
land: Conscience in the Aquarian Age. Luce e Ombra,
1988 (Jan/Mar), 88(1), 31-41.
This article describes the community of Findhorn in
Scotland, where the author spent a period of time last
year. She lived with the members of the community and
spoke with the most representative ones. Findhorn is well
known for its exceptional garden, which grows in a cold,
windy and sandy place: The wonderful and extraordinary
big flowers and vegetables that are obtained in Findhorn
are the result of a new, respectful, and warm approach to
nature and to the "spirits of nature," who are willing to
cooperate with men if they change their minds. Today
Findhorn is a place where people try to develop a new
consciousness and a new way to relate to God, man, and
nature: a consciousness for the coming centuries! -
03593. Simone, Giorgio di. The interior area: From
subjectivity to metaphysical objectivity. Luce e Ombra,
1988 (Jan/Mar), 88(1), 42-49. 6 refs
After a sequence of quotations (Bhagavad-Gita, A.
Munthe, C.G. Jung, R. Laing, A. Maslow), the author reaf-
firms the importance of analyzing human interior space
compared to the current culture that tries to repress its
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tical activity is diminished, and points
out that several observations of what
occurs during Rolls demonstrations indi-
cate cortical inhibition derived from
hypnosis. She notes that one can be in
an altered state without being con-
sciously aware that one is in it.
Riccardi called for a vote on
whether the audience considered that all
Rol's phenomena are faked. Al votes
were negative.
There follows a general discussion
among Gabricci, Valerio, and Galateri,
of mediumship, hypnosis, and mediumistic
trance. Alberti and Mengoli urges that
filming the proceedings of seances is
highly desirable, and Nengoli cites
Schiebeler's laboratory at Ravensburg
that is - equipped to study physical
phenomena.
Occhipinti describes parallels be-
tween Rolls demonstrations and what he
observed at seances with the medium,
Anibale Gnocchi.
Riccardi describes personality
changes in Rol as his demonstrations
develop. At such times, he describes
does not take over a situation, even
though he may be the center of it. Ric-
cardi thinks it is of great importance
that Rol seems to address remarks to
someone, he knows not who, during his
demonstrations. He says the process of
each sitting develops "as if there were
band of hobgoblins in the room" who
receive orders and rush into the opera-
tions needed for reaching the final end
desired. He says he is convinced that
Rol is served with continuity and preci-
sion by those entities, as was Aladdin,
who also was ignorant. of the identities
of his invisible helpers.
Occhipinti says Gnocchi was able to
transfer his powers to someone else.
Riccardi adds that the same is true of
Rol, and cites an example.
The editor, Ettore Mengoli, con-
cludes the debate with this note: "From
the preceding pages one can see that Dr.
Rol has been approached cordially and
praised, but in no way thoroughly ex-
amined. In Italy and abroad all state-
ments about this case are to be con-
sidered "informative" but not
"scientific." - DA/R.A.W.
01683. Racanelli, Francesco. I and
parapsychology. Metapsichica Rivista
Italiana di Parapsicologia 1970 (Jan-
Jun), 25(1-2), 56-62.
At the request of the editor,
Racanelli describes his work as as a
medical doctor and as a healer. Ini-
tially he was a convinced healer only,
but this displeased the Italian police,
so he decided to obtain a medical degree
and practice healing lawfully. With him
the two professions are complementary. -
DA
JAPANESE LANGUAGE
(Editor: Toshio Kasahara)
RESEARCHES OF JAPAN PSYCHIC
SCIENCE ASSOCIATION
01684. Tanaka, Chiyomatsu_ Annals of
new spiritualism, psychical research,
and parapsychology. Researches of Japan
Psychic Science Association, 1974 (Oct),
1-69.
This is a chronological record of
100 important events in the history of
spiritualism, psychical research, and
parapsychology beginning with the Hydes-
ville rappings in 1848 through 1974.
The text is in both Japanese and
English. The sources of the information
in the chronology is provided in the
form of bibliographic notes. A letter
code -recedes each ev--
nited States; B for Britain; C for Con-
tinental Europe; J for Japan, and G for
General history. The sources footnotes
are N. Fodor's Encyclopedia of Psychic
Science (1934), E. Thompson's History &
Science of Spiritualism (1948), Rhine
and Pratt's Parapsychology
(1957),
Doyle's History of Spiritualism
(1926),
and Nelson's Spiritualism and
Society
(1969). - R.A.W.
III. ARTICLES IN NONPARAPSYCHOLOGICAL
JOURNALS
This section will henceforth be
presented in two parts: Part 1 will con-
sist of articles on parapsychological
topics published in nonparapsychological
journals. Part 2 will consist of ar-
ticles in nonparapsychological journals
on topics dealing with other disciplines
but that also may be applicable or
relevant to parapsychological concerns.
PART 1. ARTICLES ON PARAPSYCHOLOGY IN
NONPARAPSYCHOLOGICAL JOURNALS
01685. Abbott, David P. Mediumistic
readings of sealed writings. Open Court,
1906 (Apr), 20(4), 194-211.
Several methods are outlined for
reading writing secured in sealed en-
velopes. The techniques are basically
those used by stage clairvoyants during
their public displays. Included are
descriptions of various ways wood al-
cohol can be used to make env-lopes
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