perkinism

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A mode of treatment introduced by Elisha Perkins, an American physician (died 1799), consisting in applying to diseased parts the extremities of two rods made of different metals, called metallic tractors; tractoration.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Med.) A remedial treatment, by drawing the pointed extremities of two rods, each of a different metal, over the affected part; tractoration, -- first employed by Dr. Elisha Perkins of Norwich, Conn. See metallotherapy.