A phantom is a persistent image or memory of a body part, usually a limb, for a period of time after its loss which may last for months or even years . Silas Weir Mitchell studied this phenomenon during the Civil War. For amputees, phantom limbs are essential for regaining use of limbs after prosthetic procedures, without this sensation, limb recovery and resuscitation can be disastrous. Positional ghosting, a type of ghosting that leads to proprioceptive illusions and constantly changing distorted images, can cause sudden tabes that lead to the feeling of being on "a ship in rough seas" (68). It is still unclear whether ghosts can be classified as good or evil, but it seems that they allow those who wear prosthetics to keep their limb alive, active and healthy; a necessary element for recovery. Pain can accompany ghosts; These are usually dull or "ordinary" pains, but can be sharp and excruciating in some cases. Having a ghost can lead to severe diabetic sensory neuropathy, as was the case with the sailor in the story. However, experiencing a pathological disorder can cure ghosts. Questions remain as to the exact pathways involved in the phantom limb experience. Originally it was thought that the peripheral nervous system was involved, but this theory including the concept of neuromas (nerves located in stumps that trigger pain sensations traveling up the spinal cord to the brain) has since been largely ignored. . The central theory suggests that phantom limb pain results from central sensitization or excessive activity of the spinal cord. This occurs when the spinal cord loses afferent input from the missing limb. The neurons in the dorsal horn are thus irritated and increase their excitation...... middle of paper...... in the same way that the prism is used in glasses for people who may not have not with your eyes fixed on the center. But it's quite new and still needs to be studied further, I just wanted to talk about it. Works Cited Flor H, Elbert T, Knecht S, Wienbruch C, Pantev C, Birbaumer N, Larbig W, Taub E. “Phantom-limb pain as a perceptual correlate of cortical reorganization after arm amputation.” Nature. 375. (1995): 482-484. Web.Melzack R. “GHOST MEMBERS”. Special American scientific edition. 16(3). (2006): 52-59. Web.Menon-Nair, Anita, Nicol Korner-Bitensky and Tatiana Ogourtsova. “Occupational therapists’ identification, assessment, and treatment of unilateral spatial neglect during stroke rehabilitation in Canada.” Stroke. 38. (2007): 2556-2562. Web.Woodhouse A. “Phantom limb sensation.” » Clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology. 32(1/2). (2005): 132-134. Internet.