Bloodstopping

By Crusader1307

 From American Ozark and Appalachian Folk Tradition (''Hill People'') – ''Bloodstopping'' was a practice by which specially ''selected'' Healers known as ''Bloodstoppers'' had the supernatural ''ability'' to stop bleeding (of a wound), merely by the power ''of Will''. Often, the ''laying of Hands'' (placement of One's hands or finger directly over an affected area of the body to induce healing). Only those who received such ''bloodstopping'' abilities from ''God'' could be declared a real Bloodstopper. Often, due to the remoteness of Hill People in The Mountains, ''traditional'' medicine was unavailable. Folk Healing (''Magic'') was seen as a viable ''alternative''.

The ''Gift'' (as it was also known) – could only be ''passed down' from Mother to Son. No Daughter could ''inherit'' such ''Gifts''. ''Power'' to ''summon'' this abilities was based in Western Biblical sources (Old Testament), and required 3 people to ''energize'' a Bloodstopper. These Healers were in great demand for accidents on The Mountains and in difficult childbirths (working with a traditional Midwife). Some forms are still practiced even today by Hill Folk in The Ozark Mountains of The United States.