A phantom is a persistent image or memory of a body part, usually a limb, for a period of time after its loss that can last months, even years. Silas Weir Mitchell studied this phenomenon during the Civil War. For amputees, phantom limbs are essential for regaining use of limbs following prosthetic procedures, without this sensation limb recovery and resuscitation can be disastrous. Positional ghosts, a type of ghost that leads to proprioceptive illusions and ever-changing distorted images, can cause acute-onset tabes that lead to the sensation of being on “a ship in rough seas” (68). It is not yet clear whether ghosts can be defined as good or bad, but it seems that they allow those who wear prosthetics to keep the limb alive, active and well; a necessary part for recovery. Grief can accompany ghosts; These are generally dull or "ordinary" types of pain, but in some cases they can be sharp and stabbing. Having a ghost can lead to severe diabetic sensory neuropathy, as happened to the sailor in the story. However, experiencing a pathological disorder can cure ghosts. There are still questions about exactly which pathways are involved in the phantom limb experience. It was originally believed that the peripheral nervous system was involved, but this theory which included the concept of neuromas (nerves in the stumps that send pain sensations from the spinal cord to the brain) has since been largely ignored. The central theory suggests that phantom limb pain is the result of central sensitization or excessive activity in the spinal cord. This occurs due to the spinal cord losing afferent input from the missing limb. The neurons in the dorsal horn become irritated and increase their excitation… in the center of the paper… similar to the prism used in glasses for people who may not have centrally positioned eyes. But this is pretty new and still needs to be studied a little more, just wanted to mention 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 following arm amputation.” Nature. 375. (1995): 482-484. Web.Melzack R. "GHOST ARTS". American scientific special edition. 16(3). (2006): 52-59. Web.Menon-Nair, Anita, Nicol Korner-Bitensky and Tatiana Ogourtsova. “Identification, assessment, and treatment by occupational therapists of unilateral spatial neglect during stroke rehabilitation in Canada.” Hit. 38. (2007): 2556-2562. Web.Woodhouse A. “Phantom Limb Sensation.” Clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology. 32(1/2). (2005): 132-134. Net.