Avicenna's Butcher Ruse Cured Delusion

According to a historical anecdote, Persian physician and early psychiatrist Avicenna treated a malnourished Persian prince who refused food because he believed he was a cow ready for slaughter. Avicenna arrived carrying a knife and impersonated a butcher, but after examining the prince, he declared the cow too lean to kill and ordered him fattened first. The patient eagerly accepted food, gradually regained his strength, abandoned the delusion, and completely recovered.

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