The tingling sensation described in the study was, more often than not, associated with the amputated limb. The sensation was always stronger than any vague awareness of an intact limb. Henderson and Smyth hypothesized that the tingling presumably had an organic basis and depended upon impulses entering at a conscious level. The patient could elicit this tingling feeling by merely thinking about it, however in certain circumstances the sensations could be induced without his thoughts being directed to it.

"Tingling" Sensation of Phantoms

When observing patients, Henderson and Smyth found that the form of the phantom was not "haphazard" but rather conformed closely to a common pattern. However, most of the time the phantom did not reproduce all the amputated parts. The periphery of the limb (hand and foot) were the strongest portion, with the elbow/knee sometimes being present and the forearm and leg rarely so.

Imperfection of Phantoms (Henderson, Smyth)

When observing the patients, Henderson and Smyth found that no matter how little of the missing limb appeared in the phantom and how extensive the "gaps," the patient had no difficulty in estimating where the various parts would be (ie. size and distance from stump) if he could feel them. Overall, the researchers found that the phantoms were oriented normally. 

Shape of Phantom and Relation to Stump

- Tingling of the Phantoms
- Imperfection of the Phantoms
- Shape of Phantom and Relation to Stump

Johns Hopkins University

The "natural phantom" is defined as the almost invariable appearance in consciousness of the missing limb/part. As observed by Henderson and Smyth, it is usually associated with a positive sensation described as tingling or numbness. In the context of the study, this "tingling" sensation was always stronger than any vague awareness of an intact limb. 

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