For many centuries, healing by stroking a patient was considered to be an effective treatment because it made use of the supposed phenomenon of "animal magnetism." Valentine Greatrakes (1628-1683), also known as 'Greatorex' or 'The Stroker', was an Irish faith healer who toured England in 1666, claiming to cure people by the laying on of hands. In 1662 he claimed he could cure the king's evil (scrofula) by 'stroking' or touching, but failed in a demonstration before Charles II.