The Entrail-Expelling Curse apparently causes the victim’s intestines to be expelled from their body.
History and Notes
This nasty spell was invented by Urquhart Rackharrow in the 1600s. His portrait now hangs ominously in the Dai Llewellyn Ward of St. Mungo's (OP22).
References from the canon
Harry, Hermione and Ron see Rackharrow's painting while visiting Arthur Weasley, who was bitten by Voldemort snake Nagini while guarding the Department of Mysteries (OP22).
Commentary
Etymology
"entrails" = "internal parts of animal bodies," c. 1300, from Old French entrailles (12c.), from Late Latin intralia "inward parts, intestines" (8c.)
Notes
The term "entrail-expelling" is not something most people would like to think about, much less study. Another word often used to describe the same thing is "disembowelment." You might recall that Snape made Neville "disembowel" a barrel full of horned toads as a detention once -- not a pleasant task (GF14). While disemboweling creatures might be useful in potions-making - getting armadillo bile also comes to mind (GF26) - there are not many good reasons for wanting to remove entrails from humans while they are still alive, except for torture. Also the fact that it is a "curse" makes it sound even more terrifying. Since Urquhart Rackharrow was apparently some type of healer to be honored with a portrait at St. Mungo's, let's hope there was a humane surgical reason for using such a "harrowing" spell. Or perhaps Rackharrow studied bodies after death as a coroner or forensic pathologist.
Pensieve (Comments)
Tags: healing illnesses and injury