Ritual Scourging in Pompei

Notice the initiate is being flayeled about the area of the neck. This is the point of contact for most parasitic psychic leechs.

Not unlike the use of the kyosaku/keisaku stick in Rinzai and Soto Zen Practice.

Suppposedly it is use to "heighten" awareness. Of course it would cause a big fat flood of adreaneal juice in the recipient and any by'za'ers!