Alexei Romanov and Rasputin

Alexei was a hemophiliac, a death sentence before hemoglobin. Contemporary doctors could do nothing at the onset of an attack. The disease was passed down through women on the family tree. Alexei's originated with Queen Victoria, grandmother of his mother, Alexandra. It was called the "Royal Disease". The charismatic and certainly enigmatic Rasputin, with his mesmerizing eyes and demeanor, CALMED Alexei during these attacks. One can imagine that one's emotions and ergo heart rate, blood pressure increases when one is on the brink of death and in excruciating pain. Blood flow increases throughout the body. Rasputin calmed Alexei and therefore staunched the flow of the rushing blood.
Alexandra, a very spirtual and religious individual, believed Rasputin's power came from God. She would not hear of it that the latter was anything but a saint when, in his presence, he was saved from certain death by these ministrations.