THE ZOIST

No. XXXVIII.

JU L Y , 1852.

I . Nervous Affections. Metaiio-therapia, or M etal-cu re: new

properties o f Metals illustrated through Mesmerism, by
D r. Burg, o f Paris. Translated and communicated by
Dr. Elliotson.
** We are living in An Age of wonders-—guns Are fired on tbe clifts of Dover by
a galvanic current sent in lest than a second under thirty miles of sea from tbe
opposite coast of France. The portrait of a respectable gentleman, including
whiskers and eyelashes, is transferred by light in a second of time to a plate of
silver: and tbe quantity of sugar in tbe urine of a diabetic patient is actually mea­
sured by a ray o f polarised light. Any one o f these fact* would have led to the
judicial combustion o f the inventor in Smithfield two hundred years ago : their
effect at the present time is to make ui cautious in ichat tee admit and what tee
d ih y ,”— London Medical Gazette, Dec. 12, 1851.*

F IR S T PART.

T he interesting discoveries o f Dr. Burq, a Parisian physician,

were announced in The Zoist for last Septem ber: and mes­
merism, so unfortunately scoffed at by its opponents, was said
to have led him to the brilliant results, which, under the title
o f roetallo-therapia, or metal-cure, promised farther important
additions to our inefficacious and difficult treatment o f nerv­
ous diseases.
Dr. Burq. being lately iu London for tbe purpose o f treat­
in g a lady o f high rank in his peculiar method, communi­
* The London Medical Gazette, after an existence for nearly thirty years,
difficult even under tbe parental care of the house o f the LongmauB, gave up the
ghost on the last day of East year, and was buried in the Medical Timer, outside
which ita name may be seen,— amne quod restai: and, though it had called all
the writers o f The Zoist impostors,* and declared that none but the writers
themselves ever read The Zoist, and carefully excluded the splendid facts of The

* See Zoist, No. X X V II., p. 309.

VOL. X. K

, o . >•S'
 122 Dr. Burg on the effects o f Metals.

cated to the conductors o f The Zoist, both in conversation

and by presenting them with his writings,* such statements
as the following, and exhibited to them facts which must shed
additional splendour upon the great truths advocated by th em ;
and, if the alleged discoveries o f this physician are real in
every particular, as it is hoped they will prove, it will be very
curious, after the mode in which they originated has been
described, to see the detractors o f mesmerism push their denial
so far as to reverse the conduct o f the Roman emperor, who
considered even the money gained through vice to be good,
f< In 1847,” writes Dr. JBurq, " I noticed in a woman
labouring under hysteria and phthisis, and whom I had begun
to mesmerise publicly in the hospital Beaujou, that, as often
as she was thrown into the mesmeric sleep, the direct contact
o f certain metals was insupportable; whereas that o f others
was agreeable to her touch, or at least caused no signs o f
Zoiui from the knowledge of its own unfortunate readers,f just like the rest of
the conscientious medical journals, and abused mesmerism and mesmerists in
n way absolutely shocking for “ a learned,” '* an honourable,” '* a benevolent,”
and 11an enlightened ” professionthe M e d i c a l G a z e t t e , like a worn-out sinner,
poured forth on its death-bed the confession constituting our motto, within three
weeks of its decease, in true penitence, 1 trust, for its evil courses in preventing
to the utmost of its power the spread o f science and the means of alleviating to an
Incalculable extent the sufferings of sentient beings, and in abusing and injuring
men who were anxious for good only, and willing to suffer for the sake of truth
and humanity.—John Elootson.
* Especially an unpublished memoir, entitled L e e M i t a u i i c i a i r d t p a r l e
M aonhtimme.

f In No. II. of T h e Z o i s t , 1843, is Mr. Chandler’s fine mesmeric cure of

insanity, and before that time it had been rejected by the L a n c e t in these words:
” We eannot undertake to give publicity to any communications on animal mag­
netism,” Oct. 27, 1838. And again : ** We itave already stated that we cannot
insert any communications in support o f the extravagant humbug of animal mag­
netism." Dec. 8, 1838. “ The letter of Mr. Chandler's is inadmissible.” Dee.
15, 1838, Mr. Chandler then sent it to the M e d i c a l G a z e t t e , Messrs. Longman
and Co.'s editor being Dr. Macleod, a physician of St. George's Hospital. It
was rejected in these words ; “ Although we do not always agree with the editor
of the L a n c e t , yet with respect to Mr. Chandler's communication we must also
answer that it is inadmissible.” Dec. 22, 1838. Dr. Esdaile not long since sent
a mesmeric communication from India to the M e d i c a l G a z e l l e ; but, though pub­
lished, it was “ mutilated in the most unwarrantable manner,” as be informs us
in the pamphlet just published by him, entitled T h e I n t r o d u c t i o n q f M e s m e r i s m ,
S e c ., p. G. 1852.
In No. X V II. is a report upon 102 of Dr, Esdaile’s eases by a committee.
“ It was drawn up by men quite ignorant of mesmerism, and violently prejudiced
a g a i n s t Ihe subject, and thus unfit, intellectually and morally, for the task. 1
exposed the report in the same number, and published the exposure of it made by
the honest, manly editors of all the Indian newspapers.” ■* Dr, Esdaile demo­
lished all the sayings and doings of his weak official visitors, as may be seen in
No. X X II., p. 158.” The editor of the Medical G a z e t t e published the report,
hut did not even allude to Dr. Esdaile'a demolition of i t : to its exposure by all
the newspapers of India: or to my refutation of it. Other gross acts of the
Medical Gazette will be found in Z o i s t , Nos. X X V II, & X X V II],— J. E lliotson.
 D r . Burr/ on the effects o f Metals. 123

repugnance. If, fo r instance, I suddenly placed a p iece o f

copper, iron, or steel upon her bare hand or any o th e r part,
she instantly, a n d sometimes in the midst o f the apparently
deepest sleep, repelled it roughly, often with an expression o f
suffering, or even o f anger, if the experiment was repeated
to o frequently. I f a key, or a shovel, or iron ton gs were
placed upon her bed, near enough to her to make th eir influ ­
ence felt, she instantly discovered them and got rid o f them ,
either by a sudden movement if the object were not fixed n o r
large, or with her hand, covered previously u>ith something to
insulate it, when a greater and more direct effort was required.
T h e latter precaution was always carefully taken when, in
order to open a door in her sleep-waking, she was under the
necessity o f slowly turning the key or the handle o f the lock.
" I f gold or silver, on the contrary, were placed in her
hands, she was pleased to handle them, provided the gold,
and especially the silver, was not much alloyed with copper.
I f it were, her repugnance almost always indicated the general
degree o f the alloy.
" Being greatly surprised at these preferences, and unable
to explain them, I one day made the following experiment.
T h e patient being mesmerised and her insensibility perfectly
proved by a pin, I repeatedly applied to several parts o f her
body different pieces o f money o f nearly equal size. W ith
the copper coins, a few seconds were sufficient to restore sen­
sibility, first in the parts touched by the metal, and then in
the surrounding parts: whereas with the gold and silver no­
thing o f the kind was observed, except when, instead o f the
silver coin, I substituted another piece o f the same metal o f
inferior value by being an alloy.
“ The patient died a few days afterwards, before I could
draw any conclusion: but these first results had presented
m e with a new and easily accessible aspect o f m esm erism :
and I almost entirely quitted the delicate and difficult study
o f sleep-waking, in order to examine the physical and thera­
peutic phenomena only, and the means o f giving to th e
form er the character o f scientific truth. Paris was at that
tim e so shamefully overrun with somnambulism and its errors,
and the fourth part o f its journals had been so often disgraced
by the false statements o f its pretended prophetesses, that
a new direction o f investigation was not favourably re­
ceiv ed : and, among mesmerists and my masters and col­
leagues in tbe hospitals, some pardoned me or at most pitied
m e for pursuing such dangerous enquiries, while others, more
prudent or less prejudiced, did not deny what they believed
to be true in the matter, as regarded either Mesmer ot his
k. 2
124 Dr. Burq on the effect» o f Metals.

followers, and took a pleasure in seeing me occupied in stu­

dying his writings afresh.
“ I, therefore, had no want o f subjects for my experi­
ments, and I received frequent flattering invitations to prose­
cute my investigations in several o f our large hospitals. But,
notwithstanding the kindness o f my masters and the warm
sympathy o f my colleagues; notwithstanding my residence
and my duties as house-pupil in an hospital where a large
number o f patients were o f course accessible to my experi­
ments, I felt m yself constrained in the wards o f an hospital,
and I hired a private house that I might, at my own sole
responsibility, observe and experimentalize freely upon such
poor people as were willing still to receive my gratuitous
services.
“ A t a later period, joining to m y own private patients
those o f m y friends, I neglected no opportunity offered to
me by chance or intentionally to enrich m y own observa­
tions with those o f others, and thus, dear Dr, Elliotson, I
have been enabled, after persevering in ray researches for
three years and conquering my difficulties, to discover and
class the numerous facts, the most remarkable o f which I
will now relate to you.“
Many pages would be necessary to detail all that Dr.
Burq has communicated or been desirous o f communicating
upon this new and interesting subject; hut the present com ­
munication must be limited to the consideration o f the metal-
enre and o f mesmerism from which this originated.
Soon after the death o f that patient, Dr. Burq never
losing sight o f mesmeric insensibility or anaesthesia, which he
was gradually induced to regard as the most prominent mes­
meric phenomenon and in some measure as the groundwork
o f mesmerism, made fresh experiments with the same metals
and found his results completely confirmed, and this more
extensive and varied observation furnished him with addi­
tional facts. For instance, nearly all his mesmeric subjects,
when in the state o f sleep-waking, lost their sensibility alto­
gether or in part, and in those who lost it entirely a few
square inches o f copper, applied upon a bare limb fully open
to observation, gave rise in a few seconds to a sensation,
usually disagreeable, o f cold, or o f burning, as it might be,
according to the individual, and to a sense o f tingling that
was always in relation with the degree o f anaesthesia and
followed by almost immediately a return o f sensibility. The
tingling and insensibility, excited at first when the metal was
applied, spread to the surrounding parts, and sometimes at
length reached the most distant. The patients, thus restored
 D r. Burç on the effects o f Metals. 125

to sensibility, the loss o f which was an inevitable condition

o f their mesmeric sleep, then awoke. But this mode o f
awaking them,— by a plate o f copper applied to one limb
only, required longer time and was occasionally incomplete
and not free from disagreeable effects on the nervous system.
On the contrary, if Dr. Burq had supplied the legs and arms
and pit o f the stomach with plates o f the same metal, the
demesmerisation, always preceded by the return o f sensi­
bility, took place rapidly and without any disagreeable effect.
The mental condition o f the patient and operator made little
difference in the result. The will had no influence, and the
avidity o f the copper for the mesmeric agent was such, that
Dr. Burq had often seen it act directly through a piece o f
thick silk, or continuously beyond a tight broad silk bandage.
This metal did not act on mesmeric insensibility o n ly : for,
operating exactly like negative mesmeric passes, whatever
might be the degree o f the spasmodic contraction o f a strongly
mesmerised limb, or whatever intensity had been given to
artificial contractions o f the stomach, by the aid, for instance,
o f supplementary passes, the mere application o f the brass
was sufficient to relax them rapidly and completely, and at
the same time to restore perfect sensibility to the skin.
But, if the brass always proved equally powerful over sen­
sibility and contractility, this was far from being the case
with other metals. Thus Dr. Burq occasionally found iron
and steel demesmerise as readily as cop p er; but in other
cases they either were readily saturated with the mesmeric
force or appeared to produce no effect upon it. Gold and
silver exhibited the same uncertainty and variability, and,
whereas gold was usually agreeable or indifferent to the sense
of touch and also without effect upon sensibility, it was so
powerful upon some persons, though certainly but a small
number, that, to give but one instance, Dr. Burq one day
saw a robust man, a professional sleep-waker, seized with a
violent chattering o f the teeth, because, during his mesmeric
sleep-waking, a gold watch had touched one o f his hands,*
The difference in the action o f these various metals, which
are all nearly equal as conductors o f electricity, threw no
light upon the very remarkable discovery o f the difference o f
the aptitudes o f metals that contains the germ o f the metal-
cure, and at first only embarrassed him, as he confesses, and

* This Bleep-waker bed so thoroughly learnt the antunesmeric property of

gold, at hie cost, during his hoars of consultation, that, before be;og sent into
sleep-waking, he always removed his gold rings and other ornaments and gold
money, which he had ahont him In his ordinary state without the least Inconve.
(dence, and of which be shewed himself very fond, like all persons of bla profession.
126 Dr. Burg on the effects o f Metals.

occupied no more o f his attention, and indeed left scarcely

any trace of their valuable suggestions.
A fter investigating the effect o f the different metals upon
mesmeric antestkesia (loss o f common feeling) and upon amy-
osthesia (loss o f motion), Dr. Burq examined the effects o f
electricity, mineral magnetism, insulating substances, saline
and other liquids, o f the wind when in different quarters, &c.,
and fresh and very interesting facts, not unexpected indeed,
on account o f the presumed analogy o f the mesmeric to the
electric fluid, soon presented themselves, and added to the
physical and almost material demonstration o f mesmerism.
A single example, like many others to be found in Dr. BnrqJs
second memoir, entitled L e Magnétisme éclairé par les mélaux,
will suffice for illustration.
“ A fter experiencing nothing but incredulity from my
colleagues and friends,1' says he, “ I thought o f convincing
them by the opposite qualities o f conducting and non-conduct­
ing substances, I, therefore, placed copper, iron, and steel
on one side, and glass, resin, and various sorts o f wood on the
other, in the form o f cylinders o f equal weight, volume, and
polish; and, with the view o f obtaining more accuracy, I
wrapped each up in a little piece o f dark coloured cotton.
Having satisfied myself o f the demesmerising power o f one
or two o f the metallic cylinders on particular individuals and
o f the inertness o f one or two others, 1 insulated th em : and
it is very remarkable that there were differences in different
persons as to their aptitude for insulation by various sub­
stances, just as for their aptitude to be affected by the various
metals. I next gave the metals to the persons, begging them
to rub the substances either successively or simultaneously
upon different parts o f their bodies that had been ascertained
to be insensible: and, as the sensibility never returned except
in the part to which the metal was applied, I frequently satis­
fied the incredulous by this unanswerable demonstration,
“ However, these researches had led to no practical result
beyond" mesmerism: when, towards the end of 1848, a for­
tunate circumstance, on which I must dwell a little, having
proved the perfect similarity as to every particular in mes­
meric subjects o f the spontaneous spasms with those induced
artificially by mesmerism, a very wide field was opened for
the application o f the metals.
“ A m ong the patients in the Hápital Cochin, to which my
colleague was attached at that time, was a case o f hysteria o f
long standing, in which the surgeon o f the establishment
gave me permission to try mesmerism as a last resource.”
As soon as this new treatment-was adopted, the patient
 Dr. Burt] on the effects o f Metals. 127

became so fond o f mesmerism, that, in spite o f all Dr. Burq’ s

care to free her from it, she was frequently seized with attacks
in her chest that nothing but demesmerising passes would
overcome.
One evening, when the spasms o f the stomach were more
violent than usual, and the rather late hour made his col­
league very anxious to produce a calm, which was as im ­
portant to the other patients near her as to herself, it struck
him that, instead o f the mesmeric passes and breathing, he
would apply the metal which he had so often used success­
fully in the cramps produced artificially by mesmerism. “ 1
applied,” says he in his first memoir, “ a large plate o f copper
upon the pit o f the stomach and a ring o f the same metal
around each lim b : and in three or four miuutes the chok-
ings, palpitations, and vomitingB ceased. The patient, libe­
rated in this manner from an attack which usually lasted
several hours, fell asleep, and did not wake all night, n ot­
withstanding, or more properly in consequence of, the m e­
tallic rings. Two or three days afterwards, the same attack
returned, and I again had recourse to the metal, and again
the spasms at once yielded to it. After several minutes o f
the greatest calm, I removed the armature, and almost im ­
mediately the retchings, and presently the vomitings and the
violent chokings and palpitations, recurred in their original
intensity. I wished to take advantage o f this opportunity for
making a last trial o f the mesmeric measures proper in such
circumstances: b u t I was as unsuccessful as ever, and could
produce a momentary calm only which had to be procured
agoiu on every fresh attack, I was therefore compelled to
trust to the cop p er; and I applied the plate and rings. In
I g b s than a minute the most complete success proved to me
for the third tim e their antispaamodie property.
“ However, as the spasms were the result o f the mesmer­
ism ouly, it was still more necessary to remove all doubt o f
the efficacy o f the metals.
“ For many months, every fourth evening, at nearly the
same hour, this patient, who was a rich mine of observation,
had lon g and frightful hysterical attacks with loss o f con ­
sciousness. A ll the ordinary measures did but modify them.
I alone, once in the presence o f my two colleagues in the hos­
pital, was able to master them by negative mesmeric passes:
but the struggle had been so long and difficult, and so com ­
pletely failed to cure the disease, that I felt no desire to gain
a second victory at the same cost.
“ On the 15th o f December, about five o ’ clock in the
afternoon, the usual precursors o f the attack b ega n : at eight
138 Dr. Burg on the effects o f Metals.

o’clock they had reached their height, and a moment after­

wards the convulsions made their appearance. The patient
being upon a high bed with nothing to prevent her falling
out, five attendants threw themselves upon her to keep her
in it. Four held her extremities, each o n e : and the fifth, the
strongest o f all, took charge o f her body. The patient, a
strong peasant girl, with voluminous muscles, and semipa­
ralytic in her ordinary state, was convulsed with an energy
which none could believe but those accustomed to see such
cases.
“ I remained for a moment au inactive and silent specta­
tor, wondering what could be nature's object in instantane­
ously causing aucb a prodigious loss o f innervation. Then, in
the midst o f the strongest efforts o f the assistants against
the mysterious power which resisted all their efforts, I applied
pieces o f brass successively:— two rings 5 or 6 centimetres
(2 English inches) broad upon each lim b ; two other larger
and broader rings upon the tru n k ; and a crown o f it upon
the head. In proportion as their operation proceeded, the
convulsions diminished in the limbs : the pelvis was less vio­
lently thrust forwards; and, before the last ring was placed,
the poor creature had recovered her consciousness, left off
shrieking, and begged the astonished assistants to set her
limbs at liberty. A moment later she was calm or nearly s o ;
almost motionless upon her back. But a little stiffness, in­
sensibility of her surface, and some confusion o f ideas, with
some difficulty o f expressing herself, wandering pains, slight
nervous twitchuigs, and a degree o f agitation, gave evidence
that the attack had not completely subsided. In order to be
certain, I took the ring off one arm, and immediately the
convulsions began a gain : I replaced the ring, and the arm
regained its semirelaxation. I made the same experiment
with other limbs, and equally obtained partial convulsions at
pleasure and regulated them at will. I then removed all the
pieces o f metal, aud, before the last was taken off, the whole
attack was renewed. In two or three minutes it had reached
the height o f the most violent paroxysm ; but, on the reap­
plication o f the pieces o f metal, it ceased a second time, as
if it had been dispelled by the breath o f a superior power.
However, from five to ten minutes more o f perfect calm under
the influence o f the metals were required before a general in­
action and relaxation o f the limbs, preceded by a general shud­
dering and a chattering o f the teeth, satisfied me that I
might remove all the metal.” if Oh ! that day,” said D r. Burq
to us, “ ray joy was great: and ray gratitude to mesmerism
as complete as the action o f the metal that it had been the
 Dr. Burg on the effects o f Metals. 129

means o f my learning: and from that time brass armatures

were applied to all mesmeric subjects ;
" 1 . For the purpose o f dispensing with constantly watch­
ing them in their mesmeric state, and for enabling a stranger
to liberate them from all accidents during or after their
sleep.
" 2. T o awake them without my intervention, and with
much more certainty than I could even do so myself.
" 3. To put an end to the greater part o f the nervous
attacks o f persons susceptible o f mesmerism.
“ But was brass applicable to every body ? (I shall men­
tion farther on that only those hypochondriacal, hysterical,
and neuralgic patients are the better for it who are suscep­
tible o f the mesmeric influence) and can this metal, which
before 1849 I had never ventured to suppose more than a
palliative, effect a cu re ? W hat would be its effects upon the
spasms o f cholera, o f tetanus, epilepsy, and neuralgia?
“ I had succeeded so far and was thus hoping, when, in
February, 1849, the cholera* broke out in the Salpétrière.

* “ The disease appears to hare obtained this absurd name from the sudden
appearance of vomiting, purging, and spasms in it, just as in truc chutera ,■ the
totally different nature of the matter discharged, and the various peculiarities
which shew it to be a specific disease and not a merely inordinate natural secre­
tion, being overlooked. But, as it entirely suppresses the bile, and also is a spe­
cific affection, « 6 surely should no longer call it bile-flow, and should give it a
distinct appellation. Even the term leucorrhœa would be far more appropriate
than cholera, which signifiée the very opposite to fact; but this term ia already
engaged. Acholàr (nulla bilis) is a good Greek word, and harmonises with a
characteristic fact. Atialic achoiia might be thought still more deaiguative.”
There is a disease of the longs which is just as absurdly called apoplexy- 11 The
lungs can no more he affected with apoplexy than with dyspepsia. Apoplexy is
a loss of all sense and voluntary motion,—a suspension of the functions of the
brain. This may arise from debility, poisons, pressure by bone, serum, or blood,
Ac. But, because, in fatal cases of the disease, we sometimes find that conges­
tion and affusion of biood have bean the source of the eyiuptoms called apoplexy,
circumscribed congestions and effusions of blood in the lungs have been strangely
termed apoplexy. The condition appears in all respects so exactly what we call
ecchymosis, if near the surface of the body or in membranes, that, rather than
coin a new name, I would term it eccbymosis of the lungs.” If these appear,
ances are observed in the dissection of any organ, they are now termed a p o p le x y !
I wonder that any sensible man can sanction such a senseless and confusing
designation. When air exists in the thorax outside the lungs, the disease is called
pneumo-thorax i a term signifying lung and thorax, not air and thorax: a
nerve which unites with the Inng and stomach is correctly called pncumo-gastric.
The name for air in the thorax should be pneumalo-thorax ; just as certain air­
tumors are correctly called pneumato-cele, and pneumat-omphalosand we say
also rarico-cele, sarco-cele, hepalo-cystic, gatiro-entiritis, hamato-gele, and say
actaally pneomato- cbl*;.
Another splendid instance of absurd medical nomenclature is the designation
of red, solified, lung by the word hepoiiiation, as though, because the lung has
become solid and red like liver, it were converted into liver.
See my paper " on the Medicinal properties of Creosote,” in the ' T r a n s a c t i o n s
of the Bog. Medical and Chirurgical Society, vol. xix. : 1835.—J ohn EtLiOTSow.
130 Dr. Bwrq on the effects o f Metals.

This scourge, after having been confined for some days to

that great hospital, spread all over P a ris: and every other
hospital was soon filled with victims. The first patient at­
tacked with cholera who was given to me for experiments
in the Hospital Cochin was a strong and vigorous man, who
bad risen in the morning in as perfect health as usual.
W hen carried to the hospital at three o'clock in the after­
noon, he was already bine, his extremities were cold, the cha­
racteristic evacuations were profuse, and the cramps o f his
legs intense.
" In the evening two warm baths and various frictions
had produced no effect upon the cramps. Guided by the
effect o f the metal in the artificial mesmeric cramps, 1 placed
a large copper ring at the highest point o f the affected parts.
The muscles instantly relaxed, and the patient left off com ­
plaining. After a most satisfactory calm for half an hour, I
endeavoured to remove the r in g : but the cramps and pains
instantly returned, and the patient implored me to apply it
again. H is wish was no sooner gratified than he again ceased
to complain.
" A little later, during the night, the arms were attacked
with violent spasms. The patient very wisely seized one o f
the rings which were upon his legs, and, not being able to
apply it on account o f its shape, he for several hours fol­
lowed the cramps with it wherever they went. The metal did
not fail to produce its effect j and, what is well worth notic­
ing, the right arm, it being the right hand which was used
on this occasion, was not seriously affected till fatigue com ­
pelled the patient to take the metal in his left.
“ A t the morning visit, having become calm and being
much better, he was loud in his praises of the blessed virtue
o f the armature,”
On the same day, Dr. Burq ordered a large number o f
brass rings to be made, and, not content with employing
them in the hospital where they were first employed, he went
day and night, as long as the cholera lasted, to the great
hospitals in order to shew the method o f using them— Val de
Grace, the Hotel Dim , the Salpetriere. W henever the arm­
atures were properly employed, they were so serviceable that
Professor Rost an in his clinical lectures upon cholera recom ­
mended them, from having seen them almost always suc­
cessful against the nervous phenomena peculiar to this scourge.
The Hospital Gazette o f November 8, 1849, stated that
the surgeons o f Val de Grace, as well as the physicians who
were sent into the provinces, eagerly forwarded the strongest
proofs o f tbeir success to the minister and to the academies.
 D r. Bury on the effects o f Metals. 131

Even tw o o f the latter, ia n report to the National Academy

o f M edicine in October, 1849, declared “ that in one depart­
ment o f the Haute-Marine the armatures under their care
had becom e so popular that, as soon as the cholera appeared
in a family, the relatives or friends, who were nearly all work­
ing cutlers, made an armature at once o f a band o f melchior,
copper, zinc, or nickel, which they generally had by them in
large quantity; and applied it immediately without waiting
for a medical m a n /1*
During the whole period o f the epidemic o f 1849, Dr.
Burq, being much occupied with cholera patients, had little
time to continue his original researches ; yet, du ding a few
opportunities for the practice o f mesmerism, he made a new
application o f his metals.
A mesmeric patient presented herself who had been sub­
ject to natural sleep-waking from infancy. She had fre­
quently left her bed in the night and made dangerous excur­
sions and done the most difficult things in her sleep. As
brass completely arrested her artificial sleep-waking, four
brass rings were applied upon her limbs when she went to
b ed; and, from that time she slept without any chauce o f
another attack.
But how little have we yet said o f the improvements which
we shall derive from mesmerism in the treatment o f affections
o f the nervous system !
W h en the cholera had disappeared, Dr. Burq began to
spread the knowledge o f his experiments upon hysterical
patients ; and, not being contented with isolated cases, he
applied for and obtained permission to transfer his metallic
arsenal to the Salpétrière, which is an immense receptacle o f
all kinds o f incurables. There, in one vast building, are
hundreds o f unhappy females, some still young, whom the
most terrible diseases, as well as poverty, have placed under
the charge o f public charity. For these ordinary medical
treatment can do nothing, and they live apart in this asylum,
visited hastily by a physician, whose office it is to notice any
dangerous complaint with which any o f them may be seized.
For them there is no hope : no domestic bliss ! Their diseases
are kept up by their injurious influence upon each other; and
hardly three or four quit this tomb o f the living in the course
o f ten years,

• A s a last proof of the benefit of Dr, Burq’ s method of arresting the crumps
of those seized with cholera, it may be mentioned that, at the suggestion of the
Paris Board of Health, the minister who had already rewarded the eicrtions of
Dr. Burq with a medal, presented him in 1850 with a sum of money to indemnify
him in some degree for the eipense which he had incurred in armatures.
132 Dr. Burg on the effects o f Metals.

“ It is lamentable," says Dr. Burq, “ to see sometimes

ten or twenty o f these wretched beings confined by very strong
bands, to which they are accustomed early to submit, all
calling out at once, roaring, foaming, twisting themselves
about, and struggling against the resistance which is opposed
to them and frequently in vain.”
The disorders o f the place are so horrifying that the
hospital board admits officials only : and D r. Burq, though
accustomed to such diseases, required several days before be
was habituated to this novel sight. One moment he hesi­
tated and despaired o f doing such poor creatures any good :
and required nothing less than the recollection o f the unfor­
tunate patient in the Hôpital Cochin, and a most useful
amount o f firmness, to have the courage to modestly offer to
replace the straight jackets and all other forcible means o f
restraint with his armatures. H e proposed them not as
curative, but as palliative ; the possibility o f cures he never
thought of.
H is first trials were unsuccessful. Being surrounded by
epileptic patients, and having but too many to select from, he
made his first trials upon them. But the armatures produced
no effect, and paroxysms continued equally in epite o f the
rings. Finding no reason to hope for success among them,
he directed his measures to hysterical cases only.
What is unhappily one o f the worst circumstances in all
hospitals which, like the Salpétrière, contain an assemblage
o f every variety o f convulsive diseases, irritation, or other
causes, had already exerted its too fatal influence and caused
epilepsy to supervene in almost every case which had been
simple hysteria at its admission. Dr. Burq, however, being
obliged to make a choice among those who were offered to
him, selected five from the most severely affected with con­
vulsions— Valois, Verderet, Lh-------,* Peffert, and Sylvain.
A ll o f them, though the eldest was not 30 years o f age, had
been long in the Salpétrière, and almost every week, for two,
three, or four days successively, they were in what is termed
a bad state— in which hysteria, madness, and epilepsy, shared
in turn their wretched existence, and made it necessary to
confine them in separate cells.
A most interesting fact, which will be mentioned very
particularly in the course o f this article, was that in these
five patients, just as in so many other hysterical patients who ‘
were examined subsequently, both general and special sensi­
bility had undergone great changes, and that all complained
* This person, having left the hospital and belonging to respectable family, is
designated by initials only.
 Dr. Burg on the effects (ff Metals. 133

o f a greater or less diminution o f strength. Thus Lh-------

and Sylvain, who suffered more than the rest, had, and espe­
cially Sylvain, scarcely any sensibility in some parts o f the
trunk, had lost the perception o f even the position of their
lower extremities, and possessed no longer any trace o f the
sense o f touch, taste, or smell. Sylvain, in addition, was
semiparalyzed as to motion, and obliged to be almost always
in the recumbent position.*
The first trials were made in these unfavourable circum­
stances. W e will not give all his details, but limit ourselves
to the general results.
The armatures employed in these experiments were plates
o f brass (the only metal used by him up to that period), com ­
posed o f two rings four or five inches broad,— one for each
limb, a crown for the head, and tw o large plates for the
trunk that were united before and behind by a Bteel spring
to facilitate their application.
From the 10th o f November to the end o f the following
December, the metal was seldom applied except at the m o­
ment o f an hysterical attack, or during the usual precursory
symptoms.
In two patients, Valois and Verderet, the first effects
were as immediate and varied as those in the female whom he
had thus treated in the HSpital Cochin; and the cessation
and return, general or partial, but immediate, o f the convul­
sions wa3 produced at pleasure.
In the third patient, Miss Lh-------, the action o f the
metal, though not less evident, was sometimes incomplete,
especially in the cataleptic state which so often accompanied
her hysteric paroxysm. But in her, as in the two preceding,
there were also, as was expected, purely epileptic paroxysms.
The fourth, Peffert, obtained a slight diminution only o f
the violence and duration o f her attacks: and in the fifth,
Sylvain, who sometimes had very violent spasms in the cheat
and sometimes formidable attacks, the brass had no effect,
at whatever time and in whatever way it was applied.
Th e metal was never capricious, and its effects were inva­
riably the Bame; so that the three first patients, being accus­
tomed to see their attacks dispelled, seldom neglected to
apply the armature at the least threatening o f a paroxysm ;
and the two latter, Peffert and Sylvain, after having made
every effort to obtain the same relief, gave up the metals
altogether.
* Dr. Burq remarks that he never met with a case of epilepsy, pure and ijuite
without the combination of hyateriu or hypochondriasis in which sirnli a partial
functional disturbance existed«
13* Dr, Burg on the effects o f Metals.

A t this period, a sixth patient, Miss Sequerlay, who had

been many months in the infirmary o f the building on ac­
count o f almost constant nervous vomitings and a paraplegia
o f the same kind, and, being more epileptic than the others,
had not succeeded in inducing Dr. Burq to try the metals
with her, took up the armature o f her neighbour Sylvain,
and, as much from curiosity perhaps as jealousy, put them
on several times in the night without the knowledge o f any
person.
" In a few d a y s/' writes Dr. Burq, “ she told me what
she had done, and said, probably, I thought, to excuse herself,
that she was decidedly better for it. I almost laughed in my
sleeve at her harmless efforts, and, without encouraging her,
allowed her to continue the use o f the armature.
" However, a month had scarcely elapsed from the time
that the three first had begun to employ the armatures, before
their attacks seemed less frequent and shorter. Being curious
to ascertain the effect o f the brass upon the anaesthesia, the
extent and intensity o f which began to seem always in pro­
portion to the violence and frequency o f the hysteric parox­
ysms, I remarked, though without paying ranch attention to
the fact at first, that this metal, just as in the mesmeric
sleep, soon, restored the sensibility, first in the spot to which
it was applied and then in the neighbouring parts; so that,
after a crisis which had taken place entirely under the appli­
cation o f the rings, the tingling succeeding the attack, just
ns in the patient in the Hospital Cochin, invariably indicated
that all the parts in which it was decidedly experienced had
become sensible, and these were especially the parts which
had lost their sensibility before the application.
“ Equally as in mesmeric anaesthesia, it was o f no im port­
ance what was the extent o f surface or the locality o f the
application o f the m etal: the effect was as Tapid whether a
mere thimble were employed or a large ring. The sole dif­
ference was in the extent o f itB action."*
A t the end o f December an accidental circumstance
caused the suspension o f Dr. Burq's experiments. W hen
the patients learnt this, they feared that it would be o f long
continuance, and were greatly distressed : nor were they
comforted till they received a positive assurance from him that
he would soon return, and witnessed the pains which he took
to leave the armatures with them. H e had no need to advise

* For more details consult a letter addressed by Dr. Burq to tbe A ca d em y o f

S cien cet, and published in the M ed ica l G a zette of Paris for February, 1850,
entitled N o te p o u r s er e ir a V4tude dee effete physinlogiqv.ee et therapeutiqu es dee
a rm a riu ret m eta lliques, ou de i'influence dee meVau-r eu r la P a ra ly sis n errev se.
 Dr. Burr/ on the effects o f M etals. 135

them to make nse o f the armatures. Being accustomed to

find relief from them, the poor women were the first to believe
in their curative powers,— a sweet illusion, which Dr. Burq
had not the courage to dissipate, though he did not believe
that the improvement was more than a coincidence— and, as
soon a3 one o f them was seized with an attack, her friends
ran to her and applied them.
" A ft e r an absence o f six weeks I returned," says Dr.
Burq, “ to the Salpétrière, supposing that my patients, like
the unfortunate man in the fable, who was never further from
obtaining his object than when he fancied himself on the
point o f success, had fallen back into their original condition.
But what was my astonishment on finding that, by means o f
three or four fresh applications for some hours, the three
kysterico-epileptic patients, Verderet, Valois, and Lh------- ,
who, when I first attended them, passed scarcely a day with­
out an attack, had seldom been ill since 1 left, and began to
talk o f leaving the Salpétrière ; and that Sequerlay, who had
found her spasms and attacks disappear and at the same time
the power o f her limbs return, had not experienced any attack
o f vomiting during the time, and, having become one o f the
strongest women in her division o f the establishment, was
employed in servant’s work. Miss Lh------- , being better
educated than the others, shewed me an accurate register o f
the cases ; and I found that there had been a few unimportant
spasms only, and but one nervous attack, and that this had
been excited in Valois by an act of violence ! W hat was still
better, the epileptic attacks, as I have already said, although
they at first took place even under the use o f the armatures,
were hardly to be fouud in the register: and Lh-------was the
only one who had enjoyed the sad privilege o f experiencing
three or four attacks.
" All these patients, who,— there was no possibility o f de­
nying it,— were now advancing to their cure, ascribed this to
the increase o f muscular power, that was so remarkable in
Sequerlay : and X at once began to examine the condition o f
their sensibility. These poor girls, in whose skin and mucous
membranes, with the exception o f Sequerlay,* I, two months
previously, stuck pins with im punity," {whose skin and mu­
cous membranes I larded, would be the exact translation,)
" suffered pain now from the least pinching or pricking: their
senses were all perfect : and I could no longer force a spoon

* This patient was the Ant in whom my attention was directed to the proportion
between the painful phenomena and the diminution of moving power when the
sensibility has undergone little or do diminution ; and in truth, although hyste­
rical in the highest degree, she had scarcely experienced any loss of the latter*
136 Dr. Burg on the effects o f M etals.

far into their months, or a feather into their nostrils, without

exciting vomiting, or sneezing and a flow o f tears.
“ Struck with these new facta, I examined Sylvain, Peffert,
and several other patients whom I had already studied. "None
o f them had improved, and all were as destitute o f feeling as
before. It was evident that this want of feeling, common iu
hysteria and consequently in all the forms o f nervous affec­
tions that hysteria comprehends, was, just as in the mesmeric
sleep, the most important phenomenon, and in some measure
the base, o f the disease,— that it is a new means o f measure,
a kind o f nervous pulse, calculated to shew us the degree o f
the affection ; and that, as it had always been impossible to
act npon the nervous disease without acting upon the anaes­
thesia also, the metal-cure ought to employ it iu the first
instance as a touchstone for indicating the propriety o f using
the metal.
” W h y, therefore, all these expensive and troublesome trials
upon an hysterical patient in convulsions ? Ought not a little
brass plate, a simple brass thimble, placed, for example, upon
an anaesthetic patient, to indicate the treatment as satisfac­
torily as a complete armature ? and is not the restoration o f
sensibility by the metal in a preliminary trial (I might add,
o f motility likewise, as we shall find further on) sufficient to
satisfy us o f our power over the convulsions and the whole
nervous affection?
" In order to obtain a positive proof o f this, I made fresh
experiments upon other hysterical patients \ and those— and
those only— were all liberated from their attacks, in whom
the metal restored the sensibility. The more intense and
rapid the action o f the brass upon the anaesthesia, the more
effect had this metal upon the spasms, convulsions, and hys­
teric paiDS.
" B u t , although many hysterical patients in that division
recovered their sensibility by means o f the brass, mauy others,
as well as Sylvain and Peffert, remained equally insensible
after its application as before. In vain I changed the time,
direction, and mode o f my examination : the result was al­
ways'negative.
"T a k in g Sylvain as a type o f this resistance, I did not
attempt to interfere with her attacks, but directed my efforts
to restore sensibility by local applications o f the brass. But,
whatever was the surface, the polish, the moisture or dryness
o f the metal, its electric or non-electric state, by thè super­
position in the former case o f a plate o f zinc or the addition
o f the wire o f one o f the poles o f a galvanic pile in action, I
obtained no result. Aware o f the importance of the problem
 Dr. Burg on the effect» o f M etals. 137

which in that patient was expressed thus by the formula—

‘ G ive n a n h ysterical a f fe c tio n , to fin d the means of
resto r in g the worked at its solution; al­
s en sib il ity / I
most even in my sleep. But in va in ; Sylvain continued in­
sensible to all my prickiugs. Yet never was the solution o f a
problem more easy. The road to it was traced out before­
hand. Mesmerism pointed it out, and I had only to follow
it. Had not many circumstances shewn me that, in the mes­
meric sleep, a different metal from copper would influence the
anaesthesia o f one patient and not affect the sensibility o f
another; and vice versd? so that gold, for instance, which
yesterday had no effect upon the latter, completely demes-
meriscd the former to-day ? W h y, therefore, continue blindly
attempting to obtain the same good effects? and how, in spite
of, or rather on account of, the good effects which mesmerism
had procured for me, could I, who was hardly quite liberated
from the prejudices o f yesterday, have such faith in its powers
and incessantly make demands upon it, as a spoiled child
does upon its indulgent mother ?
“ I thus continued to neglect its indications, when, one
morning, March 2, 1850,— a day too important to the future
progress o f the metal-cure for me ever to forget it— I found
Sylvain sewiug for me with a steel needle.
“ Having a long needle with me, as indeed I now always
had, and which, as well as the dynamometer, I now use even
more than most practitioners use their watch for counting the
pulse, I thought I would ascertain the degree o f her sensibi­
lity under the influence o f this fresh metal. I pricked her
rather sharply, and she, not less astonished than myself,
withdrew her hand suddenly, complained o f an acute pain,
and then wiped away a drop o f blood which appeared at the
wound.* Farther prickings made more carefully upon the
same finger were perfectly felt, especially in the neighbour­
hood o f the steel, although the insensibility continued in the
other fingers. I changed the situation o f the steel th im ble;
but, wherever I placed it, the pain o f a wound was felt in
from eight to ten minutes. I f copper thimbles instead o f the
steel were placed upon the finger, or upon the fingers which

* A very remarkable fact, proving incontestibly the influence of the metal

upon the capillary circulation by means of the nervous Bystem, iar that the pricked
«rounds of an® athetic patients, which, however deep, give no blood, do bleed when
copper or steel has restored nervous power to the spot and brought back its
sensibility to the healthy state. The common return of the catamenia after the
application of a suitable metal to the lower stomach or lower extremities (exam*
plea o f this wil! be given further on), is sufficient practically to prove this
influence»
VOL» X. L
138 D r. Burg ou the effects o f M etals.

had remained insensible, the insensibility returned in the

former, and no change occurred in the latter.
“ Delighted with this result, but not venturing to believe
too much, I requested the house-pupil to verify it with me :
and the experiment succeeded with him as perfectly as with
me.
*’ Two days afterwards, reasons, which I will not mention
that I may not reveal the unprecedented brutality or jealousy
o f a professional brother, compelled me to quit the Salpé­
trière, without having had time to try the effects o f a steel
armature upon Sylvain, or to continue my investigations with
the four other patients,* whose cure was thus most inhu­
manly prevented, But I had now discovered all the indica­
tions afforded by mesmerism that up to that time had so un­
fortunately been unnoticed ; and my discovery was complete.
It would be evident in future that when brass, or even steel,
fails, other metals ought to be tried— copper, German steel,
gold, silver, platinum, ike,, either pure or alloyed, which
all occupy the same place in the scale o f electric conductors
as the two former ; and that we ought not to despair o f the
metal-cure till all the metals and all their known alloys, and
all those which I myself could imagine, have been tried in
vain.
“ One thing, however, was wanting; and the following is
the way in which I learnt it.
“ A fter I had left the Salpétrière, I prosecuted my expe­
riments in the great H ôtel D ieu, where the recollection o f my
measures with the cholera patients obtained me a very hand­
some reception by the medical heads of the establishment.
u Fresh patients were given to me there, and soon a com ­
mittee o f the Academy, consisting o f Professors Berard,
Cloquet, and Jules Guerin, did me the honour o f witnessing
my treatment and experiments.
“ One day I presented to the committee one o f Dr.
Rost all’ s patients, labouring under intense hysteria with p a ­
raplegia and almost universal anæsthesîa. I had examined
her carefully, and being certain that English steel filings
would restore her sensibility, I ventured to promise a speedy
cure. The committee fixed another meeting : but, on this
occasion, alas ! and in vain, I varied the trials o f steel, and
then employed other metals. She was scarcely at all relieved ;

* One of them, Misa Lh------ , whose recovery continued perfect, returned to

her family in two months. Ï do not itnow what became of the three others : bnt
I greatly fear that, remaining in tho Salpétrière, they have relapsed into their
former state.
 D r, Burq on the effects o f M etals, 139

the sensibility alone was a little modified, and the palsy o f

the lower extrem ities continued nearly the same.
" This check shewed me that the metal might have no
action on m otility, although it acted evidently upon the sen­
sibility ;* and distinctly pointed out the propriety o f not
limiting our examination o f the effects o f metals to ansesthesia
only.
“ A few days afterwards, however, another mishap o c­
curred in nearly the same circumstances that deserves to he
mentioned.
“ There was an hysterical and paraplegic patient in the
same division o f the hospital. English steel had been se­
lected after two trials upon the lower extremities; and as it
had produced a good effect upon the sensibility and motility
both which were greatly impaired, I thought myself justified
in giving a very favourable prognosis to the committee. But,
after the application o f the steel to the limbs, which I had
neglected to examine preciously, I was greatly mortified at find­
ing the paraplegia continue, as well as most o f the nervous
phenomena.
“ These two successive checks, which would have seriously
injured m y discovery bnt for a large number o f successful
cases, had the good effect o f bringing me to this wise and
strict conclusion, which it had been impossible to foresee,—
‘ T hat in a n e r v o u s a f f e c t io n w it h a n e s t h e s ia a n d a m y -
we ought not to pronounce upon the efficacy o f the
o b th e sia ,
metallic treatment till we have acquired the threefold assur­
ance, not o f the perfect action o f the metal upon the sensi­
bility and motility o f the upper extremities only, but o f the
lower also, especially i f the latter are completely palsied/
“ W h en the suitable metal has been ascertained, there is no
nervous affection," says Dr. Burq, “ which can resist its g e ­
neral application during some hours daily for a week or a
fortnight, at the times most favourable to the patient— at
night, for example— with a few suitable necessary directions
as to regimen, and the observation o f the causes which gave
rise to the disease.”
In the next number will be given the authentic proofs
which D r. Burq has collected to substantiate so important an
assertion: and likewise his doctrine o f the anaesthesia and
amyosthesia o f nervous diseases, together with the means
which he employs to ascertain their different degrees.
V Dr. Pierre, a house-pupil of the HSlcl Diev at the time, has published a
ease of hysteria treated with metals, ¡a which case English steel had no effect
except upon one portion of the insensible parte, whereas silver with of alloy
restored the sensibility throughout.
L2
140 Mesmerism in Australia.

H is second memoir, entitled, Mesmerism illustrated by the

M etals, will shew the remarkable relation which he has dis­
covered between the effects o f brass and those o f mesmerism,
and the method o f accurately ascertaining by means o f this
and other metals, without previous mesmerising, the degree
o f mesmeric susceptibility in different individuals.
(End of the First Part)

II. Cure o f longstanding and intense Palsy and D ebilily,

after the fa ilu re o f alt the routine measures in the hands
o f eminent men. B y Dr. M o t h e r w e l l , o f Australia.
Communicated by Dr. Elliot son,
“ ‘ Origin o f L\ft. By Jamss MOil son, the Hygeiat.’—By this short treatise
soy person o f common understanding tney at once ace why all the deadly poisons
now used w medicines can Direr tend to care any disease. Also, why all mental
diseases should be treated like other complaints ; and also why sach fallacies os
mesmerism, electro-biology, homoeopathy, can never be of service as curative
agents. As it is most important that all persons should be fully informed on
these questions, the above treatise will be forwarded by post to all persons, on
application at the British College of Health, New Road, London."— Advertise­
ment in the Daily Nevis, April 27, 1862.
We regret that Dr. Carpenter should hare lent himself to the promulgation
of the im lcoile vagaries o f Dr* Henderson, and thus more completely than ever
identified himself with the follies o f animat magnetism. The countenance thus
given to views so much <n opposition to true science, is not only injurious to the
scientific reputation of the individual entertaining them, but also to the public
whom they miotead."—Thomas W a c l iy , Lancet, March 20, 1852 ; p. 300.

T o Dr. Elliot son.

Collins Street, Melbourne, Oct. 10, 1851.
M y dear Sir,— I f the following case o f long-continued
paralysis, successfully treated by mesmerism when all other
means had failed, is worthy o f publication in the pages o f
The Zoist, I shall feel obliged by your sending it to the
editor. It might be the means o f inducing some poor suf­
ferer, similarly affected, to use this great remedial agent, and
o f opening the eyes o f medical men to the curative powers
o f mesmerism. The invalid was under the care of Drs.
Stokes and Goodshaw, and M r. Cusack o f Dublin, besides
several other medical gentlemen there, who are all well ac­
quainted with the case. His father was a Protestant clergy­
man in Ireland, known to the Bishop o f Meath. H e does
not wish his name to appear in print, but has no objection to
m y giving it to you, or to your mentioning it to any person
who wishes to enquire into the facts and authenticity o f the
case. I send you a note from him to that effect.
I first became acquainted with M r. H enry L ------- in
August, 1849, when he embarked at Plymouth on board the
 Mesmerism in Australia. 141

barque Nelson with his father, mother, and other members o f

his family, as passengers for Port Philip. I was surgeon-
superintendent o f the vessel. M r. L . was then an helpless
invalid. H e was unable to walk or move his legs ; he could
not sit u p ; he waB always carried up on the deck, or in and
out o f his cabin, by a servant. H e was then about SO years
o f a g e ; and the history I heard o f his case was, that, when
about 11 years o f age, he was first observed to suffer from
obstinate constipation o f the bowels : whence this arose could
not be discovered. The parents were not cognizant o f his
ever having received any injury o f the spine, though they
remarked that be was very fond o f jum ping off high places.
However, he began gradually to lose the power o f his limbs.
In spite o f all the remedies that wealth could procure, or that
medical skill could afford, this state o f paralysis continued
to progress. M edicine usque ad nauseam, blisters, issues, ho~
m aopathy, galvanism, and electricity, each had its trial and
each failed . Change o f climate— that “ dernier resort ” o f
medical men when they get tired o f their patients— was re­
commended, and consequently the family embarked for this
colony. W hen I first saw him at Plymouth, / do not think J
ever saw a living body in such an extrem e state o f attenuation.
O f adipose tissue there was none. The skin covered a mass
o f bones, ligaments, tendons, and some loose flabby flesh,—
the remnants o f a muscular system. The joints and extremi­
ties o f the bones appenred large and prominent. H e was
obliged to be carried about. H e could not sit up. H e could
not raise his legs o ff the ground, but could with an effort raise
his arms. I f he were held up erect, I should think that his
height would have been upwards o f six feet, And yet a man
could almost span his thighs or the calves of his legs with his
hand. His appetite was very, very small. H is pulse ranged
from 58 to 62 in a minute. His skin was icy cold and dry.
The animal heat was very low. Sensibility was diminished,—
he seemed not to feel the alternations o f cold or heat that we
all experienced during the voyage. The mental pow er was
weakened. H e would not read himself, and took little or no
interest in what was read to him by others, or in any kind o f
amusement. H e reclined all day in a state o f listless apathy.
During the voyage I tried to induce him to make some exer­
tion. H e used to make an effort, but the torpor o f the brain
and nervous system seemed insurmountable. I tried galvan­
ism for about ten days during the voyage, and could produce
muscular contractions in any part that I touched with the
handles; but he had lost all hope, and the use o f galvanism
was given up. Thus he continued during the voyage and for
142 Mesmerism in Australia,

twelve months after his arrival in this colony. The heat o f this
clim ate appeared to make him more languid. H e grew, if
possible, weaker. From the time o f his arrival here he could
not taste animal food : the very sight o f it caused nausea.
A t length the little appetite he had began to fail. The sto­
mach commenced to reject the small portion o f farinaceous
food which he used to exist upon, and he complained o f a
distressing weight at the epigastrium, and o f a sensation o f
a ball rising up in the throat ‘that made him most uncom­
fortable. In these circumstances he applied to me to try
whether the uBe o f galvanism over the stomach would give
him any relief. I tried it without success.
A t that time I was mesmerising a young lady, who was
clairvoyant, and from whom I had oftentimes obtained much
useful information about diseases and their remedies.
Now, Sir, mark me, though a fully qualified medical and
surgical practitioner, the profession to which I have the
honour to belong may deem me weak-minded, or, i f they
choose, a charlatan, because I listen to what is told me by
one in this clairvoyant condition. But, when I know that
she is not practising any deceit, that the treatment suggested
by her is rational, that it haB been o f benefit where other
means used by m yself and other practitioners have failed, I
do not hesitate to adopt such treatment as she recommends,
though she is ignorant o f and wondering at the whence, how,
or wherefore she obtains information, and speaks about sub­
jects o f which she knows nothing in the waking state.
I asked her one evening while mesmerised if she could
then see Mr. L . : she had never seen him in her waking
state. She said, " Yes ; I see him lying on a couch : oh ! so
thin, and pale, and weak.” I asked her, did Bhe see any
thing that would do him good. After a little time she replied,
" I see bottles and medicines, but they all disappear again ;
they will do him no good. I see a box with a galvanic ma­
chine in i t ; it remains, but does not come close to him : I
do not think it would do him any good at present. I see two
hands mesmerising him, and after some time he appears to
become brighter— to have a light round h im ; and the gal­
vanic machine theu comes closer to him : but 1 think it will
be a long time before he would be fit to use it.” * Î asked
her, could she tell me what was the difference between the
light from galvanism and that from mesmerism? and she
said, “ W h y, the light from galvanism appears to go over the
body— on its surface, and to go away sooner : but the light
* Od the figurative manner in which the ideas of clairvoyants frequently are
conceived, see Dr, EUiotaonT&remarks in No, X X I V TJ j>p, 372-5,—
 Mesmerism in Australia. 143

from the mesmerism appears to be o"f a more searching, pene­

trating nature, it goes into and through the body, and remains
in it for a long time.” I asked her, “ Could his brother mes­
merise him ?” and she said, " I should think so.” A ccord­
ingly his brother commenced to mesmerise him by making
passes over him twice each day, and for half an hour at each
time. I continued to use the galvanic machine with him.
After a lapse o f ten days I again asked her, could she see
him, and if there were any change produced by the brother's
mesmerising? She said that she saw him, but that the
brother was not doing him any good,— that she saw him
making the passes, but that no light was coming from h im :
he was thinking o f something else. I then ceased to galva­
nize, and commenced to mesmerise him myself, without appriz- t
ing her o f my intention to do so. I produced no effect upon
him o f which I was cognizant; but I asked her one evening
to look at him, and tell me how he was getting on. She
surprised me by saying, “ W hy, doctor, some other person
has been mesmerising him. I see some light upon his head.
Ah ! I think you must have been mesmerising him.” I then
told her that I h a d ; and she said, ” G o on then, persevere,
and you will do him good.” Thus encouraged, I continued
to mesmerise him for an hour daily for a period o f five months.
After the first eight or ten days the oppression about the epi­
gastrium ceased entirelyt and the disagreeable sensation o f a
ball rising in the throat was not experienced. After a few
more days the temperature o f the hands was increased, and
the feel o f the skin became more natural and healthy slight
perspiration began to appear upon the hands. Some time
longer and his mother told me that she observed some moisture
and warm perspiration upon hia feet,— what she had not seen
fa r six years previous.
I never eould produce sleep; hut I observed that after a
time I produced nervous twitchings o f the muscles about the
forehead and eyes, afterwards o f those about the lips. After
some time longer the entire head used to be shaken violently
and involuntarily. During this time the clairvoyant used to
tell me that she saw the light going down through his body
more and more every day. I began to get him to raise his
arms over bis head ; then to raise a small weight in them ;
then to shove his legs out from him and draw them back
again; then to raise them off the ground; at length to be
able to put them on a chair.
Slowly, gradually, almost imperceptibly, this change was
going on, and already three months bad elapsed; the shak­
ing o f the head became more violent, until the whole body
144 Mesmerism tn Australia.

participated in these irregular muscular contractions, and

fits similar to epileptic were produced. These fits, which
were at first only produced when I was present and mesmer­
ising him, soon became more frequent and came on o f their
own accord. H e had two in the d a y ; then three; then four;
and eventually as many as eight in the twenty-four hours.
They lasted from fifteen to twenty miuutes. During the time
they were present he was quite unconscious.
A bout four months after I began to mesmerise him, he
was attacked with a diarrhoea; and after a few days he passed
off from his bowels some horribly fetid offensive matter,
which the parents told me they could compare to nothing but
putrid rotten flesh. After that he had a relish for animal
food, and his appetite increased. The continuance o f these
fits was a great source o f uneasiness to both his parents and
himself. They were afraid that his mind would be eventually
affected, and that these fits would continue for life. Never
having heard or read o f such an extreme case as this, I could
not speak positively; but I told them that, from what I had
read o f some cases o f epilepsy by Dr. ElliotBon, it appeared
that mesmerism occasionally increased the frequency o f the
fits for a time, and that the fits were to be regarded as favour­
able sym ptom s; and in his case, where there was such great
torpor o f the nervous system, my opinion was,— that mes­
merism had brought on these fits— that they were increasing
in frequency under its influence— and that, when sufficient
tone had been given to the nervous system and the constitu­
tion generally, they would subside. ' 1
I must tell you that, when these fits were becoming fre­
quent, I asked the clairvoyant one evening about them ; and
she said, " L et them go on, they are doing him g o o d ; do not
be uneasy about them. I'll tell you, doctor, what I see. I
look at him before one o f these fits come on, and he appears
heavy and dull. The heart is beating slowly and with diffi­
culty, and the blood appears to be dark and thick and im pu re:
but after the fit it appears more pure— to have more vitality
in it, and the whole body seems then to be refreshed and in­
vigorated by it."
W hen I had been mesmerising him about three months,
she told me one evening that she saw the galvanic box had
come quite close to him, and that she thought it would be
now o f service; bo from that time I began to use galvanism
in addition to the mesmerism.
I continued the mesmerism daily for more than five
months, and sometimes twice in the day, until I became un­
well myself, and, his family having removed to another resi-
 Mesmerism in Australia. 145

deuce, whence the roads to town were almost impassable

during the winter months, 1 was obliged to omit the mes­
merism for about a fortnight, when I was informed by his
parents that the fits were becoming less frequent, and in a
few days afterwards they entirely ceased. H e continued to
use the galvanism. I rode out to see him in about a week
after the subsidence o f the fits, and had been only a few mi­
nutes in his company when he fell off again into one o f these
fits : but he so dreaded their recurrence that 1 did not again
visit him, though perfectly satisfied that they were o f service
to him, more especially as he always experienced a feeling o f
excitement and anxiety at the time o f day when I used to
mesmerise him, as i f his system was craving for something
that it could not obtain. Still, as 1 saw that the impulse to­
wards amendment had been given; that its progress was slow
indeed, but certain; that his appetite was im proving; and
that he was using every means in his power, so far as per­
sonal exertion would permit, to restore himself to health, 1
determined not again to visit him until he had more strength
and was able to see me. W ell, in a few weeks I heard that
he was able to crawl about the floor like au infant: in another
week he was able to raise himself from a sitting posture and
staud on his le g s : in a few days more he was able to walk
Borne p aces: and soon afterwards (about eight months from
the time I commenced to mesmerise him} he was able to walk
about unaided, without stick or crutch, or assistance o f any
kind.
. In the statements made to me by the clairvoyant there
were many circumstances worthy o f note. W hen I first
asked her about him and inquired if he would get well, she
said that she saw him after being mesmerised a long time able
to walk about unaided. I asked her what length o f tim e?
and she said she saw the figure 5, and that she thought it
meant five months, I therefore concluded that, at the expira­
tion o f five months, he would be able to walk about. But,
n o ; I was disappointed. H e could not w alk; and I have
since thought, in explanation o f the figure 5 which she saw,
“ could it {the figure 5) have reference to the time I continued
to mesmerise him ?”
U pon another occasion 1 asked her, could she see what
was the cause or nature o f his disease ? She said she did
not understand and was unable to describe perfectly what she
saw : but that a white thing like a cord, which ran down the
back, did not appear to be healthy— it seemed to be more dry
than it ought to b e ; it was shrivelled u p : and, Baid Bhe,
MDoctor, I think that there is something wrong here (point-
146 Mesmerism in Australia.

ing to the top o f the bead); that part does not appear to be
like the rest o f the brain.” Now it is a remarkable fact that,
in all his previous inodes o f treatment, after they had each
been tried for some time, be ceased to have hope in their effi­
cacy and relapsed into his usual listless apathy; whereas, after
mesmerism had begun to have effect upon him, his hope and
perseverance each day became more Btrongly developed. And
now his habits are completely altered. H e is anxious for his
recovery, uses every exertion to promote it, rises early, and
delights in being out moving about in the open air. It ap­
pears to me that mesmerism gave a stimulus and healthy tone
to this defective portion o f the brain, and the effect produced
corroborates the remark o f the clairvoyant.
U pon one or two occasions I tried the effect o f mesmerised
water upon him. I sent him by his brother what I told him
was a bottle o f medicine, with directions to take a wine­
glassful twice in the day. N o person knew that it was only
mesmerised water, and the family were surprised to see that
a fit was produced immediately after taking his medicine.*
It would be impossible for me to speak in sufficiently eulo­
gistic terms o f the untiring, unremitting care o f Mrs. L.
during this long treatment. N one but a fond and devoted
mother could have endured the constant vigilance that she
had to sustain. H er mental distress was indeed extreme at
seeing her son working so frequently each day in these fits.
I had told her not to allow him to be held or restrained while
in them j and consequently she had always a mattress laid
on the floor for him to be placed upon, and pillows and air-
cushions about him, upon which he might beat his head, or
thump his hands and arms without danger o f hurting himself.
Therefore, when the fit subsided, he had none o f the pains
and aches or straining o f the muscles which are the result o f
strong men holding the patient while in the fit.
I was amused at an article, " W h at is Mesmerism ?” in
“ auld” Ebony-f- for July, 1851. Poor old fellow, be is in
his dotage.
Believe me, very truly yours,
J. B. M o t h e r w e l l .

* See a striking fact at p. 99,— Zoiti.

t See No. XXXV., p. 274.—Zouf.
 ( 1*7 )

III. A few w ords on " E lectro-B iology.” B y M r. R o b e r t

E m m e t C a n e , K ilk en n y. Communicated by Dr. Elliotson.

“ Electro.biology, mesmerism, and such like eipojed, and the public mind
disabused, by a treatise <m the O r i g i n i d L i f e , which may be had, gratis, by post,
on application to the B ritish Coll roe oe H ealth, New Road, London.—
Moaisow. Times, April, 1852.
“ The remarks on 1the recent innovations in the practice of medicine,' by
Mr. Henry Meymott, are inadmissible in the columns of this journal. We can.
not allow the L ancet to be made the channel for promulgating such frauds and
delusions bs homoeopathy and mesmerism.” —W aklev , Lancet, March 20,
1852 i p. 300.

To Dr. Elliotson.
S i r , — O n reading an article o f M r. A claud’ s in the April
number o f The Zoist, entitled the Galvanic B isk Delusion
dispelled, it occurred to me that I had a few remarks to make
on the same subject that might, perchance, be interesting
to y o u or your readers.
I have had many opportunities o f observing the modits
operandi pursued by Dr. Darling in his experiments; and the
first fact which influenced me strongly in favour o f attribute
ing to mesmerism the results produced was the observing o f
the strong concentration o f will used by him when dealing
with subjects whose susceptibility was not above the average.
His entire aspect, under such circumstances, was that o f a
man energizing violently; his body was erect, lips compressed,
and in fact every muscle in his frame appeared to be in a
state o f sustained action ; and, when his experiments were
concluded, I remarked that he was bathed in perspiration,
and seemed occasionally to be in a pitiable state o f bodily ex­
haustion. During the experiments he appeared to me to use
distinct mesmeric passes; he always seconded his verbal asser­
tion with some manual contact with the subject, unless in
extremely susceptible cases; and he appeared to me to make
use o f a sudden downward pass before the face in almost
every case where he desired to control the perceptions. I
have myself since that used this sudden pass to produce the
same results in individuals whom I had brought into the
" biological ” state without any disk or p ellet whatever, and
generally with success.
I mentioned this state o f mental energy, and these quasi­
mesmeric passes to Dr. Darling as so many reasons against
assuming any other cause but mesmerism to be at the bottom
o f these effects; but, i f I understood him rightly, he in­
formed me that he was not aware o f u sin g any concentration
o f will whatever; only a positive and determined mode o f
making the suggestive assertion; and th a t the contact, and
148 A few words on ” E lectro-B iology

what I conceived to be local mes men sation, were merely for

the purpose o f heightening, by a local impression, the effect
caused by the verbal suggestion, I also understood him to
repudiate the existence o f any galvanic virtue in the disk, and
to consider it much according to your own view, merely as a
means o f tranquillizing and fixing the attention,
I am confirmed in considering this to be the purport o f
what Dr. Darling was kind enough to inform me on the sub­
ject, from an account I have heard, from a very intelligent
friend, o f his lectures in the Portobello Gardens in Dublin,
where from some accident or other he was obliged to experi­
ment without the disks; and the mode he pursued was look­
ing intently into the eyes o f the subject, and making downward
passes over his head and shoulders. H e was not at all so suc­
cessful in Dublin as in other places— indeed his experiments
are pretty generally considered a failure in that city— and
this is again precisely what we should expect on the mesmeric
theory, in consequence o f the much greater expenditure o f
magnetic fluid which would be required to produce the same
results on subjects who had not been previously prepared and
tranquillized. W hile I am speaking o f Dr, Darling, I may
state that the most susceptible o f bis subjects T saw always
complained o f severe head-ache and uoeasiness after his expe­
rim ents; I have since acted on the same party by my hand
and eye, and no uneasiness whatever follow ed. This certainly
is an argument against the disk.
It ib but fair to state, while I am speaking o f Dr. Darling,
that I found him most gentlemanly and polite, and disposed
to accommodate me in every respect in my inquiries.
After this I attended several o f Mr. Stone's lectures in
Dublin, and I was the more confirmed in believing this so-
called electro-biology to be simply mesmerism in Me waking
state. M r. Stone appeared to me to be a more powerful mag-
netizer than D r. Darling, and hence not to require the same
amount o f energetic concentration o f will to produce his
results; but he also used mesmeric processes very distinctly.
Besides the local passes and touches I have alluded to, M r.
Stone's injunction to his subjects, when at first disappointed
in obtaining any result, is, " L o o k into my eye, S i r ;" and
then follows that steady collected glance, which no mesmerist
needs a description of, Mr. Stone Btated in the last lecture
he gave in Dublin that a galvanic battery would be the most
effective means of inducing the “ biological state," but, as
that would be rather inconvenient and bulky for carrying
about, the galvanic disk was used as a substitute. These are
as nearly his words as I can recollect them ; they are certainly
 B y M r. Cane. 149

equivalent to what he said. H e then stated, however, that

the same results would be produced by gazing in the pre­
scribed manner at a piece o f paper, or in fact at any fixed
o b je ct; and he wound up by giving us the “ secret divulged ”
o f the " pressure on the ulnar nerve,” aud by disposing o f a
goodly number o f his disks at, I believe, the price o f a shil­
ling each !
W hen I myself first commenced the study o f “ electro­
biology,” I was unable to procure d isk s: so I prepared the
subjects by fixedly gazing into tbeir eyes and making passes
downwards over the head and shoulders; and in this way I
obtained averagely successful results. This certainly looked
most suspiciously like mesmerism, and the following occur­
rence which happened with one o f D r. Darling’ s most im­
pressible subjects, M. M ., removed almost any doubts I had
as to the identity o f it and “ biology.” I happened on one
occasion to see thiB M . M . standing in a very unsleeplike po­
sition, and the thought struck me that I would see how far I
could influence him magnetically in opposition to his will. So
I at once looked fixedly into his eyes, and commenced making
passes in the manner I have described. However, after about
ten minutes spent in this manner, although the clock-work
descent o f the eyelids described by M r. Townshend had com ­
menced, I gave up the process, fearing that, owing to the un­
questionable and decided mental opposition he was giving me,
the setting him asleep would occupy more time than I could
then* conveniently spare. A t that moment it occurred to me
that this would not be a bad case to test the theory o f " bio­
lo g y ” on, as with about the same amount o f preparation I
had before produced its results, But then the preparation
was given with the declared intention o f rendering the p arty
susceptible to suggestion; here it was given with the declared
purpose o f causing the magnetic sleep. So I made before bis
face the sadden downward pass I have spoken of, and said to
him, “ The ground is burning hot.” The suggestion imme­
diately took effect. I afterwards attempted other results o f
suggestion on him with success.
This was pretty strong evidence; the same cause produc­
ing both effects. It now only remained to prove the effects
themselves almost identical— and 1 believe I was some time
afterwards enabled to do this. Here you must allow me to
digress for a little space.
From the amount o f observation it has been in my power
to make, I should be inclined to enumerate four stages o f
mesmeric effect:— 1st. That which is named electro-biology.
150 A few words on “ E lectro-B iology."

2nd. Common mesmeric sleep. 3rd. Trance-waking. 4tli.

Clear vision o f distant things. I know little o f the last—
nothing o f any higher stages; and I even give this classifica­
tion with very great diffidence, owing to m y limited opportu­
nities o f observation. A ll know what is implied by the term
“ electro-biology,” which I call m y first stage. M y second
degree is a deep sleep, in which the patient is generally sus­
ceptible to suggestive impressions. 1 have several facts in­
clining me to think that the phenomena termed phreno-
mesmerism are peculiar to this stage, and hence I am rather
inclined to believe those phenomena to depend on suggestion,
than on any exoteric action on the brain.* The third degree
is trance-waking, where the subject speaks in his own cha­
racter,f and in which the phenomena o f traction, rigidity, and
community o f sensation are capable o f being produced. W hen
this state is fully induced, I have not been able to produce
phreno-magnetic results. The fourth stage is as yet so little
known that I omit it for the present. The difficulty in clas­
sifying mesmeric phenomena is, that the stages are not sepa­
rated by a distinct and strongly marked lim it; they glide
into one another, as it were. Mixtures o f the second and
third, and o f the third and fourth stages are not uncom m on;
and I shall have to say a little just now on a mixture o f the
first and second. .
To return to my subject. I bad a mesmeric subject in
Dublin, named J. P., whom I often threw into what 1 have
called the second stage in about two minutes. Laying my
fingers on his eyes, I would then tell him he was D r. Chan-
ning, Dr. Elliotson, O’ Connell, any one, and that he would
have to deliver a speech immediately; or something o f that
sort: and he would immediately set about doing so. I could
vary the nature o f his discourse by exciting different org an s:
but the original suggestion ruled all. I placed his arms ex­
tended, and told him he could not move th e m : he would
move about vigorously, but admit bis inability to stir them.
On my removing m y fingers from bis eyes, all ceased and he
was again in a heavy and unbroken sleep. ThiB case was
somewhat similar to some o f those Mr. Aclaud describes; and
it proves that the effects o f suggestion can be produced in the
* They ere in some eases clearly the result of suggestion : but in others clearly
mesmeric, as shewn by me in No. III., pp. 240.4. The mesmeric excitement of
distinct cerebral organs is possible not in this stage only, but in all the states ex­
cepting deep coma ; and even in the common normal waking state (see No. XII.,
p. 481) : and so are traction, rigidity, &c., Src., and suggestion.—J. E lliotson.
t The patient sometimes has an hallucination and fancies himself to be ao.
other person.—>1- E.
 B y M r. Cane, 151

sleeping as well as ia the wa/cing state, and thus tends to break

down that arbitrary distinction between mesmerism and bio­
logy which M r. Stone would have us take for granted.
Some tim e afterwards I lost sight o f this individual; but
lately, being at one o f M r. Stone’ s lectures while he was act­
ing o d a soldier among the audience, over whom he had pre­
viously established his power, 1 was struck with a resemblance
in the gait and expression o f this man to that which J. P. had
in the unconscious state. I cried out, " AH right,’ ’ to him
pretty loudly, but he did not seem to hear m e ; indeed, but
for the open state o f his eyes, I might have believed that he
was altogether in this second stage 1 have spoken of. A s it
was, I would say he was in an intermediate degree between
m y first and second stages.
I have thus, Sir, seen those phenomena o f suggestion as
well in the sleeping as in the waking state; and produced as
well by the usual mesmeric means o f passes and gazing as by
staring at the loud-sounding d is k : and am I not then justi­
fied iu holding this “ electro-biology” to be, not a manifes­
tation o f nature distinct from mesmerism, but merely a more
easily produced species, or first stage, o f it ¥
In concluding, Sir, allow me to express to you my sincere
admiration of your abilities and courage, and o f your stem
devotion to the cause o f truth, and to remain,
Y our obedieut servant,
R obert E mmet C ane .
Kilkenny, Ireland, April 20th, 1852.

N ote by D r, E lK ota on in clu d in g a letter from M r. Joseph

A ylieff,
I beg to communicate to you a letter from M r. Joseph
Aylieff, whose experiments I alluded to in N o. X X X I I I .,
p. 111. H e was told o f the method by a person who bad
learnt it from Mr. D o d s : and, as he practised without quack-
eiy, using no disks, not talking o f electricity, not pressing
particular parts, not pretending to any sort o f secret, and
therefore not attempting to extract money from the ignorant
by pretending he had any secret to sell, I forward his letter
with great pleasure.— J o h n E l l io t s o n .
“ St, Mary Cray, March 21st, 1852.
“ Sir,— Having attended a small party at Parnborough,—
a village about three miles from this place,— and my success
being o f an unprecedented nature, I am induced to forward
you the particulars thereof. I tried my powers upon seven-
152 The Roman Catholic Priesthood and Mesmerism.

teen, individuals o f both sexes, and succeeded in impressing

thirteen o f the number, taking each person separately, and
not all o f them in a body, as generally practised. Seven in­
dividuals were labouring under the &ncied effects o f intoxi­
cation at the same moment, exhibiting various peculiarities
and different stages o f its effects : three were in a deep sleep,
insensible to sound or feelin g when pinched, pricked, and sub­
jected to varions testa at the discretion o f the audience : the
other four, amongst whom was the son o f the medical gen­
tleman, Dr. Fowler, were completely helpless, nnable to arti­
culate distinctly, partially raising themselves and again fall­
ing down in ridiculous positions. The whole were aroused
instantaneously by a word and sudden stamp on tbe door by
myself. N ot one o f these persons had I had any previous
interview or communication with. They were principally
strong, robust, and healthy. Twelve I controlled so that they
could not move an inch from the wall, I having requested
them to place themselves in a lioe before me. Then I caused
each to fall in a stiffened state towards me. M uch amuse­
ment was occasioned by some o f them ringing a hand-bell
and being unable to stop the motion : smoking the handle o f
it under the impression o f its being a cigar, pipe, &c. : by my
affecting their sense o f personal identity, causing them to
ride chairs as imaginary horses, to suffer excruciating pains,
perspiration to start on their face. Indeed I used every expe­
riment I could think of, arresting them in the act o f leaving
the room , compelling them to resume their seats, and to
assert their thorough conviction o f the truths o f mesmerism.
I was warmly applauded, and invited to attend the following
week.
" I know not whether to attribute my success to the pre­
vious spreading o f fame, or to a power o f determination Ï
feel increasing upon every occasion that arises for gaining
converts to the extraordinary power of. mental influence.
“ Three o f my subjects were agricultural labourers o f strong
and vigorous fram es. In three public trials I have produced
the effects on 27 individuals out o f 40.
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
" T o Dr. Elliotson.” " J oseph A y l ie f f .

IV . The Roman Catholic Priesthood and Mesmerism. By

A n t i - G lo rioso ,

TO T H E E D IT O R OF T H E 8 0 IS T .
Eue Richelieu, Paris, May 3rd, 1852.
S ir ,— I was glad to perceive, that in your last number.
 B y Anti-G lorioso. 153
p. 100, yon referred to a misapprehension which is unfortu­
nately somewhat prevalent, viz., that the employment o f mes­
merism, as a remedial agent, is expressly forbidden in the
Church o f Rom e. There can be no greater mistake. Certain
statements and opinions, and certain assumed facts, (which
statements, opinions and facts were both erroneous in them­
selves, and built on most erroneous data,) were communi­
cated to the highest ecclesiastical authorities, and the question
was asked,— “ Is this system right, and are we permitted to
make use o f such a power ?” The answer was— " By no means,
accordingly a» you represent it ; {proud exponiiur) for, if your
representation be correct, the art is clearly illicit." N ow that
was simply the nature o f the responae which was given. A
false or incorrect account is rendered o f a science,— aud then
the authorities are interrogated as to its propriety and legality.
It is clear that the answer is conditional,— i. e., contingent
upon the picture which is painted being a faithful portraiture.
It need hardly be added,, that the representation was a dis­
torted caricature,— some such a description as that which
M 'N eile and “ Charlotte Elizabeth ” formerly put forth in the
Protestant Church.
It is, therefore, important that it should be well under­
stood that it is in this sense and with these qualifications
that numerous members o f the Church o f R om e receive the
official answer. Several ecclesiastics have given, and con ­
tinue to give, their warmest sanction to mesmerism. They
conceive rightly enough that the answer of Cardinal Cas-
tracane does not touch the real merits o f mesmerism in the
slightest degree. A m ong the most eminent of its friends
may be numbered, as you justly mention in your note, the
eloquent Dominican Preacher— the A bbé Lacordaire. A more
distinguished name can hardly be referred to in all Paris : and
perhaps it may not be unpleasant to some o f your readers,
especially to those o f the Roman Catholic persuasion, to re­
ceive some testimony corroborative o f your assertion.
I was passing, not long ago, down a passage which leads
into the Rue Vivienne, when my eyes were attracted by an
affiche at a bookseller's stall, announcing a sermon by L e
Père Lacordaire on the subject o f Magnetism. I went in,
and purchased the book, in which it was contained, entitled,
" L e M onde Occulte ou M ystères du Magnétisme, Précédé d'une
Introduction sur le M agnétisme p a r Le P ère Lacordaire. Par
Henri D elaage." The book contains a good deal o f useful
matter, and a large amount o f insufferable trash. The tricks
and impositions o f professional somnambules are well exposed,
and some new and curious anecdotes connected with the
VOL. x . M
154 The Homan Catholic Priesthood and Mesmerism.

unrivalled clairvoyant Alexis are also given : but sundry wild

notions about spiritual ism, the “ mysteries o f eternity,” and
the revelations o f Cahagnetfs dreamers, shew so clearly the
main tendencies o f the writer that a further analysis o f his
opinions would be quite unnecessary. The interesting pas­
sage in the booh is the introduction relating to the Abbé
Lacordaire, which, with your permission, I will now present
to your readers iu an English dress.
“ It was the month o f December, 1846. In spite o f the
snow which enveloped the earth, a numerous crowd filled the
vast nave o f N oire Dame, impatient o f hearing the voice o f
inspiration eloquently unfold the problem o f eternity. Soon
all eyes were turned towards the pulpit, in which the white
habit o f the order o f St. Dom inic had just made its appear­
ance. The cowl thrown backward allowed the shaven head
o f the preacher to appear : a man with au elevated forehead,
an animated eye, a spiritual lip, and a countenance o f varied
expression. This preacher was lacordaire. W ith the first
sounds o f a thin and trembling voice, he swayed his hearers,
and held them captive under his word. Lacordaire, that day,
and in the presence o f a most enlightened audience, ap­
proached one o f the most stirring questions which have agi­
tated the nineteenth century : that question was Magnetism.”
W e will bring forward a few passages from hia discourse od
that occasion.
“ 1 will without scruple allude to the accusation that
Christ had recourse to occult and magnetic powers for the
performance o f his miracles: this charge is easily disproved :
as science not only disclaims such powers, but rejects them.
However I prefer obeying the dictates o f my conscience to
those o f science. You then invoke magnetic power. I like­
wise believe in it firmly and sincerely. I believe that its
effects have been verified by learned and candid men, more­
over by Christian men, although as yet in an imperfect man­
ner, and one which may always continue such. I believe
that these phenomena in the generality o f cases are purely
natural. I believe that the secret o f them has never been
lost to the world, that it has been transmitted from one age
to another, that it has caused a multitude of mysterious ac­
tions in which its power is easily recognized, and that it is
only iu our day that it has passed out o f the shades o f dark­
ness because the present age is peculiarly stamped with the
spirit o f enquiry. I believe all this. Yes, gentlemen, as a
holy safeguard from the pride o f materialism, as a check to
that science which would attempt to soar beyond its allotted
limits, G od has permitted that there should exist an irregu-
 B y A n ti-Glorioso, 155
larity m the powers o f nature, at variance with the laws o f
science. G od has permitted this in order to prove to man,
content with his own wisdom, that even without revelation
we have within us revealings o f a higher order o f b e in g ;
awful glimpses o f the invisible world— o f a kind o f crater,
into which the soul, emancipated for a moment from the pow­
erful fetters o f the body, plunges through depths it eannot
fathom, and o f which it retains no recollection, bat which
fully warn it that the present state conceals a future, in com ­
parison with which our existing state is a mere void.
" A ll this is true— I believe i t ; but it is likewise true that
these unknown powers are so restrained as to exercise no
dominion over the laws o f nature. Plunged into an artificial
sleep man sees through opaque bodies to a certain distance;
he prescribes remedies fitted to relieve, and even to cure
bodily diseases; he appears to know things o f which he was
previously unconscious, and which he forgets the moment be
w akes; and at his will he exercises great power over those
with whom he is in magnetic communication. A ll this is
painful, laborious, mingled with feelings o f uncertainty and
depression : it is far more a phenomenon o f the mind than o f
action, a phenomenon which belongs more to the prophetic
than to the supernatural class. For instance, we never see a
sudden cure as an evident act o f absolute power,— and as to
the claim o f prophecy, nothing can be o f a lower order than
its pretensions/'
W e are not called upon to defend either the logic or phi­
losophy o f the preacher: the point claiming attention is
the warm support which Father Lacordaire has here given to
'mesmerism. First, then, it appears that the Church o f Borne
has not under all circumstances, simply and plainly, forbidden
its use. The Sacred Penitentiary, presuming that mesmerism
was such as was set forth in the case reported to it, decided
that a power so characterized was not permissible. Secondly,
it follows that, as the description o f mesmerism given in the
letter to Rome was erroneous, the answer founded on that
description is not to be received by Roman Catholics as a
prohibition. A n d thirdly, we see that one o f the most emi­
nent churchmen o f the day, the Abbé Lacordaire, so under­
stands the answer, and has given his warm adhesion to the
practice o f the science.
I am, Sir, yours, See.,
A n t i -G lorioso .

P.S. It is universally felt that The Zoist well maintains

its ground. The last was au admirable number. I have
m 2
156 A domestic p ro o f o f the

observed with pleasure the able papers which have appeared

on the subject o f electro-biology. It is necessary that the
right position o f that system should be well understood by
mesmeriser#. A n d Dr. Elliotson, too, acted wisely in again
introducing the facts connected with his retirement fitom U ni­
versity College Hospital, The grossest misstatements are re­
peated, year after year, by medical men upon this subject,
and upon the cases o f the O keys; and their refutation cannot
appear too often.

* * * W e have received the following information from a

Scotch correspondent.— Zoist.
111 do not know i f yon are aware that Cardinal Wiseman,
in a public lecture on ‘ The Communion and Invocation o f
Saints,' lately made the following reference to mesmerism.
In reply to the objection, f How do I know that the saints
can hear me V he says,— ' A strange objection this for such an
age as the present, when men o f science believe and profess
that they can draw out from a poor cataleptic patient a know­
ledge o f what is passing in America— aye, and in the unseen
world. I f the mind unaided can know things at a distance,
it is surely not much to believe in a power which this age
proves to be within the range o f physical laws.' The whole
lecture is reported in the W eekly Telegraph newspaper for
Saturday, March 13, 1852."

V . A domestic p ro o f o f (he truth and value o f Mesmerism.

By Mr. S immonds, London.
“ Mrs. Elizabeth Wildmon begs to inform Mrs. Field,* that Dr. Rowef bos
positively POftBiDoBu the lailv* being mesmerised, therefore her services will
not be required.
“ Id, Cumberland Terrace, Regent’s Park, Oct. 26th, 1860.”

9, Upper Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy Square.

May 14th, 1852.
S ir ,— I have been induced, from reading the cases o f
benefit from mesmerism recorded in The Zoist, to think that
the following might be considered o f sufficient importance to
be inserted.
I may perhaps be allowed to state that it is now about
seven years since I first felt inclined to try some experiments
* X most respectable mean»riser, residing at No. 18, NewLand Street, Eaton
Square.— Zoitt.
i W k are not sure that the name is properly spelt by the Indy.—Zviit.
j Mrs. S. K. Lushington, Norton Court, Fevershsm, to whom the forbidding
doctor wm doing no good,—ZoUi,
 truth and value o f Mesmerism. 157

to satisfy myself o f the truth o f mesmerism, as I had heard

many remarkable accounts o f it and had read the works o f
Messrs. Sandby, Townshend, Teste and others. M y subject
was my brother, a lad o f eight years o f age. A fter a few
trials I found 1 could produce the phenomena recorded by
them, such as rigidity o f the limbs, the phrenological mani­
festations, sympathy o f taste, feeling, &c., as also some strik­
ing proofs o f the faculty o f introvisión, Some time after this,
he had a large and painful swelling on the under side o f the
face, arising, I believe, from weakness o f the glands o f the
neck. A t the recommendation o f our medical adviser, M r,
Dansey, poultices were applied to iucrease the suppuration:
and, after a time, it was thought best to lance it, that the
scar might be less when healed than it would have been if
allowed to break o f itself. But, as he was so young and the
pain likely to be intense, mesmerism was proposed and con­
sented t o ; and the operation was to be performed on the fol­
lowing morning, M ay the 13th, 1846. N ot having mes­
merised him for several months, I put him to sleep three
times during the day, and tested his insensibility to pain by
pricking, pinching, &c. The next day, when Mr, Dansey
came, I had put him into a deep sleep: and we proceeded to
unfasten the bandage round his head, and to place him in a
favourable position. A n incision was then made, sufficiently
large to allow the matter to be pressed from the wound till it
seemed all extracted. During the whole o f the time not the
slightest expression o f pain was manifested. I aBked him if
he kuew who was with u s ; he said, yes, but that he felt no
pain. W e now thought o f testing whether he would have
any knowledge o f it when aw ake: and, to do this, it was
suggested that M r. Dansey should leave the house, that the
handkerchief round his head should be replaced, and every
thing arranged in the room as it was prior to his being put
to sleep. This was done, and I awoke him. H e made no
allusion to what had taken place, but got up and ran away to
play as he had been accustomed to do on other occasions.
The next morning, he saw that the wound had discharged,
and thought it had broken during the night. It was not till
some weeks afterwards that he knew anything o f i t ; and he
was very surprised when made acquainted with it.
The facta occurred just as I have stated, at Blandford iu
Dorsetshire: and, should any one be desirous o f ascertaining
the truth o f them, Mr. DanBey, who was a sceptic at the time,
will confirm the statements I have made.
I beg to remain, Sir, yours respectfully,
J o h n S immonds .
To the Editor o f The Zoisl.
 ( 158 )

V I , L ast M eeting o f the B ristol M esm eric In stitu te* with

details o f cases by D r. S to rer: Tic Douloureux, E xtrem e
Nervousness, Palpitation, Disabling Tremors, Dimness o f
Sight, Asthma, Sleeplessness, Despondency and suicidal
tendency, Palsy, D ebility, Rheumatism; painless Surgical
Operations; Cures aided by Suggestion to the Imagination.
“ Watt m 1744 was determinedly opposed by all engineer», particularly by
Sareaton, who went to great expense to make Newcomen’a engine equal to
Watt'», and made even one on Newcomen's principle, though Watt offered to
put up one for him, taking for his remuneration only one-third of the sating in
working his own engine,
** Within twenty years, when Stephenson waa examined before the House of
Commons and talked of going ten miles an hour, one M.P. observing bis Scotch
accent, asked if be were a Scotchman: and another M.P. replied, ' No ; a mad­
man l’ ” —Extracted by me from tome book: but 1forget what.—J. E lliots orr.
A clergyman who was present informed me that, as Stephenson was leaving
the room, an M.P. who was highly amnsed at Stephenson’ s saying he would take
us ten miles an hour by steam, called after him in derision, “ I suppose you could
take ns twenty miles, Mr, Stephenson and that Stephenson, turning bis head,
replied, “ Yes; and forty miles too,"—John Elliotsox.

T he chair was taken by Mr. Jan son o f Exeter.

A m ong letters from different gentlemen who regretted
their absence was one from M r. Barham o f Clifton, who in
it observed,—
11 That the question had often been asked, ‘ What Is the use of
mesmerism?' Mesmerism is useful: 1. Because the phenomena it
reveals in the sphere of philosophy, confirm and illustrate, by a
species of analogy, many plieaomena iu the sphere of revelation, and
thus tend to give a new and grand development to the argument of
Bishop Butler, in his Analogy of Religion and Nature, 2. Mesmerism
is useful, because it confirms and illustrates a great multitude of pas­
sages in the ancient classics, oriental and occidental, which had per­
plexed the critics for ages, I especially allude to passages relating
to mythologic initiations, snd occult sciences and arts, not to men­
tion medicine and therapeutics, as an author has fully proved, iu his
work, entitled, Isis R eeela ta . 3, Mesmerism is useful, because it
unfolds some of the most important principles and laws of poeuma-
tology, psychology, and metaphysics. In connectiou with phreno­
logy it has thrown more light on the profound mysteries of our
mental being than all the modern metaphysicians have ever afforded.
4. Mesmerism is useful, because it can give sleep precisely on those
occasions in which sleep is most requisite, and yet most difficult to
procure by other means. 5. Mesmerism is useful, because it cures
several diseases, mental and bodily, which have defied every other
* This communication ought to have appeared long ego : but was unavoid­
ably postponed. We regret to hear that the Institution exists no longer: and
this froro dissension and mismanagement. We shall specify nothing: but the
Institution might have succeeded admirably. The mesmerisere were not all paid ;
and workers can rarely be depended upon without remuneration unless they are
solitary labourers. In the London Mesmeric Infirmary are four paid mosmer-
isers : aud there is perfect harmony : no one desiring to turn it or mesmerism to
his own advantage.—Zoist.
 B ristol M esm eric Institute. 159

method o f treatment. 6. Mesmerism is useful, because it increases

the strength and restores the balance of the constitution; it accumu­
lates energy, and invigorates sensation: besides it frequently removes
pain, calms agitation, and enables the patient to pass triumphantly
through the most terrible operations of surgery. 7. Mesmerism is
useful by revealing the connection that subsists between the spheres
o f mental, nervous, and electrical light, and illustrating their resem­
blances and their differences. 8. Mesmerism is useful, because it
reveals and explains many carious phenomena of sleep and somnam­
bulism, 9. Mesmerism is useful, because it reveals the vast extent
and development of mental consciousness, within the body, and with­
out it, independent o f the operation of the physical senses. 10,
Mesmerism is useful as proving the power of mental volition over
men and animals. II. Mesmensm b useful, because it often cores
the disorders of insanity, nervousness, and hypochondriasis, which
are too subtle to be defeated by other applications. Finally, mes­
merism is useful, because it teaches the lesson of reverence for that
Being who has made his image man so wonderfully and so fearfully ;
and it enforces the great lesson taught us by Hamlet, when he says,
1There are mere things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in our philosophy.'
What wonder is it that mesmerism should have so rapidly extended
in its influence and authority, when we consider that its uses are ss
numerous as its proofs, and only require full examination to produce
full conviction!’*

M r. Ryland, the Secretary, read the report, which stated,

" That they could not but rejoice that the Bristol Mesmeric In­
stitute had fully realized the intention of its promotors. He said
fully only in regard to the great amount of good effected by small
means, the fact of which they would ascertain when the medical
officer presented his report. In order to enable them to do all the
good they would desire, the public must aid them more substantially.
At their last annual meeting upwards of 40 cases had been under
treatment; on the present occasion be had pleasure in informing
them that from 60 to 70 patients had been cured, or materially bene­
fited, and to effect which the subscriptions, donations, and receipts
received had been under £50. They most bear in mind that the
cases were usually protracted and long ones, and where medical as­
sistance in general had proved ineffectual. They had to thank their
worthy physician for hts constant and unwearied services, and hi*B
labours had been continually assisted by hi9 kind lady, Mrs. Storer.
They had been obliged to refuse numerous applicants, but they
trusted the public would enable them by increased assistance to
effect a far greater amount of benefit.
“ Dr. Storer then read the medical report, which stated that at
the last public meeting 47 cases of diseases were mentioned as hav­
ing come under the notice of the medical officers. Since that period
160 B ristol M esm eric Institute,

67 cases bad been admitted, melting upwards o f 100, among which

bad been comprised the most serious and complicated cases of dis­
ease, such as paralysis, epilepsy, mental aberration, tic douloureux,
deafness, defective sight, rheumatism, hysteria, with other affections
o f the nervous system, besides several jwtinless operations. The ma­
jority had been greatly relieved, sever« of the most distressing dis­
eases cured, including all the varieties stated. Many of the patients,
having been too ill to attend at the Institution, had been provided
with the necessary attendance at their homes; and others, though
receiving great good, did not continue long enough to experience
more fully the benefits of mesmerism. There were 12 patients re­
maining under treatment, all more or less progressive. Many of
these cases were of the worst description, and the rejected of the
Infirmary, the General Hospital, and the Bath Hospital. As a me­
dical man, he (Dr. Storer) used mesmerism as an adjunct, There
were many cases in which medicine did no good, but mesmerism had
been effectual in all. On this point he could speak from much expe-
perieuce, having when in London been an officer in a public hospital
where he saw a large variety of nervous disease, in which ordinary
medicine failed; but the same class of disease had yielded to mes­
merism. He regretted that as a medical man he stood aloDe, and re­
ceived so little support; the profession however were too well aware
that in the diseases referred to they had little control.
“ Mr. J. B. Parker, of Exeter, in moving the adoption of the
report, observed that he had not come there to boast of mesmerism,
but to bear his testimony to the great good which had been effected
by the science. It waa the same in Exeter as it was here, and, as
Dr. Storer had said, be (Mr. P.) also stood alone there; but he
eared not for that, ns he had the cause of truth to support him
(cheers). All they had to attend to was the curative powers of mes­
merism, and the science of mesmerism was not confined to geogra­
phical position. The pains of labour, and the pains of childhood
may be relieved by the science, and also cases of cancer. Ail the
ancient writings contained proofs of the agency of mesmerism. They
had to do only with the curative powers of mesmerism, and if they
tried it for themselves, they would soon he convinced of its efficacy.
He would tell them of the case of a lad, whose father was deranged,
and the boy also, from overstudy at school, got deranged, and me­
dical men pronounced the case hopeless. He (Mr. P.) went for him,
brought him a distance of 10 miles, and under the treatment of
mesmerism the boy recovered, and is now living and well (hear,
hear). If mesmerism could relieve such an extreme case of insanity,
what may it not do in the relief of other cases— 19 cases out of 20
may be cured by its agency (hear, hear). It had been said that
mesmerism was an agent of the devil, but the day was not far dis­
tant when those who condemned mesmerism would he looked upon
as enemies of society. He looked forward to the day when educa­
tion would be conducted on the principles of phrenology—conducted
on the principles of mesmerism. The words of Lord Bacon with
 B ristoi M esm eric Institute, 161

respect to the- ant, the spider, end the bee, were applicable with
respect to knowledge, and he hoped that what he had said that day
would be brought to reality (hear, hear).
“ Mr, Brooke Smith seconded the resolution. Mesmerism had
been objected to as being a trick and delusion, but his own experi­
ence had given him many opportunities of seeing the experiments o f
Dr. Storer sod others, and he was quite satisfied they were bona fide.
“ Mr. Mead bore testimony to the good effects of mesmerism,
and said he fully concurred in the observation of Mr. Parker, that
education ought to be founded on the principles of phrenology and
mesmerism.
“ M r. Phelps also related some very extraordinary cures which
had been effected by him self with the aid o f mesmerism.
" T h e Chairman observed that there was one point in Ur. El-
liotson's letter which lie had not sufficiently dw dt upon, which was
respecting the new General Hospital, expressing a wish that mes­
merism may he introduced there and in every hospital in England,
“ Dr. Storer said it was very desirable that mesmerism should he
introduced into the New Hospital. They had no wish to keep up
the Mesmeric Institute if that could be done,
" A vote o f thanks to the Chairman, on the motion o f Mr,
Parker, having bccu carried and acknowledged, the meeting si-pn-
rated."

TO THE E D IT O R OP THE Z O I8T .

Cases in connexion with the Bristol Mesmeric Institute.

Sir,— The large mi in her o f eases which have presented
themselves at the Bristol Mesmeric Institute, and which have
been cured or greatly relieved, prove how useful mesmerism
may be made amongst the poorer classes. I hope gradually
to present these to the p u b lic; but, us a medical mini, I am
aware that repeated details would become tedious, 1 have
therefore selected the [»resent as conveying types o f similar
diseases, and as proving how much can be done by steady
perseverance. The cases now scut were all o f very long
standing; the patients were at first too ill to come out, and
almost nil name a large number o f medical gentlemen who
had previously attended, or under whose care they had been
at various hospitals or other public institutions. They also
all continue to enjoy comparatively good henltli.
1 am, Sir, vonrs obediently,
Bristol, H enhy S torer , M .D ,

Severe Tie Douloureux with other nervous affections,

Mrs. B,, widow, applied for advice in June, 1849. Sin:
bad suffered from severe pains in the head and face for years,

v ,Ol
162 B ristol M esm eric Institute.

and bad frequent attacks o f erysipelas in various parts o f the

body. She got no rest at night, and from constant paina
became depressed in mind. She bad tried a variety o f means,
and been so severely salivated that her gums and teeth have
suffered great in ju ry : many o f the teeth were loose, and
there was a constant flow o f saliva.
She was first mesmerised for a fortnight by myself, and
then admitted at the institute, where she was chiefly operated
upon by Mrs. Storer and the assistant.
W ithin the first week an impression was m ade; the pains
being somewhat less violent, and her sleep improved. She
attended regularly for two months, and by the end o f that
period expressed herself so much better that she discontinued
for a short time. H er occupation— that o f a pew-opener—
exposed her to constant draughts, which brought on a slight
return o f her pains; but, by resuming mesmerism for another
month, she got quite well, and has remained so now a
twelvemonth.
N o actual coma was induced by mesmerism, but a most
lulling, pleasant drowsiness, which made her always regret
when the sitting was over.

E xtrem e Dimness o f Sight, with sleeplessness.

Mrs, G ,, aged 32, residing at Alden’ s Court, Broadmead,
applied in April, 1&49. She said that her sight was so im ­
paired that she could hardly see to read, or do her w ork : and,
as she has a family and is unable to use her needle, she feels
it a great drawback. She gets very little sleep, and complains
o f great general debility, with depression o f spirits: had tried
every form o f advice and medicines, but without any benefit j
and at last, from the known good done to others by mes­
merism, was very anxious to have it applied in her own case.
I mesmerised her for the first few days, hut, being poor, she
was allowed the benefit o f the institute. She continued mes­
merism regularly for two m onths; at the end o f that time she
expressed herself quite well.
She became very susceptible, so as to have good sound
sleep induced in less than three minutes, and always awoke
refreshed. She was also suckling a baby, which partook o f
the general irritability; but, on both being mesmerised together
fo r a few times, the baby became as improved as the mother.
The sight continues fully restored, and the general restless­
ness removed. She expresses herself to be now quite free
from all her former ailments,
This last report is now many months from her previous
illness.
 B ristol M esm eric Institute. 163

The amount o f good that can be done with mesmerism

amongst children, applied properly and perseveringly, is very
great. Even bad tempers can in this way be greatly im ­
proved.

Case o f Despondency and suicidal tendency.

John Hobbs, residing at Church Lane, St. Phillip’ s, ap­
plied January, 1849. Stated that he had been deranged
three times, and had been twice an inmate o f a lunatic asy­
lum. His friends advised him to try mesmerism. Being
very poor, he was admitted a patient at the institute in March.
I had previously attended him for a month, and had produced
some marked effects upon him. H e was a tailor, but no one
would employ him, though he was able to work and said to
be a good workman.
B y a continuance in mesmerism for three months, he was
greatly improved. His peculiar aberration was a morbid
desire to destroy himself. H is wife and family were obliged
to be removed for some time lest he should commit violence
upon them. After four months’ treatment he was enabled to
resume his trade, and went by m y advice to a different lo­
cality, where he is in good w ork ; and his family is restored
to him. W h en I was in Wales some time since, he accosted
me, and was so greatly improved in health and circumstances
that I hardly knew him to be the same man.
The marked effect referred to was excitement o f particular
cerebral organs. Just previously to waking him, and after
he was demesmerised, I usually excited certain organs, such
as those o f Mirthfulness, Firmness, and the whole moral
region. S o fully did these respond, that the patient admitted
the feeling o f jo y and hope to last for some hours j and, on
one or two occasions when I omitted the excitement o f his
organs in his waking state, he has returned, and begged me
to do as I usually did to him.

Severe Rheumatism with Palsy and longstanding Asthma.

Thomas Cooper, aged 63, residing at Bedmiuster near
Bristol, a married man with children, has been suffering from
fifteen to twenty years with moat extreme pains and distress
from varied attacks o f rheumatism and asthma. The rheu­
matic affection was so extreme as to be considered by his me­
dical attendants to be combined with partial paralysis. H is
limbs have been swollen and disabled, and are quite stiff from
repeated attacks; he has had the best advice, been in the
Bristol Infirmary and Bath Hospital, and considered himself
no better when he last came out. H e has continued much
164 B rittol M esm eric Inttiinte.

in the same state for the last two yean . Becom ing very de­
sirous to tty mesmerism, was admitted in October, 1849, and
continued a patient for three months.
B y a steady perseverance he was most essentially relieved
within a month. A t the end o f the second month he was so
much better that his pains had nearly left him, and the
asthma was so far relieved that he went to bed comfortably
and had good nights. H e was enabled after the third month
to walk to the institute in less than half an hour, though
previously it took him from an hour to an hour and a half.
H e was also mesmerised at home for some time, and by the
end o f the fourth month expressed himself nearly well, and
most grateful for the benefits received.
H e was highly susceptible in the mesmeric state, and,
being o f a religions turn o f mind, would under the mesmeric
excitement o f the organs o f Veneration and Language give
utterance to ideas and sentiments which he was quite un­
equal to express in his natural state. Advantage was taken
o f this to excite the action o f the muscular system ; and this
excitement answered well, when we consider his age and his
present near approach to perfect health.

Patpiialion and general D ebility.

Mrs. H . had been suffering for some years from palpita­
tion o f the heart, with pains on each side, languor and ge­
neral debility, and very disturbed sleep. She had tried every
available means until her attention had been directed to mes­
merism by her friends; she then consulted me, and was
attended for three weeks by myself, afterwards at the insti­
tute. W ithin two months she was so decidedly better, that
she hardly knew herself to be the same person. She however
persevered for three months, and at the end o f that time felt
herself so well that she thought she could safely give up
mesmerism. I allowed her to t r y ; hut, a slight relapse com­
ing on, she continued mesmerism for another month, and
has now the satisfaction o f being quite well except under par­
ticular excitements, and then a few administrations o f mes­
merism entirely relieve her. She shewed all the varied
phenomena up to clairvoyance. She expresses herself truly
grateful for the benefits received.
The utility o f commands was well evinced in this case;
and, by a proper regulation, they were the means o f averting
threatened attacks o f pain and the particular excitements
before referred to. She has never been better in ber life,
and it is now twelve months since she has been mesmerised
for any ailments.
 B ristol M esm etic Institute. 166

E xtrem e Tremor and Nervousness, with p om .

George M organ was admitted in September, 1850. H is
account was, that he had been suffering for nearly two years
from extreme nervous feelings, which at times affected his
system so violently that he was considered to be under at­
tacks o f ague, and treated accordingly; but without any
good. The attacks became more violent, and he could never
consider himself free from pain. H e was a shoemaker, but,
from the constant trembling upon him, he was unable to
continue his occupation. H e had tried everything that had
been suggested by various medical men, but without effect.
H e was mesmerised daily for a month, and by the end o f
that time began to feel himself much better. His sleep has
become more composed, and he can hold a tool steadily, which
he had not been able to do since his illness. H e continued
mesmerism for three months under a friend who had been
instructed for the purpose, and by the end o f that time be­
came so well as to be able gradually to resume his work,
leaving Bristol for a change, and finding employment where
he was. H e now resides in the country, and has called on
several occasions to shew himself, and return thanks for the
benefits received.
After the first month the effects o f mesmerism in his
waking state were very sensibly shewn, The tremor could
be overcome by passes made down the arms or legs, and this
improved state would last for a considerable time, giving him
perfect command over his ordinary pursuits, and enabled him
more readily to resume his business.

Painless Operations in Surgery,

Several cases o f what are called minor operations have
been performed without pain. These include cases o f teeth
extraction, the application o f caustic to various parts o f the
body, sucb as the eye, nose, and throat; all generally con ­
sidered in the waking state to be very sensitive parts. Thus
in one patient I have applied caustic upwards o f twenty times
to the throat and nose. In her natural state she is so sensi­
tive that she shudders at the approach o f m y hand. Her
ailments are yielding, but without mesmerism no progress
would have been made. Tumors and abscesses, which are
also painful, have been operated upon without the knowledge
o f the patients.
Several dentists have at various times extracted teeth, as
I prefer calling in dentists who have not before operated in
the mesmeric state. M r. Hart, o f Park Street, lately ope­
rated on two occasions, extracting four teeth. His convic-
166 B ristol M esm eric Institute.

tioDs were moBt firmly expressed, that the operations were

performed without the knowledge o f the patients.
Benefit o f suggesting to the Imagination.
This is absurdly termed electro-biology. In the Third
Volume o f The Z oist is a most interesting communication
from Dr. Buchanan, o f America, to Dr, Elliotsou, in which it
appears that all which has been lately demonstrated in this
country, and far more, had been some time previously per­
formed by that gentleman. I am glad to say that I have
fonnd suggestion to the imagination o f great use where time
and circumstances did not allow o f the more lengthened period
required by the usual application o f mesmerism. A large
number o f patients are constantly applying for admission to
the institute, but, our means being so very limited, only a
few can be received.
I have on several occasions tried the varied susceptibilities
o f parties applying, and, generally finding two or three who
have fallen sufficiently under the influence, have admitted
them.
I will now add the results o f three cases which during last
summer came under my notice.

Tic Douloureux and P alsy.

One was that o f a stout man, a mariner, who had suf­
fered from palsy o f the left side for three years. H e was
quite prevented from work, and had tried every available
means o f relief. I placed him amongst others to try his
susceptibility by the use o f the zinc and copper coin with
occasional passes. H e was the first affected, and, passing him
into the deeper mesmeric state, I was enabled to act upon
his limbs in a very satisfactory way. On arousing him he
scarcely knew what had transpired. I repeated the experi­
ments in his apparently waking state, ana induced motions
in his arms and legs that astonished him. B y himself he was
quite unequal to these movements until after the fourth sit­
ting, when I caused him to exercise his arms and legs, and
this power was retained for a considerable time.
H e was operated upon for a few times, and at the end o f
a mouth was enabled to resume his usual duties.

Violent Tic Douloureux.

John Peat, a respectable mechanic, presented himself.
H e said he had been a martyr to tic douloureux for some
mouths. A ll ordinary means had failed. H e could not work
half his time on account o f these attacks, and sometimes
was laid by for weeks together.
 Cages by M r, Saunders o f B ristol, 167

T r y i n g h im w ith o t h e r s in J u n e la st, I b o o h sa w h e w a s
r e a d ily in f lu e n c e d ; a n d , a s h e w as t h e n s u f f e r in g a c u t e p a in ,
1 c o n f in e d m y a t t e n t io n c h ie fly t o h im , a n d in le s s th a n t e n
m in u t e s h e w a s a s le e p . I m a d e p a sses o v e r t h e h e a d a n d
fa c e , a n d , b e f o r e a r o u s in g h im , t o l d h im h e w o u ld w a k e u p
f r e e f r o m p a in . T h is t u r n e d o u t t o b e t h e f a c t , a n d t h e p a in
d id n o t r e t u r n u n t il t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y , o n w h ic h h e c a m e as
re q u e ste d . I n o w o p e r a t e d in t h e a p p a r e n t ly w a k in g s t a t e ,
a n d q u it e s u b d u e d t h e p a in , a n d g a v e h im r e a s o n t o b e lie v e
it m ig h t n o t r e tu rn . T o t h is h e w as q u it e in c r e d u lo u s , I
d e s ir e d h im t o c o m e t h e f o llo w in g d a y w ith h is d a u g h t e r ,
p r o m is in g t o g iv e h e r in s t r u c t io n s h o w t o p r o c e e d . T he poor
m a n h a d s u ffe r e d n o r e t u r n o f t h e p a in w h e n h e c a m e a g a in ,
H i s d a u g h t e r t h e n lo c a ll y m e s m e r is e d h im u n d e r p r o p e r d i ­
r e c t io n s n ig h t a n d m o r n in g f o r t h r e e w e e k s , a n d , e x c e p t o n
o n e o r t w o o c c a s io n s , h e h a s b e e n q u it e fr e e f r o m p a in . T h is
fr e e d o m h a s c o n t in u e d n o w f o r m a n y m o n t h s . H e c o n s id e r s
h i m s e lf c u r e d , a n d s a y s h e c a n n o t e x p r e s s t o o m u c h g r a t it u d e ,
h a r in g p r e v io u s ly s u ffe r e d b o l o n g a n d s e v e r e ly .

P a ra lysis,
A y o u t h , a b o u t 1 4 y e a r s o l d , s e n t t o th e in s t it u t e b y a
g e n t le m a n . H e h a d s u ffe r e d f r o m p a r a ly s is o f t h e a r m s a n d
le g s f o r t h r e e y e a r s , a n d w a s n e a r ly u n a b le t o w a lk . He
s h e w e d e v id e n t s y m p t o m s o f b e i n g e a s ily a c t e d u p o n a t t h e
firs t s it t in g . H e w a s o p e r a t e d u p o n s e v e r a l t im e s in s u c c e s ­
s io n , a n d s o s u c c e s s f u lly , th a t a ft e r t h e t h ir d d a y h e w a s
m a d e t o u s e h is a r m s m o s t f r e e ly , t o w a lk a n d r u n v e r y
q u ic k ly a n d a g a in s t h is w ill, s o a s t o m a k e h im b e lie v e h e
w a s b e s id e h im s e lf. B y t h e e n d o f a m o n t h h e w a s q u it e
w e ll.
T h e a b o v e c a s e s w e r e w it n e s s e d b y a la r g e n u m b e r o f p e r ­
s o n s , a s I w a s t h e n g i v i n g d e m o n s t r a t io n s a t t h e R o o m s , a n d
a t t h e s e m e e t in g s I p r e s e n t e d t h e p a t ie n t s t o g iv e t h e ir o w n
a c c o u n t s o f a ilm e n t s a n d c u r e s .

V II. C a s e s b y M r . S a u n d e r s o f B r is t o l. R heum atism ; P ain

fro m a b u m ; B leed in g and p ossib ly a M l in a R a b b it;
P a in and H elplessness in a C al fro m being run o v e r ;
R heu m atism ; T ooth -ach e .*
"T h e ignorance of the Mexicans is equal to their superstition. We were
attuned at an instance afforded us in the case of a schoolmaster. While describ­
ing to him the modes of travelling ia America, we told him about the steamers,

v These cases have been unavoidably deferred as long as those of Dr, Storer,
— Zoist.
 168 Caj/ei b y M r. S ounder» o f B ru to l.

«t which he v u oat ranch »iprued, Isviog heard of them before f but, when we
told him or the railroad, he listened with the earne incredulity with which the
king o f Siam heard the missionaries describe ice ; and, whea we told him of the
telegraph» be slowly arose^ wrapped his eerope around bin, and moved off, with­
out deigning ns a word or a look/3— Sixtttn Month* ift /Ae Gold Digging*, By
D, B. Wood.
1. Rkmmatimn.
A m a n b y t h e n a m e o f C h a r le s J e n n in g s , w h o h a d o c c a s io n
t o c a ll o n m e , w as o b s e r v e d b y m y c l e r k , M r . P e s t e r , t o c a r r y
h is h e a d v e r y m u c h t o o n e s i d e : a n d , u p o n M r . P e s t e r a s k .
in g h im w h a t a ile d h im , h e s a id t h a t h e h a d b e e n a n d w a s
t h e n B u ffe rin g f r o m a m o s t d r e a d fu l p a in a t t h e b a c k o f h ts
h e a d , e x t e n d in g t o th e b a c k o f e a c h e a r . M r . P ester m ade
h i m s it d o w n , g a v e h im a d is k t o l o o k a t , a n d in a b o u t t e n
m in u t e s h is e y e s c lo s e d . A f t e r m a k in g p a s s e s o v e r t h e b a c k
o f h is h e a d a n d ea rs f o r a b o u t a q u a r t e r o f a n h o u r , M r .
P e s t e r w o k e h im u p . H e s a id t h e p a in w a s q u it e g o n e , a n d
h e f e lt h is h e a d 11 n ic e a n d l i g h t . " I n a b o u t th re e d a y s h e
c a lle d a g a in , a n d , a s h e d i d n o t f e e l v e r y s t r o n g , m y c le r k s e n t
h im o f f a g a in b y m e a n s o f t h e d is k , a n d , a f t e r t r y i n g f o r s o m e
t im e t o s tiffe n h is a r m s w it h o u t s u c c e s s , w o k e h im . Ju st at
t h is t im e I w e n t i n , a n d t h e n s e n t h im i n t o t h e s le e p b y t h e
fix e d g a z e a n d p o i n t i n g t h e fin g e r s . H e w en t o ff in a b o u t
f o u r m in u te s . A f t e r m a k in g s t r o n g p a s s e s f r o m t h e h e a d
d o w n t h e s p in e , I m a d e t w o o r t h r e e v e r y s t r o n g o n e s a lo n g
t h e a r m s , a n d th e s e b e c a m e p e r f e c t ly r i g i d : a s d id a lso h is
le g s . M y c le r k a l s o c o u l d now c a u s e r ig i d it y . H e w ent
a w a y q u it e w e ll.
I h a v e j u s t s t a t e d t h a t I m a d e s o m e very airony paaaea.
W h a t I m e a n is t h i s : I f a n c y t o m y s e l f t h a t I h a v e a c t u a lly
s o m e t w o o r t h r e e h u n d r e d w e ig h t o f d is e a s e a t t h e e n d s o f
m y fin g e r s , a n d t h a t I a m d r a g g i n g i t d o w n . T h e en ergy
th a t I u s e u p o n th e s e o c c a s io n s f r e q u e n t ly c a u s e s t h e p e r ­
s p ir a t io n t o d r o p fr o m m y f o r e h e a d l ik e la r g e p e a s , a n d I a m
p e r f e c t ly s a tis fie d t h a t a w a n t o f e n e r g y o n t h e p a r t o f t h e
m e s m e r is e r is, in n in e c a s e s o u t o f t e n , t h e c h i e f c a u s e o f
fa ilu r e . I h a v e s e e n m e s m e r is e r s m a k e p a s s e s a l o n g a n a r m
f o r h a l f a n h o u r a t a t i m e , a s t h o u g h t h e y w e r e b r u s h in g f lu e
f r o m o f f a p ie c e o f v e lv e t , w it h o u t p r o d u c in g t h e s lig h t e s t
r ig id it y , I h a v e t h e n m a d e a fe w s t r o n g p a s s e s , a n d t h e a r m
h a s b e c o m e lik e a p i e c e o f ir o n .

I I . P ain fro m a bum .

A la d in m y e m p lo y , b y t h e n a m e o f J o h n B e r r y , c a m e
c r y in g t o m y c le r k i n c o n s e q u e n c e o f h a v in g b u r n t h is w ris t
w it h t h e gas. I t w as i n g r e a t p a in a n d lo o k e d v e r y r e d .
M y c le r k im m e d ia t e ly m e s m e r is e d it w it h o u t s e n d in g h im
 Cate» b y M r. Sounder» o f B ristol. 169

i n t o t h e s le e p , a n d f o r a b o u t a m in u t e t h e p a in g r e a t ly i n ­
c r e a s e d : b u t , in le s s t h a n t h r e e m in u t e s m o r e , t h e p a in
e n t i r e l y c e a s e d , a n d b e f e lt n o m o r e o f it . T h is la d is v e r y
s u s c e p t ib le o f m e s m e r is m a n d t h e p h e n o m e n a o f s u g g e s t io n .

III. A bleeding R abbit, probably in a fit.

M y lit t le b o y c a m e r u n n i n g t o m e t o sa y th a t o n e o f h is
r a b b it s w h ic h h a d la t e ly h a d a lit t e r o f y o u n g o n e s w a s v e r y
ill . I f o u n d i t s t r e t c h e d a l o n g th e b o t t o m o f th e h o t c h ,
p a n t in g v e r y q u ic k ly a n d b l e e d i n g s e v e r e ly f r o m t h e n o s e a n d
m o u t h : t h e e y e s w e r e n e a r ly c lo s e d , a n d t h o s e w h o sa w it
p r o n o u n c e d it t o b e d y i n g . I p o in t e d m y d n g e r s w it h c o n ­
ta ct ju s t u n d e r th e ea r fo r a b o u t a q u a rte r o f an h o u r, w h en
i t b e g a n r a p id ly t o im p r o v e , t h e b l e e d i n g s t o p p e d , a n d t h e
e y e s l o o k e d m n c h m o r e liv e ly . I t h e n le f t o f f , a n d in t w o
h o u r s 1 t im e t h e r a b b it w a s t o a ll n p p e a r a n c e q u it e w e l l ; a n d it
h a s r e m a in e d s o t o t h is t im e .

IV . P a in and helplesm e»» m a C at fro m being ra n over.

T h is m o r n in g , A u g u s t 1 2 , a p a ir o f t r u c k s w e r e a c c id e n t ­
a l ly w h e e le d o v e r a f a v o u r it e w h it e c a t o f o u r s : it c r ie d a u d
s t r u g g le d t e r r i b l y , a n d w as q u it e u n a b le t o s t a n d u p o n its
le g s . S o m e p e r s o n s w h o w e r e p r e s e n t a d v is e d it s b e i n g k ille d
a t o n c e , a s t h e y s a id it w a s im p o s s ib le f o r t h e p o o r t h i n g t o
r e c o v e r a n d it w o u ld b e m o r e h u m a n e t o p u t it o u t o f its m is e r y
at o n c e . B u t m y c le r k c a r r ie d i t in t o t h e r o o m , a n d , h o l d ­
in g it in o n e h a n d , h e m e s m e r is e d it w it h t h e o t h e r . In
a b o u t h a l f a n h o u r I c a m e h o m e , a n d , a ft e r m e s m e r is in g it
s t r o n g ly f a r s o m e t im e , t h e p a in e v id e n t ly s u b s id e d . The
s h o u ld e r w a s e x c e e d i n g ly h o t w h e n I c o m m e n c e d t h e p a sses ,
b u t a e o n b e c a m e q u it e c o o l, a n d t h e lit t le a n im a l in t h e c o u r s e >
o f a b o u t a n h o u r w a s r u n n i n g ■a b o u t a s w e ll o s u s u a l, w it h
t h e e x c e p t io n o f a . s l i g h t la m e n e s s , w h ic h w e n t o f f i n a v e r y
fe w d a ys.
V . R hew natitm .
A la b o u r i n g m a n , J o h n B a ll, c a m e t o m e w ith h is r i g h t
a r m a n d h a n d in a s lin g . H e w a s s u ffe r in g f r o m r h e u m a t is m ,
u n a b le t o m o v e e it h e r h is a r m o r h a n d ; a n d t h e h a n d w a s
c o n s id e r a b l y s w o lle n . H e c o u l d n o t b e a r it t o b e t o u c h e d .
M y c le r k s e n t h i m in t o t h e s le e p w it h t h e d is k i u s e v e n
m in u t e s , a n d , a ft e r m e s m e r is in g h is a r m a n d h a n d f o r s o m e
lit t le t i m e , h e w a s a llo w e d t o r e m a in in t h e s le e p f o r a b o u t
t e n m in u t e s m o r e . I t h e n t o o k h im in h a n d , a n d m a d e s t r o n g
p a sse s o v e r h is a r m a n d h a n d . T h e s w e llin g r a p id ly d e c r e a s e d ,
a n d , a f t e r b e i n g w a k e n e d , h e w e n t a w a y w it h o u t h is B ling,
a n d s a id t h a t t h e im p r o v e m e n t h e h a d m a d e w as a s t o n is h in g ,
von. x . n
170 T ransference o f th e ten se o f H earing.

T h e f o llo w in g d a y h e c a m e a g a i n ; h is b a n d c o n t in u e d b e t t e r .
A s I w a s o u t a t t h e t im e , m y c le r k a g a in s e n t h im o f f w ith
t h e d is k , a n d t r ie d t o m a k e h is a m r i g i d ; b u t c o u l d n o t s u c ­
ceed. O n m y r e t u r n h o m e , fin d in g h im s t ill a s le e p , 1 t r ie d
t o in d u c e r ig i d it y o r c a t a le p s y o f t h e a r m s , b u t fa ile d . 1
t h e n w o k e h im u p , a n d s e n t h im a g a in i n t o t h e s le e p b y th e
f ix e d g a z e a n d t h e p a sse s , a n d I t h e n e a s ily s u c c e e d e d in
c a u s in g p e r f e c t r ig i d it y . W h e n I a w o k e h im , h e f o u n d h is
a r m a n d h a n d q u it e w e ll, w ith th e e x c e p t io n o f a s l i g h t s w e ll­
i n g i n th e m id d le j o i n t o f h is s e c o n d fin g e r . H e w en t to
w o r k t h e n e x t d a y , a n d h a s h a d n o r e t u r n o f h is c o m p la in t .
H e h a d s u ffe r e d f r o m a t t a c k s o f r h e u m a t is m , a n d t h e y
a lw a y s la s t e d fiv e o r s ix w e e k s . T h is w a s o v e r in t w o d a y s .

V I. T ooth-ache.
A s e r v a n t w h o h a s r e c e n t ly c o m e t o liv e w it h u s , a y o u n g
w o m a n a b o u t 2 4 y e a r s o f a g e , h a d b e e n a g r e a t s u ffe r e r fr o m
t o o t h - a c h e , a n d h a d p r e v io u s ly t o h e r c o m i n g t o u s h a d s e v e n
teeth ex tra cted . Y e s t e r d a y , A u g u s t 1 7 t h , s h e w as a lm o s t
d is t r a c t e d w ith a p a in i n o n e o f h e r t e e t h , a n d i t a ffe c t e d th e
w h o le s id e o f h e r fa c e . M y c le r k m a d e a fe w p a sses o v e r th e
fa c e , a n d in a v e r y fe w m in u t e s t h e p a in e n t ir e ly c e a s e d , a n d
it h a s n o t r e t u r n e d .
V I I , T ooth-ache.
L a s t n ig h t , A u g . 1 8 , m y lit t le b o y , 1 0 y e a r s o f a g e , w a s
s u f f e r in g d r e a d fu lly f r o m t o o t h - a c h e . I m a d e a b ou t ten or
fift e e n p a sse s o v e r th e s id e o f th e fa c e w h e r e t h e p a in w a s ,
a n d th is im m e d ia t e ly c e a s e d , a n d h e w e n t t o s le e p .

T h e b o y B e r r y , w h o s e b u r n w as t h e first o f t h e p r e s e n t
c u r e s , h a v in g b e e n s e n t u p o n a n e r r a n d , r e t u r n e d h o m e c r y in g
a n d lim p in g . H e h a d fa lle n d o w n a n d c u t h is k n e e a g a in s t
th e c u rb o f th e p a v em en t. A cro w d su rrou n d ed th e d o o r,
t h i n k i n g h e h a d b r o k e n h is le g . O n e x a m in in g t h e k n e e , I
f o u n d i t v e r y m u c h s w o lle n , s c r a t c h e d , a n d v e r y r e d . H e w as
m e s m e r is e d f o r a b o u t h a l f a n h o u r , a n d th e l e g m a d e q u it e
r i g i d . W h e n w e a w o k e h im , h e f e lt n o p a in , t h e s w e llin g h a d
e n t ir e ly d is a p p e a r e d , a n d h e w a s a b le t o w a lk w it h o u t t h e
s lig h t e s t la m e n e s s .
S. D . S au n de rs .

V III. T ransference o f the sense o f H earing fro m the E a r to the

A bdom en.
I n a r e c e n t w o r k , A Faggot o f French S ticks, t h e r e is a c u r i­
o u s c o n f ir m a t io n o f t h e m e s m e r ic f a c t o f h e a r in g t h r o u g h t h e
stom a ch . In h is d e s c r ip t io n o f t h e N a t io n a l I n s t it u t io n o f
 M esm erism in R ochdale. 171

t h e D e a f a n d D u m b in P a r is , t h e a u th o r , S ir F r a n c is H e a d ,
s a y s , " 1 f o u n d u n d e r t h e c h a r g e o f t h e Surveillant en ch ef,
h i m s e l f d e a f a n d d u m b , 1 1 6 fin e h e a l t h y - l o o k i n g d e a f a n d
d u m b b o y s , a m u s in g th e m s e lv e s a t g y m n a s t i c e x e r c i s e s ; w h e n
n i l o f a s u d d e n a d r u m b e a t , o n w h ic h , j u s t a s i f t h e y h a d
h e a r d it s r o ll, t h e y a ll in s t a n t ly d e s is t e d f r o m t h e ir g a m e s ,
f e l l in t o lin e , a n d b y b e a t o f d r u m , w ith w h ic h t h e ir fe e t
k e p t p e r f e c t t im e , t h e y m a r c h e d a w a y , fo llo w in g t h e d r u m m e r ­
b o y , w h o w a s a ls o d e a f a n d d u m b . ' T hey can not be per­
f e c t l y d e a f / I s a id ' i f t h e y h e a r t h a t d r u m V I n r e p ly , m y
g u i d e in f o r m e d m e th a t it s r o ll h a d n o e ffe c t o n t h e ir ea rs, b u t
c r e a t e d a n im m e d ia t e v ib r a t io n in t h e ir c h e s t s , w h ic h , a lt h o u g h
i n d e s c r ib i n g i t h e h a d p a t h is h a n d t h e r e o n , h e t e r m e d ' dans
I’estom ac.’ ”
H e r e t h e n is a p r o o f , in d e p e n d e n t o f m e s m e r ic a u t h o r it y ,
t h a t s o u n d c a n r e a c h t h e s e n s o r in m t h r o u g h o t h e r c h a n n e ls
th a n th e ear. I f it b e s a id t h a t , lik e t h e t i c k i n g o f a w a tc h
h e ld b e t w e e n t h e t e e t h o r p la c e d o n t h e t o p o f t h e h e a d , t h e
r o ll o f t h e d r u m is m e r e ly a v ib r a t io n a c t i n g o n t h e n e r v e s o f
t h e in t e r n a l e a r , a n d is n o t lik e t h e v o ic e , w h ic h c o n v e y s
t h r o u g h t h e p r o p e r o r g a n w h a te v e r id e a s th e s p e a k e r w is h e s
t o e x p r e s s , it m a y b e r e m a r k e d in r e p ly th a t , i f it b e a d m it t e d
t h a t in a r t ic u la t e s o u n d s lik e t h e r o ll o f a d r u m , a s in th e c a s e
o f t h e d e a f b o y s , c a n a ffe c t t h e s e n s o r iu m t h r o u g h t h e c h a n n e l
o f t h e s t o m a c h , w h y , w h e r e t h e s e n s e s a r e p e c u lia r ly a c u t e in
c e r t a in s t a g e s o f t h e m e s m e r ic tr a n c e , s h o u ld n o t t h e h u m a n
v o ic e b e c a p a b le o f c o n v e y i n g id e a s t o t h e m in d b y t h e a c t o f
w h is p e r in g o n t h e a b d o m e n ? I f w e c o u l d s h e w th a t t h e
v ib r a t io n o f l i g h t a c t s o n t h e o p t i c n e r v e w h ile t h e e y e is
s h u t a n d in s e n s ib le t o e x t e r n a l o b je c t s , a s t h e v ib r a t io n o f t h e
a ir a ffe c ts t h e a c o u s t ic n e r v e w h ile t h e e a r is in a s im ila r c o n ­
d i t i o n , w e m i g h t a r g n e t h a t e x t e r n a l o b j e c t s m a y b e seen, n o
le s s t h a n s o u n d s b e heard, in d e p e n d e n t ly o f t h e a g e n c y o f
th e e y e a n d ear. M a y t h e r e n o t b e a f a c u lt y in t h e h u m a n
o r g a n iz a t io n i n it s a b n o r m a l s ta te th a t c a n t a k e c o g n iz a n c e
o f t h e e x t e r n a l w o r ld t h r o u g h o t h e r t h a n t h e s p e c ia l o r g a n s
o f sen se?
’ N o n - W is t .

IX , M esm erism in R ochdale. B y C a p ta in H udson. C om ­

m u n ic a t e d b y D r . E l lio t s o n .
" In The Zoiit and elsewhere ere found cnees of asserted cures of epilepsy,
Stc., Sec,, by mesmerism! but nervous complaints arc so proverbially capricious
in their progress and termination, that in such cases it is impossible to ascribe
the results to any specific or remedial property of mesmerism, aod heocc ob­
servers have probably fallen into the poet hoe, propter hoc fallacy. Dr. Fricie,
N 2
172 M esm erism in R ochdale.

of Rambarg, haa sbtvni that fta r will supplant epilepsy, and many patients were
bq cared by him in the children'^ hoepitat. Any amendment produced by mes­
merism in such cases may therefore simply result from the emotions excited by
the process, and its employment in cancer seems simply absurd.—M soicus.11*
Romford, Essex, Feb. 16» 1852» [A sentence from a long and silly letter in the
Chelmsford CAroftiW*.]

D u r in g th re e m o n th s C a p t a in H u dson w as s u c c e s s fu lly
e n g a g e d in d e m o n s t r a t i n g t o t h e in h a b ita n ts o f R o c h d a le a n d
it s v ic in it y t h e n a t u r e a n d u s e s o f m e s m e r is m . Though
s t r o n g ly o p p o s e d a t t h e c o m m e n c e m e n t o f h is le c t u r e s , b o t h
b y t h e ig n o r a n t a n d in te r e s t e d , h e s u c c e e d e d b y p a t ie n t p e r ­
s e v e r a n c e a n d a 3 trict a d h e r e n c e t o t h e t r u t h in a w a k e n in g
p u b li c a t t e n t io n t o it s u t ilit y a n d in m a k in g c o n v e r t s o f
s o m e o f it s b it t e r e s t e n e m ie s . D u r i n g h is s t a y , h e d e ­
liv e r e d n o le s s t h a n fift y -fiv e le c t u r e s in t h e P u b l i c H a ll.
T h e y w e r e a t t e n d e d b y a u d ie n c e s a v e r a g in g fr o m s ix h u n ­
d re d to sev en h u n d re d p e rso n s, and c o m p o s e d n o t o n ly o f
w h a t is t e r m e d t h e lo w e r c la s s e s , s a id t o b e t h e m o s t e a s ily
im p o s e d u p o n , h u t o f m a g is tr a t e s , m in is t e r s , m e m b e r s o f t h e
m e d ic a l p r o fe s s io n , a n d o t h e r s o f th e m o s t in t e ll ig e n t a n d
in flu e n t ia l in h a b it a n t s o f t h e t o w n . T h e s e o f c o u rse , esp e­
c ia ll y t h e g e n t le m e n o f t h e f a c u lt y , s u b je c t e d h is e x p e r i­
m e n t s t o t h e s e v e r e s t s c r u t in y a n d e n d e a v o u r e d b y e v e r y
p o s s ib le m e a n s t o d is c o v e r s o m e d e c e p t io n . B u t w e a r e h a p p y
t o s a y t h a t , s o fa r f r o m b e i n g a b le t o d o t h is , m a n y o f t h e m ,
b o t h p u b l i c l y a n d p r iv a t e ly , c o n fe s s e d t o t h e t r u t h o f m e s ­
m e r is m w h ic h t h e y h a d f o r m e r ly o p p o s e d , I n d e e d , s o s t r ik ­
i n g w e r e t h e illu s t r a t io n s o f th e p o w e r o f m e s m e r is m , t h a t
t h e g e n e r a l o p in io n w a s t h a t it w o u ld r e q u ir e m o r e fa ith t o
b e lie v e t h e m t o b e th e r e s u lt o f a n y s e c r e t u n d e r s t a n d in g
b e t w e e n t h e o p e r a t o r a n d h is s u b je c t s , t h a n t o g iv e e n t ir e
c r e d e n c e t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y a r e p r o d u c e d b y a s im p le p o w e r
o f n a t u r e w ith w h ic h w e a r e a s y e t b u t im p e r f e c t ly a c ­
q u a in t e d ; w h ile t h e n u m b e r p u b li c ly o p e r a t e d u p o n , a m o u n t ­
in g t o b e t w e e n fift y a n d s ix t y o f b o t h s e x e s , a n d o f a ll a g e s ,
s o m e o f t h e m y o u n g m e n a m o n g t h e s t r o n g e s t in t h e t o w n ,
h a s c o m p le t e ly r e f u t e d t h e s illy id e a , t h a t t h e p o w e r o f m e s ­
m e r is m c a n o n ly b e d is p la y e d o n t h e w e a k - m in d e d o r t h e
t e n d e r a n d d e lic a t e . -
T h e e ffic a c y o f th e s c ie n c e h o w e v e r w a s m o s t c le a r ly e s t a ­
b lis h e d b y t h e C a p t a in ’ s s u c c e s s fu l a p p lic a t io n o f it a s a
c u r a t iv e a g e n t . F r o m t h e t i m e th a t h is le c t u r e s d r e w t h e

* The anonymous E ii& r writer may well be ashamed to give his name: and
I trust, that he is not a medical man hut ho&stingly signs himself Mtdicu*
instead of Vitulw.
** V i t u l u i t j u e i n e r m i fronte prorit in pugtiam."
Martial . III., Iriii.» 11. J ohn Elmotiok.
 B y Captain H udson. 173

a t t e n t io n o f t h e p u b lic , h e h a s b e e n a t t e n d e d b y f r o m t w e n t y
t o t h i r t y p a t ie n t s d a ily . M a n y o f th e s e w e re r e lie v e d f r o m
p a in o f l o n g c o n t in u a n c e , h a d Borne s e n s e s c o m p le t e ly r e ­
s t o r e d t h a t h a d b e e n p a r t ia lly lo s t , a n d lim b s l o n g c o n s i­
d e r e d u s e le s s r e s t o r e d t o v ig o u r a n d u s e fu ln e s s . T h e first
c a s e w h ic h p r o v e d t h e c u r a t iv e p o w e r o f m e s m e r is m w as
t h a t o f a y o u n g w o m a n , c a lle d A m e l i a S w a le . T h ir t e e n
m o n t h s p r e v io u s ly , s h e h a d l o s t t h e u s e o f h e r r ig h t a r m .
S h e a p p lie d t o t h r e e m e d ic a l g e n t le m e n , b u t n o n e o f t h e m
c o u l d p r o d u c e in it a n y s ig n s o f r e c o v e r y . O n e o f th e m
a d v is e d h e r t o a p p ly t o C a p ta in H u d s o n . S h e w e n t t o h im
d u r i n g t h e fir s t m o n t h o f h is s t a y , a n d a ft e r a fe w o p e r a t io n s
th e p o w e r b e g a n t o b e r e s t o r e d . G r a d u a lly th e a r m g r e w
s t r o n g e r , u n t il, in lit t le m o r e t h a n a w e e k , s h e c o u l d u s e it
w ith s o m e d e g r e e o f f r e e d o m . M a n y p r o p h e s ie d t h a t it w o u l d
s o o n r e la p s e i n t o it s fo r m e r h e lp le s s c o n d i t i o n ; h u t u n h a p ­
p il y f o r t h e ir f o r e s ig h t it c o n t in u e d t o im p r o v e u n til s h e h a d
m o r e s t r e n g t h iu it t h a n in t h e o t h e r a n d w a s a b le t o u s e i t
m o re th a n th e o th e r . A s e c o n d s t r ik in g c a s e is th a t o f M r s .
B r o w n , t h e w ife o f a r e s p e c t a b le d r a p e r in t h e t o w n , w h o g iv e s
th e f o l l o w i n g t e s t i m o n i a l :—
“ 7 7 , Y o r k s h ir e S t r e e t , R o c h d a l e ,
" M a r ch 1 2 th , 1 8 5 2 .
u F o r fiv e y e a r s I w a s a fflic t e d w ith t i c d o u lo u r e u x , a n d
fo r t w o y e a r s w it h s p a s m s : a n d I w a s a t t e n d e d d u r i n g t h a t
t im e b y p h y s ic ia n s b o t h in H a l if a x a n d R o c h d a l e w it h o u t
o b t a in in g a n y p e r m a n e n t r e lie f. W h e n C a p t a in H u d s o n
c a m e t o t h is t o w n , I a t t e n d e d s o m e o f h is l e c t u r e s ; a n d ,
a lt h o u g h I h a d 'b u t lit t le fa it h in t h e s c ie n c e , I p la c e d m y s e l f
u n d e r h is t r e a t m e n t . T h e first t i m e h e o p e r a t e d u p o n m e I
fe lt c o n s id e r a b le r e l i e f : a n d , a ft e r s e v e r a l d a y s a t t e n d a n c e , I
w a s c o m p le t e ly fr e e d f r o m p a in . F r o m t h a t t im e m y h e a lt h
h a s c o n t in u e d t o im p r o v e , s o th a t I a m n o w a l t o g e t h e r fr e e
f r o m p a in a n d e n jo y b e t t e r h e a lt h t h a n I h a d d o n e f o r m a n y
years p a st.
u G r a t it u d e c o n s t r a in s m e t o g iv e th is t e s t im o n ia l t o t h e
g o o d I h a v e r e c e iv e d t h r o u g h t h e in f lu e n c e o f m e s m e r is m .
“ S a r a h B r o w n .”

T h e r e is a n o t h e r f r o m F r a n c is W i n n , a m o u ld e r , c o n ­
n e c t e d w it h o n e o f t h e fir s t fa m ilie s in t h e p l a c e :—
“ F ie ld h e a d , R o c h d a le , M a r c h 1 2 t h , 1 8 5 2 .
“ I h a d b e e n s u f f e r in g f r o m a c h r o n i c in f la m m a t io n in t h e
B y n o ria l m e m b r a n e o f m y r ig h t k n e e f o r t h e la s t n in e y e a r s .
F o r s ix o f t h e m m y l e g h a s b e e n e n t ir e ly s t i f f ; a n d d u r i n g
174 M esm erism in R ochdale.

th e la st t w e lv e m o n t h s I h a d t o u s e c r a t c h e s . 1 had ev ery
d e s c r ip t io n o f m e d ic a l a d v ic e w it h o u t o b t a in in g a n y r e lie f.
M o s t o f m y p h y s ic ia n s w e r e o f o p in io n t h a t it m u s t b e c u t
o ff. H e a r in g o f C a p t a in H u d s o n , I a p p lie d t o h im . S in c e
h e b e g a n t o o p e r a t e u p o n m e I h a v e g r a d u a lly im p r o v e d . T h e
k n e e w h ic h w a s g r e a t ly s w o lle n h a s b e e n r e d u c e d t o its p r o ­
p e r d im e n s io n s . I a m n o w a b le t o b e n d i t m o r e t h a n I h a v e
d o n e f o r s ix y e a r s , a n d c a n a lm o s t w a lk w it h o u t t h e a s s is t­
a n c e o f c r u t c h e s , w h ic h , t h r o u g h m e s m e r ic t r e a t m e n t , I
e x p e c t s o o n t o b e a b le t o la y w h o lly a s id e .
" I m a y a ls o s t a t e t h a t m y g e n e r a l h e a lt h h a s b e e n g r e a t ly
im p r o v e d t h r o u g h t h e s a m e m e a n s , a n d I m o s t h e a r tily w ish
s u c c e s s t o e v e r y e n d e a v o u r t o s p r e a d a k n o w le d g e o f t h e
s c ie n c e fr o m w h ic h I h a v e o b t a in e d s o m u c h r e lie f .
" F ran cis W in n , M o u l d e r . ”

M a n y o t h e r c u r e s m i g h t b e n a r r a t e d in p r o o f o f w h a t h as
b e e n e ffe c t e d b y m e a n s o f m e s m e r is m i n R o c h d a le . I t is
im p o s s ib le t o d e s c r ib e t h e g r a t it u d e e v in c e d b y t h o s e w h o
h a v e b e e n c u r e d . G iv e n u p b y t h e ir p h y s ic ia n s , t h e y sa w n o
p r o s p e c t b u t t h a t o f le a d in g a life o f w r e t c h e d n e s s , o f d e ­
p e n d e n c e u p o n t h e ir fr ie n d s , o r u p o n t h e s y m p a t h ie s o f t h e
p u b lic . N o w t h e y fin d th e m s e lv e s , t h r o u g h a n a t u r a l a g e n c y ,
r e s t o r e d as i t w e r e t o life , w it h a b ili t y t o d o it s b u s in e s s w ith
hope. N o w o n d e r t h a t t h e y s h o u ld b e g r a t e fu l b o t h t o t h e
A u t h o r o f e v e r y g o o d g if t a n d t o th e a g e n t b y w h o m t h e y
have b een cured. T h e i r t h a n k s , t o g e t h e r w ith t h e c o n s c io u s ­
n e s s o f d o i n g g o o d , fo r m a n o b l e r e c o m p e n s e t o C a p ta in H u d ­
s o n f o r a ll h is t o ils a n d f o r a ll t h e c a lu m n ie s h e h a s h a d t o
b e a r ; w h ile t h e y th e m s e lv e s , d e s p it e t h e p r e ju d ic e s o f th e
ig n o r a n t a n d t h e h o s t ilit y o f th e in t e r e s t e d , w ill li v e a s u n ­
d e n ia b le e v id e n c e s t h a t G o d h a s im p la n t e d i n m a n a p o w e r
w h e r e w it h t o a lle v ia te t h e p h y s ic a l w o e s o f h is b r o t h e r , a n d
d o s o m e w h a t t o p a v e t h e w a y f o r th e a b o lit io n o f th e b a r ­
b a r o u s p r a c t ic e s w h ic h h a v e h it h e r t o p r e v a ile d in t h e s o - c a lle d
h e a li n g a r t, a n d f o r t h e in t r o d u c t i o n o f t h e g e n t le r m e a n s
w h e re b y n a tu re b e c o m e s h e r ow n re sto re r.
W e b e lie v e C a p t a in H u d s o n t o b e w e ll a d a p t e d t o t h e
w o r k h e h a s u n d e r t a k e n : t h e s t r e n g t h o f h is c o n s t it u t io n , t h e
fir m n e s s o f h is n e r v e , t o g e t h e r w it h h is k in d n e s s o f h e a r t,
e m i n e n t ly fit h im f o r s u c h a ta s k . M o s t h e a r t ily d o w e w is h
h im s u c c e s s iu h is e ffo r t s t o s p re a d w h a t w e b e lie v e t o b e
tr u t h , a n d t o d o g o o d t o t h e p o o r a n d a fflic t e d o f o u r r a c e .
T h e fo llo w in g is e x t r a c t e d f r o m t h e M an ch ester E xam in er
and Tim es, o f th e 2 8 t h o f F e b r u a r y , a n d m a y b e l o o k e d u p o n
 B y Captain H udson. 17 5

as s o f a r c o r r o b o r a t iv e o f t h e p r e c e d i n g s t a t e m e n t s , a ll o f
w h ic h w ill b e v e r ifie d b y a n y u n p r e ju d ic e d in h a b it a n t o f
R o c h d a le .
A le x . B i r n i e , A g e n t,

R a ilw a y S t r e e t , R o c h d a le ,
J ohn M offat ,
A g e n t a n d S u p e r in t e n d e n t o f P u b l i c H a l l ,
B a illie S t r e e t , R o c h d a le .
“ T h e H o l m f i r t b C a l a m i t y .— C a p t a i n H u d s o n ' s L e c ­
tu r e .— Pursuant to announcem ent, C apt. H u d son delivered a lec­
ture on m esm erism and b iology , illustrated b y num erous experim ents,
on T u esday evenin g laBt, in the P u blic-h all, Baillie-street, R och d a le,
when there was a num erous an d h ig h ly respectable au ditory. It
appeared th a t Captain H u d so n h ad delivered 5 0 p u b lic lectures and
illustrations, in the P u blic-h all, R och dale, du ring the last few m o n th s;
in addition t o which he h ad, on five different occasion s, lectured gratui­
tously on b e h a lf o f som e o f th e institutions con n ected w ith the tow n,
and h is co n clu d in g lecture was given on b eh a lf o f the sufferers by th e
late accident near H olm firtb . T h e proceeds w ou ld am oun t to a con ­
siderable su m , as there was a large audience, and all th e reserved
seats were o ccu p ie d , the adm ission to w h ich was 2s. for each person .
T h e R o ch d a le tem perance harm onic baud was in attendance, and
also M r . G . H . K eelin g, w hose perform ance on the flutina was
m uch adm ired. B efore com m en cin g b is experim en ts, Captain H u d ­
son stated th a t du rin g th e w hole course o f h is entertainm ents not
one person had com e forw ard to confu te w hat he h ad advanced on
the su bject. T h e w h ole o f tb e persons, w ith on e exception , on
w hich b e intended to operate, w ould be persons b elon g in g to R o c h ­
dale, w ith w h om h e h ad scarcely had five m inutes’ previous con ­
versation, an d th ey were n ot at all aware w hat he was ab out to d o .
There was an im pression that it was likely to p rove inju rious for per­
sons to b e frequently operated u p o n ; but, so far as his experience
went, th e op p osite w as th e case, for h e had operated upon one p er­
son 2 0 0 0 tim es w ith in tw o years, and she had been visited b y 1 0 ,0 0 0
persona, and was better at th e end o f th e period than she had been
before. I n brin gin g ou t th e various ph enom ena con n ected w ith the
subject, it was to o m u ch fo r him to expect that he w ould receive the
approval o f a l l : bu t it had been peculiarly gra tifyin g to find that in
every place w hich h e had visited h e h ad been w ell received. W h en h e
first cam e to R och d ale, it was w ith th e intention o f staying one week ;
and he h ad stayed three m on th s. D u rin g that p eriod 2 0 0 afflicted
cases h ad been b ro u gh t before h im , several o f w h ich had been cured,
and m any h ad been relieved. T h ere were som e present w h o h ad de­
rived considerable benefit in consequence o f b e in g operated u p on . H e
was g la d t o have b a d the attendance o f m edical men at h is lectures,
som e o f w h om had expressed their approval o f h is proceedings. W h e n
he first visited the tow n it was said, ' G et som e R och d ale people m ag­
netised b q t n ow h e h ad so m any that he scarcely knew w hat to
d o w ith th em all. Captain H u d son h avin g m ade a few passes w ith
176 M eim erism in R ochdale.

his han d, ab out 2 0 persons, from different parts o f the hall, cam e
rushing towards th e platform , apparently draw n by an irresistible in ­
fluence. T h e affinities o f bodies w ere shew n by pla cin g a buy and a
pow erful man together, th e boy having entire control over th e man,
lea din g him w herever he ch ose. I t w as som ew hat singular to see a
man w hose m uscular strength was su ch that he could lift tw o 5 6 lb.
w eigh ts above his head, unable to m ove except w ith th e consent o f a
b o y . A variety o f experim ents w ere then m ade, som e o f w hich were
very lu dicrou s and greatly excited th e risible faculties o f th e audience.
Captain H u dson could take away the p ow er o f m otion, and th e pow er
o f vision, and could restore them at pleasure. H e operated upon
m ore than 3 0 persons, som e o f w hom had been greatly oenefitted by
being operated u pon. O ne y o u n g la d y was present w hose right arm
h ad been, paralyzed m any m on th s, b u t h a d been restored to use.
O n e o f the m ost astonishing features con n ected w ith th e entertain­
m ent was the com posu re evidenced b y C aptain H u d son du ring the
w hole o f the proceedings, and th e entire control w hich h e exercised
ov e r the m inds o f b o large a num ber o f person s iu th e m esm eric state
at on e tim e ."

W e e x t r a c t t h e f o llo w in g f r o m t h e L iverp ool M ercu ry o f

J a n . 3 , 18 51
" M e sm e rirm .
“ L iv erp ool, 1st J a n ., 1851.
“ h r . H E N R Y HUDSON.
“ D ear Sir,— I have m u ch pleasure in bearing testim on y to the
beneficial effects o f m esm erism , h aving experienced the greatest re­
lie f in tw o different cases.
“ F or several years previous to m y see ¡m g y o u I w as afflicted
w ith a violent pain in the head, caused by inflam m ation. A ll the
rem edies from w hich I sou g h t re lie f failed, until it was m y g o o d for­
tune to try th e efficacy o f m esm erism , by w hich you succeeded in re­
m ovin g th e inflam m ation, and in a few days I was perfectly cured,
and have never suffered from th e pain in the head since. I had fo r ­
gotten t o state that this was about tw o years since. A short tim e
afterw ards I partly lost th e use o f m y righ t hand by an accident,
w hich caused a contraction o f th e sinew s that rendered it painful
to use m y hand fo r th e sligh test pu rpose. A fte r eighteen m on th s’
trial o f m edical treatm ent, w ithout any beneficial effect, I again a p ­
plied to y o u , and in a few m inutes from th e tim e y o u com m en ced to
m agnetize it I was enabled to open it w ithout th e slightest pain, and
have u sed it w ith ease and co m fo rt ever since.
“ B elieving that m esm erism , or anim al m agnetism , (s o beneficial
in m y ca se ,) w ould in m any cases b e p rod u ctive o f m u ch g o o d , it
w ould give m e pleasure to hear o f m any others deriving ease b y it
from th e sufferings incident to ou r com m on hum anity.
" T h an k in g a kin d P rovid ence for the b oon , and y o u r s e lf as the
instrum ent o f m y singular cure,
“ I am , dear Sir, yours very truly,
“ H a lifa x ." “ J. E. Dean .
 R em arks upon a fo rm o f Sub-m esm erism . 177

11 D ear Sir,— H a rin g accom panied the above-m entioned lady, who
is m y sister, to y o u r house, an d w itnessed th e cu re in th e latter case,
I have m uch pleasure in con firm in g h er statem ent, an d expressin g
m y confidence in m esm erism ae a cure for all contractions o f the
sinews, or pains o f the head sim ilar to those w ith w h ich she was
afflicted.
" Y ou rs truly,
“ M u sic P receptor, D ew sbu ry.” “ J. W . D ean .

X. R em arks upon a fo rm o f Sub-m esm erism , p opu larly called

E lectro -B iolo g y , now p ra ctised in S c in d e and other E astern
C ountries. B y R i c h a r d F . B u r t o n , L ie u t. B o m b a y
A rm y. C o m m u n i c a t e d b y D r . E l lio t s o n .
“ Redruth, Cornwall, Oct. 23rd, 1849.
“ Dear Sir,— In answer to your inquiry, I beg to inform yon that it v u
Mr. Titus Deville who told me what I wrote to you respecting the College of
Physicians.*
“ Believe me to be, dear Sir, yours very truly,
“ Dr. EHioteon," " Hstrar Haums.

T o D r . E l lio t s o n .
D e a r D o c t o r , — T h e la s t t i m e I h a d t h e p le a s u r e o f s e e ­
in g y o u , y o u r e m a r k e d t h a t r e a d e r s o f The Z oist fe e l in t e r e s t
in p e r u s in g t h e a c c o u n t s o f tr a v e lle r s w h o h a v e t a k e n p a in s
t o c o l l e c t t h e débris o f a n a n c ie n t s c ie n c e w h ic h t h e y s t ill
fin d s c a t t e r e d a m o n g s t b a r b a r o u s a n d s e m i-c iv iliz e d r a c e s .
T h is e n c o u r a g e s m e t o fo r w a r d a fe w n o t e s u p o n t h e s u b je c t ,
I h a v e o n l y t o h o p e th a t y o u w ill c o n s id e r t h e m i n a n y w a y
w o r t h y o f y o u r a t t e n t io n .
A n o ld f o r m o f m e s m e r is m , u n d e r t h e n e w n a m e o f e le c ­
t r o - b i o l o g y , h a s la t e ly b e e n i n t r o d u c e d in t o E n g l a n d ; a n d , b y
t h e r id ic u lo u s n e s s r a t h e r t h a n t h e u t ilit y o f it s p h e n o m e n a , i t
h a s e x c it e d c o n s id e r a b le a t t e n t io n . I c a ll i t a n old f o r m , as
it h a s b e e n k n o w n a n d p r a c tis e d in t h e E a s t f r o m t im e i m ­
m e m o r ia l.
E v e r y w e ll- r e a d m a n h a s p e r u s e d h a l f a d o z e n a c c o u n t s o f
S h a y k h A b d - e l - K a d i r , t h e C a ir o M a g ic i a n , w h o s e p o w e r s o f
e x h ib it i n g t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f a b s e n t p e r s o n s w e r e fir s t n o t ic e d
in t h e pageB o f a n e m in e n t A r a b i c s c h o la r . T h a t g e n t le m a n ,
p r o b a b ly c o n s id e r in g t h e S h a y k h a p u n y d e s c e n d a n t f r o m t h e

* This tetter woe au answer to an inquiry made by me to the writer, formerly

One of my pupili at University College, wbo it was that informed him I bad lost
my Fellowship at the College of Physicians in consequence of my advocacy of
mesmerism, He had written to me, stating that be bad received information to
this effect from a medical mao sent from London by the Board of Health into
Cornwall during the time of the Asiatic cholera, and begging to know if it was
true. I d replying to him that it was utterly false, I requested to know the name
of his informant.—Job» Elliotson.
178 R em arks upon a fo rm o f Sub-m esm erism,

m i g h t y m e n o f E g y p t 's o ld e n t i m e , b e g a n w ith b e l ie v i n g t h a t
t h e p o w e r r e a lly e x is t e d . O th e T e x p e r im e n t e r s , e n d u e d w ith
le s s credenctveness — t o u se a la t e ly im p o r t e d w o r d — fo llo w e d
h i m ; a n d e v e n h e , 1 a m t o l d , is n o w c o n v in c e d th a t t h e m a ­
g ic i a n ’ s c h i e f v ir t u e r e s id e d i n a n in t im a c y w ith U s m a n B e y ,
a S c o t c h r e n e g a d e , w h o t a u g h t h im t h e d if f e r e n c e b e t w e e n a
t u r b a n a n d a b o n n e t , p e t t ic o a t a n d p a n t a lo o n s , o a r “ g r a c io u s
Q u e e n a n d a n e ld e r ly g e n t l e m a n . "
B u t e v e n t h e m o a t s c e p t ic a l o f t h e S h a y k h ’ s e x a m in e r s —
S i r G a r d n e r W i l k i n s o n f o r in s t a n c e — te s tifie s u n c o n s c io u s ly
t o t h e m e s m e r ic n a t u r e o f t h e p r o c e s s . I n t h e fir s t p la c e ,
t h e e x p e r im e n t a lis t , i t is o b s e r v e d , a lw a y s c h o o s e s a b o y *
n o t a r r iv e d a t t h e a g e o f p u b e r t y . H i s r e a s o n w o u ld b e t h a t
s u c h s u b je c t s a r e , r e lig io u s ly s p e a k in g , p u r e a n d w it h o u t
b le m is h . B u t w e c a n B u p p ly h im w ith a b e t t e r c a u s e — c la ir ­
v o y a n c e , e v e r y w h e r e r a r e , is m o r e c o m m o n a m o n g t h e y o u n g
th a n a m o n g th e o ld . S e c o n d l y , w e a re t o l d t h a t in m a n y
c a s e s t h e h o y c a n s e e n o t h in g in t h e i n k b u t h is o w n fa c e ,
a n d t h a t a ft e r a t im e h e e n d s b y f a llin g a s le e p o v e r it . T h is
is m e r e h y p n o t is m . A n d , t h ir d ly , t h e s u b je c t s a r e s o m e t im e s
t h r o w n i n t o a s t a t e o f fe a r , w h ic h m a y la s t f o r d a y s a n d e v e n
w eeks. T h e p a n ic is p r o b a b ly c a u s e d b y w a n t o f p r o p e r d e ­
m esne e r is a tio n .
A u reste t h e r e is n o t h i n g s c ie n t if ic i n t h e S h a y k h ’ s p r e ­
lu d e t o h is e x p e r im e n t s — b u r n in g fr a n k in c e n s e i n a b r a z ie r ,
p o u r i n g in k i n t o t h e b o y ’ s p a lm , a n d c o m m i t t i n g t o th e fla m e s
s lip s o f p a p e r c o n t a in in g " t h e n a m e s o f a n g e ls a n d d e m o n s .
N o r , I h u m b ly o p in e , e x is t s t h e r e a n y s o v e r e ig n p o t e n c y in
“ p r e s s in g t h e m e d i a n n e r v e ” — “ in g a z in g u p o n t h e e l e c ­
tr o -m a g n e t ic c o i n ,” o r in “ a f f e c t in g t h e o r g a n o p i n d i v i ­
d u a l it y .” B u t a t G r a n d C a ir o , a s w e ll a s in H a n o v e r
S q u a r e , p r o fe s s io n a l g e n t le m e n a r e k e e n ly a liv e t o t h e “ d o c ­
t r in e o f im p r e s s io n s .”
T h e m o s t in t e r e s t in g p o i n t in th is o r ie n t a l f o r m o f s u b ­
m e s m e r is m is t h e f a c t t h a t it is p r a c t is e d i n c o u n t r ie s w h ic h
n o w h a v e lit t le o r n o in t e r c o u r s e w ith o n e a n o t h e r . I t is
f o u n d , f o r in s t a n c e , i n E g y p t a n d in S o u t h e r n P e r s ia — la n d s
a s d is t in c t a s S ib e r ia a n d S p a in — a n d th is t o o , w it h h a r d ly
a n y p e r c e p t ib le d if f e r e n c e in t h e p r o c e s s .
D u r i n g a fiv e y e a r s ’ r e s id e n c e in t h e d e le c t a b le p r o v i n c e
o f S c in d e , I h a d f r e q u e n t o p p o r t u n it ie s o f h e a r in g t h e o p e ­
r a tio n d e s c r ib e d . A n d , a lt h o u g h I n e v e r sa w it p e r fo r m e d ,—
th e s u p e r s t it io n o f t h e n a tiv e s a n d t h e M e p h is t o p h e le a n fa m e
w ith w h ic h t h e ir fe a r s h a d in v e s t e d m e w e r e m y o b s t a c le s ,—

* In Moslem countries it would be impossible to experiment upon girls.

 ca lled E lectro -B io lo g y . B y M r. B urton. 179

s t i l l t h e D u m b e r a n d t h e c h a r a c t e r o f m y in fo r m a n t s le f t n o
d o u b t o f t h e a c c u r a c y o f t h e ir in f o r m a t io n in t h e m a in p o in t s .
S t r i p p e d o f a ll m ir a c u lo u s d e t a ils , t h e ir a c c o u n t o f t h e p r o c e s s
w a s a s f o llo w s .*
T h e b r a n c h o f m a g i c c a lle d V i n y a n o , o r G a h n o , is n o w
d e v o t e d a lm o s t e x c lu s iv e ly t o r e c o v e r i n g s t o le n g o o d s b y m e a n s
o f I h z a r — s u m m o n i n g t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e t h ie f. T he m a­
g ic i a n e m p lo y s a b o y o r a y o u t h n o t a r r iv e d a t t h e a g e o f
p u b e r t y , a n d b e g in s b y d ir e c t i n g h im t o g a z e a t a s p o t o f in k
r u b b e d u p o n h is t h u m b - n a i l o r p a in t e d o n t h e b o t t o m o f a
b r ig h t brass p o t. D u r i n g t h is p r e lim in a r y t h e s o o t h s a y e r
r e c it e s h is A z i m a t (c h a r m ) t h r e e d if f e r e n t t i m e s ; h e t h e n a d ­
d r e s s e s th e b o y a n d o r d e r s t h e s e e in g t o c o m m e n c e . F ir s t
a p p e a r s in t h e i n k a B h a n g i o r s w e e p e r — t h e F a r r a s h o f E g y p t
— w h o c le a n s t h e f l o o r ; h e , d is a p p e a r in g , is f o llo w e d b y a
h o s t o f t e n t -p it c h e r a , w h o p r e p a r e a r o y a l p a v ilio n . T hen
c o m e s a t r a i n o f s e r v a n ts t o s p r e a d t h e c a r p e t s , la y d o w n t h e
p illo w s , a n d p r e p a r e a n e le v a t e d s e a t f o r a p e r s o n o f d ig n it y .
N e x t a d v a n c e s in s t a t e t h e k i n g o f t h e J in n s ( g e n ii ) , w h o ,
p r e c e d i n g h is s u it e , e n t e r s t h e t e n t a n d ta k e s h is p la c e u p o n
th e th ro n e . T h e lo s e r o f th e s t o le n g o o d s a p p e a r s b e f o r e
h im a n d w it h r a is e d b a n d s p r e fe r s b i s c o m p la in t , u p o n w h ic h
t h e p o t e n t a t e d e s p a t c h e s a C h o b d a r o r lic t o r t o s u m m o n t h e
t h ie f. T h e la t t e r , a p p lie d t o th e q u e s t io n in t h e s h a p e o f a
v io le n t b a s t in a d o , c o n fe s s e s a ll t h e p a r t ic u la r s o f h is c r im e ,
a n d , a ft e r s h e w in g t h e s p o t w h e r e t h e s t o le n g o o d s a r e c o n ­
c e a le d , is d is m is s e d f r o m t h e p r e s e n c e .
T h is in c a n t a t io n , sa y t h e S c in d ia n s , is n o t o f d ia b o li c a l
o r ig i n . I t is m a s t e r e d b y th e p a r t ic u la r s t u d y o f o c c u l t
s c ie n c e c a lle d T a s k h ir , o r a c q u ir in g t h e c o m m a n d o f s p ir its .
T h e p r in c ip a l p a r t o f t h e c o u r s e is t h e C h ill o (o r f o r t y d a y s '
fa s t i n im it a t io n o f t h e g r e a t p r o p h e t s ) , d u r i n g w h ic h t h e
s c h o la r , liv in g s h u t u p in a d a r k e n e d r o o m , r e c it e s a v a r ie t y
o f in c a n t a t io n -p r a y e r s , s le e p s lit t le , a n d m e d it a t e s in t e n s e ly
u p o n s u b je c t s la id d o w n f o r h im b y h is S h a y k h o r s p ir itu a l
tea ch er. T h e fa s t is a r ig id o n e . O n t h e first d a y t h e p u p il
e a t s h is u s u a l q u a n t it y ; t h e n e x t h e d im in is h e s it b y h a l f ;
a n d s o o n t i ll h e c o m e s t o t o t a l a b s t in e n c e f r o m m e a t a n d
d r in k . I n t h is s ta te o f s t a r v a tio n h e c o n t in u e s a s l o n g a s
n a t u r e p e r m it s . W h e n im p e r a t iv e ly n e c e s s a r y , h e a llo w s h im ­
s e l f a fe w m o u t h fu ls , a n d g r a d u a lly in c r e a s e s h is a llo w a n c e u p
t o t h e f o r t ie t h d a y — t h e la st o f h is d is c ip lin e . H a v in g p e r ­
s o n a lly t r i e d t h is e x p e r im e n t f o r a b o u t a f o r t n ig h t , I c a n

* l bare already described tills operation id a work entitled, Sindh, and ike
Race* that inhabit the valley q f tAe fndut.
 180 R em arks upon a fo rm o f Sub-m esm erism .

a n s w e r f o r t h e f a c t th a t it e x e r t s a p o w e r fu l e f f e c t in c le a r in g
t h e b r a in a n d in c o n c e n t r a t in g it s e n e r g ie s . .
V i n y a n o in S c in d e is p r a c t iz e d b y H i n d o o s a s w e ll as
M o s le m s . T h is a t o n c e p o in t s o u t it s o r ig i n — I n d i a , t h e
f a t a l s o u r c e o f h a l f t h e s u p e r s t it io n s w h ic h h a v e d e lu g e d t h e
w o r ld . T h e n c e it m u s t h a v e t r a v e lle d t h r o u g h S c in d e a n d
P e r s ia t o S y r ia , w h e r e , a s in o t h e r p a r t s o f t h e E a s t , w e fin d
t h a t a “ b e l i e f in t h e p o w e r o f c a lli n g u p t h e d e a d a n d e x h i­
b itin g th e ap p ea ra n ces o f a b se n t p erson s ” w as lo n g c u r re n t.
A n o t h e r s t e p , a n d w e t r a c e it t o a n c ie n t G r e e c e , w h e r e i n ­
s te a d o f in k , o i l , w e a re t o l d , w a s p o u r e d in t o th e p a lm o f t h e
boy. I t is s t ill p r a c t iz e d — h o w e v e r im p e r f e c t ly — in E g y p t
a n d th e M a g h r i b , A n d t h e m a g i c m ir r o r w h ic h s h e w e d t h e
L a d y G e r a ld in e t o h e r a b s e n t lo v e r is a p r o o f th a t it w a s
n o t u n k n o w n i n I t a l y , w h e n c e i t w a s d iffu s e d t h r o u g h o u t
m ed iaeval E u r o p e . S c e p t ic a l c iv iliz a t io n r e je c t e d i t a s a
g r a n d a m ’ s t a le . S c ie n c e h a s n o w s t r ip p e d it o f it s f ic t io n
a n d la id t h e n a k e d f a c t b e f o r e o u r e y e s .
S i r G a r d n e r 'W ilk in s o n p r o p o s e s t o e x p la in th e m y s t e r y
o f th e C a ir o m a g ic ia n b y t h e r a tio n a l p r o c e s s o f c o n s id e r in g
t h e a p p e a r a n c e s i n t h e in k t h e r e s u lt o f le a d in g q u e s t io n s
a d d r e s s e d t o t h e b o y w h o is e x p e r im e n t e d u p o n .*
I w o u ld a s k th o s e , w h o a re n o t t h o r o u g h l y s a tis fie d b y
t h is o r a n y o t h e r s im ila r e x p la n a t io n , t o w itn e s s t h e e le c t r o ­
b i o lo g i c a l p r o c e s s , a n d t h e n t o c o n s id e r th e f o llo w in g r e m a r k s .
T h e h o t d r y c lim a t e s a n d t h e p u r e e le c t r ic a ir o f t h e E a s t
a r e f a v o u r a b le t o a n im a l m a g n e t i s m . T h e fin e n e r v o u s o r ­
g a n iz a t io n o f t h e p e o p le a n d th e e x c it a b ilit y o f t h e ir c e r e b r a l
d e v e lo p m e n t r e n d e r t h e m h ig h ly s u s c e p t ib le o f m e s m e r ic
in f lu e n c e . T h e m a g n e t iz e r , t o o , is w e ll c o n s t i t u t e d : h is e y e
is p ie r c in g , h is p r e s e n c e d ig n ifie d , h is n e r v o u s e n e r g y s u p e r ­
a b u n d a n t , a n d h is n a tu r a l p o w e r s o f c o n c e n t r n t iv e n e s s , i n ­
c r e a s e d b y a r tific ia l e x e r c is e s , a s sist h im in o b t a i n i n g c o m p le t e
m a s t e r y o v e r h im s e lf a n d o t h e r s . f H e c o m m u n ic a t e s w it h
h is s u b je c t b y f ix in g h is a t t e n t io n u p o n h im , a n d b y a s t r o n g
s ile n t v o lit io n , u n a id e d b y m a n ip u la t in g , h e t h r o w s h im in t o
th e s le e p -w a k in g s ta te , w h e n — t h e c e r e b r a l o r g a n s b e i n g e x ­
c it e d , th e se n s e s p a r a ly z e d , a n d t h e im a g in a t io n p o w e r f u lly
a ffe c t e d b y s u g g e s t io n — a r is e t h e s t r a n g e p h e n o m e n a tr e a t e d
o f b y m e s m e r is t s u n d e r rt d o m in a n c e o f t h e w ill.” T h e fa s ­
c in a t o r m e n t a lly o r d e r s th e s u b je c t t o s e e a d is t a n t o b j e c t .

* A. simple reason why the operation eo often fails is, that all boys are not
clairvoyants. But the magician who trades in magic only wants a certain number
of piastres, which he receives for the leaner, not for the auccess of the t&nce.
j1 This mastery over himself is weli proved by his powers of hybernation and
voluntary trance.
 Cure o f acute Rheum atism . 181

I f u n fit , h e is s im p ly h y p n o t i z e d , o p p o s s ib ly h e i s a la r m e d
b y th e m e s m e r ic s e n s a tio n s h e e x p e r i e n c e s . B u t i f a ll t h e
c o n d it io n s o f c la ir v o y a n c e b e p r e s e n t , t h e s u b j e c t w ill s e e
w h a t b e is d ir e c t e d t o l o o k a t, p a s s in g a s a p ic t u r e b e fo r e h is
ey es, a n d h e w ill d e s c r ib e it a c c u r a t e ly a s h e sa w it.
I o f f e r th is e x p la n a t io n w it h le s s d if f id e n c e , a s I h a v e b o t h
w itn e s s e d a n d p r o d u c e d a ll t h e m o s t im p r o b a b le p a r t s o f it .
E x c u s e m e , d e a r D o c t o r , f o r h a v in g t r e s p a s s e d s o l o n g
u p o n y o u r v a lu a b le s p a c e ; a n d , w it h s e n t im e n t s o f d is t in ­
g u is h e d e s t e e m , b e lie v e m e t o b e ,
Y o u r s v e r y t r u ly ,
R i c h a r d F . B u r t o n , L t. B om bay A rm y.
E . I . U . S e r v ic e C l u b , 1 4 , S t . J a m e s 's S q u a r e .

X I. Cure o f acute R heum atism . B y M r. M a r s h a l l , of

H a le s w o r t h . C o m m u n i c a t e d b y D r . E l lio t s o n .
“ Dr. Hale examined—He attended Mrs. Camming in the year 1847, 1848,
1849, and did not find any indication of insanity. Considers that the dtlutions
with regard to hEr children are not intone delusions. Wa9 in her bedroom con­
stantly and saw na indications o f filth. He has seen Mrs Gumming, at least,
three times a week since the 2Gth of last November. Believes her to be of found
mind now.
“ On cross-examination, the witness stated it was an insane delusion when a
person believed in something which did not exist and acted on that belief, or,
where there was some foundation for such a belief, to carry it to an absurd and
extravagant extent. Mesmerism and many sectarian belief) were evidences o f
delusion, but those toho professed belief in them were not necessarily insane.” —
Daily News, Jan. 21, 1852. Commission of Lunacy on Mrs, Cummiug.*
“ A thoughtful judge of sentiments, books, and men, will often find reason
to regret that the language of censure is so easy and undefined. It costs no
labour, and needs no intellect, to pronounce the words, foolish, stupid, dull,
odious, absurd, ridiculous. The weakest and most uncultivated mind may there­
fore gratify its vanity, lasiueas, and malice, all at once, by a prompt application
of vague condemnatory worda, where a wise and liberal man would not feel him-
seif warranted to pronounce without the most deliberate consideration, and where
such consideration might perhaps result in applause. Thus excellent performances,
in the department of thinking or of action, might be consigned to contempt, if
there were no better judges, on the authority of those who could not so much as
understand them. A man who wishes some decency and sense to prevail in the
circulation of opinions will do well, when tie hears these decisions of ignorant
arrogance, to call for the precise explication of the manner in which the terms of
the verdict apply to the subject.“ — John Foster. Essays, Commencement of
the Essay “ On the Epithet Romantic.’'
H a le s w o r t h , F e b . 8 t h , 1 8 5 2 .
D e a r S ir ,— I f y o u t h in k t h e c a s e w o r t h c o m m u n ic a t in g t o

* How deep must he the regret of Dr. Francis Hawkins (Zoist, No. XXIIT.,
p. 213; XXIV., p. 399) and of Dr. James Arthur Wilson (No. X X X I.) that
Dr. Hale is not of tbe College of Physicians, but only one of the College of Sur­
geons and Apothecaries’ Hall, They must consider that
“ Diguus, dignus ett intxare
In nostro doc to corpora."
M oliere, Maladt Jmaginairc.------ John E lliotson.
182 Cure o f acute Rheum atism ,

t h e v a lu a b le Z oist, I h a v e t h e p le a s u r e t o i n f o r m y o u th a t it
w i l l b e d o n e w it h t h e f u l l c o n s e n t o f t h e y o u n g la d y . She
w ill b e h a p p y t o r e p l y t o a n y q u e s t io n s t o u c h i n g u p o n t h e
f o l l o w i n g s t a t e m e n t s , w h ic h a r e a c o p y o f a n o t e I r e c e iv e d
fr o m h e r .
M i s s B a k e r w a s a t t a c k e d in J u l y la s t w ith a c u t e r h e u ­
m a t is m , w h ic h r e n d e r e d h e r q u it e h e lp le s s . F o r tw o m on th s
s h e w a s a t t e n d e d b y e m i n e n t m e d ic a l p r o fe s s o r s . H e r h e a lt h
s l ig h t l y im p r o v e d , b u t s h e s t ill r e m a in e d in a p e r f e c t ly h e lp ­
le s s c o n d i t i o n . S h e w a s a d v is e d b y Borne fr ie n d s t o tr y
m e s m e r i s m ; a n d a t la s t r e s o lv e d , a l t h o u g h a t t h a t t im e s h e
h a d lit t le fa it h in it s s u c c e s s . T h e o p e r a t io n w a s r e p e a t e d
t h r e e t im e s a w e e k : a n d , a t t h e e n d o f t h e t h ir d w e e k , s h e
w a s a b l e t o w a lk w it h o u t a s s is ta n c e ,— a n e x e r c is e w h ic h s h e
h a d n o t p e r f o r m e d in d e p e n d e n t ly f o r t h r e e m o u t h s . S h e h a s
b e e n o c c a s io n a l ly m e s m e r is e d u p t o t h e p r e s e n t d a y ( w h ic h is
a t t h e la t t e r e n d o f D e c e m b e r ) t h e t im e I r e c e iv e d th is w r it t e n
t e s t im o n y f r o m h e r : a n d , w ith t h e e x c e p t io n o f a s l ig h t s t if f ­
n e s s a t t h e k n e e s , t h e c u r e is c o m p le t e , w h ic h s h e fe e ls j u s t i ­
fie d in a t t r ib u t i n g t o m e s m e r is m .
I h a v e t w o o r t h r e e m o r e c a s e s o f c u r e s , w h ic h I s h a ll b e
h a p p y t o fo r w a r d , s h o u ld t h is b e c o n s id e r e d w o r t h in s e r t in g .
I a m , y o u r s o b e d ie n t ly ,
W . M asse all, D r a p e r .
T o J o h n E l lio t s o n , E s q . , L o n d o n .

A s I w is h e d f o r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t io n , M r . M a r s h a ll
fa v o u r e d m e w ith a s e c o n d le t t e r .— J o h n E l l i o t s o n .

H a le s w o rth , F e b . 1 8 th , 1 8 5 2 .
D e a r S i r ,— A s 1 t o o k n o n o t e s o f M i s s B a k e r ’ s c a s e , I
w ill g iv e y o u th e p a r t ic u la r s a s fa r as I a m a b le , w ith t h e
a s s is ta n c e o f a f r ie n d w h o w as g e n e r a ll y p r e s e n t . B u t it is
h e r p a r t ic u la r w ish t h a t t h e n a m e s o f t h e m e d ic a l m e n s h o u ld
n o t b e p u b lis h e d , t h e r e f o r e 1 h a v e n o t s e n t t h e m .
M i s s B a k e r w a s li v i n g in L o n d o n w h e n first a t t a c k e d w it h
r h e u m a t i s m : a n d a t t h e e n d o f a f o r t n i g h t w a s c o m p le t e ly
s e t fa s t. S h e a p p lie d t o e m in e n t m e d ic a l m e n , as s t a t e d in
m y l a s t : b u t r e c e iv e d n o b e n e fit . A f t e r r e m a i n in g i n th is
h e lp le s s c o n d i t i o n f o r m o r e t h a n t w o m o n t h s , s h e w a s r e ­
m o v e d t o th is t o w n , b u t c o n t in u e d u s i n g v a r io u s t h in g s ,
r e c o m m e n d e d b y t h o s e g e n t le m e n , u n t il I sa w h e r : w h e n ,
a t m y r e q u e s t s h e e n t ir e ly le f t t h e m o f f , a n d g a v e h e r s e lf u p
t o m e s m e r i s m ; b u t n o t w it h o u t s o m e r e lu c t a n c e . 1 com ­
m e n c e d b y p la c i n g m y h a n d u p o n h e r h e a d ; a n d i n t w o o r
t h r e e m in u t e s I p e r c e iv e d s o m e e f f e c t h a d b e e n p r o d u c e d . I
th e n to o k h e r h a n d s in th e cu s to m a ry w ay, w h e n h e r e y e s
 Visual and a cou stic illusions and hallucination. 183

in s t a n t ly c l o s e d ; b a t s h e r e m a in e d q u it e c o n s c io u s , a n d , i f I
sp o k e , sh e w o u ld ju s t o p e n th e m , lo o k a t m e , an d th e n d o se
o f f a g a in . I c o u l d d e e p e n t h e s le e p a t a n y t im e b y p la c i n g
m y fin g e r s o n h e r e y e s f o r a m in u t e o r s o . I b e g a n in a b o u t
f ir e m in u t e s m a k in g p a sse s fr o m h e r h e a d d o w n w a r d s , r e s t ­
in g a s h o r t t i m e a t th e k n e e s . A f t e r m a k in g s e v e r a l p a s s e s
iu t h is w a y , I a c t e d u p o n h e r a r m s a n d h a n d s , o n e o f w h ic h
w a s q u it e d r a w n t o g e t h e r a n d h a d b e e n s o f o r m o r e t h a n a
m on th . I a p p lie d a g o l d r i n g t o t h a t h a n d w h e n i n t h e m e s ­
m e r ic s t a t e , a n d a ls o w h ile s h e w as a w a k e , fr o m w h ic h s h e
r e c e iv e d c o n s id e r a b le b e n e fit . I u a b o u t t w e n t y m in u t e s s h e
c a m e t o h e r s e lf , a n d I t h e n a s k e d h e r h o w s h e fe lt . She
e x p r e s s e d h e r s e lf a s m u c h b e t t e r . S h e f e lt c o n s id e r a b le
w a r m t h f r o m m y h a n d s , a n d c o m p a r e d it t o h o t s t e a m ; a n d ,
w h e n I a p p lie d t h e r in g s , w a s m u c h h o t t e r .
I c o n t in u e d m e s m e r is in g h e r t w o o r t h r e e t im e s a w e e k ,
p r o d u c in g n o t h i n g b u t s im p le s le e p . B u t t h e b e n e f it s h e
r e c e iv e d e a c h t i m e w a s v e r y s t r ik in g , a n d q u it e s u r p r is e d h e r
fr ie n d s . W h e n I fir s t sa w h e r , s h e w a s i n a v e r y d e p r e s s e d
s ta te o f m i n d , a n d h e r c o u n t e n a n c e h a d a d e j e c t e d p in c h e d
a p p e a r a n c e : a n d n o w o n d e r , f o r s h e w a s f r e q u e n t ly k e p t
a w a k e a ll n i g h t s u f f e r in g t h e m o s t e x c r u c i a t i n g p a in s . In
a b o u t a m o n t h t h e p a in e n t ir e ly c e a s e d : a n d t h e n a t u r a l
h e a lt h y c o l o r a p p e a r e d iu h e r c h e e k s .
I v is it e d h e r a fe w t im e s a ft e r w a r d s , a n d s h e t h a n k e d m e
v e r y k i n d l y f o r m y a t t e n t io n : a n d t h e s e a r e t h e w o r d s s h e
m a d e u s e o f , — " I t h i n k I s h a ll d o n o w , f o r m y h e a lt h is
b elter than it was p reviou sly to m y being attacked.”
I w o u ld j u s t a d d , t h a t s h e is n o w a b o u t t o t a k e a s it u a t io n .
T r u s t in g y o u w ill lo o k o v e r t h e m a n n e r in w h ic h 1 have
p u t t h e s e fe w o b s e r v a t io n s t o g e t h e r ,
I a m , S ir , y o u r s o b e d ie n t ly ,
W . M ars a a l l .

X II. Visual and acou stic illusions and hallucination, w ith

C lairvoyance .
TO THE E D ITO R OF THE ZO IST.

S i r , — I n p e r u s in g t h e S w e d is h m e d ic a l jo u r n a l , H ygiea,
I f o u n d i n t h e n u m b e r f o r J a n u a r y la st t h e f o llo w in g ca s e
r e la t e d b y D r . A . J . B j o c k , o f O s t e r s u n d , w h ic h s e e m s t o m e
o f a n a t u r e t o in t e r e s t m a n y o f t h e r e a d e r s o f y o u r v a lu a b le
jo u r n a l , e s p e c ia lly i f a c c o m p a n ie d b y s o m e o b s e r v a t io n s f r o m
y o u r s e lf . M r s . H . 5s c a s e , w h ic h in a p u r e ly m e d ic a l p o in t
o f v ie w m i g h t b e c o n s id e r e d a s a delirium uterinum torpidum ,
e v id e n t ly b e l o n g s t o t h o s e p h e n o m e n a w h ic h c h a r a c t e r iz e a n
184 Visual and acoustic illusions and hallucination,

id i o - c la ir v o y a n t s ta te o f a h ig h e r o r d e r . T h e r e f o r e , it s e e m s
t o m e t o d e s e r v e a p la c e a m o n g t h o s e fa c t s i n w h ic h t h e p a g e s
o f The Z oist a re s o r ic h .
1 a m , S ir , & c .,
A . G b o e g ii.

" M r s . H . , a g e d 2 3 — 2 4 , a n d m a r r ie d f o u r y e a r s s in c e , h a d
p a sse d t h r o u g h th e u s u a l c o m p la in t s o f c h il d h o o d . W hen
1 3 s h e h a d a n e r v o u s fe v e r , d u r in g w h ic h s h e w a s c o n f in e d
t o h e r b e d f o r n e a r ly f o u r m o n t h s . S i n c e t h a t p e r io d s h e
h a s h a d n o s e r io u s illn e s s , o n l y n o w a n d t h e n s u ffe r in g fr o m
n e r v o u s n e s s a n d o c c a s io n a l ly fr o m c a r d ia lg ia . S h e w as n ev er
h y s t e r i c a l : b u t , li k e t h e o t h e r m e m b e r s o f h e r f a m ily , w a s
r a t h e r o f a p h le g m a t ic t e m p e r a m e n t , a n d n o t in t h e le a s t
in c l in e d t o th e s u p e r n a tu r a l,
“ I n t h e m id d le o f F e b r u a r y , 1 8 4 7 , h e r h u s b a n d b e i n g
a w a y o n a jo u r n e y , s h e sa w o n e n ig h t th e f o llo w in g a p p a r it io n .
B e f o r e p u t t in g o u t t h e lig h t , s h e f a n c ie d t h a t t h e d o o r w a s
t h r o w n o p e n , a n d a m a n r u s h e d in w ith a n o p e n k n ife i n h is
h a n d , w ith w h ic h h e s t a b b e d h e r h u s b a n d in t h e b r e a s t, w h o ,
a s it s e e m e d t o h e r , w a s ly i n g b y h e r s id e in t h e b e d . The
v is io n w a s s o p a lp a b le t h a t s h e f a n c ie d s h e f e l t t h e w a r m
b l o o d s p o u t in g o v e r h e r . S h e d i d n o t lo s e c o n s c io u s n e s s ,
b u t c a lle d in t h e s e r v a n ts , w h o f o u n d th e r o o m d o o r a c t u a lly
open. S h e d id n o t m e n t i o n th e a p p a r it io n t o t h e m : b u t
t h e t e r r o r s h e e x p e r ie n c e d m a d e h e r s o f e e b l e th a t f o r se v e ra l
w e e k s a ft e r w a r d s s h e w a s o b l i g e d t o k e e p h e r b e d . T im e
p a sse d w it h o u t fu r t h e r a p p a r it i o n s : b u t s h e r e m a in e d in a
n e r v o u s a n d ir r it a b le s t a t e t i ll t h e 1 s t o f S e p t e m b e r , w h e n
s h e w a s s a fe ly d e liv e r e d 6 f a b o y . E i g h t d a y s a ft e r h e r c o n ­
fin e m e n t , t h e fir s t a p p a r it io n , w h o s e fe a tu r e s , d r e s s , & e ., w e r e
s o d e e p l y im p r i n t e d u p o n h e r m e m o r y , a g a in a p p e a r e d , a n d
p e r s e c u t e d h e r d a ily a n d h o u r l y ; a n d , a l t h o u g h it d id n o t
s h e w a n y m u r d e r o u s in t e n t io n s , y e t it w a s t r o u b le s o m e a n d
a u d a c io u s , a n d , f o r e x a m p le , a t e o u t o f h e r p la t e , b i t a t heir
b r e a d an d b u tte r, a n d so fo r th . A t th e en d o f O c t o b e r th ere
a p p e a r e d a n o t h e r p e r s o n , a s s o c ia te d w ith t h e f o r m e r , a n d
w h o s e d r e s s a n d p h y s i o g n o m y w e r e e q u a lly p a lp a b le , s o t h a t
s h e c o u l d a c c u r a t e ly d e s c r ib e b o t h . O n e e v e n in g a b o u t th is
p e r io d , in a c c o m p a n y in g M r s . H . f r o m a s u p p e r -p a r t y , I
o b s e r v e d t h a t s h e s u d d e n ly c h a n g e d c o lo u r a n d b e c a m e p a le
w it h t e r r o r , in c o n s e q u e n c e o f s e e in g b o t h a p p a r it io n s p e e p i n g
a t h e r t h r o u g h th e g la s s d o o r w h ic h o p e n e d i n t o t h e p a r lo u r .
D a y lig h t o r c a n d le lig h t , h o w e v e r , w e r e a lw a y s r e q u is it e to
e n a b le h e r t o s e e t h e m . S h e w a s n o t a w a r e o f e v e r h a v in g
s e e n e it h e r o f th e s e p e r s o n s b e f o r e .
 with C lairvoyance. 185

“ T h e c o m p a n y w a s in c r e a s e d in t h e m i d d le o f D e c e m b e r
b y a n u n c le o f h ers, w h o h ad b een d e a d te n y ea rs. She
v e n t u r e d o n e d a y t o a d d re s s h im , a n d g o t a n a n s w e r . F or
th e m o s t p a r t s h e d e c lin e d t o m e n t io n th e p u r p o r t o f t h is
c o n v e r s a t io n ; b u t, w h en a t th e req u est o f h er h u sb a n d o r
r e la t iv e s s h e p u t q u e s t io n s t o h e r u n c le a b o u t p e r s o n s e it h e r
d e a d o r d is t a n t , h e a n s w e r e d s o m e o f t h e q u e s t io n s s a t is fa c ­
t o r ily , s o m e o t h e r w i s e ; s o m e t im e s n o a n s w e r s a t a ll w e r e
g iv e n . T h e a p p a r it io n a p p o in t e d a m e e t in g w it h h e r in t h e
p a r lo u r e v e r y d a y a t 1 1 o ’ c l o c k , a n d s h e w e d m u c h d is a p ­
p o in t m e n t i f s h e w e r e n o t t h e r e . I w as p r e s e n t a t t w o o f
th e s e e x t r a o r d in a r y m e e t in g s . I f o u n d M r s . H . in a n e x ­
c it e d s t a t e , h e r m i n d h o w e v e r p e r f e c t ly c o m p o s e d . S h e w as
s it t in g o n a s o fa w ith t h e a p p a r it io n , w ith w h o m s h e c o n ­
v e r s e d in p e r f e c t illu s io n , p a r t ly a n s w e r in g h is q u e s t io n s ,
p a r t ly p u t t in g q u e s t io n s t o h im o n h e r o w n a c c o u n t , o r o t h e r s
s u g g e s t e d b y m y s e lf, a n d w h ic h , s o fa r a s I w a s c o n c e r n e d ,
w e r e t r u ly a n s w e r e d . O u t o f th e s e X w ill m e n t i o n , a s e x ­
a m p le s , o n ly t w o ca ses . T h e p erson a b o v e n a m e d w as a
c le r k i n th e p o s t -o ffic e d u r i u g th e first p a r t o f m y s t u d e n t s h ip
a t t h e U n iv e r s it y o f U p s a la , a n d h e liv e d in th e s a m e h o u s e
w ith m e . T h e id e n t i t y o f t h is p e r s o n w ith M r s . H . ’ s u n c le
w a s e n t ir e ly u n k n o w n t o m e u p t o th is t im e , a n d I h a d m e n ­
t io n e d n o t h in g o f it t o a n y o n e u n t il I s u d d e n ly a s k e d h im i f
h e k n e w m e. M r s . H . d e liv e r e d ns h is a n s w e r t h e a b o v e p a r ­
tic u la r s . T h e s e c o n d t im e t h a t I w a s p r e s e n t , M r s . H . s a id
h e r u n c le e n t ir e ly p r o h i b i t e d t h e a p p lic a t io n o f m e s m e r is m ,
b e c a u s e i t w o u ld m a k e h e r ill a n d sh e w o u ld p r o b a b ly n e v e r
w a k e a g a in . I w a s g r e a t ly a s t o n is h e d a t t h i s ; f o r s o m e d a y s
p r e v io u s ly I h a d s p o k e n t o h e r h u s b a n d a b o u t m e s m e r is m ,
o b t a i n i n g a n e x p r e s s p r o m is e f r o m h im n o t t o m e n t io n a w o r d
a b o u t i t , w h ic h h e a s s e v e r a te d t h a t h e h a d n o t d o n e . F or
th e r e s t, t h e c o n v e r s a t io n s a t w h ic h I w a s p r e s e n t h a d s o
S w e d e n b o r g i a n a n a s p e c t t h a t I t o o k it f o r g r a n t e d s h e m u s t
h a v e d il ig e n t l y s t u d ie d th e w r it in g s o f S w e d e n b o r g ; b u t ,
u p o n q u e s t io n in g h e r , s h e d i d n o t e v e n k n o w t h e n a m e o f
t h a t se e r,
" H e r u n c l e fu r t h e r m o r e in fo r m e d h e r a b o u t t h e t w o first
a p p a r it io n s , a n d e v e n m e n t i o n e d t h e ir n a m e s , s a y in g t h a t
th e fir s t h a d b e e n in lo v e w ith h e r , a n d t h a t t h e s e c o n d w a s
a n in t im a t e f r ie n d o f h i s : b o t h h a d b e e n d e a d f o r s o m e
years.
" W h i l e I w a s a b s e n t in th e s u m m e r , t h e c o m p a n y w a s
g r a d u a lly in c r e a s e d , p a r t ly b y h e r o w n d e c e a s e d r e la t io n s ,
p a r t ly b y p e r s o n s e n t ir e ly u n k n o w n t o h e r ; s o t h a t , im m e ­
d ia t e ly b e f o r e a n d a ft e r t h e b ir t h o f a s e c o n d c h il d o n t h e
VOL. x. o
186 Cure o f singular attacks o f apparent Coma.

2nd o f S e p t e m b e r , a ll t h e c h a ir s a n d p la c e s i n th e room
w e re ta k e n u p b y th e g h o s ts . S h e sa y s t h a t a t la s t s h e
b e c a m e a c c u s t o m e d t o th is n u m e r o u s c o m p a n y , a n d w a s v e ry
lit t le o r n o t a t a ll a la r m e d , e x c e p t w h e n s h e sa w in a n im a t e
o b j e c t s s e t i n m o t i o n b y t h e s p i r i t s ; as, t h e k e y w a s t u r n e d
in t h e l o c k o f t h e d o o r , a n d t h e d o o r o p e n e d , a c h a ir m o v e d ,
& c ., & c . T h is f r ig h t e n e d h e r s t ill. T h e u n c le s a t a t t h e b e d
f o o t d u r in g th e w h o le t im e o f th e illn e s s o f t h e b o y , u n t il
i t d ie d o n th e 1 6 t h S e p t e m b e r , w h e n a ll a t o n c e t h e a p p a r i­
t i o n s v a n is h e d , a n d t h e y h a v e n o t s in c e r e a p p e a r e d . A ccord ­
in g t o t h e u n a n im o u s d e c la r a t io n o f t h e f a m ily , t h e c h il d w a s
w o n d e r f u lly lik e th e u n c le . T h e p a tie n t is n o w , D e c e m b e r
1 9 , 1 8 4 9 , in s o u u d h e a lt h o f b o d y a n d m i n d .”

P . S . Y o u w ill fin d t h is a c c o u n t in t h e n e w e d it io n o f M a l­
let's N orthern A n tiq u ities, p u b lis h e d b y B o h n , p p . 5 3 3 — 5 3 8 .
W h a t e v e r m a y b e m a d e o f s u c h a n o m a lo u s o c c u r r e n c e s , t h e y
a t le a s t, as y o u h a v e s o n o b l y s h e w n , d e m a n d in v e s t ig a t io n ,
a n d can n o lo n g e r b e p o o h -p o o h e d . T h is s a g a is p a r t ic u la r ly
v a lu a b le , as s h e w in g th e w a y a d o p te d t o b r e a k t h e s p e ll o f
g h o sts.
I t is t o b e r e g r e t t e d t h a t t h e ig n o r a n c e o f p h r e n o lo g y
a m o n g s t m e d ic a l m e n in g e n e r a l, a n d t h e p r e ju d ic e s a g a in s t
th is im p o r t a n t s c ie n c e , p r e v e n t t h e m in c a s e s lik e t h is g iv i n g
a n y d e t a ils o n th e c e r e b r a l c o n f o r m a t io n o f t h e p a t ie n t , as it
w o u ld b e a m a t t e r o f d e e p in t e r e s t t o a s c e r t a in w h e t h e r t h e
n e r v o u s o r g a n iz a t io n m i g h t n o t b e l o n g t o t h o s e w h o m a n ife s t
th a t s t a t e o f s e n s itiv e n e s s w h ic h d la R eichenbach w o u ld b e
c a lle d a n o d i c c o n s t it u t io n .
A, G bobgu .

* * * F o r a n e x p la n a t io n o f t h e t r u t h s o f th is in t e r e s t in g
c a s e , w e p a r t ic u la r ly r e fe r o u r r e a d e r s t o a n a r t ic le On the
S uperstitions o f M esm erism , b y D r . E l H ot s o n , in N o . X X I X . ,
p. 68. S e e N o s . X V I I . , X I X . , f o r C la ir v o y a n c e in I n s a n it y .
— Z oist.

X III. Cure o f singular attacks o f apparent Coma.

B y D r. E lliotson ,
A* Of the present Fellows of the College of Physicians, there are at least two
who have fallen into c o n d i g n tfwyroci, and one is a member of the University of
Cambridge»* the other of the University of O xford/'f—Mr, W akley, Lancti,
April 16, 1662,

* Dr» Elliotson,
f Dr. Thomas Mayo, He does not name Dr, Billing, who is the third Fellow
u fallen into condign disgrace,”
 B y D r. E llio t son. 187

' JWe have little reason to hoaat as we do of onr civilization when we look at
the reception which every discovery of principles new or strange receives, not at
the bands of the uneducated multitude merely, but from men who are supposed
to read and think more deeply than even the mass of educated men. Medical
men especially have been famous for the brutal vehemence of their prejudices,
from the time of Harvey to that of one scarcely less eminent and scarcely less a
martyr than the discoverer of the circulation of the blood. We mean Dr. Elliotson.
Every intelligent man knows what a storm of ridicule and invective phrenology has
had to encounter in its steady advances to the position of a science now almost
universally acknowledged—its phraseology being used even by those who still dtg~
pute many of its facte. Mesmerism and clairvoyance are reaching the same goal
through the same ordeal. Learned and educated and eminent men, such as
Elliotsou and Eadaile, are denounced aa humbugs and quacks because they will Dot
refuse to believe their eyes and their experience, and mesmerism and clairvoyance
are eje cath ed ra condemned by parties who have never taken a single step to bring
those discoveries to the test of experiment. A learned counsellor is vastly amused
and county justices are greatly shocked because Dr. Davey professes to believe
that which he has studied and that which he has practised. Dr. Esdaile in Cal­
cutta, ridiculed at first, finally convinced the whole of an intelligent press and
community, and was not only allowed but encouraged to relieve human suffering
by means o f mesmerism. Dr. Davey has cured people by the same agency, and
the C e y l o n Times is delighted with the sagacious justices who will have no mum­
meries practised—no •American experiments' tried which they don't understand
and wont examine. It iB the old story and the old logic:—' I bate the French for
they are all slavea and wear wooden shoes/ So our modern wiseacres hate mes­
merists who pretend to cut off limbs without giving pain, and clairvoyants because
they dare to see while their eyes are shut. This is the same spirit which attempted
to explode heresy by burning heretics, and it will be equally successful. Mes­
merism is established beyond all doubt- The kindred phenomena of clairvoyance
are strange and puzzling and often uncertain. But there are brave and persevering
spirits pursuing the enquiry, as well as quacks and pretenders who bring the
truth of this as of all other science into disgrace; and by and by the wheat will
be separated from the chaff, the truth sifted from falsehood and uncertainty. In
the meantime lawyers, and doctors, justices and editors will go on proving their
sympathy with the spirit of the dark ages by denouncing that which they do not
understand and Itrill not calmly examine/'— Ceylon Overland O bserver, April Id,
1852. .

O n t h e 3 r d o f F e b r u a r y , 1 8 5 1 , a y o u n g la d y f r o m D e v o n s h ir e ,
o n e a n d tw e n ty y ea rs o ld , w as b r o u g h t to m y h o u se b y h er
m o t h e r , c a r r ie d fr o m t h e c a r r ia g e b y a m a n -s e r v a n t i n t o m y
lib r a r y in a s ta te o f a p p a r e n t c o m a , a n d p la c e d in a n e a s y
c h a ir . H e r m o t h e r t o ld m e th a t s h e w o u ld p r e s e n t ly b e p e r ­
f e c t l y h e r s e lf. T h is p r o v e d tr u e : f o r in a m in u t e o r t w o s h e
s u d d e n ly o p e n e d h e r e y e s , s a t u p r ig h t , a n d w as in s t a n t ly as
w id e a w a k e a s t h e r e s t o f u s .
I t a p p e a r e d th a t , a s s o o u a s s h e w a s e v e r r a is e d f r o m t h e
r e c u m b e n t o r s it t in g p o s t u r e , s h e fe ll i n t o th is a p p a r e n t c o m a ,
a n d r e m a in e d w ith h e r e y e s c lo s e d , r ig id , a n d u n a b le t o m o v e
o r s p e a k , t ill s h e w a s s e t d o w n e it h e r q u it e fla t o r a t s o m e i n ­
c lin a t i o n . S h e t h e r e f o r e c o u l d n o t w a lk o r s t a n d , o r e v e n
k n e e l ; f o r th e s e c o n d i t io n s o f c o u r s e t o o k h e r f r o m th e r e ­
c u m b e n t o r s it t in g p o s t u r e s . B u t s h e c o u l d o f c o u r s e r a is e
h e r s e lf f r o m t h e r e c u m b e n t t o th e s it t in g p o s t u r e , o r lie d o w n
w h e n s i t t i n g ; a n d a ls o m o v e h e r s e lf a l o n g o n a s o fa , a n d
o 2
188 Care o f singular attacks o f apparent Coma,

c o u l d a llo w h e r le g s t o h a n g d o w n o r b e s u p p o r t e d in d if f e r ­
e n t ly , w it h o u t a n y a p p e a r a n c e o f c o m a . T h e rem oval o f
p r e s s u r e fr o m t h e lo w e r p a r t o f t h e b o d y w a s t h e c ir c u m s t a n c e
w h ic h p r o d u c e d t h e a p p a r e n t c o m a : * b u t o c c a s io n a l ly th is

* See a similar phenomenon in the case of Muter William Salmon, of No.

22, Red Lion Street, Holborn, whom I cured by mesmerism only of frightful
attacks, flee., &c., in 1839, and whose cure i» declared in Zoist, No, 111., p .3 U .
“ On January 26th, 1839, I was summoned to him, late in the afternoon,
and found him lying on a couch, bo paralyzed that not only could he not walk,
but he could not raise hie head in the least from the pillow, or more it to one aide.
I f others railed him even a few inches, he became insensible; or, as the family
said, fainted. Of all this J satisfied myself, A fit which had taken place twelve
daya before had left him thus paralyzed in the legs and trunk and neck.
“ Though I had jast resigned at University College because I was not allowed
to cure my patients with mesmerism, the father bad no view to mesmerism, and
gave me pen, ink, and paper to write a prescription. But knowing, as all medical
men in their hearts do, that medicine in the majority of cases of epilepsy and
numerous other nervous afflictions is of no, of tittle, or of secondary use, what­
ever number of pille and botllos are consumed and other appliances made, I said
nothing, hut want to my carriage, and requested Mr. Wood who was in it to come
and help me mesmerise a patient. We returned to the bouse. I raised tbe child
to tbe sitting posture, and alm ost im m ed iately ho became comatose, as many
epileptic and hysterical patients are in the habit of becoming between the perfect
fits or when perfect fits have not yet shewn themselves, fie was not pale, nor
was his pulse altered :—the state was coins, not fainting, I restored him to the
horizontal position and m ade transverse p a stes before his chest and face; and be
awoke suddenly and perfectly, with the usual sudden inspiration w h ich I had
a lw ays seen ch a ra cterize the v e lu m q f th e O beys and m any o th er m esm erised
p a tien ts to the waking state. The parents said that the return to consciousDC&a
was m uch m ore ra p id than th ey had ever seen il b e fo r e ,—shewing that hia state
was really mesmeric. I then, without saying a word, took Mr. Wood's hand,
and be the father's, and with the other hand I made passes before tbe child from
hia face'dowowards as he lay. His eyelids presently began to d ro o p , and in about
five m inutes nearly closed, and were in a state of rapid tremor. His jaw had
become locked ; sod he could not be roused by rough shaking, nor did he appear
to hear, except that clapping the bauds in bis face increased the tremulous con­
traction oi his eyelids. 1 made passes along his arm and band and tbe extremity
extended and rose, and presently fell: then posses transversely, and it somewhat
moved transversely : and the longitudinal passes on being repeated caused his ex­
tremity to extend and rise again* The child was ignorant of mesmerism and
sleep-waking or somnambulism but beautifully displayed, though unprepared
for my mesmeric proceedings, the phenomena of mesmerism and sleep-waking.
He was fast asleep, os bis breathing and indifference shewed. He fell asleep in
the true mesmeric manner, his eyelids closed and trembled, and his jaw was
locked. Nothing could be more genuine. To talk of imposition would be pre­
posterous, and only display ignorance of tbe subject.”
” I next moved Master Salmon's legs by vertical tractive movements $ and
then tried bis head. It soon began to move as if aa effort were made to raise it.
Mr. Wood and myself made the movements together, and the effort became greater
and greater, till at lost the boy raised it from the pillow,—a thing he bad not done
for ten days. It soon fell back again. But wo persevered again and again, till
be rose into the sitting posture. The more we slowly retreated in making these
tractive movements, tbe stronger appeared to be the influence. Every time we
bad retreated aa far os the room would allow, he fell back powerless. At last,
after having drawn him into the sitting posture, we made tractive passes from the
top of his head upwards; end this soon made him elevate hia bead, and then
elevate bis whole frame till he positively stood erect on the floor* We had moved
him to tbe foot of the couch with bis legs hanging down, before I tried to make
 B y D r. EUiotson. 189

s e iz e d h e r ■when i n a c a r r ia g e , a n d a lw a y s i f t h e c a r r ia g e
t u r n e d s u d d e n ly o r w e n t u p o n a r o u g h p ie c e o f r o a d . A
w a rm h ip - b a t h o n c e in d u c e d a s e v e r e a t t a c k o f it w h ic h la s t e d
fo r m an y h ou rs.
I h a v e sa id apparent c o m a ; b e c a u s e , t h o u g h u n a b le t o
s p e a k o r o p e n h e r e y e s o r m o v e a t a ll, s h e w a s a ll t h e t i m e
c o n s c io u s , a s s h e d e c la r e d a n d p r o v e d o n r e t u r n in g t o h e r
o r d in a r y s ta te .
T h e f o llo w in g p a r t ic u la r s w e r e c o m m u n ic a t e d t o m e .
"W h e n a c h ild , h e r in t e l l e c t w a s d u ll a n d h e r b a c k w e a k ,
a n d s h e w a s fa t. D u r i n g a b ilio u s f e v e r s h e w a s t r e a t e d
w ith v io le n t c a t h a r t ic s f o r a f o r t n ig h t , s o v io le n t th a t t h e y
o c c a s io n e d p r o la p s u s o f t h e b o w e ls , a n d le f t h e r n e r v o u s , p a le ,
t h in , t r e m u lo u s : a n d s h e w a s ta k e n t o t h e C o n t i n e n t .
F o r fiv e y e a r s b e fo r e t h e c o n s t it u t io n a l c h a n g e , s h e a b ­
h o r r e d fle s h f o o d a n d t o o k n o n e : a n d in th e y e a r b e fo r e h e r
p r e s e n t illn e s s s t u d ie d v e ry h a r d , a n d r e a d a t n ig h t . The
c h a n g e a t o n c e t o o k p la c e f r o m f r i g h t : h u t t h e r e w a s n o r e ­
c u r r e n c e t ill a y e a r h a d e x p ir e d , a n d t h e n t h e f u n c t i o n b e ­
c a m e r e g u la r and had been so ever sin ce, b u t , w h a t is s in g u la r ,
o n ly n ig h t a n d m o r n i n g : a lw a y s w it h o u t p a in . The bowels
too had alw ays been regular.
I m e n t i o n t h e s e c ir c u m s t a n c e s p a r t ic u la r ly : b e c a u s e i t is
t o o m u c h t h e c u s t o m t o a s c r ib e d is e a s e t o d is t u r b a n c e o f t h e
u t e r u s o r t o r p id i t y o f t h e b o w e ls . T h e s e d is t u r b a n c e s a r e
o f t e n p r e s e n t in s u c h c a s e s : b u t n o t s o o f t e n t h e c a u s e , as
m e r e ly o n e o f t h e c ir c u m s t a n c e s o f t h e g e n e r a l u n h e a lt h y
c o n d i t io n o f t h e s y s t e m . T h e a b h o r r e n c e o f fle s h f o o d is v e r y
c o m m o n in t h e n e r v o u s a ffe c t io n s o f y o u n g f e m a le s : a n d t h e
s m a ll q u a n t it y o f f o o d u p o n w h ic h t h e y s u b s is t is o f t e n a s t o ­
n is h in g .
W h e n t h ir t e e n o r fo u r t e e n y e a r s o l d , s h e w a s s e iz e d w it h
a fe v e ris h a t t a c k , a n d a l o u d r e m a r k a b ly s o u n d in g c o u g h .
N o t w i t h s t a n d in g m e d ic a l a d v ic e , t h e in d is p o s it io n r a p id ly i n ­
c r e a s e d , a n d th e s p a s m o d ic c o u g h c h a n g e d a ft e r a fe w d a y s
t o f r e q u e n t a t ta c k s o f a p p a r e n t in s e n s ib ilit y , w h ic h w a s c a lle d
f a i n t in g , a n d a c c o m p a n ie d b y r ig i d it y o f th e lim b s , a r a p id
p u ls e , a n d w h a t is t e r m e d e c s t a t ic d e lir iu m w ith b e a u t ifu l
v is io n s . T h is s ta te o c c u r r e d i n t h e b e g i n n i n g o f 1 8 3 9 in m y

him stand. I walked backward* making tractive passe* from him to me* and ho
slowly followed me. The father and mother were petrified, and called in their
people from the shop to witness the strange sight of their child with his head nod­
ding in sleep and slowly xnoviog after me, though unable to raise his head an Inch
or move bis'leg* at all a quarter of an hour before. The room was behind the
shop and small; and I opened the door, receded into the shop, aud be slowly
followed me. I turned into the room again, making the tractive passes, and he
went round it after m e/’
190 Cure o f singular attacks o f app orm i Coma.

p a t ie n t , M is s E m m a M e lh m s h , o f B e d f o r d S t r e e t , B e d L i o n
S t r e e t , H o lb o r u , a n d p r o d u c e d , in t h e m id s t o f in s e n s ib ilit y
t o a ll e x t e r n a l t h in g s , e a c h a n e x p r e s s io n o f h o ly r a p t u r e as
c h a r m e d th e v e r y n u m e r o u s p e r s o n s , m a n y o f g r e a t t a le n t ,
w h o m I w a s k in d ly a llo w e d t o ta k e t o s e e h e r *
D u r i n g th e w h o le p e r io d o f lia b ilit y t o t h e a p p a r e n t c o m a ,
t h e a t t a c k s h a d s o m e t im e s c o n t in u e d m a n y h o u r s : a n d o n c e
la s te d w it h o u t in t e r m is s io n f o r t h r e e d a y s .
S h e g r a d u a lly r e c o v e r e d t o a c e r t a in e x t e n t , s o t h a t s h e
b o r e l if t in g i n t o a c a r r ia g e a n d e n jo y e d a d r i v e : h u t a s u d d e n
t u r n o f th e c a r r ia g e a n d r o u g h n e s s o f a p ie c e o f th e r o a d h a d
s till c a r e fu lly t o b e a v o id e d . S h e a t e fle s h f o o d a t t h e t i m e
s h e c a m e t o ro e , a n d h e r fe e t w e r e , a s t h e y h a d b e e n t h r o u g h ,
o u t th e illn e s s , v e r y c o ld . S h e w a s fe e b le , a n d h e r lo in s
d o u b le d o n h e r h ip s i f s h e a t t e m p t e d t o s t a n d . O f cou rse
m a n y p r a c t it io n e r s in t h e c o u n t r y a n d s o m e o f e m i n e n c e in
L o n d o n h a d b e e n c o n s u l t e d , b u t w ith a lm o s t n o b e n e f it ,—
n o n e in r e g a r d t o t h e a t t a c k s o f a p p a r e n t c o m a .
S h e w a s t r e a t e d a t B a t h , C l if t o n , a n d T iv e r t o n . Som e
g a v e h e r t h e m ost violent c a t h a r t i c s ; a n d t h e ir o p e r a t io n
w o u ld w a k e h e r u p f o r a fe w m in u t e s f r o m t h e c o m a . S om e
g a v e h e r m u sk • so m e o p iu m ; som e q u iu in e ; so m e v a le r ia n :

* In a few minutes tbe fit* began, and were longer and more terrific than t
bad ever Been them, and several additional action» took place between tbe consul-
sire fits, at the end of the fits of rigidity, after abe bad sit up and pushed her
head forwards. One of the new actions consisted in looking upwards with heavenly
amilesr and clasping her hands together, as if praying ; another was crossing her
hands upon her bosom, and looking upwards aa if in holy hope and submission;
another was the expression of attentive and delighted listening»
11 From that time forward, this addition to the fits of rigidity took place thirty
or forty times i day ; for the fits of rigidity were constantly occurring, and thought
nothing of, on account of the horrible nature of the convulsive fits. These
beautiful ecstatic fits began with her arms suddenly extending and her hands becom­
ing dosed j then she rose into a sitting position in her bed ; then pushed her head
forward, stared, and protruded her lips; and, as soon as this, the 1stiff fit’ bad
gone bo far, instead of ita terminating as usual, she assumed all tbe attitudes of
holy rapture; her hands clasped, or on her bosom, or pointing to the skies ; her
head and shoulders inclined first in this directionr then in that; and her ryea
looking upwards in the successive directions with a beauty of expression unsur­
passed by the paintings of Raphael and all other Italian masters. Her counte­
nance became exquisitely beautiful on these occasions. After going through a
series of those attitudes and expressions in silence, for two or three minutes, she
always sunk back senseless, and then went into her sleep-waking or delirium,
whichever was present when the fit began.”
The case is fully detailed in No, IV,* p. 429, See.
This exquisite case, and that of Master Salmon, like all tbe other nervous
diseases which are described at full length in T h e Z m e tt deserves the study of every
one who desires to be thoroughly acquainted with extraordinary nervous affec*
lions and tbe use of mesmerism. Neither Mist Melhuish nor Master Salmon
has had any return of her or his complaint to this hour. She ¡6 as susceptible of
mesmerism as ever; he proved perfectly insusceptible at many trials made soon
after his cure, and no attempt has been made since.
 B y D r, E lite (ton . 191

s o m e w e r e a n x io u s t o p lu n g e h e r i n t o c o l d w a t e r , b u t h e r
m o t h e r w o u ld n o t c o n s e n t. T h e g e n t le m a n w h o g a v e t h e
v i o l e n t c a t h a r t ic s c o u l d s a y o n ly , " H y s t e r i a ! h y s t e r i a ! ” g iv e
liia c a t h a r t i c a g a in , a n d a g a in s a y , “ H y s t e r i a ! h y s t e r i a !”
M e s m e r i s m w a s t o o g r o s s a “ f o l l y , ” “ f r a u d ,” a n d “ d e lu ­
s i o n , ” f o r a n y o f t h e m t o w a s te a t h o u g h t u p o n , o r m a k e
t h e m d e s e r t o u r o l d u se le s s r o u t in e o f m u s k , o p iu m , q u in in e ,
a n d v a le r ia n , a n d d is t r e s s in g v io le n t c a t h a r t ic s , s o o f t e n i n ju ­
r i o u s in t h e n e r v o u s a ffe c t io n s o f y o u n g p e r s o n s .
T h e e x q u is it e c u r e o f M is s B e r n a l, th e d a u g h t e r o f t h e
m e m b e r f o r R o c h e s t e r , a n d s is te r o f t h e m e m b e r f o r M i d ­
d l e s e x , w h ic h w a s d e t a ile d b y h e r s e lf in N o . X V I I I . o f The
Z o i s l , h a d r e a c h e d t h e d e s p a ir in g m o t h e r b y L a d y ---------, w h o
w a s a c q u a in t e d w ith b o t h f a m i l i e s : a n d s h e t h e r e f o r e b r o u g h t
h e r d a u g h ter to m e.
I a d v is e d a ll m e d ic in e s t o b e g iv e n u p , as I h a d f o u n d b y
t o o m u c h e x p e r i e n c e t h a t t h e ir o n l y e f f e c t in s im ila r c a s e s is
t o r e u d e r t h e p o o r p a t ie n t ’ s li f e m o r e m is e r a b le b y t h e ir v a ­
r i o u s e ffe c t s a n d b y th e d is g u s t o f in c e s s a n t ly s w a llo w in g
w h a t is n a u s e o u s . T h e m o t h e r s p o k e o f m e s m e r is m , a n d I
t h e r e f o r e a t o n c e g a v e m y t r u e o p in io n , th a t it w a s t h e o n ly
m e a n s w o r t h a d o p t i n g : th a t it w a s v e ry lik e l y t o c u r e h e r :
c o u l d d o n o h a r m , a n d w a s a lm o s t s u r e t o d o g o o d in s o m e
r e s p e c t o r o t h e r : t h o u g h I f o llo w e d a r u le o f n e v e r p r o m is in g
a c u r e b y it o r a n y o t h e r t r e a t m e n t in a n y d is e a s e . I gave
h e r t h e n a m e o f M r s . C o o p e r , a m a r r ie d la d y , t h e n r e s id i n g
a t N o . 2 9 , S om erset S treet, P o rt m an S q u are, w h o w e n t o u t
m e s m e r is in g .
M e s m e r is m w a s im m e d ia t e ly c o m m e n c e d , a n d r e p e a t e d at
n in e o ’ c l o c k e v e r y e v e n in g . O n th e 7 th o f F e b ru a ry , I ,
h a v in g b e e n first c o n s u lt e d u p o n th e 3 r d , r e c e iv e d a n o t e
fr o m t h e m o t h e r , d a t e d F e b r u a r y t h e 7 t h , B r y a n s t o n e S q u a r e ,
i n f o r m i n g m e t h a t t h e e f f e c t h a d b e e n g r e a t h e a v in e s s a n d
w e a r in e s s , a n d a d e s ir e t o s le e p d u r i n g t h e p r o c e s s , b u t n o
s le e p t ill t h e p a t ie n t w e n t t o b e d , a n d t h a t th e n s h e s le p t
s o u n d ly a ll n i g h t : t h a t , o n t h e t h ir d n ig h t , t h e m e s m e r is e r ,
n o t c o n t e n t e d w ith p r o c e e d i n g t h u s q u ie t ly , sa id b e f o r e le a v ­
i n g t h e h o u s e t h a t ,—

“ N ext time she would try to get her into a clairvoyant state,
and see what the patient would say was good for herself j and that
therefore last night (the fourth night) her efforts were directed to
that object, and she soon succeeded: she brought on a wonderful
condition o f mind and o f body most distressing to witness ; for it so
m uch resembled he* illness o f the last autumn, when Mr. ------- at­
tended her for a sort o f bilious or liver attack, in which her sym p­
tom s were sickness, which appeared connected with the head ; so
192 Cure o f singular atta cks o f apparent Coma.

she thought : but he, from the tongue, believed the sent o f the dis­
order to be the liver, being obstructed. She was daily for ten days
(beginning her mornings clear) wandering in the most exalted and
beautiful language, speaking distressing things o f birds beating them­
selves against a tower, and a hundred other imaginations— all in
exquisite rhythm, in a most musical, delicate tone o f voice— turning
to the wall. O f course she was in bed ; aud i f no one was with her
but her sister, or the maid, or the brother who is just gone to India,
she would run on in these wild fancies ; but i f 1 came, there seemed
to be more sympathy, and l could draw her o ff into a sort o f con­
versation, and carry her into reason again. T h e same occurred when
her eldest brother, a very powerful little man, returned from his re­
giment in Ireland on leave. H e with a sort o f playful wit bandied
about his words, and she would at last laugh and be right: but none
o f the others had the power. She ran through French and Italian
in the same way wonderfully. Last night the mauuer was the same
nearly, the subjects were however different. It was first a wish to
know what her dear brother Newton was doing (we are in anxiety,
having had no letter) ; a burst o f crying; then, a desire o f curing
me o f my illnesses, and that repeatedly: and she told me what she
believed would do to make me sleep; then, with difficulty, would she
mind herself, for she was the Bame unselfish creature as ever; but
she said she thought (not sure, as it was a new thing to her) strong
coffee— the essence o f coffee as it were, would do her good. She
spoke o f poor Catherine Barrow, with a reasonable fear that sbe
m ight have been Loo long in her state, but that mesmerism might do
her g ood : it was half reason and half exalted, and all the time she
expressed herself as very uncomfortable— so wearied and so confused,
aud that it was a new state, like wbat she had been in the last ill­
ness. Her eyes were shut, and very black round them, and she kept
rubbing them, or stroking her head, or twisting a bit o f her long
hair, as i f she was disturbed and distressed, and yet she did not
wish to leave that condition. H er hands grew very cold, but she did
not feel them so. She had the coffee, and then sbe was awoke.
M rs. C . gave her two hours at least instead o f one, being delighted
at her own success; wished you could have seen it— you would have
been so pleased: said it was like that young lad, aud that to-night
and the next night there will be a great progress, and that it will be
as she had told her husband, she will walk round the room, and be
certainly cured, and able to cure others as a mesmerist. T h e idea
o f curing others was delicious to me. Then she should be useful in­
stead o f useless; then she might be something like a sœur de charité.
She would cure mamma and the poor people; and once when M rs.
C . put forth her two hands before her invitingly, sbe put one o f
her s in one o f M rs. C .’ s, and very nearly the other, and made a
little effort on being asked to get down her legs as i f to follow her,
but did uo more.”

T h is ex citem en t was n o t ca lcu la ted to d o an y g o o d : an d

resu lted , p os sib ly , from th e m esm eriscr b o a s tin g th a t she
 B y D r, EU iotson. 193

■ w ou ld n o w d ir e c t h e r m e a s u r e s t o p r o d u c e c la ir v o y a n c e .
N o t h i n g s h o u ld b e s a id t o p a t ie n t s a b o u t p h e n o m e n a in t e n d e d
o r ex p ected . T h e c o u r s e o f m e s m e r is a t io n s h o u ld b e c o n ­
d u c t e d s ile n t ly , c a lm ly , p a t ie n t ly , k in d ly , u n o s t e n t a t io u s ly .
I h a v e n o id e a h o w c la ir v o y a n c e is t o h e p r o d u c e d : n o r d i d I
e v e r p r o d u c e it. W h e n i t o c c u r s , it c o m e s f o r t h , 1 b e lie v e ,
s p o n t a n e o u s ly .
P a t ie n t s d o n o t r e c o v e r t h e m o r e fr e q u e n t ly o r th e s o o n e r
f o r e x h ib it i n g w o n d e r f u l p h e n o m e n a ; t h o u g h t h e y c e r t a in ly
a p p e a r s t r e n g t h e n e d b y b e i n g r e n d e r e d r ig id , s u b je c t e d t o
t r a c t i o n a n d s o m e o t h e r e x p e r im e n t s , a n d t h e b e t t e r f o r b e i n g
k e p t in a s ta te o f c h e e r f u l e x c it e m e n t d u r i n g t h e ir s l e e p ­
w a k i n g . A s t o le a r n in g o f th e p r e s e n t p a t ie n t w h a t w o u l d d o
h e r g o o d , m e s m e r is m w a s t h e m e a s u r e r e s o lv e d u p o n t o d o
h e r g o o d , a n d h a d n o t b e e n t r ie d m o r e t h a n f o u r t i m e s , w a s
m a k i n g h e r s le e p y a n d g i v i n g h e r g o o d n i g h t s : t h e r e w a s
t h e r e f o r e n o r e a s o n y e t t o s e a r c h a b o u t f o r f u r t h e r in f o r m a ­
t i o n a n d d is t u r b t h e e s t a b lis h e d c o u r s e o f m e s m e r ic t r e a t m e n t .
P r o b a b l y n o n e o f th e s e d is t u r b a n c e s w o u ld h a v e t a k e n
p la c e h a d t h e m e s m e r is a t io n p r o c e e d e d q u ie t ly in th e u s u a l
u n o s t e n t a t io u s m a n n e r . H o w e v e r , th e y s u b s id e d ; n o m o re
h a r m w as d o n e , a n d t h e p la in g o o d e ffe c t s o f m e s m e r is m t o o k
p l a c e : s o th a t , a ft e r t h e e ig h t h m e s m e r is a t io n fr o m t h e first, X
r e c e iv e d a j o y f u l n o t e fr o m t h e m o t h e r , b e g i n n i n g w ith t h e
w o r d s , * 'M y d a u g h t e r w a l k s ! ” T h e e ig h t h p u t a n e n d fo r
e v e r t o th e a t t a c k s f o r w h ic h I w as c o n s u l t e d , a n d r e s t o r e d
h e r p e r m a n e n t ly t o h e a lt h , t h o u g h s h e h a d b e e n ill f o u r y e a r s
a n d t h r e e q u a r te r s — f r o m M a y 2 5 , 1 8 4 6 , t o F e b r u a r y 1 1 ,
1 3 5 1 , a n d , i n t h e w o r d s o f an a c c o u n t w r it t e n o u t f o r m e
b y t h e y o u n g la d y ,
*' Sh e had alm ost given u p all h ope o f recovery, so that no one
felt m ore surprised at her sudden and unexpected res to ration. Any
persoD,” h e r account conclu des, “ w h o wishes to learn h er nam e
from a better m otive than cu riosity, m ay d o so th rou gh D r. E lliotson
or M rs . C o o p e r : and she will feel the greatest pleasure in answ ering
any questions, i f by so d o in g she can be o f service to others.*’

A f t e r m y fir s t in t e r v ie w w ith th is y o u n g la d y , I d id n o t
s e e h e r a g a in t i ll Bhe c a lle d t o t h a n k m e s o m e t i m e s u b s e ­
q u e n t t o h e r r e c o v e r y . S h e h a s r e m a in e d fr e e f r o m h e r c o m ­
p la in t n o w f o r a y e a r a n d a q u a r te r .
 ( 19* )

X IV . London M esm eric Infirm ary.

T h e A n n u a l G e n e r a l M e e t i n g o f th e s u p p o r t e r s o f t h e L o n d o n
M e s m e r ic I n fir m a r y w a s h e ld o n T h u r s d a y t h e 2 7 t h o f M a y ,
a t W i l l i s 's B o o m s , K i n g S t r e e t , S t . J a m e s 's . S u c h w as t h e
a s s e m b la g e o f la d ie s a n d g e n t le m e n , t h a t t h e r o o m w h i c h
h a d b e e n e n g a g e d w a s a b s o lu t e ly c r a m m e d , a n d th e s t a ir c a s e
c r o w d e d , s o t h a t a n a d jo u r n m e n t w a s m a d e t o t h e g r e a t r o o m
in w h ic h t h e A l m a c k b a lls t a k e p la c e . T h e re w ere b e tw een
s ix a n d s e v e n h u n d r e d p e r s o n s p r e s e n t.
O n t h e m o t i o n o f M r . F r e r e , o f S t a m f o r d B r o o k , C h is w ic k ,
E a r l S t a n h o p e , o n e o f th e v ic e -p r e s id e n t s , w a s u n a n im o u s ly
v o t e d t o t h e c h a ir . H i s L o r d s h ip t h u s a d d r e s s e d th e m e e t ­
i n g ,— . . .
L a d ie s a n d G e n t le m e n ,— A l t h o u g h I c o n s id e r it a d is t in ­
g u is h e d h o n o u r t o b e c a lle d t o t h e c h a ir o f th is m e e t in g ,
t h e r e a r e n o w p r e s e n t s e v e r a l o f m y le a r n e d fr ie n d s , o n a n y
o n e o f w h o m it w o u ld , f r o m h is m e d ic a l k n o w le d g e a n d e x ­
p e r ie n c e , h a v e b e e n fa r m o r e w o r t h ily b e s t o w e d . F rom a
v e r y e a r ly p e r io d o f m y l o n g life I h a v e ta k e n t h e d e e p e s t
in t e r e s t in a ll t h a t r e la t e s t o m e d ic a l s c ie n c e , t o w h ic h I
a t t a c h t h e g r e a t e s t v a lu e , a s i t h a s f o r its o b j e c t t h a t w h ic h is
m o s t im p o r t a n t t o m a n k in d — t h e a lle v ia t io n o f s u ffe r in g s ,
a n d , w h e n it is p r a c t ic a b le , t h e r e s t o r a t io n o f h e a lt h , w h ic h
is , I n e e d n o t sa y , t h e first o f a ll b le s s in g s , a n d r e q u is ite t o
t h e e n jo y m e n t o f e v e r y o t h e r . A s s o o n a s m e s m e r is m r e v iv e d
i n th is c o u n t r y , w h e r e it h a d s lu m b e r e d f o r m a n y y e a r s ,
I w a s v e r y c u r io u s t o w itn e s s t h e tr ia ls th a t w e r e m a d e in
t h e h o s p it a l o f t h e L o n d o n U n iv e r s it y b y B a r o n D u p o t e t ,
a n d w a s m u c h in te r e s t e d i n o b s e r v in g th a t t h e y e x h ib it e d
p h e n o m e n a , b o t h o f a p h y s ic a l a n d p s y c h o l o g ic a l n a t u r e ,
w h ic h s e e m e d t o m e e m in e n t ly e n t it le d t o a p h ilo s o p h ic a l i n ­
v e s t ig a t io n . 1 w a s n o t d is c o u r a g e d in p u r s u in g t h e in q u ir y
b y a n o b s e r v a t io n m a d e in t h e G lobe n e w s p a p e r , t h a t m y a t ­
t e n d a n c e a t th o s e e x h ib it i o n s o u g h t t o b e c o n s id e r e d a p r o o f
o f m y i n s a n i t y ; b u t , i f a ll th o s e w h o a re n o w c o n v in c e d o f
t h e tr u th a n d im p o r t a n c e o f m e s m e r is m w e r e t o b e tr e a t e d
a s in s a n e p e r s o n s , I d o n o t b e lie v e th a t a ll t h e lu n a t ic a s y ­
lu m s in t h e c o u n t r y w o u ld b e s u ffic ie n t ly c a p a c io u s t o c o n t a in
t h e m , T h e m o r e I e x a m in e d th e fa c t s , t h e m o r e s t r o n g l y w a s
I c o n v i n c e d o f t h e ir r e a l i t y ; th e m o r e I s t u d ie d m e s m e r is m ,
th e m o r e fir m ly w a s I im p r e s s e d w it h it s e x t r e m e im p o r t a n c e
a n d p r a c t ic a l u t ilit y . S u c h b e i n g t h e o p in io n s w h ic h I h a d
f o r m e d a ft e r a c a r e fu l o b s e r v a t io n a n d m a t u r e c o n s id e r a t io n ,
I a v o w e d t h e m o p e n ly , a n d I h a v e a lw a y s t h o u g h t t h a t th e
w o r s t a n d m o s t d is c r e d it a b le s p e c ie s o f c o w a r d i c e is t h e w a n t
 London Mesmeric Infirmary. 195

o f m oral cou rage. T h o s e w h o a r e d e f ic ie n t in p e r s o n a l

c o u r a g e m a y a lle g e a s a n a p o lo g y t h a t t h e y h a v e w e a k n e r v e s ,
a n d a b o d i l y c o n s t it u t io n w h ic h r e n d e r s t h e m u n w ill in g , a n d
p e r h a p s u n a b le , t o e x p o s e th e m s e lv e s t o d a n g e r . But no
e x c u s e c a n b e m a d e f o r t h o s e w h o , b e i n g fu lly a n d c o n s c ie n ­
t i o u s ly c o n v in c e d o f a t r u t h , a r e a s h a m e d o r a fr a id t o a v o w
t h a t s u c h is t h e c a s e . I t is f o r t u n a t e f o r t h e w o r ld — f o r t u n a t e
a ls o f o r t h e h o n o u r a n d d ig n it y o f t h e m e d ic a l p r o f e s s io n , t h a t
s o m e p h y s ic ia n s h a v e b e e n f o u n d , w h o , d is r e g a r d in g fa m e
a n d f o r t u n e a n d th o s e o b j e c t s w h ic h a re t h e m o s t p r iz e d , a n d
t h e m o s t e a g e r ly p u r s u e d , h a v e n o b l y , m a g n a n im o u s ly s a c r i­
fic e d t h e m in t h e c a u s e o f t r u t h . T h e y m a y b e r e v ile d o r
r id ic u l e d — t h e y m a y b e a s s a ile d b y c e n s u r e s o r b y s a rc a s m s ,
b u t t h e ir n a m e s w ill b e t r a n s m it t e d w ith im p e r is h a b le h o n o u r
t o p o s t e r it y , a n d t h e y w ill h a v e t h e s a tis fa c t io n t o r e fle c t t h a t
t r u t h w ill u lt im a t e ly p r e v a il. T o m e s m e r is m w e m a y a p p ly
w h a t is s a id i n t h e H o l y S c r ip t u r e s , “ G r e a t is t r u t h , a n d
s t r o n g e r t h a n a ll t h in g s . I t e n d u r e t h , a n d is a lw a y s s t r o n g ;
it liv e t h a n d c o n q u e r e t h f o r e v e r m o r e . " S u ch w as th e fo r c e
o f p r e ju d ic e w it h w h ic h m e s m e r is m h a d t o c o n t e n d , t h a t , in
o n e in s t a n c e a t le a s t w h ic h c a m e t o m y k n o w le d g e , i t o b ­
s t r u c t e d th e c o u r s e o f j u s t i c e ; a n d , as th e c a s e ia s o m e w h a t
c u r io u s , I w ill, w ith y o u r p e r m is s io n , n a r r a te it b r ie fly . A b o u t
n in e years a g o a y o u n g w o m a n , w h o w a s a fflic t e d w ith e p i-
lip t ic fits, a n d w h o h a d in c o n s e q u e n c e b e e n o b l i g e d t o le a v e
h e r p la c e , a p p lie d t o m e f o r a s s is ta n c e . I fo u u d o n th e v ery
first tr ia l t h a t s h e w a s s o s u s c e p t ib le o f t h e in f lu e n c e a s t o
fa ll in t o a m e s m e r ic s le e p i n a b o u t a q u a r te r o f a m in u t e .
O n r e t u r n in g h o m e s h e w a s s e iz e d w ith a fit, a n d I w a s in ­
f o r m e d , w h ic h I o u g h t t o h a v e b e e n m u c h s o o n e r , t h a t i t h a d
la s te d f o u r b o n r s , a n d w ith s u c h v io le n c e th a t s e v e r a l m e n
h a d b e e n e m p lo y e d in h o l d i n g h e r . I w e n t im m e d ia t e ly t o
s e e h e r ; a n d I f o u n d t h a t th e fit h a d p r o d u c e d te t a n u s , o r
lo c k - ja w , a n d s h e a t t e m p t e d t o r e lie v e it b y f o r c i n g b e t w e e n
h e r t e e t h a b lu n t , o r w h a t is c a lle d , a r ip p in g c h is e l, w h ic h
s h e u s e d as a le v e r . T h e s o u n d o c c a s io n e d b y t h a t o p e r a t io n
w as s u c h as i n d u c e d m e t o fe a r th a t s h e m i g h t b r e a k h e r ja w s ,
w h ic h r e la p s e d a t o n c e t o t h e ir fo r m e r p o s i t i o n ; b u t , a ft e r I
h a d m a d e a f e w m e s m e r ic p a sse s o v e r t h e m , sh e o p e n e d t h e m
w it h o u t d iffic u lt y , a n d s a id , " N o d o c t o r c o u ld h a v e d o n e
t h is ." O n t h e f o llo w in g d a y i t w a s m y d u t y t o a t te n d a
c o u n t y m e e t in g , a n d a s I w a s in th a t y e a r o b lig e d t o b e m u c h
in L o n d o n , t h e o p p o r t u n it ie s w h ic h I h a d t o m e s m e r is e h e r
w e r e " f e w a n d fa r b e t w e e n ,” I h ad h ow ev er th e g o o d fo r ­
t u n e t o c u r e h e r c o m p la in t , s h e r e t u r n e d t o s e r v ic e , a n d I
h e a r d n o t h in g m o r e o f h e r f o r s o m e y e a r s , w h e n I le a r n e d
196 London Mesmeric Infirmary.

t h a t a m a n b y w h o m s h e w a s e m p lo y e d h a d in a f it o f a n g e r
s e iz e d h e r b y t h e t h r o a t a n d a t t e m p t e d t o t h r o t t l e h e r . He
w a s in c o n s e q u e n c e t a k e n b e fo r e a m a g is tr a t e , w h o c o n s i ­
d e r e d t h e c a s e t o b e s o s e r io u s t h a t h e r e fu s e d t o in f lic t a
s u m m a r y c o n v i c t i o n , a n d d e s ir e d it t o b e tr ie d b y a n o t h e r
t r ib u n a l. T h e a la r m t h a t w a s c a u s e d b y t h e a s sa u lt r e u e w e d
h e r e p ile p t ic fit s , o f w h ic h s h e w a s v e r y s p e e d ily c u r e d b y m y
le a r n e d fr ie n d , D r . E l lio t s o n , w h o s e e m i n e n t s e r v ic e s c a n n o t
b e s u ffic ie n t ly c o m m e n d e d . T h e c a s e w a s a t la st t r i e d b y t h e
la t e M r . L a w , th e R e c o r d e r , w h e n t h e c o m p la in a n t w a s
a sk e d b y th e c o u n s e l fo r th e d e fe n d a n t w h eth er sh e h a d e v e r
b e e n e x h ib it e d a s a m e s m e r ic p a t ie n t , w h ic h Bhe d e n i e d ; a n d ,
a m o n g s t o t h e r a b s u r d q u e s t io n s , w h e t h e r s h e w a s q u it e s u r e
t h a t s h e w a s n o t in a m e s m e r ic s le e p w h e n s h e w as a s s a u lte d .
A n in q u ir y w a s m a d e b y w h o m s h e w as m e s m e r is e d . G rea t
s u r p r is e w a s e x p r e s s e d w h e n m y n a m e w a s m e n t i o n e d , a n d
t h e r e s u lt w a s t h a t s h e w a s c o n s id e r e d a n im p o s t o r — t h a t t h e
a s s a u lt r e m a in e d u n p u n is h e d , a lt h o u g h it h a d b e e n r e g a r d e d
b y t h e m a g is tr a t e a s a n o f f e n c e w h ic h w a s t o o im p o r t a n t fo r
a s u m m a r y c o n v ic t io n . S o m e o f th e o p p o n e n t s o f m e s m e r is m
h a v e s h e w n a v e r y d is g r a c e f u l w a n t o f c a n d o u r , a n d h a v e in
s o m e in s t a n c e s b e e n g u il t y o f fla g r a n t in ju s t ic e . I a llu d e ,
a m o n g B t o t h e r c a s e s , t o t h a t o f a l a b o u r e r in N o t t i n g h a m ­
s h ir e , w h o s e le g h a d b e e n a m p u t a t e d , w h ile h e w a s in a m e s ­
m e r ic s ta te , w it h o u t h is f e e lin g any p a in . S o m e m e d ic a l
p e r s o n s i n L o n d o n d e n ie d th a t th is w a s p o s s ib le , a n d h a d th e
e f f r o n t e r y t o r e p r e s e n t h im a s a n im p o s t o r . B u t t h e y h a d n o
r i g h t t o c a lu m n ia t e a n y in d iv id u a l, w h e t h e r b e is a p r in c e o r
a p e a s a n t, w it h o u t h a v in g p r o o f s t o s u b s t a n t ia t e th e c h a r g e .
T h e f o lly o f t h e im p u t a t io n w a s e q u a l t o it s m a l i g n i t y ; fo r ,
e v e n i f it c o u l d b e s u p p o s e d th a t t h e la b o u r e r h a d , w it h o u t
a n y a s s ig n a b le m o t iv e , a n d b y a n e x t r a o r d in a r y c o m m a u d
o v e r h im s e lf, b e e n a b le t o r e p r e s s t h e c r ie s a n d g r o a n s a n d
s h r ie k s w h ic h h e w o u ld h a v e u t t e r e d d u r in g th e o p e r a t io n ,
t h e r e w o u ld h a v e b e e n o t h e r p h y s ic a l m a n ife s t a t io n s o f s u ffe r ­
i n g w h ic h w o u ld n o t h a v e e s c a p e d t h e n o t ic e o f t h e s u r g e o n s
a n d o f th o se w h o w ere p re se n t. T h o s e w h o d e n ie d t h a t t h e
m e s m e r ic in f lu e n c e c o u l d p r o d u c e in s e n s ib ilit y t o p a in , m u s t
h a v e b e e n s o m e w h a t s u r p r is e d t o fin d th a t c h lo r o f o r m h a d t h e
s a m e e f f e c t ; a n d t h e y a r e a s u n a b le t o e x p la in in r e g a r d t o
c h lo r o f o r m , a s w e a r e in r e g a r d t o m e s m e r is m , t h e m o d e in
w h ic h t h a t in s e n s ib ilit y is p r o d u c e d . I r e jo i c e t h a t c h l o r o ­
f o r m is n o w s o e x t e n s iv e ly e m p lo y e d , a n d I a m r e a d y t o
a d m it t h a t it m a y h e a p p lie d w it h s u c c e s s t o t h o s e w h o a re
n o t s u s c e p t ib le o f m e s m e r ic in flu e n c e . B u t I c o n t e n d th a t ,
w h e n m e s m e r is m c a n b e u s e d , it is m u c h s a fe r in it s o p e r a -
 London Mesmeric Infirmary, 197

tio n , and th is o p in io n w ill, I a m s u r e , b e c o n fir m e d b y t h e

j u d g m e n t o f t h e le a r n e d fr ie n d s w h o m I s e e n e a r m e . In n u ­
m e r a b l e c a s e s h a v e o c c u r r e d in t h e E a s t I n d ie s , a s w e ll a s in
t h i s c o u n t r y , o f t h e m o s t p a in fu l s u r g ic a l o p e r a t io n s h a v in g
b e e n p e r f o r m e d u n d e r t h e m e s m e r ic in f lu e n c e w it h o u t a n y
s u f f e r i n g t o t h e p a t i e n t s ; a n d I a s k w h e t h e r s u c h e ffe c t s
c o u l d b e p r o d u c e d b y im a g in a tio n ? S everal p erson s have
a s c r i b e d t o th e f o r c e o f im a g in a t io n t h e p h e n o m e n a o f m e s ­
m e r i s m , a n d I am w e ll a w a re t h a t , a s s o m e d is o r d e r s h a v e
b e e n c a u s e d b y im a g in a t io n , it is p o s s ib le t h a t t h e y m a y b e
c u r e d b y im p a r t in g t o it a c o n t r a r y d ir e c t io n . T h o u g h it
s h o u l d b e a d m it t e d , f o r t h e s a k e o f t h e a r g u m e n t , th a t im a ­
g i n a t i o n 1q t h e r e a l a g e n t in t h e c u r e s w h ic h h a v e b e e n p e r ­
f o r m e d b y m e s m e r is m , n o v a lid o b j e c t i o n c o u l d b e u r g e d b y
i t s o p p o n e n t s a g a in s t th e e m p lo y m e n t o f a r e m e d y s o s im p le ,
s o e a s y , s o e ffic a c io u s , a n d a ls o s o s a fe in it s o p e r a t io n . I
d e n y , h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e p h y s ic a l p h e u o m e n a o f m e s m e r is m
a r e t h e e ffe c t s o f im a g in a t io n , o r th a t t h e p s y c h o l o g ic a l p h e ­
n o m e n a o f m e s m e r is m , o f w h ic h I w ill n o t a t p r e s e n t s p e a k ,
a r e t o b e a t t r ib u t e d t o c o llu s io n b e t w e e n t h e m e s m e r is e r a n d
h is p a t ie n t . L e t th o s e w h o e n t e r t a in a n y d o u b t u p o n t h e
p h y s ic a l p h e n o m e n a p e r u s e a v e r y c u r io u s a n d in t e r e s t in g
w o r k b y a F e llo w o f t h e C o l le g e o f P h y s ic ia n s , la t e p h y s ic ia n
t o t h e M id d le s e x H o s p it a l, D r . J o h n W i l s o n , t h e Trials o f
A nim al M agnetism on the B ru te C reation. T h e y w ill fin d in
it th e r e s u lts o f tr ia ls o n a v a r ie ty o f a n im a ls v e r y d iffe r e n t
in t h e ir s p e c ie s a n d d is p o s i t i o n s ; s o m e b e i n g ta m e , a n d s o m e
b e i n g w i l d ; s o m e b e i n g g e n t le , a n d s o m e b e i n g f e r o c i o u s ;
a n d s o m e b e i n g fis h , w h ic h , f r o m t h e ir g r e a t a g ilit y , s e e m e d
v e ry ill s u it e d t o s u c h e x p e r im e n t s . A n im a ls w e r e v e r y j u d i ­
c io u s ly s e le c t e d h y h im f o r t h e p u r p o s e , as t h e e ffe c t s w h ic h
t h e y e x h ib it e d , a n d w h ic h w e r e v e r y r e m a r k a b le , c o u l d n o t
b e a s c r ib e d e it h e r t o im a g in a t io n , o r t o c o llu s io n . L e t th o se
w h o a re s c e p t ic a l in r e g a r d t o t h e p s y c h o lo g ic a l p h e n o m e n a
o f m e s m e r is m , p e r u s e t h e a d m ir a b le a n d in s t r u c t iv e L etters
o f D r . G r e g o r y , w h ic h c o n t a in n u m b e r le s s fa c t s u p o n t h e
s u b j e c t , a n d t h e y o u g h t t o s a tis fy e v e n t h e m o s t in c r e d u lo u s .
W e h a v e b e e n a s k e d , w h a t is t h e t h e o r y o f m e s m e r is m ? a n d
in w h a t m a n n e r it s e ffe c t s a r e t o b e e x p la in e d ? T o th e se
m o s t fu t ile q u e s t io n s I r e p ly , th a t w e a re n o t t o d is b e lie v e
a n y fa c t s , k n o w n a n d p r o v e d t o b e s u c h , t h o u g h w e m a y b e
u n a b le t o a c c o u n t f o r t h e m ; th a t w e fin d b o t h in t h e a n im a l
a n d in th e v e g e t a b le c r e a t io n a n in fin it y o f p h e n o m e n a w h ic h
w e c a n u o t e x p l a i n ; t h a t e v e n c h e m ic a l a n a ly s is is o f t e n v e r y
d e f e c t i v e ; a n d t h a t n o d o u b t w a s e v e r e n t e r t a in e d o n th e
o p e r a t io n s o f m e d ic in a l s u b s t a n c e s b e c a u s e w e a r e ig n o r a n t
198 London Mesmeric Infirmary.

o f t h e ir p r e c is e o p e r a t io n o n t h e h u m a n fr a m e . In on e o f
M o l i e r e ’ s c o m e d ie s , a c a n d id a t e f o r t h e m e d ic a l p r o fe s s io n is
a s k e d , in d o g L a t in , “ quare opium fa c it dorm ire ?” t o w h ic h
b e r e p lie s ,
11 Quia eat in eo
Yirtug ilorrniLivfl.
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Seams sisoapire ¡” .

a n d I a m n o t a w a r e t h a t a m o r e r e a s o n a b le a n s w e r c o u l d h e
r e t u r n e d t o s u c h a n in q u ir y . A l t h o u g h w e a r e u n a b le t o
s t a t e in w h a t m a n n e r th e m e s m e r ic in flu e n c e is c o n v e y e d
f r o m t h e m e s m e r is e r t o h is p a t ie n t , it s e e m s t o o p e r a t e b y
in v i g o r a t in g th e r e s t o r a t iv e p o w e r s o f n a t u r e , t h e vis medi-
ca lriz natural, t o w h ic h w e o w e u lt im a t e ly , u n d e r t h e b le s s ­
i n g o f P r o v id e n c e , th e c u r e o f a ll th e v a r io u s d is o r d e r s w h ic h
a fflict m a n k in d . I t w a s a t r u e , a s w e ll a s a c a n d id , c o n fe s s io n
o f a n e m in e n t p h y s ic ia n , " W e d o n o t c u r e d is o r d e r s ,— w e
o n l y e n a b le N a t u r e t o c u r e t h e m ,” T h a t p h y s ic ia n c o u ld
n o t p e r h a p s h a v e e x p la in e d t h e p r e c is e a c t i o n o f a n y o f h is
m e d ic in e s , b u t h e w as n o t o n t h a t a c c o u n t t h e le s s ju s t if ie d
in p r e s c r i b in g t h e m , o r t h e le s s sa tis fie d i n r e g a r d t o t h e ir
p r o b a b le s u c c e s s . W e a ll k n o w th a t " f a c t s a re s t u b b o r n
t h i n g s / ' a n d s u c h a re th o s e in m e s m e r is m . W e a r e b o u n d
t o b e lie v e a ll fa c ts , h o w e v e r e x t r a o r d in a r y in t h e ir n a t u r e ,
a n d e v e n w h e n r a r e i n t h e ir o c c u r r e n c e , i f t h e y a re a t te s te d
b y s u ffic ie n t e v i d e n c e : a n d , w h a te v e r m a y b e t h e t h e o r y o f
m e s m e r is m , w e h a v e s a tis fa c to r y a n d u n d e n ia b le p r o o f s , b y
l o n g e x p e r ie n c e a n d th e m o s t a c c u r a t e e x a m in a t io n , t h a t
m e s m e r is m h a s n o t o n l y c u r e d m a n y d is o r d e r s m o r e e a s ily
a n d m o r e e x p e d it io u s ly th a n c o u l d h a v e b e e n d o n e in a n y
d if f e r e n t m a n n e r , b u t a ls o th o s e w h ic h c o u l d n o t o th e r w is e
h a v e b e e n t r e a t e d w ith s u c c e s s . I t w o u ld b e e n d le s s , a n d a n
u n w a r r a n t a b le w a s te o f y o u r t im e a n d p a t ie n c e , i f I w e r e t o
e n u m e r a t e a fe w o n l y o f t h o s e c a s e s w h ic h a r e t h e m o s t r e ­
m a r k a b le , a n d I w ill m e n t io n t w o o n ly o f t h e m , o n e o f w h ic h
w a s w itn e s s e d b y m y s e lf. I v is it e d s o m e y e a r s a g o , in R e d
L i o n S t r e e t , H o l b o r n , a s h o p k e e p e r , n a m e d S a lm o n , w h o s e
s o n , t h e n a b o u t 1 3 y e a r s o f a g e , s u ffe r e d f r o m a p a r a ly s is o f
t h e s p in e , w h ic h r e n d e r e d h im u n a b le t o s it u p in b e d , o r
e v e n t o r a is e h is h e a d f r o m th e p illo w . H is fa t h e r a s s u r e d
m e t h a t , o n th e v e ry first v is it o f D r . E l lio t s o u , h e w as e n ­
a b le d t o r is e fr o m h is b e d , a n d t o w a lk a c r o s s t h e r o o m *
N e v e r s h a ll I f o r g e t th e w o r d s o f t h e fa t h e r , w h ic h w e r e n o t
u t t e r e d iu t h e p r e s e n c e o f m y le a r n e d fr ie n d , o r in t e n d e d a s
a c o m p li m e n t t o h im ,— “ it s e e m e d a s i f D r . E IH o t s o n h a d

* See above, p. 188.

 London M esm eric Infirmary, 199

raised my son from the grave.” 1 had the satisfaction o f

seeing the son afterwards at the house o f Dr. Elliot boh , and
o f finding that he had then a healthy complexion, and every
appearance o f health and strength and a renovated constitu­
tion, although he was, when I first saw biro a few weeks before,
pale, sickly, feeble, and emaciated, as i f his vital powers were
nearly exhausted. Need I refer also to a case o f total blind­
ness, which was an opacity o f the cornea, and had continued
for twenty-six years, and which was cured mesmerically, not
by a medical practitioner, but by a lady, eminent in her
station, and still more eminent in her benevolence.* Could
a cure have been effected, or even attempted, in either o f
those cases without employing mesmerism ? and i f not, may
we not justly consider it to be what it has been termed by a
reverend gentleman who íb now present— " the gift o f G od ?”
W e learn from the valuable record o f cases which has been
published by our excellent and indefatigable Secretary, M r.
Capera, to whom I wish upou this as upon every occasion
to offer the humble tribute o f my praise, that mesmerism has
been successfully employed by him in fourteen diseases, some
o f which it is often very difficult, i f not impracticable, to
cure by other means. It gives me extreme satisfaction to
know that the practice o f mesmerism extends itself rapidly,
and that institutions for the purpose have been established
in several districts o f this cou n try; and I earnestly wish, as
well as I confidently expect, that the signal benefits which it
confers upon mankind may be enjoyed by future generations,
even more than by the present.
Dr. Elliotson then read the following R e p o r t:—
" T h e Committee o f the London Mesmeric Infirmary
rejoice in being able to congratulate the Donors and Sub­
scribers upon the increased support o f the charity by the
public,—the increased'confidence o f the sick and their friends
in the benefits o f mesmerism,— and upon the continuance o f
proofs o f the alleviating and remedial powers o f one o f the
greatest blessings ever vouchsafed to mankind.
<l The conviction o f the truth o f mesmerism— o f the truth
o f its phenomena and its alleviating and remedial powers, has
spread most extensively since we last met. To doubt the
mesmeric production o f sleep and sleep-waking, and their
dispersion; o f rigidity, catalepsy, and relaxation; the mes­
meric abolition and restoration o f sensation; mesmeric trac­
tion ; peculiar, and formerly unknown, effects o f metals, crys-

v Mrs, Whately, wife of the Arcbbiehop of Dublin : the case is detailed in

No. X X V , of The ZoUl.
200 London M esm eric Infirm ary.

tala, and other substances in the mesmeric state, nnd in the

ordinary state o f some persons who hare been in the mes­
meric state, and even in some who have never been mes­
merised,— is no longer regarded as a mark o f sagacity and
superiority, but excites surprise and causes an individual to
be considered ignorant and absurd. Even such phenomena
as the mesmeric excitement o f distinct cerebral organs, the
sympathy o f sensations and ideas, and a certain degree o f
clairvoyance, are generally admitted, and their admission no
longer subjects us to the imputation o f credulity or exposes
us to ridicule. Fourteen years ago, mesmerism was declared
in London to be destroyed for ever, utterly extinguished, and
sure to be never heard o f again except as a tale that is told,
illustrative of the ignorance, weakness and folly o f a few in­
dividuals who had ruined their reputation irrecoverably. But
now mesmerism is one o f the chief topics o f conversation,
and is alluded to as a fact in publications o f every descrip­
tion ; the sale o f mesmeric books is very large and has in­
creased astonishingly o f late, and M r. Baillière informs us
that the demand for the English quarterly journal o f mes­
merism— The Zoist, far exceeds the demand o f even last
year. The medical journals sneer at mesmerism and vilify us
less frequently than before, and, though they continue to
keep all our splendid facts from the eyes o f their readers, to
whom it is their duty to make all these facts known, it is
evident that they are conscious o f being in an awkward posi­
tion, behind the present day, and near an overwhelming
necessity o f acknowledging the truth o f what they have so
violently, coarsely, and obstinately denied, and o f reporting
mesmeric facts as regularly as others. Although the managers
o f the Koval College o f Physicians, o f the Royal College o f
Surgeons, and o f the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society,
still refuse to purchase mesmeric works, it is known that the
members o f the two latter bodies continually ask for The
Zoist : and the desire cannot much longer be disregarded by
those who ought to know better and to have more feeling
for the sufferings of their fellow-creatures. The spread o f the
conviction o f the truth o f mesmerism is shewn in the addi­
tions to our list o f donors and subscribers. Since the last
Annual M eeting we have had 47 new donors, besides anony­
mous contributors o f mites to the donation-box ; and 38 new
subscribers. Five only o f our former subscribers have re­
signed: four expressing their regret at their inability to con ­
tinue their subscriptions, and the fifth complaining that a
case o f St. Vitus's dance that she sent us was not cured off
hand at a few sittings. Several o f the donations were be-
 London M esm eric infirm ary. 201

stowed in consequence o f mesmeric cures having been effected

in the families o f the donors, without any connexion with the
. Infirmary. Mr. Bail)¡ere, whose daughter's recovery from
typhus will, we trust, be recorded in the next Zoist, has sent
us, in consequence o f it, five guineas through her hands.
M r. Kingdom, who has related in The Zoist the great benefit
which he derived from mesmerism while recovering from a
severe accident, has sent us ten pounds. Miss Jane Prestou,
who was assiduously mesmerised by Mr. J&nson, has evinced
her gratitude by presenting us with fifteen pounds.
" The increased confidence o f the sick aud their friends in
the alleviating and remedial powers o f mesmerism is mani­
fested on every side, and is strikingly shewn by the numerous
applications for admission to our Infirmary— far more nume­
rous than we have the means o f satisfying. They are now
aware that mesmerism exerts a powerful influence, not over
nervous affections only, but over the diseases o f every organ
and over diseases o f every description,— upon inflammation,
structural as well as functional diseases, enlargement, change
o f texture, ulceration, &c,, and that it not only soothes, but
invigorates. Some who are believers in its blessings are still
shut out from them by the gross superstition o f its satanic
nature. This preposterous absurdity will continue till educa­
tion becomes what it should be and points out to those upon
whom it is bestowed that all around us is nature,— all governed
by universal and unerring laws; aud that mesmerism, like
everything else that man does, must be a natural, cannot be
a supernatural, affair. It may be worth the reflection o f the
superstitious, that we have twelve divines on our lists; the
greater part o f them clergymen o f the Church of England,
one a doctor o f divinity and formerly » professor in the U ni­
versity o f Oxford, and, at the head of them, an archbishop,
— His Grace the Archbishop o f Dublin, who did not for a
moment hesitate to become one o f our vice-presidents. A n ­
other anti-satanic argument is, that above fifty ladies appear
upon our list.
“ Continued proofs o f the assuaging and remedial powers
o f mesmerism pour upon us on all sides. The Zoist teems
with them every quarter, and numberless others are occurring
daily which are not recorded. Since the last meeting, a
hundred and fifty-four patients have been treated at the In ­
firmary. Twenty were not improved at a ll: but the greater
part o f these attended too short a time for mesmerism to exert
its power, thirteen o f them attended but two or three tim es:
and among them were cases o f epilepsy, blindness, and con ­
sumption. Nineteen were slightly improved, and the greater
von. x. p
202 London M esm eric infirm ary.

part o f these left os before there was any chance o f a cure.

Thirty-nine were much improved,— so much that they did
not think it worth while to attend any longer, though we
should have wished them still to persevere for some weeks :
but persons in all ranks and o f all ages aud education are
disposed to impatience, and the poor have but too many
causes o f inability to attend an institution daily for any time.
Forty-two have been cured. Thirty-four are still under treat­
m ent; and o f these ten are already greatly improved, and
some have not been with us long enough for benefit to be
expected. It must be remembered that the majority o f our
cases are ch ro n ic: that most o f them have defied medical
treatment, generally at the hands o f several practitioners: and
that many are certain o f receiving no amelioration from any
kind o f non-mesmeric treatment.
“ W e may be permitted to mention a few examples o f the
rapidity with which mesmerism occasionally cures pain.
" A man, named Benjamin Dickinson, living at N o. 1,
Store Street, was attacked with violent gout in his right foot
on Saturday the 14th ofla st June. The agony was so intense
that for eight and forty hours he could not have put his foot
to the ground had a room full o f gold been offered to him,—
to use the words o f a statement in our possession by one o f
his friends,— M r. Job, o f N o. 7, Newman Street. On the
M onday be applied at the Infirmary by the advice o f his
friends, bat, in the words o f a statement written for ns by
himself, ( he did go with the fa ll impression that it would do
no good.* In less then ten minutes after M r. Capern had begun
to mesmerise the foot, he was free from pain; and, though
he had been conveyed to the Infirmary in a cab, he walked
home without requiring even a s tick : and soon he put on M b
boot. H e has not had a relapse.
“ A man, named James Boars, living at N o. 12, Giltspur
Street, had suffered five days from agonizing rheumatism o f
the head. Having seen Mr. Capern’ s book o f mesmeric cures,
he applied at the Infirmary in August. A statement in his
own handwriting declares that ‘ the pains were continuous,
and often inexpressible; insomuch that, had he not called in
Bedford Street, he must have discontinued his w ork/ M es­
merism by Mr. Capern entirely and permanently removed the
pain in six or seven minutes.
“ M ary Clarkson, o f Gloster Street, Cambridge Heath,
has left us this statement:— *1 had pain in the limbs for
three years : the hands and feet were at times contracted and
almost useless. I applied at the Mesmeric Infirmary on the
10th o f November, 1851, having severe pain at the time in
 London M esm eric Infirmary, 203

the arms and Bhoulders. M r. Capern immediately mesmer­

ised me, and in an amazingly short time entirely relieved me
from all p ain ; and 1 had a good night the first time for three
years.’ Mesmerism was continued; but she attended regu­
larly for a fortnight only. However, on the 9th o f December
she considered herself cured. Sleep was induced the second
time of her being mesmerised, and she invariably was free
from pain during the process. She left from the necessity o f
going to Dublin : and this is greatly to be regretted, as we
learnt that she had an open cancer o f the breast.
" Elizabeth Keid, in the service o f Miss Temple Bowdoin,
had suffered above a month with agonizing neuralgic pains o f
the head. A ll ordinary means had failed to relieve her. M r.
Capern was very busy when she applied and could therefore
mesmerise her for a short time only, and relieved her but
little. A t the second me*mediation, however, great benefit
was obtained; and her natural sleep returned when night
came. A third mesmerisation completed her cure. A fter a
month she experienced a degree o f relapse. This was com ­
pletely dissipated; and the pain has never returned. Miss
Bowdoin felt a pleasure in addiug her signature to that o f the
patient in attestation o f these facts, and in consequence o f
them has become a subscriber,
" Maria Smith, o f 17, Carburton Street, had suffered from
tic douloureux for live months, and been attended by different
medical men in vain. The pain sometimes prevented her
from speaking for hours ; and sometimes a whole day from
eating. She applied on the 20th o f D ecem ber; was greatly
relieved by Mr. Capern at the first mesmerisation; and cured
in six.
"Jam es Umdallah, an Indian, bad been agonized with
pain in his face for two days and nights, and one night did
not sleep at all. On G ood Friday, M r. Capern mesmerised
his fa c e : and in ten minutes the pain ceased. H e remained
cured. H e said that in his country people are cured in the
same manner by a priest, and that the process is called ja r -
phoonk. The priest, he farther mentioned, does not always
employ the hands only, but sometimes holds a feather in
each o f his hands. A gentleman from India called about
this time, and told M r. Capern that the priest pretends he is
obliged to fast, and to pray a great deal to Vishnu, before he
knows where to find the bird which furnishes the feather:
and, when he does know, that m ore fastings and prayers are
required before the bird will allow him to take two feathers
from its tail. H e also said that the operator is not always a
priest; and, if a layman, is called a Jadrowallah, or conjuror,
v2
204 . London M esm eric Infirmary,

" A patient, named Samuel Gibbs, o f 13, Gloster Street,

who had laboured under chronic rheumatism for two years,
lost his pains from one mesmerisation by M r. Capern, and
had no more o f them except once when he fell down.
“ Another, named Sarah Thompson, who had been tor­
mented with tic douloureux for twenty years, was admitted on
the 22nd o f October, and considered herself well upon the
6th o f November.
" W e had a remarkable case o f sodden blindness from
rigid closure o f the eyelids, in a girl named Elizabeth K ey,
living with her parents in Brompton Place, Hall Park, Pad­
dington. On the night o f the 24th o f November, at 10
o ’ clock, in the presence o f her father and mother, and being
apparently in perfect health, she suddenly felt as it were an
electric shock in the left eye, which instantly closed firmly.
In five minutes a similar shock was felt in the right eye, and
it closed as firmly. H er father procured medical advice, and
she took a draught. But her eyes remained closed in spite
o f medical treatment, and they were in great pain. The
next day she was taken to the Infirmary, and M r. Capern
caused them to open freely in three minutes by mesmeric
passes. On a few subsequent occasions they closed j but the
father was able to open them mesmerically, even by gazing
at the lids and willing. The surgeon who was called in, Mr.
Hammond, o f Paddington, most honourably gave a certificate
that * the cure was an excellent proof o f the good effects o f
mesmerism in nervous affections/
" Her brother, five years o f age, afterwards had a similar
seizure. Mesmerism opened his eyes in less than two mi­
nutes, and they have closed but once since.
" More formidable affections o f the nervous system have
been subdued by mesmerism. A man, named Kilder, was
admitted June the 3rd, with palsy o f the right half o f his
frame and giddiness. H e had been a patient at some o f our
chief metropolitan hospitals for above four years, and at a
provincial hospital for three months : and had a seton in his
neck. H e, no doubt, was treated in the best manner, but
without advantage. H e was completely restored by mes­
merism, and returned to his business, making his first suit o f
clothes for Mr. Capern to order on his recovery. H e could
be rendered universally rigid at any moment.
“ A patient, named James Guest, o f 16, St, James’ s
Buildings, Clerkenwell, had for seven years been afflicted
with intense hypochondriasis, preventing him from following
his occupation and rendering him sometimes distracted. H e
had been under many practitioners, and in medical charities,
 London M esm eric Infirm ary. 305

without deriving any benefit; though,, no doubt, like the last

patieut, treated as well as the present state o f medical know*
ledge permits. Eight mesmeri sations restored him to health
and happiness.
" Mary Macarthy, a woman living at N o. 9, Robin H ood
Court, Tooley Street, had been subject to epileptic fits from
September, 1849, when she applied at the Infirmary on the
9th o f last July. She was in Guy's Hospital five weeks,
without benefit: and theu in St. Thomas's four months, and
improved sufficiently to leave i t ; but, soon becoming worse
again, she returned, and remained another four mouths, and
again improved, left it, and grew as bad as ever. On coming
here, she was at once mesmerised by M r. Capcrn, and during
the process had a violent fit, which lasted two hours and a
half: but from that day the disease abated, and she ceased to
attend on the 8th o f October, quite free from her disease,
and she remains well.
“ Before concluding, we may briefly mention two interest­
ing cases, exemplifying the power o f mesmerism over diseases
o f other parts than the nervous system.
“ A woman, named Hammond, resident at N o. 31, Conduit
Street, W estbourne Terrace, who, after a confinement, had
suffered for five years such severe symptoms as betokened
organic disease and induced some to consider her case can­
cerous, though it was not, persevered here with mesmerism for
a year, and was completely cu red : and a patient with an ova­
rian tumor, now under treatment, has already experienced a
great diminution o f its bulk, and au equal improvement in
her health and strength.
" A parallel circumstance is, that a poor blind child with
a large head, who is mesmerised regularly, is, though not
improved in his vision, experiencing a great improvement in
the appearance o f his head. N ot expecting his head to dimin­
ish, we did not measure it at his admission. But after a
time the diminution o f the head struck every body, and it
was measured. On a second measurement, it was found to
have lessened an inch and a quarter in circumference, and an
inch over the summit,
“ W e have received:—
£ ■S. tf.
Donations ................................. ........... .... 190 4 7i
Annual Subscriptions ....................... .. .. 224 4 0
Kent o f some o f M r. Baume’ s gift .... 10 0 0
Interest on five Exchequer Bills . .... 11 0 II
By sale o f C r y s ta ls ............................ ____ 2 0 0

T o ta l. £437 9 G£
206 London M esm eric Infirmary.

" O u r expenses have amounted to £ 4 3 7 : 1 0 :1 , being 6$d.

over our receipts.* But we have £ 8 6 4 :3 :9 in hand. W e
may therefore consider ourselves very prosperous. But we
are anxious to extend the benefits o f mesmerism. W e are
anxious to be able to mesmerise a much larger number o f pa­
tients, and to have an hospital in which patients may reside,
as the sick cannot obtain the advantage o f mesmerism in the
ordinary hospitals.
I{ Twenty names in the list o f donors and subscribers are
those o f medical men. W e know the ntiliiy o f ordinary me­
dical treatm ent; we have the same good opinion o f the properties
o f medicines, the abstraction o f blood, counter-irritation, and
all well-established medical measures, as the m edical w orld at
la rg e: those o f us who are medical men practise exactly as the
rest o f the profession p ra ctise.- but in our private p ra ctice we
employ mesmerism is a d d i t i o n to the means ordinarily used
by the medical profession, knowing for a certainty that mes­
merism c u m diseases not at present cured by ordinary means
and assists all the established methods o f cure. The general
healing power of mesmerism appears to be that o f assisting
nature to throw off disease, whatever that disease may be—
to aid the vis m edicatrix natures.
" The lease o f the present house will expire at Christmas,
and we are desirous o f taking such further measures in that
respect as may be necessary.
" W e beg to express our warmest thanks to the Ladies
who so kindly constitute the ladies' committee. They attend
in committee w eekly: and one or more visit the house every
day. Their presence, their suggestions, and general assist-
tan ce, are invaluable.
“ N or can we conclude without expressing our sense o f
Mr. Capern's value. His devotion to the blessings o f mes­
merism— bis untiring seal— bis benevolence, modesty, and
disinterestedness, are beyond all praise.”

£ #. d.
* S a la rie s ............................................................................... 239 5 0
Rent (5 quarters)............................................................. IDS 5 0
Rates and Taxes ............................................................. 16 8 11
Printing, Stationery, and Advertisement! ................... 19 15 0
Sundries ........................................ 13 16 2
Law expenses of securing and lettingMr. Baame’s gift 24 8 3
Assurance o f ditto ................................. . .................... 2 5 0
Carpenter, &c................................................................... 15 5 9

£ i$ l 9 1
O f this the law and carpenter's expenses (37 : Ti : Ol wilt not occur again
The only charge o f treating for more patienta would be in tnesmeriaera.
 London M esm eric Infirmary. 207

M r. M o n c k t o n M i l n e s , M .P ., in moving the adoption o f

the report, said he regarded mesmerism not in any professional
or limited point o f view, hnt as a province o f the vast king­
dom o f nature, demanding the interest o f every intelligent
man and the appreciation o f every student o f nature and his­
tory. (Cheers.) H e had been led long ago to take an interest
in this wonderful agent o f natural power, because, by an ap­
plication to its phenomena o f the true principles of evidence,
he had become convinced that there lay in it a physical truth
which it was unwise and unmanly to deny, merely because in
this, as in all other sciences, a sagacious induction o f facts,
hitherto unobserved or mis understood, must precede any
theory. H e believed the Mesmeric Infirmary had been
wisely established for this very purpose, besides its utility as
a therapeutic relief o f the sufferings o f humanity, and he
was also sure it had been prudently conducted. It was no
easy matter to form such an institution in the state o f public
feeling. H e was disposed to think there were circumstances
connected with mesmerism, that might explain the great
difficulty it had to encounter in asserting itself as a science,
and establishing itself in a nation so careful o f receiving evi­
dence as the English people generally were. The fact o f their
not being able to lay down a rule defining the physiological
and psychological properties o f mesmerism had led to mes­
merism being incumbered with so much imposture and false­
hood. Owing to scientific men refusing from prejudice to
receive mesmerism as a science, it had been delivered up as a
prey to the impostor, whose exaggerations and delusions had
prevented any clear and definite understanding as to the real
character o f this mysterious agent being arrived at. H e was
confident the institution would do a vast deal o f good, because
it waB in the hands o f as self-sacrificing a body o f men as ever
stood forward to demand the public sympathy. (Cheers.) H e
would also call attention to the circumstance, that, whatever
might be the present success o f this establishment and o f the
treatment there practised, they had no right to measure by
this success the real probability of the success o f this ageut
when it had once a fair chance and took its just place in
science. As long as mesmerism was only applied to when
every other means had foiled, how much might its instances
o f success and benefit be diminished. H e believed it was a
great mistake and a dangerous error to use mesmerism for
the mere purpose o f experiment and amusement, and hoped
that so powerful an instrument would only be employed by
persons well acquainted with its real effects,
M r. A lexander E llis (of Redland, Bristol) said, in
208 London M esm eric Infirmary.

seconding the adoption o f the report,— " Dr. £lliotBon, in read­

ing the report, alluded to the fact that it was once imagined
mesmerism was dead. Indeed it is a matter o f notoriety that
a certain well-known coroner thought that he had sat upon
its body, and presumed upon having dug a grave for it with
an insignificant Lancet. But, i f mesmerism has died, we
cannot help regarding it this day as experiencing a most glo­
rious apotheosis. The growth o f the public favour which it
experiences is well shewn in our present meeting. Last year
we assembled within the walls o f the Infirm ary; this year our
ambition extended to one o f the smaller rooms o f this esta­
blishment, but its bounds were too small, and we now meet
in this room, certainly not in sufficient numbers to 611 the whole
o f it, yet next year perhaps even this Toom will be found too
small to contain the numerous supporters o f this most beue-
volent institution. (Applause.) The progress o f mesmerism
in this country has been extremely indebted to the opposition
it has experienced. That opposition has stirred up such a
spirit among its supporters, that they have investigated col­
lected evidence, and spared no exertion to disprove the asser­
tions o f their opponents, and to establish as a fact the bene­
ficial and remedial agency o f mesmerism. It is not opposition
— it is indifference, which is killing. (Hear, hear.) I was
very much struck, some years ago wheu I was in Germany,
at observing the different light in which mesmerism is regarded
in this country and in that. In Germany it is accepted;
physicians do not seem to oppose it at a ll; they recommend
it, and it has its regular practitioners: but these practitioners
are surprised when they hear what is done in England. The
Germans have simply treated the whole subject with indif­
ference— as a remedy to be used like a drug in a chemist’s
shop, and thought o f perhaps just as little. It is by oppo­
sition that we can hope to discover and fortify all our weak
points, and to arrive at final success. Failures are more use­
ful than successes. (Applause.) The story goes that there
were three persons once commissioned to paint a camel. One
o f them went, it is said, to the desert to study the animal iu
its natural sphere o f existence: he saw its whole character,
and presented a most faithful copy. Another went to a zoo­
logical garden, and saw the animal in a state o f captivity: he
produced certainly a picture like a camel, but wanting the
spirit o f the first. The third, however, who had a metaphy­
sical turn o f mind, locked himself up in his study, and en­
deavoured to evolve the idea o f a camel from the depths o f his
inmost consciousness. (Laughter.) It is needless to say that
his picture has not yet appeared. These three persons are
 London M esm eric Infirm ary. 209

the types o f three different investigators. The first is one

who looks upon nature determined to accept it as it is,— to
put it under no artificial constraint, observing it as much as
he can in every possible form in which it presents itself. He
is the one to whom we must look for real results. The second
is more com m on : he also studies nature, but he wishes
nature to do as he orders i t ; he must have results answer to
his expectation, or he disbelieves them. I f a man’ s leg is
cut off, and the other leg doesn’ t kick, he says the man is an
impostor,*— not, that his own theory is wrong, as evidently he
ought to have said. But the third class, the d priori philoso­
phers, are unfortunately more common than all, and it is from
them that mesmerism has experienced, and is in the present
day experiencing, the strongest opposition. They are per­
sons who, having from very insufficient induction made np
their minds, declare that they do not understand how it is
possible such things as we announce could happen, and there­
fore they disbelieve them. They do not understand how it is
that one man should be able to exert power over another.
They know very well that a drug does so. 'A h ! y e s / they
say, * I can understand how mercury affects the liver; but I
do not understand how, if you just wave your hand before a
person’ s face, you can produce any effect at all. I have
waved my hand before many persons’ faces, and they have
experienced nothing o f the kind.’ In that way they refuse
to examine the evidence which is presented to their m inds;
but many o f those persons are really not worth having the
evidence presented to them, for they are not able properly to
appreciate it. (Hear, hear.) In society, however, we find so
many who entertain similar opinions, that it is necessary to
be able to shew them at once that they are not justified in
the assertions they make. Now, the first thing they always
feel is that so great an effect cannot be produced from so
slight a cause. The fact is, as everybody knows who has
thought upon the subject, that we have not the slightest idea,
with respect to any set o f conditions which have not occurred
before, what will be the Bet o f consequences which will ensue.
The least alteration o f certain conditions will entirely alter
the result; and iu mesmerism, where the conditions are ex­
ceedingly complicated, and may be arranged in an almost
infinite variety o f ways, we must look forward to an almost
infinite variety o f results, not as being produced by the same
causes, but by really different causes. In the course o f me­
dicine it is all very well to say, ' W e know that mercury does

* Dr. Marshall Hall, Sir B. Brodie,

210 London M esm eric Infirmary,

affect the liv e r/ but there is no physician who will say he

knows why it affects the liver; he simply knows the fact. As
with mercury so it is with all other drugs : we have one un­
organized substance acting upon an organized o n e ; the un­
organized substance is comparatively simple, the organized
substance is exceedingly com plex; and every physician who
has attempted it is perfectly well aware o f the great difficulty
there is in substantiating the direct action o f any one medi­
cine upon the human body. But with mesmerism we have
two organized bodies, one acting upon another. The compli­
cation o f circumstances is double; hence in the present state
o f knowledge there is no person who is at all able to say a
priori what is likely to result from the action o f one human
being on another., A t present, mesmerism is in the stage o f
observation, and we have not anything like sufficient facts to
form a theory. Unfortunately many mesmerists have been
exceedingly anxious to erect some grand theory o f their own.
The injudiciousness o f such a course ib sufficiently shewn by
the report o f the French Commissioners, which was directed
not against the facte which they saw, and which they ad­
mitted to be genuine, but against the existence o f a certain
mesmeric or magnetic fluid. Now, for years and years that
decision o f the Commission was supposed to be a decision
against mesmerism. Nothing could be more ridiculous, because
mesmerism in its present state and in its then state was not a
theory, hut a collection o f facts out o f which a theory might
perhaps be built, - Again, some of the facts which are re­
corded in mesmerism strike persons as being impossible be­
cause they are contrary to their notions. W e say o f clair­
voyants, that they ‘ see’ things, that they read with their
eyes shut, and ‘ see' through a wall. N ow we know by the
construction o f the eye that if the eyelid closes we cannot
see. This contradiction arises from an unfortunate use o f a
word. That clairvoyants have an apprehension o f things be­
yond them, answering, to a certain extent, to our sight, even
when their eyes are closed, is tru e; but the apprehension
which they have is not sight, for it differs altogether from the
laws o f sight. They see from very different parts o f the body
and in different directions from what they do in sight. Hence
the word ‘ seeing* is an unfortunate one, and I would sug­
gest, from the word ‘ clairvoyant ’ that we use the verb ‘ to
clear view,’ instead o f ‘ to s e e / on sucb occasions. W e
are surprised at what is unusual j we are not surprised at
what happens every day. People are not astonished at sight,
but at clairvoyance; but if they had seen, however, as I have,
persons going about day after day with their eyes closed, and
 London M esm eric Infirm ary, 211

acting precisely in the same way as i f they were opened,

moving things out o f their way, and never missing anything
they wished to take np, their surprise would cease, and they
would find it such an ordinary phenomenon that they would
be much more astonished at witnessing failure than at ob ­
serving success. It is very necessary to bear in mind that
mesmerism is only wonderful because it is uncommon, and
the object o f such an institution as this is to do away with
that wonder by making it common to all classes o f society.
It is not to be supposed for an instant that the benefits o f
mesmerism are confined to the walls o f the Mesmeric In ­
firmary. There are hundreds and hundreds o f persons who
are perpetually practising it, and to whom it is as much a
matter o f course, if they feel pain in any part o f the body,
to ask a person to make a few passes over it, as it would be
to ask for plaster i f they had co t their fingers. (Hear, hear.)
That class o f persons is increasing very greatly. It is not to
be wondered at that persons who do not bestow their attention
generally upon scientific subjects, arrive at such false conclu­
sion as those we have m entioned; but when we see persons
whose business it is to instruct others— who have had the
education o f the highest class in exactly that description o f
cases in which mesmerism is effective— who have studied the
anatomy and physiology o f the human b o d y ; when we see
them blindly refusing to take cognizance o f mesmeric c&ses;
when we see those who sit in wisdom's chair bringing the
passions to rebel against h er; when we see them heaping
abuse in order to excite angry feelings against a matter o f
science; when we see them trying all means iD their power
to run down those benevolent men o f their own class who
have ventured to staud out as advocates o f these new and
therefore despised truths,— then indeed we are tempted to
cry out, r Shame against those professors ! shame against
them [ But may they live to repent, and to advocate that
which they now so unworthily refuse to study l1” (Applause.)
M r. Ellis then referred to the trials winch awaited mes­
merists themselves in the results o f their own investigations;
and, after alluding to the fears formerly entertained by phre­
nologists o f the obloquy attached to mesmerism, so that the
Phrenological Association at first dreaded to admit the mes­
meric proofs o f phrenology, and to homoeopathy, continued :
“ It is necessary for the investigation o f mesmerism that
facts should be brought forward and should be open to public
investigation. In the majority o f cases which occur in pri­
vate families it is quite impossible for investigators to have
access to them for the purposes o f Btudy. The Mesmeric
212 London M esm eric Infirmary,

Infirmary is open to the world. W e should not have ad­

vanced in the medical profession but for those large hospitals
where numberless cases are brought forward in which we are
able to see the actions o f medicines upon different constitu­
tions, and under very different circumstances. N o r shall we
advance in mesmerism until we are able to collect a body o f
facts which will lead us finally to a theory. The facts already
collected are sufficient to prove the truth o f mesmerism. It
is uo slight satisfaction to ourselves as investigators that we
stand in such a very different position to that o f the investi­
gators o f other sciences. W hen Galileo first observed the
satellites o f Jupiter, lie could have had no idea o f the bene­
ficent result which would be produced in the saving of lives
by finding out the longitude. W hen Galvani observed the
quivering o f a frog’ s leg, and Oersted first observed the de­
flection o f the maguctic needle, they had no idea o f such a
result as the electric telegraph. W hen a person by way o f a
conjuring trick first dangled a ring from his finger, he had
no idea that he had got the clue to an instrument by which
perhaps the human mind might be gauged. But here we
have a very different case, Here every experiment we make
produces the most beneficent and excellent result. Here the
soothing band, the speaking eye, the benevolent will, act at
once to soothe, to reinvigorate, to revive. W e cannot stir a
step without doing good to our fellow-countrym en; we cannot
pursue an apparently abstract science without practically
b en efitin g humanity. For this purpose the Infirmary should
be supported to the utmost extent. The idea mentioned in
the report o f enlarging it, so as to receive more patients, in­
cluding perhaps in-patients, is one which, I think, all onr
subscribers must earnestly lay to heart; and they will, 1 hope,
endeavour, by the true, unmistakeable gauge o f a money
support, to shew the real interest which they take in this ex­
cellent institution.”
The motion was carried nnanimously.
The C h a i r m a n observed that M r. M . Milnes (who had
just left the room) had said a good deal about the imposition
which was practised by means o f mesmerism. N ow, he
denied that imposition was possible in purely medical cases,
for they were to be judged by medical men. H e supposed
the Hon. Gentleman must have alluded to those psychological
phenomena ou which he had abstained from saying anything;
for they were not, never were, and never would be, the object
o f inquiry by that institution; but, at the same time, be did
not wish to be understood as throwing any doubt on the
reality o f those phenomena.
 London M esm eric Infirmary. 213

Mr. L u x m o o r e rose with great pleasure to propose as an

addition to the list o f rice-presidents a gentleman whose
scientific attainments were only equalled by his moral worth.
W hen he mentioned the name o f Professor De Morgan, he
was quite sure he would have the acquiescence o f all present.
H e would at that late hour detain the meeting only for a
single remark. It had been said that all cases treated mes-
tnerically should be under the guidance o f an experienced
medical practitioner; and in this, as far as severe and dan­
gerous complaints were concerned, he fully agreed: but al­
though the investigation o f mesmerism and its varied pheno­
mena might and did require the most active energies o f the
best developed brain, still great relief from suffering might
be afforded by the most humble peasant to his afflicted neigh­
bour. I f in all cases we bad waited for medical superintend­
ence, many is the sufferer who would have been deprived o f
relief. In witness o f which he would call their attention to
the cases o f M r. Capem, their excellent secretary, as recorded
by him in a small volume published some months since, who
had ofteu met the lame, maimed, halt, and blind, taken them
to the nearest dwelling, and at once reduced the amount o f
their sufferings and ultimately effected a cure. H e now begged
to move that Professor De Morgan, o f University College, be
elected a vice-president o f the Mesmeric Infirmary.
M r. A s b u r s t M a j e n o ie had much pleasure in seconding
the nomination proposed. H e thought it o f great import­
ance to their cause, that a professor o f the exact sciences o f
such high eminence as M r. De Morgan should be willing to
accept office in their institution. They already possessed
among their members many physicians o f reputation who
were devoted to the cause o f mesmerism. H e should not, he
believed, appear to make an invidious distinction, if he ex­
pressed more especial admiration for one o f them who had
risked in the cause o f truth everything dear to man— his re­
putation and his fortune. It was a lamentable fact, that
while many o f the leading persons in the medical world were
anxious in cases o f difficulty to consult Dr. Elliotsoo, from
their high estimate o f his talent, knowledge, and experience,
yet when the subject o f mesmerism was under consideration,
treated him as one who was carried away by his imagination,
and distrusted his judgment. Y et Dr. Elliotson, from the
result o f observation, was as firmly persuaded o f the curative
operation o f mesmerism as o f any other medical appliances.
H e had hopes that some o f those eminent members o f the
medical profession, who in the pride o f science had hitherto
refused to read that page of the great book o f nature which
214 London M esm eric Infirm ary.

mesmerism laid before them, might be hereafter induced to

change their conduct, when they learnt the election o f that
day. They might now be informed, that such a person as
Professor De Morgan, a gentleman the bent o f whose mind
has been directed to the most rigid laws o f evidence in ab­
stract science, has been convinced o f the truths o f mesmerism,
and is willing to take an active part in its promulgation. A l­
though mesmerism may not yet have attained the dignity o f
science, yet the constant recurrence o f facts is tending to the
establishment o f law sj and under the auspices o f the enlight­
ened patrons o f our institution, it is to be hoped that the
accumulation o f evidence may shortly be so complete as to
secure a general conviction o f the truth and value o f mes­
merism.
The motion was carried unanimously. .
Mr. H . U. J a n b o n (of Exeter) said he appeared at •that
meeting in precisely the same circumstances as at the last,
having come, on both occasions, with the intention o f giving
an account o f the great success o f the mesmeric canse in
Exeter, under the direction o f M r. Parker; but he was happy
to state that in both cases he had been forestalled by the pre­
sence o f that gentleman him self; from whom the audience
would hear any such detail with much greater interest. He
should therefore merely state that the successful practice o f
mesmerism in Exeter had indeed been most encouraging.
N ot only had numerous and surprising cures been effected
by its means, after all others bad failed, bat also a great
amount o f human suffering had been prevented in the way
of painless operations: and among them he bad tbe satisfac­
tion o f stating that more than fifty teeth had thus been ex­
tracted by Mr. Parker, several o f which operations he him­
self had witnessed; and he could assure the audience that
those who had experienced what it was to have a large, firm,
and deeply-rooted grinder wrenched out in the usual manner,
would fully agree with him that it was a great blessing to
have the operation performed without either feeling ot recol­
lecting anything o f i t ! (Cheers and laughter.) It appeared
to him that he could not do better, under present circum­
stances, than strongly to urge all his hearers not to be con ­
tent with merely hearing or reading about mesmeric cures,
&c., but to make zealous endeavours to work it, practically,
themselves. H e was desirous o f disabusing the public mind
o f a very erroneous, but very prevalent, impression, that the
sanative pow er, known by the name o f “ mesmerism,” is a
very rare gift, and bestowed only on very few individuals.
On the contrary, there was reason to believe that it is in the
 London M esm eric Infirmary. 215

power o f any individual, with ordinary health and strength,

to effect a considerable amount o f benefit j and i f people
would only lay aside their diffidence, and fearlessly make a
resolute and persevering attempt, they wonld probably have
reason to be greatly surprised at the amount o f their own
achievements. It would not become him to enlarge upon the
success o f his own exertions, otherwise he could expatiate, at
great length, upon the numerous acheB and pains that he had
relieved and cured. H e would therefore merely repeat his
injunction, that the audience would take courage and try
their own powers: and i f so, he doubted not that they would
soon have cause to rejoice that they had acted upon his advice.
A t the same time, he recommended them, if possible, to ope­
rate under the supervision o f a regular medical practitioner
who was favourable to the mesmeric cause. Such individuals,
he had much pleasure in stating, are not now so rare as they
were some years a g o ; and if we had in every town through­
out Britain a single surgeon who did his duty as M r. Parker
o f Exeter does, the mesmeric contest would be very speedily
and most completely decided. M r. J. concluded by moving
that Dr. Ashburner and Captain Topham, who retire from
the committee by rotation, be re-elected : and that Colonel
Bagnold and Mr. W ilberforce be elected on the committee in
the room o f M r. S, Chandler and M r. Robertson, who are
unable to attend.
M r. J. B. P arkjes (of Exeter) had much pleasure in se­
conding M r. Janson's resolutions, and would trespass but a
few moments on such a large and respectable audience. H e
must however say that mesmerism had only shared the ob­
loquy common to all other discoveries. As the history o f
man for nearly 6000 years had been written in blood, science
bad but little chance, as we all well knew that war had been '
an obstacle to all social, moral, and intellectual improvement.
But now a new era had dawned upon us ■, now we were en­
joyin g the blessings o f peace. Its fruits we had just seen in
a neighbouring country, where the venerable Arago had
valued more the friendship o f a Humboldt, a Brewster, and
a Faraday, than he dreaded the chains o f a tyrant. And
had we not a noble example among ns, whose zeal in the
cause o f truth had laid the foundation o f this institution, in
spite o f the sneers and ridicule o f the unthinking, money­
seeking multitude ? H e need scarcely tell the meeting he
alluded to D r. Elliotson, for whose brow a diadem was
wrought, more precious than the mineral productions o f the
earth, whose lustre would not be tarnished by time or space,
and on whose glory the sun would never set. The blessings
216 London M esm eric Infirmary,

o f mesmerism could not be too widely spread. Dr. Marshall

Hall had been lecturing before the College o f Physicians on
epilepsy, which he well considered the direst malady which
afflicted the human race, and he was compelled to admit that
he knew no remedy for it. W ou ld he not do well to study
honestly the curative powers o f mesmerism for this dreadful
curse ? H e (M r. Parker) had witnessed the entire cure o f a
patient who had suffered frightfully from this malady for up­
wards o f fourteen years. Mesmerism had entirely restored
her to health, thanks to the benevolent cooperation o f his
friend, M r, L u x m oore; and he would now beg tbe audience
to ponder on this fact, and would only ask if such a blessing
could be too extensively known ?
The motion was carried unanimously.
The Rev. G e o r g e S a n d b y , on proposing tbe next reso­
lution, said he congratulated the friends o f mesmerism upon
the success o f their m eetin g; he congratulated them upon
the triumphant position which they had that day attained.
They had made a great stride j they stood that morning upon
a high vantage ground, from which their adversaries would
not be able to drive them back. It was delightful to perceive
the change in public opinion on the subject o f mesmerism,
which was so plainly indicated by the large and crowded
assembly which was there gathered together to learn the
progress o f their institution. That institution was thriving:
and from the report which they had heard read that morning,
they had every reason to persevere, and to thank God, and
take courage. They had reason to rejoice that the merciful
gift o f a bounteous Creator was every day becoming more
prized, more appreciated, and more employed. But they
must not be content with what they had d o n e : they must
push onw ard: they must hope to see mesmerism introduced
into every hospital in the kingdom : they must hope to see
an “ Elliotson W ard ” in every hospital: they must hope to
see every institution throughout the land recognizing the
services of their admirable and enlightened friend : and this
be did not despair o f witnessing, especially after such an
attendance as that which was before them on that occasion.
The reverend gentleman then proceeded to pass a high eiilo-
gium upon the services o f the ladies' committee : ana having
described the kind and unwearied exertions with which they
devoted themselves to the prosperity o f the Infirmary, con ­
cluded with moving, that the cordial thanks o f this meeting
be offered to the ladies' committee for their valuable services,
and that Mrs. De Morgan, Mrs. Symes, Mrs. W m . Herring,
Miss Brine, Miss Emma Brine, Miss W allace, and Miss
 London M esm eric Infirm ary. 217

Swauneek, at present constituting the committee,, be requested

to continue for another year.
M r. C. U n d e r w o q d said he had much pleasure in second­
ing the resolution, bnt would not detain the meeting at that
late hour by any lengthened remarks. H e believed that a
large proportion o f the supporters o f the Infirmary had be­
come so from having, either in their own persona or among
their relatives and friends (as indeed was exemplified in the
report which had been read) experienced the beneficial effects
resulting from mesmerism. H e had become a convert to
mesmerism from having witnessed in the case o f his own
sister mesmeric phenomena produced under circumstances o f
striking and peculiar interest, and he had himself experienced
its blessings in seeing her relieved through its operation from
the most intense sufferings. H e concluded by seconding the
resolution.
The motion was carried by acclamation.
Mr, J o h n A m o r moved, and Professor M ‘ D o n a l d se­
conded the motion, that the committee be empowered to make
arrangements for taking another house for the purposes o f
the institution, or for renewing their interest in the present
house, as they Bhall consider it expedient. This also was
agreed to.
Dr. A shburner moved that the cordial thanks o f the
meeting be given to Earl Stanhope for his kindness in taking
the chair.

The following note was to have been read at the meeting :

“ 25th M ay, 1852.
“ M y dear Dr. Elliotson,— I regret extremely that, as I leave town
to-morrow m ore in g for the continent, I cannot have the pleasure o f
attending the Annual M eeting o f the Subscribers to the Mesmeric
Infirmary.
“ H ad I remained in town, I should most certainly have attended
the meeting, in order to testify to my firm conviction that mesmerism
is the most important subject, in its practical bearings on all forms
o f human suffering, and in the prospects it affords o f advancement
in psychological science, which can occupy the attention o f intelli­
gent persons; and also for the purpose o f emphatically declaring the
deep sense I entertain o f the debt o f gratitude which the cultivators
o f mesmerism owe to yon for the noble and effectual manner in
which you have defended the sacred cause o f truth against the
attacks o f self-sufficient ignorance and malignant prejudice.
“ 1 would gladly have expressed also the conviction which I feel
sure that every one who knows anything o f the state o f public opi­
nion and who can read the signs o f the times will share with me,
that the day is not far distant when the universal admission o f mes-
VOL. X. Q
2 )8 D ublin M esm eric D isp en sa ry .

meric truth, and the constant use o f mesmerism as a curative agent,

will recompense you a hundredfold for the sacrifices you have made
to the cause o f truth, benevolence, and human progress,
“ I beg yon will make my apology to the meeting for my una­
voidable absence on this interesting occasion, and believe me,
“ Yours most truly,
''W illiam G regory .”
T h e p a tien t w ith u te rin e disease, w h ose case is m en tion ed
at p. 2 0 5 , w as at th e m e e tin g in p e r fe ct h ea lth , a n d c o u ld
h a rd ly b e restra in ed fr o m a d d ressin g th e c o m p a n y .

NOTE BY THE Z O IS T .

“ M r. Wakley says he is resolved that Mesmerism shall no longer

be employed in this or any other hospital.” — Speech o f M r, W akley's
Clerk to D r. Elliotson in the ward o f University College H ospital,
where he was allowed as a favou r to see Elisabeth Okey, November,
1838.
Resolved— “ That the Hospital Committee be instructed to take
such steps as they shall deem most advisable, to prevent the practice
o f Mesmerism or Animal Magnetism in future within the Hospital.”
— Resolution o f the Council o f University College, December 27, 1838.

XV. M esm eric D isp en sa ry in D u blin ,

IJ Nevertheless, there is comfort. The world is round, ssilh the proverb, and
all things come to an end. Pass a few short months and the delusion stands c.r-
posed ; the actor* are declar'd to i t deceiver* or deceived t the fact* so lately
toasted q f are trampled upon with contempt, and the doctrines built upon them
ore laughed to scorn. The fashionable crowd Sock to a new prima donna or to a
watering-place doctor; and the half-converted physicians and surgeons never
mention the subject more ; for, although the folly wilt rise again, it will scarcely
be in their time."—Drs. Forbes and Conolly, British and Pbreign Medical Review,
April, 1839.

L earning in a r e c e n t le tte r fr o m th e A r c h b is h o p o f D u b lin

th at a M e s m e r ic In firm a r y h a d b een esta b lish ed in D u b lin , I
req u ested H is G ra ce to g iv e m e som e fu rth e r in fo rm a tio n r e ­
sp e ctin g it, an d re ceiv ed th e fo llo w in g letter.— J . E lliots on.

. “ Merton, Gullenswood, Dublin,

“ June 10, 1852.
“ Dear Sir,— H is Grace the Archbishop o f Dublin has just in­
formed me that you were anxious to bear something about the M es­
meric Infirmary I have got up in Dublin. I therefore now enclose
you one o f our prospectuses. W e are working, I am happy to say,
very w ell: we have two paid operators— a male and fem ale; both
appear to have a fair share o f power. I am indeed thankful to God
to be able to say that I hare been most successful in using mesmerism
 Dublin M esm eric Dispensary. 219

as a curative power, and have had some remarkable cases, which the
Archbishop o f Dublin can bear testimony to. 1 have now two cases
o f cancer o f the breast, which are making extraordinary progress .­
one the A rchbishop’ s housekeeper. I find that Bleep is quite unne­
cessary. In every case 1 have had that really is worth recording, I
have not put them into a deep sleep— 1 mean, an unconscious state.
M ay I ask, is this your experience and opinion ? I shall feel truly
grateful for any suggestions you may give me. I have m ore cases
than I can possibly manage. Though 1 mesmerise nine or ten every
day, I do not feel any ill results to myself. I never experiment .■ I
use the power solely as a curative agent, and, thank G od, have been
most successful. W ith earnest prayer that the L ord may enable us
to use the valuable gift, and not abuse it,
"B e lie v e me, dear Sir, yours very truly,
" Fa l c o n e r M il e s .
" D r . Elliot son, 37, Conduit Street.”

“ The Dublin Mesmeric Association, hasting fo r its object ' The establish­
ment o f the principles o f Mesmerism, and their practical applica­
tion to the removal o f Pain and Disease. ’— Yearly Subscription,
Ten Shillings.
"President— Falconer M iles , Esq., Merton, Cullenswood.
Treasurer— John G r a y , Esq., Windsor Terrace, Kingstown,

" T h e Committee o f the Dublin Mesmeric Association, in ap­

pealing to their fellow-citizens in behalf o f a Mesmeric Hospital,
feci themselves called on to explain the character and objects o f the
Association, and to remove some misconceptions which prevail, or
might be likely to arise, on the subject. They wish it to be dis­
tinctly understood, that their object is not to maintain or to devise
nny scientific theory, but simply to extend the knowledge o f certain
important fa cts, and to facilitate the beneficial application o f that
knowledge, in the relief o f suffering, and the cure o f disease. W ith
this view, they propose, not to occupy themselves with a variety o f
experiments for the gratification o f mere speculative curiosity, but to
seek exclusively for practically useful results,
" W ith o u t intending to disparage scientific investigation, or to
pronounce for, or against, any particular theory, they propose to
confine their attention to what is practical, and practically useful.
But they would, at the same time, remind those who are eager after
philosophical speculations, that in all departments o f knowledge, the
ascertainment o f facts has always come first in order, and that cor­
rect theories to account for existing phenomena, have always (when
such have been attained) appeared long after, and have been based
on those facts. T h e reversed procedure— that o f seeking in the first
instance for a theory, and disregarding, or misrepresenting, all facts
that cannot be satisfactorily explained on such theory— this is pre­
cisely that ' a n t i c i p a t i o n o f n a t u r e / which Bacon protested
against as the bane o f true philosophy, and which it was the great
object o f his life to supersede, by the ' i n t e r r o g a t i o n o f nature.1
220 Dublin M esm eric Dispensary.

“ T h e C om m ittee b eg also to b e understood, m ost clearly an d

can didly, that th ey d o n ot seek t o produce M esm erism before th e
pu blic, as an agent capable o f curin g alt diseases, or b y any m eans
w ish it to usurp the place o f th e m edical man ; but sim ply put it
forw ard as an individual rem edy, capable o f con trollin g and exercis­
in g a pow erful and beneficial influence ov er a vast n um ber o f ail­
m en ts: ami m ore especially those called nervous and ch ron ic affec­
tions, w hich m edical m en at all times have acknow ledged as little
b e n e fite d by th e m ere adm inistration o f drugs.
" T h e m esm eric sleep, w h ich usually exhausts itself in a few
h ours, can, i f needed, and on certain con dition s, b e prolon ged for
d a ys and even weeks. B y this prolon ged sleep and oth er means, as
P h rcn o-M esm erism , & c., D r. K ea n 's successful treatm ent, and p er­
fect cure o f sixty-fou r cases o f insanity was efFected; indeed, b y th is
sleep, an endless catalogue o f varied ills have been cured, from the
needless trem or o f the delicate girl, to the w ild yell o f th e raging
m aniac.
*' T h e C om m ittee, fully aware that M esm erism is as yet b u t in
its in fan cy, requiring a m uch m ore extended field for the observa­
tion o f its phenom ena, than has been hith erto allow ed it, and as
calling for an increased am ount o f experim ent, to furnish additional
facts towards its developm ent, before it can b e enrolled in th e list o f
scien ces; p u t it forw ard sim p ly as an accum ulation o f facts, valuable
in a curative poin t o f view, as affordin g a new therapeutic agent, w on­
derful in its influence over health and disease, w hile it is m ore harm ­
less, an d m ore m anageable than m ost drugs. A n d , therefore, the
C om m ittee d o n o t in any way pled ge them selves, as th e supporters
o f this hospital, to any th eory or explanation, how ever seem in gly
co rre ct o r scientific, as to the ph enom ena or operative agency o f M e s ­
m erism , inten din g to deal w ith it practically on ly, and rather prefer­
ring that m edical men sh ou ld carry ou t an d interest them selves in its
m ore scientific and elaborate details and prin ciples.
11 T h e C om m ittee feel it o f vital im portan ce to th eir ow n ch a ­
racter, to th e people, and to the cause o f M esm erism itself, to d is ­
claim any connection, or co-opera tion w ith th ose w h o receive or
practise m esm erism , as derived from supernatural agency or m iracle­
w orking pow er, independent o f th e laws o f c re a tio n ; bu t, on the
contrary, w ould m ore h u m bly and gratefully nekrtowlege it as an ad­
dition al means granted b y th e A lm ig h ty to m an, to m ake him m ore
depen den t o n H im , and m ore useful to his fellow -m a n ; and believe
its phenom ena to be solely th e result o f th e vital force, conveyed by
th e operator to th e m ore delicate and susceptible nervous organiza­
tion o f th e person m esm erised ; ju s t as ligh t, or beat, or sound, & c.,
variously affect th e anim al or organic tissues th ey com e in con tact
w ith.
“ L astly, th e C om m ittee w ould suggest to the pu blic, an d in
particular to th e m edical men o f this city , that, when the existence
o f a real and im portant agent has been established b y facts, w h ich
it is vain to attem pt den ying, and when great and increasing p u b lic
attention has been drawn to these facts, it is m ost im portant to th e
 M ore Clairvoyance in A lexis JHdier. 221

w ell-being o f society, that such an agent should n ot be left exclusive !7

in th e hands o f th e ignoran t and thoughtless, or o f design in g and
ill-d isp osed p erson s; bu t that m eans sh ou ld b e taken for affording
all candid persona an opportu n ity o f fair investigation ; so that truth
m ay be distin guish ed from falseh ood, and a beneficial from a noxious
or dangerous application o f the pow ers w hich P rovid ence has placed
w ithin o u r reach.
“ T h e C om m ittee m eet every M on d a y evening, at 13, A n glesea
St reet, at e ig h t o 'c lo c k , for th e transaction o f business, and th e fu r­
therance o f the o b jects o f the A ssocia tion . S u b scription s an d D on a ­
tions w ill be thankfully received and acknow ledged by th e Treasurer,
J . G ra y, E s q ., o r any m em ber o f th e C om m ittee.
“ B y O rd er,
“ I. M ac D o n n e l l , ¿T on . Secretary.
“ T h e Infirm ary is opeu daily fo r th e attendance o f patients at
13, Anglesea S treet.”

X Y I . M ore Clairvoyance in A lexis D idier. By Dr. E lliotson ,

I t was only in the last Num ber but one (January, 1852) that
I gave some conclusive and remarkable recent proofs o f the
clairvoyance o f Alexis Didier, with references to many other
examples of his powers recorded in former Numbers. I un­
derstand that the following also may be relied upon, and have
therefore translated and forwarded them.
“ A few days ago, a money-changer in the neighbourhood
o f the Place Vendome, after he had exchanged a consider­
able sum for a person o f fashionable manners, and the latter
had left the office, perceived that he had overpaid 400 francs.
N ot admiring this, he began to consider how he should dis­
cover his customer, and noticed on the counter the piece o f
paper in which the money brought to him had been wrapped,
and on it part o f a seal which appeared to be that o f a fo­
reigner. H e went to all the embassies; but in vain.
“ His wife also racked her brains: and, as she had fre­
quently consulted Alexis with advantage, she went to M .
Marcillet with the piece o f the wrapper. Alexis was thrown
into somnambulism: and, after applying the paper first to
his forehead and then to the pit of the stomach, spoke as
follows.
“ 'T h is piece o f paper puts me in communication with a
tall man, who has large moustaches— is a Russian— aide de
camp to the Emperor. Stop, I perceive his residence at
P a ris; i f you go to the P lace o f the M adeleine, behind the
church, on the left, you will see it.' ' I know enough,’ re­
plied the lady, and departed,
222 M ore Clairvoyance in A lexis Didier.

“ O n returning home, she found her husband counting

money with a man employed at the Russian Embassy. She
told them what Alexis had said : and they laughed heartily
and joked her on her credulity. However, the man knowing
the addresses o f many o f the Russians in Paris, offered his
assistance in tracing out the gentleman.
" W hen they reached the Russian Embassy, they learnt
that an aide de camp o f the Emperor— the Count B—-— , was
in Paris, and living at N o. 35, Rue de la Madeleine. They
went there and observed that the house was exactly opposite
the Rue Chaveau~Lagarde, which opens upon the P lace de la
M adeleine. They now began to think more seriously o f what
Alexis had said.
" The money-changer went up the stairs. But, oh what a
deception I he did not recognize the gentleman whom he saw
as the person for whom he was so anxiously looking, when
Count B ------- said to him, ' But I know you : you are the
money-changer that I was with this m ornin g/ Then, going
up close to the money-changer and smiling, he took off his
bead an enormous chamber wig, such as many Russians wear.
“ The money-changer was petrified on finding himself
face to face with his debtor. The matter was soon explained ;
and, as the noble foreigner had not yet touched the money,
they counted it over together. There were actually 400 francs
too much, and these were immediately returned to the money­
changer.” — La P atrie, March 21, 1852,

" Madame V ., living at No. 62, Rue Neuve, St. Augustin,

went last W ednesday in great distress to M . Marcillet, beg­
ging for an immediate consultation with Alexis. As soon as
Bhe was put in communication with Alexis, Bhe asked, ‘ D o
you know what brought me here V ' Yes, Madame ; you
want to know i f I can find 3,180 francs for you which you
have lost,’
“ Alexis then gave an incredible detail o f the items o f this
sum, saying that there were three bank notes o f 1000 francs
each ; 100 English sovereigns, each worth 25 francs; and 30
francs in five-franc pieces and small money. Madame de V.
astonished at such lucidity, begged to know who was the
thief. ' Certainly,1 said he : ' it is the maid-servant whom
you discharged last M onday. I see her : she has broad
shoulders, is short, and rather lam e/ ' Go on, Alexis : that
is the exact description o f my former servant !’ * To find
h e r/ continued Alexis, 'y o u must go to the B arrière de
M onceaux ; she is staying with one o f her acquaintances in
the street which ascends— stop, it is the rue— the rue du
 M ore Clairvoyance in Aleæis D idier, 223

H ocher. I see a young man with her who Beems to know

something about the matter. G o to this place, and you will
find the woman, and the m oney— short, however, about 300
francs, which she has spent.1
" Madame de V . went home a moment to prepare for the
search : and, on descending the stairs, she saw her old servant
in the porter’s lodge. She went up to her on the pretence o f
making some enquiry, took her up stairs, and locked her up
in the bed-room. Then, going to a police-magistrate, she
related to him the singular revelations o f Alexis. The ma­
gistrate, like an enlightened man, listened attentively, took
her deposition in the kindest manner, strange as it might
appear, and offered his assistance to visit the quarter and the
street, which she pointed out, when an unexpected cir­
cumstance happened that facilitated the investigation. The
porter who had carried the portmanteau o f the servant, hear­
ing what was passing, said that he had taken it to N o. 11,
Rue du Rocher. The magistrate sent the servant to this ad­
dress : and Madame de V . went there herself. A careful
investigation was made, which led to nothing. The servant
then grew bolder, and threatened her late mistress with an
action for defamation.
" I n the meantime, the magistrate, continuing the inves­
tigation calmly in the midst o f the servant's vociferations,
noticed a little box, locked, which he ordered to be opened.
The servant became agitated at the sight o f it, but declared
that it did not belong to her. The landlady said the same.
A smith was sent for, who put an end to this strange scene
by opening the box, in which was found the exact sum stolen,
short 300 francs, as Alexis had declared : but the expenditure
of this sum was ascertained by the purchase o f various articles
o f dress, accompanied by their accusing bills.
" T h e rest m a yb e guessed. In the midst o f so many
overwhelming facts, the dishonest servant h ung dow n her
head, and was sent to the lock -u p house o f the police.
L e Siècle, June 14, 1852.

* * * D r. F orbes, begin ning b y s a y in g that M r . W a k le y h a d

proved all th e experim ents w ith the O k e y s to be delusions and the de­
m onstrations degrading scenes and h a d ca u sed a com plete and m elan­
ch o ly explosion o f them , and th a t a ll E n g lish practition ers were
asham ed o f th e name o f m esm erism ,— p ro ce e d e d to denounce A lexis
as aa im postor, and so charm ed M r . "W ak ley that the coron er told
th e w orld in his Lancet that D r , F o r b e s h ad pu blish ed a com plete
exposu re o f M . M arcillet and A le x is , a n d th a t D r. F orbes’ s report o f
tw o o f their exhibitions had cau sed t h e s e foreign ers to leave E ngland.
T h e w hole o f D r. F orbes’ s very s a d con d u ct in regard to A lexis
224 Books received.

w ill be found in Zoist, N o , V I H . (oth ers o f his doin gs are in N os.

V I I . , I X ., X „ X I I . , X I I I . , X V I . ) W e trust these articles will be
consulted by th ose w ho write short sketches o f D r. F orbes after his
death as a m em ber o f different societies, according to com m on cu s ­
to m ; fo r by the deeds recorded in th ose num bers will he on ly be
know n. H e is pilloried there as a d ry specim en and exam ple for all
tim e .------- Zoist.

BOOKS RECEIVED.
Case of Paralysis and Mania, cured by means of Animal Magnetism, in a
letter to Professor Gregory, from C. M. Friedlander, M.D., Claphum, Surrey.
Edinburgh, 1852. •
The readiest Way of making this interesting cure known would have been to
publish it in T h e Z o i a t , instead of making it a separate pamphlet and sending it
to Edinburgh. It occurred actually in London and would hare occupied a sheet
only, which we should cheerfully have devoted to it. The mesmeriser was M.
Rousselot, the eminent performer upon tho violoncello.

Letters on Mesmerism and Clairvoyance. By William Gregory, M.D., Pro­

fessor of Chemistry. Reprinted from the E d i n b u r g h N e w t newspaper. Edin­
burgh, 1B62,
These contain an abundance of atriking and satisfactory facta which Dr.
Gregory himself witnessed, and he did well to imitate Dr. Esdaile's plan in
India and publish them first in the newspapers, thus securing the attention of
the world at large in total disregard of the medical press.

A Theory of Population deduced from the general law of animal fertility. By

Herbert Spencer, author of S o c i a l S t a t i c s , Reprinted from the W e a t m i n a t e r
R e v i e w for April, 1852.
This demands the perusal of all. It contains profound physiological and
social views. The author urges that, the greater the development, energy, and
activity of the nervous system become, the more do those of the generative system
lessen t consequently that, the more man advances in civilization, the less will
population increase.
"Evidently, so long as the fertility of the race is more than sufficient to
balance the diminution by deaths, population must continue to increase : so long
as population continues to increase, there must be pressure on the means of
subsistence: mid so long as there is pressure on the means of subsistence, further
mental development must go on, and further diminution of fertility must result.
Hence, the change can never cease until the rate of multiplication is just equal
to the rate of mortality; that is—can never cease until, on the average, each
pair brings to maturity but two children. Probahly this involves that each pair
will rarely produce more than two offspring; seeing that with the greatly-increased
ability to preserve life, which the hypothesis presupposes, the amount of infant
and juvenile mortality must become very small. Be this as it may, however, it
is manifest that, in the end, pressure of population and its accompanying evils
will entirely disappear ; and will leave a state of things which will require from
each individual no more than a normal and pleasurable activity. That this last
inference is a legitimate corollary will become obvious on a little consideration.
For, a cessation in the decrease of fertility implies a cessation in the development
of the nervous system ; and this implies that the nervous system has become fully
equal to all that is demanded of it—has not to do more than is natural to it.
But that exercise of faculties which does not exceed what is natural constitutes
gratification. Consequently, in the end, the obtainment of subsistence will re­
quire just that kind and that amount of action needful to perfect health and
happiness.
 Bookg received. 225

“ Thtu do we he bow maple are the means by which the greatest and most
complex remit* are worked out- From the point of view now reached, it become*
plain that the necessary antagonism of Individnation and reproduction not only
fill fila with precision the B p r i o r i law of maintenance of race, from the monad
up to men, but ensure* the final attainment of the highest form of this mainte­
nance—a form in which the amount of life shell be the greatest possible, and the
births and deaths the fewest ponible. In the nature of things, the antagonism
could not fail to work out the résulta we see it working ont. The gradual dimi­
nution and ultimate disappearance of the original excess of fertility could take
place only through the process of civilization ; and, at the same time, the excess
of fertility has itself rendered the process of civilisation inevitable. From the
beginning, pressure of population has been the proximate cause of progress. It
produced the original diffusion of the race. It compelled men to abandon pre­
datory hahits and take to agricnltiTc. It led to the clearing of the earth's sur­
face. It forced men into the social stste ; made social organisation inevitable ;
and lias developed the social sentiments. It bos stimulated to progressive improve­
ments in production, and to increased skill and intelligence. It is daily pressing
os into closer contset and more mutnally-dependent relationships. And alter
having caused, as it ultimately must, the due peopling of the globe, and the
bringing of all its habitable parts into the highest slate of culture—after having
brought all processes for the satisfaction of human wants to the greatest perfec­
tion—after having, at P ^ same time, developed the intellect into complete com­
petency for its work, iV*" the feelings into complete fitness for social life—aftw
having done all this, we tee that the pressure of population, as it gradually
finishes its work, must gradually bring itself to nn end."
Papers by Mr. Herbert Spencer will be found in Z t i i i t , No. IV., Imitation
and Benevolence; VI., Situation of organ of Amativmieas ; VII-, a Theory con­
cerning the organ of Wonder.

The Magnétoscope. A Philosophical Essay on the Magnetoid characteristics

of Elementary Principles, and their relations to the Organization of Man. By
T. Legei, Doctor of the Medical Faculty of Paris ; late Professor of Anatomy at
the Practical School ; Fellow of the Society of Sciences and Art* of the Depart­
ment of the Marne ; late Professor of the Medical College of Mexico, &c., &c.
London : Baillière, 219, Regent Street. 1952.
We have not been able to repeat Dr. Leger's experiment* any more than
thoBe of Mr. Rutter : but great numbers of the most distinguished men go
to witness them.

The Introduction of Mesmerism a* an amnsthetie and curative agent into

the Hospitals of India. By James Esdaile, M.D., late Presidency Surgeon, Cal­
cutta, author of M t t m e r i m i n I n d i a . Dedicated to the Medical Profession.
Perth, 1852.
A shilling will be well spent upon this pamphlet.

Natural and Mesmeric Clairvoyance, with the practical application of Mes­

merism in Surgery and Medicine. By James Esdaile, M.D., &c. Baillière,
London. 1852.
Every person should read this little hook, full of wonderful truths and exqui­
sitely intereating in many respect*. Every friend of mesmerism should purchase
a copy, and lend to those of hi* acquaintances who are still onioformed. It is
the finishing stroke to all anti mesmerists. It gives a view of all Dr. Esdaile's
gigantic surgical doing* in Iodia and of his medical experience of its power, and
exhibits the ordinary phenomena of mesmerism in very strong points of view : it
gives the proofs of clairvoyance which he observed in India, and details the oppo­
sition he met with and the miserable littleness o f his medical opponents, each the
analogue of a medical man in Great Britain, He met with a Wakley, a Buahnan,
an Alfred Taylor, University College medical professors, &c. ; and, after beating
them all, he baa exposed them in the most facetious, charming manner. The
book, to say nothing of its solid, scientific information, is as amusing as any work
VOL. X . R ‘
226 Books received. N otices to Correspondents, S$c.t

of fiction. He does not spire those delightful persons, Messrs. Wakley and
Bushnan, the latter at present employed by Mr. Churchill, we lament to say, aa
editor of bis M ed ica l Time*. The work U gracefully and in manly language de­
dicated to Lord Dalhousie: not for favours to come, for Dr. Eadaile has left India
for good and retired from the profession; nor because Lord Dalhousie is a Lord;
but because of the Governor .General's natural nobility,—of his carefully examin­
ing into the truth of mesmerism, and, when satisfied, of openly declaring that of
Dr. Esdaile’n facts “ th ere could be no doubt whatever,"—of bis giving Dr,
Eedaile an hospital for the application of mesmerism,—and then spontaneously
making Dr. Eadaile Presidency Surgeon, and saying to him, "Y o u have nothing
to thank me for. Dr. Esdaile ¡ you have only to thank yourself; I have only
done an act of justice.' ’ Dr. Esdaile is evidently a remarkable man; remarkable
for intelligence, integrity, independence, courage, energy, and unworldliness. He
was just fitted for the mighty work to be done In the East, and he did it glori­
ously, and has gained bimself an imperishable name in the annals of his profession
and humanity.
We tiave given an extensive view of Dr, Esdaile’ a labours in India. No
fewer than seventeen of our numbers teem with them, from No. XI, to X X X IV :
and they occupy 356 of our pages.—The J u r y M a y n itiq u e of Paris baB just
awarded him their silver medal.

Mesmeric Phenomena ¡ their reality and importan?', attested by Dr. Mait­

land, The Edinburgh Review, and others. BaiUiere, ^London.
We recommend this pamphlet again as an antidote to Dr. Maitland’s pam­
phlet, which has done milch harm in some quarters to the sacred cause of mes­
merism.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.
M r . J a m o » , —We offer our best thanks to this gentleman for advertising T h e
Zc/ist at his uwn cost in the W estern L u m in a ry, the D evon sh ire C hronicle,
W orthner's E x e te r and P lym ou th G a zette, the W estern T im et (twice), and
F reem a n 's E x e te r Flyinrj P ast,
M r , M ansfield. —We have received a letter from Mr. Mansfield referring to a
remark made by Dr. Eltiotson at p. 120 of our Ninth Volume, viz., that the
discovery that the organa of the brain could be excited by mesmerism was made
by Mr. Mansfield " qu ite a ccid en ta lly ." Mr. Mansfield says: “ The circumstances
under which the fact was presented to me were as follows. In the autumn of
1841 I met, for the first time, with an opportunity, long desired, of prosecuting
an experimental enquiry into the effects of the magnetic processes on the human
system: and I was then for some time engaged in observing the results mani­
fested during the trance by some persons operated on by a gentleman, then very
ardent in the pursuit of this branch of physiology. On the 7th of October in
that year one of these persons, a young lady, was put into the trance ; the mag-
netizer was playing an accordion. She, being apparently unable to hear any
sounds but such as proceeded from ber magnetizer, or from things in contact
with him, was listening to the music with evident satisfaction. 1 woe watching
her. Suddenly the musician produced purposely a fearful discord, upon which
her countenance assumed an expression of great pain. I immediately suspected
that, in her peculiar state of consciousness, she would not improbably be sensible
of annoyance in some particular part of the brain, if any such were specially
cognizant of the musical relations of sound. I requested the performer to repeat
this experiment: he did so. Again the same indications of suffering followed
the discordant note. I now requested him to enquire of her where she felt pain ;
she immediately placed a finger of her left hand on that part of the left side of
her forehead on which croniologists mark the position of the underlying organ of
** Sense of Melody." At my request, her position, which happened to be such
as to confine the right arm, was changed, and the experiment repeated. She
now, on being asked where she felt the pain which she again expressed, placed a
 N otices to Correspondents, ¿ye. 227

linger of her right hand on the corresponding point of the right aide of her bead-
She was then asked if she felt any pain in her ears ; she answered that she did
not. 1 knew that this lady was ignorant of phrenology, and I felt satisfied that
we had received a hint of great physiological iotereet, which was to he earnestly
followed up,”
Mr. Mansfield then relates another interesting cast', and concludes thus.
" Not only then was this fact in nature not discovered a c c i d e u t n l l y by me in any
tense of being stumbled on, but 1 was led to it through a regular, though very
simple, process of induction, and went purposely to look for it.”
Mr. Mansfield has never published on the subject t and it has been supposed
that the discovery was accidental—That a patient under disturbance of a cere­
bral organ complained of a pain in it; and that Mr. Mansfield, endroveiwring to
take atvay the psiu mestnorieally, tu any mesmerist would, accidentally found to
his surprise that the organ was set right mexinerically,
Afeirticric S u * c e / > tiiiH ty n e a r D e a t h . —11 As ExuutHKn ” is Informed that
Mr. Saunders of Clifton lately sent a sinking and suffering patient into mesmeric
sleep about a quarter of an hour before death.
CAolce o j a M esm erise?,- —A Pati s m is assured that we feel as much as be
does the difficulty of procuring good mesmerisera.— A mesmeriser should hr dis­
charged who talks while he is mesmerising, for he must he very ignorant aud will
excite rather than soothe. The process should be conducted both in silence and
w ith out a ny display o r per fence.—The passes should be made eery -lui’o t j .
the ntesmeriscr who tn-ites them quickly is not worth employing; lie will excite
lather than aaotbe. In breathing on parts, this also should be done c/'j-y ‘ j’ycYy.
—Tile tuesmeriser should never ta k e his eye* o f f Ihe p a tien t, o r allow his thtunjhh
t o (fonder: he should be in earnest all the time. A listless, inert, mesmeriscr
should be exchanged without loss of time for one attentive to his business. There
is no occasion for muscular effort: but great occasion for close attention and
earnestness.— A mesmeriser with a fleshy, soft, warm, hand Is usually the best.
The room also should be warm. A cold hand, or a cold room, is most adverse
to Diesmeric effect,—The mesmeriscr should always be in an easy position.—Ges-
ticulations, snapping the fingers at the end of a pass, flourishes, everything re­
moved from a quiet, slow, steady, simple procedure, are to be reprobated.— As
the eyes are a very susceptible port, and communicate mesmerism well to the rest
of the system, it is better that they be open and that the roesiueriser fix his own
eyes upon them : unless it is irksome or irritating to the patient to Veep them
open, or he is not able with them open to abstain from looking about instead of
fixing them and his thoughts upon the mesmeriscr.
On the other hand, mesmerism is often thought to tail wrhen flic fanft all -
with the patient or the friends. It is too often not allowed to be performed
sedately enough, long enough at a time, often enough, or through a sufficiently long
period.
Having again exceeded our limits, we must postpone dM communications from
Mr. H, S. Thompson and Dr. Elliot‘ on, ns well as new ones from Dr. Ashburner,
Mr. Rawe of Cornwall, and some Olliers. The report of the great London
meeting has necessarily occupied much of our space.

Mesmeric Baptism.
Mr. Tubbs prevailed upon the parents of a baby to have it christened Mesmer.
“ This is to certify that Mesmer, son of John and Elizabeth Tuck, of Ontwdl,
in the parish of Outwell, in the county of Norfolk, was horn Dec, 1£* lBoO. and
liaptizttl Feb. 3, ISM, by Thomas Chnrltoti, minister of the Gospel.
•Given under my hand this -Jth day of February, lflal

Obituary.
We have to lament the sudden death of n valued contributor, Lieut..Goloncl
Davidson. Bengal Engineers. He furnished us with several interrating i.timntu-

( W h:
228 N otice« to Correspondents, fyc.

ideations in Non. X V III., X X V III., X X X I., and X X X III., and waa the author
of A Diary of Travels and Adventure* in Vpper India, and very recently of an
Indian Drama in tire acta, entitled Tara, the Sutter, with copious notea, explana­
tory, original, and selected. He was a little eccentric, but a man of great energy,
intelligence, honesty, information, facetiousness, and intrepidity, and had spent
his life in the Indian service. He was well acquainted with Dr. Mouatt, whom
Dr, Esdaile has so pitilessly and amuaingly just shown up in his Letter* on
Ctairooyanet, fie., and not long before his death expressed himself in terms of
disgust at Dr. Mountt’s pitiful tergiversation.*
He wrote to Mr. M'Neile to know if the astanic sermon was reported truly,
and was disgusted with that superficial preacher's contemptibly evasive reply.

* Dr. Mouatt'a strong testimony in favour of mesmerism will be found in

No. X V ., p. 412.

LONDON MESMERIC IN FIR M A RY .

9, BE D FO R D STREET, B E D F O R D SQ UARE.

DONORS SINCE MARCH.

£ a. <f.
Amor, John, Esq, (donation of money expended by him in Mr. Bsume's
affair)........................................................................, ............. 3 12 6
Black, Dr., Surrey-street, Strand........................................................ 4 0 0
Black, Mrs., ditto ditto ................................................................ 4 0 0
Baillière, II., Esq., hy bis daughter, who recovered under Mesmerism 5 3 0
Coombe, A, Esq., 3, Csiubridge-terr.ee, Regent’s-park..................... 1 0 0
Ellis, A. J., Esq., a Friend o f ............................................................ 1 0 0
Treycr, Evans, Esq., Notting-hill ................................. ................... 1 0 0

SUBSCRIBERS SINCE MARCH.

D’Aguilar, Lt.-Colonel, Albany ........................................................ 1 0 0
Downabirs, the Marchioness of, Hanover-sqnare................................. 1 1 0
Duke, Miss,.Dover............................................................................... 1 1 0
Gibbs, D. A., Esq., Pembury Villas, Hackney Downs ..................... 1 1 0
Gill, W „ Esq., 42, Invemess-road, Bayswater ................................. 1 1 0
Halse, W. H., Esq., 22, Brunswick-square........................................ 1 1 0
Fitzgerald, Mrs., 26, Enat o n - s q u a r e . ..................................... 1 0 0
Mc Donald, Professor, St. Andrew’ s ............................................... 1 1 0
Park, Mrs., 1, Westbourue-park-terraoe, Paddington......................... 1 1 0
Preston, Mias Jane, Exeter ................................................................ 1 0 0
Saunders, S. D,, Esq., 1, Upper Portland-place, Clifton ................. 1 1 0
Scripps, Miss. Bromley............................................................ 1 1 0
Swanneck, Miss, 27, Wobum-sqnsre ........................ .................... .. 1 1 0
Walenn, W. H., Esq., 6, Lodge-road, St. John’s Wood.................... 1 1 0

T h o se S u b s c r ib e r s w h o s e s u b s c r ip tio n s a r e s till d u e a r e re q u e ste d to fo r w a r d

th e m to th e S e c r e ta r y .
F in e C r y s ta ls m a y b e p u r c h a s e d a t th e I n fir m a r y a t a m o d e r a te p r i c e .

k .O, ■■■