The Sun.
London, England, 1852-05-28 00:00:00

IT 14

MAY

28,

MESMERIC INFIRMARY.

The annual general meeting of the friends and sub-
scriOers to this excellent institution was held yesterday
at Willie'wrooms, King-street, St. Jzmes's, The fatten-
dance of ladies and -geode:men was no large that it wee
found neceseery to adjourn the meeting from the apart-
ment in which it first as.etinbled into the large ball-rcom.
Earl STANHOPE, who w EIS. unanimously elected to the
chair, considered it a distinguished honour to be called
on to preside over such an assembly, but he sincerely
regretted the-chair was not filled by one of his leerned
friends, who, from his medical knowledge and expe-
rience, would be far more wer:y of it than himself.
From a very early period of his long life he had taken the
deepest interest in all that releated to medical science, to
which he attached the utmost importance, as it had for
its object that which was moetdraportant to mankind—the
. alleviation of suffering, and, ac tar as it was praeticabie,
1 tile restoration of health, winch was the greatest Wes-
sing they received from Providence, and which was in-
dispensably requisite for the Enjoyment of life. AB soon
a. s mesmerism was revived, in this country, in which
pewinitrtanitoeouls i
nat
tee
goe
tub,
ate
it had slumbered for many years, he became
intdialond experimentsho took
th
at the e
were
oppotrttubuoithyoos!
aA fte r
phenomenon attentively
of eao
physicaln s i University,,-, eri ria thd I SI:91 ens
r,dee.roke. madelPimapresoa):.
ot sbDohui_
cPc
it sawet
;
nature, which appeared to him ° eminently entitled to
philosophic investigation,
from pursuing the inquiry from observation
not discouraged
the Globe
taos
1: icoo newspaper,ns
considered
d et hrca i
asn
a attendings insane. c
a t
eoitfbc.
insanity. f m
in
us;;..
eriments
oastee:E
lunatic asylums in the country would no. be sutEcierf'y
rc
capacious to hold the patients.—(Laughter.) The - u
he examined the effects of mesmerism, the
naore-hevv°re
as
cenvinced ofits reality and truth—the more he
studied
the Subject, the deeper was his conviction that it was of
extreme inipertance and of the utmost practical utility.
Having formed that opinion on deliberate reflection, he had
no hesitation in avowing it freely, for he always thought
the worst and most discreditable species of cowardice
was the want of moral courage.—(Hear, hear.) A
person deficient in bodily courage might allege that want
of nerve, or weakness of constitution, did not enable him
or render him unwilling to expose himself to any per-
sonal danger, but no apology could be made for him
who, being thoroughly convinced of any truth, was
ashamed or afraid to avow it.—(Hear, hear.) It was'
fortunate for the world, fortunate for the honour and
dignity of the medical profession, that there were physi-
cians in this country who, disregarding fame and fortune,
and those advantages which were most dearly prized
and eagerly pursued, nobly and magnanimously sacri-
ficed them to the cause of truth.—(Hear, hear.) They
.... _

might be reviled and ridiculed—they might become
ob-
jects of censure or misrepresentation, but their names
would be transmitted to posterity with the honour to
which they were justly entitled, and they
would have the satisfaction of knowing that truth
would ultimately prevail. They' read in the Holy
Scriptures of what would, he was convinced, be fully cx-

empfified in mesmerism—" Great is truth and stronger
than all things. It endureth, and is always strong—it
liveth and conquereth for evermore." Mesmerism has
to contend, not only among members of the medical
profession but also among the public, with such invete-
rate prejtniico that, in one case that came siithin his own
personal knowledge, it had actually obstructed the course
of justice. This was a somewhat curious case. About
nine years ago a young woman applied to him to be
mesmerised, as she was obliged, in consequence of being
subject to epileptic attacks, to leave her situation. He
foul i her so susceptible, that in a quarter of a minute
she f"S11 into a deep mesmeric sleep. In returning from
the house he was informed—but later than he ought to
have been—that she had had another fit of such violence
that it continued for several hours, and the strength of
four men were required to hold her. He visited her im-
mediately, and found she had been seized with tetanus or
lock-jaw. Taking hold of an instrument which happened
to be at hand,—a kind of ripping chisel—he used it as
a lever, and wrenched her jaws open. He was shocked at
the operation, and still more at the noise, which seemed
to indicate that the jaws had been broken. By making
a few mesmeric passes she opened her jaws without any
difficulty. In that year he was obliged to remain con-
stantly in Londoh, so that the opportunities he had of
mesmerising her were few and far between; Int he had
the good fortune of restoring her to health and of seeing
her return to service. Some years afterwards she en-
tered the service of a person in the metropolis, who, for
a very trifling cause, got into a very violent passion, end
seized her by the throat. The excitement made the
girl frantic, and her epileptic fits returned. Complaint
was made to a magistrate, who thought the case so
Serious that, instead of summarily convicting, he sant
the party before a court of justice. The young woman
was afterwards cured by his friend Dr. Elliot-
son. When she was examined on the trial, she
stated correctly what took place. She wits
asked, among other foolish questions, on cross-
examination, whether she was ever exhibited as a mes-
meric patient, and she truly denied that she ever was.
She was then asked whether she was quite sure she wes
awake when her master committed the assault, and also
when, where, and by whom she had been mesmerised.
Great surprise was shown when his (Earl Stanhnpa's)
name was mcntione3. The case came on before Mr.
Law, the late Recorder, and the result was that the un-
fortunate person was treated as an impostor and nee-
suited. Now, the opponents of mesmerism had not only
shown a disgraceful want of candour, but, in some in-
stances, had been guilty of the most flagrant injustice.
He alluded to the case of a labourer in Nottingham,
whose leg was amputated without feeling any pain while
in a mesmeric sleep. The medical men of Londcn met
to consider tee case; not knowing the individual,
and not being able to cast the slightest re-
proach on his veracity and honour, they re-
presented him as an impostor. Now he said it was
infamous to represent any man as an impostor, be
he peasant or prince, without full and substantial proof.
—(Hear.) The folly of the charge was equal to its ma-
lignity. Did these medical gentlemen not know that,
even if he had endeavoured to act the part of an impos-
tor, though his spirit might have been willing, his flesh
might have been weak? It they supposed it pessiblo by
any extraordinary effort he could suppress all manifesta-
tions of pain, such as groans, shrieks, and cries, still
there were other indications which would show whether
be felt tho operation. He was well aware that the same
effects were produced by chloroform, and he also know
that all persons were not susceptible to mesmeric influ-
ence; but this he contended, that when that influence
could be exerted, it was much safer than chloroform;
and in that be was confirmed by all candid
medical men who had examined into the
subject. When it was said by their opponents that
mesmerism was the effect of the imagination. he asked
whether insensibility to pain could be the efisct of the
imagination? If so, it seemed to him rather extraordi-
nary that the imagination should be brought to apply
when people suffered from ',violent toothaches, or from
other excruciating pains. Even supposing mesmerism
did excite the imagination, what objection could there
be to its use, if it relieved psin and cured disorders? But
he denied that mesmerism was connected with the imagi-
nation. Then it was said there was collusion in mes-
meric eater tsants, that the experimenter had a confede-
rate who exhibied various antics before an audience at
his desire. Now, he should like persons who entertained
that opinion to read a very curious and interesting.
who madeja series of experi-
mentspamphlet by Dr. J. Wilson,
on the brute creation, including wild and
domestic animals, some of which were ferocious
iu their nature, end might be supposed least
suscecitible of mesmeric influence. Could it be said these
animals were moved by the imagination, or that there
was any collusion between them and the mesmeriser?
But then it was said, " What is your theory—how is all
this explained?" Now, he did not think they weret
called upon to explain the theory. It was sufficient
a;ts
say that the practice of mesmerism was efficaciouss
tßhey
he should like to ask these medical gentlemen if
could explain the theory
exhibited in the animal and vegetable
could they give a
evident they could not do so. g ,
As aineeeed sleep? All
of a numhbercorfeapthioenn.omletnt:vaa:
Satisfactory reason why opium
fe--- In one of Molihro's
causes which produced that e
r ludicrous light.
knew the effect of the drug, but nonepro could discover the
plays this subject was treated in avh y
Latin,
Quare opium Pelt dorhur
• c?" "Why does opium
Ono of the characters wised in his own bad
produce sleep," and the other replied, " Qaia
est. in ea virtus dormitiva," " Because it had
soporific quality."—(Laughter.) Though ho was not
able to explain the manner in which mesmeric influence
passed from the mesmeriser to the patient, yet there was
every reason to believe that the immediate effect en the
patient was produced by the invigorating restorative
power of nature—vis mediccirix naturce—for it was very
truly and candidly stated by a physician that he did not
earn disorders, but only enabled nature to cure them by
removing the obstructions that were in the way. As
dhoiun sa
a nds
street that
near had
Holbornbee n affectedo,
facts were stubborn things, he would mention two
tra
tradesman,
m mesmerism.an o
of
lie someisitet
e
see, about thirteen years of age, had a paralytic,w
tion of the spine—he was unable to raise his head, aff3e.,
and
v
when lifted slightly up in bed he fell back
on one hid
the other like an inanimate object. In twenty e or
from Dr. Elliotson'e first visit ho rose from his minutes
walked across the room, and, as the father bed and
served to him on a subsequent occasion, Dsr truly ob-
had almost raised his son from the ra r, Paioton
The next case was that of a lady, eminentle.--(Cheers')
high station, and still more eminent for h from her
and exertions in this cause, who had her benevolence
blindness who had been afflicted by
cured a person of
Now, could either of those cases cured be c it for t 6 years.
nary process at all, still less in so
short
by the ordi-
instructive collection of cases by their ort a time? The
Mr. Capern, showed that mesmerism Worthy secretary,
in no lets than fourteen different had been efficacious
which could not ba treated diseases, some of
rules of art. lie rejoiced to'findby the ordinary
htsd made such progress in sat that mesmerism
establishments had been fort 3 country; and also that
kingdom for the assistance T-ed in venous parts of theh
extremely valuable. He
had to
those to whom it would, be
the meeting with so long a cid' to
apologise for feltd"ltinwinags
a duty which he owed to .h lECOUnie. but he to ex-
press the conviction which :ma t nil the country
study
and ex perietce, Aen, after many years.a°, ortant
entertained on this most 1 P
and valuable ohject.
Dr. ELLIoTSoN then annual m-
read the following
port:
"tile committee of the London Mesmeric Infistrtary
rejoice in being able to c,me.ratnifio the donors and sub-
scribers
. —Zeupon she increased' support of the charity by
public—;he
the 1,
e increased confidence of the sick and their
friends in the
benefits of tnesni crLai, and upon the cer-
tinuance
of proofs of the alleviating
one and remedisl
powers of
of the greatest blessings ever. vouchsafed
ton"4"ritl
", The conviction of the truth of mesmerism,
of the truth of i
its
,henowna, and its alleviating and re-
medial towers, has spread most 'extensively since we
la" met. To doubt the mesmeric produciion of sleep

resto-
ration and sleep-waking, and their dispersion;
clif,ireigldify, ;
mesmeric tractior ; .../11 "I'l
ration of sensaeon
I cata-
lepsy, end relaxation; the mesmeric abol_
formerly ucknown effects of reetele cry stela, weautaer and
substances in the mesmeric smite, end in the'cL n'11.17
state of some persons who here teen in the .. thtaw."C.
state, and even in some who heee never bece •Ja•
merited, is no lender. regarded as a mark of eaaaciSy.'
and superiority, nut excites surprise, and causes an trn-
divielusl to be considered ignorefie net; absurd. Even
such pheuomene. at the mesmerie excitement of dis-
tinct cerebral organs, the sympathy '.of sensa-
tions and ideas, and a certain eegree of clairvoyance,
are generally admitted, and their admission' no longer
subjects us to the imputation of credulity, or exposes us
to ridicule. Fourteen years ago mesmerism was de-
clared in London to be destroyed for ever, utterly ex-
tieguishee, and cure to be never heard cf again except
as a tale that was told—illustrative of the ignorance,
weakness, and folly of a few individuals who had ruined
their reputation irrecoverably. But now mremerism is
one of the ,C 3 m cbiec top:of , conversation, end is alluded to
as a fact in publications of every description. The sale
of mesmeric books is very large, and has increased asto-
nishingly of late, and Mr. Bailliere informs us that the
demand for the English quarterly journal of mesmerism,
the Zoist, far exceeds the demand of 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 of their
readers, to whom it is their duty to make all:these
facts known, it is evident that they are conscious of
being in an awkward position, behind the present day,
and near an overwhelming necessity of acknowledging
the truth of what they have so violently, coarsely,
and obstinately denied, and of reporting mesmeric
facts as regularly as others. Although the mana-
gers of the Royal College of Physicians, of the Royal
College of Surgeons, and of the Royal Medical and Chi-
rurgicol Society, still refuse to purchase mesmeric
works, it is known that the members of the two latter
bodies continually ask for the Zoist, and the desire can
Oct much longer be disregarded by those who ought to
know better, and to have more feeling for the sufferings
of their 11 fe ow-creatures The spread of the conviction
of the truth of .
mesmerism is shown in the additions to
our list and of donors b •
su scribers. Since the last annual
meeting, we have had 47 new donors, besides anonymous
contributors of mites to the donation-box, and 38
new subscribers. Five
e only of our former subscribers
have resigned, four
to continue theiexpressing their regret at their in-
abilityplaining that a case of sr subscriptions, and the fifth corn-
was not cured off-hand at
at Vitus's dance that she sent us
donations were bestowed fewin
was sittings. Several of the
cures having been consequence of mesmeric
effected n
donors, without any connexion the families of the
Mr. Bailliere, whose daughter's with the infirmary.
will, I trust, be recorded . recovery from typhus
I
has sent us, in consequence of it,nfiv the next Zoist,
her hands. Mr. Kingdon, who has e guineas through
la
the great benefit - which he derived from
in the Zoist
while recovering from a severe accident, hey sentnmesmerism
Miss Jane Preston, who was assiduously ns 10/.
Mr. Janson, has evinced her gratitude mesmeriseda y by
us with 151. The increased confidence of the sick
e
their friends in the alleviating and remedial powers
and
mesmerism is manifested on every side, and is strikingly
ngi;
shown by the numercus applications for admission to
our infirmary —far more numerous than we have the
means of satisfying. They are now aware that mes-
merism exerts a powerful influence, not over nervous
affections only, but over the diseases of every organ, and
over diseases of every description—upon inflammation,
structural as well as functional diseases, enlargement,
' change of texture, ulceration, &c.; and that it not only
socthea but invigorates. Some v, no are believers in its
blessings are still shut out from them by the gross
superstition of its Satanic nature. This preposterous
absurdity will continue till education b: cones
what it should be, end points out to those upon
whom it is bestowed that all around us is nature—all
governed by universal and unerring laws ; and that
mesmerism, like everythieg else that man does, must
be natural, and not a supernatural affair. It may be
worth the reflection of the superstitious that we have 12
divines on our lists, the greater part of them clergymen
of the Church of England, one a doctor of divinity and
formerly a professor in the University of Oxford, and
et the head of them, an archbishop—his Grace the
Archbishop of Dublin—who did not for a moment he-
sitate to become one of our vice-presidents. Another
anti-Satanic argument is, that above 50 ladies appear on
our list. Continued proofs of the assuaging and reme-
dial powers of mesmerism pour in upon us on all sides.
The Zoist teems with them from every quarter—num-
berless others are occurring daily which ate not re-
corded. Since the last meeting 154 patients have been
treated at the institution-20 were not improved at all—
but the greater part of them attended too short a
time for mesmerism to exert its power. Thirteen of
them nttended but two or three times, and among them
were cases of epilepsy, blindness, and consumption-19
were slightly improved, and the greater part
of them left us before there was any chance
of a care ; 39 were much improved, so much that
they did not think it worth while to attend any longer,
though wo should have wished them still to persevere
for some weeks; but persons in ell ranks, and of all ages
and education, are disposed to impatience, and the poor
have but too many causes of inability to attend an insti-
tution daily for any time; forty-tv:o have been cured;
thirty-four are still under treatment; and of 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 of our cases aro
chronic—that-most of them have defied medical treat-
ment, generally, at the hands of several practitioners—
and that many are certain of receiving no amelioration
from any kind of non-mesmeric treatment."
After describing numerous cases the report proceeds
to state that the receipts for the year have been
437/, 9s. 6d., and the expenses 4371. 10s. Id., being
eel over our receipts; but the society has 8841. 38.
9d. in hand. It then states—" We may, therefore ,
consider ourselves very prosperous; but we are nisei( us
to extend the benefits of mesmerism—we aro anxious
to be able to mesmerise a much larger number of
patients, and to have an hospital in which patients
may reside, as the sick cannot obtain the advantego of
mesmerists in the ordinary hospitals. Twenty names
on the list of donors and subscribers are those of me-
dical men. We know tile advantage of ordinary medi-
cal treatment; we have the same good opinion of all
well-established practice as our brethren, and give cur
patients the full benefit of it. The difference between
us is that we employ mesmerism in addition to the means
used by them, knowing that mesmerism cures diseases
not at present cured by ordinary means, and assists all
the ettabliehed methods of cure. The general. healing
power of mesmerism appeals to be that of assisting na-
ture to throw off disease, whatever that disease may be
—to aid the vis medicat natures. Tee lease of the pre-
sent house will expire at Christmas, Iced we are d* roue
of taking such further measures in this respect as msy be
necessary. We are bound to express cur warmest thanks
to the ladies who kindly compose the ladies' committee.
They meet weell!y, and one or more visit the house
every day. Their presence, their suggestions, and
general assistance are invaluable. Nor can we conclude
withaut expressing our sense of Mr. Capern's value. lets
devotion to the bv ssings cf mesmerism, his untiring
zeal, his benevolence; modesty, and disinterestedness
aro beyond all praise.'
Mr. M. MILNES, M.P., in movies the adoption of the
report, said he regarded mesmerism not in any
sional or limited point of view, but as aproees-
-1
portion of the
kingdom of nature, demanding the int
every intelligent man and the appreeie ' erest cf
student of nature and history—(Cheers.
...hen of every
the Mesmeric Institution load been .) lle believed
and prudently conducted. It teas n wisely established
such an institution in the present 0 easy matter to form
about mesMerism. He was dis state of public feeling
circumstances connected with mesmerism, to think there were
explain the great difficulty it hadesa3erisna, which might
ingitself ass science, and estab'. to encounter in assert-
careful of receiving evidence ashing itself in a nation so
gene-
rally were. The fact of their its
the English people
a rule defining the ph • not being able to lay down
of mesmerism Ysiologicul and psychological pro-
pertiescove.Ted with so much e
in had led to mesmerism beta,*
impoeture and falsehood.
Owing to scientific
oeive, mesmerism asinen refusing from prejudice todrue-
a science, it had been delivered p
as a prey to the impostor
whose exaggerations andde-
lusionsfinite an clear and dc
g as to the reelmysterious agent
being arrived at. characterß ofe thisufident the institution
would do a vast deale wasof good, because it was in
the hand f
o' as self-sacrificin da° body of men as ever
stood forward to demand gthe public sympathy.—
(Cheers.) great mistake and a
e lie believed it was a
dangerous error to use mestserism for the mere purpose
of experiment and amusement, and hoped that so dsn-
gcrone an instrument would only be employed by per-
suns well acquainted with its real effects.
nn
"I.- A. J. Emus seconded the motion, and said the
report alluded to the fact that mesmerism was once con-
it was a matter of notoriety that
con-
sidered dead. Indeed,
a certain well-known coroner presurmed he had sat on
its body, end even s i"tEartavg,
dug iitle an insignificant
Lancet.—(Laughter., But
would not say
wtts a glorious.
apotheosis of its ribing2
be_ng.
(Et like a
piacenix,
i ear, hear.)
but like a sort of beatified
then put and carried.
The motion was
et observed that Mr la Mi'nes had said
The Cu.slugA- imposition .. . i.
the which was practised by
a good deal about
mesmerism. Now, he denied that imposition
means of
possible is purely medical cases, for they were to be
was ily medical men. Ha supposed the lion.
judge- ust have alluded to those psychological
Gentleman to . .
on which he had abstained from saying any-
phenorn
,n GB
they were not, never were, and never would
th- for
• tof inquiry by that institution; but, at the
be the object .
''ho did not wish to be understood as throw.
same time,
doubt on the reality of those phenomena.
ing any
Mr. J. C. LUXMORE moved, end Mr. A. M.AJENDIE
ded that Profesaor Do Morgan, - •
eprofessor of mathe-
secn 1
/CS in University College, be elected vice-president
mofatthe society, v,hich was agreed se.
Air. J. JANSON moved, nod Mr. J. B. PARR IM se-
conded, that Dr. Ashbourno and Mr. W. Topham, who
retire from the committee, be re-elected, and that Mr.
Khne and Mr. Wiln rforce be elected on the, c -.nunitt,e,
in the room of Mr. Chandler and Mr. Robertson, who
are unable to attend.—Agreed to.
The Rev. G. SANDBY moved, and Mr. C.IINDERROOD
seconded, a resolution of cordial thanks to the ladies " of
the committee for their important te ; '
rv.ces, wllich was
carried by Acclamation.
me, Jorrw Amon. moved, and ProFessor
be'
M.,1)
---ONALD se
conded a motion, that the committee
Ate arrangements for taking emPi"red to
m enoth er house for the
purposes of the institution, or ;or renewing their interest
in the present house, which rag i
A vote of thanks to the ano treed to. ,_ t
Noble Chairman concluded
the business of the muster
g,

ST. JAMES'S
In 1. ATith:7-Tbe German Theatrical
Company arrived at the St. Katharine's-wharf early yester-
day
morning, by the General Steam Navigation Qompapy,
mail Agana-ship Ocean, from Rotterdam.