The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-21 00:00:00

MESMERIC INFIRMARY.

~-

The annual general meeting of the supporters of
the Mesmeric Itafitmary,No. 06, Weymouth-arcet,
Portland-placeiv•was held on Tuetday lust,
Willis's Room's; Ring-street, St. James's. That
was a very full:attendance.

The Cllainewe (the Rev. Mr. Sandby), in open-
ing the proceedings, said he must request the kind
indulgence of the meeting, because he felt h,
rofrecshenaitr.maßnuothwszueilhe ahno nmtae rdees tti
was unequal:to! the tusk of fulfilling the duties
ocacdamaiiosnsioans,thhce,
hngat
must say that amongst the large aesembly then
before him, theme was not anyone who was
devoted to the .cause of mesmerism than h
mo r e
(Hear, hear.) 1 Meemerisrn was one of the most
precious gifts of Providence, because it came to the
assistance of -all; it alleviated Guff cling and glad.
dened hutnanity. The report to be read to theM
would De a highly interesting document; as it con-
tained the pleasing intelligence that no less than 78
persons had been cured or greatly relieved,thus prey.
ing beyond all doubt that mesmerism was a great
fact in nature, eilthough it had been laughed at and
derided by those whose standing, talent, and edu-
cation should have taught thein not to ridicule that
which they could tot, or would not, understand.
(Hear, hear.) Many 'of those' then present must
havPobserved in the newspapers theproceedings of
the interesting meeting of the friends of Social
Science; and without wishing to say anything
disrespectful, he must observe that this was their
meeting of social cience, because our object
was the wellbeing of our fellow-creatures, the miti-
gation of their sufferings, and the prolongation of
life. (Hear, hear.) At the former meeting Mes-
merism was fob unfashionable to be spoken of yet,
notwithstanding all the difficulties they had to en-
counter their'institution was now in the thirteenth
year of its 'establishment, in spite of the blindest
prejudice, and what was still encouraging, they le ere
gaining groind every day. (Cheers.) He wished
to say a word or two on spirit rapping. It was a
subject which had been widely discussed in the
newspapers; especially as some of the instances had
been most surprising whilst others had been most
contradictory. He was not taking the liberty or
the impertinence tai deny the truth of spirit rap.
ping, as he knew nothing about it. All he had to
do at present was to notice its bearing on the Mes-
meric Infirmary, and to this institution it 'inducted
most prejudicially.. When we were first established
we had amongst us some of the most ardent sup-
porters, and he regretted to say some of those had
deserted us hccaise we refuse to support spirit
rapping. He thought such treatment was very
ungenerous and unfair, because wo do not say any- ,
thing against it. We only say our institution was
founded to alleviate pain by Mesmerism, and to
that alone are we deterthined to adhere. (Hear,
hear.) So, because—to use a vulgarism—we refuse
to go the whole hog—many of oar former friends
fall away. Suppose a college was founded for the
sole purpose of disseminating gecgraphical know-
ledge, was it a valid objdction against it that it
did not teach aatrenomy ; suppose a lecture upon
mathematics was delivered, was it a good ground of
objection against it that it did not deal with meta.
physics? He thought not (heap; and apply this view
Of the subject to the Mesmeric Infirmary—was the
deiertion of their former frielids justified ? While
we have been deserted for not supporting spirit
rapping, we have experienced ]Similar treatment
from others, because we have been maligned and
suspected of being favourable to its dissemination.
Not content with verbal objections, books have been
publishtd, in which it is stated that mesmerism is
a mixture of clairvoyance and necromancy.
The Mesmeric Infirmary was an institution free
from all tricks and nonsense, and one in which the
great desire was to give relief to persons suffering
from disease. And, he should like to know, what
necromancy there was about that ? (Hear, hear.)
So far from there being any necromancy about
mesmerism, he thought, if it was properly used, it
was a moat mereiful gift of the providence of God.
He rejoiced to say that, notwithstanding all their..
difficulties, the truths of mesmerism were making
rapid strides ; and if we cannot show long lists of
titled subscribers, we can show the names of 78
human being who have, during the past year, been
thoroughly cured and greatly releaved of their
sufferings through the application of mesmerism;
and this, too, after every other means had either
broken down or failed. He believed the institution
entitled to the most extended support and charit-
able contributions;. end if the means were given to
the Infirmary, the contributors might rely that
everything would be done towards lessening the
number and alleviating the pain of the afflicted
who now swarm our hospitals. He had felt it his
duty to say thus much at the commencement of
their proceedings, and he would conclude by calling
upon Mr. Wing to read the report.
The report was then read. The document was
of considerable length, but the following extracts
will be found interesting :
" The majority of the truths of mesmerism are now all
but universally admitted in this country, they having ex-
perienced a long and severe opposition for many years. No
small amount of the repugnance to admit the truths of mes-
merism has always arisen from a misconception of certain
phenomena by those who taught it—a belief that certain
phenomena were really mesmeric which were the result of
mental impression, or. in ordinary language, of imagination
only ; and which the opponents of mesmerism saw and
proved to be the result of imagination ; and consequently
the true mesmeric phenomena were rejected as being also
the effects of mere imagination. Besides the power of pro-
ducing phenomena, mesmerism is calculated to soothe, even
to bring on sound sleep, and to invigorate ; and greatly aids
the inherent tendency and ability of the body to throw off
disease—to right itself when disordered and wrong. It
continually proves a great blessing when it does not cure;
and it continually (lees cure—and not because it is a gene-
ral specific, but because it assists the body to liberate itself
from disease, or to bear up till the disease ceases, whatever
be the nature of the disease, be this a fever or inflamma-
tion, or a nervous affection. It thus is beneficial in surgi-
cal as well gs in medical cases; in local as well as general
affections ; in both the functional and the structural. But
the diseases most easily cured by natural or by ordinary
measures are of course the most easily cured by mesmerism
The world should bear in mind that mesmerism interferes
with no other treatment which is considered proper; and
may be conjoined with all established measure! ; and need
assist
t ati other
naves do lamin; although it may greatly
Other means
means. At the same time, we beg to say that
care certain diseases, and eases of disease,ll far more quickly
contend for is
and powerfully' than mesmerism. A
've
that it will cure many cases in which ether means fail
-nean and soothes
that it ofteri greatly assists other r swill
and invigorates not unfrequently ; and in many
remove and prevent anguish, so that the most
formidable operations have been and may be unconsciously
undergone? and in perfect safety. To deny this is absurd.
'rho first'case which we shall report is the cure of a
singular nervous affection- of distressing somnambulism,
or sleep-waking, induced by terror.
"Miss Sarah Wren, aged 23, [became a patient of the
Infirmary on the bth of November, 1861. She resided with
her parents,
in Church Lane, Walthamstow ; but her
mother and she had now lodgings at No. 21, Weymouth-
street, for the purpose of her treatment in the • fi
rmary.
Two years before her admission she had a narrow
escape
from drowning, and her health became impaired from
that
time. Her sight grew dim ; she had excruciating pains in
the heads heat, and noises, so that she slept badly, and she
was propped up night and day, for her
head could not en-
dure the slightest pressure. Silo was so weak that she
could not walk without support : and
took
l yet could not bear
tonics. Violent hysterical fits
of Septenibter paroxysms of meresleep place;
; caonmdaonfrtohme 11th
commenaetnent of which her strenigth and appetite im-
proved a little, In, ten more days she began to speak in
these pkroxysms of imperfect sleeep. Her sense of touch
had become so acute that, by placing the tips of her fingers
on the back of her mother's hand while writing, she was
able to ascertain exactly the words written, and even detect
if a letter were misplaced. During the first week she could
pnot bear any perisen but her mother to touch her ever so
lightly, Such pain and distress were the result. Sometimes
she imagined herself withering to nothing : semotimes so
expanded. that' she could not pass through a doorway. In
her seizures of sleep-waking during the day she busied
herself about the house or with writing end doing fancy
work, although she could not see. Dr. Pinching, finding
ordinary t reapnent unavailing,considered that it would never
reach the complaint, and assented to the employment of
mesmerism when it wasp roposed, adding that if ho had a
daughter so afflicted he should undoubtedly try it. Accord-
ingly she went to the infirmary on the sth of
.November.few
She was mesmerised daily by Mr. Fradelle, and intwrien.y.
days her seizures from amounting to twenty in the t
d on the
four hours Were reduced to three, and even tw days,an though
16th instant there had not been ono for eight
She lost the
the mesmeric process had never induced
fshineerPm. other's hand
power of knowing by touching thebackto
thrown into sleeps
what her mother was writing was no
and was stronger.
wakingbyasuddennoise, wastesinservous,
November she returned with
On Saturday, the Nth of

her mother to Walthamstow with the intention of remain-
ing till Monday. Certain distressing news produced a re-
lapse, and the following morning she went back to London,
had another seizure, and, while being ME._ had
three more, the la: t of which continuel hour.
During the process of the 20th, spuntaneou6 waldng
'occurred. On the 23d, manifested. for the first time in sleep-.
waking the power of prediction in regard to her complaint,
and gave some directions respecting the treatment: said
she should be cured in six weeks ; and this prediction was
accurately fulfilled. On the 10th December lost her spas-
modic cough, and with that, she said, all hysterical symp-
toms : was freer from head-ache than she had been for
years ; but, though her appetite had been daily improving,
she was still very weak. On the 2d January her spine was
no longer tender to the touch; her back was strong and
erect. Before this she had stooped for years, having reached
her full height, about 5 feet 9 inches, at the age of 16, and
thereby -outgrowd her strength; and on the 4th her cure
was complete. ller father wrote in'May, stating that she
had never been so well in her life."
" PALPITATION AND PAIN.—Feb. 1,1862, Rebecca Jane
Smith, aged 14, a servant, of 48, Whifecross•street, Cripple-
gate, and now staying at 9, Rose-street, Soho, became our
patient, labouring under symptoms of inflammation of the
covering of the heart, or pericardium. She was six weeks
in an hospital, and on leaving was still subject to such sharp
pains in the situation of the heart and such palpitation that
she coult not return to service. She was mesmerised daily
by Mrs. Shepherd from the 20th Feb. until the Bth April,
,when she was quite free from pain, and was discharged
cured."

" STIFFNESS AFTER RHEUMATIC FEVER - Rowland
Howell, aged 48, tailor, 35, Duke street, Manchester-
square, on the morning of the 21st of last December could
scarcely move in bed from rheumatism. Kept in bed about
a month, when he became a patient of the Infirmary. He
was mesmerised by Mr. Charles Fisher, and on the Ist o
April his general health was greatly improved there; great
increase of strength, with freedom of tle use of the joints
and muscles."

" PARTIAL DEAFNESS.—Dec. 23, 1861. Martha War-
rener, aged 7, 19, Moscow-road, Bayswater. Her mother
observed 15 months ago that the child's hair fell off very
Much, leaving the head bald in patches. Could assign nn
cause for it. Shortly after the child became deaf in both.
ears, was mesmerised by Mrs. Shepherd on the 31st Dec.,
and in less than a monh her hearing was restored."
"DYSPEPSIA, DEBILITY, NERVOUSNESS, AND NEURAL-
GIA.--July 3d, 1861—Mrs. Charlotte Schuter, aged 51,
6, Great Portland-street, stated that she had been for two
months suffering from neuralgia in the head, and so
severely at times as to make her fear her intellect was be-
coming impaired, brought on by great mental anxiety.
Medicine weakened the body without appeasing the pain.
Had restless nights, and was subject to great depression of
spirits, and to weep without knowing why. Had a loath-
ing of food. Her complexion was yellowish, as if from
jaundice. Her back was 'my weak; had pain in it, and
occasionally at the heart and right side, where it was ac-
companied with a pricking sensation. These pains were
at times exceedingly acute and almost maddening. The
liver was sluggish,
the renal secretion dark and turpid.
Mr. Fradelle, on the 10th July, took the patient in hand,
and on the 14th of August she was discharged cured.
"RHEUMATIC NEURALGIA.—Nov. 6th, 1861—Mrs.
Mary Ward, aged 45, laundress, 13, Union-street, Mary-
lebone, formerly 27, Ogle street, stated that after going
into a damp kitchen five years ago and taking cold, and
getting her feet wet sometime after, she began to have pain
first in one shoulder, arm, and hand, then shifting to the
other; also in one side of the head and one eye, then the
other side and eye. The back of the head was very cold,
and as if water were running down it to the nape of the
neck. Could not sleep at night for the pain, and had to sit
up hour after hour to rub her arms with an oil, which she
used also in the morning for several days, then rolled flan-
nel over them, but obtained no relief from either. Mrs.
Shepherd mesmerised daily for about two months, when
the poor woman returned her thanks for the benefit she had
received.
"SPRAINED WRIST.--Aug. 16th, 1861—John Sinnett,
aged 23, farrier, 21, Boston-street, Dorset-square, em-
ployed at Mr. Couksey's, veterinary surgeon, Boston-
mews, states that on the morning of the 14th inst., while
shoeing a horse, holding firmly the fore near foot with his
left hand, the horse suddenly reared and drew back, and by
so doing violently sprained his wrist. Had no medics
advice. Had heard of mesmerism, and' applied at this in-
firmary, thinking he might derive benefit from it. Mr.
Fradelle toak the case in hand, rind at the end of the fourth
day of his attendance, he was able to return to his work as
usual.
" These instances will sufficiently show what mesmerism
is doing in the infirmary.
" At the time orour last report we had 38 patients, sines
then we have had 124 ; so that there have been treated 162
(luring the year. Of these 31 are still patients. We have
eased or relieved 78, slightly improved and unimproved 46 ;
but many patients do not attend more than a short time.
We return our warmest thanks to Mr. Frere and Mrs.
inmbleton for their continued munificence. We beg to
return thanks to Miss Bailey and Mrs. Bird, who have
mesmerised gratuitously. We. else cordially thank our
edy superintendent, Mrs. Fradelle, for her gratuitous at.
,ention, and cannot speak highly enough of the laborious-
eess, skill, and goodness of Mr. Fradelle. Our lady Ines-
eierisers have been the Misses Cooper, Mrs. Shepherd (for-
merly Miss Eliza Job), Mrs. Schuter, and Miss Trueman.
Our :nestuer iscrs give us great satisfaction."
At the conclusion of the reading of the report
the Chairman [said Miss Wren, and other per-
sons who had beer Ratients at the infirmary, were
then present.
Miss Wren then stood up, and was greeted with
loud applause.
Dr. ELLIOTSA said the committee were much
obliged to Miss Wren for appearing there that day.
It showed great moral courage on her part as un-
'ortunately many of the persons who had expe-
rienced the benefits of Mesmerism objected to at-
tend their meetings.
Sir W. TOPHAM, in moving the reception of the
report, congratulated the meeting on the success of
the institution, notwithstanding the lukewarmness
of their friends. He begged to endorse every
the chairman had spoken with respect to spirit-
rapping. The reason that mesmerism had encoun-
tered such opposition was to be attributed to the
manner in which, after its discovery, it was brought
before the public. Instead of introducing it !a_
all
1r3317
and quietly, Mesmer clothed his discovery with
the Brummagem grandeur of a magician. ward
Mr. CooEE, in seconding
on the manner in
the adoption of the re-
port, passed a high compliment
motion to
The CHAIRMAN then put am the meet-
ing, when it was carried unanimously.
which the Infirmary was conducted.
nI‘cIiAI.JENDIE, a vote of thanks
gi terminated
to
D r. E
naifottesro
nv,otth e
waTOshnlewtrhaeetridildtgitoopmurteoohnefele3becledorruis.nof the council having been
been awaried
:,re-tachiircamcntisnd',httahhdee auditors (Dr. Brett and Mr. Bien-
, neis), and Mr. Wing.

ROYAL AGRICUL7 URAL SOCIETY OF • N
ENGLAND.

TUE GREAT SHOW IN BATTERSEA-PARK.
The very extensive preparations which are in o
o e o
pro-
gress in Battersea-park and vicinity for the grand
show which
p landce. r a
anrcee .a menees Mon
completion,
t commences
Monday are fast approach-
ing and present a very interesting ap-
ppArlotphilusgteha
forcomparativelythe
e a few acres of
purpose, yet from the
numerous sheds, stands, tents, and other erections,
it appears on approacning the Nine Elms like a vast
camp, the numerous avenues in reality forming
several miles of streets. None of the cattle or live
stock have yet arrived, but every due preparation -
is being made for their :reception, especially
Iby storing large quantities of fodder, &c. The
greater portion of the machinery and implements
are already upon the ground, and others are con-
tinually arriving. while numerous other carrisges
i visions laden with
o i various kinds,
wines, spirits,
all sorts of v It'
_ti
I occupied by persons called thither,e
Jolty oft he
vo
some-
yesterday give the roads leading to th.
what the appearance of those in the
Exhibition prior to its openi.o.rbe
found a large
Park
Amongst the machinery . I
ow3s of reaping, mow-
collectionewr ivan:aGoblwilise-t°e'am power. There aro
R., harrowing, turnip-
of various descr.iepti - B:c9
as:Yecluiraellpeil-eyos,
oinugu,inpglousguhdinogth, the chief portion of
which will be worked
specimens of agricultural
the modern improvements.
access, us are also the offices
and placed
stands are numerous,
very conveuien
I, conduct of
have been made of the want of facility
the show. Some
complaints
of access, and there can be no'doubt that at least
afTionitsrlititineiromuesfineerihstrabsimuiswnegnbtitietyllatuf,l
all the existing gates should be opened for the occa-
sion, even if new openings are not provided: The
railway authorities are making active preparations
for the increased traffic expected, especially at the
station near Battersea Pilrk. The whole of the ex-
tensive arrangements for this great show will be,
it is expected, entirely completed this afternoon.

THE A
G•RABIAN OUTRAGES IN IRELAND*7-
DagvaßinLttriz,
ohahridafcy;—firiTDrtgieat foundbciolllsonhelavxecocbteen
dn
q h tr 1 of the
loran for the murder of 31. Thiebault, -
former has commenced. gai sttov
ay-

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