Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-07-31
NEW YORK, MONDAY MORNING, JULY 81, 1887

upon disarrangement of the system. It
markab that those diseases which ordinary treat
men, and medicines have little effect are those
which soonest yield the operations OF tins agent
The fame Of Mesmer and his wonderful discoveries
spread over the continent AT first they with
almost universal ridcule, and unbeleved. The disco
veres If Galleo were considered more incredible.
Mesmer went to Paris and in the hospitals and before
the saroas of the most scientific city in the world
peated his experiments.
This was about the period of the American revolu-
ton and Dr. Franklin that time Charged If
toes at Paris and Notwithstanding the pressure and ex-
element Of politics, continued devote little and but
little time to phiosophc Investigations.
The Academy of Arts and Sciences thought the sub
iect of much importance, that committee of some Of
the most scientific men in Europe were appointed to in
vestgate and report upon its merits.
DIR. Franklin Of this committee. They wit
messed variety of experiments, but did not examine
the subject in satisfactory manner and at length re-
ported that although there things they could
understand or account for they had come to the
conclusion that there be deception about it,
There was one gentleman however, on that commit
tee, distinguished naturalist, whose name cannot at
this be recalled, who entered with a phoso-
phic spirit into the investigation better fitted for it
than any other on the committee, and to very
different conclusion.
He made minority report in favor of its claims as
science which displayed much researchaud brought
forward 50 many facts that considered worthy OF
publications an in the minds of the scientific men
of Europe far destroy the unfavorable enden-
cy Of the other report.
At Paris medical students are assembled from everG
country in Europe. Many ofthese witnessed the expe
riments of Mesmer learned his skill and thus its prac
tice was extended the continent and is practiced
in most of the hospitals in Europe not by quacks and
empyrics but by the most scientific physicians. Indeed
the subject has been considered important the power
exercised so great and its abuse dreaded that in
veral countries laws have been passed restricting its
ercise to the medical profession, persons properly
thorised and licensed.
few years since when the first anatomists and ply
sisoests of Europe had become believers in its pow
ers and many cfhem practical magnetzers, the French
academy became ashamed ofthe report they had adopt
ed and chose new committee with directions make
a full examination of the subject, and report in five
years They did so and the report fully and de-
cidedly in favor of its professions. large number OF
cases are given particularly described and performed
under circumstances where the committee could not be
deceived.
We shall continue this subject and give account of
the manner of producing the phenomena the requisite
mental and physical qualities for the OPERATOR
and the most important and best authenticated in
Europe aud America with such phlosophic reflections
IA the subject may demand