The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-11-28
From The dmerican Journal Of Medical Sciences.
ANINAL MAGNETISM.


II would appear from our Journals that
animal magnetism is making decided pro-
gress in London, and that some very dis
iinguisbed men of that capital hive become
converts to u greater or less extent, to its
verify. .Fl
II is to be hoped that now So many uble
men have their ention directed to the
subject, that whatever Inodicum of truth
there may be in this supposed power will
be established, and that the great amount
Of fallacy which is mixed with it Viii he full
ly and irrefragably exposed. u. sbmel s...r,
In the mean time the following extract,
from communication TO the Editor of the
Lance, on the subject, by DR.. Sigmond,
will be read with interest. sri s..sd r.
Z" entered the field Of inquiry as n scep-
tic, aud as such, after my inquiries, ] re-
n,o,u, ms to the belief that any individual is
in possession Of a power, save that which
the strong mind exeris over the weak one,
by which he can exercise a preternatural
effect over the human frame. totally dis
believe the existence ofany fluid which can,
ut the will of an operator be made to pass
from, his body into that Of another, and thus
at his command, produce unwonted sensa-
ton. . ia. t-r t.-.t I'D.
"In the course, however, of my imita-
tions of the operations have. seen perform
ed by others, l have observed certain most
singular phenomena 10 arise, with which 1
was previously anacquainted, and which, ]
think, are of some value, and which, by, the
caulious investigation Of the highly inieiiec-
tual men who nre constantly seeking TO udd
to The means Of proloneing life, md render
iug il happier, may yet be found to lead TO
some physiological and psychological facts.
I merely wish TO state what have obsefv-
ed, and 10 offer TO show that certain conse-
qucnces result from pecuIinr hind Of man.
ipulalion, which may easily he acquired,
and which if prac,ised with dexteriiy, in
some Instances, might be productive of con-
siderable influence in different conditions Of
tho body. r..
I" Some weeks since the Baron du Potet,
de- Sennevoy, did iae the honor To invite
the To be present nt trial Of his magnetic
power a, the University college Hospital.
l there saw him perform d series Of action
upon different individuals, and he, in two
instances, produced what may be termed
artificial sleep upon two females, and this
was the full extent Of his success his 9th
er attempts were failures. The successful
cases, however, arrested my riien,i5h : they
seemed to he the result of simple means,
nor could there, ut lenst thought, he
doubt that The same power existed in any
individual who chose Ia exert il. This
specrs Of magnetism, must observe, diff
! fcred very materially from Whit had seen
prnciised many years since by a pupil Of
DR.. Msineduc, at Bath il had less preten-
sion, and was much more practicable.
From the little opportunity had of judg-
ing Of the Baron du Polet, drew the con-
clusien in my own mind, that he felt nm
honest conviction that he was possessed Of
peculiar feculiy, and moM distinctly do
ocqun him Of any intention Of playing up
on the credulny Of those BY whom he was
surrounded but feel that have a right,
with the same csndor, to say, that do not
think that he j, aware how he produces tho
extraordinary effects tha, followed bis man.
ipulaiions.
~ Immediately determined TO investigate
the snbject, and for that purpose tried
great number Of experiments; but I was
most unwilling, for great length Of time,
to make my observations at all public, be-
cause tl,ough, tbs, might be accused Of
seeking noioriety by investigating . subject
which rather belonged to the community
lhsn so the profession, and one which SEEM
ed to be addressed TO the popslar feeling so
easily excited, rather than TO the calm and
consideration of the follow
ers Of science. Fisding, however, that two
members Of the profession,
DR.. Ell'o,son and Mr.. Mayo, thought the
subject worthy their attention, persevered
in my observations; and, added to this. I
was invited BY or illus:rious individual,
whose regard for the medical profession,
und for every thing connected With il. I
have, from my official position, had eppor-
,uni,ies Of Witnessing nsd sdnirins. Esst