Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-10-25
ITO THE EDITOR.l

"CiscISNATI, October, 1542.
s'Your favor Of the Goth ult is received, and am
happy in learning from that and the Enquirer that the
first number of journal the means OF suggest
ing 10 the Richmond operators q class Of experiments
So brilliant, as are truly those in Phreno Magnetism
"You ask whether every confidence can be placed IN
the accuracy of the statements made in our Journal IN
reference TO the experiments therein detailed would
say, in reply that Society organized expressly
with the conduct aminatons, as tn re-
all doubt as TO The truth of the phenomena, both
from own and the public mind. 1t numbers in It's
ranks many Of the most respectable citizens ct tins
pace-men, dsting ushed for their moral standing and
intelligence who, of course, would give currency TO
no statement which they did not believe TO be true.
Every precaution that ingenuity and experience could
suggest has been adopted to them from decep'
ton, whether supposed be pracsed by the subject,
or apprehended from their own n,nginations preju-
dices otker Of self deuson To the inquiry,
whether the eyes of the subject are in all instances.
bandagedl answer, they are sometimes bandaged, and
sometimes not-taking care in The latter case, that the
subject sa not see be otherwise aware oil The ex-
pertinent intended Some of the persons operated
of the respectable character others, though
personally unknown 10 most of the society, have been
represented TO in the most unqualified terms, as
persons OF truth and honor with regard TO none have
10 suppose rickery fasehood. One OF the
preca uons always adopted in our examinations Is TO
require both operator and subject 10 declare, on their
honor, that there is, their part, intention 10 de-
ceive.
lou ASK, ~ IL uUe, tnHt ny Htleiy az
tain organs, without direct contact, the phenomena
were produced?-l answer that, in several instances
they WERE no less thar FIVE separate cases, occurring
within notice. | would, however here remark
that succeed in this attempt, requires very impress
sibe subject such one fact, is not often met
with. One impressible, may, however, generally
be found in any community Of moderate slze alter
somew what close and extensive examination. 1t may
be we'll 10 observe, also, that subjects mpressIby
is apt to increase rapidly and sometimes to very
great extent, by frequent operations
"Our society is still pursuing its investigations with
industry and zeal. The whole number is divided into
committees, Of members each, whose business
it is 10 seek out subjects, examine them according
certain precautionary rules adopted fer that purpose
and report the facts of the case with such remarks as
they may deem appropriate. These committees we
endeavor to keep continually employed, and many new
facts and Developments are treasured up IN our re-
cords. the result Of their labors
s1he most remarkable phenomena connected with
this subject, those attending the excitement oil the
organs of the brain, while the subject is in stale OF
perfect wakefulness and self possession. These Phe
nomena both mental and physiological, and the
science embracing them is called neurology by Its
dscoverer, DR.. Joseph X. Buchanan, of Louisville
In our fret number, you will see articles on thus
subject TO which refer you. The Doctor informed
me- the other day, that he had just completed the sys
tenn of cerebral influences, as connected with physio-
logy, and had directed his inquiries TO The thera
peutics of the subject the modus operand OF the
various remedial agents of the materia medca.
Very respectfully,
Your obedent servant,
THOS. J. MATTHEWS,
President, &C.