The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-21
From the Chronicle & on Dominican,
MESMERISM-AN AID TO SURGERY

|
We see smile curling the lips Of many Of our
readers, as their eye passes the above heading
but let them read the following facts from the Alton
Telegraph OF eI9h of August, aud that smile win
be turned into wonder M5t the NesmAric ncxor
s ,so nave sa r aF swr, 81
many unworthy individuals, from unworthy motives.
and TO gam unworthy ends, have taken up the sub
Ject, and speculated upon it, and to insure success
have protested to do things which neither nature nor
Facts warranted, in order to excite the wonder and
curiosity of the mu tude and thereby the science
mas been brought into dsrepute, and those who were
acuated by pure and phlanthropc motives, and pos
sessng an ardent desire to benefit their fellows have
suffered. II is but shorteperiod since the question
was propounded to us ''of what benefit is Nlesmer.
Ism r. coupled with the remark-"itis all humbug.
Our friend then went on to give his opinion that il
was OF no Importance as no good could be educed
IRON It, We think his opinions will change when
he reads the facts below. We have always been
slow to believe in the powers claimed for the Clair.
poyam yet when we rccolec the fact that persons in
catersy have performed every thing said 10 be done
by persons under the mesmeric influence whv need
we tie so much asonished that artificial disease or
arrangement OF the natural functions be made 10
produce the same results Apart from the wonders
eXhloted by the Cairroyant, which have been as
sureu oy eminent mesneriZers, places the subject be-
yond their control and enables him or her to see and
near things impossible to be heard by the op
orator, we have observed several distinguished gen
temen experiment, and heard them lecture on Ami
NAL Magnetism, and the results have been truly as
tonishlng The sleep produced being profound and
unnatural, and under such circumstances that any
thing IKE frau or mPosture would be impossible
we have witnessed experiments tried upon the sub
Ject that would have Weakened the natural seeper
ana II awake the subject could not have borne
them without wincing, and exhibiting symptoms
OF torture We know too that il has been used eff
1cctually to heal diseases, without other aid To &C
count Tor this power being in possession of man we
cannot but that no reason why it should be thrust
aside and ridcuIed into obvion-othere are more
things IN heaven and EARTH Horatio than are dreamed
oil IN our philosophy" says the immortal bard and
this Is one of them. But 10 the article Iii headed
"Ercision Of Hen ,cithoA Pain, il, the lesnsric
State "
his operation was performed by Doctor Benia-
MN r. Edwards, at his residence in this CITY on
Tuesday morning last, in the presence of number
oil spectators The patient is young lady about l8
years of age, the daughter of Mr.. - Eyres of
Upper Alton. The wen was situated on the left side
OF the face; the base Of it was one inch and seven
eighths IN length by one inch and five -eighths in
width; the upper part of it being just opposite and
near the opening oil the ear. 1t commenced forming
when she was about two years Old, and has been
gradually increasing. Several months since she ap-
Piled to DIR. Edwards for advice in regard to having
II taken out lie then informed her that if he could
succeed In placing her in inesmerc state he could
remove The wen without pain.
lew su seqnent experiments convinced the
Doctor that Miss Il. was susceptible of the mesmeric
influence to degree sufficient TO warrant him TO at
tempt It's removal IN this state of which she was ac
cordngly Informed. Circumstances however nre-
vented her at that time from submitting TO the ope-
ration, and for some months past she has been resd
ing at Springfield Her great desire to have the wen
removed, and from the fact that it was becoming
PAINFUL induced her TO return for the purpose of hay
ing 1t taken out. The patient had been considerably
agHa'ed during the morning. She was seated in a |
room III "lich there were number Of gentlemen,
most OF WHOM were strangers 10 her, and Dr. f. |
placed her under The Eesmerlc influence in about five
minutes. Alter ascertainng that she was in a pro-
found sleep, an lncion was made inch and three
ciehths IN length and the tumor removed.
Although the operation was necessarily prolonged
TO near hteen mnutes-the doctor not being able to
Use freely but one hand, it was necessary for him
10 act at The same time in the double capacity of
mesmerlzer and oPerator-yet the patient sat with
the hands quietly resting in the lap; the counenance
was placid and serene and the whole attitude that Of
reposc not the slightest trace Of mental emotion
was perceptible, not a twinge or movement of any
KIND was visible, or the least change of respiration
She was kept m the mesmeric sleep lust one hour
Previous 10 waking her, the doctor excited tho or
gaus OF tune and Of mirthiuncss, TO both Of which
responses were obtained. She was also put in COM
muncation with Mr.. G., whom She Immediately re.
cognlz d, aud in answer TO his questions whether She
mad felt any pain from the operation replied that she
had not
"As soon as she was awakened, she placed her
manu- upon the Oandages, and asked, "Wha Is this -
The doctor, fearing that she might disturb them i'm
mcdately removed her hand aud replied 81 have ia
ken out your wen" She looked abou, in perfect as
constituent, and interrogatugly repeated "Takon !
out my wenm Yes" replied the DOCTOR YOU
know That told you that would take il out without
your feeling 1" know that you told me you
could" she laushingy replied, bat did not believe
1t She appeared to have remembrance Of any
thing that had taken place Il would be difficult TO
determine which party eviuced the most delight and
asonlshment-the one having witnessed this novel
and most astounding phenomenon, or the other who
had been unconsclously and almost magically re-
Iieyed from an increasing and troublesome tumor.
Numerous cases of surgical operations without
pain, ia the mesmeric state, have been reported in
England several, also, have been reported in this
4. linv hn L.