The New York herald., 1844-12-21
Meeting OF the New York Practical Mag
netic Medical Society.

Meeting OF tho New York Practical Mag
netic Medical Society.
This association, which has been in existence
about three months, held meeting last night at
Columbia Hall, in Grand street. There were
about hundred persons present, respectable look
ing, and evidently much engaged with the subject
Of animal magnetism OF these, a large propor-
tlon were females, Of every age-from the bloom
ing girl of sixteen, 10 the old, wrinked and spec
taced matron of threescore. 1t appears that this
society is composed of number OF persons, who
believe in the truth of magnetic phenomena-of
their applicability to useful purposes and who
bent upon investigating, IN a practical manner,
their nature. AS far as the constitution Of the as
sociation is expressive of its views, they do not
seem to be possessed with the fanaticlsm, too pre-
vaent on the subject Of mesmerlsm; nor is il like
ly that much mischief would follow the cautious,
restricted, and temperate examination OF the phe.
ncmena, which are alleged to be produced, and
which, certainly cannot, judging from last nights
proceeding, consistently with the evidence of our
senses, be altogether decried =
When the room was rolerably well filled with
missbe on this occasionally A. STRONG, the
leading person connected with the Association,
was called to the Chair, and Mr.. Ross to act az
Secretary. The minutes o. the last meeting were
read and adopted, after which the election Of off,
GERS for the next three months occupied nearly an
honr 1T the s0irSe.
The PRESIDENT then said that the meeting was
open for business, and reminded them that the sub
jec discussed at their last meeting, namely-"Does
the active principle of Magnetism affect the blood
or the nerves., was open still to any remarks that
might be offered, after which they would proceed
10 make some experiments. "a long pause)
PREsTDENT-ls there any one to speak hope
members will, without hesitation, state their views
on the subject.
A MEmBER-I hope DR.. Strong will give us his
own opinion.
PREsIDENT-I have already given them, at the
| last meeting indeed, have nearly worn myself
| out in treating it. (Another long pause.)
| member here called for DR., Skinner.
PREsIDENT-Dr. Skinner is called upon, and we
expect he will favor Ms with few remarks.
| Dr. SKINNER replied, that TO do justice to the sub
ject would take long time, and require to bring ur
| the fundamental principles upon which health de.
pended, and various topics connected with the hu-
| man organization; under these circumstances, he
preferred declining to address the meeting that
evening tAnoher solemn cessation OF specify
a MEMsER M B..., you any other remarks to
PRESIDENT. have no further remarks to make
in reference to the subject fer discussion but may
say that for few days have thought good deal
and it's effects upon individuals, and have drawn ui
few remarks on paper, which will SUBMIT TO the
Society, if they WISH Should they approve Of
them they can adopt, or take some other course in
| regard to them, just as they please.
| A MEMBER.-I move that they be read.
The motion being adopted mem con-,
| The PRESIDENT proceeded to read brief docu
nent setting forth the objects Of their association
be abused by the quackery, ignorance and extrava
gance OF njudcious, but, above all, designing ad
vooates. Ia expressing the hostility of the Society
TO all such procedure, it appeared to be very well
understood that the remarks were intendedto apply
to late humhug exhibition Of professor who ID
now IN this city, and which was reported in the
Herald. They seemed to be we'll received, aRC
were adopted at once by the meeting.
/ dAc
OF making any observations?-( (Another long stop.)
should like to hear any person SO disposed.
MEMBER asked if 1t was not in contemplation
| to publish them
PEEsIDgNr-The Society can do for that as they
| like
II was then moved that they should be publish
ed by authority, which motion was adopted.
| The PRESIDENT, in reply TO some observations oi
a member, stated that they were daily witnesses
of the perversion to which the science Of magnet
ism was exposed by those claiming to be friends
Of the cause. He had invariably showed thai
persons when they were slightly-perhaps for two
| or three months acquainted with the subject they
fancied they knew more than otheys who had stu
died It for years. These persons very frequently
deceived themselves and Others, by attempting L
do what they could not, and were ready to swal
low all the humbugs OF the day. II was one Of the
| duties Of this association to guard against mpos
tion. The effects were easily produced upon I
nagnetized subject, and people too generally mis-
took symptoms for clairvoyance, which was ne
such thing. 1t was for this reason most liable Il
be perverted, and it was but TOO true that shrewt
men could counterfeit and disgrace what wa
that they were called upon to denounce the con
duct of those false friends of the cause, and t
avoid theorizing too much, and give their proceed
ings as practical character as they could
The SECRETARY said that he would be glad to sc,
the vote recommended, as there was but one rer
son in this city at present who practised in public
| he would imagine the remarks were intended TO
him, and he would ask DR.. Strong if he wishet
| that.
] A MEMBER here arose and said that there wa
mere than one person who did SO for il wa
pretty well known that a member Of their society
was IN the habit Of practising, and he believed tha
person to be mistaken IN his views. The speake
| here detailed case In which in was the subjec
operated upon, and in which he was acting th
whole time. and concluded with saying that DR.
Rogers was not alone in his line
| The SECRETARY said that il the gentleman had
any charges of malpractice to make he should do i
openly and not IN covert way, and in the abseHc,
OF the person alluded to.
THE MEMRER-I do intend to found charg,
| upon the case.
| A pretty long discussion here arose upon the ques
ton OF re-conslderDg the vote for publishing tn,
Presidents document, during which several mem
bers denounced, as an imposture, the proceeding
and pretensons OF the Magnetic Professor abov,
! alluded to-and upon second vote il was resolved
that the document should be published in th,
| Herald
| After this was disposed of, a very learned pape
upon the magnetic fluid, and signed by LADY, wa
read to the Society. She was decidedly oppose,
| TO the theory that the mesmeric fluid had a con
necton with the blood. She illustrated her view
by chemical analysis Of lucifer matches and othe
combustible m terials; but we did not discove
that there was any definite proposition made in th
/ document. II was received and recorded.
When this business was all disposed Of AN indus
trious search among the audience took place for Fl
and proper subjects for few experiments. Tn
search proved fruitless however, none Of the adle
being willing to take of their bonnets, and none o
the gentlemen disposed to be the amusement fth
company. At length the President announced tha
Mr.. Rose, upon whom the mesmeric sleep had beel
already produced, had consented to submit for
| short time 10 the influence.
Mr. Rose, came forward, sat down, and intma
ted 10 DR.. Strong that he did not wish to be mucl
agitated, as on former occasions he felt the effect
| IN his arms OF over exertion The subject was stou
aud well built, ofrather ford CO mple on, and by NJ
means giving any Indication OF a nervous or owe
sangulne temperament The operation was simple
| and effected In about 40 seconds. No immediate
hama L L.