Hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1843-1845, 1844-02-15
yIeSsuerism...PrO dc EOmne.
vile.


Vile.
In another column we publish commu-
nication or extract from the Boston Medi-
cal Journal To US the article PROBES moth |
ing beyond the fact that while perhaps fifty
or hundred attend Lectures here on Mes
merism, thousands attend the same in Bos.
ton. We shall not quarrel about the char.
acter or intellectual! calibre of these several
audiences, as we are bound to take Tor
granted that they are just as intelligent as
those who would insnuate that they are
pack Of fools and ignoramuscs. Neither do
we set up ourself to defend Mesmerism.
We do not know enough about it to do that.
What our eyes see, while we are in a heal
thy state, we must view as ocular demon
stration and not as mere effect Of the inn
agination. We have seen Prof. DE Bonne-
Vile put several persons in state OF cata-
lepsy, and while in this unconscious state,
without the least sensation, we have heard
him carry on conversation with such per-
sons, when no one else, unless put in COM
munication with them, could make them
hear. No movement, no change OF coun-
tenance in the patient, was perceptible. He
sa vs. that this is all done by conveying the
| nervous fluid in his own person to the pa
tient, accompanied by his will While the
patient was in this unconscious state we
have seen the mesmerser, touch the organ
of tune in a person wholly unacquainted
wi tn phrenology, and that person would
sing. He would then touch the organs of
motion and perpendicularity, and the per-
son would dance, although unaccustomed
to dance. And so with several Of the or
gans. He Processes, through the aid OF
Ciairvoyance, to have ascertained not only
the organs but the poles Of several organs
or nerves, by touching or magnetising
which, while the patient is in a state OF cat.
alepsy, he can produce or cure certain ner
vous and other diseases. His experiments
seem to corroborate the truth Of his theory
We have not room to mention half the
wonders he performs. We are glad to SEE
misery relieved in the most speedy manner
. and if Mesmerism will do it, we shall moi
condemnit. The only question we feel a
all anxious to settle is, Is Mesmerisn
fraught with more harm than good Un
til that question is settled we shall no
} feel inclined either warmly to advocate o
: dogmatically to condemn this occult science
, The numerous and respectable certifi
Gates in the possession Of Professor de Bon
neville, show that he has effected man
, important cures and alleviated much sui
eering. He has never killed patient. tina
Y we know of; and now let all the doctors
e those especially who are exceedingly ma
. against him-who feel innocent in the mat
ter, least the first stone." Wake.
VI Professor De Bonneville remained in DE-
}. troit about six months, and was subject
At the closest scrutiny Of the most scicntifi
of that city. Hear what the Daily Advel
tiser of that place says of him:
Animal Magnetism. Nothing ca
II exceed the excitement which pervades th
IL community on the subject of animal mag
4. netism Invalids OF all descriptions, ar
:. fiocking to the city from distance of thi
/" ty or forty miles. to be cured of their di
h. eases. Mr. De Bonneville is so harrasse
with applications for relief that he ca
3 scarcely get time to eat or sleep, and he nj
" unfrequently has to secrete himself, in o
der to secure necessary repose. We hardl
d know what to think or to say. Certain
i. is, that sSme very extraordinary cures hay
been effected. The man who has hobbe
lie upon crutches for years, has been enable
ID suddenly to lay aside these artificial help
and to walk with casc--the palsied arr
1t which has hung helpless and useless f
al months has been restored to its wonted u
tivity and vigcr; hands supposed to ha'
n been hopelessly clenchcd by rheumatic d
m fections, have been suddenly loosed ar
permitted to resume their appropriate fun
sir tons. That these cures have been wrong
, 2 there can be no doubt. The subjects
them arc our fellow citizens, and have bee
es known for years.
70 But hush What are we saying II
Doctors will be upon u.s."