The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-01-29
For the GALAXY.
ANIMAL MAGNETISM,-MESM ER-
ISM, &c

sloners of Paris, appointed BY the French
Hing satisfied them that the effects usually
attributed TO Animal Magnetism were the re-
suit ofmere Imagination and Imitation, new
ertheless i: may be well TO examine for our
, selves by what reasonings they arrived at
such conclusion.
The agent which Mesmer affirmed he
had discovered was "a fluid universally diff
fused, and filling all space, being the medi-
um of reciprocal influence between the &C.
lestial bodies, the Earth, and living be-
ines ;-itinsinuated itself into the substance
Of the nerves, upon which therefore, it had
direct operation 1T was capable OF being
communicated from one body TO other bod
les, both animated and inaDmaie, and that
at considerable distance, without the assis-
lance OF any intermediate substance and it
exhibited III the human body some proper
ties analogous 10 those of the loadstone-
Moreover, ''to end this strange eventful his
tory" he sums up in short,-"La Nature
o0re dams ie Magnetism in mgyen IMMERSED
de guerir ct de preSerrcr les hon1aeSr' Mons
Deslon, pupil of Mesmer, undertook TO sup
port his theory and demonstrate the exis-
tence and properties of Animal Magnetism.
His method was precisely the same as That
of Mesmer. In the centre of large room
was placed circular chest of oak. raised a
little from the leor,this was called The Jaquet:
through the lid of the chest ned several
curved rods ofiron. which were grasped each
by subject" The magnetism was also
transmitted from one 10 another by the union
ni their thumbs, BIS cords, and directly BY the
MagnetizeT who fixed his eyes upon the sub
Ject and waved an iron rod before his face
observing. always, the magnetic poles) and
by tho application OF the hands. After this
process had been continued for same time,
the subjects began to manifest various ap-
pearances. Some felt no effect whatever;
others, parlill or universal heats, some wept
immoderately. others laughed some were
agitated and tortured into cOnvulsiors, others
sunk into state of languor aud rambling, or
into drowsiness and even coma. All seemed
/ 10 be completely in the power ofthe Magnet
izer since sign, word, or even look from
him would calm or excite them at his pleas
ure. This state of The subject was termed
the Crisis.
1t was observed that many females
were affected, though but few males that
10 very young children or very old persons
were effected, the crisis being the most
marked between the ages of l2 and 90 that
after one had reached The crisis the rest were
soon in the condition. After several
10 experiment in private. They submitted
to be magnciizedby VI. Deslon, all together,
excluding strangers, once a week for two
hours and half Again and again was the
process repeated. and as often did it fail; not
one Of the eight commissioners experienced
the slightest ctfcct,-the magnet had lost it's
influence, the operator was despoiled of his
power. From this they began 10 suspect
that the eQects they had witnessed in the pub
lie examinations were caused by the opera
ton Of the lmagin7t.on. Several subsequent
experiments afforded hem demonstratiye ev-
idence that this was the case.
According 10 the principles of Mesmer and
lns disciples an inaui.nate object, could be
magnetized so rs TO affect any one who
should touch it or even pass near Accor-
dinghy an apricot tree in DR.. Fran.lin's gar
den at Passy. was selected by NJ. DcsIon
and charged with the subtle fluid; the patient
was then led into the garden hlindiodcd.
After being led 10 several of the trees and
directed 10 embrace each two minutes, lie at /.
length under one Of them fell into the crisis
his limbs became rigid and he exhibited all
the Phenomena of the 'magnetic Sleep"
But alas it was the wrong tree. he had not
been within tieenty; four fee, of the magnet
lied one. ale knew that he was to he car
was aroused and successfully exalted until
il had risen to the pitch necessary to bring on
the crisis" report of Roy. Conn., Many
other experiments fusn;shcd the same result.
Oue more fact will suffice. Two women
were selected by Deslon as peculiarly suscep-
tihie TO magnetic influence. They were blind
folded and made TO believe that they were
being magnetiZed by Deslon, though he was
then absent, and at the moment engaa ed in
an attempt 10 magnetise DIR Franklin; they
each exhibited all the usual characteristics
of a crisis One ofthese women when sent
fsr 10 the house of Mr.. Lavoisier, actually fell
into the crisis before she had seen Deslon or
one Of the commissioners!
With these facts before them, were not
the ROYAL commissioners authorized in de-
Gliding that TO be the mere operation Of the
imagination which had been ascribed TO The
hypothetical agent Magnetism! Was there
ever philosophical truth moro clearly de-
yeloped All the circumstances tended
couclusiyely to the establishment Of the same
point ;-the sex, the age, the physical ccndi-
iion each rendering the imagination more
mohie-and this effect again heightened by
bv the strong action Of the initiative princi
: pie. OF the effect ofths latter principle. we
have every day examples. Indeed, Aristot-
lie was so struck by this propensity in man, /
that he characterizes him as an imifatire ami !
NAL. How many irregular actious of the /
physical organs have been propasatcd from
! one individual TO others by this cause alone /
As familiar examples we may cite yawning, .
siammering, epilepsy, the courage or panic (
which will pervadc an army. the violence of
mobs, the enthusiasm of fanatics. &c.-the
principle is fully established by the authority
Of every metaphyscian of note.
Agaiu-Is it no, more philosophical to ac
count for the effects produced by magneti- !
sers. under the general principles of the hu-
man mind last mentioned, than by admitting
the existence of Il new agent, and new and
complex principles, which, at the very best
are unsatisfactory in their nature and con
Trajectory 10 all past experienced The in |
fluence OF the mind upen the body is pine !
nomenon which we experience in ourselves
observe continually in others. reject upon
not much, but resign its whole armory oil
influences and all their powerful applications
into the hands of the often successful ana ai-
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