Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-09-26
ANIMAL MAGNETISM AT HAMPSTEAD.

Public interest has again been excited, and
the infdelhy Of the few that stand out against
Animal Magnetism shaken, By an account which
has just been published in the Hemp stead In.
quirer, of surgical operation performed in that
village by Dr. French, while the patient was in
The magnetic sleep. The lady operated upon
was Mrs Dunn. wife of Mr. Dunn, Principal Of
the Hampstead Academy; and the medical
witnesses were Drs Davidson and Snediker.--
II appeared that tnmor had been for some
time growing upon the front part Of Mrs DIS
left shoulder, and had recently become SO
much enlarged as to afford her considerable un.
casness. she had, therefore, consented to its
excison: but was not aware, when thrown into
the magnetic sleep by her husband, that it was
to be made then. Previous to the extrpation
of the tumor, one of the gentlemen made
slight punc,ure with pin in the back part Of
Mrs Dams neck whereupon Mrs Dunn man
iesled pain. and raised her hand To her neck
or concert. The account proceeds:
"Mr Dunn led her into the hack room, and
having seated her in ordinary chair, DR.. French
commenced the operation. placed myself as direct
y IN front OF her a the posi- ion Of the operation
would allow, and with my attention directed more
especially to her countenance than the operation it.
>e, could not perceive the slightest change in the
expression of her face, from the commencement to
the end Of il. Not a mus lie moved-not fibre
any one to suppose that she not enjoying quiet
and undis,u bed Sleep AZ er the tumor, which was
about two inches IN length and about inch and
half in its greatest thickness had been taken out the
lips of the wound, which about three inches in
length. were brought together by couple of sutureS
and the whole secured by sticking plaster aud bnno-
ges. No more indication of pain or consciousness
was Occasione by passing the needle in taking the
stitches than was produced by the first ncision; and
20 tar as the evidence Of our lenses could afford
| proof there was every reason TO believe that the
| whole operation had been performe without her hav
ing the leas, knowledge Of it, and without any suffer.
| ing whatever.
"She was now lei back into the other room. and
replaced in the rocking chair-.nd a small neck
handkerchief having been thrown over her shoulders,
To cover n slight stain of Hood, Mr. Dunn by few
reverse passes restored her to Consciousness In
ply IN an Q rvaion that she had had quite nap a
said she had ami that she felt better for ii, The i-
| NOR having been mentioned, she was told that the
physicians had examined il, and had concluded to DO
nothing more with II al present. She expressed con-
| siderable disappointment and Icing asked If she
would consent next week 10 he mesmerised, and In
It taken out she answered in the negative and said
that il II became necessary 10 have il removed, she
| would prefer to lie IN a state of consciousness. DR.
French asked her if she had experienced any pain o.
uncomfortable non during her sleep. She saif
she had not, and the DR.. then asked her what sh,
would Think il he should tell her that il had been re
novel She turned her eyes towards her shoulder
and perceiving small spot Of blood lower down OF
her Dress with n cnuntenance indicating much nnx
ety, she asked her husband if il was out, The umo
was shown TO her, and she evnced considerable
agitation"
The parties TO this transaction are all we
known in Hampstead, and their standing AM
| position are such as TO preclude all idea of de
cepion.-Ere. Post