The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-01-06
VOL. X.


Of the phthisis, the patient was suspected OF
aneurism of the aorta; but on this point the
osseous symptoms rendered an exact diagno-
sis impossible 1t was the opinion of both
physicians that NJ. Valdemar would die about
midnight on the morrow Sunday. 1t was
then seven O'Clock on Saturday evening.
On quitting the invalid's bedside to hold
converse ZION with myself. Doctors D.
and F. had hidden him final farewell.
Ii had not been their intention to return; but
at my request, they agreed TO look in upon
the patient about ten the next night.
When they had gone, | spoke freely with
NJ. Valdemar on the subject Of bis approach
ing dissolution, as well as, more particularly,
OF the experiment proposed. He still profes
sed himself quite willing and even anxious TO
have it made, and urged me TO commence il
at once. A male and female nurse were in
attendance; but did not feel myself alto
gelher at liberty to engage in a task of this
character with no more reliable Witnesses
than these people, in case Of sudden accident,
might prove. ! therefore postponed opera
tons until about eight the next nj hit, when
the arrival of a medical student with whom
had some acquaintance, (Mr. Theodore
L-l.) relieved me from farther embarrass-
ment. 1t had been my design, originally, TO
wait for the physicians; but | was induced
TO proceed. first, by the urgent enlreaties Of
NJ. Valdemar. and secondly, by my convic
ton that had moi moment to lose, as he
was evidently sinking fast.
Mr.. Il was so kind as to acce de to my
desire that he would take notes of all that oc-
Cured; and it is from his memoranda that
what ! now have to relate is, for the most
part, either condensed or copied rerbatim.
II wanted about five minutes of eight when.
taking the patients hand, begged him TO
state, as distinctly as be could. to Mr.. IL,
whether he IN. Valdemar) was entirely will
ling that | should make the experiment Of
mesmerizing him in his then condition.
He replied feebly. yet quite audibly, Eyes.
wish 10 be misunderstanding mmedi-
ately afterwards, 81 fear you have deferred
it too long"
While he spoke thus, commenced the
passes which had already found most eflec-
iua in subduing him. He was evidently in
fuenced by the first lateral stroke my hand
across his forehead; bnt although / exerted
all my powers, no farther perceptible effect
was induced until some minutes after ten o
clock. when Doctors D. and F. call
ed, according TO appointment. | explained
to them, in few words, what designed, and
as they opposed no objection, saying that the
patient was already in the death agony, ]
proceeded without MISUNDERSTANDING.
however, the lateral passes for downward
oaes, and directing my gaze entirely into the
right eye Of The sufferer.
By this time his pulse was impercep;ihle
and his breathing was steriorions, and at in
tervals of half minute.
This condition was nearly unaltered for 2
quarter Of an hour. At the expiration of this
period, however, a natural although a very
deep sigh escaped the dying man, and the
stertorious breathing ceased-ihat is to say.
its stertoropsness was no longer apparent
the intervals were undimnished. The pa
TENTS extremiiics were of an icy GOODNESS.
At five minutes before eleven perceived
unequivocaI signs of the mesmeric influence
The CLASSY rel Of the eye was changed fOi
that expression CT uneasy in,rdrd examlna-
iicn which is never seen except in cases ol
sIeep-waking, and which it is quite impossi-
bic to mistake. With a few rapid lateral pas
SEES ] made the lids culver. as in incipienl
sleep, and with few more closed them al
together. | was not satisfied, however, with
this, but continued the manpuIations vi gor-
Ousv, and with the fullest exertion Of the
will, until | had completely stiflened the
limbs of the slumberer, after placing them in
seeming easy position. TIE legs were al
full length; the arms were nearly so, and re-
posed on the bed at moderate distance from
the IOins. The head was very slightly eleva-
ted
When I had accomplished this, it was full
Iy midnight, and requested the gentlemen
present to examine NJ. VaIdemar's condition
After few experiments, they admitted him
TO be in an unusually perfect state OF mes
merle trance. The curiosity Of both the ply
scians was greatly excited. DIR. D re-
solved at once to remain with the patient all
night, while DR.. F. took leave with a
promise 10 return at day break. Mr.. -
and the nurses remained.
We left NJ. Valdemar entirely uDdisturbed
until about 3 O'Clock in the morning. when ]
approached him and found him in precisely
the same condition as when DIR. F. went
away-that is 10 say, he lay in the same po-
sition; the pulse was imperceptible; the
breathing was gentle scarcely noticeable, un-
less through the application of mirror to
the lips); the eyes were closed naturally :;
and the limbs were as rigid and and as cold
as marble. Still, the general appearance was
certainly not that ofdeath.
As | approached Nj. Valdemar I made a
kind of half effort to influence his right arm
INTO pursuit of my own, as | passed the latter
gently TO and fro above his person. In such
experiments with this patient had never per-
iectly succeeded before, and assuredly l had
little thought of succeeding now but to nv
establishment, his arm very readily, although
feebly, followed every direction | assigned il
with mine. | determined TO hazard a few
words of conversation.
an. Valdemar," said. ''are YOU asleep ~
He made no answer, but / perceived ire
NOR about his lips, and was thus induced to
repeat the question, again and again. AT its
third repetition, his whole frame was agita-
ted by very slight shivering; the eye-lids
Enclosed themselves so far as to display a
white line of the ball the lips moved slug
gishly. and ftom between them, in barely
audible whisper, issued the words:
Yes;-asleep DOW. Do not wake me!
let me die so ~
l here felt the limbs and found them as rig
Id as ever. The right arm. as before, obey
ed the direction of my hand. l questioned
the sleep-waker again:
'Ds you still feel pain in the breast, NJ.
Valdemar ~