The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1846-02-11

turally led me to anticipate. His will was at no
period positively, or thoroughly under my con
troll and in regard 10 cIairvoyance, could ac-
compsh with him nothing TO be relied upon.
always attributed my failure at these points to
the dsordered state Of his health. For some
months previous TO my becoming acquainted with
him, his physicians had declared him in a con-
| friped phthiss. 1t was his custom, indeed, 10
speak calmly Of his approaching dissolution, rs
of matter neither TO be avoided nor regretted.
When the ideas TO which have alluded first
occurred to me, it was of couise very natural
that should think of NJ. Valdemar | knew the
steady philosophy of the man too we'll to appres
hend any scruples from him; and he had no re-
latives in America who would be likely to inter
fere. | spoke to him frankly upon the subject;
and, to my surprise, his interest seemed wildly
excited. ! say TO my surprise, for, although he
had always yielded his person freely TO my ex-
perimonts, he had never before given me any
tokens of sympathy with what did His disea Sc
was of that character which would admit of exact
calculation in respect TO the epoch of its termina-
ton in death; and it was finally arranged between
us that ho would send for me about twenty-four
hours before the period announced by his physi-
clans as that Of his decease.
1t is now rather more than seven months since
| received from NJ. Vademar himself the subjoin.
ed note:
My Dear P: You may as we'll come no,c
D. and F. are agreed that cannot hold
out beyond tomorrow midnight; and think they
have hit the time very nearly. VALpEMAR.
received this note within half an hour after
it was written, and in fifteen minutes more was
in the dying mans chamber. | had not seen
| hin, f,r 10 md lloI bx-t tbo Eoor
full alteration which he brief interval had wro'
in him. His face wore leaden hue; the eyet
were utterly ustreless; and the emacaton was
so extreme that the skin had been broken thro
by the cheek bones. His expectoraton was eX-
ccssiye. The pulse was barely perceptible. He
retained, nevertheless, in very remarkable
manner, both his mental power and a certain de
gree Of physical strength. He spoke with dis
tnctness-took some palliative medicines with
ont aid-and, when entered the room, was oc
cupied in pencilIing memoranda in a pocket
book. He was propped up in bed by pillows
Doctors d - and F. we're in attendance.
After pressing Vadcmar's hand, took these
gentlemen aside, and obtained from them mi
nuto account of the patients condition. The lief
lung had been for eighteen months in a semi
osseous or cartlaginous stale, and was, of course
entirely useless for all purposes of vitality The
fright, in IFS upper portion, was also partially,
not thoroughly, ossifed, while the lower regior
was merely mass of purulent tubercles, running
one into another. Several extensive perfora
lions existed; and at one point. permanent ad
hesion to the ribs had taken place These ap
pearances in the right lobe were of comparative
ly recent date. The ossfcation had proceeded
with very unusual rapidity; no sign of it hac
been discovered month before and The adhc
sion had only been observed during the three
previous days. Independent of the phhisis, the
patient was suspected of eneurism of the aorta
but on this point the osseOus symptoms rendered
an exact diagons impossible. 1t was the opinion
of both physicians that M. Valdemar would die
about midnight on the morrow Sunday. 1t was
then seven O'Clock on Saturday evening.
On quitting the invad's bedside 10 hold con
versaton with myself, Doctors D and F.
had bidden him final farewell. 1t 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 M
IVademar on the subject Of his approaching dis
solution, as we'll as, more particularly, of the ex
pertinent proposed He still professed himself
WlIIlHb anu eNCH dllNOuS 10 nave IL lldue
and urged me 10 commence it at once. A male
and female nurse were IN attendance; but die
not feel myself altogether at liberty TO engage in
a task OF this character with no more reliable wit
nesses than these people, in case of sudden ac
cident, might prove. | therefore postponed ope
rations till about eight the next night, when the
arrival ofmedcaI students with whom had some
acquaintance, (Mr. Theodore L-I,) relieved
me from farther embarrassment. 1t had been my
design, originally to wait for the physicians; but
| was induced TO proceed, first, by the urgent ell.
treaties of NJ Valdemar, and secondly, by my
conviction that had not moment 10 lose, as he
was evidently sinking fast.
Mr.. Il was so kind as to accede TO my
desire that he would take notes of all that oc-
cured; and it is from his memoranda that what
| now have 10 relate is for the mos. part, ehel
condensed or copied rerbdtim.
II wanted about five minutes Of eight when
taking the patients hand, begged him to state,
as distinctly as he could, to Mr. L. !, whether
he (M. Valdemar,) was entirely willing that
should make the experiment of mesmerizng him
in his then condition.
He replied feebly, yet quite audbly, "Yes,
wish TO be mesmerlze d"--adding Immediately
afterwards, 8" fear you have deferred il too long,
While he spoke thus, commenced The passes
which had already found most elIectnal in sub
DUNG him. He was evidently influenced with
the first lateral stroke of my hand across bis fore
head; but although exerted all my powers, nc
farther perceptible effect was induced until some
minutes after ten o'clock, when Doctors D
and F. called, according TO the appointment
| explained to them, in few words, what de.
signed and as they opposed no objection, saying
that the patient was already in the death agony,
| proceeded without hestaton--exchangin
however, the lateral passes for downward ones,
and directing my gaze entirely into the right eye
Of the sufferer.
| BY this time his pulse was impercepiible, and
his breathing was slertorous, and at intervals Of