The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-09-15
Wonderful Mesmerio Feats.
HAPPENINGS INTIIE EDITORIAL PRESENCE
THAT MUST THEREFORE, BE REAL.

Upon special invitation sent them, a
number of physicians, lawyers and scien-
tificgentlemen assembled in the Com
mercial editorial rooms recently to
witness a private entertainment given
| by the Profs. Kennedy, the mesmer-
lists. Five irst.class subjects were Sc
lected and they were compelled to do
things that amazed those present, espe-
cially the physicians. Numerous tests,
such rs causing the subject to cry,
laugh, move restlessly around on their
chairs and make ugly faces at imagi-
nary persons whom they disliked, were
gone through with, and the Professors
then tried more difficult tests, and in
every instance were successful with all
the subjects.
A silver dollar was placed upon the
floor and the subjects were told that
they could have the dollar if they could
pick it up and hold on to it, A rush
and scramble was made for the piece
of money, but on account of an imagi-
nary heat it possessed not one of the
subjects could more than merely touch
it. The Professors removed the i'm
preston that the coin was hot, and one
of the subjects grabbed it up and stick
ing it down his pantaloons pocket,
walked away with it smiling. But ne
didn't go far until the coin began to
burn him, and he undoubtedly suffered
great torture before he could get the
money out of his pocket and threw it
away. This test was successfully
worked on all the subjects
The Professors next removed the
sense OF smell from the subjects, and a
bottle Of ammonia was held under their
noses, but not the slightest effect did
it have upon them. Prof. Thomas
William Tobin, who was present, re-
quested permission to try the ammonia,
and the room in which the Eentertain-
ment was given was completely
filled with strong odor of ammonia,
so strong that the eyes of several of
those in the room became watery. The
saturated paper was then rubbed under
the noses of the mesmerized subjects,
but not the slightest effect was notice
able upon their eyes, which, by the way
were wide open. Prof Tobin wa
thoroughly convinced that the subjects
had really been deprived of the sense
of smell.
The next test consisted of making
the subjects drink castor oil under the
impression that it was strained honey.
"A four ounce bottle of the nauseatng
oil was produced, and the subjects
fought and showed each other around
to gain possession of it. They each
took pull at the vile stuff, and smack
ing their lips, asked for more. When
the impression was removed and the
| subjects became aware of what they
had been taking they grew rather sick,
but with wave of the Professors hand
before their faces the bad taste in their
mouths was instantly removed
Two cf the subjec were next sew
ed together with doubled thread. The
needle was stuck through their cheeks,
and Professor Tobin pulled the thread
partly through to convince himself that
the needle had actually penetrated the
flesh. The subjects were allowed to
stand sewed together a few moments,
and when brought to were entirely un-
conscious of what had just occurred,
although n person to look at them
while they We're being sewed would
suppose that they We're conscious of
everything going on about them.
Several interesting and amusing tests
were given and the entertainment con
cluded. The gentlemen present We're
so utterly surprised at the performance
that they did not undertake to offer
any sort of explanation for the won
derlul things they had witnessed. They
all decided to go home and dream over
it, and then read all the works on
mesmerism that they could ged Hold of.
| -LouiSUjUe COmnlerciaI