Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-11-24
4 MEsMERIC EXaIRf ION.
Medical sIen Treated 10 Wonderful
Performance.

Performance.
a Chronicle reporter, while walking
along Geary street yesterday afternoon,
was puzzled TO know where all the doctors
came from. Something was evidently up,
50 he determined to follow the next batch
q VI. DIS that came along. But short
distance and they turned into ia Geary
street. The next that. came along was
upon being interviewed by the reporter, he
whispered almost inaudibly: Kennedy,
the mesmerist, is going to give an exhibit
ton to the medical profession" The re-
porter made up his mind to be present,
walked up stairs and was admitted without
objection
Mr. Kennedy introduced his four sub
jects, placed them on chairs, and went
through the usual form, such as asking
them to grasp the left wrist with the right
hand, and then making severalpasses on
the forehead and bridge of the nose In
less time than it can be described the sub
jects were hypnotized. One subject was
placed IN perfectly rigid state, his head
placed on the back of char and his
heels on the back Of another chair. Then
Alexander Badlam was asked to sit astride
on the body, which he did, his weight, 30
pounds, not affecting the subject in the
least. Another subject was then paralyzed
on one-half of his body, the medicos stick
ing needles through his tongue, ear, and
almost any vital part OF his body. While
this was being done the subject sang some
comical songs, not being in the least dis
comtited by the needles being poked into
him. Another subject drank potion con-
tanning thirty grains of ipecac, the highest
dose given as a powerful emetic, without
any effect whatever. One subject ate a
boxful of copaiva capsules for gum drops,
and seemed, Judging by his facial express
sion, to relish them, and after finishing
asked for more. There being no more Mr..
Kennedy gave him the box, which he ate
with the same gusto. Many more expert
ments of this kind were made, the most
deadly poisons being given without any
effect.
One subject while under the influence
and singing was treated to shocks from a
powerful battery, but continued his sing
ing as if nothing were going on. The same
subject held the electrodes in his hands
and laid them down quietly upon the table
when told to do so-a feat which it would
be impossible to perform were the subject
not in a hypnotic state.
One of the features of the exhibition was
an understanding between Mr.. Kennedy
and DIR. Martin Regensburger that the
former instruct his subject to murder the
doctor while sitting with his back turned
at his desk, for some money which he had
concealed in his vest pocket. Mr.. Ken
nedy produced a pistol, the subject stole
up slowly behind the doctors back, pulled
the trigger five times, the doctor dropped
on the floor, the murderer bounced upon
his victim, tore his watchchain to pieces.
ripped open his vest and would have done
further damage had not the mesmerist in
terposed. 1t was most thrilling scene,
which made the blood of the spectators
run cold.
Gentlemen present then volunteered as
Subjects and George c. Perkins, Alexan-
der Badlam, d. r. Williams, DR.. Ferrer,
Fulton Berry and Others were placed under
m&meric influence, creating great merri-
ment among the assemblage, performing
wonderful feats not to be mentioned 10 the
public. Mr.. Kennedy fully satisfied these
gentlemen that his performance was genu-
inc, and that his skill was of the most
wonderful kind
The following gentlemen were present {:
Drs. Martin Regensburger, Ferrer, CHS
more, Won Hoffman, Kerr, Whitwell, Ar
mold, Williams, Sherman, Kahn, LeFevre,
j. Regensburger, A. Regensburger, Mont
gomery, and Messrs. George C. Perkins,
Alexander Badlam, NJ. II. de Young,
Richard Tobin, Frank Brown, Thomas r.
Knox, Fulton Berry, Whitweli and E. 0.
Regens5urger.-.S. +. Chronicle.