The Press., 1893-11-23


 subject Of his dpprOdc1ling dissOlutiOn.
 While he spoke thus I commenced the passes which had already found most effectual in subduing him. He was evil dently influenced with the first lateral stroke of my hand across his forehead, but although exerted all my powers no further perceptible effect was induced until some minutes after 10 o'clock, when Drs. D-and F-c called, according to appointment. I explained to them in a few words what designed, and as they opposed no objection, saying that the pa tient was already in the death agony, l proceeded without hesitation, exchang- ing, however, the lateral passes for down ward ones and directing my gaze entire ly into the right eye of the sufferer.
 By this time his pulse was impercepti- ble and his breathing was stertorous and at intervals of half minute.
 This condition was nearly unaltered for quarter of an hour. At the expi- ration of this period, however, natural although very deep sigh escaped the bosom of the dying man, and the sterto- rous breathing ceased-that is to say, it's stertorousness was no longer apparent. The intervals were undiminished. The patients extremities were of an icy cold ness.
 At 5 minutes before Il I perceived unequivocal signs of the mesmeric in- fuence. The glassy roll of the eye was changed for that expression of uneasy inward examination which is never seen except in cases of sleep waking, and which it is quite impossible to mistake. With few rapid lateral passes made the lids quiver, as in incipient sleep, and with few more closed them altogether. I was not satisfied, however, with this, but continued the manipulations vigor- ously and with the fullest exertion of the will until had completely stiffened the limbs of the slumberer, after placing them in seemingly easy position. The legs were at full length. The arms were nearly so and reposed on the bed at 8 moderate distance from the loins. The head was very slightly elevated.
 When 1 had accomplished this, it was fully midnight, and I requested the gen. tlemen present to examine M. Valdemars condition. After few experiments they admitted him to be in an unusually perfect state of mesmeric trance. The curiosity of both the physicians was greatly ex- cited. Dr. D. resolved at once to re- main with the patient at night, while Dr. F. took leave with promise to return at daybreak. MT. L-l and the nurses remained.
 We left M. Valdemar entirely undis- turbed until about o'clock in the morn ing, when approached him and found him in precisely the same condition as when Dr. F-- went away-that is to say, he lay ill the same position. The pulse was imperceptible, the breathing was gentle (scarcely noticeable, unless through the application of a mirror to the hps), the eyes were closed naturally, and the limbs were as rigid and as cold as marble. Still the general appearance was certainly not that of death.
 As approached M. Valdemar made B kind of half effort to influence his right arm into pursuit of my own, as I passed the latter gently to and fro above his person. In such experiments with this patient had never perfectly succeeded before, and .assuredly had little thought of succeeding now, but to my astonish- ment his arm very readily, although feebly, followed every direction I as. signed it with mine. I determined te hazard few words of conversation.
 ''M. Valdemar," I said, 'are you asleep" He made no answer, but per ceived tremor about the lips and was thus induced to repeat the question again and again. At it's third repeti' tion his whole frame was agitated by a very slight shivering; the eyelids un closed themselves so far as to display g white line ef ball; the lips moved slug gishly, and from between them, in 6 barely audible whisper, issued the words