The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-05-21
EXPERIMENTS IN MAGNETISAI
Savnnts Test the Effects or Magnetic Flee
tricity on the Human BODY.

tricity on tho Human Body.
DR.. Frederick Peterson OF the College Of
Physicians and Surgeons and A. E Kennedy.
chief engineer OF the Edison Laboratory and
Vice-President Of the American Institute Of
Electrical Engineers. have been conducting Q
series OF interesting experiments at the Ed.
son Laboratory. at Orange. to test the effects
OF magnets and electricity on the human body.
They were moved to make these experiments
by Charcot's experiments in physical Magnet
ism in Paris and tho experiments OF several
German Investigators to test the possibility OF
curing fits and other nervous disorders By
electricity or magnetism. They were also In.
terested in finding out whether there was NOT
at the root Of hypnotism and hypnotic expert.
ments n force somewhat corresponding to the
forco of an electrical current which came from
the operator and affected the will power and
nervous organism OF the subject. .
1t has been the theory with some students
that the power OF the will over the nerves 10
somewhat akin to the electric current and
consists in invisible vibrations which by their
impact affect tho nerves which como from the
brain and will. and ~thatlwhat Is known as will
power OF one person over another person 10
really the influence OF the will waves coming
from the person with the stronger organism
and falling on the nerves and senses Of the
subject with the weaker organism. This theory
is that there is some form OF physical motion
which excites the nerves and causes all Of
their actions. and in this way the hitherto un-
discovered connection between the mind and
tho nerves and muscles NAV be explained.
without going into his theory DR.. Peterson
and Mr.. Kennedy conducted q series Of or.
periments extending over a considerable time
to observe the effect OF magnets and electric
currents on the human system. They have
reported the results OF their observations to
the American Electro Therapeutic Associa-
ton and the section in neurology OF tho New
York Academy OF Medicine. They instance
the belief OF certain French md German
specialists that electricity and magnetism
have effects on the human organism. and that
certain forms OF hysteria are better treated By
the magnet than by drugs. This claim IL that
a magnet increases the resistance to
terra. 1t also followed from this claim
may be followed by pain and interfSronc"s with
the digestion and respiration. According to
ne oiierence in the currents OF the poles Of
The two investigators went to Mr.. Edison's
dogs. frogs. boys. and themselves. They took
a huge magnet, wnich had an Intensity In the
%centimetre, A. drop of water, placed on the
glass slide in this magnetic field WAS distorted
bar iron and other mineral substances was
the ordinary Of oct Of 4 mgGnes Intensified sc-
and DIV Win 'fross blood. The rie'S blood Ssi" taiisd e
show any traces OF polarization. movement. or
movement OF tie blood could be found. When
through The frogs legs by means OF a Copper
wire placed upon one toe the circulation Of the
S S52Ss sG diiSt s,ddrc Whe anf the Sss sssae aed x tas s SSito cd
the circulation again became normal. This
current. as. under other conditions. no
such symptoms were observed TO attend thS
influence Of the magnet,
magnetism Increases the resistance to. con. |
in motor nerves and causes paralysia |
large Held maghets and Kept there Tor ayS |
hours under the influence OF q strong mag
n ne sSrs ear re #. The The . sIS ru seemed to hays
IS he went in Then a boy was placed between
me magnets and q magnetic current was
The magnetic current was strong enouRhto !
balance 2 heavy holt IN the air and to oontraet +,
hat II required the efforts OF several men 70
heir men took turns in lying down on q board
,laced between the poles OF q huge mAgnSs
5na t oS. sasssn xo ost:Tn sSiay s sSsns sri Ga nd e f e.
he pulse. The second observer would OBJ.
urn the current on and of. No changes were !
observed In tho tracings or In the respirstion I
" In any other way. One subject held . steel
IS attraction whether, the current was on IN
,ther kind.
Tho observers concluded that the human
is in no manner affected by the most
magnets known. and that the brain I
md the nerves get no sensations or Impulses
rom the magnets. They FAY that 1t may be
,ossible that some day magnets may be In
'econd IL high enough aud the force strong
enough TO produce effects on the nervous sys-
but that so far as the experimental show |