Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-25
EXPERIMENTS IN MAGNETISM
Savants Test the Effects of Magnetic Elec-
tricity on the Human Body.

Savants Test the Effects of Magnetic Elec
tricity on the Human Body
From the New York Sun
DIR. 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 a
series of interesting experiments at the Edison
laboratory at Orange to test the effects of mag
nets and electricity on the human body. They
were moved to make these experiments bv
Charcot's experiments in physical magnetism
in Paris and the experiments of several Ger
man investigators to test the possibility of cur
ing fits and other nervous disorders by cleo
tricity or magnetism. They were also inter
ested IN finding out whether there was not at
the root of hypnotism and hypnotic expert
ments force somewhat corresponding to the
force of an electrical current which came from
the operator and affected the Will power and
nervous organism Of the subject
Ii has been the theory with some students
that the power of the will over the nerves is
some what akin to the electric current and con-
sists In invisible vibrations which by their i'm
pact affect the nerves which come from the
brain and will, and that what 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 sub
lect 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 undiscov-
cred connection between the mind and the
nerves and muscles may be explained.
Without going into this theory Dr. Peterson
ard Mr.. Kennedy conducted a series of exper-
lments extending over a considerable time
to observe the effects Of magnets and electric
currents on the human system. They have
reported the results of their observations to
the American Electro Therapeutic Association
and the section in neurology of the New York
Academy of Medicine. They instance the
BELIEF OF certain French and German specialists
that electricity and magnetism have effects
on the human organism, and that certain forms
OF hysterla are better treated bv the magnet
than by drugs. This claim 10 that a magnet
increases the resistance TO conduction in the
motor nerves and so causes a decrease of pain
or excitement or hysteria. 1t also followed
from this claim that the excessive improper
use of magnets may be followed by pain and
interference with the digestion and respiration.
According to the difference IN the currents of
the poles OF the magnets the organic activity
would be excited or allayed.
Inc Two investigators went to Mr.. Edison's
laboratory ana tried experiments on cats,
dogs, Irogs' boys ana themselves. They took
huge magnet. when mad an intensity in the
magnetic heid oil o'ooo Z. U. 5. lines to a square
cenlimeter: drop OF water placed on the
glass sh ne In THIS nagnetlc held was distorted
IN shape oy the magnetc force. The effect on
uar ol iron anu o.ner mineral substances was
Me ordinary effect OF magnet, intensified ac-
cording 10 the strength OF the magnet used
linen experiments were made with human
and win frog plood- Inc piooo Jailed TO show
any traces OF poiarization, movement or vlora-
tion. In the case OF nve frogs, no influence OF
the magnet on the blood cells or the movement
o! the blood could De found. When the cleo
tricai current was passed directly through the