Interval : mesmerism and hypnosis.

Alyn Shipton looks back at Franz Anton Mesmer's captivating and intriguing public mesmeric ceremonies which so fascinated medics, artists and writers in the Victorian era. Charles Dickens, for instance, became closely involved with the medic John Elliotson's mesmeric work, and subsequently appeared to successfully mesmerise his own wife, Kate. James Braid modernised mesmerism, changing its name to hypnotism and abandoning many of its more theatrical aspects. The programme ends with Shipton being hypnotised by Paul McKenna and feeling thoroughly relaxed.