Six lectures on the philosophy of mesmerism : delivered in the Marlboro' chapel, January 23-28, 1843 / by John Bovee Dods ; reported by a hearer.

  • Dods, John Bovee, 1795-1872.
Date:
1843
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Six lectures on the philosophy of mesmerism : delivered in the Marlboro' chapel, January 23-28, 1843 / by John Bovee Dods ; reported by a hearer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    involuntary nerves that lead to the stomach, and digestion will instantly cease. Then pour a mode- rate current of galvanism from the battery into the stomach, and digestion will immediately commence. Hence, I have clearly proved that the nervo-vital fluid, secreted by the brain, is of a galvanic nature, and is manufactured from electricity which we breathe into the lungs every inspiration we take. And I have, moreover, proved that this electro-mag- netic power is the only matter that can come in contact with mind, and is the only agent by which the will contracts the muscles. Hence, the conclu- sion is absolutely unavoidable, that, by the concen- tration of the mind upon an individual, and by the action of the will, this fluid can be thrown upon an- other person till his nervous system is fully charged. This is Mesmerism. Having these important facts before us, we per- ceive that the subject is one of momentous interest. The nervous system, embracing the brain and all its ramifications, when once diseased, seems to baffle all medical aid and skill. Hence, those upon whom fits of derangement are permanently settled, are abandoned as hopeless ; and of both of these states, we are all more or less in danger. Those persons, particularly, who, on hearing the least good or bad news, are thrown into tremor and agitation, are in danger. Their brains lack the proper quantity of the nervo-vital fluid. It will be remembered that in the nerves of the brain there is no blood. The blood is exclusively confined to the veins and arteries, while the nerves are charged with this nervo-vital fluid, a galvanic substance. Now if the veins and arteries are filled with blood, and if the nerves are fully charged with the galvanic fluid ; in one word, if the circulating system and the nervous system are in perfect balance, health and firmness are the result. But if the circulating system lack its proper quantity of blood, then languor and debility of body are the