How to mesmerise : a manual of instruction in the history, mysteries, modes of procedure, and arts of mesmerism, or, animal magnetism, hypnotism, clairvoyance, thought reading, and mesmeric entertainments / by James Coates.

  • Coates, James, 1843-1933.
Date:
[between 1890 and 1899?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: How to mesmerise : a manual of instruction in the history, mysteries, modes of procedure, and arts of mesmerism, or, animal magnetism, hypnotism, clairvoyance, thought reading, and mesmeric entertainments / by James Coates. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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were a slight modification of those of Mesmer. He held views similar to those who believe in organic electricity and odic force. He believed that this subtle electrical agent pervaded all space, all animated beings, and could be controlled and directed by the will. By its skilful direction clairvoyance and somnambulism could be de- veloped in all. Mesmerism at last found its way across the Channel. Mr. Richard Chenevix, F.R.S., published a series of papers on the subject in the London Medical and Physi- cal Journal for 1829, entitled, “ On Mesmerism, impro- perly called Animal Magnetism.” His experiments attracted the attention of the Faculty—Dr. Elliotson, among others. Baron Dupotet arrived in London about 1831, and commenced a series of experiments—the Baron was a firm believer in Animal Magnetism. These experiments were seen by Dr. Elliotson, who now deter- mined to investigate the subject for himself. The result of the experiments of Dr. Elliotson, which was published in the Lancet, produced a great sensation; and phenomena, which had been regarded as impossible, were constantly produced. Prevision, introvision, sympathy, thought transference, and all the extraordinary features of clair- voyance were established. Writing about this period, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the poet, said :—“ My mind is in a state of philosophical * doubt concerning animal magnetism. For nine years it has been before me. I have traced it historically, col- lected a mass of documents on the subject, have never neglected the opportunity to question eye witnesses, and my conclusion is that the evidence is too strong for a candid mind to be satisfied of its falsehood, or its solubility, on the supposition of imposture, or casual coincidence. ”