Animal magnetism / by Alfred Binet and Charles Féré.

  • Binet, Alfred, 1857-1911.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Animal magnetism / by Alfred Binet and Charles Féré. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    pianoforte; tbat his agitation is increased by a more lively movement, and that bis convulsions then become more violent. Patients are seen to be absorbed in tbe search for one another, rushing together, srniling, talking afïectionately, and endeavouring to modify their crises. They are ail so submissive to the magnetizer that even when they appear to be in a stupor, his voice, a glance, or sign will rouse them from it. It is impossible not to admit, from ail these results, that some great force acta upon and masters the patients, and that this force appears to résidé in the magnetizer. This convulsive State is termed the crisis. It bas been observed that many women and few men are subject to such crises; that they are only established after the lapse of two or three liours, and that when one is established, others soon and successively begin. “When the agitation exceeds certain limits, the patients are transported into a padded room ; the women’s corsets are unlaced, and they may then strike their heads against the padded walls without doing themselves any injury.” Mesmer, wearing a coat of lilac silk, walked up and down ainid this palpitating crowd, together with Desion and his associâtes, whom lie chose for their youtli and comeliness. Mesmer carried a long iron wand, with whicli lie touched tlie bodies of the patients, and especi- ally those parts wliich were diseased; often, laying aside the wand, lie magnetized them with his eyes, lixing his gaze on thcirs, or applying his liands to the hypochondriac région and to the lower part of the abdomen. This appli- cation was often continued for liours, and at other times the master made use of passes. He began by placing