The introduction of mesmerism, as an anaesthetic and curative agent, into the hospitals of India / by James Esdaile.

Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The introduction of mesmerism, as an anaesthetic and curative agent, into the hospitals of India / by James Esdaile. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    22/52 (page 20)
    deep, ragged ulcer under the heel, was pared down as coolly as a farrier pares down a horse's hoof. He never stirred, slept like a child, and when the Doctor left his hoof pared, there it lay bleeding, but with a very respectable finish given to it. Had the man been sensible, this would have been torture so excruciating, that I have heard the hospital ring with the shrieks of patients for whom it was necessary. By and bye, the other sleepers awoke; each and all de- clared publicly, when they were questioned in Bengalese by the Rev. Mr. La Croix, that they knew nothing nor felt any- thing whatever of the operations. I have seen many who have midergone these serious mu- tilations which they suffered, with the cold sweat of agony bubbling up for hours afterwards ; and a pulse so depressed, that it was hazardous to move them; whereas these were quite chatty and lively. Dr. Esdaile explained his reasons (very weighty) for not having included the amputation of a woman's leg in the day's performances. The delay would have been dangerous ; she also did not suffer a pang. I can- not but state my firm conviction, after having seen the woman, that she must have died if operated on in the usual manner. This person, and the large elephantoid tumour case, were not only saved pain, but a vast amount of vital depression, which might in either case have proved fatal. Now, 1 have simply stated these facts, as a testimony to the important benefits Dr. Esdaile is conferring upon the poor and wretched natives. He does not mesmerise these; he teaches others, and they do it so effectually, that the Doctor never once looked at any of his patients whilst operating. He seems perfectly assured that they are spell-bound,—nobody holds them down. They might kick as much as they like,— but they do not stir. He is not afraid of the others being awoke by their shrieks. He never puts them in different rooms ; they who have been operated upon, and they who are to be operated upon, are all in the same room. People talk as loud as they like,—nay, even laugh,—and that awe which the hardiest usually experience at the sight of human suffer- ing, is here quite banished.