Statuvolism, or artificial somnambulism, hitherto called mesmerism or animal magnetism : containing a brief historical survey of Mesmer's operations and the examination of the same by the French commissioners : the identity of these conditions with other states and mysteries : together with an account of several obstetrical cases delivered while in this state, the proper method of preparing subjects for surgical operations, their management during and after the same, and the latest and best method of curing disease, etc. in those persons who are in that condition / by Wm. Baker Fahnestock.

  • Fahnestock, Wm. Baker (William Baker), 1804-1886.
Date:
1871
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Statuvolism, or artificial somnambulism, hitherto called mesmerism or animal magnetism : containing a brief historical survey of Mesmer's operations and the examination of the same by the French commissioners : the identity of these conditions with other states and mysteries : together with an account of several obstetrical cases delivered while in this state, the proper method of preparing subjects for surgical operations, their management during and after the same, and the latest and best method of curing disease, etc. in those persons who are in that condition / by Wm. Baker Fahnestock. 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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    I found her laboring under very uneasy feelings about the head, neck and back, accompanied by paiu in all these parts. She was feverish, with flushed countenance, had no appetite, and was so much dejected that she took no interest in any- thing. The foot, though somewhat swollen, was not painful, and the wound, upon which some bacon and herbs were tied, was discharging a little thin, unhealthy looking matter. After some cheering and encouraging remarks, I insisted upon the necessity of throwing herself into the Statuvolic condition, which she then, as usual, effected in an instant, and was as suddenly free from pains and disagreeable sensa- tions, becoming cheerful, and in the course of half an hour, which was spent in clairvoyant experiments, the fever and flushed face subsided, and she was the opposite in feelings, as well as in appearance, to what she had been but a few minutes before. She is an excellent clairvoyant, and amused herself in that way for some time after I returned home. Next day, I was sent for again, as the symptoms of the day before had returned, and although not as severe, were more confined to the back, and along the spine to the neck. She threw herself into the state, and was again as suddenly relieved. This time, however, before she threw herself out of the condition, I requested her to make a positive resolu- tion that all pains, spasms, and uneasy feelings should sub- side, and that she would feel perfectly well when she threw herself out of the condition; and upon my next visit, two days after, I found her in fine spirits, and perfectly well. She had her shoes on, and as she kept her foot in the insen- sible condition, she walked about as if nothing had happened.