Abstract of Researches on magnetism and on certain allied subjects : including a supposed new imponderable / by Baron von Reichenbach ; translated and abridged from the German by William Gregory.

  • Reichenbach, Karl Ludwig, Freiherr von, 1788-1869.
Date:
1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Abstract of Researches on magnetism and on certain allied subjects : including a supposed new imponderable / by Baron von Reichenbach ; translated and abridged from the German by William Gregory. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    patients, wliich power entirely coincides with that residing in the magnet, in crystals, and in the human hand. b. To tiiis power adheres or is attached a peculiar sensa- tion, described by all the sensitive as an ineffably pleasur- able coolness, refreshing and strengthening the whole body. c. In the spectrum, the maximum of effect in regard to the crystalline force, that is, of effect similar to that of magnets, crystals, &c., is at the outer edge of the red, that is, in the calorific rays. d. The maximum of the intensely pleasurable sunny cool- ness is in the green and yellow' rays, that is, in the maxi- mum of light. e. The maximum of the peculiar disagreeable traction, observed by the sensitive as a part of the effect of the magnet, but found also distinctly in the sun’s rays, lies in the violet ray, that is, in the ray which magnetises steel. /. The moon’s light contains the new force in abundance, in some respects, indeed, as in regard to the pleasurable coolness, even in far larger proportion than the rays of the sun. g. Besides this, the moonlight possesses a peculiar attrac- tion ; in virtue of which it acts on those affected wdth lunacy ; nay, may possibly cause that malady. h. Heat is a source of the new force; i. It appears as a result of friction, k. and also as an effect of artificial light. 137. If we look to the condition of chemistry in the times of Agricola, Kunkel, and Brandt, we may form some idea of the relation of that science to the object of our researches at the present time. Fragmentary observations lie scattered about, but in what a state 1 ! For about 70 years, an in- strument has been employed by some physicians, under the name of the magnetic baquet or tub : the description of w’hich would cause any one accustomed to a scientific method of proceeding to shudder with disgust. A wooden tub is filled with a hotchpotch of the most absurd kind, and this is stirred up with magnetised w'ater. An iron rod is stuck in the mixture, and from this woollen threads serve as conduc- tors to patients of all kinds, who are to receive from it a current of salutary .vital magnetism. This mixture consists of iron-slag, broken glass, smithy-scales or ashes, steel- filings, roots, iron-ore, grain, sulphur, sawdust, glass-plates, wool, old iron, aromatic herbs, quicksilver, &c., all magne- tised and mystically stratified, the one above the other. What salutary influence, it may well be asked, can proceed from this hell-broth ? But how^ such a mess can produce.