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The Mesmeric Mania of 1851, with a physiological explanation of the phenomena produced: a lecture
21 pages
First published January 1, 1851
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January 18, 2024
The white tubular structure is divided by two horns of gray matter into three
columns on each side.
Motion is accomplished through the agency of muscles in the same way that nerves are endowed with the property of sensibility.
Where motor filaments are distributed,
motion is the result.
DURING the present year (1851), society in Edinburgh has been greatly agitated by a delusion that a mysterious force is being directed by particular individuals.
Speaking of Monomania,
one out of twenty individuals can
throw themselves into a trance by looking at their own nose.
In the accounts given by travellers
of the religious camp-meetings
in the woods of America,
when they wished to close their jaws,
did any stimulating influence flow from their fingers?
Any part of the skin
may be made to feel like
a walking stick,
but in vain.
When a person is bent and made to sit down, the careful considerations of the physiologist and medical practitioner
merit attention.
Every physiologist is aware that the
excitement and intoxication of nitrous oxide gas, requires a considerable knowledge of anatomy, which is by no means necessary for success as a "magnetiser."
I have been carefully watching the proceedings of Mr Lewis,
(and they have been numerous.)
The ideas he conveys by means of pantomimic actions have convinced me that he himself is unconscious of his own proceedings.
He always tells people to do the very opposite of what he wants them to do. When he wishes a person to rise from a chair, he always tells them to sit down.
Here it may be well to mention, that any one can see through their eyelids.
A clergyman told me some time ago,
that no child had been born, and consequently no murder committed.
A peculiar jar was presented to him on a tray, but he could not take it, though he was anxious to do so.
Some, who led a sedentary life, such as shoemakers and tailors, were exhibited to the public both in the streets and in churches, until they sank to the ground almost lifeless.
We have previously seen that the lobes of several highly educated medical students, who were exceedingly sensitive, were very injuriously affected by the numerous experiments performed on them.
They have now recovered from the mesmeric mania.
columns on each side.
Motion is accomplished through the agency of muscles in the same way that nerves are endowed with the property of sensibility.
Where motor filaments are distributed,
motion is the result.
DURING the present year (1851), society in Edinburgh has been greatly agitated by a delusion that a mysterious force is being directed by particular individuals.
Speaking of Monomania,
one out of twenty individuals can
throw themselves into a trance by looking at their own nose.
In the accounts given by travellers
of the religious camp-meetings
in the woods of America,
when they wished to close their jaws,
did any stimulating influence flow from their fingers?
Any part of the skin
may be made to feel like
a walking stick,
but in vain.
When a person is bent and made to sit down, the careful considerations of the physiologist and medical practitioner
merit attention.
Every physiologist is aware that the
excitement and intoxication of nitrous oxide gas, requires a considerable knowledge of anatomy, which is by no means necessary for success as a "magnetiser."
I have been carefully watching the proceedings of Mr Lewis,
(and they have been numerous.)
The ideas he conveys by means of pantomimic actions have convinced me that he himself is unconscious of his own proceedings.
He always tells people to do the very opposite of what he wants them to do. When he wishes a person to rise from a chair, he always tells them to sit down.
Here it may be well to mention, that any one can see through their eyelids.
A clergyman told me some time ago,
that no child had been born, and consequently no murder committed.
A peculiar jar was presented to him on a tray, but he could not take it, though he was anxious to do so.
Some, who led a sedentary life, such as shoemakers and tailors, were exhibited to the public both in the streets and in churches, until they sank to the ground almost lifeless.
We have previously seen that the lobes of several highly educated medical students, who were exceedingly sensitive, were very injuriously affected by the numerous experiments performed on them.
They have now recovered from the mesmeric mania.
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