Animal magnetism / by Alfred Binet and Charles Féré.

  • Binet, Alfred, 1857-1911
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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

    18/444 (page 2)
    with respect to animal magnetism, and consequently only to speak of its history so far as this history has left its traces on the present state of the question.* From this point of view, it is unnecessary to go hack to an earlier period than that of Mesmer and of his immediate predecessors. Mesmerism is connected with a tradition which had its origin towards the middle of the sixteenth century, a tradition which, as the name of animal magnetism implies, not invented by Mesmer, ascribed to man the power of exercising on his fellows an action analogous to that of the magnet. It seems to be established that a profound impression had been produced upon the human mind by the natural magnet and its physical pro- perties, the existence of two poles, endowed with opposite properties, and a remote action without direct contact. Even in ancient times it had been observed, or assumed, that the magnet possessed a curative power, and it had been employed as a remedy. This belief still subsisted in the middle ages.j In a work by Cardan, dated 158I,J there is an account of an experiment in anaesthesia, produced by the magnet. It was then customary to magnetize rings which were worn round the neck or on the arm, in order to cure nervous diseases. The idea gradually dawned that there are magnetic properties in the human body- The first trace of this belief appears in the works of Paracelsus. This remarkable thinker maintained that * Many authors have written the history of animal magnetism : Dubois, Deohambre, Bersot, Figuier, etc. The only study of the subject entitled to be called critical is that of Paul Richer, in the NouveUe Revue, August 1, 1S82. + Richet, Bulletin de la Socicte de Biologic, May 30, 1SS4. X Cardan’s Works, book vii., on Precious Stoues.