THE ZOIST.N o. X V .

OCTOBER , 1846.

I . More painless Surgical Operations i n the Mesmeric State.C o m m u n i c a t e d b y D r . E l l i o t s o n .

ILLUSTRATIONS OF MODERN MESMERISM, from Perron*! InTtati- * fiiio ft . B y John Fo ib b i , M .D ., P .R .S ,t Ptiyriclia to Her kfijealy*« H ookbold .

" A «mart, able prodncUon. I f therm o** etUl d otib tm ce to nwmerim* hem# a fra u d ,we i d i l i « i b f o lo p in ii« ib li ptm pbkL ll w rtilu fy ii * prtcVly rod Par one o f tna «Iw w l o f Lancet.

I h a v e r e c e i v e d a n o t h e r l e t t e r f r o m D r . E s d a i l e .

“ H o o g h l y , 2 8 t h M a y , 1 8 4 6 ." M y d e a r S i r ,

” I w a s v e r y h a p p y t o r e c e i v e y o u r l e t t e r o f t h e 1 s t A p r i l , a n d t o b e t h e m e a n s o f g i v i n g y o u p l e a s u r e . I f m y l a b o u r s s h o u l d f o r t u n a t e l y a d d w e i g h t t o w h a t y o u h a v e d o n e a n d

s a i d , a n d a s s i s t i n h a s t e n i n g y o u r p u b l i c t r i u m p h a n d r e w a r d , I s h a l l b e s a t i s f i e d , I r e t u r n e d f r o m F e r o z e p o r e t h e d a y a f t e r r e a c h i n g i t , h a v i n g v i c t o r i o u s l y m a r c h e d 2 , 2 0 0 m i l e s w i t h o u t

s e e i n g a n e n e m y . B y t h i B m a i l I h a v e t h e p l e a s u r e t o s e n d y o u a q u a n t i t y o f m e s m e r i c m a t t e r , b y w h i c h y o u w i l l p e r ­

c e i v e t h a t t h e n a t i v e s o f t h i s c o u n t r y a r e a c q u a i n t e d w i t h i t a s a c u r a t i v e a g e n t , a n d I h a v e l i t t l e d o u b t t h a t t h e y a r e a d e p t s i n t h e v i l l a n o u s d e p a r t m e n t ; b u t t h i s i s n o t e a s i l y d e t e c t e d , i f I have not been as bitterly opposed and maligned as you by the doctors, I have had as little help and encourage-

mad from them; b u t , l u c k i l y f o r m e , I c o u l d n o t b e i n j u r e d i n t h e u s u a l w a y , b e i n g a p u b l i c s e r v a n t a n d i n d e p e n d e n t o f p r i v a t e p r a c t i c e . A c o n t e m p t i b l e a t t e m p t w a s m a d e t o b u m m e , h o w e v e r , b u t , a s m y w o u l d - b e e x e c u t i o n e r s w e r e t h e m ­

s e l v e s c o n s u m e d , I h a v e b e e n l e t a l o n e f o r a l o n g w h i l e , a n d n o o n e d a r e s t o a t t a c k m e o p e n l y — i t w o u l d o n l y b e t o d r a w u p o n h i m a f i r e o f t u m o r s o f 5 0 , 6 0 , 7 0 , 8 0 l b s . w e i g h t , o f

V O L . i v . v

2 9 4 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

w h i c h 1 h a v e a n u n l i m i t e d c o m m a n d . As i t w i l l m a k e y o u l a u g l i ( you will have nothing else to do soon) , I m u s t r e l a t e t o

y o u t h e f i r s t a n d l a s t m e s m e r i c b a t t l e f o u g h t b y t h e ne plus ultras i n d e f e n c e o f t h e i r p r e s c r i b i n g p r i v i l e g e s a n d r i g h t o f t o r ­m e n t i n g t h e h u m a n r a c e per totam terrain. B u t i t w o u l d r e ­q u i r e a M o l i è r e t o d o t h e s u b j e c t j u s t i c e . B e i t k n o w n t o y o u ,

t h e n , t h a t w e h a d a Wakley minimus h e r e i n t h e e d i t o r o f t h e Calcutta Medical Journal, W h e n I f i r s t t o o k u p t h e s u b j e c t , I i n v i t e d h i m t o c o m e a n d s e e f o r h i m s e l f ; b u t , a s u s u a l , h e c o n t e n t e d h i m s e l f w i t h s n i g g e r i n g a n d d o i n g n o t h i n g . A l l

h e k n e w a b o u t t h e m a t t e r w a s w h a t h e h a d s e e n i n t h e Lancet, a n d h e w a s s m i t t e u w i t h a s u d d e n a m b i t i o n t o nickle m e . A t t h e e n d o f t h r e e m o n t h s , b e a s k e d l e a v e t o a c c e p t m y i n v i t a ­t i o n a n d b r i n g t w o f r i e n d s w i t h h i m . I s a i d , C o m e , o n c o n ­d i t i o n t h a t y o u p r i n t a l l y o u s e e a n d d o . I h a d a s c e r t a i n e d

b y n u m e r o u s e x p e r i m e n t s w i t h a l l k i n d s o f p e r s o n s , t h a t , a f t e r t h e s y s t e m h a d b e e n d e e p l y t a i n t e d b y t h e m e s m e r i c a c t i o n , a n y o n e c o u l d p r o d u c e t h e u s u a l p h e n o m e n a b y d o i n g a s h e w a s o r d e r e d . I looked upon my visitor as a mad bull, with whom it would be absurd to reason, a n d r e s o l v e d t o b a i t h i m

f o r t h e a m n s e m e n t o f t h e p u b l i c . I a c c o r d i n g l y i n v i t e d m y

f r i e n d s t o t h e b u l l b a i t , a n d 1 a s s u r e y o u t h e s p o r t w a s c a p i t a l ; h e g o r e d a n d t o s s e d t h e f o r t u n a t e l y g e n e r a l l y - i n s e n s i b l e p a ­t i e n t s (made so by him self), a n d r o a r e d l i k e a b u l l o f B a s h a n a t h i s o w n s u c c e s s . S i n c e t h e d a y s o f t h e Médecin malgré lut, t h e r e h a s n o t b e e n s u c h a f a r c e . I p u b l i s h e d a t r u e a n d s i m ­p l e a c c o u n t o f h i s m i g h t y d e e d s a n d p r e s u m e d c o n v e r s i o n , a n d h e r e v e n g e d h i m s e l f i n t h e j o u r n a l b y maligning my poor patients as a pack o f hardened and determined impostors, a n d k i n d l y p e r m i t t e d m e t o b e perhaps o n l y a fool. I l a u g h e d a t

h i s b e a r d , a n d m a d e b a l l a d s o n h i m i n r e t u r n ; a n d , w h e n h e h a d e x p o s e d h i s i g n o r a n c e , I b e g a n t o s p e a k s e r i o u s l y t o t h e p u b l i c i n l e t t e r s p u b l i s h e d m o n t h l y i n t h e n e w s p a p e r s .

“ Nearly all who c an be convinced are so, a n d I w i l l n o t r e s t t i l l m e s m e r i s m i s i n t r o d u c e d i n t o t h e p u b l i c h o s p i t a l s i n C a l ­

c u t t a . O n t h e 1 s t J u n e 1 e x p e c t a p a r t y o f i n f l u e n t i a l g e n ­t l e m e n f r o m C a l c u t t a , a n d , i f I h a v e m y u s u a l g o o d f o r t u n e ,I h o p e t o s e n d t h e m b a c k s a t i s f i e d . D r . O ’ S h a u g h n e a s y , w h o

i s a c o l l e g e c h u m o f m i n e , w a s h e r e y e s t e r d a y , a n d w e t e s t e d

t h e i n s e n s i b i l i t y o f t h r e e m e n b y t h e e l e c t r o - m a g n e t i c m a ­c h i n e ; t h e y w e r e q u i t e i n d i f f e r e n t t o i t , s o I c o n s i d e r t h e m

t o b e bagged. D r , M o u a t i s c o m i n g u p n e x t M o n d a y , a n d

w i l l p e r h a p s t e l l y o u w h a t h e s e e s , I a m 2 6 m i l e s f r o m C a l ­c u t t a , a n d h a v e o n l y a v i l l a g e h o s p i t a l .

“ I n e v e r m e s m e r i s e n o w , f o r o t h e r s d o t h e w o r k j u s t a s e f f e c t u a l l y , a n d i t w a s k i l l i n g m e . I w o n d e r t h a t y o u d o n o t

communicated by Dr. EUiotton. 295

k e e p a m e s m e r i c c o r p s t o o ; b a t I h a v e a g r e a t a d v a n t a g e i s t h e d o c i l i t y a n d p a t i e n c e o f m y a g e n t s a n d p a t i e n t s .

" B e l i e v e m e ,“ V e r y t r u l y y o u r s ,

" J a s . E b d a il s .“ F . S . I h a r e f o u n d a c o p y o f a m e s m e r i c b a l l a d , a n d I

a s s u r e y o u t h a t t h e fa ct» a r e a s t r u e a s i f t h e y h a d b e e n s w o r n

t o b e f o r e a m a g i s t r a t e i n p r o s e , a n d y o n w i l l r e c o g n i z e t h e i r t r u t h , a l t h o u g h p e o p l e u n a c q u a i n t e d w i t h t h e s u b j e c t w i l l t h i n k i t a b u r l e s q u e . " *

* *• A VISIT TO HOOGHLY.

And how the Editor did more than be intended.

" On tiungm'a banka in Editor,To mike himself i nime,

Resolv’d to kill i Mesmerist,And gun immortal Rune.

“ To-morrow I’ll give up my fees,And eke to Hooghly hie;

To kill the dog that worriea oa;Resolv’d to do Or die.

“ Then starting boldly op, be cried Unto hit alavea, 1 Quoi Hye

This inltant go to Jinn Bazaar,And order me i fly.

11 And alao boy me plenty rope Both new, and strong aa steel,

With which to bind the Mesmerist,All to my carriage wheel.

“ I ’ll teach him to disturb our peace, With this bit laat humbug ;

I ’ll put him to a cruel death.And cnuh him like a bog !

" But first i'll write i letter fair ;By dik it shall be sent;

To throw the raacal off bia guard,And hide my deep intent.

“ Now, I am told, the Meameriat,When he received the chit—

' Ob ! ho I" quoth he, my canning friend The biter shall be bit.

“ 1 Yon’re very knowing, Dr. Slop,And take me for a cake;

But ere we part, when next we meet, You’ll find out your mistake.

“ 1 You come to publish nut e fool,Or eke a naughty knare ;

But those who would a razor wield, Should learn the art to shave.

M ‘ And 1 will ghsrr thee like an egg, And make of thee a show,

Till all the boys shall laugh at thee,And eke thy trienda also ’

11 Then to the Jndge he hied him,And giving him s nudge,

Told him of Slop’s intended plan,To prove it ell a fudge.

" Unto the worthy Clergyman,He also did resort;

And begg’d of him to countenance,A little pteaaant sport.

“ 1 Moat willingly,— most willingly/ They both at once did cry:

* We’ ll look sa grave as mustard pots, And laugh not, though we die/

‘ “ A thousand thanks, my worthy friends/ The Mesmerist replied;

‘ I’ll bssts this bragging insolent,Who dues to say we lied.

“ 1 Then when I gravely do propose Unto the learned Slop.

That h r should practise Mesmerism, You’ll second It quite pop.’

“ ‘ I ’ ll aid you.’ said the Clergyman, And look as grave's a Church/

1 And 1/ said the Civilian,‘ Will leave him in the lurch/

" Nextmoroingcame, with foaming steeds, The gallant Dr. Slop,

Exhaling death to Mesmerists,And quaking for bis shop.

’ ‘With trembling limbs, ondhombte looks, The Mesmerist appear’d,

For now he stood in presence of The only man be fear’d.

Y 2

2 9 6 Account» o f more painless Surgical Operations,

“ S O t b M a y . / have this moment taken off a woman's leg without her knowing i t "

S i x n u m b e r s o f t h e Calcutta Englishman and M ilitary Chronicle a r r i v e d b y t h e s a m e m a i l . I e x t r a c t a d i a l o g u e

f r o m t h a t o f M a y 1 3 , b e c a u s e i t , w i t h t h e b a l l a d , s h e w s t h e i d e n t i t y o f t h e b r e e d s o f o a r o p p o n e n t s i n d i f f e r e n t q u a r t e r s o f t h e g l o b e . M r . W a k l e y , M r . R i n t o u l , a n d o t h e r e d i t o r s , a n d D r .

F o r b e s , D r . M a r s h a l l H a l l , a n d o t h e r m e m b e r s o f t h e R o y a l M e d i c a l S o c i e t y , m a y a t l e n g t h s u s p e c t , w h e n t h e y r e a d w h a t h a B p a s s e d i n t h e E a s t I n d i e s a m o n g t h e i r c o u n t e r p a r t s , t h a t t h e i r o w n a n t i - m e s m e r i c t h o u g h t s a n d a c t i o n s , h o w e v e r p r o u d t h e y m a y b e o f t h e m , a r e a l l m e r e i n e v i t a b l e p h y s i c a l r e s u l t s

" Hi* nerve* he strung with o y u a c e m p h .

And shaking, thus begun—Hut with hi* ejt'i-Uil viewed hi* friend*,

And call'd them to the fun.'* Oh! learned, and redoubted Slop 1

Would you but condescend,Your portly body unto me,

For aome few minutes lend.*’ 1 Then might 1 hope, a little while,

To breathe these vital sir»,And not be sent by kick of foot,

Head foremost down the stair*.u 1 And doom’d to beg my daily bread,

With reputation crack'd,And sentenc’d to a life of shame.

The public having quack’d.“ ' I f you will but restrain your rage,

And give me leave to live;My secret and my magic wand,

To yon I freely give.'“ * Perish your secret, and yourself!

But as you’re in my power,With yon 1 will amuse myself,

And wile away an hour.’“ ' Then, mighty sir, will you but deign,

To let your piercing eye*,Heat for five minutes on the girl,

Who on that charpoy lie*.’" The teamed Doctor turned bis bead,

And fix’d bis eagle gate i The girl fell back, with quiv'ring lids,

To Doctor Slop’s amaxe.

“ Stunn'd was the Doctor—mad was be!And oh 1 an angry wight,

To see such tokens of the truth,And of his own great might.

“ You may suppose whst epithet*He on the tmaaey pour'd,

And when he could not wake her,How awfully he roar’d t

“ With looks demure, the Mesmerist, Some acid next brought out;

Let which but touch the ilighteat wound. The «Contest would cry out,

11 And begg'd hii learned brother would Apply it to a sore,

Which a woman, mesmerised,Upon her temple bore.

11 With haughty look, but inward dread, Slop ruefully conform’d :

The woman only slept the more/And was not even warm’d.

“ But when the hog.man he subdued/ How fearfully ha swore I

' If in my shop I were again,I’d never quit it more !’

** And when the Mesmerist so meek, Had bow'd Mm to the door,

He cast upon bun such a look,As I ne'er saw before I

" Now let us sing, long life to Slop !The Mesmerist long live he I

And when they have another bout,Miy I be there to see !"*

■ See 2Wsf, Vol. IV., p. 41. b See Z o i t t , Vol. IV., p, 2b.c Use Wakley genus deserves no higher notice than to be made the subject of

such ballads snd of nursery rhymes.—J. Eu -iutson.

communicated by Dr. EUiotton, 2 9 7

o f t h e i r c e r e b r a l p a r t i c l e s c o m p o s e d a n d a r r a n g e d a n d d e ­

v e l o p e d i n a c e r t a i n s a d w a y a n d a c t e d u p o n i n a c e r t a i n w a y b y e x t e r n a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s , a n d t h a t b y r e f l e c t i n g p e r s o n s t h e y a r e r e g a r d e d a s p u p p e t s , u n a b l e t o a c t o t h e r w i s e i n t h e i r p r e s e n t c i r c u m s t a n c e s , — a l l a s t o y s m a k i n g p r e - o r d a i n e d n o i s e s a n d g e s t i c u l a t i o n s w h e n c e r t a i n s t r i n g s a r e p u l l e d . M r . W a k l e y

a n d t h e r e s t , s e e i n g e a c h h i s v e r y d u p l i c a t e i n t h e E a s t , m u s t , mutt f e e l h u m b l e d .

" A M E SU B H IC D IA L O G U E .

“ M r. Freeman, M r. E aty, D r. Drench, The Rev. M r. Pure.

<f Easy.— J u s t i n t i m e f o r t i f f i n , a n d t h e v e r y m a n I

w a n t e d ! H e r e i s a n o t h e r a s t o u n d i n g m e s m e r i c r e p o r t f r o m H o o g h l y , P r a y , r e a d i t , a n d t e l l m e i f t h e s e t h i n g s c a n b e t r u e .

" Freeman.— I h a v e a l r e a d y r e a d i t w i t h g r e a t s a t i s f a c ­

t i o n , a n d h a v e l o n g c e a s e d t o h a v e a n y d o u b t s a b o u t t h e

m a t t e r .“ Easy.— I k n o w y o u a r e a l e a r n e d T h e b a n , s k i l l e d i n a l l

t h e k n o w l e d g e o f t h e E g y p t i a n s , a n d r e a l l y I w i s h t o k n o w m o r e a b o u t i t . P r a y , w h a t b o o k s s h o u l d o n e r e a d o n t h e

s u b j e c t ?“ Freeman.— I a m g l a d t o s e e y o u r c u r i o s i t y e x c i t e d . O n e

l e a f o u t o f t h e b o o k o f n a t u r e i s w o r t h a w h o l e l i b r a r y , a n d a n h o u r ' s o b s e r v a t i o n w i l l s a v e e n d l e s s a n d u s e l e s s t a l k i n g , a n d r e m o v e a t h o u s a n d m i s c o n c e p t i o n s . I f p e o p l e c a n n o t m a k e u p t h e i r m i n d s , w i t h o u t s e e i n g f o r t h e m s e l v e s , w h y d o n ’ t

t h e y g o t o H o o g h l y , w h e r e m e s m e r i s m i s i n d a i l y u s e i u t h e

p u b l i c h o s p i t a l s , a n d a l l a r e a s s u r e d o f a w e l c o m e ? I f I h a d a n y d o u b t s a b o u t t h e m a t t e r , I w o u l d g l a d l y t r a v e l a 1 0 0 0

m u e s t o r e s o l v e t h e m .u Easy.— Y o n k n o w h o w i n c o r r i g i b l y i n d o l e n t w e a r e , a n d

I c o n f e s s t h a t I w i s h t o b e c o n v i n c e d without any trouble; s o d o t e l l m e , l i k e a g o o d f e l l o w , a l l y o u k n o w a b o u t i t . I s i t

i n d e e d , p o s s i b l e f o r h u m a n b e i n g s t o b e c u t t o p i e c e s w i t h o u t t h e i r f e e l i n g i t ? I s i n c e r e l y h o p e s o .

" Freeman.— I c a n n o t g i v e y o n a n y r e a s o n why it should be so, b u t w e k n o w it is so, a n d e v e r y o n e m a y s a t i s f y h i m s e l f b y t h e e v i d e n c e o f h i s s e n s e s , o r b y h i s o w n e x e r t i o n s , i f t h e m o s t p o s i t i v e a n d u n i m p e a c h a b l e e v i d e n c e c a n n o t a f f e c t h i s

u n d e r s t a n d i n g ." Easy.— Y o n k n o w p e o p l e a r e a p t t o m i s t a k e t h e s e l f ­

s u f f i c i e n c y o f i g n o r a n c e o r o b s t i n a c y f o r s t r e n g t h o f m i n d ." Freeman,— T h e n w e a r e i n d e e d a s t r o n g - m i n d e d r a c e ,

a n d D r . E s d a i l e m a y a s w e l l e x p e c t h i s fact* t o p e n e t r a t e c o c o a - n u t s a s t o a f f e c t u s .

2 9 8 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

“ Easy.— H e i s t a k i n g t h e o n l y w a y t o d o i t h o w e v e r , a n d

I c o n f e s s t h a t h i s m o n t h l y b a t t e r y h a s c o n s i d e r a b l y d e r a n g e d t h e c o n t e n t s o f my c o c o a - n u t , a n d I f e e l m u c h d i s p o s e d t o s u r r e n d e r . N o o n e w h o h a s w i t n e s s e d b i s p r o c e e d i n g s h a s

v e n t u r e d t o d e D y t h e i r r e a l i t y ." Freeman,— I t s e e m s t h a t , d u r i n g t h e l a s t y e a r , h e b a a

p e r f o r m e d ninety-one p a i n l e s s o p e r a t i o n s , '* a l a r g e p r o p o r t i o n

o f t h e m b e i n g o f t h e m o s t s e v e r e a n d d a n g e r o u s d e s c r i p t i o n t h e d e t a i l s , a n d t h e n a m e s o f t h o s e w h o w e r e p r e s e n t h a v e b e e n g i v e n t o t h e p u b l i c , a n d t h e w i t n e s s e s i n v i t e d t o p o i n t o u t “ a s h a d o w o f e x a g g e r a t i o n , e v e n i n h i s d e s c r i p t i o n s , ” o f

t h e w o n d e r f u l t h i n g s t h e y s a w , a n d n o o n e h a s f o u n d a n y ­t h i n g t o o b j e c t t o o r c a v i l a t .

" Easy.— A n d m e n ' s m i n d s a r e s h a k e n t o t h e b o t t o m b y i t . I t i s d e l i g h t f u l t o s e e t h e t r u t h r u n n i n g s u c h a n u n w o n t e d c a r e e r o f u n b r o k e n t r i u m p h .

11 Freeman.— T h e m i s t s a n d f o g s o f i g n o r a n c e a n d p r e j u d i c e

a r e c l e a r i n g a w a y r a p i d l y , a n d w e s h a l l s o o n e n j o y t h e u n o b ­

s t r u c t e d s u n s h i n e , i n s p i t e o f t h e e f f o r t s o f t h e D o c t o r s t o p e r p e t u a t e t h e r e i g n o f d a r k n e s s a n d o l d N i g h t .

“ Easy.— W h a t d o t h e y s a y t o i t n o w f" Freeman,— H e r e i s t h e i r c h a m p i o n a n d s e l f - e l e c t e d r e ­

p r e s e n t a t i v e , D r e n c h ; h e w i l l t e l l u s t h e p r e s e n t s t a t e o f t h e

M e d i c a l p u l s e . W h e n I l a s t f e l t i t , i t w a s “ small and con- tracled**

" ( E n t e r D r . D r e n c h ) .

" Easy.— K i l l i n g w e a t h e r i s i t n o t , D r e n c h ? B u t t h i s i s n o o b j e c t i o n t o y o u , e h ?

" Drench.— F i n d a n o t h e r s u b j e c t f o r y o u r w i t , M r . E a s y ;

I k i l l n o m o r e t h a n m y n e i g h b o u r s .tr Easy .— N o o f f e n c e m e a n ’ t , D o c t o r ; t a k e a g l a s s o f

” ceremsta frigida,” o r p e r h a p s y o u p r e f e r t h e " dimidium dimidioque” — h a l f - a n d - h a l f .

" Drench.— T h a n k y o u , b u t f i l l u p : I h a t e h a l f m e a s u r e s i n p r a c t i c e .

" Easy.— T h a t r e m i n d s m e o f w h a t w e w e r e t a l k i n g o f w h e n y o u c a m e i n . W h a t d o y o u t h i n k o f t h e n e w m e s m e r i c p r a c t i c e a t H o o g h l y P I w i s h t h a t I c o u l d b e e n t r a n c e d t i l l t h e

r a i n f a l l s ; C o u l d y o u d o i t f o r m e ?" (Drench s p i l l s h i s b e v e r a g e f r o m a g i t a t i o n , a n d b r e a k s

t h e g l a s s b y r e p l a c i n g i t v i o l e n t l y o n t h e t a b l e ) ."D rench .— B y P l u t o 1 I t h i n k t h e p e o p l e h a v e a l l g o n e

m a d , a n d I B h a ll h e d r i v e n m a d m y s e l f , I t h i n k . W h e r e v e r I g o , i t i s , W h a t d o y o u t h i n k o f m e s m e r i s m , D r . D r e n c h ? I t

i s i n v a i n t h a t I a n s w e r — I h a v e n e v e r t h o u g h t a b o u t i t , a n d d o n ’ t i n t e n d t o . A t t h e n e x t h o u s e , I a m a s s a i l e d w i t h , D o

communicated by D r. Elliotson. 299

you b e l i e v e i n m e s m e r i s m , D r . D r e n c h ? D o I b e l i e v e m y

n o s e i s g r e e n c h e e s e ? c r y 1 , a n d f l o u n c e o u t o f t h e r o o m . B u t a t a n o t h e r p a t i e n t ' s , t h e c u c k o o n o t e i s o n l y c h a n g e d t o , W h a t d o y o u t h i n k o f m e s m e r i s m now, D r . D r e n c h f I c h e c k t h i s i m p e r t i n e n c e b y g r a v e l y d e m a n d i n g , i f I w a s e v e r k n o w n

t o c h a n g e m y o p i n i o n .

" Easy.— S o t h e d o c t o r s a r e n o t c o n v i n c e d y e t ?,r Drench.— M o s t t h o r o u g h l y c o n v i n c e d t h a t i t i s a h u m b u g .

R e a l l y i t i s e n o u g h t o p r o v o k e a s a i n t — a s i f I c o u l d a f f o r d t o l e a r a a n y t h i n g n e w , e v e n i f t r u e . B u t c o m e , I w i l l p a t t h e t h i n g t o t h e t e s t , a t o n c e ; I w i l l g i v e E s d a i l e S v e h u n d r e d

r u p e e s , i f h e m e s m e r i s e s me." Freeman.— O n e m a n m a y t a k e a h o r s e t o t h e w a t e r , b u t

t w e n t y c a n ' t m a k e h i m d r i n k . A s k E a s y ' s b e a r e r h o w o f t e n h e t h r o w s y o u r d r e n c h e s o u t o f t h e w i n d o w ?

“ Easy.— H o n o u r ! F r e e m a n , h o n o u r ! d o n ' t b e l i e v e h i m

D o c t o r . I k n o w , F r e e m a n , y o u a r e b i t t e n w i t h t h i s m a d n e s s , a n d a m s o r r y f o r i t ; a l l m e n o f s e n s e s h o u l d r e a l l y a s s i s t u s i n p u t t i n g d o w n t h i s monstrous quackery.

" Freeman.— D r . E s d a i l e m a y b e a t o o l , k n a v e , o r l i a r , I h a v e n o k n o w l e d g e o f h i m ; b u t i f s o , I r a t h e r t h i n k there would have been no doubt about the matter by this time, f o r

n o o n e e v e r g a v e h i s o p p o n e n t s s u c h a m p l e m e a n s o f d e t e c ­

t i o n .“ Easy.— N u m b e r s o f m y f r i e n d s h a v e s e e n w h a t h e r e l a t e s ,

a n d a l l a g r e e t h a t h e f a i t h f u l l y r e p o r t s w h a t t h e y s a w . M a n y

a o n e w a i t s t o t r i p u p h i s h e e l s , b u t he stilt runs his course rejoicing.

“ Drench.— H e s e e m s t o b e e q u a l l y i n s e n s i b l e t o s h a m e a n d r e a s o n .

" Freeman.— H e o n g h t t o b e a s h a m e d o f h i m s e l f f o r s a v ­i n g ninety-one p e r s o n s t h e t o r m e n t s o f t h e d a m n e d i n o n e y e a r ,

a n d h i s p a t i e n t s a r e e q u a l l y s h a m e l e s s a n d i r r a t i o n a l , f o r b y n o p e r s u a s i o n o r a r g u m e n t c a n y o u g e t t h e m t o a l l o w t h a t t h e y f e l t a n y p a i n w h e n t o r m e n t e d b y A r e a n d s t e e l , o r w h e n t h e i r r a w f l e s h w a s c o r r o d e d b y m i n e r a l a c i d s . V e r i l y , t h e m a n w h o d o e s t h i s c a n a f f o r d t o b e l a u g h e d a t .

" Drench.— I t i s a n awjul and melancholy delusion.“ Easy.— V e r y , a n d I d o n ' t s e e h o w y o u a r e t o g e t r i d o f

i t , e x c e p t b y a g e n e r a l o r d e r o f t h e 6 . G . i n c o u n c i l , o r d e r i n g e v e r y m e d i c a l o f f i c e r t o t o r m e n t h i s p a t i e n t s “ secundum artem,’1 a s h i t h e r t o , o n p a i n o f d i s m i s s a l f r o m t h e s e r v i c e . 11

c This is precisely the desire of the S p e c t a t o r . The editor Mr. Rinloul, a / o t h e r ! in a notice of Dr. Esdaile's book, August 1, writes thus :—“ No «Military surgeon should be permitted to subject soldiery to a practice reps- dieted by Ike bulk o f (tie p r q f t t t i o a, whether mesmerism or anything else,

3 0 0 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

“ Drench.— I t h a n k y o n f o r t h e h i n t ; i t i s a g o o d i d e a , a n d

I w i l l p r o p o s e i t t o t h e b o a r d — e x a m p l e s s h o u l d b e m a d e ." Easy.— I s e e t h a t D r . E s d a i l e h a s r e p o r t e d h i s c a s e s t o

t h e M e d i c a l B o a r d , a n d i f t h e y p a y n o a t t e n t i o n t o h i m I w o u l d a d v i s e h i m t o m a k e a f o r m a l a p p l i c a t i o n t o G o v e r n m e n t , a n d r e q u e s t a n e x a m i n a t i o n i n t o a m a t t e r t h a t h a s b e e n t o o

l o n g s l u r r e d o v e r .

“ Drench.— W h y , E a s y ! Y o u a r e n o t i n e a r n e s t ?“ Easy.— I n d e e d I a m ; I h a v e b e e n l o n g c o n v i n c e d , b u t ,

h a v i n g q u i z z e d t h e t h i n g a t f i r s t , I w a s a s h a m e d t o r e c a n t . B u t t h i s i s n o j o k e , a n d I r e p e n t m y l e v i t y .

“ Freeman.— S p o k e n l i k e a m a n , a n d n u m b e r s w i l l f o l l o w

y o u r e x a m p l e .“ Drench.— Y o u w i l l n e x t b e l i e v e i n ‘ C l a i r v o y a n c e / I

s u p p o s e , g e n t l e m e n .fi Freeman.— P e r h a p s , b u t I w i l l n e v e r a s k w h e t h e r y o u

d o o r n o t , i f , w h e n I n e e d i t , y o u w i l l c u t o f f m y l e g w i t h o u t

t r o u b l i n g m e a b o u t i t . M e n w a n t fa cts a n d u o t opinions, a n d will b e l i e v e t h e e v i d e n c e o f t h e i r s e n s e s i n p r e f e r e n c e t o your authority even, h o w e v e r a b s u r d i t m a y a p p e a r t o y o u .

“ Drench.— A b s u r d , i n d e e d ! E v i d e n c e o f o n e ’ s s e n s e s f o r s o o t h , a s i f t h i s w a s a n y a r g u m e n t . I t e l l y o u t h a t 1

w o u l d n o t b e l i e v e m y own senses.“ Easy.— T h a t ’ s w h a t I c a l l s t r e n g t h o f m i n d .“ Freeman.— C o m e , g i v e u s y o u r m o s t e x q u i s i t e r e a s o n s ,

o h ! D r e n c h , f o r r e p u d i a t i n g y o u r o w n s e n s e s ." Drench.— W h y , I h a v e s e e n a c o n j u r o r c u t o f f a c o c k ’ s

b e a d , s p r i n k l e t h e f l o o r w i t h i t s b l o o d , a n d p l n c k o f f i t a

f e a t h e r s ; y e t i n a m i n u t e a f t e r , t h e c o c k w a s c r o w i n g a n d

for the sufficient reason we have stated." Mr. Rinloul in former da je would, therefore, not bSTe allowed soldiers to be vaccinated, dot their arteriea to be tied oo the Geld of battle, but ¡dieted upon Dr. Esdaile's allowing them to catch the email poi and blocking their arteries with boiling pilch. See my H a n n a n Oration, p, t>4. Mr. Hintoul'e opinions in regard to mesmerism are worth nothing, any more than those of Mr. Dilke, the editor of the A t h f n a u m and D a i l y N e w i , and so many other editors; but it ia right to record the feeling and folly of those who try to lead other«. To be con* aiatent, he should insist upon the continuance of flogging in the army, be­cause field-marshals, generals, colonels, and captains have all been for it, and the profession must know best. Mr. Rintoul's reasons had been given in the .Spectator of July 26.—"These mesmeric miracles the doctor worked at Hooghly, ia Bengal: be has now departed for the banks of the Sutlej, and there he intends to work more. But will he be permitted by the higher military nod medical authorities f If private hospital patients choose to sub­mit themselves to experiments, they are free agents; but soldier patients are under martial law, must obey the surgeons' orders, and should not be sub­mitted to the irregolar experiments of any body whoebooses to practise upon them at his will and pleasure.” Can Mr. Riotoul have the common feelings of » mini Or is he ia his senses? He also forgets that Govbkkm*ht provides D r , E i d a i l e u i t h a m t n n t r U ’ c a r p t : see Zotsi, Vol. IV., p. 193,—J, Ehiotsok.

communicated by D r, EUiolson. 3 0 1

c l a p p i n g i t s w i n g s a g a i n — a n d d i d 1 b e l i e v e m y s e n s e s , t h i n k

y e ?“ Easy.— A p a l p a b l e p a r a l l e l , y o u r h o n o u r .

“ Freeman.— W i t h s o m e s l i g h t d i f f e r e n c e s . Y o u d i d n o t s e e t h e preparation f o r t h e d e c a p i t a t i o n o f t h e c o c k ; b u t i f

y o u w i l l s u b s t i t u t e men f o r cocks, D r . E s d a i l e s a y s h e w i l l p r e p a r e t h e m u n d e r y o u r o w n e y e s . Y o u n e e d n e v e r l e t g o

h o l d o f t h e m e v e n , a n d y e t h e w i l l p l a y h i s u s u a l t r i c k s w i t h y o u r f e a t h e r l e s s b i p e d s .

Drench.— A l l v e r y w e l l t a l k i n g ." Easy.— N a y , t h e talking i s a l l o n y o u r a i d e ; h e i s a

m a n o f deeds." Drench.— W e l l , s u p p o s i n g t h e m t r u e , M r , P u r e s a y s i t

i s a l l d i a b l e r i e , a n d I a g r e e w i t h h i m — ( P a d r e P u r e , S a h i b 1) Y o u a r e m u c h n e e d e d h e r e , M r . P u r e ; m y f r i e n d s , i n s e n s i b l e t o m e d i c a l a u t h o r i t y , m a y p e r h a p s l i s t e n t o r e l i g i o n .

" Pure.— W h a t i s t h e t o p i c o f c o n v e r s a t i o n , g e n t l e m e n ? B a t I m a y f i r s t m e n t i o n m y o w n e r r a n d : o u r n e i g h b o u r h o o d i s m u c h i n w a n t o f a h o s p i t a l , a n d k n o w i n g y o u r b e n e v o l e n c e

a n d l i b e r a l i t y , I a m c o m e t o s o l i c i t y o u r s u p p o r t o f o u r p r o j e c t .

“ Freeman.— W i t h a l l m y h e a r t ; b u t , s e e i n g t h e e x t r a o r ­d i n a r y e f f e c t s o f m e s m e r i s m o n t h e n a t i v e s o f t h i s c o u n t r y , 1 h o p e t h a t y o u c o n t e m p l a t e i n t r o d u c i n g i t i n t o y o u r n e w

h o s p i t a l .“ Pure.— I p r e s u m e y o u a r e i n e a r n e s t , S i r ; b u t the devil

shall never with my consent enter any institution with which I am connected,

“ Easy.— N a y , M r , P u r e , w e n e v e r t h o u g h t o f s u c h a

s u b s c r i b e r ." Pure.— P e r h a p s n o t , S i r , b u t I e q u a l l y o b j e c t t o h i s

a g e n t s t h e m e s m e r i s t s . I t i s s a i d i n t h e B i b l e , 1 T h o u s h a l t n o t p e r m i t a w i t c h t o l i v e / a n d w h a t a r e t h e y w h o p r e t e n d

t o d o b y s o m e c a b a l i s t i c s i g n s , w h a t t h e p r o f e s s o r s o f t h e h e a l i n g a r t c o n f e s s t o b e b e y o n d t h e i r p o w e r .

" Drench.— H e a r I h e a r !

“ Freeman.— I f t h e p a s t i s t o b e t h e rule f o r t h e f u t u r e , w e m u s t s u b m i t t o b e t o r t u r e d u n n e c e s s a r i l y , a n d h o p e , l i k e t h e e e l s , t o b e c o m e a c c u s t o m e d t o i t . B u t w e a r e t o l d t h a t , b y a n a t u r a l p r o c e s s , w e c a n e s c a p e t h e s e n a t u r a l i l l s o f t e n , a n d s u r e l y it is allowable to mitigate human suffering by every kind o f knowledge that God permits us to acquire.

" Drench.— N o n e b u t l i b e r a l s p r a c t i s e i t , M r . P u r e ." Freeman.— I f y o u m e a n liberals i n o p p o s i t i o n t o illi­

beral», I b e l i e v e y o u a r e p a r t l y c o r r e c t ,

" Easy .— I rayther t h i n k , t h e d o c t o r m e a n s infidels.

3 0 2 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

" Drench.— Y e s I d o , i f y o u will h a v e i t .

“ Pure.— S o I h a v e o f t e n h e a r d , g e n t l e m e n ; I s h o u l d b e s o r r y t o d o a n y b o d y i n j u s t i c e .

" Freeman,— T h e i n j u s t i c e i s w i t h t h o s e w h o a b u s e d y o u r c o n f i d e n c e . T r i e d b y t h i s t e s t , t h e b e s t o f m e n w i l l o f t e n b e

c o n v i c t e d o f b e i n g t h e w o r s t o f i n f i d e l s ; f o r t h i s i s a general power o f human nature, t h o u g h d o r m a n t u n d e r o r d i n a r y c i r ­c u m s t a n c e s , y e t c a p a b l e o f b e i n g d e v e l o p e d b y p r o p e r l y -

d i r e c t e d e f f o r t s , a n d I h a v e l i t t l e d o u b t t h a t t h e e n e r g y , p a t i e n c e , a n d b e n e v o l e n c e o f t r u e C h r i s t i a n s , w o u l d g i v e t h e m a n a d v a n t a g e o v e r o t h e r s i n w i e l d i n g t h e i r n a t u r a l p o w e r s f o r t h e r e l i e f o f h u m a n s u f f e r i n g .

" Pure.— Y o u s p e a k a s o n e h a v i n g a u t h o r i t y , M r . F r e e m a n .

"Freem an.— N o , M r . P u r e , b u t a s o n e h a r i n g k n o w l e d g e . I f i r s t believed o n t h e t e s t i m o n y o f o t h e r s , a n d n o w I know f r o m m y o w n e x p e r i e n c e .

“ Pure.— B u t d o y o n r e a l l y t h i n k t h a t I c o u l d m e s m e r i s e ?" Freeman.— T t y , S i r , a n a I d o u b t n o t t h a t y o u w i l l s u c ­

c e e d a s w e l l a s t h e R e v . M r . S a n d b y , a n d o t h e r c l e r g y m e n d o , w h o g o a b o u t c o n t i n u a l l y d o i n g g o o d l i k e t h e i r g r e a t M a s t e r . X w o u l d r e c o m m e n d y o u t o r e a d M r . S a n d b y ' s Mesmerism the Gift o f God.

11 Pure.— W h y , D r . D r e n c h , y o u n e v e r t o l d m e t h i s .

" Easy.— I s h o u l d t h i n k n o t .“ Drench.— G o o d m o r n i n g , g e n t l e m e n , X h a v e a g r e a t

d e a l t o d o . ( E x i t D r e n c h ) ." Pure.— I p e r c e i v e , M r . F r e e m a n , t h a t X h a v e t a k e n t o o

m u c h f o r g r a n t e d i n t h i s m a t t e r , a n d s h a l l b e g l a d t o l e a r n

m o r e a b o u t i t f r o m y o u .“ Freeman,— A l l I k n o w i s a t y o u r s e r v i c e , b u t H o o g h l y

i s o n l y 2 5 m i l e s o f f , a n d I w o u l d r e c o m m e n d y o n t o j u d g e

f o r y o u r s e l f .“ Pure.— X w i l l d o s o o n t h e f i r s t o p p o r t u n i t y .

( E x i t P u r e ) .“ Freeman.— M e s m e r i s m w i l l d e f i l e t h e g r a v e s o f m a n y

m e d i c a l r e p u t a t i o n s . W h a t ! d o t h e y s u p p o s e t h a t w e a r e N o r t h A m e r i c a n I n d i a n s , w h o t r e m b l e a t t h e f i a t o f t h e i r medicine man ? W e a l l u n d e r s t a n d w h y t h e practising d o c t o r s

a r e o p p o s e d t o t h i s n e w c u r a t i v e p o w e r . T he l u c k y b o d - t in ists hate any thing that is new, and which requires them to give up a little time, to th e m m o n e y , to the acquiring o f new knowledge; and those who desire to act up to their convictions, fea r to give a lever to their rivals, by which to work their ruin. T h e y w o u l d f a i n b e E l l i o t s o n s w i t h o u t h i s m a n l y , c o u r a g e o u s ,

a n d f a r - s e e i n g s p i r i t ; b u t h e i s n o w r e a p i n g h i s r e w a r d , a n d h i s s u c c e s s w i l l s e c u r e t a r d y f o l l o w e r s .

communicated by D r. EUiotson. 3 0 3

“ There are several hundreds o f medical men i n the public service in this country, who are above the frowns o f the public, and can afford the small martyrdom they would be subjected to in the advocacy o f truth, a n d t o t h e m I c o n f i d e n t l y l o o k f o r a

d i s p a s s i o n a t e a n d s c i e n t i f i c i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f t h i s d e e p l y i n t e ­r e s t i n g s u b j e c t .

“ Easy.— I n d e p e n d e n c e o f m e a n s u s u a l l y g i v e s i n d e p e n d ­e n c e o f m i n d , b u t i t a l s o e n g e n d e r s i n d o l e n c e ; a n d , u n l e s s p e o p l e ' s p o c k e t s o r p e r s o n s a r e e f f e c t e d , i t i s v e r y d i f f i c u l t t o

g e t t h e m t o t h i n k a n d a c t v i g o r o u s l y .“ Freeman.— M a n y a r e t h i n k i n g , h o w e v e r , a n d s o m e a r e a t

w o r k , a n d t h e p u b l i c i s a f o o l i f i t d o e s n o t e n c o u r a g e t h e m ." L e t u s d r i n k t o t h e p r o g r e s s o f u s e f u l k n o w l e d g e a l l

o v e r t h e w o r l d .

“ Easy.— W i t h a l l m y h e a r t , a n d I w i l l s e i s e t h e f i r s t h o l i d a y t o g o t o H o o g h l y .

“ Freeman.— A n d I w i l l a c c o m p a n y y o u .

“ M a g n e s .”

T h e p a p e r s o f M a y t h e 1 8 t h c o n t a i n d e t a i l s b y D r . E s d a i l e

f r o m m y c o m m u n i c a t i o n s t o The Zoist o f v a r i o u s p a i n l e s s s u r ­g i c a l o p e r a t i o n s . I t b e g i n s t h u s :

“ Mesmeric Facts from different parts o f the world, collected by James Esdaile, M .D .

“ One touch of nature makes the whole world kin,"

* * T o t h e e d i t o r o f The Englishman,“ S i r , — I a m d a i l y a s k e d 1 w h y d o n ’ t w e h e a r o f t h e s e

t h i n g s b e i n g d o n e i n E n g l a n d ? ’ T h e a n s w e r i s , t h e s e t h i n g s are d o i n g i n E n g l a n d a n d a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d , b u t w e w o n ’ t

b e a t t h e t r o u b l e t o i n q u i r e a b o u t t h e m .“ I f w e d i d , w e s h o u l d p e r c e i v e , t h a t ‘ G o d a c t s , n o t b y

p a r t i a l , b u t b y g e n e r a l l a w s / a n d t h a t w h a t a r e c a l l e d t h e

a n o m a l i e s o f H o o g h l y a r e o c c u r r i n g a l l o v e r t h e g l o b e i n

a c c o r d a n c e w i t h a g e n e r a l l a w o f n a t u r e , w h i c h s o m e g r e a t a n d h a p p y i n d i v i d u a l w i l l p e r h a p s s o o n e x p l a i n t o u s .

“ M y o p p o r t u n i t i e s o f a c t i n g u p o n t h e E u r o p e a n c o n s t i ­

t u t i o n h a v e b e e n v e r y l i m i t e d , b u t v e r y s a t i s f a c t o r y , a s m y n e x t l e t t e r w i l l s h o w ; a n d t h e l a s t a c c o u n t s f r o m E n g l a n d b r i n g o v e r w h e l m i n g p r o o f s t h a t E u r o p e a n s i n a l l c l i m a t e B a r e

c a p a b l e o f f e e l i n g t h e e x t r e m e d e g r e e s o f t h e m e s m e r i c i n f l u ­e n c e a s w e l l a s t h e n a t i v e s o f I n d i a . A n y a c c i d e n t a l d i f f e r ­

e n c e s o f n a t i o n a l c o n s t i t u t i o n w i l l p r o b a b l y b e e q u a l i s e d b y

3 0 4 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

t h e h a n d o f d i s e a s e ; a n d , w h e n E u r o p e a n s need to be mes­merised, t h e y w i l l i n a l l l i k e l i h o o d b e c o m e c a p a b l e o f b e i n g s o , a s y o u r r e a d e r s w i l l p e r c e i v e b y t h e f o l l o w i n g e x t r a c t s

f r o m t h e l a t e s t m e s m e r i c i n t e l l i g e n c e .“ I f a n y u n b e l i e v e r s s t i l l e x i s t i n I n d i a , a n d t h e i r s i l e n c e

w o u l d i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e y h a v e p a s s e d t o f o r g e t f u l n e s s a m o n g t h e m u m m i e s a n d m a m m o t h s , t h e f o l l o w i n g mesmeric facts f r o m t h e w e s t e r n , h e m i s p h e r e w i l l s u r e l y e x t i n g u i s h t h e r a c e a n d m a k e i t h i s t o r i c a l . T h e d i f f i c u l t y i s i n s e l e c t i o n , a n d

y o u r l i m i t s w i l l n o t a d m i t o f m o r e t h a n o n e s p e c i m e n f r o m a

f e w c o u n t r i e s . I h a v e o n l y c h o s e n e x a m p l e s o f p a i n l e s s s u r ­g i c a l o p e r a t i o n s , o n t h e p r i n c i p l e o f d o i n g o n e t h i n g a t a t i m e , a n d t h a t t h o r o u g h l y ; b u t t h i s i s o n l y a f r a c t i o n o f t h e p r a c t i c a l u t i l i t y o f t h e s u b j e c t , a n d w e m a y h o p e t o o v e r t a k e t h e r e s t

w i t h t i m e . ”

H e r e f o l l o w s o m e o f t h e o p e r a t i o n s p e r f o r m e d i n E n g l a n d , S c o t l a n d , I r e l a n d , F r a n c e , a n d A m e r i c a .

T h e d e t a i l s a r e t h u B c o n c l u d e d : — -" S u c h a r e t h e facts b r o u g h t d a i l y t o t h e f e e t o f D r .

E U i o t s o n f r o m a l l q u a r t e r s o f t h e g l o b e , a n d I k n o w n o m a n

m o r e t o b e e n v i e d ,

“ I a m ,“ Y o u r o b e d i e n t S e r v a n t ,

“ J am es E s d a il e , M .D .“ H o o g h l y , 1 s t . M a y , 1 8 4 6 . ”

I n t h e p a p e r f o r M a y 9 t h , a r e a c c o u n t s o f n i n e m o r e p a i n ­

l e s s o p e r a t i o n s :—

“ 1 When men deny a fact of nature, it ij certain that tooner or later ahe will conquer. ' — T h e Z o i t t .

" T o t h e e d i t o r o f The Englishman.“ S i r , — I t i s n o w a y e a r a g o s i n c e I p u b l i s h e d m y f i r s t

m e s m e r i c r e p o r t , w h i c h c o n c l u d e d t h u s — ' W h a t a b l e s s e d p r o s p e c t t h i s o p e n s t o s u f f e r e r s w h o a r e s e n s i b l e t o t h e m e s ­m e r i c i n f l u e n c e , a n d i n t i m e w e m a y h o p e t o d i s c o v e r w h o t h e y a r e , b y d e t e c t i n g t h e l a w s w h i c h r e g u l a t e t h i s p o w e r o f n a t u r e . A l t h o u g h I s h o u l d n e v e r a g a i n s u c c e e d i n p r o d u c i n g

t h e s e p h e n o m e n a , I w i l l i n f u t u r e t h i n k , s p e a k , a n d w r i t e o f m e s m e r i s m a s b e i n g a s m u c h a r e a l i t y a s t h e p r o p e r t i e s o f o p i u m o r t h e p r i n c i p l e o f g r a v i t a t i o n /

“ T h i s w a s n o t t h e e x p r e s s i o n o f a f o o l i s h self-confidence, b u t a s i m p l e r e l i a n c e o n t h e h e a l t h i n e s s o f m y s e n s e s , a n d t h e

communicated by D r. Elliotson. 3 0 5

r e a l i t y o f t h e i m p r e s s i o n s c o n v e y e d b y t h e m t o m y b r a i n , i n c o m m o n w i t h a l l t h o s e w h o w i t n e s s e d t h e s a m e a p p e a r a n c e s .

“ I t w a s m o r a l l y a n d p h y s i c a l l y i m p o s s i b l e u n d e r “ t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s ( s e e m y Mesmeric Facts, p u b l i s h e d b y O s t e l l

a n d C o . , ) t h a t w e c o u l d b e d e c e i v e d i n t h e p h e n o m e n a p r e ­s e n t e d b y t h e f i r s t p e r s o n m e s m e r i s e d i n I n d i a , a n d I d i d n o t b e l i e v e m y s e l f t o b e o f s u f f i c i e n t c o n s e q u e n c e f o r n a t u r e t o

t r a v e l o u t o f h e r c o u r s e , m e r e l y t o h a v e t h e s a t i s f a c t i o n o f l a u g h i n g a t m e f o r b e l i e v i n g i n t h e s e n s e s s h e h a d g i v e n m e ,

a n d w h i c h h a d h i t h e r t o e n a b l e d m e t o d i s t i n g u i s h p r e t t y w e l l t h e real f r o m t b e unreal, a n d t o d i s c r i m i n a t e a hawk f r o m a

handsaw, i f t h e r e i s s u c h a t h i n g a s m a t t e r . d K n o w i n g a n d c o n f e s s i n g m y t o t a l i g n o r a n c e o f t h e s u b j e c t , o n w h i c h t h e

p r e v i o u s k n o w l e d g e o f s o m a n y a g e s t h r o w n o l i g h t , a n d p e r ­c e i v i n g t h a t i t m u s t b e l e a r n e d b y itself a s s o m e t h i n g q u i t e n e w b e f o r e a t t e m p t i n g t o c o n n e c t i t w i t h o u r f o r m e r k n o w ­l e d g e , I d e t e r m i n e d t o o b s e r v e w i t h s e n s e s u n s t u f f e d b y p r e ­j u d i c e s w h a t e v e r n a t u r e p r e s e n t e d , a n d t o c o m p l y u n h e s i t a t ­

i n g l y w i t h w h a t s h e r e q u i r e d . B y f o l l o w i n g h e r i n d i c a t i o n s

w i t h d o c i l i t y , I h a v e h a d t h e s a t i s f a c t i o n t o p e r f o r m ninety-one p a i n l e s s o p e r a t i o n s i n o n e y e a r , ( a g r e a t p r o p o r t i o n o f t h e m

b e i n g o f t h e m o s t s e v e r e a n d d a n g e r o u s d e s c r i p t i o n ) , b e s i d e s c u r i n g a n d r e l i e v i n g m a n y d i s e a s e s o v e r w h i c h m e d i c i n e , a s h i t h e r t o p r a c t i s e d , h a d l i t t l e o r n o c o n t r o l ; a n d a l l t h i s by merely doing as / was bid. W h e n w i l l o t h e r s g o a n d d o l i k e w i s e ? ”

8 3 r d P a i n l e s s Operation. Laying open a Fistula.

“ A p r i l 1 1 t h . R u n j e e t S i n g , a p o r t e r , a g e d 3 5 , h a s a

d e e p f i s t u l a i n t h e n a p e o f t h e n e c k o f f o u r m o n t h s ’ s t a n d i n g , t h a t r e q u i r e s t o b e l a i d o p e n f o r i t s c u r e : w a s e n t r a n c e d o n t h e f i r s t t r i a l i n h a l f a n h o u r , a n d the part freely (aid open without his feeling it."

8 4 i A . Removal o f a Tumor.“ A p r i l 1 2 t h . B o g o b u n D o s s o p e r a t e d o n f o r t h e r e m o v a l

o f a t u m o r o f S O l b s . w e i g h t , o n t h e 8 t h i n s t a n t ; w a s e n ­

t r a n c e d t o - d a y i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f D r . E w i n g , a n d t w o o t h e r g e n t l e m e n , t o h a v e t h e s t i t c h e s r e m o v e d , a n d t h e w o u n d

d r e s s e d f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e — a l w a y s a d i s t r e s s i n g p r o c e s s . W h e n

i t w a s o v e r , h e w a s r e m o v e d t o a c l e a n b e d , a n d o n b e i n g

S 11 It ii necessary to be cautions, far tame of my brethren evidently believe that there it nothing real in (hit seeming world of ours; that ‘ naught is everything, isd everything is naught.' A learned professor actually told me, that he would not believe I cut up people without their knowing it, eves tf h t h u b it / Perhaps, after all, I have been dissecting shadows all this time, which sufficiently accounts for the insensibility of the same. I with that 1 bad thought of this sooner.

3 0 6 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

a w a k e n e d w a s a s t o n i s h e d t o f i n d t h a t h i s b e d h a d b e e n

c h a n g e d .“ A s t h e g r e a t e r p o w e r o f e n d u r a n c e w i l l , o f c o u r s e , i n c l u d e

t h e l e s s , y o u r r e a d e r s w i l l h a v e i n f e r r e d t h i s , a n d o t h e r p r a c ­

t i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n s o f t h e p o w e r ; b u t n o t h i n g s h o u l d b e t a k e n f o r g r a n t e d t h a t c a n b e p r o v e d b y d i r e c t e x p e r i m e n t , "

8 5 i A , Laying open a Fistula." A p r i l 1 7 t h . D o o k e e R a m , a g e d 5 8 , a s h e p h e r d , h a s

h a d a f i s t u l o u s s o r e o n t h e b a c k o f h i s h a n d f o r s i x m o n t h s . O n g o i n g t o t h e h o s p i t a l t o - d a y , s o m e w h a t l a t e r t h a n u s u a l , 1 f o u n d t w o g e n t l e m e n t h e r e , M r . B a x t e r a n d M r . L i t t l e w o o d ,

a n d w a s t o l d b y t h e s u b - a s s i s t a n t s u r g e o n t h a t t h i s m a n h a d b e e n e n t r a n c e d a n d o p e r a t e d o n , a b o u t h a l f a n h o u r b e f o r e . W e w e n t t o s e e h i m , a n d he awoke while we were looking at him, a n d expressed great surprise at the altered state o f his hand.”

8 6 th. Removal o f an Excrescence.“ A p r i l 2 0 t h . S u m b o o , a b o a t m a n , a g e d 3 6 , h a s g o t

p h i m o s i B a n d a w a r t y e x c r e s c e n c e , w h i c h r e q u i r e s a m p u t a t i o n o f t h e p a r t . H e w a s e a s i l y e n t r a n c e d o n t h e f i r s t t r i a l , a n d

the part removed without his knowledge”

87th. Removal o f a Tumor." A p r i l 2 4 t h . R a m m o h u n D o s s , a s h o p - k e e p e r , a g e d 4 0 ,

h a s e l e p h a n t i a s i s s c r o t i . I c u t o f f t h e t u m o r , w e i g h i n g 1 2 l b s . , i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f M r . G r a v e s , t h e H e a d M a s t e r o f

H o p g h l y C o l l e g e , a n d M r . B r e n n a n , L e c t u r e r o u N a t u r a l P h i l o s o p h y i n t h e s a m e i n s t i t u t i o n , a n d t h e m a n did not awake till after all the arteries were tied, and the parts covered with a clean sheet; t h e o r g a n s w e r e a l l s a v e d . H e s a i d t h a t

h e h a d a w o k e o f h i s o w n a c c o r d , a n d w a s n o t i n a n y w a y d i s t u r b e d i n h i s s l e e p . H e w a s a s k e d b y m e w h y h e h a d c o m e t o t h e h o s p i t a l ? H e s a i d , ' t o h a v e h i s t u m o r r e m o v e d . ’ W h e n d i d h e f i r s t s e e m e ? ' T h i s m o m e n t o n a w a k i n g . ’ I

h a d f o u n d h i m e n t r a n c e d t h i s m o r n i n g , a n d t h e n s a w h i m

f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e . W e a s k e d h i m i f h e w o u l d l i k e t o h a v e t h e o p e r a t i o n d o n e n o w ? H e s a i d , t h a t a s h e f e l t w e a k , h e w o u l d l i k e i t t o b e d o n e a f t e r h e h a d g o t s o m e t h i n g t o e a t .

" H e w a s n o w s h e w n t h e m a s s o f f l e s h w h i c h he recognised as his property, but could not tell how I had got hold o f it."

8 8 M . Removal o f a Tumor." T h i s c a s e i s m o r e t h a n u s u a l l y i n t e r e s t i n g , a n d h a s

s o m e v a r i e t y i n i t s c i r c u m s t a n c e s .

communicated by D r. Elliot son. 3 0 7

“ A p r i l 2 4 t h , I l e f t t h e l a s t p a t i e n t i n t h e t r a n c e i n w h i c h

I f o u n d h i m , i n t e n d i n g t o o p e r a t e o n m y r e t u r n f r o m C h i n - s u r a h . O n t h e w a y , I m e t a y o u n g m a n l e a d i n g a n o l d b l i n d o n e , a n d s a w t h a t t h e f o r m e r h a d g o t o n e o f t h e u s u a l t u m o r s .

1 s t o p p e d t h e m , a n d f o u n d t h a t t h e y h a d j u s t c o m e u p f r o m C a l c u t t a a b o u t s o m e s u i t i n c o u r t h e r e . I a s k e d t h e y o u n g m a n i f h e w i s h e d t o g e t r i d o f h i s a n n o y a n c e , a n d o n h i s a n ­s w e r i n g t h a t h e d i d , X t u r n e d b a c k w i t h t h e m t o s h o w t h e m t h e h o s p i t a l . I f i r s t i n t r o d u c e d h i m t o B o g o b u n D o s s , t h e b e a r e r

f r o m C u t t a c k , o p e r a t e d o n f o r t h e s a m e d i s e a s e o n t h e 8 t h A p r i l , a n d w h o w a s w a l k i n g a b o u t t h e h o s p i t a l . T h e b e a r e r t o l d h i m h i s s t o r y , a n d s h o w e d h i s p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n , which the new comer was simple enough to believe. I t h e n t o o k h i m

i n t o t h e m e s m e r i s i n g r o o m , a n d s h o w e d h i m t h e l a s t p a t i e n t , p u l l i n g o f f h i s c l o t h , t h a t b e m i g h t s e e t h e n a t u r e o f h i s c o m p l a i n t , a n d s a t i s f y h i m s e l f t h a t h e w a s u n c o n s c i o u s . H e h a d n o d i f f i c u l t y i n b e l i e v i n g t h i s e v e n , ( s u c h i s t h e p e r v e r s i o n

o f m a n ’ s natural s e n s e s ! ) a n d I t h e n s a i d , t h a t i f h e w o u l d l i e d o w n , a n d d o a s h e w a s b i d , I w o u l d c u t b o t h o f t h e m w i t h o u t g i v i n g t h e m p a i n . H e a c c o r d i n g l y l a y d o w n , a n d

i n a n h o u r , I r e t u r n e d w i t h M r . G r a v e s a n d M r . B r e n n a n , a n d f o u n d b o t h o f t h e m e n r e a d y f o r t h e k n i f e . T h e l a s t

o p e r a t i o n h a v i n g f a t i g u e d m e , I s a i d t h a t I w o u l d r e s e r v e t h i s m a n t i l l t o - m o r r o w , a n d a f f o r d M r . B r e n n a n a n o p p o r ­t u n i t y o f m a k i n g s o m e e x p e r i m e n t s u p o n t h e e f f e c t s o f e l e c ­

t r i c i t y , a p p l i e d i n t h e t r a n c e .“ F a r a d a y 's e l e c t r o - m a g n e t i c m a c h i n e w a s p u t i n m o t i o n ,

a n d t h e h a n d l e s p u t i n t o h i s h a n d s ; h i s a r m s t r e m b l e d i n s y n c h r o n y w i t h t h e c o n t i n u o u s s h o c k s , but his hands and face remained perfectly passive, a n d o n a d d i n g t h e c e n t r e m a g n e t

t o i n c r e a s e t h e s t r e n g t h o f t h e s h o c k s , t h e o n l y e f f e c t p r o ­

d u c e d w a s t o e x t e n d t h e t r e m o r t o t h e w h o l e b o d y ; A i r coun­tenance never changed, a n d t h e h a n d l e s h a d t o b e p a c k e d

w i t h t o w t o k e e p t h e m i n h i s half-open hands. T h e c o n d u c t o r s w e r e t a k e n o u t o f h i s h a n d s , a n d t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h o s e o f h i s m e s m e r i s e r , a l a r g e s t r o n g m a n , t h e h o s p i t a l d o o r - k e e p e r , a n d i n a n i n s t a n t he made the most horrible grimaces, convul­sively grasped the conductors, and begged that they might be taken out o f his hands, as he could not throw them away.*

* See Dr. Lender's account of the Okejs in the M o n t h l y C h r o n i c l e , July, 1838, p. 20: “ Galvanic and electrical apparatus were prepared by Professor Wheatstone, and administered to the two patients, Elizabeth and Jane Okey, by Professor Wheatstone and Dr. Lardner, in the presence of Dr. Elliotson, Dr. Roget, and a great number of medical and scientific men. The shock of the galvanic apparatus was taken by some gentlemen present, among others by Sir William Molesworth, and in each case produced a very severe effect; when administered, however, to the two patients, no visible

3 0 8 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

“ A f t e r t h i s , I w i t h g r e a t d i f f i c u l t y a w o k e t h e m a n , a n d h e w a s u n c o n s c i o u s o f a n y t h i n g h a v i n g b e e n d o n e t o h i m .

* ' A p r i l 2 5 t h . I n t h e p r e s e n c e o f M r . P o w l e , a s s i s t a n t

m a g i s t r a t e , M r . S h u m , M r . B a x t e r , a n d M r . B a z e t , I r e ­r e m o v e d t h e t u m o r , s a v i n g a l l t h e o r g a n s , a n d the man showed no more sensibility than a corpse.

“ I t w a s t w e n t y m i n u t e s b e f o r e t h e w o u n d w a s a l l s t i t c h e d u p , a n d , w h e n t h e l a s t s t i t c h e s w e r e p u t t i n g i n , i t w a s f o u n d

t h a t t h e r e w a s t o o m u c h s k i n l e f t ; u p o n w h i c h I s l i c e d o f f three inches more, t o w h i c h h e w a s quite indifferent. B y

t h i B t i m e , t h e s p e c t a t o r s h a d r e c o v e r e d t h e i r s e n s e s , a n d b e c o m e c o n v i n c e d t h a t h e w a s a real m a n , a n d a l l a g r e e d t h a t i t w a s a waste o f sympathy t o b e s t o w i t o n a p e r s o n w h o

i n n o way needed it. T h e m a n h a d t o b e a w o k e a t t h e e n d o f a n h o u r , a s I w i s h e d t h e s p e c t a t o r s t o h e a r h i s f i r s t w o r d s ,

effect whatever was produced ; the; held the ends of the wires steadily, sad apparently without any Ben sat ion or coaaciouBDeBi of any particular effect. It was observed, however, that a contraction of the muscles of the hands w u apparent, and the patients were not able to disengage their bands from the extremities of the wire. Leyden phials were subsequently charged by an electric machine, and the shock taken by each of the patients without any effect, except an expression of surprise, and a burst of laughter oo seeing the spark pass between the jar and tbeir bands."

See also my N i t m t r a u i Cases oa Surgical Operations without pain, p. 30 : 11 One of the Okeys, during her mesmeric state of ecstatic delirium, though possessing full power in all her muscles, was inneasihle to mechanical injury, burning, and electricity. Tbe cylinders of the electro-magnetic machine were held in her hand any length o f time, while the wheel waa turned aa rapidly os possible, without any evidence of tbe slightest sensa­tion, though no one else could hold them for more than some seconds. She received the charge of a large Leyden phial, and no effect was noticed. When asked what she felt, she answered in the former instance, 11 heard it go giggle, giggle, giggle;' and in the latter, ‘ 1 saw tbe light.’ At the Adelaide Gallery I put the hands of a femnle in a state of steep-waking, who bad not been there before, upon the electrical eel near tbe head and tail, tad she look no notice, though 1 felt a very sight movement of her arms, which nobody else could remark. Now the shock of the eel mode very many jump. When I waa not present, I know for certain that she received at once tbe charge of six Leyden jars, each sixteen inches high and eight wide, without evidencing sensation. But, because tbe condition o f Eliaabeth Okey, and of this young woman, waa induced by mesmerism, it was feigned; os though there waa more evidence o f reality, or could be more evidence of reality, in other cases than in these,’ ’

Mr. Dilke, in bis AtArairum, declared respecting all the experiments with the Okeys, that “ every scientific man who regards his own character should keep aloof of them, and refrain from sanctioning, by direct partici­pation in their proceedings, a transaction so likely to lead to mischievous consequencesand that “ mankind is more benefit ted by doubt, whether reasonable or ant reasonable, than moat persons imagine.1' Tbe D a i l y N r m lately had tbe following passage : “ We have men in these days whose cre­dulity is pretty strong. Some believe in clairvoyance ; others in the healing powers of Codihman the prophet. The Standard, Herald, and Poll, believe that tbe Corn-law will be re-enacted, But Lord Stan ter bo» shot a-head of them all, for he believes himself qualified to be prime minister."—J. Elliotsoh.

communicated by D r. E lliot son. 5 0 9

a n d I n e e d n o t s a y , t h a t he knew nothing about what had been done to him, and stared i n mute astonishment at his improved appearance.

H i s b l i n d f a t h e r w a s b r o u g h t i n , a n d w a s t o l d b y h i s s o n t h a t h e h a d f e l t n o p a i n , a n d w a s n o w q u i t e c o m f o r t a b l e , a n d the simple old man actually believed him ! a s w a s e v i d e n t b y t h e b e a u t i f u l p l a y o f h i s f e a t u r e s , a n d t h e b l e s s i n g s h e i n v o k e d

o n t h o s e w h o d i d i t ." A p r i l 2 9 t h . H e w a s e n t r a n c e d t o - d a y , a n d the dressmg

removed without giving him any p a in ”

8 9 th. Tapping." A p r i l 2 1 s t . S h e i k M e e a h J a n , a b o a t m a n , a g e d 4 0 :

H i s a b d o m e n i s m u c h d i s t e n d e d w i t h w a t e r , a n d h i s b r e a t h i n g o p p r e s s e d : t o b e t a p p e d t o r e l i e v e h i m .

" A p r i l 2 9 t h . T h e w a t e r w a s w i t h d r a w n w h e n h e w a s i n t h e t r a n c e t o - d a y , a n d h e d i d n o t a w a k e t i l l h a l f a n h o u r a f t e r w a r d s . He then said, that when he went to sleep his belly was fu ll, but was now em pty; but God only knew how it hap- pened.”

9 0 i A , Paring a Sore." A p r i l 2 9 t h . S h e i k D a n n o o , a c a r t - d r i v e r , a g e d 3 0 : h a s

b e e n s u f f e r i n g f o r f o u r m o n t h s f r o m a s o r e o n h i s r i g h t h e e l , o f w h i c h t h e s k i n i s v e r y t h i c k , a n d p a r t i a l l y d e t a c h e d f r o m t h e s u r r o u n d i n g p a r t s . T h e w h o l e d i s e a s e d s k i n r e q u i r e s t o b e c u t o f f t h e p l a n t a r f a s c i a . H e w a s e n t r a n c e d o n t h e f i r s t t r i a l , a n d / pared the whole heel to the quick, to which he was as insensible as a cheese; h e a w o k e i n h a l f a n h o u r a f t e r , a n d d i d n o t k n o w a n y t h i n g h a d b e e n d o n e t o h i s h e e l . ”

9 1 s i . Operation fo r Hydrocele.“ A p r i l 1 7 t h . A p r i s o n e r c a m e t o h o s p i t a l t o - d a y w i t h a

h y d r o c e l e ; i t w a s v e r y t e n d e r , a n d h e c o u l d n o t b e a r i t t o b e

p r e s s e d . I d e s i r e d h i m t o b e m e s m e r i s e d f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f M r . B a x t e r a n d M r . L i t t l e w o o d , a n d i n h a l f a n h o u r p e r f o r m e d t h e o p e r a t i o n without disturbing A i m , a n d

I s h o w e d t h a t t h e tender p a r t c o u l d n o w bear severe pressure without his feeling it. I l e f t t h e r o o m , t h a t t h e g e n t l e m e n a l o n e m i g h t b e p r e s e n t w h e n h e a w o k e , a n d he told t h e m that he had a swelling when he lay down, but there was none now,

and he knew not what had become o f it.

“ 1 a m , y o u r o b e d i e n t s e r v a n t ," J a s . E s d a i l k , M . D .

“ H o o g h l y , 1 s t M a y , 1 8 4 6 . ”

V O L . IV , Z

3 1 0 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

T h e R e ? . J a m e s E s d a i l e h a s p u b l i s h e d b y m e a n s o f L o n g m a n

a n d C o . , a b o o k b y D r . E s d a i l e , e n t i t l e d Mesmerism in India ; a n d , h a v i n g p u r c h a s e d i t , I e x t r a c t t h e f o l l o w i n g a d d i t i o n a l a c c o u n t s o f p a i n l e s s o p e r a t i o n s . S e v e r a l o t h e r s a r e r e c o r d e d

i n t h e b o o k , w h i c h 1 h a v e p r e s e n t e d t o t h e m e s m e r i c p u b l i c i n f o r m e r n u m b e r s o f The Zoist.

Removal o f a very large tumor.— “ S e p t . 1 s t . T e g A l i

K h a n , a t a l l s t r o n g - l o o k i n g m a n ; h a s a h y p e r t r o p h i a s c r o t i , c a u s e d b y r e p e a t e d o p e r a t i o n s f o r h y d r o c e l e b y n a t i v e d o c t o r s , w h o o n l y w i t h d r a w t h e w a t e r a s o f t e n a a i t a c c u m u l a t e s , w i t h o u t a t t e m p t i n g t h e r a d i c a l c u r e . T h e t u m o r i s p e r f e c t l y r o u n d , a n d as big as a marls head. H e w a s m e s m e r i s e d i n

t w o h o u r s , o n t h e f i r s t t r i a l , a n d , i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f D r s . R o s a a n d S i s s m o r e , I d i s s e c t e d o u t a l l t h e p a r t s ; w h i c h w a s v e r y t e d i o u s , f r o m t h e t e s t e s h a v i n g c o n t r a c t e d a d h e s i o n s a l l

r o u n d t h e m ; a n d i t w a s a b o u t h a l f a n h o u r b e f o r e t h e o r g a n s w e r e c o v e r e d u p a g a i n b y s t i t c h i n g f l a p s o v e r t h e m . Not a ouiver o f the flesh was visible all this time, and, at the end, hit body was as stiff as a log, from head to foo t, and his separated legs could be with difficulty put together again. H e a w o k e i n

h a l f a n h o u r a f t e r t n e o p e r a t i o n , a n d fe lt no pain." S e p t . 4 t h . T h e s t i t c h e s w e r e t a k e n o u t t o - d a y ; t h e

w o u n d h a s h e a l e d t h r o u g h o u t , a n d b e h a s h a d no pain what­ever s i n c e t h e o p e r a t i o n ; — s o m u c h f o r t h e a b s e n c e o f t h e u s u a l i r r i t a t i v e s h o c k t o t h e s y s t e m .

“ W e c a n r e n e w t h e t r a n c e a t p l e a s u r e , i n o r d e r t o r e n d e r

p e o p l e i n s e n s i b l e t o r e p e a t e d o p e r a t i o n s . "

Application o f a red-hot plaster iron, paring, and tearing through adhesions. — > " S e p t . 1 8 t h , M o r a l l y D a s s , a p e a s a n t ,

a g e d S O , h a s a n u n h e a l t h y c a r t i l a g i n o u s B o r e , h a l f a n i n c h h i g h a b o v e t h e s k i n , a n d e x t e n d i n g f o r s i x inches a l o n g t h e

o u t e r h a m - s t r i n g o f t h e l e f t l e g , w h i c h i t h a s c o n t r a c t e d t o n e a r l y a r i g h t a n g l e w i t h t h e t h i g h , f o r a y e a r p a s t .

“ H e w a s e n t r a n c e d t o - d a y , f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , and / deeply cauterised the whale sore with a red-hot plaster iron, without awaking him.

" S e p t , 1 9 t h . T h e e x c r e s c e n c e i s s o h a r d , a n d t h i c k , t h a t i t m u s t b e d i s s e c t e d o f t t h e h a m - s t r i n g : h e w a s a g a i n e n ­t r a n c e d , a n d t h e diseased part was pared down to a level with the surrounding skin, without his feeling it.

11 S e p t . 2 0 t h , W h e n h e w a s i n t h e t r a n c e t o - d a y I s t r a i g h t ­e n e d t h e l e g c o m p l e t e l y , a n d b o u n d i t u p i n s p l i n t s ; he awoke not, and when he did, had no pain ; although it took all m y strength and weight to break down the adhesions, which I fe lt

communicated by D r. E lliot »on, S I 1

and heard cracking under my hand». T h e R e v . M r , B r a d b u r y

s a w t h e f i r s t o p e r a t i o n . T h e R e v . M r . F i s h e r , a n d M r . G r a v e s , t h e s e c o n d , a n d M r . B l y t h t h e t h i r d . I n t h e t r e a t m e n t o f c h r o n i c d i s e a s e s s u i t e d f o r m e s m e r i s m , coma i s n o t r e q u i r e d : i f i t o c c u r s , i t i s p r o b a b l y b e c a u s e n a t u r e n e e d s i t ; b u t w e o u g h t t o b e s a t i s f i e d w i t h t h e i m p r o v e m e n t o f t h e p a t i e n t , t h o u g h i t i s u n a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h a n y s t r i k i n g p h e n o m e n a .

T h e s y s t e m i s n o t l e a s e f f e c t u a l l y r e c r u i t e d b e c a u s e i t i s d o n e s i l e n t l y , — j u s t a s t h e b e B t d i g e s t i o n i s l e a B t f e l t . F o r r e f r e s h ­i n g t h e n e r v o u s s y s t e m , a n d i n d u c i n g n a t u r a l s l e e p , m e s ­m e r i s i n g ' a longs courants,’ a s t h e F r e n c h c a l l i t , w i l l b e f o u n d s u f f i c i e n t . T h e s e a r e s t e a d y c o n t i n u o u s t r a c t i o n s , w i t h t h e p o i n t s o f t h e s p r e a d f i n g e r s , f r o m h e a d t o f o o t ; t h e h e a d m a y b e o c c a s i o n a l l y b r e a t h e d u p o n , a u d t h e h a n d s a l l o w e d t o r e s t f o r a f e w m i n u t e s o n t h e p i t o f t h e s t o m a c h . A n h o u r o f t h i s , o n g o i n g t o b e d , w i l l o f t e n s o o t h e r e s t l e s s n e s s , b r i n g b a c k n a t u r a l s l e e p , a n d i n v i g o r a t e t h e n e r v o u s s y s t e m / ’

Removal o f a fungus as large as a cauliflower.— “ A u g . 2 3 d . N a p a u l B a g b y , a h u s b a n d m a n , h a s a s i n g u l a r f u n g o i d m a s s i n t h e r i g h t i n g u e n ; i t i s the size o f a small cauliflower, a n d

l i k e i t i n a p p e a r a n c e , t h e s u r f a c e b e i n g w h i t i s h f r o m s l o u g h ­i n g . I t s p r e a d s f r o m a p e d u n c l e i n t h e a b d o m i n a l r i n g , a n d b l e e d s m u c h w h e n h a n d l e d . H i s f a t h e r s a y s t h a t , a t h i s b i r t h , t h e r e w a s o n l y o n e t e s t i s i n t h e s c r o t u m , a n d n o t r a c e o f t h e o t h e r w a s s e e n t i l l b e w a s s i x m o u t h s o l d , w h e n a s w e l l i n g a p p e a r e d i n t h e i n g u e n . T h i s g r a d u a l l y i n c r e a s e d

t i l l h i s t w e l f t h y e a r , b u t w a s n o t p a i n f u l o r i n c o n v e n i e n t . A b o u t t h i s t i m e , h e w a s a t t a c k e d w i t h f e v e r , a t t e n d e d w i t h i n c r e a s e d s e n s i b i l i t y a n d i n c r e a s e o f s i z e i n t h e t u m o r , a n d t h e p a r o x y s m s c a m e o n t w i c e a m o n t h , u p t o J u n e l a s t , w h e n h e a p p l i e d t o a b a r b e r - s u r g e o n w h o u s e d m e a n s to ripen t h e s w e l l i n g . I n t h e c o u r s e o f a f e w d a y s i t w a s p u n c t u r e d , a n d b l o o d o n l y f o l l o w e d . T h e o p e n i n g w a s p l u g g e d a s w e l l a s p o s s i b l e w i t h a c a n d l e c o v e r e d w i t h c l o t h s m e a r e d w i t h s o m e o i n t m e n t , b u t i n a f e w d a y s t h i s c a m e o u t , a n d t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y , a f u n g u s s h o t o u t o f t h e w o u n d , a n d d a i l y i n c r e a s e d t o

i t s p r e s e n t s i z e . I t i s n o w a v e r y f o u l m a s s , i t s s u r f a c e m o r ­t i f i e d , a n d t h e c r e v i c e s f i l l e d w i t h m a g g o t s .

“ A u g . 2 6 t h . H e w a s m e s m e r i s e d a f t e r t w o h o u r a J t r i a l , a n d the mass removed without his feeling it.

“ A u g . 3 1 s t . D i s c h a r g e d a t h i s o w n r e q u e s t — w o u n d l o o k ­i n g w e l l . ”

Removal o f excrescences. — “ S e p t . 1 s t . R a i m g o p & l , a y o u n g H i n d o o , h a s g o t a h i g h s y p h i l i t i c s o r e , a b o u t t h e s i z e

z 2

312 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

o f half a lemon, on each side o f his nates. He was entranced on the first trial; and in the presence o f Hr. Ross and Dr. Sissmore, I turned Aim round like a log, and cut o ff both the excrescences level with the skin, then turned him back again, and left him sleeping. It is needless to say he did not fee l i t ”

Removal o f an enlargement as big as a child’s head.— " Oct. 8th. Nazir, a peasant, aged sixty, has suffered from enlarged and scirrhous testis for four years; the parts are as large as a child's head, and extirpation is necessary.— He was entranced after two bonrs to-day.

“ Oct. 10th. He was mesmerised the second time, to-day, in the presence o f Mr. Sutherland, Dr. Owen, the Reverend Mr, Bradbury, Major Riddell, Mr. Higgen, Mr. Muller, Mr. Graves, Messrs. SavigDy, Mr. Calder, and Mr. Bartlett.

“ I removed the parts without his showing any sign o f sen­sibility till the last artery was being tied ; he then woke up, but went immediately to sleep again fur half an hour, and on waking, said that he was only conscious o f a little pain when he awoke fo r a moment and found me to be tying something.( He was cheerful and talkative, and showed no signs o f suffer­ing or exhaustion in his countenance or manner, and said the pain in the wound was very trifling.“

Operation fo r cataract.— “ Nov. 20th. Mohun Dasa, a peasant; aged fifty-five: has got a cataract in one eye. He was entranced on the first trial, and 1 broke down the lens in the presence o f Major Smith o f H. M .'s 9th Regiment, without awaking him.

“ Nov. 21st. There is much pain in the eye.— To be mes­merised, and leeches applied. He slept for two hoars with the leeches on, and on awaking, the pain was nearly gone."

Removal o f an enlargement as big as a child’s head.— “ Nov. 26th. Mahes Banergie, a Brahmin, aged forty, has got an enlarged testis, the size o f a child's head; it is red, glistening, and very painful, and there is a scrotal hernia above it. He was entranced on the first trial, and I returned the gut into the abdomen, handling the inflamed part very rudely, without his showing the least sensibility. 1 then, in

l Was tbla (he laogusge o f an impostor 1 Did it not bear the im prni of artless truth? And did not the language nod manner o f every patient w h o « pain I eta operation baa been recorded in Tht Zaitt, nod the language and manner o f every patient whose operation is recorded in my pamphlet on Surgical Operation* ritturat pain in (ht Mttmtric Staff, bear the impress o f artless truthf—J. EtUOTaon.

communicated by Dr. Etiiotson. 313

the presence o f Captain D. L. Richardson, dissected out the diseased organ. The operation was tedious, as I had to care* fully separate the mass from the hernial sack. He moved, as in an uneasy dream, but did not awake till we were tying the arteries, which were very numerous; he then said, that he had felt nothing till that moment. The muscular move­ments, sometimes seen, looked more like the contractions induced by cutting a recently dead animal, than the common contortions horn pain ; and I believe may be avoided by patience, as every trance seems to deepen the insensibility. I need not point out to the surgeon the advantage he would derive from the mesmeric trance, in reducing strangulated hernia, and in spasmodic strictures o f the urethra,” *

Paring o ff the edges o f an ulcer.— "N o v , 30th. Mahes, a peasant, aged thirty-two, has got a deep ulcer o f a year's standing, at the root o f the colls, that penetrates under the pubes; the edges are callous, and prevent it healing. He was subdued in two hours on the first day, and, in the pre­sence o f Dr. Tritton and a party o f officers o f the 71st Regi­ment N , I., I pared off the margin» o f the sore without his awaking. He awoke a few minutes after, said he had been asleep and dreamt that some one had pulled him off the roof o f a house, and declared that he felt no pain whatever at the moment o f speaking. I thereupon proposed that he should allow me to cut him a very little, as it would facilitate the healing o f the sore, but he would not hear o f it. Dr. Tritton and the rest also joined their persuasions; but he implored us fo r the love o f God to let him alone— he would rather die than be cut, that tl.e proposal had already killed him, &c. He was desired to sit up, and his cloth removed; on seeing the altered state o f things, he was greatly alarmed and puzzled, abd, on being shown the pieces o f flesh, said they had certainly belonged to him before he went to sleep, and how I got fwld o f them he had no idea. As I found myself in the company o f candid and dispassionate observers, I showed them mesmerism in all its physical symptoms, whe­ther directly or indirectly produced, and Dr. Tritton very kindly said at parting, that he was quite convinced o f the

l Dr, U tn liiU Hall sad others, who are almOBl monomaniacs! a poo rede* mOTements, never think or them when perming account* o f the more, moot* or voucd* sometime* noticed under mesmeric surgery.

The coma may often be deepened by keeping the band on the patient’s forehead or bands, the point* o f fingers upon the eyelid*, breathing on the patient, especially at hi* eyes, nostrils and month, wetting him with mes­merised water, touching him with me*meriaed gold, or by stiffening him with long contact puses, &c. he.— J, E n to lson .

314 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

reality o f the symptoms from first to last, whether produced by something, or nothing, and that he now quite understood the 1 mesmeric disease/ and said I was at liberty to say so, if I pleased"11

Removal o f an enlargement.— “ Dec. 1st.— I had the plea­sure o f receiving a visit from the gentlemen engaged in the railway survey, consisting o f Mr. Simms, Captain Western, Captaiu Boileau, Mr. Fraser, and Dr. Macauley. They found a man entranced, from whom I was about to remove a hyper­trophied prseputium. As he appeared to be ready, I commenced at on ce ; bnt seeing that he shrunk from the knife, without awaking however, I desisted, and proposed to adjourn to the other hospital, saying that this man would probably be ready on our return. W e accordingly went, and I requested Dr. Macauley to ascertain if a man brought before us had pain in his scrotum. He said there was no doubt; and the rest were satisfied that there was no mistake about it. I ordered him to he entranced before them, which was easily done, as he had been twice operated on for hydrocele in the trance. I pulled Aim up, and set him on his fee t sleeping, before the gentlemen, and begged them to deal with him as they pleased. H e was catalepsed by them in the most painful attitudes, to which he was as indifferent as a man o f clay ; and Dr, Macauley now squeezed the pailfu l part with as much effect a t i f the man had been a mummy. 1 stripped him naked; and, when he awoke and found himself standing in the presence o f gentlemen in this condition, his look o f wonder and shame, u not natural, was most beautiful acting, and he certainly escaped being found out.— As soon as he awoke, Dr. Macaoley pressed the dis­eased part, and there could be no doubt about his feelings on the subject;— the pain was evidently instantaneous and acute. On returning to the charity hospital, I removed the enlarged cellular substance from the whole colis; the man now did not shrink in the least from the knife, and slept a good while after the operation. On questioning him, he said that he had been put to sleep to be operated o n ; but as he was now awake, he would wish it to be put o ff till to-morrow. W e then showed him the liberties that had been taken with him, and he recog­nized his property; but how it had changed owners he had no conception.”

h Consult my pamphlet Tor the confusion which was made in the Royal Medical and Chirurgic&l Society, by Messrs. Brodie, Coulion, A lcock, and others, o f inseaaiblljty with fortitude. Mr. Aston Key might contrast himself with Dr, Trittoo with the view o f improvement. See p. 336.—J, E lliotson.

communicated by D r. E lliot son. 315

Amputation.— "D e c . 21st. Samoo, a weaver, has got a bad sloughing sore o f the praputium and glans, o f a year’s standing.— To be mesmerised.

" Dec. 22nd. He was mesmerised for two hours yesterday, and slept an hour afterwards, apparently naturally, To-day I saw him after half an hour’s mesmerising, when the trance was folly established, his whole body being rigid. As I had not time then, I left him, and returned in an hour, and found his body still stiff. I cut open and took off the prse- putium ; and finding the glans half eroded, 1 cnt it off too. The man showed no sign o f l\ fe; the body continued stiff, and the pulse natural. He awoke in half an hour afterwards, and did not discover that anything had been done to him till he went to make water."

“ Dec. 29th. Mahes, operated on last month. The sore is callous, and it will greatly advance his cure to have it pared. — To be mesmerised in my absence. I went on to Chinsurah, and there met the Rev, Mr. Cabusac, and the Rev. M r. Mullins, who requested to see any mesmeric case3 in hand. They returned with me to the hospital, and we found Mahes entranced. I pared the sore, and he did not awake till a quarter o f an hour afterwards. M r. Mullins, who speaks Bengalee, asked him if he had been disturbed in his steep. He said * N o a n d that the pain was not greater than before he went to sleep.”

“ W e found another man entranced, whose elbow had been dislocated for twenty days. I tried to reduce it, using all my force, but did not suqceed ; he moved uneasily, but did not awake till ten minutes after I had desisted, and then said that nothing had disturbed him ."

Removal o f a nail, and operation fo r hydrocele.— “ Dec. 26th. Ooluck Seit, a prisoner, has got a hydrocele on each side. A young Hindoo subdued him to-day in ten minutes, on the first trial. W hen about to operate, I saw that he

fossessed a consecrated nail, on one o f his little fingers; and nowing the value attached to this, I resolved to get pos­

session o f it, if possible, as a moral test o f his being insensible, for he would as soon have cut a cow's throat and eaten a beef­steak as allowed me to cut off his nail, while in possession of his senses. It is a common practice with the Hindoos to vow their hair, beards, or nails to Shiva, the Destroyer, in the hope o f averting his anger; and this man had consecrated his little finger-nail to Shiva Forakissore,— Forakissore, in

316 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

this district, being a famous shrine o f the God. / transferred the sacred excrescence to my pocket, without any remonstrance being made, and then performed the less formidable operation o f withdrawing the water, and throwing In the injection, of which he knew nothing on awaking two hours after. His only distress was the loss o f his nail, and he spent hours in hunting fo r it, supposing that it had been broken off by accident.

"D e c . 29th. I entranced Goluck Seit to-day iD five minutes; and in the presence o f Mr. Cahusac and Mr. Mullins, operated on the other hydrocele, to which he was as indif­ferent as on the first occasion. But before putting him to sleep, / showed the gentlemen how painful was the side operated on three days ago; and yet in five minutes after, he allowed me to squeeze his testis to any extent, without exhibiting a vestige o f uneasiness. I awoke him in half an hour, that Mr. Mullins might question h im ; and he said that he saw the water was gone, but how it had escaped he had no idea.1’

Paring a wound.— " Dec. 30th. Bungsee, operated on last month for a scrotal tumor. The wound, from his debilitated condition, is glared and callous, and is wasting him with a useless discharge. It would greatly shorten his cure to pare the sore, and bring it together with deep sutures; but I could hardly bring myself to propose it to a person in his senses, as it would he as painful as the capital operation. Mesmerism, however, makes surgery pleasant to both parties; and, having easily entranced him, I pared and shaped the sore veey leisurely (it was six inches long, by two deep), inserted the deep sutures, and left him sleeping. H e awoke after four hours, '

"J a n . 2nd, The sutures were taken out to-day, and the sore ia adherent throughout,”

In regard to the removal o f scrotal tumors. Dr. Esdaile says :■—

“ During the six years previous to April, 1845, I had operated on eleven cases o f scrotal tum or; and in the last eight months, since I began to operate in the mesmeric trance, I have removed seventeen tumors, making in all twenty-eight, varying from a few pounds to eighty pounds; and there has not been a fa ta l case among them.'

■ Dr. Copland must now be anti*lied o f the uac o f agony In operations, Mr. Key may perbapa remember sot only hi* own fata) operation, bat the very early death o f Dr. Goodeve’e patient at Calcutta from the mere aback o f tbe removal o f a acrolal tumor. See Lancet, No. 399, and No, 781.— J. Elliot wit.

communicated by D r. Elliotton. 317

" O f the seventeen operations in the mesmeric trance three only were imperfect, the persons awaking before the operation was finished; this imperfect sensibility was a great comfort to the patient, and gave great facilities to the operator."

" Since my first operation1 I have had every month more operations o f this kind than take plaoe in the native hospital in Calcntta in a year, and more than I had for the six years pre­vious. There must be some reason for this, and I only see two ways o f accounting for it: my patients,on returning home, either say to their friends similarly afflicted, ' Wah ! brother, what a soft man the doctor S&bib is I He cat me to pieces for twenty minutes, and I made him believe that I did not feel it. Isn't it a capital joke ? Ho go and play him the same trick ; you have only to laugh in your elbow, and you will not feel the pain.'1 Or they say to their brother sufferers,— 'L ook at m e; I have got rid o f my burthen, (of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, or 80 lbs,, as it may be,) am restored to the use of my body, and can again work for my bread: this, I assure you, the doctor Sahib did when I was asleep, and I knew nothing about i t ;— you will be equally lucky, I dare say; and I advise you to go and try ; you need not be cut if you feel it.' Which o f these hypotheses best explains the fact my readers will decide for themselves. It ought to he added, that most o f these persons were not paupers, but people in comfortable circumstances, whom no inducement short o f painless operations could tempt to enter a charity, or any other, hospital; and all who know the natives are aware of this.“

" I have said that only three out o f the seventeen awoke before the operation was finished; 1 will not infiict the whole fourteen completely successful cases on the reader, but only present some o f the last."

Removal o f a tumor o f about 30 lbs,— " Sept. 2nd. I was stopped on the road to-day, and requested to go into a tem-

Jde to a see a sick Fuqueer; on entering I found a healthy- ooking man o f 60, but he was nearly blind from cataracts,

and had a scrotal tumor o f about 30 lbs. weight, which he begged me to remove. 1 examined it, hut gave no opinion, and said 1 would consider o f it; I then went on to Chinsurah, to see Hr. Boss (in charge o f the troops there), to whom I

k See Z t i t l , Vol. I I I . , p. 503.—J. E l l i o t s « « ,l This actually amounts to Mr. Key's wise supposition at p. 336.—

J. Ellioteon.m Mr. Sintoul’s snarling remarks (p .399) forcibly recur tome on reading

this.—J. Eluotjoh.

S I 8 Account* o f more painless Surgical Operation*,

«aid, that i f he chose to return with me, 1 would try to show him a mesmeric operation. He consented, and iu passing the Fuqueer's house we carried him with us to the hospital. The cook o f the hospital, one o f my best mesmer­ise rs, was set upon him, and in half an hour made him insen­sible. The operation was speedily done. The man never moved, and did not awake till after the last artery was tied. Seeing him about to awake, he was covered up, and asked if he had been in any way disturbed; he said, ' N o.J He was then desired to sit up, and show me the tumor, as I wished to examine i t ; be did so, and actually put his hands under it, to raise the mass as usual; his look o f amazement, on missing it, was something not to be easily forgotten. Dr. Boss published an account o f this and other operations in which he asssisted me.”

Removal o f a tumor weighing 8 lbs.— " Oct. 22nd. Muffer Dass, a peasant, aged 40. He was made insensible on the third day o f mesmerising; and in the presence o f Mr. Eeid, the collector, Mr. Wauchope, the magistrate, and Mr. Bennett, superintendent o f Excise, I removed a tumor weighing 8 lbs., without the man being disturbed: although the operation was tedious, from the testes having contracted adhesions. I succeeded iu saving all the organs; he awoke soon after it was all over, said he felt no pain, and was quite ready to be operated on now."

Removal q f a tumor weighing 80 lbs.— “ Oct. 25th. Gooroo- chuan Shah, a shopkeeper, aged 40. He has got a ' monster tumor,1 which prevents him from m oving; its great weight, and his having used it for a writing-desk for many years, has pressed it into its present shape. His pulse is weak, and his feet (edematous, which will make it very hazardous to attempt its removal; but with such an appendage life is literally a burthen. He became insensible on the fourth day o f mes­merising, and was drawn with the mattress to the end o f the bed (my usual mode o f proceeding:) two men then held up the tumor in a sheet, pulling it forward at the same time, and, in the presence o f Mr. Bennett, I removed it by a cir­cular incision, expedition being his only safety. The rush o f venous blood was great, but fortunately soon arrested; and, after tying the last vessel, the mattress was again pulled back upon the bed with him upon it, and at this moment he awoke. The loss o f blood bad been so great that he immediately fell into a fainting state, and it took a good while to recover him. On recovering he said that he awoke while the mattress was

communicated by D r. E lliot son. 319

being pulled back, aud that nothing had disturbed him. The tumor weighed eighty pounds, aud is probably the largest ever removed from the human body. 1 think it extremely likely that i f the circulation had been hurried by pain and struggling, or i f the shock to the system had been increased by bodily and mental anguish,a the man would have bled to death, or never have rallied from the effects o f the operation. But the sudden loss o f blood was all he had to contend against; and, though in so weak a condition, he has surmounted this, and gone on well.

"D ec . 1st. Has been allowed to go home at his own request: the wound is filling up slowly, for want o f integument.”

Removal o f a tumor weighing 30 lbs.— “ Oct. 27th. Ram* mohun Sunokur, a jeweller, aged 44, has got a large tumor. He became insensible on the fifth day, and 1 removed the tnmor in the presence o f Mr. Wauchope and Mr. Bennett. The bleeding was violeut. About the middle o f the operation he gave a cry, but did not awake till twenty minutes after it was over, and then said, that he wanted something to eat, as he fe lt empty. He said that he had slept well, and was not disturbed in any w ay; t h a t h e was now b e a d y to be cut,BU T BBO OED TO BE A L L O W E D TO GET H IS D IN N E R F IR S T . Themass o f flesh was now shown to him, which he recognized with amazement; thanked the gods, and said it would weigh 24 pounds, probably,— it weighed 30 pounds.”

Removal o f a tumor weighing 25 lbs.— “ Nov. 2nd. Gobin- chunder Lane, aged 32, a shopkeeper, and a very fine hand­some man, is afflicted with the same disease.

" At three o ’clock yesterday, when passing the hospital, I was told that another man had come with a tnmor, since my morning visit, and had been entranced. I went to see him, and fonud him still in a fit state to be operated on, although he had been asleep for four hours,— to be mesmer­ised again to-morrow, at ten o’ clock.

“ Nov. 3rd. The operation was performed to-day, at twelve o’ clock, in the presence o f the Rev. Mr. Bradbury, and Mr. Bennett. As the bleeding was moderate, and the man perfectly passive, I tried to save all the parts, although the testes adhered to the sides o f the tumor, which were very thick. It was twenty minutes before all was over: not a sign o f life appeared, and the organs were all saved.

" Before commencing, I put his arm erect in the air asft Dr. Goodeve talieve» that his owo patient (Me p. 316, i,) perished

from mere thoclt.—J. E lliotoop.

320 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operation*,

an ‘ ou d a n om eterit never even trembled, too* quite ttiff at the end o f the operation, and had to be taken down. He awoke just as the mattress was re-adjusted, and said, ' I t is done I' Being asked how he knew, he said, by seeing me bloody, and the people all standing round, but that he had felt nothing, and had little pain now. The excrescence weighed twenty-five pounds.”

Removal o f a tumor weighing 30 lbs.— "N o v . 16th. Ameer Mullick, a coolly, aged 50, has a large tumor o f twenty years* growth. He was mesmerised for the second time to­day, and, in the presence o f Mr. S. Palmer and Dr. Scott, I dissected out and saved all the organs. The operation was tedious, on account o f old adhesions; but he did not awake till some time after it was finished, and then said, that nothing had disturbed him— the mass weighed thirty pounds/*

Removal o f a tumor weighing 2 8 lbs. — “ Nov. 18th. Bungsee, a peasant, aged 55, has a tumor which weighed 28 pounds, when cut OS', and has existed for nine years. He was entranced on the second day, and I removed it in the presence o f Mr. Russell, Judge o f Hooghly, Major Smith, H .M /s 9th Regiment, Dr. Scott, and Captain Smythe, o f the Engineers. The man never moved, or showed a sign o f life till ten minutes after the operation, and he then said that he was quite ready to be operated upon.

“ In concluding this practical part o f the subject, I beg to state, that I have seen no bad consequences whatever ensue from persons being operated on in the mesmeric trance. Cases have occured in which no pain was felt, even subsequent to the operation, and the wounds healed by the first intention; and in the rest I have seen no indication o f any injurious consequences to the constitution. On the contrary, it appears to me to have been saved, and that less constitutional distur­bance has followed than under ordinary circumstances."

Dr. Copland’s attention I earnestly entreat to this fact, and advise him to give up his bookish theorick, his sedentary habits o f book gluttony and preconceiving, and to go abroad into the free and invigorating fields o f nature.

" In my early operations,” says Dr. Esdaile, " I availed my­self o f the first fit o f insensibility, not knowing whether I could command it back at pleasure; and when the coma is deep enough on the first occasion, it is probably best for the patient that it should be taken advantage of, as the fewer liberties we take with nature the better, the rule being never to do more

communicated by D r. Elliottcm. 321

than enough. But if the trance is not profound the first time, the surgeon may safely calculate on its being so the next, and, when operating in public, it is prudent to take the pre­caution o f a preliminary trance or two. I have already said, that flexibility o f the limbs, till moved, and their remaining rigid in any position we leave them in, is characteristic o f the trance: but there are exceptions, and these are equally diagnostic and to be depended upon. It sometimes happens that the limbs become rigid as they lie, and, on bending them, they are not passive and plastic, as in the first kind o f catalepsy, but the muscles always tend towards a spasmodic extension o f the lim bs: at other times, there is a complete relaxation o f the whole muscular system, and the arms and legs can be tossed about without resistance, like those o f a person just dead. The eyes are usually closed, but the eye­lids are sometimes seen a little separated, or half open and tremulous; and the eye is even seen wide open, fixed, and the pupil dilated. On oue occasion, having ordered a man to be entranced, I returned in two hours, and was told by my assistant that he was not affected: I went to see, and found him with half open eyes, quivering eye-lids, and trem­bling hands. I immediately said the man was ready, and, without testing his condition farther, performed on him a tedious, but painless, operation.

“ I also wish to remark, that I have seen no indication o f congestion o f blood on the brain; the circulation, while my patients were in the trance, being natural, like that o f a sleeping person. Those I operate upon appear to escape the stimulating stage o f the mesmeric influence altogether, and to pass at once from life to temporary death ; and this I am disposed to attribute to the concentrated uninterrupted man­ner in which the power is applied; as soon as it is felt, there is no time given to the system to rally round the first impres­sion, and it succumbs, without a struggle, to the constraining influence. Some patients, when suddenly awoke, say that their vision is hazy, and their heads light, but I take this to arise from the imperfectly recovered sensibility o f the brain and organs o f sense, which are not at once roused up to the full possession o f their waking powers; just as is seen in persons suddenly aroused from profound natural sleep. That the mesmeric torpor o f the nerves and brain does not arise from sanguine congestion, is often strikingly and beautifully illustrated by the first actions o f persons suddenly awoke from the trance. They open their eyes wide, and at the same moment their faculties are restored, but it is seen that the pupil is dilated, and insensible to ligh t: this they uIbo imme-

822 Account» o f more painless Surgical Operations,

diately become aware o f ; they know that their eyea are open, and that they ought to Bee, but do not. The thought fills them with horror, and, with a fearful cry, they bury their faces in their hands, like persona struck blind by lightning; but this soon passes off, and the retina recovers its sensibility, by a little rubbing o f the eyes."

The Manchester device o f explaining the coma by mere cerebral congestion from fatigne, in the desire to utter some* thing original and wonderful and to shew there is nothing so surprising in mesmerism, after the failure o f the first attempt to shew that mesmerism is all nonsense, I laughed at from the first as too absurd;0 and now the originator would, 1 am sure, be thankful for the world to forget it. But though “ we never mention" it, it " c a n never be forgot."

I assure the leading physicians and surgeons in London and provincial towns, and worldly wise-editors, o f the following troth told by Dr. Esdaile:—

" For any person to see this, or even hear o f it from a credible quarter, and still talk o f imposture, is to convict himself o f an incurable moral blindness, which it would be folly to attempt to dissipate by experiment and reasoning:— ' none are so blind as those who won’ t see .'"

In the Indian newspaper for May 28 is the following ac­count by Dr. Esdaile, which ought to produce deep contrition for their wickedness among all the virulent opponents o f mes­merism, especially the medical; I use the word wickedness most deliberately and solemnly.

“ Before giving my next case, I beg leave to present the reader with a similar one, treated by me a short time before becoming acquainted with mesmerism.

“ About a year ago, a peasant was brought from a distance to the hospital with prolapsus ant; the sire o f a pint bottle, that had existed for several days. Cold and astringent lotiouB were assiduously applied, and before the attempt at reduction was made, the man was suspended by the heels a long time, to facilitate the return o f the blood. The most persevering attempts to reduce the part were made for two days, but to no purpose, for the walls o f the abdomen bad permanently contracted upon their diminished contents, and no force could distend them again so as to admit the extruded organ. M e­dicine and surgery being useless, his friends carried him away

# Zvui, Vo). I ., p. 308.

communicated by D r. Elliotscm. 823

to die a lingering and miserable death. Having looked at that picture, wUl the reader now be pleased to look at thi* :

“ Reduction o f prolapsus.— May 1st. A peasant was brought to my house this morning with a prodigious prolapsus ; it was larger than the last mentioned, being as big as a chilcPs head, and hard and congested ; it was o f three days standing, and the man had not tasted food fo r five days. M y opinion o f his case might have been understood by the exclamation o f dispair that escaped me on seeing it. I , however, sent him to the hospital with this order in his hand 4 entrance this man if possible, and let me know when it is done.' The sub­assistant surgeon sent me notice at two o'clock p. m . that he was ready. I found him lying on his face, in which position he had been mesmerised, and in five minutes I reduced the tumour with little difficulty, and no resistance, although it re­quired all the fingers o f myself and assistant to compress its circumference. The man never moved, and on awaking a short time after, was only conscious that his torment had vanished, but had no idea how.

41 He was dismissed four days after, quite well, and there had been no return of bis complaint,

" It is a great privilege to be able to do this surely, and yet surgeons and physicians in general know n o th ino about if, and will not condescend to learn it!*’

In the newspaper o f April 15, Dr. Esdaile writes:—

“ * Unlimited scepticism, is w much the child o f imbecility u implicit cra- dulity.’— Dugatd Slttcart,

" To the editor o f The Englishman,“ S ir ,— In the interval o f the mails, you will perhaps find

room for this rather long mesmeric letter, and your readers will, I hope, excuse its length as it will be chiefly taken up with the proceedings o f others.

" l have lately had an opportunity o f ascertaining the im­pression made upon the public mind by my monthly iteration o f facts, and have every reason to be satisfied with the result, and the course I have pursued o f rousing public attention to the importance o f the subject through the daily press. I f I had listened to the disinterested professional representations, that it was ' infra dig.' to address the public on a medical sub­ject except through professional channels, I should have ruu the risk o f being pooh-poohed to death by editors absolutely

324 Account* o f more painless ¡surgical Operation*,

ignorant o f the subject they presumed to decide upon, and the public would not hare had the opportunity o f judging for themselves o f a matter o f fa ct by a daily accumulating maw o f evidence which must soon convince every one o f sane mind, u>Ao will be at the trouble to examine it.

“ But, unfortunately, many, who from their position and talents are naturally the leaders o f public opinion, will not condescend to a careful and dispassionate examination o f the alleged facts by the rules applicable to all kinds o f evidence. 1 would beg ench persona to pause for a moment in their ca­reer o f dictation to nature, and reflect on their position, i f this is true. What can be more distressing and humiliating to honest minds than to And at last, like Saul, that they have been blindly persecuting the truth to their owu great loss, and the injury o f mankind; and those who oppose mesmerism without due examination will soon find themselves in this po­sition. I had lately the satisfaction to hear a gentleman say; " Well 1 if mesmerism is not true there is nothing left to be­lieve in.” I f my statements are not essentially true, and minutely correct, then there is no such thing as a fa ct in na­ture, and life is a farce, which it would be ridiculous to take any trouble about. This will all inevitably appear in its full force in due course o f time, but in the meantime, what a senseless and unnecessary amount o f torture will be inflicted on the human race, and how many will continue to suffer miserably

fo r their ignorant and perverse rejection o f the appointed means o f cure/

“ I f this was only a speculative subject, the prosecution o f which terminated in the establishment o f an abstract truth, I should be satisfied with having sought the truth for its own sake, and consider the knowledge o f it as the proper reward o f my labours; for I desire to disturb no man’ s cherished opinions, or even prejudices, as long as they are not injurious to the public. But an active proselyting unbelief in the cura-

■ tive powers o f mesmerism is not among the inoffensive errors o f judgment which only hurt the owners, but is a public injury, as it wantonly prolongs pain and various diseases which might otherwise be bauisbed from the world. I have, therefore, not spared time, labour, and expense iu attempt­ing to put the public in possession o f their natural rights as soon as possible, aud have incurred ridicule and detraction with patience and indifference.

“ I will continue my assaults till you can assure me that my object (cur’s I may say, as you have been the steady and consistent advocate o f this great truth from the moment it at­tracted public attention) has been gained, and you need not

communicated by D r. EHiotson. 325

fear my persisting in useless preaching like the Archbishop o f Granada.

" Suffering humanity cannot afford to wait for the alow conviction o f indolence and unhealthy indifference. I f mes- merisra is true, every reasonable and benevolent being should assist in promoting its general reception by the community as an important truth, whose practical utility is hardly exceeded by the discovery o f the circulation o f the blood, or the intro­duction o f vaccination, also a natural remedy.

" I have already given to the public the details o f seventy - six painless surgical operations, and challenged the moat scru­pulous investigation; and, as far as I know, no particular aa related by me has ever been contradicted or corrected by any one o f the hundreds o f witnesses present, who were invited to correct my misstatements or point out a shadow o f exag­geration in my descriptions. Permit me to ask in the name o f common sense and humanity wbat more is wanted? I f the quality o f the evidence is suspicious, I shall be happy to have the weak side pointed out, that it may be guarded in fu­ture. I b the quantity o f evidence insufficient to come to a conclusion upon, and are 700, or 7000 pninless operations needed ? This must be a matter o f time, and caunot be ex­pected from one individual j but this paper will end with more facta o f this nature. Before proceeding to them, I beg to in­timate to all interested, that no fair and reasonable test o f the truth o f my statements cau be proposed, which I shall not be happy to entertain. I have reported the results of my mesmeric practice to the Medical Board, and seut them a paper on 1 scrotal tumors,’ containing fifteen cases o f pain­less operations for their removal, and offered the Board every opportunity for personal examination i f they felt any interest in the subject, and the same offer is open to all who have the courage to believe the evidence o f their senses in preference to the theories o f schools, and the dictation o f individuals.”

In my opinion, the admission o f the truth o f mesmerism is o f infinitely greater direct practical importance than the ad­mission o f the truth o f the circulation o f the blood. For this has not yet led to any great practical advantage that I am aware of. Bleeding from veins, cupping, and leeching were employed by the ancients, and arteries were tied to stop haemorrhage before the time o f Harvey. Indeed, when the circulation was first believed, some were for discon­tinuing the useful practice o f taking blood from the snrface over au inflamed lung or bowel, because they imagined, in opposition to all experience, that it could do no good as no

V O L . I V . A A

826 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

communication between the surface and the organ within was discoverable, except &b far as all blood-vessels communicate, however indirectly : and, as to the indication by it o f tying ar­teries on the side nearest the heart, this had been already found necessary, and in fact experience shews that, if the artery is not tied on the other side also, the one ligature may be o f little avail. The discovery o f the circulation was the mere mechanical discovery o f the mode in which every part obtains a supply o f fresh blood— it having been always certain that every part had such a supply. All this I pointed out in a letter to the Council o f University College. But they turned a deaf ear to m e; refused me permission to prove the truth o f mesmerism to the world in any o f their unoccupied thea­tres, and called me behind my back an enthusiast.

I rejoice that Dr, Esdaile published his facts in the news­papers for the world at large, for I am certain that the only mode to convince the medical world is to convince the non­medical world, whose convictions will bring the medical world by force o f interest and shame to attend to the subject. From the first I have shewn the facts to any respectable person who has desired it, from royalty and the peerage to the artisan and domestic. The number o f medical meD who have applied has been very small since the profound experimental phi­losopher and devotee o f truth and fairness terrified them by his assertions and denunciations in his Lancet in 1838, as a man who makes an ugly face and noise and holds up his forefingers on his temples like horns frightens little children and makes them scamper off. Neither Sir Benjamin Brodie, Dr. Chambers, Dr. Holland, Dr. Prout, Dr. Forbes, Sir James Clark, nor any other scoffer at mesmerism, except Dr. Copland, has applied to m e; and they remain in perfect ig­norance o f it, though they assure their patieuts daily o f its utter absurdity. Dr. Copland did apply, but 1 refused him, on account o f his violent conduct in the Medical Society, as not likely to be convinced; for my experience has long since proved to me that it is but wasting time to attempt to con­vince those who have already been philosophers enough to come to a positive conclusion. I, however, offered to shew everything to his son, o f whom there might be some hope, as belouging to another generation. Tanquam insanabUem refect patrem. f

The solemn importance o f mesmerism I have from the first felt, like Dr. Esdaile. All his sentiments charm me. Had I not so felt, I should not have thought it worth while to

P Harrtian Oration, pp. 16, 60.

communicated by J>r. E lliot son. 327

mention mesmerism before the assembled College o f Phy­sicians, nor terminated my address to them with this pero­ration, — Qua cum ita sint, ego vos magnoperb oro atque obtestor, ut tantam vim tot argumenta humand naturd inesse comprobatam, si unquam apud ms verilatis amor, si professionis nostra dignitas, si denique omnium hominum salas et felicitas valet, ditigentissimé investigetis.

The following passage occurs in the Indian paper o f May 30th :—

“ What I have now stated will, o f course, be perverted and misrepresented, and I shall be held up as an audacious quack, advocating the Universal Medicine. All results short o f those now related, will also be held as demonstrative o f the absurdity o f the whole, just as certain wise men o f the East go about testing the existence ef mesmerism by total insensi­bility alone, and do not know it even when they meet it.

“ But the candid and enlightened reader knows that the cases I have now adduced are given to show the great range and extent to which this remedial agent can sometimes go. These are some o f the most prominent natural features in an interesting new country lately discovered, whose exact geo­graphy has yet to be ascertained, and which opens out a new field o f enterprise for the surgeon, the physician, the philoso­pher, and the philanthropist. It is a pity that the profes­sional explorers are so few, but I hope to contribute occa­sionally a mite towards the increase o f knowledge and human happiness."

" I am well aware that all I have done and said will make no impression on the obstructives, infallible», and ne plus ultras, who have pre-determined that mesmerism shall not be true, and consider it an insult that any one should advance in knowledge after they have become incapable o f learning ; but when men cease to grow wiser, it is high time for them to die, and make room for others/1

Dr. Esdaile contrasted two cases at p, 323. Let me entreat Mr. Aston Key, for the sake o f his poor patients in Guy's Hospital, to mark the contrast; and also to mark the contrast between the fatal end o f his operation for the immense tumor which the poor Chinese came to England to have removed, and the successful results o f Dr. EsdaUe's removal o f tumors recorded now and in the last number at p. 194. The reason for this request is the delicious ness o f the following notes from Mr. Chandler to myself.

a a 2

328 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operationst

"58 , Paradise Street, Rotherithe, "July 17th.

" My dear Sir,—1 am doing as much mesmerism as I can pos­sibly find time for; among the rest I mesmerise daily a little girl three years old, though uot quite satisfactorily; I cannot always get her to sit still five minutes. The object is to remove her tonsils, and I think 1 shall succeed to a certain extent.

" Mr. Key has consented to operate, but I must send you a copy of his reply to me, it is such a curiosity.

" ' My dear Sir,—1 shall be very glad if you can by any means quietize the little girl whilst the tonsils are being removed. Do not trouble yourself to convince me of the truthfulness of all yon say about Mr. Bell's patients. If each patient were to testify to the truth o f his statement, l should still remain incredulous. I know human kind too well to be deceived.

‘ “ Yours truly, ‘ “ C, A. K*v.’

“ Do not trouble yourself to tell me how much this amuses you. I think I shall atill show him the patient Ford (as 1 proposed to him), just to make him say something as ridiculous as his letter.

"Believe me in haste,“ Yours very truly,

“ T h o m a s C h a n d l e r .”

“ 58, Paradise Street, Rotherhitbe, “ July 25th, 18*16.

" My dear Sir,— I went to that very amusing man, Mr. Key, on Wednesday last, with my little patient, to have her tonsils re­moved. Would you believe it! he would not wait for me to mes­merise the little girl, but proceeded at once to the operation—and a pretty bungle he made of it, cutting the tongue severely, and getting but a very title bit of tonsil; when, if he had allowed me to mes­merise, (or tptietizc, as he was pleased to call it,) he might, with reasonable dexterity, have seized the part, and nearly cut it off before the child had been conscious of what was going on.

“ In his note to me he said he would not believe the patients operated on by Mr. Bell, if they testified to the fact of feeling no pain. lie knew human kind too well to be deceived. Knowing in­dividual! He, on Wednesday, in the presence of my patient Ford, went still further, and declared that he would not believe any person on his oath, who swore that he felt no pain during a surgical opera­tion. He told me that the woman, for whom Cloquet removed the breast some years ago, declared on her death-bed that she had de­ceived. If this is untrue, do get some account o f the affair for the next Zoisti* there are so many lies of this kind told by narrow­minded and unprincipled persons.

* This is ill unirue, as Mr. Key ought to have known from my pamphlet.

communicated by Dr. Etliaison. 329

" According to Mr. Key’s way of arguing, a person has only to be influenced by mesmerism (for he does not deny that an effect is produced by it) to become a most atrocious liar. I told him so, and the way he got over it was, that they deceive themselves, fancying that they feel no pain. Sapient man, what more would be wish, even supposing that to be the caseT Verily, he shows such wisdom, that he would do well to go to Spain for a title, he could be so well fitted there. If Mr. Key were shewn a magnet for the first time in his life, and he were told that a piece of iron placed an inch from it would immediately jump towards it, he would of course say, * I would not believe it if you were to swear to it. I know the laws which govern inanimate matter too well to be deceived.’ And when the thing happened he would of course open his eyes very wide, give his face an extra twitch, and declare it to be all fancy.

" Let such men die in their pig-headed ignorance, the world will not miss them, nor will the advance of mesmerism be retarded by their ridiculous opposition.

“ Believe me,"Tours sincerely,

" T S O M A S C h a N D I iI R . "

Such remarks as those of Dr. Esdaile at p. 324 and 325, I have unceasingly urged upon my medical brethren.

The last remark o f Mr. Chandler was acted upon by Harvey, and ought to be acted upon by all mesmerists who value their precious time. Harvey, finding Riolauus impe­netrable to facts, gave him up as hopeless, “ leaving him to the wise course o f nature, who by death removes men and all their absurd prejudices together.” “

Dr. Esdaile’ b reflection, that “ when men cease to grow wiser, it is high time for them to die and make room for others,” had often forced itself upon me while preparing my oration.

Two o f the bitterest, most ignorant, and unscrupulous of our opponents, have just been removed with all their sins unatoned for by recantation. D r. James Johnson is no more. He never witnessed one o f my facts in mesmerism, but in his M edical and Chirurgical Journal for July, 1838, p. 285, called it a “ most abominable piece o f humbug,” and my demonstra­tions, “ mountebank e x h ib i t io n s adding that some members o f our profession were “ from credulousness and weakness lend­ing themselves to the propagation o f this t o m f o o l e k y and,

p. 82. Such ubaurdit}1 is melancholy in a teacher o f young tneo who are to be entrusted with the lives o f their fellow-creatures. The man whose leg was cut off at Wellow was reported to have confessed to imposture; the Okeys confessed to imposture, and I confessed to having been deceived. For the denial of the latter medical untruths see Zvul, Vul. I., p. 209.

u f ia r t e ia n O ra tion , p, 10, SO. L -

390 Account» o f more painless Surgical Operations,

in the following October, p. 635, he protested that " animal magnetism is & fiction, a f a l s e h o o d the effects he termed “ blasphemous mummeries’ *— " one o f the most barefaced and outrageous impostures that was ever foisted on the public, or that disgraced the members o f a liberal and enlightened pro­fe s s io n ,p . 638: and, not having a high order o f intellect or any dignity o f character, though he had allowed himself to be nearly hunted to death by Mr. Wakley and had at length cried out for mercy and arranged articles o f peace with the noisy but really laughable coroner, he for the first time in his life believed Mr. Wakley, whose details o f experi­ments with the Okeys he held out aa true, and wrote that " a riNAL and f a t a l blow had been given to animal mag­netism" by Mr. Wakley, who had " blown the disjecta membra o f mesmerism into the air, leaving scarcely a wreck behind, and had owed this to the profession." (p. 637). The army of giant facts in The Zoist are indeed a nice little wreck. He eagerly quoted the following remarks o f Mr. Dilke in the Athenceum with reference to mesmerism : " There are many paper-headed coxcombs who will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses; aye, number for number, fully as many in the learned professions as out o f them ; and we (Mr. Dilke) are more inclined to be o f opimon, that a fool’s head is as much a fo o ts head when enveloped in a doctor’s bonnet as when de­fended by a single thin nightcap." I never see Mr. Dilke without feeling grateful for his elegant politeness.

Dr. Johnson thought himself quite secure under the wing o f his former foe, Mr. Wakley, and especially when he informed the world that " not one o f the seven medical journals published in Great Britain had supported animal magnetism. Four o f them have repudiated it, and the others have pre­served silence." (p. 638). I am amused to say that more have repudiated it,— The Lancet, M edical Times, Medical Gazette, D r. Johnson’s Journal, D r. Forbes’s Journal, D r. Stokes and Graves’s Dublin Journal. I wish that all medical journalists would openly repudiate i t : for the sure victory of mesmerism would then be the more glorious.

Dr. Johnson was not particular. Though the father o f a daughter, he did not hesitate to write what is too indecent for me to transcribe in his journal, and which men may read at p. 634, &c., Oct. 1838. His cruelty to the Okeys, whose cases were perfectly genuine and have been confirmed by hundreds o f subsequent cases, and who are perfectly well and respectable, aud o f whom the younger has presented her husband with two children, was afterwards severely visited upon him iu his own family.

communicated by D r. ElUotson. 3S1

He proposed to call mesmerism nickleassery,Hia subsequent vulgarities and absurdities were noticed in

The Zoist o f July, 1844. His absurdity was such, that be entered into the class o f those whose duty it is to pluck out their eyes; he declared that " he would not believe the evi­dence o f hi» oum sense»." He laughed at our folly and pitied our madness; we formed three classes,— arrant charlatans, weak dupes, and high-minded fanatics : he viewed mesmer­ism as a ludicrous, i f not mischievous delusion, which, with­out regard to persons, should be laughed at and put dow n" His vulgarity was beyond what might be imagined. The vignette o f The Zoist, which represents a sage with a youth o f either sex on either side being instructed in philosophy, he presumed must represent myself with " two females o f loose habits, whose petticoats were too sca n t" Females o f loose habits I "T h e mesmero-mania,” he said, “ had nearly dwindled in the metropolis into anile fatuity; but lingers in some o f the provinces, with the gobe-mouches and chaw- bacons, who, after gulping down a pound o f fat pork, would, with greased gullets, swallow such a lot o f mesmeric mum­mery as would choke an alligator or a boa-constrictor.“ Yet, forsooth, he was a religious man. He wrote such a letter to the Duke o f Clarence on the death o f the Duke o f York, that his Royal Highness thanked him “ for his religious re­marks.“

He, however, did far more mischief to his fellow-creatures by exhorting practitioners to bleed profusely in the fevers of warm climates, than by his poor hostility to mesmerism. Most surgeons who went from this country to worm latitudes long followed his advice, which was not founded on experi­ence, and tens o f thousands o f lives have been thus destroyed. Better would it have been for all so treated to have been left to nature. Venesection is now but moderately employed in those fevers, and the mortality is much reduced. Yet, after doiDg all this positive mischief, and doing his best to prevent mankind from having the incalculable blessings o f mesmer­ism, he appears to have died most contentedly. His biogra­pher says that ' 'h e was not embittered by regrets o f the past,” — " be looked back with satisfaction.” *

Another person who, in preventing the spread o f mes­merism, did as much mischief among weak-minded men and women out o f the profession as he did among the medical host, has also just departed,— that most bitter, uncharitable,

s See big Life, in tlie iff rtf ¿cal and Ckimrgual Review, 1846, p, 47, end bit account o f the celebrated meeting at (he Medical and Chirurgicat So­ciety, January, 1843, p. 282-3, and of my Pamphlet, July, 1843, p. 147.

332 Accounts o f more painless Surgical Operations,

bigot ted, and ignorant writer,* who fancied herself a Chris­tian, Charlotte Elizabeth. She represented the natural facts o f mesmerism to be supernatural, as savages consider a watch must have a spirit— a supernatural being inside it. As the Pharisees ascribed the healing o f the sick by Jesus to the devil/ so did she : and, having done all the mischief she could in this respect, she died, like Dr. Johnson, contentedly. In the Record o f July 20, I read, “ On the 12th inst., at Rams­gate, lo o k in g unto J esus, Charlotte Elizabeth, the beloved wife o f Lewis H. J. Tonna, Esq., o f Whitehall Yard.” *

I f she had looked unto Jesus as be lived, she would havei “ Ignorance, mistaken for knowledge, is a frightful perpetrator of

injustice and cruelty. Were I a preacher, there ia one sin—a daily, hourly •in—one produc lire, unheeded, o f immense mischief,— against which t would lift my voice in season and out o f season, but which I nerer once in my whole life heard preached against, though I find it treated of io one o f the late Dr. Arnold’s sermons. It is the sin o f presuming to hold opinions on matters upon which we have not qualified ourselves to have any opinion at ail. Men and women, young aud old, educated and uneducated, rich and poor, equally commit this from morning to night, committing It not only io word but in action : and yet they, in superficial routine, pray to God to keep them from presumptuous sins,—* Keep thy servant also from presump­tuous sins.’ '*— ¿Vanterons Cases of ¿Surgical Operations withoal pain, p. 90.

y ZoUt, Vol. I I I . , pp. 99, 532.i Her bitterness to Roman catholics also was intense. A gentleman who

was present informed me that a mild good woman, at ao evening party at Clupham, mentioned that she had distributed a large number of tracts in the catholic cantons o f Switzerland ; on which the Christian Charlotte Elizabeth Tonna instantly said, ‘ ‘ Ma'am, I hope you hate the papists." The mild lady’s reply was beautiful—11 Ma'am, I should be sorry to hate aDj of God's creatures."

Mrs. Tonna did but imitate the catholics whom she hated. For ‘ ‘ the Abbfi Wurtz of Lyons, in a work on the Sajuriliitosi of Philortphtri, wrote, at the beginning o f this century, that, although all belief in the devil was apparently given up, he was realty the chief personage, though disguised, in the lodges o f freemasons, mansions, and palaces, and acted sometimes under the form o f a wonderful man, a physical philosopher, a numeriitr, Ac.

“ Another catholic author, iu a book published not many years ago iu France, wrote thus ‘ The effects o f mesmerism are not explicable by any natural causes. N o natural means are employed to produce them. Mes­merism is a stratagem invented by the devil to seduce souls, to increase the number of his adherents, and oppose the works o f Jesus Christ sod bis ministers. No Christian can employ mesmerism for himself or others with­out mortal sin. Mesmerism undermines faith aud morals. Government ought to proscribe it. In order to be-initiated into its mysteries, Jesus Christ must be denied, and the cross trampled upon. Ail mesmerisers are disciples o f Lucifer.' ( Foissac, pp. 251,394.)

“ How slavishly dues the alleged protestant writer o f a disgraceful English sermon, of which not a copy would have sold but for the wretched state o f our education, adopt the thoughts aud words of the Roman catholics, against whom he is so fierce. Thus vaccination was discovered to be anti­christ, and sermons were furiously preached against it when I was a boy, as they had been previously against the inoculation of small-pox. Thus we read that the miraculous cures of Christ, when he was thought 1 beside himself' by ‘ his friends,' were attributed to the devil, as though this were so benevolent an individual."— ¡ViimrroKJ Cojrs of Sutg'icol Operations, Sc.. pp. 99, 90.

Benefit o f Mesmerism in Fracture o f the Leg, t$c. 333

found him urging the world not to think the easy observance o f religious forms or adoption o f mystical opinions about su­pernatural points to be o f any value, nor to think the better o f people who observe certain religious forms and hold certain opinions, because we observe and hold the same, and through the circumstances in which, like them, we have been placed; but to be humble and just in every trifling action and word, and to be delighted with everything which promises to lessen ever so little the Bufferings o f our fellow-creatures.

II . Extraordinary benefit o f Mesmerism in dangerous Fracture o f the Leg and in Fits. B y M r. Nixon, Surgeon.

Communicated b y Dr. E l l i o t s o n .

I a m delighted to record another medical conversion to mes­merism with happy results to the afflicted, and that, as in so many other instances, by the good sense and energy o f a lady. How delightful must be Miss Aglionby’ s reflections, that she has been the indirect and original means o f saving a life, and, what is better, o f putting an end to " intolerable agony," which our hospital surgeons resolve that patients shall still suffer rather than they themselves condescend to listen to what they still pronounce on all occasions, always proudly and often fiercely, to be outrageous nonsense.

I received the enclosed from a cousin o f the Member for Cockermouth.

J. E l l i o t s o n .

"W ig ton Hall, Cumberland, "Ju n e 20th, 1846.

“ Sir,— I trust you will excuse the liberty I take in for­warding to you the enclosed papers. They are written by Mr. Nixon, a medical man in the town o f Wigton, Cumber­land; and it will, I hope, in some degree interest you to learn that another o f your profession has availed himself o f the great powers o f mesmerism. Mr. Nixon was at first a dis­believer; but, on my introducing to his notice two or three curious cases, he had the good sense and candour to examine and try for himself, and the result has been, that in several cases he has been enabled greatly to benefit his patients by mesmeric means. I must again beg yon will pardon my having thus intruded on your time, and assure you that Mr. Nixon will feel himself highly flattered, should you con-

334 Benefit o f Mesmerism in Fracture o f the beg , fyc.

aider his statement o f sufficient importance to interest you or to communicate to The Zoist, should you think proper to do so.

“ I remain, Sir,“ Your obedient servant,

" E l i s a b e t h F . A g l i o n b y / ’

The existence o f an inexplicable agent, which seema to set at defiance all our present physiological knowledge, has not been admitted on my part, until after much patient and close practical investigation; for I unhesitatingly admit that I be­longed to the class o f sceptics, who, because they could not have extraordinary phenomena satisfactorily explained, could not but suspect collusion and imposture. The following cases came under my own observation.

On the 1st o f January, a poor aged woman sustained a very severe comminuted fracture at the upper third o f the right leg, the limb having for nearly three years, previous to the accident, been in a weakened condition, from extensive varicose ulcers. The immediate consequence o f the injury was violent inflammation, and swelling; these were speedily followed by all the symptoms o f commencing mortification, so that it became a question whether or not immediate am­putation should be had recourse to. During this time the woman was suffering the most intolerable agony, for the relief o f which I exhausted all the ordinary resources o f our ait, without avail. I then resolved, as an experiment, to try to induce the mesmeric sleep, and, to my great amazement and satisfaction, in about fifteen minutes, the wished-for relief was procured. This sleep lasted fully half an hour, with the extraordinary effect, on awakening, o f perfect freedom from pain. The same process was gone through, morning and evening, for a period o f three weeks, with the happiest result. The limb, from the first trial o f mesmerism, began gradually to improve, and at length became quite consolidated. The ulcerated surfaces also healed. No other means than mesmeric sleep, except the ordinary treatment o f keepiug the limb steady and cool, were employed.

While the above case was still under treatment, I was sent for, in great haste, on the 22nd o f January, to 8. B., aged 31, residing in the country, and who was reported to be in a dying state. I found the lady in a hysteric paroxysm, to which she had been for some time very liable, from long previous illness and a constitution naturally o f feeble power o f resistance to disease. I was giveu to understand, the paroxysms had occurred at intervals for three hours, which

Cttre o f severe and constant Pain with Mesmerism. 385

accounted for her extremely exhausted and alarming condi­tion. By the diligent use o f ordinary means, she was at last recovered from this state, and expressed herself better ; soon afterwards having some quiet sleep. Two hours after, I was preparing to leave, when I was told Bhe was worse. On hastening to her, I found her in a violent fit o f cataleptic ecstacy. The paroxysm lasted for two or three minutes, and recurred again at irregular intervals, seizing and rigidly maintaining her in whatever posture she might be in during her conscious moments. Having heard it stated that mes­merists considered hysteria and catalepsy the mere spontaneous development o f the mesmeric state, I resolved to put it to the test. I accordingly began to attempt neutralizing the exalted condition o f the nervous system by eveiy deroes- merising manœuvre I was master of. I failed, however, either in shortening the duration, or influencing iu any degree, the intensity o f the fits; but 1 acknowledge 1 did not make the reversed passes in direct relation to the course o f the nerves ; from not then knowing this to be necessary. These experi­ments were several times repeated during tne total suspension o f the intellectual faculties. I therefore waited for a return to consciousness, and then 1 endeavoured to induce somno­lency, assuring her that i f she would fix her attention on what we were engaged in, and look me steadily in the facç, I would ensure her speedy relief: fortunately her confidence was thus secured, A few minutes sufficed to bring about perfect sleep. She awoke at intervals, but a repetition o f the same means soon sent her asleep again. She was kept in this con­dition for five hours, and then allowed to rouse up. The fits had now become mild hysteric, and gradually wore off during the course o f the day.

III . Cure o f severe and constant Pam, o f long standing.Communicated b y H r. D. H a n d s .

TO T B S S D IT O S 0 7 T B S ZO IST .

Dear Sir,— I send you the account o f the cure o f a poor Irish woman, effected by my friend Madame Marie, who resides in my house and, from having derived great benefit from mesmerism, has devoted herself to its practice. She has been singularly successful; and though this case is abso­lutely void o f all marvel, yet is the cure most perfect, and the poor woman who for ten years was the subject o f disease and incapable o f work is now in perfect health, and I have no doubt after her confinement will be enabled to gain her

336 Cure o f get)ere and constant Pain with Mesmerism,

livelihood by the labour o f her hands. I shall feel very grateful for your insertion o f Madame Marie’s statement.

I remaiUj &C.D e c i m u s H a n d s , SurgeoD.

22, Thayer Street, June 19th.

I n the month o f March my attention was drawn by the benevolent Mr. Briggs to the case o f a poor Irish woman, named Ann Sullivan, who, having met with a serious injury by a fall ten years previously, had ever since been a sufferer from constant and often acute pain in the side. The account she gave o f her accident was as follows. A t the age o f 17 she was in a situation as servant o f all-work, and had always a horror o f touching anything dead. One day another young girl ran after her to hit her with a dead hare; in her haste and fright she missed her footing and fell down 16 steps into the yard below upon her side. She remained stunned for some time, and was confined to her bed six weeks, attended by a doctor who hied her frequently, and for more than six mouths she was too weak to be able to carry even a ju g o f water up stairB. Three years afterwards she married, and her first child was born the year following. Having never recovered her health or strength since the fall, she was a long time before she rallied after her confinement; for many weeks she could only crawl about the house holding by the chairs; since then she has had two more children, and when she came to me was already pregnant four months o f her fourth child. Her side was acutely sensitive to the touch; the pressure o f her own hand made her scream, and she could not wear stays or bear anything tied over the place. She was 28 years o f age, very pale and emaciated; temperament, leuco-phlegmatic. Bowels always confined; hair, a light sandy brown; eyes, blue. From last Christmas she had cold shiverings at night. Her appetite was very bad, or rather the stomach rejected all kinds o f nourishment, tea being all she lived on.

Mr. Briggs was anxious she should try i f mesmerism could be o f any benefit, and I willingly consented to undertake the case, though from the length o f time that had elapsed I was not sanguine o f success. The poor woman called on me March 30th, when I commenced by making long passes from the top o f the head downwards to the waist; she said she felt a cold stream o f air from my fingers, and complained shortly after­wards o f head-ache, faintness and sickness, but did not seem drowsy. I continued the passes for about 20 minutes, and theu sent her home. The next day, Tuesday, March 31st, I questioned her as to what she felt after she had left me the pre­

communicated by M r. D. Hands. 337

vious day; she said »he had been very sick and faint, and had retched violently all the afternoon. I was rather fearful that this might prove injurious in her then state, and therefore con­fined my operations to a slight pressure on the side, wishing to consult Mr. Hands, who was not at home at the time. She complained much o f the pain my hand occasioned h er; I gave over in about ten minutes; she said her side felt better than when she came. On Mr. Hands's return, I asked him if he thought I might continue, uotwithstanding the retching; he quite reassured me. I was therefore eucouraged and deter­mined I would exert all my power on the next day, as she thought the pressure had alleviated the pain. 1 was rather disappointed that she had not shewed any symptoms o f sleep, as every one I had mesmerised previously had been sent into the sleep the first day,* consequently I was not prepared for the contrary effect, and was almost inclined to doubt her having felt any influence from me.

On the Wednesday morning I had a lady with me who was desirous to be present, to which 1 consented. The poor woman told me she had been better than she had felt for a long time, and almost free from pain till four o’clock, from which time she suffered intensely up to the moment she was speaking, and that she was then in such torture she would not be able to endure my hand to her side. I however de­termined to try. On placing my fingers with the utmost gen­tleness on the part, she screamed violently, and said the pain was as bad in the right side as it bad been in the le ft ; that the instant I had touched the latter, she felt pain dart into the other side likewise. I then placed the fingers o f each hand on the sides, and amidst her reiterated cries and en­treaties gently drew them to the centre and then slowly towards myself, throwing off tbc influence each time. The lady who was present became alarmed, and joined her in ask­ing me to desist; but 1 still persevered till she acknowledged the acuteness o f the suffering diminished. In about 20 minutes she declared that she no longer felt pain; that she had not been so free from it for ten years.

Here I think it proper to state, that nothing appears so much to strengthen the influence and necessarily prove benefi­cial as the encouragement, when patients are ready to attribute their relief to mesmerism. The mesmeriser feels his own faith increased and redoubles his efforts with confidence. The reverse is still more certain; none but those who have expe-

* Tbit lad)'» experience must bare been limited, or the would oat bare felt disappointment.— Zoirf.

338 Cure o f severe and constant Pain with Mesmerism,

rienced it can understand the damp that is thrown on all his exertions when there is a disinclination to allow they have derived benefit, or they attribute it to chance, or indeed to anything else except to the power o f your influence.

On the Thursday following I was very unwell and told the servant, when Mrs. Sullivan came, to ask. her to return in the afternoon, when I hoped to be able to exert myself. However, she begged so hard to see me, if it were only for a few mi­nutes, that I accordingly went to her in the hall. She told me she had been quite well till that morning, but then the agony o f the aide was so acute she could not breathe, and implored me to try to give her some relief. Though very unwell, I could not resist her entreaties, and placed my hand on her side while she stood in the passage. In a very short time Bhe said she was quite comfortable, and left me, saying she would not re­turn that day unless the pain became unbearable. When she came on the Friday, the alteration in her appearance was most striking; she generally seemed in too low spirits for any un­necessary exertion, and though she endeavoured to keep her husband tidy, she was a picture o f an untidy alattern herself: but on that morning she was clean, looked as i f her clothes were pinned on instead o f hanging loose about her, and she had made herself a new cap, while her whole face was brightened up and smiling: Bhe said, she had no return o f pain, she was quite well; she laughed and talked incessantly; she was almost wild, I could not keep her qniet. Her happy gratitude was very cheering; her disposition is peculiarly interesting to me. In the midst o f most severe trials, there never escaped a murmur from her lips; she felt the affliction, but felt too her mercies. Suffering for many years, unable to work, she was thankful she had a kind and affectionate husband,— a sober, industrious man, who was always willing to labour for her support. When he fell from the scaffold and was seriously hurt, and consequently thrown out o f work, then she was thankful that God had raised her up a friend in Mr. Briggs, who relieved their wants, placed him in the Middlesex Hos­pital, and had now been the means o f her recovery. There are few sights more refreshing to witness than the overflowings o f gratitude in the midst o f adversity; this is God's work and truly marvellous in our eyes.

The next day, Saturday, the lady who witnessed her suf­ferings on Wednesday, was again with me, when Mrs. Sul­livan was announced. This lady, Mrs. Phillips, o f Islington, who kindly allows me to name her, was much amazed at seeing her so happy and cheerful, and to hear her declaration o f being perfectly cured; the only symptom that remained

communicated by M r. D. Hands. 3 3 9

was her night shivering». On ascertaining this I turned all my attention to wilting them to cease as 1 had read some mes­merises had the power o f doing.

On Monday morning I anxiously expected Mrs. Sullivan that I might learn the result, but in vain; she did not come. A t two o’clock I became alarmed, and went to her house, and found her quite w ell; her only excuse was that she no longer required mesmerism, being completely recovered. I, however, thought it better not to relinquish bo suddenly, but to continue a few days longer. She also stated that when she got home on the Saturday she felt so heavy, she lay down and slept profoundly from half-past twelve to near six o’clock. I appointed her to come to me as soon as she could, and I returned home. She came about three o'clock, and while mesmerising her, I willed her to sleep for two hours that afternoon as soon as she got home. I forgot to mention the night shiverings had ceased, she not having had any since the Saturday, On her leaving me on the Monday, I merely said you were quite right to lie down when you felt sleepy on Saturday; be sure always to yield to what you feel. "When she was gone, I was so pleased by the success attending my willing, that 1‘wrote in my memoranda book my having willed her to sleep for two hours.

On the Tuesday, the kind Mr. Briggs called, and I showed him what I had written, saying, now when Mrs, S. comes you will see what power I have. He was amused, and when the servant said she was down stairs, begged she might come up at once. I expected to see her as happy as she had been the last three days; but, alas, how altered and wretched she looked; and when I enquired what was the matter, I was indeed surprised to learn that she was as ill as she had ever been ; she seemed as depressed as she had been exhilarated before. Tbe pain o f her side had not returned, nor the shi­vering or sickness; but her breathing was sonorous and painful, her chest oppressed, her pulse high and feverish. She complained that the night had been restless and agitated; indeed she appeared to me almost delirious. I questioned her as to what could have been the enuse, hut she assured me she had not committed any imprudence, nor taken any food, except her tea, bread and butter, and mesmerised water, which I had given her from the first; and that so far from having done anything to counteract my influence, she had been so resolved to have a good night, that, instead of yielding to the sleep that almost overpowered her,* she had

* The patient had been elerp; and gone to sleep after reluming home

340 Cure o f severe and constant Pain with Mesmerism.

scrubbed her room, and chairs and table, notwithstanding b i t request o f her lying down i f she was sleepy. You cannot imagine my vexation at this candid confession. I was com­pletely discouraged, and lost all my influence as well as inte­rest in her. She had a relapse o f all her former symptoms, and it was in vain that I toiled; I could produce no effect for many weeks. At length 1 announced to her that I thought it useless to continue, but her grief was so touching that I con­sented to try another week, and really endeavoured to rouse myself into feeling some interest again in the case, assured that I had nothing to fear like her former disobedience. In a few days she seemed to derive a little benefit again under my power. From the time I regained my influence her amendment waB rapid. On the 11th o f May she was perfectly restored to health; she could allow her side to be thumped hard. She now wears stays and washes blankets. Since her recovery she has had a severe fall into the coal cellar, from which she escaped with bruises and contusion o f the same side, yet she never felt a return o f the old pain.

I mentioned at the commencement, that her bowels had been always confined; but from the third time o f being mes­merised, they acted daily, and have continued to do so ever since.

One o f Mr. Hands’ s clairvoyantes advised wash-leather to be mesmerised and applied to the side, and likewise prescribed arnica. Mr. Hands gave her the arnica, the effect o f which was surprising; and when she described what her feelings were, you would have thought she had read Jahr’s Manual o f H o m w o p a t h y , bo exact was her description in harmony with it.* She took no other medicine all the time but one dose o f arnica.

There were no phenomena to excite curiosity; but the fact o f perfect restoration to health and strength is all we ought to desire.

It is rather singular that whereas all the other persons I have mesmerised describe nay influence as very warm, sheon tbe Saturday, when there had been do w illing; and therefore, though we know the power o f the will (Zoiri, Vol. I I I . , p. 319), we have no right to ascribe the sleepiness o f Monday to Madame Marie's will. Patients are often overpowered with sleep after mesmerisation is over.—Zoist.

* We have ascertained, by means of a friend, that the description amounted absolutely to nothing. Jahr mentions nearly two hundred symp­toms, great and little and o f various Linds, produced by arnica, just as he gives a host from each o f a multitude o f other medicines. O f these the woman mentioned tiro or three sensations to our friend, as having been felt by her ia her side, which was the seat o f her disease : but they were such ua she had frequently experienced before, and such as all persons with her uervuus eOection o f the side continually experience.-—Zout.

Striking utility o f Mesmerism in Tic Douloureux. 341

invariably has found it cold, though pleasant. When she suffered from head-ache, it was increased by my passes, unless made iu the inverse direction from the chin upwards to the vertex o f the head and thrown off, which relieved her. I have no doubt her cure would have been completely effected in the week, had she not resisted the influence. During the whole time no other means were employed, with the exception o f the dose o f arnica prescribed by the clairvoyaute and given by Mr. Hands's direction, and the wash-leather, which she thought was o f great service; indeed I have generally found it of great benefit, as likewise the use o f mesmerised water as a beverage as well as external application,

M a r i e ,

IV . Striking Utility o f Mesmerism in Tic Douloureux. By Mr. H, U. J a n s o n . *

TO TH E K H ITO B OP TH E ZO IST.

Sir.— A t length I have the pleasure o f sending you some particulars o f a distressing case o f neuralgia which I have so long attended in Exeter: my patient (Mrs. Canterbury, N o. 48, Holloway Street) having kindly giveu permission for its insertion in our excellent periodical. As, however, the said work is now becoming so overstocked, that space must be a matter o f consideration, I am desirous o f condensing my communication as much as possible. I might have sent it long ago, but was resolved not to do so until I could announce that my patient had completed half a year without pain ; which, I am happy to say, is now the case. Moreover, I have recently returned from an absence of nearly six weeks, during which time she had no other operator ; but, on visiting her, on my return, I was informed that there had been “ no return o f the pain." I therefore hope it is quite eradicated. The history o f the case is as follows:

Mrs. C. had been “ a martyr to the tic” for full four years before I knew her, during which time she had the advice o f several physicians and surgeons in Exeter; but without auy permanent benefit; though, as she told me, “ the medicines sometimes seemed to have the effect o f stunning the pain for the tim e; but it always returned with redoubled violence, so that d o advantage was derived.” The patient expresses her belief that the disease has been forming for full eighteen years; it was therefore a thoroughly deep-rooted case.

Neuralgia, I may observe, appears to be one o f the most VOL. iv . a u

342 Striking utility o f Mesmerism in Tic Douloureux,

mystic or least explicable o f all diseases. I do not require to be told that it is owing to a derangement o f the nervous system, &c.; that o f course, is admitted; but, the question is, what causes this derangement? One o f my medical friends tells me that it may be caused by disorder o f almost any of the internal organs. As far as my own obserration has gone, I am satisfied that these deep-rooted cases are frequently caused by the accumulation o f a mass of matter in the chest. That it is so in this case, I have not the slightest doubt, both from the self-evident symptoms o f the case, and also from the assertions o f the patient herself during the trance. The application o f the mesmeric influence always produces a severe cough, which, by continuing the w passes” with energy, may be worked up so as to terminate in violent vomiting. In this way the amount o f matter that has been removed is beyond calculation; for I have attended her now upwards o f 300 times, and the process has been going on, more or less, from the commencement; though the expectoration began to dimin­ish with the pain, and has now, for some time, nearly ceased altogether. I have never heard o f a worse case than this. When I first became acquainted with Mrs. 0 . she was, I verily believe, on the point o f being starved to death ! as the difficulty o f eating a morsel o f food was almost insurmount­able. She told me that even to see preparations made for dinner was just the same to her as to see a dentist preparing his instruments to draw her teeth; as the least attempt at manducation would bring on such a paroxysm o f agony that I have repeatedly seen the couch on which she lay tremble beneath her. The skin o f the face, around the mouth, became discoloured (as sometimes occurs in extreme cases) and peeled off as it does from r patient after a fever; and both eating and speaking were becoming every day more and more impracticable. She used to receive me in perfect silence, lying on the sofa, and merely pointing to a slate on which she had written any remark she might have wished to make. In this state she would prepare herself for the opera­tion, looking the very picture o f misery unutterable. A very few minutes sufficed to place her in the mesmeric sleep; and any one who entered, half an hour or so afterwards, might indeed have stood astonished! There was my unutterably miserable patient, sitting up, chatting, laughing, eating her dinner, (not gruel and slops, but such things as beef steaks and mutton chops), and looking as happy as possible.

She would occasionally exclaim “ I cannot think how this ís I I know I could not do this i f you were not here,” &c., for it is one o f the peculiarities o f this case, that the patient has

by M r. Janson. 343

never, from the first, been in the slightest degree conscious o f being in any other than her usual state; though she has not the slightest recollection afterwards o f anything that has occurred during the trance. Many o f my friends have come to see Mrs. C. eat her dinner without knowing i t ; and it really was quite a sight. I shall never forget the first time this experiment was tried. On being aroused, the patient looked much surprized, and said, “ Have I been eating?“ I replied, “ What makes you think so ?” She said, " I have no recollec­tion whatever o f it, but I feel as if I had been dining most sumptuously.’* “ And well you may,” said I, “ for you haveeaten a couple o f mutton chops, a large piece o f bread, and a considerable portion o f pudding!” The astonishment depicted on my patient's face was most amusing. In this way she was gradually brought forward from strength to strength. As soon as the violent coughing and expectoration (which usually took place as boo» as the eyes were mesmerically closed) was quite over, I commenced the adminstration of edibles. This was done until at length the disease became so far subdued, that my patient informed me she could eat comfortably when awake. I never heard o f a more steady cure. The disease melted away, as Burns says, " like snow- wreathes in thaw.” The dreadful paroxysms gradually died down to afew occasional twitches, which gradually diminished, in number and severity, until at length I received the pleasing intelligence that she had got over an entire day without the least pain. After that, the improvement was most rapid. She gained flesh and spirits, and has now, as I have stated, passed full half a year without a single twitch or dart. It was when she had got over the first quarter, that she one day presented me with a copy o f original verses, which, as I can truly testify that they contain a simple statement o f facts, will I think be appropriately inserted here.

FROM OMR WHO HAS BEEN CURED OF TIC DOULOUREUX.TO H, U. JANSON, Il(t .

To yon, most veined friend.Whose sympathetic care

Relieved toy cruel woes,And saved me from despair,

Thanks, more than words can speak,I feel to be your due.

And imrt-felt gratitude.Which I present to you.

When first you saw tny face,I by in dreadful pain,

And scarce had power to askIf you would come again. B B 2

314 Striking utility o f Mesmerism in Tic Douloureux,

But anguish hod a voice Which moved your leader heart,

To try magnetic power.And aoothiag aid impart.

The efforts that yon made,A blessing did obtain,

And brought to me more ease Than medicines could gain.

I now a com fort fee],Which long was sought in vain,—

A power to eat or speait,And feet no darting pain.

What sweet release 1 find,Ob happy change for me !

Release from grief and gloom.To active liberty.

May every bliss be yours,That mortal can obtain,

And when immortal made,In heaven for ever reign.

This case exhibits several o f the “ ordinary phenomena/' {as they will he called ten years hence,) rigidity, community o f taste and sensation, &e. One thing, however, is remark­able, that on attempting to draw the hands by the “ tractive passes,” that very common phenomenon is never produced; but, instead o f it, they shrink away, and the patient com­plains o f an uncomfortable sensation o f cold, and, it requires some rubbing and breathing upon them before they are restored. I do not know whether this is a common pheno­menon or n o t ; I merely mention it because I have never met with it in any other case.

But I am desirous not to trespass; and will therefore merely add a few concluding remarks, I am sorry my mes­meric labours (now o f about three years' duration) have not enabled me to furnish more cases for your valuable work: but, the fact is, it has been my misfortune to stumble upon cases of the worst description. I have amply verified the remark o f Mr. Saudby, (Mesmerism and its Opponents, p. 195,/ " the treatment o f a chronic case generally demands a sacrifice o f time, which even i f men have the inclination they have not always the leisure to bestow.” I am sure that i f I had any profession or trade to follow, 1 could not have gone through with this single case; for, had I stopped, even after the two hundredth attendance, I am confident the patient would have been no better. It was during the last hundred that the great advance was made. Another o f my cases was confirmed epilepsy, o f twelve years' standing, and

by M r. Janson. 345

which had been getting progressively worse and worse, until it had arrived at the frightful height o f about thirty fits per month, with periodical attacks o f twelve or fifteen fits in succession, going through a whole night and terminating in raving madness for several days afterwards. I mesmerised this patient above one hundred times, and reduced the attacks to periods o f tic weeks, with perfect health in the interval. Moreover, the attacks were nothing, compared with what they used to be, I was then obliged to deliver this case to another operator, under whose care it is now progressing very satisfactorily.

But I go forward with the beautiful case, p. 51, in the April number. The eye has now been cauterized eleven times without pain. This I may observe is one o f the strongest cases o f cross-mesmerism that I ever heard of. It took me many weeks to get down the influence o f the first operator and establish my ownj and, during my late absence, very serious results ensued in consequence o f another operator having been tried; one o f which was a most distressing head-ache for seven weeks, which took me full a fortnight to overcome. I think this is a point in our science which has not yet re­ceived sufficient attention. I doubt whether there is any mesmeric patient who is not, in some degree, injured by a change o f operators; but I have known several cases in which it is most dreadfully injurious, and appears to overthrow the benefit which had been previously effected.

I have spent much time over a case o f permanent headache; but I have found this the most intractible ease that I have at­tempted (hydrocephalus, I fear); nevertheless I could keep the patient with little or no pain, as long as I attended regularly.

Lastly, I can truly say that I have never yet applied mesmerism continuously without producing decided benefit, if not a cure: though, in every one o f them the “ ordiuary reme­dies” had proved a mere fiddle-de-dee;— an expressive phrase to signify most superlatively useless. In fact, it is, I think, the greatest thing in favour o f mesmerism, that nearly all our marvellous cures have been effected after Ifthe doctor” has done all he cau. I will conclude with a

M e m o r a n d u m .

As a copy o f The Zoist is preserved in the British Museum, I wish to record, for the astonishment o f the men o f 1946, that though the splendid case o f Mrs. C. has been a “ town’s talk” for nearly two years, and has even been noticed in the Exeter newspapers, yet during all that time, not a single medical practitioner who formerly attended her, has ever

346 Reichenbach’ s Researches on Magnetism, tyc.,

once thought it worth while to request me to shew or explain the case, or to ask me a single question about it ! ! !*

I remain, my dear Sir,Faithfully yours,

H e n r y U m p r k v i l l e J a n b o n .

Pennsylvania Park, Exeter,August 18th, 1846,

V . Review o f Baron Reichenbach’ s Researches m Magnetism and certain allied subjects, including a new Imponderable.

(Continued from page 284.)

T he effects produced by magnets and crystals ensued also from the sun’s rays.

"H e put into the hand of one of the patients the end of a copper-wire nearly 30 feet long, and, when her hand was accustomed to the sensation, the other end was put out of the window in the rays of the sun. Immediately the sensations caused by the force of crystals were perceived, not powerful, but quite distinct. The end of the wire was now connected with a plate of copper 0 inches square in the dark, and when the patient was accustomed to the feel of the wire, the plate was exposed to the sun. No sooner was this done than he was saluted with a cry of pleasure from the sick-bed. The moment the sun’s rays fell on the plate a powerful manifestation of the well known force was felt, as a sensation of warmth in the hand, rising through the arm to the head. But this sensation was accompanied with one quite new and unexpected, namely, a peculiar, somewhat cooling, but astonishingly refreshing sensation, a pleasura­ble feeling, which the patient compared to the fresh air o f a fine May morning. This sensation flowed from the end o f the wire into the arm, and thence spread itself over the whole body, dispensing throughout her whole nature a feeling of strength and refreshment. All the bystanders were affected to sympathy, and the author allowed the unfortunate patient for a considerable time the new enjoyment derived from this unknown cordial or restorative. It was something which flowed through her whole nervous system with a beneficial effect. The author did not know what it was, and as it did not im­mediately bear on the question, it was left, like many other things, for subsequent study.”

* We know at a dreadful case of Tic Douloureux, in which mesmerism was begun, but discontinued a twelvemonth ago at the instigation of a brother, a surgeon ia one of the Midland Counties, and a writer in one of the London Medical Journals agaiust mesmerism. She, at his suggestion, feared it would render her insane tike the Oktyt f who hen been well for many yrort and whose ecstatic delirium ocas a port of their disease, as it is in other instances. This poor patient is not allowed the blessings of mesmerism, and has been suffering dreadfully of late, and had four teeth extracted at a sitting, of course without any relief.—Zoist.

including a mppoted new Imponderable. 347

The effect followed, though less B trongly , j f the wire waa hung with dry linen : but, if the linen was moist, the former sensations were united with such a disagreeable sensation as moist air was said to produce ou this patient.

On a second patient,“ "When the wire alone was used, she perceived coolness in the

end of it in her hand, and this disappeared and reappeared as the other end was removed from the sunshine or restored to it. When several square feet of tinned iron were attached to the wire, and exposed to the sun, the sensation of coolness increased to that of icy coldness, which caused the hand to stiffen.”

Another perceived the peculiar sensation, not only" When the wire was attached to sheet-iron, sheet-copper, sheet­

sine, tinfoil, leadfoil, silver-ribbon, gold-leaf, brass-plate, and German- silver, and these bodies exposed to the sun’ s light ; but also when linen, wootlen cloth, cotton, silk, &c., attached to the wire, were placed in the direct rays of the sun. Indeed, every substance tried, including porcelain, glass, stone, wood, water, lamp-oil, alcohol, sulphur, when tried in the same way, produced the remarkable sen­sation of increasing coolness, which all the sensitive patients uni­formly and unanimously testified to, being as much astonished at the apparent contradiction (which, however, was afterwards very clearly explained) as the author himself.”

He then ascertained that this power o f the sun’s rays could, like that o f the magnet, crystals, and the human hand, be communicated to bodies. He placed

“ A glass of water for five minutes in the sun, and caused the nurse, whose hand was very weak in regard to the new force, to give it to Mdlle. Maix without her having any idea of the object in view. Without a question being asked, she declared it to be magnetized water as soon as it touched her lips. On the tongue, gums, throat, down the gullet, and in the stomach, at every point, it acted with its peculiar pepper-like pungency, well known to the sensitive, and exciting spasmodic attacks. Another glass of water, left in the sun’ s rays for twenty minutes, and handed to the patient by one of the weakest female hands, acted as strongly as if magnetized, as far as possible, by the large horse-shoe magnet of 9 bars, capable of sup­porting 80 lbs.”

I f the water waa poured into another glass, it retained its power, like water magnetized or mesmerised ; and in a high, though less high degree, at the end o f an hour.

The callipers o f German silver could be equally charged by the sun’ s rays, by the magnet, crystals, and the hand, as water.

The Baron then charged his own hand ;— He“ Next gave one of his hands to the third lady, that she might

348 Reichenbactis Researches on Magnetism, ^r.,

feel it accurately, and then went for tea minutes into the sunshine, taking care to expose himself to the rays on all sides. On returning to the room, he gave her again the same hand. She was much sur­prised at the sudden change in it, and at the great addition o f force which she perceived, without knowing anything o f its cause.”

They placed a horse-shoe magnet,11 W hich had become week, in the sun’s rays, instead o f restor­

ing its power by drawing another magnet along it. It was so strength­ened and became so powerful in its action on the patient, that from that time, whenever a magnet had become weak, it was laid in the sun, to restore its power o f acting on the patient.”

So with rock crystal, and a crystal o f gypsum.Linen, woollen, cotton, silk, served as conductors, like

wires; silk proving the quickest, cotton the slowest, conduc­tor : a glass tube acted much more quickly than a bar o f wood.

The substances so charged, exhibited polarity.They also, like the magnets and crystals, exhibited

light, in the form of bundles o f flames: and, i f a wire was connected with them, carried through a hole, into a perfectly dark room, aud then held by the patient, a slender column o f flame, rising from the wire, appeared to her, whenever the plate was moved into the sun’ s rays. The same took place, if the end o f the wire outside was not connected with a metallic plate or other inanimate object, but was held in a person's hand. As soon as the person

“ Went into the sun’ s rays, the flame at the end o f the wire rose to 8 inches, and diffused s most agreeable solar coolness. As often sa she removed out o f the sun’ s rays, the flame sank to its original size, aud again diffused warmth.”

The effect was produced most powerfully by exposure of the wire, &c., to the centre o f the solar spectrum, where the light is the most intense,— green, and still more yellow, being

“ Especially the seat o f the delightful sunny feeling o f refreshing coolness.”

The sensation o f warmth was produced most when the wire was placed beyond the red ray, that is, in the seat o f the calorific rays; though true warmth, Baron R. conceives, could not all have reached the patient. When the wire was placed in and beyond the violet ray— that which magnetizes steel— a peculiar disagreeable tractive sensation was felt, such as is part o f the effect o f a magnet.

The moon's rays produced the same phenomena as the solar, aud in one patient much more powerfully, so that her

including a supposed new Imponderable. 349

band involuntarily moved along the course o f the wire when its opposite end was exposed to the full moon.

Further experiments shewed that artificial heat had the same effects as the solar and lunar calorific rays.

I f the further end o f the wire was warmed, but not to a degree capable o f producing the sensation o f warmth from temperature,

" Immediately there passed from the wire into the patient's hand a very strong current o f the known sensation o f warmth caused by crystals, &c.”

Upon the introduction o f a mass o f ice into the hot water,“ Immediately the phenomena altered their form. The sensation

o f warmth and its accompanying symptoms decreased ; a long trac­tion through hand and arm was fe lt ; the disagrceableness o f the warm sensation gave place to the delightful coolness caused by tbe sun’ s rays, and this refreshing sensation gradually spread over the breast, the back, and the whole person.”

W hen the heat was applied, though to the end of the wire outside the room, and insufficient to cause a sensation o f warmth to others, the patient being in perfect darkness, red and green Same appeared to her from the portion o f tbe wire in her dark situation.

Friction o f the plate o f copper to which the wire was attached, had the same effect as the treatment o f the plate in the six ways mentioned: the friction o f bodies occasioned very Car greater appearances o f light to the patients than to other persons.

The influence o f the magnetic baquet, containing a hotch­potch o f ingredients acting chemically on each other, a wire &c., connected with which is held by the patient, appears to Baron R. probable and explicable, for all the phenomena now mentioned occurred from solutions in which chemical action was made to go on, the farther end o f the wire being placed in them. Water in a glass placed in a solution in which chemical action was going on, acquired all the proper­ties o f magnetized water,— of water magnetized by sunshine.

The sources o f this power in our body, he thinks, are the chemical processes o f digestion and respiration, and the che­mical changes o f the substances supplied from the food and air by these functions to every portion o f the body, occasion­ing its universal production throughout the frame.

From mixtures in which chemical action was going on,— dissolutions o f sugar, salt, &c., mixtures o f quicklime and water,— the patients perceived light proceeding; and Baron R. thus explains the appearances which many persons have de-

350 Reichenbach’» Retearchei on Magnetism, t$c.,

dared they witnessed from graves. A blind poet at Colmar, named Pfeffel,

“ Had employed a young clergyman, o f the evangelical church, as amanuensis. Pfeffel, when he walked out, was supported and led by this young man, whose name was Billing. As they walked in the garden, at some distance from the town, Pfeffel observed, that, as often as they passed over a particular spot, the arm of Billing trembled, and he betrayed uneasiness. On being asked, the young man reluctantly confessed that, as often as he passed over that spot, certain feelings attacked him, which he could uot control, and which he knew wen, as he always experienced the Bame, in passing over any place where human corpses lay buried. He added, that, at night, when he came near such places, he saw supernatural appearances. Pfeffel, with the view of curing the youth of what he looked on as a fancy, went that night with him to the garden. As they ap­proached the spot in the dark, Billing perceived a feeble light, and when still nearer, he saw a luminous ghost-like form floating over the spot. This he described as a female form, with one arm laid across the body, the other hanging down, floating in the upright posture, but tranquil, the feet only a hand-breadth or two above the soil. Pfeffel went alone, as the young man declined to follow him, up to the place where the figure was said to be, and struck about in all directions with his stick, besides running through the place of the figure; but the ghost was not more affected than a flame would have been: the luminous form, according to Billing, always returned to its original position after these experiments. Many things were tried during several months, and numerous companies of people were brought to the spot, but the matter remained the same, and the ghost seer adhered to his serious assertion, and to the opinion founded on it, that some individual lay buried there. At last, Pfeffel had the place dug up. At a considerable depth was found a firm layer of white lime, of the length and breadth o f a grave, of considerable thickness, and when this had been broken into, there were found the bones of a human being. It was evident that some one bad been buried in the place, and covered with a thick layer of lime (quicklime), as is generally done in times of pestilence, of earth­quakes, and other similar events. The bones were removed, the pit filled up, the lime mixed and scattered abroad, and the surface again made smooth. When Billing was now brought back to the place, the phenomena did not return, and the nocturnal spirit had for ever disappeared.

“ It is hardly necessary to point out to the reader what view the author takes of this story, which excited much attention in Germany, because it came from the most truthful man alive, and theologians and psychologists gave to it sundry terrific meanings. It obviously falls into the province of chemical action, and thus meets with a simple and clear explanation from natural and physical causes. A corpse is a field for abundant chemical changes, decompositions, fer­mentation, putrefaction, gasification and general play of affinities.

including a supposed new Imponderable. 3 5 1

A stratum of quicklime, in a narrow pit, unites its powerful affinities to those of the organic matters, and gives rise to a long-continued working of the whole. Rain-water filters through and contributes to the action: the lime on the outside of the mass first falls to a fine powder, and afterwards, with more water, forma lumps which are very slowly penetrated by the air. Slaked lime prepared for building, but not used, on account of some cause connected with a war-like state of society some centuries since, has been found in subterraneous holes or pits, in the ruins of old castles; and the mass, except on the outside, waa so unaltered that it has been UBed for modern build­ings. ft is evident, therefore, that in such circumstances there must be a very slow and long-continued chemical action, partly owing to the slow penetration of the mass of lime by the external carbonic acid, partly to the changes going on in the remains of animal matter, at all events as long as any is left. In the above case, this must have gone on in Pfeifers garden ; and as we know that chemical action is invariably associated with light, visible to the sensitive, this must hare been the origin of the luminous appearance, which again must bare continued until the mutual affinities of the organic remains, the lime, the air, and water, had finally come to a state of chemical rest or equilibrium. As soon, therefore, as a sensitive person, although otherwise quite healthy, came that way, and entered within the sphere of the force in action, he must feel by day, like Mdlle. Maix, the sensations so often described, and see by night, like Mdlle. Reichel, the luminous appearance. Ignorance, fear, and superstition, would now dress up the feebly shining vaporous light into a human form, and furnish it with human limbs and members; just as we can at pleasure fancy every cloud in the sky to represent a man or a demon.

"The wish to strike a fatal blow at the monster of superstition, which, at no distant period, poured out on European society from a similar source, such inexpressible misery, when, in trials for witch­craft, not hundreds, not thousands, but hundreds of thousands of innocent human beings perished miserably, either on the scaffold, at the stake, or by the effects of torture,—this desire induced the author to try the experiment of bringing, if possible, a highly sensitive patient, by night, to a church-yard. It appeared possible that such a person might see, over graves in which mouldering bodies lie, something simitar to that which Billing bad seen. Mdlle. Reichei had the courage, rare in her sex, to gratify this wish of the author. On two very dark nights she allowed herself to be taken from the Castle of Reisenberg, where she was living with the author’s family, to the neighbouring church-yard of Gnmzing. The result justified his anticipation in the most beautiful manner. She very soon saw a light, and observed on one of the graves, along its length, a delicate, breathing flame: she also saw the same thing, only weaker, on a second grave. But she saw neither witches nor ghosts : she described the fiery appearance as a shining vapour, one to two spans high, ex­tending as far as the grave, and floating near its surface. Some time afterwards she was taken to two large cemeteries near Vienna,

352 Reichenbach’s Researche» on Magnetism, <SfC.,

where several burials occur daily, and graves lie about by thousands. Here she saw numerous graves provided with similar lights. Wher­ever she looked, she saw luminous masses scattered about. But this appearance was most vivid over the newest graves, while in the oldest it could not be perceived. She described the appear­ance less as a clear flame, than as a dense vaporous mass of fire, intermediate between fog and flame. On many graves the flame was 4 feet high, so that when she stood on them, it surrounded her up to the neck. If she thrust her hand into it, it was like put­ting it into a dense fiery cloud. She betrayed no uneasiness, because she had all her life been accustomed to such emanations, and had seen the same, in the author’s experiments, often produced by natural causes. Many ghost stories will now find their natural ex­planation. We can also see, that it was not altogether erroneous when old women declared that all had not the gift to see the departed wandering about their graves : for it must have always been the sen­sitive alone who were able to perceive the light given out by the chemical action going on in the corpse. The author has thus, he hopes, succeeded in tearing down one of the most impenetrable bar­riers erected by dark ignorance and superstitious folly against the progress of natural truth."

The warmth, the flame resulted when wire was connected with an electric machine or with a hollow brass ball brought near or in contact with the conductor, and as the plate was rotated. But if the ball was so placed as to receive a succes­sion o f sparks,

“ The patient felt every spark as a shock, but saw no flame. The rapidity of the electrical action appeared to he too great; so that the flaming principle, less mobile perhaps by nature, was not set in motion. All these experiments were repeated with negative electricity, but no difference could be detected."

Even the electric atmosphere produced the peculiar sensa­tion, and at considerable distances;

** A tin elcctrophorus plate, 1 foot in diameter, with a wooden handle, held for a minute in the atmosphere of the excited con­ductor, and then touched with a moist finger, caused a strong and continued sensation of a current of cool air, when brought near to the face of the patient. An isolated body acted in the same way ; there is not, as yet, any means of isolating the magneto-crystalline force.

“ An open voltaic arrangement of 50 freshly-cleaned line and copper pairs, with cloth between them moistened with salt and water, appeared to the patient, when she brought her hand near to it, warm at the positive, and cool at the negative pole. The warmth extended to jth of the length, the coolness only to Jth: the latter was comparatively feeble, the former very marked, so as to be per­ceived by several healthy per sou s, and even by the author himself.'’

including a supposed new Imponderable. 353

It is well known that there are“ Many persona on whom certain auhst&ncea exert a peculiar,

generally disagreeable, influence, which often borders on the ludicrous. Not to apeak of the strange fancies of pregnant females, there are people who cannot touch fur, others who cannot endure the sight of feathers, of butter, & c.; and, if forced to do so, faint in conse­quence, Now, observation shews that such antipathies are found in individuals who, although outwardly healthy, are yet more or less sensitive, and that they increase in number and strength aa these persons become more nervous, especially if subject to convulsive diseases. In the case of Mdlle. Sturmann, this goes so far that she often cannot touch a key or door-handle without her Angers being paralysed by spasms, although she appears otherwise well. In his researches with the sensitive patients, the author soon found that these antipathies were connected with certain sensations, common to many persons, and that when these sensations were compared, they might be reduced to a few; which few were found to follow certain rules. The sensations were, apparent heat or cold in substances of the same temperature; decided agreeableness or disagreeablencss, the latter rising to the causing of spasms: pungent, knocking, or drawing sensations in the skin and limbs ; and touic spasms without paiu.”

Ia one o f the patients, ,“ All amorphous bodies, although devoid of the peculiar action

of crystals, gave rise to a nanaeous sensation, which adhered pretty constantly to certain bodies, and appeared in different degrees of force.

" To investigate this point, the author took the trouble to try more than GOO bodies, in reference to this nauseous sensation. It appeared that the patient could easily give to every substance its proper place in the scale of force. This she could repeat without failure at a distance of several days.

“ It soon appeared that these bodies arranged themselves accord­ing to their electro-chemical value, and indeed in such wise that the highly electric stood at the top, the indifferent at the bottom of the scale, without regard to their polar opposition.”

Ia the cataleptic state the effects were stronger; just ns I noticed in the Okeys, and have siuce noticed in many other patients, that what we term the mesmeric effects o f metals, fee., are stronger in the mesmeric state. Contact o f many o f the substances was not necessary in the cataleptic state, though it was necessary in the ordinary state: a fact also shewing the greater susceptibility in the peculiar state.

The rest o f the patients and many other persons confirmed these observations. Different substances placed in the hand would feel warm or cold, as it might be: but presently a peculiar cool aura when some substances were employed, a

354 Reichenbach’t Rf-searchts on Magnetism, Afc.,

hot sensation when others were employed, spread over the hand and from i t : even the substances were placed at the distance o f perhaps 100 paces, or in another Hubstance, or connected by a very long wire.

After many experiments, sulphur was found to represent those substances which gave a sensation o f cold after a time or at a distance, or through the intervention o f another body ; and gold those substances which gave a sensation o f heat in the same manner.

When gold produces a sensation in the mesmeric state, I have usually found this to be o f heat.

The same substance did not produce the same sensation in every one. This is analogous to what I have noticed in the mesmeric state. Some have never been affected by gold or other metals, some by one and not by another. N or were the effects o f contraction o f the hand, pain, numbness, stupor, &c., to the same amount in all mesmeric cases when they did occur, from the same substance. Nickel produced violent effects upon Elizabeth Okey, but no more than silver upon Jane.

Even if some o f these substances were brought into con­tact with another substance, this substance would imbibe the power, exactly as was observed by Baron S . in regard to the strong power o f magnets, crystals, See., (see above, pp. I l l , 114;) just as we all know that substances may be mesmer­ised (pp. 111— 114).

“ 'When the callipers, after being placed in the patient’s hand for some dme, that she might become accustomed to the sensation caused by them, were laid down and a mass o f sulphur placed on them for a few minutes, the patient, on again taking the callipers, felt very strongly the pricking due to the sulphur, and consequently something had been transferred to the metal."

I ascertained another fact in the Okeys and have con­firmed it in subsequent cases,— that a substance not mesmer- isable, that is, which will not affect a particular patient, though held iu the operator's hand a length o f time, and subsequently wiped to remove mesmerised moisture, may be­come mesmerisable if well rubbed against a mesmerisahle substance and then mesmerised.

In my Farewell Letter to the Students, I stated that“ I applied lead to the Okeys, and, indeed, copper also; yet

never obtained au effect. I then applied the lead or the copper, as it might he, against a piece o f mesmerised nickel or gold, before applying it to her \ and its application to her was then always pro­ductive o f effects. I discovered that the surface o f the lead or

including a supposed new Imponderable 3 5 5

copper had become nickelized or aurified by the contact; and thus the difficulty was solved. These experiments I have repeated again and again before numbers of gentlemen, taking the greatest care that the patient should not know when I applied lead or copper which hsd not been in contact with nickel or gold, and when I applied lead or copper which had been in contact with either of them; and the results have been uniform.” .

I trust that Baron E. will make experiments on the aug­menting power o f friction, both with substances rubbed on the patient, and when charging one substance from another before the second substance is applied to the patient.

He found that a body might be charged without contact."Thus the callipers were rendered cold by sulphur at } of so

inch; and bine vitriol wrapped in paper caused the long glass-tube to become cold at the distance of 9 inches. The hands of the author’ s daughters when held over a surface of sffiphur, and then placed in those of Mdlle. fieichel, produced coldness, accompanied by the sen­sation of pricking as of needles.”

It could also be conducted without contact.“ A eopper-plate being connected with the patient’ s hand by au

iron-wire 90 feet long, different substances, when laid on the plate, caused either warmth or coolness in about half a minute. . . .

" Sulphur when on/y brought near the plate, caused coolness in the wire. . . .

“ The author’s daughter gave one hand to Mdlle. Reichel, and held the other over a surface of sulphur, without contact. The patient, in half a minute, felt the hand become cold, and after a minute she felt the usual prickiug of sulphur. This experiment was also made with gold leaf, when the sensation of warmth was experienced.”

So I found it with mesmerism. I have looked intensely at one sovereign among several lying together: and then called the Okeys into the room, and desired them to take them up one by one. N o effect occurred till the sovereign which had been stared at was taken u p : and then the hand was violently contracted. N o word was spoken— no look given. It was totally impossible for the children to have known anything about the matter. Sir George Cayley well recollects one occasion o f these satisfactory experiments at University College Hospital, though beneath the notice of the council and professors.

Baron R. found that, when darkness was made as com­plete as possible, all metals and other elements were luminous to one o f his patients; compounds ‘less so ■ Btill that all solid and liquid bodies gave forth

" Luminous emanations, in the shape of fUme, glowing appear-

326 Reichenbach's Researches on Magnetism,

«nee, and luminous vapour, in the same way as magnets and crystals do.”

Each body gives out its own tint and form o f light, and her accounts never varied.

His castle o f Reisenberg, with its front o f 162 feet, looked out freely towards east and south, and in a clear night she felt from the heavens, when at a window, a similar influence to those from individual substances.

" Ou a neighbouring hill, in a clear, calm, moonless night, she felt that some parts of the sky sent forth a current of coolnesB, others one of warmth. This was tried soon after sunset, then about 9 p.m., twice at midnight, once at 4 a.m., and just before sunrise. In general it appeared, that soon after sunset the west, and before aunrise the east, were especially cool: at 9 p.m., north and north­west were the cooler, south and south-east the warmer: at 4 a.m.,N. and N.E. were the cooler, S. and S.W. the warmer; and, finally, at midnight, N. was cool, 8. warm, and W. and E. so nearly in equilibrium, that little difference was perceptible. They were pro­bably quite equal at 2 or 3 a.m.

" These changes depend on the position of the sun, which we know causes coolness; for the greatest coolness was always found in the region nearest the son, and the presence of clouds made no dif­ference. When the patient was asked to point out exactly the middle of the north cool region and the south warm one, she always pointed in the magnetic meridian, never in the astronomical meridian. She declared that towards S. she felt a limited strip of the greatest warmth. Even at mid-day she found the line of the magnetic meri­dian the warmest towards the south, and the coolest towards the north, of all points o f the eompass.”

These phenomena, partly solar, partly terrestrial, are mixed up with the influence o f the stars also. As to these she

"Always found the milky-way cool; also the Pleiades, the Great Bear, and other constellations: indeed the starry firmament in general. On the other hand, certain single stars gave her s sensa­tion of warmth: these were, Saturn with his ring, Jupiter with his satellites, Venus: in short, planets alone. It thus appeared that stars shining with reflected light were warm; those giving out their own light cool. This agrees beautifully with the former results in the case of the sun and moon.

** The patient stated that all the stars acted on her as if united like a magnet, not only before, but also behind, so as to affect the spine and the head. A copper-plate, 1 foot square, was connected with a brass wire, the other gnd of which was given to the patient in the dark stair. By itself, the wire gave a small flame: but when the starlight was allowed to fall on the plate, a slender flame soon rose from the wire to the height of more than one span. Zinc produced

including a supposed new Imponderable. 357

the same effect, only weaker. The wire felt cool, especially when no planet could counteract the action of the fixed stare.

" These observations are not surprizing after what we have learned ; but they furnish a beautiful proof o f the exactness o f what was stated in regard to the sun and moon; also o f the action o f the whole material world, even the heavenly bodies, on ns, with the Bsme force which we find in terrestrial matter: lastly, they prove that there actually doe» exist a mutual influence between us and the universe, an influence hitherto unsuspected; to that possibly the stars may not be altogether without tome influence on our sublunary world, even in practical m atter», or o n r a t w on k i n o o r t b i h u m a n b r a i n . ”

Baron R. was desirous o f learning whether there was a dualism or opposition in this new force. The patients we found to distinguish two opposite points in the principal axes or poles o f crystals. The negative or north was less powerful and co o l : the positive or south, lukewarm, like the respective poles o f the magnet. We also found that when a crystal was drawn along the hand in opposite directions, it gave op* posite sensations. The effects were stronger in the left hand than in the right {see above, p. 114.) W e have also seen that different substances produced a sensation o f coolness or warmth independent o f temperature {p. 3 49 ); o f coolness in some persons, o f warmth in others, but always similar in the same person.

One patient felt great uneasiness even up to her head, if her right hand touched the positive pole and her left the ne­gative: the right hand corresponding to the negative pole, and the left to the positive, and a current passing from the positive pole o f the magnet through the right arm, body, left arm and hand, to the negative pole o f the magnet. So if he took the patient's right hand in his right, and her left in his left, the same uneasiness o f conflict began (see p. 120). As far as he could judge, all the substances which produced a sensation o f warmth were the electro-positive: those which pro­duced the sensation o f coolness (p. 354), the electro-negative.

” Among the warm bodies were found all the metals, with two exceptions, tellurium and arsenic, the moat negative of the metals: most organic compounds and organic bases; compounds of carbon rich in hydrogen, and hardly any acids. Among the cold were found sulphur, iodine, and other similar bodies; compounds of chlorine, oxides of metals, cyanides, and almost all acids. As far as we can judge, the former, the warm, are the electro-positive; the latter, the cold, electro-negative. It is truly astonishing to see a person, totally ignorant of such matters, capable of arranging all substances accurately according to one of their most obscure proper-

vol. iv . * C c

358 Reichenbach’s Researches on Magnetism, $e.,

ties, their electro-chemical character, and that without ereu seeing them, by a kind of feeling.”

Even the flames o f the bodies which produced a warm sen­sation felt warm, and the flames o f those which produced a cold sensation, felt cold.

The emanations o f all electrified bodies, especially if posi­tively electrified, felt cold ; possibly from the surrounding air becoming oppositely electrified and being the cause o f this sensation.

" Chemical compound* are positive or negative, in reference to the new force, according to the prevailing ingredient, and in neutral compounds according to their place in the empirical scale. . . .

'* All chemical activity implies a manifold alternation of positive and negative, depending on the position of the elements in the scale, so that we can always predict the result, if we know the relative po­sition and quantity of one element.”

Living plants, when one end o f the copper wire was applied to them and the other to the hand o f a patient, gave a warm sensation in proportion to their vital activity; but different portions gave opposite sensations. Thus

'* The roots are warm or positive; the upper end of the leaves cold or negative. The point o f the stem belongs to the negative di­vision, since it is resolved into leaves and buds. We may therefore say, generally, that, in the descending stem, positive, in the as­cending, negative, influence prevails. This, however, is only true with great limitation. But we can perceive that where nature is least active and vigorous in construction, the result is negative; and where she exhibits propulsion, it is positive. Thus those parts of the leaves where growth chiefly takes place are positive, and vice versa, It would appear as if nature, when engaged in formation, must be as­sociated with the positive forms of all the imponderables, as light, beat, electricity, and the new influence; the prevalence of the nega­tive forms being hostile to vitality.”

Living animals though warm on contact, gave out a cool aura through the wire.

“ The author’s hands being raised and directed towards Mdlle. Reichel, she felt, even from a distance, the left hand streaming forth warmth, the right coolness, like a distant magnet. Mdlle. Atzmanns- ddrfer felt the same still stronger. The author's whole right aide was cool and negative, the left warm and positive. The head ap­peared to the patients very strongly charged, its right side negative, and its left Bide positive. The forehead was rather cool, the occiput rather warm. In the arms, there are 6 points of great power, in­creasing downwards, and always at the lower end of a bone and on the inner side; consequently, these points are at the lower end of the

including a supposed o t Imponderable. 359

arm, o f the fore-ana, of the hood, and of the three finger-joint», all on the inner side.

** The mouth, with the tongue, is strongly negative, and cool, and appears to enjoy a large share of the influence. When the mouth is approached to any object, even without contact, the sensitive pa­tients find that object as strongly charged as by contact with a magnet, a large crystal, the sun's rays, or the author’ s right hand.

11 As tt appears that the Ups are a kind of focus of concentration for the new force, the author hazards the conjecture that the true theory of kissing with the lips may depend on this circumstance. He states that the flames depicted on tne lover’ s lips by poets, do really and truly burn there for those who can perceive them.”

From careful experiments with several subjects on this influence o f the author himself, it appeared

" That while the author lay quietly in bed from 6 to 9 or 10, the force steadily increased, and after breakfast continued to do so till mid-day. The ascending sun, therefore, added to the force in his hsnd. The succeeding depression lasted exactly till dinner {3 p . m . ) , and was obviously caused by tbe growing hunger. For no sooner was that appeased, than, even with the first mouthful of food, the depression ceased, and a rise set in, which reached its maximum about tbe evening twilight. Both M. Schuh and Mdlle. Maix also found the author’ s hands more powerful after he had token food than before. . . .

“ The food enters at once into a state of chemical activity; di­gestion, that is, decomposition, begins, and currents of the new force arise. It matters not what share we ascribe to vitality in these

iiheuomena : they are still decompositions, from which spring mani­festations of tbe new force, extending over the whole system, and

charging tbe Umbs with it.”In the absence o f the aun at night, during sleep, one o f

the patients made observations upon Baron R.’ a hand.11 From the morning there is, in the right hand, a general rise,

with occasional depressions, as we have seen, till the evening the maximum being attained at earliest by 6, at latest by 9 p .m ., ac­cording to the individual and his habits. The force now falls de­cidedly, and does so steadily till 2 to 3 a.m ., when it reaches an almost stationary minimum, lasting till dawn, which at the time of the experiments was at 5 or 6. As the light dissipates the darkness, tbe force instantly starts upwards, and new life flows into the ani­mated world; vitality and the new force increase anew throughout the day, as long as the sun shines, , . ,

" I t is tbe sun, one of the chief sources of the new influence, which sends it to us along with light and heat, and saturates with this influence all on which it shines, till, towards evening, a maxi­mum is attained. As soon as the son sets, the tension of the new force in the human organs sinks, and with this change, in the man who lives a natural life, come feelings o f weariness, drowsiness, and

360 Reichmbach’ » Retearcftet on Magnetism, tfc.,

sleep. As the day-spring o f the influence ceases to flow, so bits also the spring o f conscious and waking life. Light and heat, elec­tricity and magDetism, are not the only powers by which the sun in­fuses life and vigour into all beings: it employs another influence with which, as with heat, it penetrates all matter, and the fluctuations o f which we may now compare with and measure by the waking and sleeping conditions.

“ It is not necessary to be exposed to the direct rays o f the sun, as we have seen that the new influence is conducted through all bodies, and even diffused without contact.’*

The positive energy o f the left hand“ Follows a course not exactly similar, but still very analogous to,

that o f the negative energy o f the right hand. It reached the smaller (mid-day) maximum later, the greater (evening) maximum somewhat earlier. On the whole it appeared more powerful.”

Even the two halves o f the head differ. Two persona found the Baron's head

“ Cold on the right, warm on the led hemisphere; both sensa­tions very strong. The same result was obtained in every case tried, male or female.”

And as the force in the two hands is different at different hours, still more so is it in the head, but the course o f the variations is the same.

The two sides o f the head differ in these variations. The force o f the left increases far more slowly than that o f the right in the morning, and, having attained its maximum, does not begin to fall till five hours later.

The brain participates mnch less in the effect o f hunger.O f the two sides," The right is sooner disposed for sleep, and sooner roused to

action in the morning, and indeed exhibits generally more excitability, but not more strength, than the left.”

The forehead and back o f the head differ still more than the two sides. The forehead is generally cold, the back of the head very warm.

The force o f the forehead rose before day-break, was little affected by hunger, aud reached its maximum after sunset; while the back o f the head, at 6 p.m., stood where it did at 6 a.m. But now, when the force o f the forehead begins to fall, that o f the back o f the head begins to rise, and, when that o f the forehead is the lowest, that o f the back o f the head is the highest: and the latter falls quickly after 3 a.m., while the former begins to rise as quickly about 4 a.m.

Sleeping is represented by the back o f the head, waking

Cure o f Palsy and Dropsy. 361

by the forehead; sleeping and waking do not differ as activity and rest, but as a shifting o f the seat of activity.

I f these observations are established, they will prove still farther, what the occurrence o f day and night and all experi­ence show, the error o f sitting up at night, and the natural superiority o f morning to night study. As the taking of food no less than daylight promotes the development o f the force, and the chemical action o f digestion lasts some hours, we see a reason for eating by day and not later than some hours before bed-time; for while night is increasing the force o f the back o f the head, the food increases at the same time the force of the forehead. Common observation says that an hour's sleep before midnight is worth two afterwards: and sleep

" Naturally comes on, at sun-set, at the time of the change in the direction of the new force, and continues till, with the sunshine, new force arises in the forehead. If we go late to bed, we must sleep till late in the morning; but in this case the natural current is against ns, just as when we go to sleep with a full stomach. It is well known, that when we go late to bed and rise late, we are gene­rally dull and out of spirits, compared with those who accommodate their habits to the arrangements of nature.

He who would ensure the continuance of health by attending to the distribution of the force so often mentioned, the influence of which is so penetrating and universal, must rise at latest with the first rays of the sun, take his chief meal at from 11 a.m. to 12, never later than 1 p,w., eat little or nothing afterwards, and retire to rest at the evening twilight. All animals do this, and, indeed, so does the half savage in his condition, which is, in many points, a natural one. So also do many poor people and many persons of small means, especially in the country. It is only civilized man, as he is found in our cities, who does better; he sups at 10 or 11 at night, goes to bed at 2 or 3 in the morning, and then sends for the physician on account of gout, scrofula, or spleen."

V I. Cure o f Palsy and Dropsy,By Mr. D zcihus H ands, Surgeon.

T O T H E E D IT O R O F T H E Z O IS T .

S ir ,— Your kind and ready insertion o f my former cases in your valuable and increasingly interesting periodical, The Zoist, encourages me to transmit you the detailed account o f that remarkable one I alluded to in my note to that juBtly celebrated and brilliant ornament to humanity, as also to the medical professiou, Dr. Elliotson, whom I esteem it a privi-

362 Cure of Palsy and Dropsy,

lege to be permitted to name as my friend. The description there given o f the appearance o f the mesmeric fluid, and which was annexed to his excellent abstract o f Baron Von Reichenbach’s researches in the April number o f The Zoist, was given in the precise words o f the somnambulist, Martha Price, forming, however, but a very small item in the bean* tiful imagery, replete with wit and fancy, which flowed from her lips, yet withal accompanied by such ndivelé as to strike all present with astonishment while they witnessed the singular and varied phenomena and astounding facts called forth each moment by the powerful magic o f mesmerism, and listened in breathless anxiety to the metaphors and florid eloquence of this uneducated yet singularly talented servant girl, and whose language was as remarkable as the expressions were appropriate, descriptive, sententious, and sarcastic. At the time she was first mesmerised, her natural appearance was dull and heavy ; yet in the sleep-waking state she was wildly original, and kept you in continued wonder aud curious expectation. It would require a painter’s pencil aud a poet’s art to render justice to the subject.

Inadequate as I feel for such a task, I shall content myself with giving a plain statement o f incontrovertible facts, which may all be proved by unexceptionable witnesses, and with transcribing verbatim her own relation o f her illness previous to being UDder my care. The filling up aud colour­ing in o f the picture I must leave to the imagination. I would only further add, that I took notes from the com­mencement, and that it is from them the following summary is drawn up.

I remain. Sir, with sincere respect.Your obliged aud obedient servant,

D e c i m o s H a n d s , Surgeon. 22, Thayer Street, Manchester Square.

Martha Price is now 21 years o f age. In the year 1844 she was in service, aud had the care o f a child two years and a half old. On the 14th o f February she was in the Regent's Park with the child, having been sent with a message to a house near Cumberland Gate, when it began to rain very heavily \ she caught up the child in her arms, and ran with it as fast as she could to her destination When she got there she was wet and tired, aud drank a glass o f hot ale, and again set out immediately to return home, though the rain had not ceased. She made all the haste she could, but, when she arrived in Upper York Street, where she lived, she sank down on a chair overpowered with fatigue, and so frenzied by

by M r. D. Hands, 363

pain that she actually threw down the child she had just before been so careful of. Her statement is, that her bead and face were in such agony she was beside herself, and that the latter rose up in large blisters like bladders the moment she was seated. The pain extended down the shoulder, the arm, and left side, being the one she had carried the child on. The intensity o f the pain soon abated, but it continued wearing and tiring for two days; it then changed its cha­racter, and became violent and darting, with occasional in­termission, increased by any exertion or rapid movement. It began at the top o f the head: the suffering was acute, but happily it lasted only for a few moments; it would then cease suddenly, and leave the part dead, that is, without any feel­ing. The pain recurred daily, but never in the same place, always descending lower and lower, till at the close o f five weeks the left side o f the head, face, and neck, to the shoulder, were quite insensible to the touch.

On Friday evening, March 15th, while she was at a reli­gions meeting, on rising from her chair to kneel down, she felt an uneasy tingling in the left foot and leg, which obliged her to sit down again; she then felt them become dead, or what ia usually termed asleep. In a few moments more the shoulder, arm, and side, were similarly affected, though without the previous tingling. Thus aU the left side bad be­come paralyzed, the upper part hariog been so already prior to the evening o f the 15th. She was assisted home, when her kind mistress paid her every attention, She had a fire lit in her room, additional blankets put on, and finding her very cold her mistress gave her a glass o f hot brandy and water. The next day she was taken to a surgeon's house, who bled her copiously, put a blister between her shoulders, and gave her an aperient draught, which did not produce the desired effect, though she continued to take it tiU the Wedoesday, March 20th, when she entered St. George's Hospital under the care o f Hr. Edward Seymour, who likewise prescribed an aperient with no better result; she was also cupped the same day, aud during the time she remained in the hospital she was bled from the arm, cupped and blistered frequently, and leeches were several times applied. She derived more benefit from these and cupping than from the use o f the laucet. A t the end o f six weeks a slight feeling returned in the joints, but the flesh remained dead. It must be remembered that this is the account Martha gives o f her illness and feelings, by which I understand her to mean that the motor nerves re­gained very slight power, while the nerves of sensibility con-

364 Cure o f P aliy and Dropry.

timied as before. Before her removal from the hospital 1 visited her there, and can bear my testimony in corroboration o f her grateful one to the kindness, attention, and talent, which were evinced towards her by the faculty and attendants o f that admirable institution. She left it on May 14th, having been an inmate for eight weeks. She then became an out­patient under Dr. Page, but the distance from her residence, John Street, New Road, rendered the journey too fatiguing and injurious to allow o f her continuing her attendance; she therefore gave it up altogether.

Previously to her leaving the hospital, symptoms o f dropsy* had been observed, accompanied by great shortness o f breath and Buch nervous irritability that she could Dot endure any one in the room or near the bed, but felt so exasperated as to threaten their destruction.

About this time she accidentally met with Teste’s work on Animal Magnetism, Her curiosity was excited, yet being, as I believe, a truly pious person, her prejudices were strong in proportion; she was not merely sceptical, but fancied so great a power must proceed from satanic agency. It was nnder these circumstances I chanced to call where she was, and, having known her for a very long time, I was startled at the alteration in her appearance, and was induced to propose mesmerism to her, and to try all my powers o f persuasion to overcome her objections and prevail on her to consent to my mesmerising her. As she happened to be a Wesleyan M e­thodist, and I happened to be her leader, she confided in my veracity and judgm ent; and, when I told her that mesmerism was a therapeutic agent, and that the devil had no more to do with it than with any other part o f medicine or surgery, she believed me, and so submitted to its influence. I then arranged for commencing that evening. Before I enter on the details o f the case, it is desirable I should describe her appearance prior to the attack, and likewise what she was at the time, with the symptoms o f the disease, which I shall transcribe from notes dated the day I first mesmerised her.

A t the commencement o f the year she was an active, robust, strong, lively girl, smart and quick : three months had passed, and she was pale, bloated/ languid, and infirm; her left arm hung long, heavy, lifeless by her side; the foot and leg presented the same appearance; the right leg moved slowly forward, while the left was drawn up to it with a sud­den jerk, and served as a prop to sustain the equilibrium, and even then she required the assistance o f two persons to cross the room.

■* Entirely from tlio profioe bleeding* in the hospital.—Zeisl. _

by M r. D. Hands, 365

Notes on the case o f Martha Price, May 24th, 1844.

Age 19. Short, thick-set, sanguineo-lymphatic; dark hair and eyes. Cerebrum— the animal part preponderating, while the intellectual is large. Dropsy o f the abdomen, chest, and whole body; trembling in the limbs and throughout the mus­cles generally, morning perspirations, giddiness, taste and smell impaired, especially the form er; palpitation o f the heart, with a sense o f its being tied down and not having room to act; catamenia scanty; motion productive o f pain in the limbs, even in the Ungers; constipation; sleepless nights; palsy o f the left arm and leg.

May 24th, 1 commenced mesmerising Martha Price by making long passes downwards very slowly from the vertex of the bead. 1 continued for about three quarters o f an hour without producing any apparent result, all which time she laughed immoderately; then her eyes assumed the heavy ap­pearance peculiar to the mesmeric state, and soon closed, so that she could not open them, when, as it was late, I demes- meriaed her, and she returned home and slept better than she had done since her illness. The next day she was again mesmerised with apparently no better success, but on her return home, while at dinner, she fe ll asleep, (in the strict meaning o f the words,) for the knife and fork dropped from her hands, so suddenly did she lose consciousness. She was put to bed and slept from 1 to 6 o'clock, and again at night from 12 to 8.

26th. Mesmerised as usual: nothing occurred worthy of remark, yet there was a decided improvement, for she could now lie down, which she had not been able to do since her breathing had been so bad ; the pain however was still acute, and the appetite entirely failed.

27th. This day for the first time Martha went into the mesmeric sleep, though only for a very short interval.

28th. She again slept, and complained o f pain in the stomach; from this day her loss o f consciousness gradually encreased in duration, and her breath ameliorated in propor­tion to the length o f the sleep; the stomach and chest, which were swollen, decreased in size.

Before she was mesmerised, the kidneys had become, if not altogether, yet nearly, inactive; after the third day of her coming to me they had resumed their functions, so that there was frequent and long continued micturition. This I conclude to have been the result o f the absorbents haring been stimulated into activity by the magnetic influence, thus

366 Cure o f Palty and Dropry,

draining off the contents o f the cavities and cellular mem­brane generally. In the course o f twelve hours the patient passed six pints o f water.

29th. Catamenia came on a fortnight before the right period; they had been regular hitherto.

30th. During the sleep I perceived a slight spasm in the right arm.

31st. This day the spasm became much more decided. In her sleep she now began to direct my operations. She desired me to make longitudinal passes, commencing at the vertex, and going very slowly down the left side o f the head, face, neck, and shoulder, to the eud o f the fingers. As I proceeded 1 observed red streaks rising from under my fingers, resembling inflamed absorbents; I consequently continued these passes till the whole surface bore the appearance o f a person who had been the subject o f ardent Bcarlet fever.

The passes over the head were productive o f excruciating pain in the face, eye, and limbs o f the left side, and lastly in the head, heart and side. The agony was so intense as to contort all her features, causing her to grind her teeth and move her jaws convulsively.* She described the pain as the sensation o f the blood flowing to the head, and boiling and bubbling in the brain. The arm and hand, with the leg and foot o f the same side, were stretched out and elongated, raised up or lowered, by my passes and will combined. The passes made from above downwards, in the course o f the extensor muscles, excited the flexors into action; and, if made in the same direction along the flexors, then a similar effect was produced in the extensors.

This same day, May 31st, I placed gold in her hand, when the fingers closed immediately, though slowly, upon it, forming a fist \ the wrist-joint flexed upwards, then the elbow in like manner towards the shoulder, the whole o f the flexor muscles o f the superior extremity being evidently influenced by the gold, and with violence sufficient to have crushed to atoms a glass smelling bottle she had in her hand, had I not hastily wrested it from her before the full development o f the mesmeric influence on the muscles. I had ceased demesmer- Uing her for some days, as she always awoke when I left the room. The following relation is taken down from her dictation :

" On the 31st o f May, after Mr. Hands left me, I awoke as usual, and on rising from my chair I felt three distinct cracks in my side shooting down to my leg and foot, which made me scream out each tim e; it was like a knife running through me, and just the same pain I felt when first seized

l> Sea the »m e in Dr. EllioUoo'e Cure of Palsy, Vol. I., p. 343.—Z o i t t .

by M r. D . Hand*. 367

on the 14th o f February. I then found I could move my leg and arm, and that feeling had returned to my Bide. 1 thought I would try and walk home as it was not a great distance, and accordingly 1 did walk from 18, Upper York Street to John Street, New Road, where I lived, holding by the iron rail­ing o f the areas. I passed my mother and sister as they were coming to fetch m e; I turned away my head and they did not see me, for I wished to enjoy their amazement. The next day 1 determined to astonish Mr. Hands, and walked to his house, 22, Thayer Street."

Indeed it would be difficult to imagine the delighted sur­prise with which I received such an encouraging proof of the curative power o f mesmerism. The exertion did not prove in the least prejudicial to Martha. The same pheno­mena were again elicited with increased strength. She con­ceived that a string which had contracted the limb, snapped in two, and now the leg was at liberty. She complained of weakness in the back o f the neck and head; the bowels were confined; the kidneys again became partially inactive; the sleep continued good. Nothing worthy o f being noted occurred for several days. Laughing always awoke her.

On one occasion, my friend, the Rev. Mr. Bridgeman, had been amusing her in relating some entertaining stories, and consequently continually awaking her, when the question crossed his mind, whether his thinking o f anything droll would have the same effect; and he immediately put the idea into execution, to our great surprise, for she awoke as quickly and quite as much amused as if he had given utterance to the thought. However, I had only to hold up my hand, and though she might not see me, she would go to sleep again instantly.c

June 14th. She was suffering from head-ache, brought on by exposure to cold. I merely touched her fingers, and she went into the sleep, and did not awake on my going to the other side o f the room, as she had always done before; bat this was the first time I was alone with her.

On the 17th she walked to a friend's house, where I put her to sleep as usual. W hen she awoke, I formed a chain o f fourteen young ladies, making Martha the first link. I sat opposite her and used long passes, but without influencing her in the least. I then united myself with the chain, by taking the hand o f tbe last lady; yet I still failed to influence Martha. I then isolated each o f us, destroying the chain completely, and in one minute she was asleep. This is a convincing proof o f what the Rev. Mr. Townsend asserts: see page 290 o f his Fact* in Mesmerism, a book that has done

£ See Mi. Chandler's Cue, rol. I,, p. 175.— Z o i t t .

368 Cure o f Palsy and Dropsy,

more for removing prejudice, and gaining an impartial inves­tigation o f the mesmeric mysteries than any other publication I am acquainted with. N o sincere inquirer should be without this admirable work.

June 26th. I asked her in her sleep when she would be well o f the paralysis. She considered for some time, and re­plied in three weeks.

July 2nd. I sat down at the distance o f three feet from Martha, and merely looked at her ; she fell asleep in four minutes. For the first time she leant towards me ; I moved round her chair, and she followed my movements, leaning over to me as much as she possibly could without falling. I then sat down and immediately stood up again, when she made two ineffectual attempts at imitation, but the third time succeeded ; stood up erect and sat down directly ; some one present laughed, and she awoke, and was surprised at what we told her she had done.

July 9th. She now asserted in her sleep she would be quite well in a week. The fulfilment o f this prediction is proved by the fact that she went to a situation as housemaid to a lady residing in Oxford Street, on the 22nd o f July, 1844.

Marika’s Relapse.— On Monday, July 22nd, Martha went to her place, exactly eight weeks from the time she had first been mesmerised ; and on the subsequent Friday, as she was shaking up a bed, she felt a sensation pass through her side, like a flash o f lightning. It darted upwards to her eye, which closed. She recognized the pain, and hastily slid down the stairs, holding the baluster, and succeeded in reaching the bottom before her foot and leg were seized. This attack was much more aggravated than the former; the left eye remained shut, and the entire side was paralyzed. During her stay at home she had gone through severe mental trial, which doubt­less bad contributed to predispose her for this relapse. She first felt numbness in the leg and arm, then in the fingers and up the course of the radial nerve ; next, the extremities o f the left side were quite paralyzed ; the pulse was slow and Boft ; she had night perspirations. Just prior to the attack, she experienced a sense o f vacancy in the stomach, and had a severe fit o f sneezing.

I was sent for, and mesmerised her immediately ; but, though she went into the sleep, she derived no apparent be­nefit. The next day she directed me to draw off the vesical contents with an instrument while she was asleep (the vesica being paralyzed) which I did, but it soon accumulated again. She assured me the water came from the legs, being, as I had before concluded, absorbed and conveyed through the ordì-

by M r. D . Hands. 369

nary channel to the vesica. She was removed home that even­ing, when I again mesmerised her.

Gold, which had acted so powerfully in her previous ill­ness, now failed in producing any effect, though I tried it each time.

On the Sunday, while she was asleep, the closed eye rolled slowly open, presenting the frightful object o f a sight­less orb. After a short time it reclosed, but when she awoke it opened naturally like the other, and she found she had recovered the use o f it.

Monday, July 29tb. In her sleep she desired me to take 16 oz. of blood from her arm, and, while the blood flowed, to place a sovereign on her head and another in her left hand. The effect was instantaneous, and appeared marvellous from its previous failure. Now there was an exact repetition o f all the former violeut contortions o f the 31st o f May, but with increased power. There was the closing o f the fingere, the flexing o f the wrist and elbow joints; but now, alter the latter had folded upwards towards the shoulder, it slowly lowered itself, aud then kept stretching out with convulsive jerks, the flexor muscles slowly contracting and the exten­sors darting forwards until the power o f both sets o f muscles had regained ability to perform their functions and the arm was fully elongated.

Tuesday. In her sleep she said she must be kept very low, and drink barley water, and eat a small quantity o f bread; that she must be bled again on the next Monday, after which she would have the use o f her limbs. She assured me mesmerism would cure her, and told me to draw off the vesical contents before I made passes over the leg ; she fancied that she saw letters on her heart, but confusedly; she should see them better another day.

Wednesday. In her sleep she felt something very hot pass through her heart, like steam, from my forehead; my fiugera gave her pain : she saw fluid passing up and dowo on her heart. The letters now appeared clear, some upside down; she fancied the words Salivation aud Mercury, but immedi­ately corrected herself, and said, No, that the latter word was a guess; but I see 12 small pills o f a bluish colour, I must take them aud they will produce salivation, aud operate on the bowels, which had been confined for several days.

Friday. Whilst reading the letters upon her heart, Martha’ s appearance was most singular; she seemed to be looking down and searching about, peering into the interior recesses o f her heart; she compared herself to a hen with her brood under her wings. A t times she appeared perplexed, then

370 Cure of Patty and Dropty$

would brighten up, and her countenance sparkle with pleasure. She described the letters as i f written with a fiery pencil and all light, she likewise searched into the head and brain, the left side o f which she saw covered with blood. While she was in the hospital every application was directed to the right side. She had begun her pills on Wednesday, one twice a day.

Saturday. The bowels acted as she had prognosticated. She slept three-quarters o f an hour, and said her month would be affected when she had taken 4 more pills. She directed me to draw off the vesical contents, but not to put gold in her hand for it drew the blood from the head; I most therefore use it when I bleed her.

Monday. The bowels acted and micturition occurred twice.Aug. 6. I took away more blood. The catamenia came on.

She said that when they ceased she should be quite well. She now in her sleep always read on her heart and directed me what to do. Sensibility was recovered in four toes; the middle one remained insensible. Salivation began: the pills were finished.

August 7th, She was very red ; while in the mesmeric sleep she assured me she should be quite well when she awoke, meaning that she would have regained sensation and feeling in all her limbs and no longer suffer from paralysis. She like­wise said she should not be able to leave her bed yet, as she would be too weak, and there would still be the dropsy, which would not yield quite so s o o d , but with perseverance she should be cured o f that in a little time. I placed my hand on the top o f her head which had been hitherto so painful to the toach. She fancied there was a string covered with bloody knots that tied it. I produced pain and spasm o f the arm and leg. I pot a mesmerised sovereign on her shoulder and she fancied the string broke. The head had been drawn over the shoulder, and when I removed the sovereign it fell back to its place. As I passed my hand over the head, tears flowed copiously down the cheeks, especially from the eye that had been affected. The back o f her head felt dead, and she could not bear the couch to touch one part o f it, she said it felt as i f a piece o f the brain was loose and fell against her forehead when she leant forwards; she fancied matter was forming on the brain, like a scab which would soon appear outwardly on the skin in the shape o f scales, and would have to be brushed o f f ; the itching sensation was terrible and relieved by grinding the teeth and shaking the head which seemed to scratch it.

Martha said my being in the room was sufficient o f itself to send her to sleep, and that there was a large collection o f water in the abdomen in a sack, but more on the right side than on the left.

by M r. D. Hand*. 371

Monday. The catamenia came o n : she said they would continue tilt Wednesday; she must not take medicine, formes- merised water would produce the same effect. A few days later, Martha said the water in the peritonaeum had been so agitated by the magnetic power that it was now nearly gone. She wished to have her head shaved, when we had the demon­stration o f the truth o f her prediction: there toot a large oval place about the size and shape o f a section o f an egg, having the appearance o f dandriff and o f a darkish colour. About this time Martha’s mother was confined, and, as she required her daughter’ s services, we were obliged to discontinue mes­merism for rather more than a fortnight, after which period we again resumed i t ; but she said the interval had been per­nicious, the peritonaeum having again filled, and that it would require 24 hours of uninterrupted sleep for the water to be absorbed and carried off. W e therefore settled that she should come the next day, Saturday, to her friend’s house and that 1 should send her to sleep at 11 o'clock, which I did. But she had not been asleep long, before she became restless and appeared uncomfortable: she bad not acquainted her mother with our intention and she said she saw her very angry, 1 of­fered to go to her mother and get some one to do the work instead o f Martha. To this she consented, and on my return 1 told her her mother was quite satisfied. But 1 had hardly left the house before she peremptorily ordered her friend to awaken her, who very naturally refused and remonstrated with her, telling her that I should be most justly offended after the trouble I had taken, especially as her mother had offered no objection. But she said, if she had not to Mr. Hands, she was making a famous row now. Her friend still expostulated and declared it impossible, as she did not know how to awaken her. She then asked for two bunches o f keys and her wedding ring; as there waB but one bunch, she took off the largest key, placed it in one hand, the bunch in the other, and the ring on her forehead, and instantly awoke.

But now arose a fresh difficulty; she refused to go home. Nothing could be more striking than the contrast which pre­sented itself between Martha in the mesmeric sleep and Martha awake. The same firmness o f purpose and decision o f character were evinced in each state; bnt, whereas in the one, she was all nervous anxiety and solicitude to appease and conciliate her mother, in the other she was as tenacious and obstinate not to concede in the least to what she deemed her mother’s ill temper; in desiring her to return after con­senting to her remaining, and it required much persevering entreaty, before she was prevailed on to go home. However,

872 Cure of Palty and Dropty,

she at length did so ; bat, when her mother saw her, she was frightened at her appearance and sent her back immediately, fancying she was bewildered, and caused her to be watched till she arrived safe at her friend's house. She passed a very bad night; and when I saw her on the Snnday, I was much surprised at all that had happened. I sent her to sleep im­mediately, and she said that all the alteration had been very pernicious, and that in consequence it would be necessary now that she should sleep three nights and three days without awaking: I must demesmerise her that evening, and then send her to sleep again, and leave her undisturbed till the following Wednesday. The day previously, during her sleep, she had passed a considerable quantity o f flnid, and she con­tinued to do so on the Sunday. In the evening, I awoke her as she had desired; she took some refreshment, and I after­wards sent her into the sleep again. She told us she should talk and eat on Monday aud Tuesday, but would be too ill on the Wednesday, and continue insensible all the day till her waking hour, six o’clock in the evening, when we should find the dropsy quite gone. During this sleep which presented much that was singularly interesting, she was seen by many persons; among the number I would mention Dr. ELliotaon, the Rev. G. Sand by, and Mr. Atkinson. As soon as Dr. E. entered the room, she named him, though she had never seen h im ; and when asked how she knew him and not the others, she said he was one o f the family, and explained that each person I had mesmerised was lit np by the mesmeric fluid and she read their names.

1 now hasten to the Wednesday evening, half an hour before the appointed time for her awaking. Her breathing was cur i o us s he had lain all the day apparently unconscious and the breathing imperceptible, now it became deep, very deep, then again it nearly ceased; at times there was a restless moaning, and the frame was energetically contorted, relapsing afterwards into apparent insensibility. The Rev. G. Sandby and Mr. Atkinson were present; Dr. Elliotson was prevented by an engagement. W e were all anxiously waiting with our watches in our hands, when the church clock opposite struck, aud Martha was awake in an instant. I was fearful she might be agitated on seeing the two gentlemen who were strangers to her, but she was quite calm as I remained near her. The next day when I called I found her very weak, and on sending her to sleep she complained o f cold and o f suffer­ing from the looseness o f the integuments o f the abdomen. The water having been all absorbed and carried off, she di­rected me to apply a bandage 8 yards long. Before I came,

by M r. D . Hand». 373

she had prevailed on her friend to give her a quantity o f very hot potatoes, which she ate very greedily. She said she suf­fered so very much from internal cold, and they warmed her. From this day her recovery may be considered as complete, for she had no return o f any o f the symptoms, either o f dropsy or paralysis, but continued to gain strength daily. Her clairvoyance encreased likewise, and she soon was equally clever in discerning and in prescribing for diseases in others as she had done for herself. In corroboration o f this I send extracts from two letters descriptive o f Martha’s appearance, and the impression she made on strangers when in the mes­meric state. I have only to state farther, that at the present time, though not a strong woman, yet she is perfectly able to undertake any light situation in a private family, and that it is uow nearly two years since her recovery, which I date from that last Bleep, September, 1844.

Accept once more, dear Sir, my thanks for all your kind­ness, o f which I hope to avail myself again in the January number o f The Zoi»t, and believe me,

Your obedient servant,24th Aug. 1846. D. H ands.

Extract from a letter o f G. Chapman, Esq., to a friend, describing Martha’ s mesmeric state :—

" Martha was mesmerised almost at on ce : she fell into a disturbed sleep, aud almost immediately passed into the lucid state, when she prescribed for two patients; after which she continued rather talkative for some little time, when she sud­denly became heavy, and went off into a state o f somnolence. Mr. Hands appeared to regard her with alarm; be said that a change was coming oveT her, but he could not tell what it might be, and cautioned me in case she should say anything unpleasant to me, as she had done to others. She awoke in a state so peculiar, that 1 fear I shall not succeed in describ­ing it. Her features had assumed an expression o f beatitude; she appeared not to breathe, her countenance was pallid, her eyes were closed, and she got up and followed Mr. H. with her hands partially extended in so solemn a manner, as to make me feel that she was all but a creature o f the other world.

t( I watched her with alarm and awe, and felt it quite a relief when she returned to her seat. I cannot explain the change which came over her countenance and appearance, and can only imagine it like that which the Bndhists o f the Isle o f Ceylon believe to take place in those who attain Nirwana, when they become all alike— all heavenly; so differ-

VOL. iv . n »

8 7 4 Cure o f Palsy and Dropsy,

eat was the countenance o f Martha in ecstacy from Martha in her ordinary state some hours before or afterwards.”

The accompanying paper is a copy o f a letter written by a lady o f Queen Adelaide's Court, after witnessing Martha's somnambulic state:—

“ As you wish for an account o f what I saw at Mr. Hauds'a this morning, I will give you a narrative as accurate as I can o f what passed whilst I was there, without any com* ments or theorizing o f my own. When I went in, 1 found four persons (all patieuts) besides Mr. Hands himself. The most remarkable o f these was the young woman, Martha, whom I was already aware had been restored from a very hopeless state o f dropsy; I believe also some paralytic affec­tion. During the course o f his treatment, she has developed in turn almost all o f the most remarkable phases o f mes­merism, and continues almost daily to exhibit some additional manifestation o f its effects. That in which 1 am most in­terested at present, is her power o f perceiving disease in others, distinguishing whether the derangement is organic or functional, and I believe prescribing the proper treatment, certainly so far as concerns the mode o f mesmeric operation requisite.

“ When I went in, one o f the patients, a lady o f appa­rently middle age, suffering from complaint o f the heart, was under the mesmeric influence. Her eyes were closed, and she had not the power to open them ; but she retained full possession o f her consciousness, though she had no control over the motions o f her limbs. Whether she was able to speak or not, 1 am unable to say, and, being unwilling to make any disturbance, I did not enquire; she did not how­ever speak during the treatment. Mr. Hands was mesmeris­ing her, and Martha, s Ibo under the mesmeric influence, stood by watching, and by her looks and motions directing the process. It is rather difficult to describe her posture, which appeared to me to be a remarkably inconvenient one to be so long maintained, almost unchanged, as she contrived to do it. I can best describe my notion o f it, by likening it to that o f a person arrested in the act o f bending forward in salutation: she held Mr. Hands's watch iu her haud, hut did not appear to do so for any purpose o f marking time. The expression o f her countenance was very striking; it indicated earnest concentrated intelligence, combined with a kind o f dreamy look, which probably arose from her eyes being so intently fixed on the patient and her apparent unconsciousness o f ail else that surrounded her. Though, as I have said, she never

by M r. D . Hands. 8 7 5

altered the position o f her legs and feet, there was an almost constant gentle motion o f her body and head, arising from her alternately bending and erecting herself to her full height, indicating thereby, by an occasional movement o f her hand, the direction in which she wished Mr. Hands to make the passes. The change o f her countenance was almost incessant — always a look o f intense attention, accompanied by an ex­pression o f anxiety and disquietude whenever these passes were made in the direction she disapproved; changing to one o f great satisfaction, and often a smile o f delight, when Mr. H ., who used every endeavonr to catch her meaning, succeeded in fulfilling her instructions. She is a girl not possessed o f any personal attractions,— her pallid complexion rather takes from such general expressiveness as she might otherwise have; but at times the expression o f her counte­nance was almost lovely, and though it did not equal it, it reminded me o f a patient o f Dr. Elliotson's, who used to fall into a state o f ecatacy, during which no words can describe the loveliness o f her countenance; a case, I suppose, similar to the extatics who excited so much interest three or four years ago in the Tyrol.

" T o return, however, to Martha. After about twenty minutes, she indicated that it was time to cease mesmerising the patient. The effect produced on this latter was princi­pally a constant movement o f the right hand and arm, which was elevated, depressed and extended, according to the passes made by Mr. Hands, But I must observe here that, con­trary to what I have generally seen, the arm, instead o f follow­ing in the direction in which his hand moved, almost always took the opposite direction, as if repelled instead o f attracted,

" There now remained two other persons to be operated on. Mr. Hands seemed to apply to Martha for instructions which should be attended to first; and, either because she was herself undecided or did not make her will sufficiently evident, there was some little demur; at length it was clear that she had fixed on the lady. The first thing she did was to make signs that the gloves the lady had on and a ring she wore should be pulled o f f : I forgot to say that she had before made Mr. H . take off his rings, which she always insists on being done previous to his mesmerising. She be­stowed the same attention, evidenced in the way I have described, upon this lady, and therefore I need not repeat it ; but the effect on the lady (the nature o f whose complaint I am not aware of) was different from anything I have yet seen. Her arms were immediately set in slow involuntary motion, the hand being first drawn upwards, the forefinger and thumb

d d 2

Cure o f Palay and D ropsy.376

c o m in g in c lo se c o n ta c t , an d th e m o v e m e n t o f th e a m a c ­co m p a n ie d b y w h a t I c a n o n ly d e scr ib e as a so r t o f tw is tin g a n d d is to r t in g a c t io n . B a ro n D u p o te t h a d a p a tie n t w h o u sed t o e x h ib it m o t io n s o f a s im ilar k in d , o n ly m u c h m o re d is to r te d an d e n e r g e t i c ; b u t th e n sh e fe ll in to a sta te o f ca ta le p sy , a n d d id n o t p reserv e c o n s c io u s n e s s ; w hereas M r . H a n d s ’ « p a tie n t re ta in ed th e m ost p e r fe c t co n sc io u sn e ss all th e tim e , c o n v e n in g o n th e su b je c t , a u d d e s cr ib in g h e r u tte r in a b ility t o resist th e m o v e m e n ts , w h ich w ere n o t a tte n d e d b y th e lea st p a in , b u t , o n th e co n tra ry , b y ra th er a p lea su r­a b le sen sa tion . S h e to o , in ste a d o f b e in g a ttra cted to w a rd s M r . H ., w as s t r o n g ly re p e lle d , d ra w in g h e rs e lf u p to th e v ery b a ck o f th e so fa o n w h ich sh e w as sea ted , a n d se e m in g as i f sh e c o n te m p la te d r e m o v in g still fu rth e r i f sh e c o u ld . M a rth a c o n t in u e d a ll th is t im e d ir e c t in g b y lo o k s a n d g estu res , a n d a fte r perh a p s h a lf a n h ou r , o r it m ig h t b e less, M a rth a g av e th e s ig n a l t o cease.

T h e p rocess w ith th e th ir d p a tien t, a g e n t le m a n , w as c o n ­d u c te d in so s im ilar a m a n n er , th a t d e s cr ip t io n w o u ld b e lit t le e lse th a n a r e p e tit io n , b u t h e w as less a p p a re n tly a ffe cted th a n th e o t h e r tw o . W h e n it w as ov er , M a rth a , w h o st ill c o n t in u e d in th e m e sm e r ic sta te , in d ic a te d th a t M r . H a n d s s h o u ld m esm e r ise a b o t t le o f w a ter th a t s to o d o n th e ta b le , a n d g iv e i t t o th e la d y w h o was la st m esm erised , b u t seem ed to p r o h ib it th e o th e r tw o p a tien ts fro m h a v in g a n y . I th e n to o k m y lea ve , le a v in g M a rth a in th e m e s m e r ic sta te c o n v e rs ­in g w ith th e tw o la d y p a tien ts .”

It rosy be well (o inform those who ere not conversant with clairvoy­ance, that, though it )> an unquestionable fact, it is, like ever; phenomenon of living systems, liable to fluctuation ; sometimes perfect, sometimes im­perfect, sometimes perverted, and even during the same fit of it. When it is genuine, it is occasionally mixed up with a degree of delirium. The party may have a true intuition, and yet fancy unreal things. Martha foresaw accurately, but the foreknowledge was manifested with a fancy of words upon her heart. Elizabeth Okey accurately foresaw the events o f her case, but fancied they were told her by a beautiful negro: if in her higher extatic sleep-waking, in which she looked like an unearthly being, she was asked a question, she asked it io a whisper of this imaginary being, and then fancied that she received the answer from him, before she herself gave it. Such hallucinations are recorded of patients and seers of all countries and periods. At last Elizabeth Okey predicted without this fancy: and then was aware and told her tneimeriser that previously a degree of delirium bad been mixed up with her state.

The effect of gold on the band of Martha occurs in many patients, nod was remarkable in the Okeys, in whom when Mr. Wakley saw it, he ex­claimed that all mank ind had been touching gold for thousands o f years without any such effect, nod therefore it must be a sham. He forgot that nil mankind had not for thousands or years been first subjected carefully to the mesmeric process.—Z o i s t .

( 377 )

V I I . Cures o f N ervous and D yspeptic A ffections. B y M r . B r o w n , C h e m ist a n d D ru g g is t , L o w L e y to n , E ssex .

C o m m u n ica te d by D r . E llio tso n .

It is r e m a rk a b le th at a la rg e n u m b e r o f ch e m ists a n d d r u g ­g is ts n o t o n ly a re sa tis fied o f th e tr u th o f m esm erism , b u t o p e n ly a d v oca te it , a n d so m e e v e n p ra ctise it . T h is is an a d d it io n a l rea son fo r m y b e lie v in g th a t th e g en era l h o s tility o f m e d ica l m e n arises n o t fro m th e fear o f p ro fe ss io n a l loss, b u t fr o m p r id e an d ig n o r a n c e . I h ave a lw a ys th o u g h t so , b e ca u se th e sam e ig n o r a n t u n h e s ita t in g d e c is io n a g a in st m e sm er ism has b e e n m a n ifested b y in n u m e ra b le o th e rs in a ll c lasses o f s o c ie ty . D ru g g is ts w ou ld su ffer v e ry fa r m o re th an p ra ctit io n e rs fr o m th e g e n e ra l u se o f m esm er ism . F o r n o t o n ly w o u ld m e d ica l m e n s t ill h a re to g iv e d ru g s m o re o r less , b u t o p in io n s as to th e n a tu re a n d p ro sp e cts o f cases ; th e g e n e ra l su p e r in te n d e n ce o f m oBt cases w o u ld s t ill re q u ire a m e d ica l m a n ; a n d , e x c e p t in s im p le a n d c h r o n ic cases , a th o u sa n d th in g s w ou ld r e q u ire th e serv ices , a n d o fte n th e d a ily serv ices , o f p erson s sk illed in m e d ic in e o r su rg e ry . M e d ic a l m e n are in d isp e n sa b le in m ost cases e x ce p t th e m o s t s im p le , a t o n e p e r io d o r o t h e r ; a n d th e y w o u ld e m p lo y m es­m erism as o n ly o n e o f th e ir n u m e ro u s m e a n s , a n d n o t t o th e e x c lu s io n o f o th e r m ea n s . F r e q u e n t ly th e y m ig h t o p e ra te th em se lv es , a n d , w h en a ca se b e g a n to req u ire t o o m u ch a tte n ­t io n fr o m th e m , th e y w ou ld m ore o r less su p e r in te n d its a d m in istra tio n , as th e y d o th e a d m in is tra tio n o f b a th s, m in e ­ra l w aters, f r ic t io n , c u p p in g , fee. fee.

T h e y h a v e sh ew n th e sa m e h ostility t o n o v e lty w h ich c o u ld n o t a ffe c t th e ir p ro fess ion a l g a in . S o m e n o t o n ly s c o r n ­fu lly c o n d e m n e d w ith o u t a n y e x a m in a tio n , b u t g re w v ery a n g ry a t th e m e n tio n o f , th e e m p lo y m e n t o f th e ear in a ffe c ­t io n s o f th e ch e s t : y e t n o n e b u t m e d ica l m en c o u ld ev er so u se th e ir ears. T h e o r ig in a l r e co m m e n d a tio n o f p ru ss ic a c id , q u in iu e , fee., m a d e m a n y as sco rn fu l an d c ro ss ; y e t th e se d r u g s w ere to b e a d m in iste red , ju s t as m u ch as o th e r d ru g s , b y m e d ica l m e n . S o m e n o d o u b t have b e e n h ostile fr o m fa n cy th a t th e ir p o c k e ts w o u ld s u f fe r : b u t m a n y w ith a b u n d a n t m ea n s , an d m o r e p ra c tice than th e y c o u ld g e t th r o u g h , n ay , so m e re tire d fro m p ra c tice , have m a n ifested th e sa m e sp irit.

878 Cure» o f N ervous and D yspeptic A ffections,

T h e p r id e o f c o n v ic t io n th at w h a t w e k n o w o f th e d e p a rtm e n t o f n a tu re th a t w e h a v e s tu d ie d , th o u g h w e a llow i t t o b e ca p a b le o f e n la rg e m e n t , is in ca p a b le o f r e ce iv in g a d d it io n s o f a to ta lly n e w ch a ra cter , a n d th a t w h a t w e th in k w e k n o w is a b so lu te ly p ro v e d a n d n o t t o b e q u e st io n e d , a p p ea rs to m e at th e b o t to m o f th e h o s t i l i t y ; u n ite d w ith th e ig n o r a n c e o r fo r ­g e tfu ln e s s th a t w e a t p resen t have b u t a g lim p se o f th e fa c ts o f n a tu re , a n d ca n k n o w n o th in g b u t b y o b s e rv a t io n o f h e r and in fe re n ce s fr o m w h a t w e k n o w , b u t th ese in fe re n ce s , i f ju s t , b e in g im p lie d n e ce ssa r ily in w h a t w e h a v e o b serv ed .

T h e v e ry m e n w h o m a k e th is h a u g h ty s t ir a g a in st m e s ­m e r ism w o u ld h a v e ra ised a n o u tc r y a g a in st th e a p p lic a t io n o f th e f in g e r to th e w rist fo r th e p u rp o s e o f le a rn in g so m e th in g o f th e sta te o f th e b o d y a t la rg e o r o f an y in tern a l o r g a n b y s o d o i n g : th e y w o u ld h a v e s co rn fu lly r e je c te d th e d ru g s in c o m m o n u se , h a d n o t th e ir p re d e ce sso rs b e e n in th e h a b it o f u s in g th e m ,— w o u ld have la u g h e d a t th e fa n c y o f o p iu m ta k ­in g aw a y p a in , o r th e rust o f ir o n m a k in g w eak p e o p le s tro n g a n d p a le p e o p le ru d d y . A l l th e y ad m it , t h e y a d m itte d o r i ­g in a lly b e ca u se in th e ir c ir c le a ll o th e r s a sserted i t a n d n o b o d y d e n ie d i t : a ll th e y d o , th e y d o b eca u se in th e ir c ir c le th e y o r ig in a lly saw o th e rs d o it a n d n o b o d y d o o th erw ise . E x p e r ie n c e a fte rw a rd s p roves to th e m th a t m u c h o f a ll th is is t r u e a n d u s e fu l ; b u t th e y b l in d ly believe m u c h th a t is n o t p ro v e d , a s th e w o r ld d o e s in a ll m a tters , o f w h ich m u ch n e v e r w ill b e p ro v e d , a n d m u c h is t o v ig o ro u s a n d fre e b ra in s e v id e n tly n o n s e n s e : a n d th e y a n d th e w o r ld do m u c h th a t is u se less b y d a ily ro u t in e th u s fa llen in to fr o m e x a m p le .

T h e fo u r fo l lo w in g cases, th o u g h n o t o f a d a n g e ro u s ch a ­ra c te r , w ere d is tress in g , a n d su ch as m e d ica l m e n are d a ily s e e in g an d p r e s c r ib in g fo r t o lit t le p u rp ose .

J . E l lio tso k .

I . Cure o f Dyspepsia and N euralgic Pain,M iss O rr is , la d y ’ s -m a id a t F o r d B a rc la y ’ s E s q ., G ro v e

H o u s e , W a lth a m s to w , E s se x , a p p lie d to m e in th e m o n th o f J a n u a ry la st. S h e th e n c o m p la in e d o f h a v in g b e e n su ffe r in g fo r th e la st two years w ith p a iu in th e r ig h t s ide, e x te n d in g o v e r th e r e g io n o f th e s to m a ch , n au sea , loss o f ap p etite , a n d g e n e r a l d e b ility , a c co m p a n ie d w ith g re a t n e rv o u s e x c ite m e n t , to g e th e r w ith th e usual sy m p to m s in d ica t iv e o f a n h y ster ica l d is p o s i t io n ; p a in in th e h ead a t t im e s most intense, b o w e ls i n ­a ctive , liv e r to rp id , k id n e y s a c t in g fre e ly w ith p a le c o lo u r e d u r in e , ex tre m it ie s c o ld , o c ca s io n a l r ig o r s , ca ta m e n ia e v e ry fort­n ig h t ; sh e h a d b e e n under m edical treatm ent up to the period o f her applying to me, A m a rk e d im p ro v e m e n t w as in d ic a te d

by M r. Brown. 3 7 9

a fte r m e s m e r is in g h e r d a ily fo r o n e w e e k , a n d a t th e e x p ir a ­t io n o f ten week» a perfect cure w as e f fe c te d .11

I I . Cure o f Dyspepsia and Cerebral Disturbances.M r s . H o p e , w ife o f a g a r d e n e r r e s id in g a t W h ip p s C ross ,

W a lth a m sto w , E ssex , a g e d 4 5 , a ffl ic te d fo r two years. C o m ­m e n c e d m e sm e r is in g o n th e 1 7 th A p r il , 1 3 4 5 , in c o n s e q u e n c e o f h e r c o m p la in in g o f a n u n p lea sa n t b u r n in g sen sa tion w ith g re a t w e ig h t a t th e p it o f th e stom a ch , lo s s o f ap p etite , restless n ig h ts , c o n s ta n t c o u g h a c c o m p a n ie d w ith co n s id e ra b le e x p e c ­to ra t io n , p a in in th e r ig h t s id e , g re a t ir r ita b ility o f te m p e r , a c c o m p a n ie d a t t im es w ith a desire to grasp every thing within her reach. A f t e r m e sm e r is in g h e r fo r tw o w eek s , h e r c o u g h h ad e n t ir e ly le ft , h e r a p p etite w as m u ch im p ro v e d , a n d h er w h o le a p p ea ra n ce in d ica te d co n s id e r a b le g e n e r a l a m e n d m e n t : a t th e e x p ir a t io n o f s ir weeks sh e w as quite recovered.

I I I . Cure o f Nervous H ead-ache and other N ervous Sufferings.M iss H o w , W o o d S tre e t , W a lth a m s to w , E sse x , h ad su ffe red

fo r many years w ith a n e rv o u s h e a d a ch e , p a in in th e le ft s id e , p a lp ita tio n o f th e h eart, s h o o t in g p a in o v e r h e r le ft e y e , a n d a t tim es sh e lost th e u se o f h e r h an d s an d w rist. M e sm e r ise d h e r fo r th e first t im e o n th e 2 0 th S e p te m b e r fo r o n e h o u r , w h ich co n s id e r a b ly re liev ed th e p a in in h er h e a d a n d th e pa l­p ita t io n o f th e h e a r t ; c o n t in u e d m e s m e r is in g h e r e v e ry o th e r d a y . A t th e e n d o f a w e e k th e p a in o f th e s id e h a d en tire ly le ft , h e r h a n d s a n d w rists v ery m u ch im p ro v e d , a n d a t th e e x ­p ir a t io n o f a fortn ight she was quite recovered.

V I . Cure o f Hypochondriasis.M r . Y o u n g , W o o d S tre e t , W a lth a m s to w , E sse x , a g e 7 7 , an

in d e p e n d e n t g e n t le m a n , h a d b e e n fo r two years u n d e r m ed ica l tre a tm e n t iu c o n s e q u e n c e o f a n a ffe ction o f th e liv er , b a t w ith o u t o b ta in in g a n y m a ter ia l r e l ie f ; h is sp ir its a t t im es w ere v ery m u ch d ep ressed , w ith lo s s o f a p p etite a n d s leep . H e ca m e u n d e r m y ca re a n d w as m e sm e r ise d o n th e 1 7 tn S e p te m b e r 1 8 4 5 . I m esm erised h im e v e ry d a y ; at th e e n d o f a w eek , h e fo u n d h im s e lf b e tte r , a n d a fte r th is tre a tm e n t fo r eight weeks b e w as perfectly cured without h a v in g taken a single dose o f medicine.

G . L , B e o w n .

d This c u e resembled that eared by Madame Marie (p. 336).—Z o u t .

( 3 8 0 )

V I I I . Benefits o f M esm erism in N euralgia, Rheumatism, Patsy, and Convulsions. By D r . E sdaile. C o m m u n ica te d by D r . Eluotson.

T h e n ew sp a p ers o f M a y 2 8 t b a n d 2 9 th , se n t t o m e from In d ia , c o n ta in th e fo llo w in g facta .

J . E lliotbon.

“ MEDICAL MESMERIC FACTS, REFORTES BY 3 . ESDAILE, M.D.

“ 4 The presumptuous scepticism which rejects Tacts without caring to examine them, is, in man; respects, even more destructive than uncritical credulity.'—i/tuatwUl.

“ T o th e e d ito r o f The Englishman.“ S ir ,— P r e s u m in g th a t I h a r e d e m o n stra te d , b y n ea rly

one hundred cases, n o t o n ly th e p o ss ib ility o f painlesB su rg ica l op e ra t io n s , b u t th a t th e y m a y b e re ck o n e d o n as d a ily m a t­te rs o f co u rse , i f th e p ro p e r m ea n s are u sed to secu re su ccess , I n o w c o n s id e r m y s e l f at lib e rty t o e n te r o n a n o th e r a n d e q u a lly im p o rta n t b r a n c h o f th e su b je c t , n a m ely , th e c u r a ­tiv e p ow ers o f m esm erism in v a r iou s d iseases w ith in th e p r o ­v in ce o f m e d ic in e .

“ I h a v e sa id l it t le o f th is h ith e rto , h a v in g p u rp ose ly r e s tr ic te d m y s e l f t o p r o v in g th e in e s t im a b le v a lu e o f th is a g e n t in su r g e r y , w h ich i t h a s re v o lu tio n iz e d to su ch an e x ­te n t , th a t th o se w h o c o n t in u e t o to r m e n t th e ir fe llo w -cre a tu re s unnecessarily w ill ru n th e r isk o f b e in g p ro se cu te d b y th e S o c ie ty for th e S u p p ress ion o f C ru e lty to A n im a ls . T h e p r o ­d u c t io n o f in se n s ib ility fo r su rg ica l p u rp oses is o fte n o n ly to b e a tta in e d b y g re a t la b o u r an d p a tie n ce , su ch as fe w are w illin g to g iv e it ap p ears, a n d th is in co n tr o v e r t ib le te s t o f th e re a lity o f m esm erism is th e re fo re n o t s o fr e q u e n t ly seen as it o u g h t to b e .

" F o r th e co n s o la t io n o f th ose w h o h av e tr ie d a n d fa iled , I w ou ld r e m in d th em o f th e e ffe c t o f h is first d isa p p o in tm e n t u p o n S h e r id a n . H is first sp eech w as a d e c id e d fa ilu re , n e v e r ­th eless h e e x c la im e d , 1 B y ---------1 i t is in m e th o u g h , a n dshall c o m e o u t a n d i f th e in esm eriser w ill re so lv e t o d o th e th in g , \f possible, h e w ill g en era lly su cce e d . H o w u n rea son ­a b le it is t o h o p e to a rrest th e u su a l c o u r se o f n a tu re by sh o r t , w eak , im p a tien t e ffo rts 1 T h is is t o c o m b a t th e o c e a n w ith a b ro o m .

" B u t th e m edical a d m in is tra tio n o f m e sm e r ism affordB n u m e ro u s p ro o fs o f its p ow ers , e q u a lly c o n v in c in g , a n d o fte n as s t r ik in g an d c o n c lu s iv e , as th e a b se n ce o f su ffe r in g u n d e r th e m ost c ru e l to rm e n ts ; a n d it h as th is a d v a n ta g e , th a t m o s t

Benefits o f M esm erism in M edical Cases, 8 8 1

p e rso n s w h o h a re th e will, w ill fin d th at th e y have th e pow er, b y very m o d e ra te e x ertion s , o f s o o t h in g a n d c o r in g th e ir fr ie n d s a n d n e ig h b o u r s , w h en su ffe r in g u n d e r m a n y ptun fu l d iseases, e sp e c ia lly o f th e n e rv o u s sy stem .

“ B u t th e n erv es ca n n o t b e b e n e f i t e d , w ith o u t le a d in g t o a n im p ro v e d c o n d it io n o f th e w h o le b o d y . I f th e fo u n ta in o f v ita lity is lo w an d r e d u c e d in p ow er, th e n erv ou s c u rre n ts w ill fiow fe e b ly t o th e d iffe re n t o rg a n s , a n d life w ill la n g u ish l ik e a p la n t fo r w an t o f w a ter . B u t le t th e reservo irs o f n e rv o u s p o w e r b e rep len ish ed , a n d th e n th e v ita l strea m s w ill f low f r e e ly ; a g e n e ra l v ig o u r w ill b e d iffu se d th r o u g h th e sy stem , a n d th e o rg a n s , re fresh ed , w ill p er fo rm th e ir fu n c ­t io n s w ith ease a n d re g u la r ity . T h e prim ary e ffe c t o f m es­m e r ism o u th e n e rv o u s sy ste m is its m o s t s tr ik in g fea tu re , b u t its secondary in flu e n ce is n o t less im p o rta n t to th e p h y s i­c ia n , b y e n a b lin g h im to a tta ck c h r o n ic v ices o f fu n c t io n b y a g e n e ra l, th o u g h in d ir e c t , s t im u lu s o r sed a tive , a c c o r d in g t o th e o b je c t h e has in v iew ,

" I w ill first p resen t th e re a d e r w ith a ser ie s o f e x tre m e cases, in w h ich resu lts w e re o b ta in e d , n o t p r o cu ra b le by any other known means, a n d w h ere m esm er ism w as the only curative agent resorted to, so th e r e c a n b e n o m ista k e a b o u t th e m a tter . T h e e ffe cts p r o d u c e d m u st h a v e b e e n ea rn e d b y m esm erism , o r w e re p u re ly a c c id e n ta l. B u t th e p rocesses a n d th e p h e n o ­m e n a p r o d u ce d , a re so c le a r ly ca u se a n d e ffe c t , th a t t o d o u b t th e p re se n ce o f so m e a c tiv e a g e n t in th e m a tte r w ou ld b e as re a so n a b le as t o d e n y th e e x is te n ce o f th e w in d , w ith th e w re c k s o f a h u rr ica n e b e fo re o u r e y es , b e ca u se w e c a n 't see it. B u t i f y o u sp eak o f aerolites t o a rea l strong-minded s c e p ­t i c , a n d te ll h im th a t th e y h a v e b e e n seen to fa ll t o th e ea rth — th a t th e y are t o b e seen in ce rta in places'— th at sw ord s h a v e b e e n m a d e o f th e m — a n d m e n k ille d b y th e m , h e w ill p r o b a b ly te l l y o u th a t h e w o n 't b e lie v e it till he is kilted by one himself.

" I t is n e a r ly a y e a r a g o s in ce I said in m y th ird r e p o rt— ' 1. I w as ce rta in ( i f life is n o t a lto g e th e r a p h a n ta sm a g oria ) th a t in m y first ca se , th e m u sc les o f th e w h o le b o d y h a d b e e n as p la stic a n d o b e d ie n t t o m y w ill a s c la y in th e h an d s o f th e p o t t e r ; a n d I fe lt sa tis fied th a t i f th e sam e sta te o f th in g s c o u ld b e a g a in b r o u g h t a b o u t , m u scu la r sp asm s a n d m u scu la r c o n tr a c t io n s w ou ld d isa p p ea r b e fo r e th is g re a t so lven t,

“ ‘ 2 . H a v in g w itn essed in th is ca se th e to ta l e x t in c t io n o f n e rv o u s se n s ib ility , it led m e t o c o n c lu d e th a t , in a lik e sta te o f th in g s , n e rv o u s p a ins w o u ld v an ish b e fo r e th is su p rem e a n o d y n e .

“ ‘ 3 . I h a d seen g en era l fe v e r a n d h ig h lo ca l in fla m m ation

3 8 2 Benefit» o f M etm eritm in Neuralgia,

a rrested a n d su b d u e d in th is p a tie n t, b y th e m e s m e r ic tra n ce , a n d th a t th e artific ia l in fla m m a tio n it w as m y o b je c t t o e x c ite fo r th e c o r e o f h y d r o ce le , d id n o t d e v e lo p it s e lf w h ile th e m e s m e r ic in flu e n ce w as in a c t iv ity , an d th a t th e p u lse a n d te m p e ra tu re w e re lo w e re d — th e n ce I in fe rre d th a t in fla m m a ­t io n w as p r o b a b ly in co m p a t ib le w ith th is sta te o f th e sy s te m .'

" I h a v e s in c e a c te d u p o n th ese e a r ly in d ic a t io n s , and sh a ll n o w p r o c e e d t o sh ow th e e ffe cts o f m esm erism o n th e m u scles , n e rv e s , a n d b lo o d -v e s se ls , w h ich a ll sy m p a th ise h ow ev er .

M W h e n la te ly o r d e re d to jo in th e a r m y o f th e S u t le j, I a n tic ip a te d f in d in g an a m p le fie ld fo r m e s m e r ic p r a c t ic e a m o n g m e n o f d iffe re n t c o u n tr ie s a n d te m p e ra m e n ts , a n d h o p e d to fin d th a t o u r s ick a n d w o u n d e d c o u n tr y m e n w o u ld b e n e f it b y th is h e a lin g p o w e r o f n a tu re , as m a c h as th e n a tiv es o f B e n g a l ; f o r I t h o u g h t i t p r o b a b le th a t s ick n ess a n d su ffe r in g w o u ld r e d u c e th e E u r o p e a n c o n s t itu t io n to th e lo w n e rv o u s sta n d a rd o f th e B e n g a le e , a n d th e r e b y r e n d e r it e q u a lly su sce p t ib le o f th e sa n a tiv e in flu e n ce . B u t v ery l it t le o p p o r tu n ity w as a ffo rd e d m e o f te s t in g th e tru th o f th is , as I re tu rn e d b y d i k th e d a y a fte r r e a c h in g F e r o z e p o re , m y serv ices n o t b e in g re q u ire d .

<f A c c id e n t th re w th e m e a n s o f m a k in g a few e x p e r im e n ts in to m y w ay , h o w e v e r , a n d th e o c ca s io n w as n o t n e g le c te d .

" A t L ood i& n a , I w as u n e x p e c te d ly d e ta in e d to ta k e o n so m e th ir ty w o u n d e d m e n to F e r o z e p o re , a m a rch o f s ix d a y s ; a ll, w ith tw o o r th r e e e x ce p t io n s , h ad lo s t a le g o r a rm , b u t w e re co n v a le s ce n t, a n d o n ly su ffe red fr o m p a in fu l sen sa tion s in th e fingerB a n d to e s o f th e lo s t e x tre m it ie s .

M A fe w cases re q u ire d m ed ica l tre a tm e n t, b u t w e had no medicine, an d I w as o b lig e d to fa ll b a c k u p o n n a tu re , a n d it w as lucky fo r the poor fellow t th a t I h a d b e e n in th e h a b it o f c o n s u lt in g hex.

Rem oval o f agonizing Pain, tgc., £fC.

“ M a r c h 7 th . D . C a n v a n , a p r iv a te in H . M . 's 5 0 th re g i­m e n t : Baw h im fo r th e first t im e to -d a y . H e co m p la in s o f g re a t ten d ern ess o n p ressu re a ll o v e r th e ch est, a n d e sp e c ia lly u n d e r th e sh o r t r ib s o n th e r ig h t s id e ; h is ch e s t fe e ls c o n ­tra c te d , a n d h e c a n n o t ta k e a d e e p resp ira tion , T h e k n e e - j o in t o f th e sa m e s id e is c o n tra cte d , a n d th e a n k le a n d toes a re s t if f a n d im m o v a b le ; th e r e is g re a t ten d ern ess in th e c a l f o f th e le g , an d h e c a n n o t p u t h is f o o t t o th e g r o u n d .

“ H e says, th a t h e fo u n d h im s e lf iu th is sta te o n r e co v e r ­in g fro m a d e lir io u s fe v e r , th re e w eek s a g o , a n d in th e list I r e ce iv e d , h is ca se is p u t d o w n as ' d e lir iu m tr e m e n s . ' B e lie v -

by D r. Esdaile. 8 8 8

i o g h im to b e su ffe r in g fr o m a n e u r a lg ic a ffe c t io n o f th e m u sc les o f r e sp ira t io n a n d o f th e le g , I b e g a n to m esm er ise h im , without a word o f explanation, or leading him to expect anything. I n a sh o r t t im e h e b re a th e d freer, a n d in a q u a rter o f a n h o u r c o u ld ta k e a d eep b r e a th , a n d p e r m it te d m e to p o k e h is s id es a n d ch ea t w ith o u t it a n n o y in g h im . T h e p r o ­cess w as e x te n d e d t o th e le g , an d w ith o u t m y t o u c h in g it , th e k n e e g ra d u a lly r e la x e d — th e a n k le a n d to e s b e c a m e flex i­b le , a n d at the end o f h a lf an hour the leg w oe perfectly straight, and he moved it fr e e ly in all directions without pain. I sh a ll n e v e r fo r g e t th e m a n 's a m a zem en t as w e w e n t o n . H e k e p t c r y in g , ‘ H o w stra n g e 1 h o w w o n d e r fu l I h o w delightftd t Great God t it ’ s a m iracle / ’ T i l l a t la st h is e x c ite m e n t a n d b e w ild e rm e n t b e c a m e s o lu d ic ro u s th a t I w as o b l ig e d t o d e s is t fro m la u g h in g .

** A s h e s lep t ill, I d es ired th e h o sp ita l a p p re n t ice t o tr y t o p u t h im t o s leep th e sa m e n ig h t . H e w as m e sm e r ise d fo r tw e n ty m in u te s ly in g o n th e c o v e r le t ; a t th e e n d o f th is tim e , I c a lle d u p o n h im lo u d ly b y n a m e , w ith o u t d is tu rb in g h im , a n d h e was th en li f t e d a n d p u t u n d e r th e q u ilt , s le e p in g so u n d ly .

“ M a r c h 1 2 th . H is c ra m p e d p o s itio n in th e ca r t fo r so m a n y h o u rs d a ily , b r in g s b a ck th e p a in s in h is le g , b u t th e y c a n a lw ays b e ch a sed aw ay b y a few m in u te s lo c a l m e s m e r ­is in g , as I have sh e w n t o sev era l p a rties o f g e n t le m e n 1 m e t o n th e ro a d , an d th e k n e e c o n t in u e s s tra ig h t— th e ch e s t is a lso free .

" I d o n o t p re te n d t o say th a t th is m a n w as cured, fo r h is c o n s t itu t io n w as r u in e d ; b u t I sh o u ld b e g la d to k n o w w hat e lse c o u ld h a v e d o n e s o m u c h fo r h im .”

“ M a r ch 1 1 th .— 6 . A d a m s o n , H . M . ’ s 5 3 rd r e g t ., h a v in g seen C a n v a n p u t to s leep y e s te rd a y , begged M r. Cox to do as much fo r him, as h is sh o u ld e r ached severely, and prevented his sleeping; his arm had been taken o ff at the shoulder jo in t. M r . C o x c o m p lie d , w ith o u t sp e a k in g t o m e a b o u t i t , a n d in a very short time pu l him to steep. H e t o ld m e th is m o r n in g th a t h e tried all he could to keep awake t o w a tch th e e ffe c t o n h im se lf, b u t b e v e ry soon fe ll asleep, and had a good night.

“ O th e r a c h in g stu m p s w ere so o th e d b y lo c a l m e sm e r is in g , a n d I e n co u ra g e d th e m e n t o le a rn th e p rocesses , th a t th e y m ig h t b e a b le t o in t r u c t th e ir c o m ra d e s h o w to re lie v e th e m . M e sm e r is m is p r e -e m in e n tly th e soldier’ s friend,* a n d th e r e g i­

* Mr. Rintoul thou Id think of a)] this befora be again cruellj inveighs in Ms Spectator against Dr. Esdaile’s benefits to the poor soldiers. Mr. Riu- tonl pretends to detest flogging soldiers, but would not hare their sufferings removed b j mesmerism. Oh, pride! Oh, temper !—J. Elliotson.

3 8 4 Benefit» o f Mesmerism tn Head-ache and Rheumatism,

m e n ta l Burgeon w h o co n fin e s h im s e lf t o la u g h in g a t it , w ill s o o n b e p u n ish e d b y th e d is tru st o f bu th o ffice rs a n d m en . T h e s e are th e c h ie f in c id e n ts o f m y w e e k ’ s m e sm e r ic ca m p a ig n .

" A p r i l 1 1 th . M r . C . has c o m e u p fr o m C a lc u t t a : h e has b e e n tr o u b le d fo r th re e w eek s w ith severe rh eu m a tism in h is le ft k n e e : i t is c o n tr a c te d , sw e lled , sh in in g , a n d h o t , b u t n o t red , a n d to tender to the touch, that he dread» h is ch ild re n approaching him , le s t t h e y sh o u ld to u c h h is k n e e b y a cc id e n t. H e c a n n o t s leep , h as n o a p p e tite , a n d lo o k s w o r n -o u t a n d la n g u id .

“ 1 m e sm e r ise d h is k n e e lo c a lly fo r a sh ort t im e , a n d lik e C a n v a n ’ s, it g ra d u a lly b e c a m e stra ig h t. In twenty minutes, he allowed me to p res» and »trike hit knee with violence, w ith o u t c o m p la in in g , a n d th e n got up and walked without pain , b u t s tiffly , f r o m th ic k e n in g o f th e jo in t . H e had a c r n t c h ly in g a t h is sid e w h en 1 c a m e in , an d c o u ld n o t m o v e w ith o u t it .

“ A p r i l 1 2 th . H a s s lep t v e ry w ell, th e first t im e f o r th re e w e e k s : th e sw e llin g , h ea t, a n d te n d e rn e s s o f th e k n e e are less, a n d I a g a in re m o v e d th e la tte r b y a few m in u te s lo c a l m e s ­m e r is in g .

“ A p r il 1 8 th . T h e g e n t le m a n h e liv es w ith has m esm erised h im g e n e r a lly fo r an h o u r d a ily , b u t w ith o u t e n tr a n c in g h im : h e s leep s a n d eats w e ll, a n d fee ls h is n erv es resto red . T h e r e is o n ly so m e st iffn ess o f th e jo in t le ft , an d b e r e tu rn e d t o C a lcu tta to -d a y .”

“ A p r il 8 th . T w o d a y s a fte r m y re tu rn fro m th e a r m y , Iwas re q u e ste d to see M i s s -------- , a g e d 16 . I fo u n d h e r ly in go n a c o u c h , c o m p la in in g o f e x cr u c ia t in g h ea d a ch e o n o n e s id e o f h er h ea d , w ith a w e ig h t o n th e to p o f it , a n d th r o b b in g o f th e r ig h t te m p le , s o severe th a t sh e sa id th a t sh e w o u ld lik e t o o p e n th e v e in s w ith h er sc issors. H e r e v e s w ere h eavy , a n d su ffu sed w ith t e a r s ; sh e lo o k e d p a le a n d ex h a u sted , h a d n o ap p etite , an d w h a tever sh e a te tu rn e d acid im m e d ia t e ly : th e lea st e x e rc ise fa t ig u e d h e r ; c o m in g u p sta irs d is tressed h e r b re a th in g , a n d sh e heard every pulse in her body. A lth o u g h n a tu ra lly c h e e r fu l an d a ctive , she h ad b e e n fo r a fo r tn ig h t d isp ir ite d a n d listless. D u r in g th e la st te n d a ys , h er te m p le s h ad b e e n leeched; sh e w as a fterw a rd s bled standing; mustard poultices w e re a p p lied to h e r fe e t , an d strong medicine g iv e n o n a c c o u n t o f th is c e re b ra l c o n g e s t io n . T h e o rd e r " repeta- tur” had b e e n g iv e n , i f th in g s d id n o t s o o n m e n d . T h e se m ea su res re liev ed h er a lit t le fo r a sh ort t im e , b u t sh e has su ffe red m u ch d a ily e v e r s in ce , a n d to -d a y , sa ys sh e is as b a d as ever.

by D r, Esdaile. 3 8 5

“ H e r m o th e r sa id , th a t sh e fe a re d it w o u ld n o w b e n e ce s ­sary t o a p p ly th e le e ch e s to th e h ea d , a n d th e b lis te r t o th e n e ck , w h ich h ad b e e n o r d e re d in th e e v e n t o f h er n o t g e t t in g b e tte r s o o n . I n re p ly , I sa id , th a t th ere w as a p oss ib le s o u rce o f e rror , w h ich I sh o u ld lik e to r e m o v e b e fo r e re s o r t in g t o su ch h e ro ic rem ed ies .

“ T h e state o f th e y o u n g la d y 's c o n s t itu t io n w as su ch th a t 1 th o u g h t it p oss ib le h e r su ffe r in g s arose fr o m d e b ility o f th e n e rv o u s sy stem , ratheT th an fr o m sa n g n in e o u s c o n g e s t io n , a n d I sa id th a t I c o u ld p r o b a b ly d e c id e th is o n th e sp o t , i f p e rm itte d to m a k e a n e x p e r im e n t. T h e p a ren ts h a v in g n o o b je c t io n , I m esm erised th e y o u n g la d y 's h ea d a n d sp in e , a n d in a quarter o f an hour, all the pain , weight, and throbbing had gone ; h er u su a l a n im a tio n o f lo o k a n d m a n n e r re tu rn e d , a n d sh e fe lt quite well, sh e Baid. I n an hour a fter, Bhe a te h er d in n e r w ith a p p e t ite , the first time fo r three weeks, a n d d i ­g e s te d it w ell.

A p r il 1 8 th . S h e h as c o n t in u e d perfectly w ell ev er s in ce h e r first m e s m e r is in g : b u t as a g e n e ra l s t im u lu s sh e h as b e e n m esm erised d a ily fo r a few m in u tes , a n d , a ll h er n a tu ra l fu n c ­t io n s h a v in g b e e n re s to re d : i t w as le ft o f f to -d a y .

" M a y 2 0 th . S h e k e e p s q u ite w ell. I n ca ses lik e th is , w h ere th e d ia g n o s is is v ery d ifficu lt , a n d a ccu ra cy o f v ita l im p o rta n ce , m esm er ism , lik e th e c o n ju r in g w an d o f th e ad ep t, lea d s th e p h ys ic ia n d ir e c t ly a n d in fa llib ly t o th e fo u n ta in ­h ea d o f th e ev il, a n d , l ik e th e sp ear o f I th u r ie l, it in a m o m e n t red u ces assu m ed ap p earan ces to th e ir tru e c h a ra cte rs a n d re la tion s .

" W it h m y fo r m e r m ed ica l k n o w le d g e , I c o u ld o n ly h ave p r o v e d th e co rre ctn e s s o f m y su sp ic ion s b y a lo n g a n d tr o u ­b le so m e co u r se o f tre a tm e n t, an d i f su ccess fu l, it w o u ld p r o ­b a b ly have b e e n sa id , th a t th e d isease h ad c h a n g e d its n a tu r e ; b u t as it h a p p e n e d , th e d isease e x is te d in its first in ten s ity , an d th e m e ta m o rp h o s is t o o k p la ce o n th e sp o t .”

Frightful Convulsions.— (f J u n e 6 th , 1 8 4 5 . I w as ca lle d a t e ig h t o 'c lo c k la st n ig h t , t o see th e w ife o f B a b o o E ssa n ch u n d er G h o sa u l, d e p u ty -m a g is tra te o f H o o g h ly . I fo u n d h e r in d rea d fu l c o n v u ls io n s ; sh e was sp eech less , a n d su ffe r in g from a c o n s tr ic t io n in th e th ro a t , th a t th rea ten ed t o su ffo ca te h e r e v e ry m in u te , a n d sh e co n s ta n tly b e a t o r p o in te d a t th e p a rt. A t o n e m o m e n t h e r b o d y b e ca m e p e r fe ct ly r ig id , a n d in a n o ­th e r it w as b e n t b a c k lik e a b o w , t i l l sh e rested o n th e b a ck o f h e r h ea d a n d h eels o n ly . I never saw such convulsions except in hydrophobia. A l l th a t I k n ew o f th e re so u rce s o f m e d ic in e was u seless, foT h ow c o u ld sh e ta k e p h y s ic w h en sh e c o u ld

3 8 6 Benefits o f M esm erism in Rheumatism and Nervousness,

n o t ta k e b re a th ? I th e r e fo re h a d re co u rse to m y n e w so lv e n t p o w e r , a n d a fte r n e a r ly a n h o u r 's h a rd w o rk , I le ft h e r asleep a n d ca ta lep sed .

“ J u ly 1st. T h e r e has b e e n n o r e tu rn o f th e con v u ls ion s .'*

I n D r . E s d a ile 's M esm erism in India a re so m e m e d ica l cases n o t p u b lish e d a n y w h e re e lse , a n d I th e r e fo r e e x tr a c t th e m .

“ Rheumatism and N ervousness.— S e p t . 2 5 t b . M r . C a ld er ( I m e n tio n h is n a m e a t h is o w n re q u e st), w h o h as b e e n tw e n ty y ears in In d ia , c a m e t o m e to -d a y , c o m p la in in g o f g e n e ra l rh eu m a tism , n erv ou sn ess , a n d d e b ility . H e walks with great difficulty, w ith th e h e lp o f a s t ic k , a n d cannot ascend a stair. H is n erves are sh a ttered , h is e y e -s ig h t is w eak , a n d h is h a n d s tr e m b le w h en w r it in g ; w h en h e w a lk s o n sm o o th g ro u n d , h e fa n c ie s th at i t s lips fr o m b e lo w h im , a n d th e e ffo r t m a d e to sa ve h im s e lf n e a r ly th row s h im d o w n : o f late he has not been able to drive his buggy, fro m a fe e lin g th a t i t is im p o ss ib le fo r h im to p re v e n t hi9 h orse fro m r u n n in g in to an y c a r n a g e h e m eets . H e has b e e n in th is state fo r two years and a h alf; d u r in g w h ich h e has g o n e a tour o f doctors, and swallowed a despensary o f physic, to no good purpose 1 sa id th a t 1 co u ld n o t in c o n s c ie n c e p h y s ic h im m o re , b u t r e co m m e n d e d h im to tr y w h a t n a tu re w o u ld d o fo r h im , as, u p o n th e w h ole , 1 th o u g h t h is ca se a d a p ted fo r m esm er ic tre a tm e n t, b n t th a t it w ou ld re q u ire t im e a n d p a tie n ce to d o h im a n y g o o d . H e was very g la d o f a n y u n tr ie d c h a n c e o f re lie f, an d I d e s ire d o n e o f m y p e o p le t o m esm erise h im fo r a n h o u r in b e d , ev ery n ig h t .

“ N e v e r h a v in g b e e n p re se n t w h en M r . C a ld er w as m e s ­m erised , I am in d e b te d t o h im fo r th e fo l lo w in g n o te s o f h is case .

" 1 O n th e 2 5 th o f S e p te m b e r la st, y o u r n a tive assistants, a s d ir e c te d b y y o u , m a d e th e first a tte m p t to in d u c e th e m e sm e r ic s leep , b u t w ith o u t s u c c e s s : th e tr ia l la sted fo r au h o u r a n d a h a lf.

“ ' 2 6 th a n d 2 7 th S e p te m b e r , d it to ." ' 2 8 th . A f t e r a p e rse v e r in g tr ia l fo r th e sam e le n g th o f

t im e , I w as th r o w n in to a tr a n c e , fr o m w h ich 1 a w o k e a fte r u p w a rd s o f five h ou rs ,— I fo u n d g re a t d ifficu lty in ra is in g m y e y e lid s , o r k e e p in g m y e y e s o p e n . I le ft th e c o u c h a n d re tired t o b e d , a n d h ad m y n a tu ra l sleep a fterw ard s , t i l l s ix o 'c l o c k n e x t m o r n in g . F o r a w eek a fterw ard s , th e e ffo rts to m esm erise m e w ere re p e a te d fo r a n h o u r d a ily , b u t w ith o u t fa r th e r e ffe ct th a n ca u s in g a sleep o f a few m in u tes . I h o w ­e v e r c o n t in u e d to e n jo y m y n a tu ra l re s t a t n ig h t , fo u n d m y

8 8 7by D r. Esdaile.

p a in s a b a t in g d a ily , a n d m y n erv es co n s id e r a b ly b r a c e d o p ; s o m u ch so , th a t I c o u ld walk up and down sta in without assistance, a n d w ith e v e ry c o n fid e n c e d r iv e out in a buggy alone, w h ich I c o u ld n o t h a v e a tte m p te d fo r two years and a hatf p rev iou s ly .

" ' U p t o th e 17 th o f O c t . I w as th ro w n in to a sleep , ev ery th ird o r fo u rth n ig h t , fo r a b o u t tw o h o u r s ; th e e ffe c t o f w h ich y o n m a y ju d g e o f , f r o m m y b e in g a b le t o w a lk y e s te rd a y m o r n in g m o r e th a n fou r, a n d th is m o r n in g , m o re th an six m ile s .

" ‘ (S ig n e d ) J . C a u j k e .“ ‘ O c t . 2 8 th , 1 8 4 5 / ”

“ Rheumatism .— D e c e m b e r 1 4 th . P o d o , a H in d o o w om a n , a b e g g a r ; a g e d 4 0 . S h e h as b e e n a c r ip p le fo r a year and a half, fr o m rh eu m a tism in h e r sh o u ld e rs an d k n e e s : th ere is m u ch te n d e rn e ss a b o u t th e jo in t s , a n d h er k n ees are so w eak th a t sh e c a n n o t s it w ith h e r h am s b e n t , a n d is o b lig e d t o o b e y tb e ca lls o f n a tu re s ta n d in g , a n d sh e ca n n o t r ise fro m th e g r o u n d w ith o u t p u sh in g h e rs e lf u p w ith h e r h a n d s : t o b e m esm erised a n h o u r d a ily .

“ D e c e m b e r 1 6 th . S le p t h a l f a n h o u r a fte r th e p rocess to -d a y .

“ D e c e m b e r 1 7 th . F ee ls m u ch b e t te r ." D e c e m b e r 1 8 tb . S le p t a n h o u r t o -d a y ; tb e p a in a b o u t

th e jo in t s is m u ch le a s ; sh e ca n rise fr o m th e g ro u n d w ith o u t a id , an d w a lk s m u c h m o r e fre e ly .

" D e c e m b e r 1 9 th . S a y s sh e has no pain, an d is quite w ell: d ism issed c u r e d , a t h er o w n r e q u e s t ."

“ Complete P alsy o f all the Iqft half.— A u g u s t 9 t b . G e e o is , a h u s b a n d m a n ; a ged 2 2 . A m a n o f la rg e fram e, a n d in g o o d c o n d it io n . T h e re is com plete palsy o f the whole o f the left sid e ; th e a rm c a n o n ly b e sep ara ted fro m th e s id e fo r a few in ch e s . H e h as ta k e n m e r c u r y s ix tim es , in fo u r y ea rs , fo r r h e u m a t is m : tb e para lysis b e g a n fo u r m o n th s a g o , an d h e h as b e e n th r e e m o n th s in h is p resen t s t a t e :— to b e m esm erised fo r h a lf an h o u r d a ily .

" A u g u s t 1 8 th . H e so m etim es g o e s to sleep d u r in g th e p ro ce ss , a n d g e n e r a lly sleep s fo r tw o h o u rs a fte r i t : h e ca n ra ise th e arm m o r e , an d th ere is a lit t le res is ta n ce in th e le f t s id e , o n w a lk in g b e tw e e n tw o p erson s .

" A u g u s t 2 0 th . H e b e g a n t o w a lk a lit t le w ith a s t ick to ­d a y ,

" A u g u s t 2 5 t h . Im p ro v e s d a i ly ; th e r e is m o r e c o m m a n d o v e r th e d isea sed s i d e ; th e le g is s tro n g e r , a n d h e ra ises th e

888 M esmerism nat to be trifled with,

arm h ig h e r : h e w a lk ed t o th e en d o f th e ro o m to -d a y , w ith th e h e lp o f a s t ick o n ly .

“ S e p t 8 th , M u c h b e t t e r ; w a lk s a cross th e c o m p o u n d , w ith th e a id o f a s t i c k ; a rm a lso im p ro v in g .

“ S e p t . 2 0 th . H e has discarded his slick, and crosses the compound unaided.

11 S e p t 2 5 th , D a ily im p r o v in g ; h e can hold his arm nearly p erp en d icu la r th e re is e v e ry p r o s p e c t o f h is r e co v e r in g , a n d h e w as a llow ed t o g o h o m e , w ith o r d e rs t o h is fr ie n d s to m e sm e r ise h im d a ily , in th e w a y th e y h a d w itn essed .”

Tic Douloureux.— " D e c e m b e r 1 0 th . H o r o , a H in d o o w o ­m a n ; a g e d 2 8 . S h e has su ffe red fo r three years fr o m tic douloureux in th e r ig h t e y e b ro w a n d te m p le , e sp e c ia lly in th e c o ld w e a t h e r : i t is v ery in te n se n o w , an d c o m e s o n at 6 a .m ., r e m a in in g til) 2 p .m .— to b e m esm erised . I r e tu rn e d a fter a n h o u r , an d fo u n d h e r a s le e p : sh e a w o k e s o o n a fte r , and sa id th ere w as n o p a in w h a te v e r in th e p a rt n o w , a n d th at ' i t w as c o ld as w a te r . ’

" J a n u a ry 8 th . S h e h as had no return o f p a in "

I X . M esmerism not to be trifled w ith. B y D r . E l l i o t s o n .

W h e n p e rso n s e n q u ire o f m e w h e th e r m esm erism is n o t a d a n g e ro u s th in g , I a lw a ys r e p ly th a t I a m h a p p y to sa y i t is . T h e y lo o k a s ton ish ed , an d I c o n t in u e ,— B e ca u se , i f i t w e re n o t d a n g e ro u s , It w o u ld n o t b e a real p o w e r in n a tu re , A n o n ­e n t ity , an u n rea l, th o u g h a lleg ed , p o w e r o f n a tu re , c a n d o n o h a r m : b u t a ll rea l p ow ers o f n a tu re w ill w o rk rea d ily fo r ev il i f m isa p p lied . T h e lig h ts in o u r h ou ses , th e fires w h ich w a rm ns, th e h eat w ith o u t w h ich w e c o u ld n o t e x is t a n d all l iv in g b e in g s w o u ld b e a d ea d fro z e n m ass, m a y

b u r n u p o u r b od ies t o a c in d e r , m a y d e s tr o y o u r p ro p e rty , □ a y , w h o le c it ie s . Y e t w e ta k e a c a n d le to g o to b ed , a n d w e l ig h t fires in o u r ro o m s . T h e k n ives at o u r ta b les c o u ld b e p lu n g e d in to o u r b re a s t b y th e p erson w h o sits n e x t na, o r b y th e serv a n t b eh in d o u r ch a ir : y e t o n r ta b le s a re sp rea d d a ily w ith k n ives . M e sm e r ism m a y b e a b u se d , tik e a n y th in g e l s e : lik e m e d ic in e , u sed th r o u g h d e s ig n o r ig n o r a n c e , as a p o iso n o r in t o o v io le n t a m a n n er , a n d lik e th e su r g e o n ’ s w o u n d in g in s tru m e n ts p lu n g e d u n s k ilfu lly in to parts a n d p e rh a p s m a k ­in g fata l h a v oc.

T h e fo llo w in g cases w ill p rov e th e d a n g e r o f p la y in g w ith

B y D r. E M otion. 3 8 9

m esm erism , a n d a t th e sa m e t im e shew t o th o s e w h o re g a rd it as n o th in g , th a t it is s o m e th in g .

1 . I la st y e a r re ce iv e d th e fo llo w in g l e t t e r :—

11 B r id g w a te r ,“ F r id a y n ig h t , 1 7 th J a n u a ry , 1 8 4 5 .

" D e a r S ir ,— I have b e e u fr e q u e n t ly u r g e d b y m y fr ie n d , M r , K in g , w h o h as p o lite ly g iv en m e a n o te o f in tr o d u c t io n , t o p u t m y s e l f in co m m u n ica t io n w ith y o u o n th e s u b je c t o f m e s m e r is m ; b u t , n o t b e in g a m e m b e r o f th e m e d ica l pro* feaa iou , a n d b e lie v in g th a t ce r ta in p h e n o m e n a w h ich ap p ea red to m e n ew , s o fa r as m y re a d in g h as e x te n d e d , m ig h t h ave b e e n lo n g k n o w n to y o u rse lf , 1 h a v e h ith e rto re fra in ed fro m tresp a ss in g o n a n y p o r t io n o f y o u r tim e .

“ A ca se o f a v ery p a in fu l n a tu re h a r in g fa lle n u n d e r m y n o t ic e , I h a v e n o a lte rn a tiv e b u t to w rite t o y o u , w h ich I now d o w ith th e c o n c u r r e n c e , in d e e d a t th e requ est, o f th e p a tie n t 's re la tives , a u d o f th e ir m e d ica l ad v iser, M r . H a v ila n d .

" O n W e d n e s d a y n ig h t I w as ca lled in to d em esm er ise a y o u th o f th ir te e n y ea rs o f ag e , w h o h ad b e e n th ro w n in to th e m e s m e r ic tra n ce b y a n o th e r y o u n g g e n t le m a n , a b o u t fou r y ea rs h is sen io r . U p o n m y arriva l I fo u n d th e p a tie n t appa­rently aw a k e , b u t iu a fr ig h tfu l sta te o f p h re n sy u n d e r th e e x c ite m e n t o f D e stru ct iv e n e ss a u d S e lf-e s te e m . B e lie v in g h im t o b e in th e state o f s leep *w a k in g , I w as d e s iro u s o f m a k in g c o u n te r p a s s e s ; b u t , a rm e d w ith th e p o k e r , h e d e fied a n y o n e to a p p ro a ch h im .

" S u b se q u e n tly , h e b e in g se cu re d b y h is fa th e r a n d M r . H a v ila n d , 1 m a d e th e d e m e sm e r is in g passes, a n d g o t th e m e sm e r ise r t o assist m e th e r e in . U n d e r th e se h e b e ca m e m o r e tra n q u il , au d sa id th at, i f re lea sed , h e w o u ld “ re m a in still a n d su b m it t o th e fo o le r y .” Im m e d ia te ly a fterw a rd s he r e c lin e d o n th e sofa , a n d fe l l a s leep , a n d a w o k e in tw e n ty m in u te s , q u ite ca lm a u d u n c o n s c io u s o f a n y th in g th a t h a d tra n sp ired s in ce h e to o k h is sea t t o b e m esm er ised .

'* H e slep t w ell d u r in g th e n ig h t , an d ap p eared q u ite ra tio n a l y esterd a y m o r n in g , b u t sa id h e h ad a g re a t d es ire to f ig h t an a d estroy a ll w ith in h is r e a c h ; a n d h e w as o b l ig e d to b e w a tch ed d u r in g th e d a y t o p re v e n t h is c o m m it t in g a ctu a l m isch ie f. I n th e e v e n in g h e h a d a n o th e r p a ro x y sm o f fu ry , a n d 1 v e n tu re d to su g g e s t th e e x p e d ie n cy o f a g a in th r o w in g h im in to th e tra n ce , a n d o f e n d e a v o u r in g w h ilst in th a t sta te t o a llay th e d e s tru ctiv e p ro p e n s ity a n d t o e x c ite B e n e v o le n c e , V e n e r a t io n , & c . B u t h is fa th e r p re fe rred w a it in g to see w hat

VOL. IV. E E

3 9 0 M m nerim n not to be trifled with.

r e lie f w o u ld b e a ffo rd ed b y a n o th e r n ig h t ’ s n a tu ra l s leep . T h is m o r n in g h e a rose m ore m isch ie v o u s ly in c l in e d th a n d u r in g th e ea r ly p a rt o f y e s te rd a y , a n d b e g a n b y te a r in g th e c lo th e s o f th e y o u n g e r c h ild re n a n d b r e a k in g a p o r t io n o f th e b r e a k ­fa s t se rv ice . A b o u t 11 o ’ c lo c k h e a g a in b e c a m e q u ite u n ­m a n a g e a b le , a n d w a n ted to k ill o n e o f th e serv an ts to r e v e n g e a n im a g in a ry a n n o y a n c e .

" H e is th is e v e n in g in a h ig h ly e x c ita b le state , b u t has h ad n o fe b r ile sy m p to m s th r o u g h o u t . I m a y a d d th a t th e la d is n a tu ra lly o f a n a m ia b le a n d h arm less d isp o s itio n .

“ H a v in g s u b m itte d th e a b o v e p o r t io n o f m y le t te r to M r . H a v ila n d , I have o n ly to b e g th e fa v ou r o f y o u r o p in io n b y re tu rn o f p o s t as t o w hat y o u c o n c e iv e th e p ro p e r co u rse t o a d op t, m e d ica l o r m e sm e r ic t r e a t m e n t : i f th e la tter , I sh a ll fee l p a rticu la r ly o b lig e d b y y o u r a d v ice as t o th e e x c ite ­m e n t o f th e a n ta g o n is t o r g a n s ; w h e th e r h e sh o u ld b e a llo w e d to rem a in in th e s leep o r b e a w a k e n e d o u t o f i t j a n d b y a n y o th e r s u g g e s t io n th at o c cu rs to y o u . E n c lo s e d I b e g to h a n d y o u th e cu s to m a ry fee .

“ I am , d ea r S ir ,“ Y o u r o b e d ie n t serv an t,

“ J o h n E l lio ts o n , E s q ., M .D . “ S a m u e l S e l f e .”

B e in g v ery b u sy o n th e d a y th is le tte r a rr iv ed , an d r e ce iv ­in g a la rg e n u m b e r o f le t te r s th at m o r n in g , as s o o n as, o p e n ­in g it , I saw i t re fe rre d to m esm er ism , I la id it as id e to b e a n sw ered w h en 1 sh o u ld b e a t le isu re , th in k in g th a t it w as o n ly o n e o f th o se n u m e ro u s le tte rs w h ich I re ce iv e c o n ta in in g e n q u ir ie s o n v a r iou s m e sm e r ic p o in ts , a n d th e re fo re n o t o f a p re ss in g n a tu re . I n th e e v e n in g I r e a d it , an d w ro te th e fo l lo w in g a n s w e r :—

" L o n d o n ,“ S a tu rd a y e v e n in g , J a n . 1 8 th .

“ D e a r S ir ,— I c a n n o t ex p ress m y r e g r e t th a t y o u w ill n o t r e ce iv e a n a n sw er b y re tu rn o f p ost. M y h o u se w as s o filled w ith p a tien ts th is m o r n in g , th a t 1 c o u ld n o t read m y c o u n t iy le tte rs , a n d to o k th em w ith m e in th e c a r r ia g e : r e ce iv in g so m a n y ev ery d a y a s k in g qu estion s a b o u t m e sm e r ism , a n d fin d ­in g y o u r is t o b e u p o n th e su b je c t , I la id it as ide to rea d it a t le isu re in th e e v e n in g , n o t su sp e c t in g th e s u b je c t o f its c o n ­te n ts w as u r g e n t ; a n d I d id n o t g e t h o m e t i l l a fte r p o s t -t im e . T o -m o r r o w w e h a v e n o p o s t , so th a t I ca n o n ly sen d th is b e fo r e b re a k fa st o n M o n d a y , a n d I tru st y o u w ill re ce iv e it in th e a fte rn o o n .

" I have o fte n seen a state o f d e lir iu m o f v a r iou s k in d s ,

B y D r. Elliotson. 391

o f fa tu ity , o r o f s tu p o r , in d u c e d b y m esm er ism , i f th is w as o v e rd o n e , o r i f m e sm e r ise d m eta ls o r w a ter b a d b e e n t o o fr e e ly u sed , o r i f a n y th in g b a d su rp rize d o r v exed th e p a tien t in th e m e sm e r ic sta te . B u t th e c o n d it io n h as a lw ays su b s id e d s o o n e r o r la ter , a n d d u r in g i t m esm erism has h ad n o in flu en ce w h a te v e r ; a t lea st t i ll it w as su b s id in g o f itse lf.

" V a r io u s m e sm e r ic lo ca l e ffe cts , su ch as c lo su re o f th e e y es , o r o f th e ja w s , r ig id ity o f a n e x tr e m ity , p a lsy o f a p a rt , a n d o th e r su ch e le m e n ta ry p h e n o m e n a , o c ca s io n a lly c o n t in u e w h en th e g e n e ra l m e s m e r ic sta te is o v e r a n d th e p e rso n is aw a k e . B n t th e y a ll s u b s id e : a n d u su a lly m a y b e re m o v e d b y fr ic t io n , b re a th in g , & c.

“ I n th is case I sh o u ld b e c u r io u s t o lea rn w h a t h a d d is ­tu r b e d th e p a tien t, o r w h e th e r m esm erism h a d b e e n o v e rd o n e , fo r su ch au e x c ite m e n t o f c e r ta in p o r t io n s o f th e b ra in to b e p ro d u ce d . E ith e r so m e th in g o f th is k in d m u st h ave h a p p e n e d , o r th e p a rt icu la r p o r tio n s o f th e b ra in m u st b e r e m a rk a b ly su sc e p t ib le in th e p e rso n .

" Y o u su g g e s te d th e p ro p e r co u rse . T h e p a t ie n t sh ou ld b e m esm erised aga in : a n d , w h en s leep is in d u c e d , th is sh ou ld b e k e p t u p a n d d e e p e n e d , b y c o n t in u e d passes, o r b y k e e p in g th e p o in ts o f th e fo re fin g e rs o n th e e y e s o r th e h a n d o u th e fo re h e a d . I h a v e a lw a ys fo u n d th a t , w h en p a tien ts a re o v er e x c ite d o n w a k in g , th e o n ly p la n is t o p r o d u c e a d e e p s l e e p ; an d th e y th e n w ak e w ell. I w ou ld c e r ta in ly in th e s leep k eep th e fin gers o n B e n e v o le n c e a n d A tta c h m e n t . I f in th is p a ­t ie n t b re a th in g u p o n in d iv id u a l c e re b ra l o rg a n s ta k es o f f th e e ffe c t , I w ou ld b re a th e on C o m b a tiv e n e sa an d D e s tr u c t iv e ­n ess a t th e sa m e t im e I to u c h e d o v e r th e k in d o rg a n s . T r a n s ­v erse passes w ith c o n ta c t o v e r th ese v io le n t o rg a n s m ig h t a lso d ernes m e rise th e m . B u t c e r ta in ly g e t th e p a tie n t t o sleep , a n d k e e p h im in a d e e p sleep . T h e s leep m a y so m e tim e s b e d e e p e n e d b y to u c h in g th e p a tie n t w ith m e sm e r ise d g o ld o r m e sm e r ise d w ater .

" W h e n I h a v e seen h arm fr o m e x ce ss o f m esm er ism , i t has b e e n n o t th r o u g h e x ce ss o f s leep , b u t e x ce ss o f th e active s le e p -w a k in g sta te .

" P ra y le t m e k n o w all y o u can le a rn o f th e o r ig iu o f th e c a s e ; a n d a ll th e fu tu re p r o g r e s s : a n d c o n s u lt m e , ev ery p o s t i f y o u p lease , as a frien d , an d not professionally.

“ I r e m a in , y o u r is fa ith fu lly ,“ J . E l l io t so n .”

O n M o n d a y m o r n in g , I r e ce iv e d a s e c o n d le tte r , d a ted S u n d a y , J a n u a ry 1 9 , a n d w ritten th e d a y b e fo re m y le tte r c o u ld a rr ive , fr o m th e w a n t o f a S u n d a y p o s t in L o n d o n .

e e 2

3 9 2 Mesmerism not to be trifled with.

A fte r s ta t in g th e p o s t in g o f th e fir s t le t te r , M r . S e l fe con * e lu d e s t h u s :—

" I h a r e o n ly n o w to a d d , th a t th ere h as b e e n n o a llev ia ­t io n o f th e sy m p to m s s in ce , a n d th a t h is fr ie n d s as w ell as m y s e l f a re a n x iou s ly w a it in g y o u r o p in io n .

" I am , S ir ,“ I f o u r m o s t o b e d ie n t servan t,

" Samuel S elfe.“ J o h n E llio ts o n , E s q ., M .D . "

T h e fo llo w in g w as w ritten a fte r th e arriva l o f m y l e t t e r :—

“ B r id g w a te r ,“ T u e sd a y , J a n . 2 1 , 1 8 4 6 .

" D e a r S ir ,— Y o u w ill p lea se to a c c e p t th e g ra te fu l a c ­k n o w le d g m e n ts o f th e fr ie n d s o f th e la d o f w h om 1 h a v e w ritte n , a lso m y o w n , fo r th e k in d in te re s t y o u h av e ta k e n in h is case . I a lso b e g to th a n k y o u m th e h a n d so m e st m a n n e r fo r th e p erm iss ion y o u h ave g iv e n m e to a d d ress y o n o th e r ­w ise th a n p ro fess ion a lly .

" O n S u n d a y e v e n in g , a fte r d is p a tch in g m y s e c o n d le tte r , it w as th o u g h t u n a d v isa b le b y a ll p a rties h e re in te re ste d in th e b o y ’ s w e lfa re t o a llow h im to rem ain a n y lo n g e r w ith o u t t r y in g th e e ffects o f r e -m esm erisa tion . I a c c o r d in g ly a t ­te m p te d it , an d s u c ce e d e d s o fa r as t o in d u ce a sta te in w h ich th e e y e lid s c lo se d w ith o u t th e p o w e r o f th e p a tie n t ’ s r e o p e n ­in g t h e m ; b u t h e co n v e rse d w ith a n d k n e w a ll a ro u n d h im . B e in g u n a b le t o d e e p e n th e sleep , I b re a th e d u p o n th e t o o h ig h ly -e x c ite d o rg a n s , h u t n o t s o s lo w ly n o r fo r s o lo n g a tim e as 1 a m in stru cte d t o d o b y y o u r le tte r w h ich c a m e t o h a n d th is m o r n in g .

“ I a lso to u c h e d B e n e v o le n c e an d g o t h im in to k in d ly c o n ­v ersa tion . H e d id n o t rem a in in th is sta te q u ite ten m in u te s , b u t o p e n e d h is e y e s b y r u b b in g th e m , a n d I a m h a p p y to say h as a ttem p ted n o a ct o f v io le n ce s in ce .

“ I m e sm e r ise d h im a g a in la st e v e n in g , a n d th is m o r n in g u p o n r e ce ip t o f y o u r le tte rs , b u t w ith o u t p r o d u c in g a d e e p e r sta te o f so m n o le n c y th an th a t a b o v e d e scr ib e d .

“ T h is e v e n in g h is m e sm e r ic s lu m b e r w as d e e p e n e d a lit t le b y p la c in g m y b a n d o n h is fo reh ea d . A t p resen t h e seem s m o r e e x c ita b le b y p lea su ra b le o r p a in fu l e m o t io n s , b u t is , I a m in c lin e d to th in k , n ea r ly w ell.

“ I n co m p lia n ce w ith y o u r w ishes to k n o w th e ca u se o f th is c e re b ra l d is tu rb a n ce , I b e g to in fo r m y o u th at th e m es- m er isa tion to o k p la ce a t a ju v e n ile e v e n in g p a r t y ; th a t I am in fo rm e d th a t so m e o f h is o r g a n s w e re e x c it e d b y c o n t a c t ;

B y D r. E lliot son. 3 9 3

th a t th e la d w as m u ch anD Oyed b y h is co m p a n io n s s u r ro u n d ­in g a n d t i c k lin g h im j s t ill m o r e irr ita ted b y o th e r m ea n s a t te m p te d to rou se h im , a n d ex asp era ted in to p e r fe c t fu r y b y h a v in g a q u a n tity o f c o ld w ater th ro w n o v e r h is fa ce a n d p e r so n , in w h ich h ig h ly -e x c ite d sta te h e ra g ed fo r n ea r ly tw o h ou ro , a n d d u r in g w h ich I first saw h im o n th e e v e n in g in q u e s t io n . T h e la te h o u r a t w h ich I w rite th is p re c lu d e s m y s a y in g m o r e th a n th a t I am ,

“ D e a r S i r ," Y o u r m u ch o b l ig e d a n d m ost o b e d ie n t serv an t,

“ Samuel Sblfb.“ J o h n E U i o t a o n , E s q . , M . D . "

“ L o u d o n , J a n . 2 3 .“ D e a r S ir ,— W it h a ll m y p a tie n ts b u t o n e , w h o se in d i­

v id u a l c e re b ra l o rg a n s I ca n e x c ite , s low b r e a th in g o v e r an o r g a n p u ts a n e n d t o it s e x c ite m e n t , ju s t as it d o e s t o r ig id ity o f a l im b , c o n t r a c t io n o f th e e y e lid s o r o f th e m u sc le s o f th e lo w e r ja w , o r o th e r lo c a l e ffects , W h e t h e r y o u su cce e d in g e t t in g th e p a tie n t t o s leep o r n o t , p ray b re a th e slowly a n d perseverinyly o v e r D e stru ct iv e n e ss a n d C o m b a tiv e u e ss (an d S e lf-e s te e m a lso i f y o u th in k it is e x c it e d ) . I f y o u b rea th e slow ly, th e b r e a th c o m e s o u t fu lly c h a rg e d w ith m e s m e r is m : a n d it m a y b e n e ce ssa ry to b re a th e fo r a q u a rter o f an h o u r o r m ore . S h o u ld i t h a p p e n th a t b r e a th in g th u s d oes n o t d e - m esm erise , tran sv erse passes, w ith c o n t a c t , o v e r th e resp ectiv e o rg a n s , w ith th e e n d s o f th e fin g ers , w ill p r o b a b ly su cce e d . T h e lo c a l d e m e sm e r isa tio n I w o u ld e m p lo y tw o o r th ree tim es d a ily .

" W h e n I w ro te ‘ surprized* I m e a n t suddenly startled, a n d m ig h t have a d d e d , irritated.

" P ra y w rite a g a in e v e ry d a y , as a fr ie n d .“ I rem a in , d e a r S ir ,

“ Y o u r is fa ith fu lly ,“ J . E l u o t s o n ,”

" B r id g w a te r , “ 2 4 th J a n u a ry , 1 8 4 5 .

" D e a r S ir .— I u a c k n o w le d g in g th e re ce ip t o f y o u r fa v o u r o f y e s te rd a y ’ s d a te , I h a v e m u c h p lea su re in s ta t in g th at, w ith th e e x c e p t io n o f a s l ig h t h e a d -a ch e co m p la in e d o f to -d a y , ou r p a tie n t c o n t in u e s q u ite w ell.

“ H e has b e e n re g u la r ly m esm erised a n d trea ted as n early as p o s s ib le iu s tr ic t a c c o rd a n c e w ith y o u r k in d in s tru ct io n s . T h is m o r n in g h e w as in th e tra n ce ra th er m o r e th an a n h o u r , b u t b o th M r . H a v ila n d a n d m y s e l f c o n c u r iu o p in io n th a t a n y

3 9 4 Mesmerism not to be trifled with.

fa r th e r m esm eria a tion is n o w q u ite u n n e ce ssa ry . S h o u ld h o w ­e v e r a n y relapse ta k e p la ce , w h ich I see n o rea son t o fear , I w ill im m e d ia te ly a p p rize y o u o f it.

** T h e la ten ess o f th e h o u r at w h ich I w ro te o n T u esd a y , p re v e n te d m y g o in g q u ite bo m u ch in to d e ta il aa I o th e rw ise sh o u ld h a re d o n e , o r I sh o u ld th e n h a v e sa id , th a t d u r in g th e m e sm e r ic s leep o f S u n d a y e v e n in g I b re a th e d o n ly o n D e s­tru ctiv en ess a n d C o m b a tiv e n e ss \ th e la d b e in g sea ted in a h ig h -b a c k e d easy ch a ir, I c o u ld n o t r e a d ily g e t at S e lf-e s te e m , a n d h e a w ok e b e fo r e I a tte m p te d a n y lo c a l d e m e sm e r isa tio n o f th a t o rg a n . I t is a s in g u la r fa c t , a n d a k in d o f n e g a tiv e p r o o f o f th e tr u th o f phreno-m esm erism , th a t o n th e fo llo w ­in g d a y h e sh ow ed n o d is p o s it io n to actB o f v io le n ce , b u t at in terva ls m a n ifested th e m o s t su p erc iliou s c o n te m p t o f a n d h a u g h tin ess tow a rd s ev en th o se w h om h e h ad b e e n a ccu s to m e d to lo v e a n d ven era te . H is p a ren ts in fo rm e d m e th a t n o t ­w ith s ta n d in g th e ir p a in fu l sta te o f a n x ie ty on h is b eh a lf, h is c o n se q u e n tia l a r ro g a n ce was e v e n to th em lu d ic ro u s in th e e x tre m e . A t h is n e x t m e sm e r isa tio n I b re a th e d o n th is o rg a n , an d th ese m a n ife sta tio n s th e n ce fo r th cea sed .

if I sh all fee l g re a t p lea su re in c o m p ly in g w ith y o u r w ish es as to d ra w in g u p a m a tte r o f fa c t s ta te m e n t o f th e ca se fo r The Zoist; b u t as s c ie n ce w ill b e m u c h m o r e e ffe c tu a lly served b y y o u r g le a n in g fr o m m y le tte rs su ch p o r t io n s as y o n m a y th in k o f a n y im p o r ta n ce a n d in te rsp e rs in g th e a c c o u n t w ith co m m e n ts b y y o u r o w n m ore a b le p en , I sh ou ld p re fe r p la c ­in g th is le t te r a n d m y fo r m e r o n es e n tire ly at y o u r d isposa l, a n d shall have g re a t p lea su re in a n sw e r in g a n y fu rth e r q u e s ­tio n s o n th e su b je c t .

" I have a scerta in ed th a t n o m e m b e r o f e ith e r b r a n c h o f h is fa m ily have b e e n s u b je c t t o a n y ser iou s d e r a n g e m e n t o f th e n e rv o u s sy stem .

“ R e s p e c t in g th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f h is c e re b ra l o r g a n iz a ­t io n I w ill w rite s h o r t ly ,— M e a n tim e ,

“ I a m , D e a r S ir ,“ Y o u r m o s t o b e d ie n t serv an t,

“ S a m u e l S e l j e .

“ J o h n E l lio ts o n , E s q ., M .D .** L o n d o n .”

“ B r id g e w a te r ," 2 7 th J a n u a ry , 1 8 4 5 ,

" D e a r S ir ,— Y e ste rd a y m o r n in g I fo u n d th e p a t ie n t in g o o d h ea lth , sp irits , a n d te m p e r ; b u t , d u r in g m y in te r v ie w w ith h is fa th er , h e re tired t o th e n u rse ry w h ere h e fo u n d th e n u rse m a id im p ro p e r ly c o r r e c t in g o n e o f th e y o u n g e r c h ild r e n .

B y D r, Eliiatson. 3 9 5

T h is a rou sed h is ire a n d h e g a v e h e r a b o x in th e ear , a n d a n u n p lea sa n t scu ffle e n su e d . D u r in g th is s ce n e , 1 fe e l c o n f i ­d en t th a t h e w as n o t u n d e r m e sm e r ic e x c ite m e n t , as a few k in d w ord s p a cified h im , a n d h e h ad a p e r fe c t r e co lle c t io n o f t h e w h o le a fterw ard s .

“ H is fa th e r in fo rm e d m e th a t th e r e h a d b e e n o n th e p re ­c e d in g e v e n in g a co n s id e ra b le e b u llit io n o f te m p e r in w h a t he b e lie v e s to h ave b e e n a sta te o f m esm erism . T h e se h ave b e e n th e o n ly o u tb re a k s o f a n g e r s in ce I first m esm erised h im o n S u n d a y th e 1 9 th in sta n t, a n d h is g e n e r a l h ea lth has b e e n g o o d w ith th e e x ce p t io n o f s l ig h t h e a d -a ch e a r is in g p r o b a b ly fro m in su ffic ie n t e x e rc ise in th e o p e n a ir .

“ A b o u t e ig h t o ’ c lo c k last e v e n in g I a g a in ca lle d an d se a te d m y s e l f b e s id e h im , ta k in g h is h a n d in m y o w n , w h ilst 1 c o n ­versed w ith th e o th e r p a rties p re se n t o n su b je c ts fo r e ig n t o m esm erism .

“ I n a v ery few m in u te s 1 fo u n d h e was in a p r o fo u n d sleep , fr o m w h ich , u p o n m y a d d re ss in g h im , h e a ro n se d in to s le e p ­w a k in g , ta lk ed c o h e r e n t ly a n d w a lk e d t o th e easy c h a ir o n th e o p p o s ite s id e o f th e room a n d th e n w e n t in to a d e e p e r s lu m b er , fr o m w h ich h e a w o k e in a b o u t a q u a rte r o f an h o u r .

" T h is s leep I sh o u ld sa y w as in d u ce d w ith o u t a n y v o lit io n o f m in e . H a v in g req u ested h is fr ie n d s u o t t o sp eak to m e in h is p re se n ce o f a n y th in g re la t in g to h is m esm er ic e x is te n ce . I d id n o t lea rn till a fterw a rd s th at he h ad , ea r lier in th e e v e n ­in g , fa l le n in to th e m e sm e r ic s leep , d u r in g th e se rm o n at e v e n in g se rv ice , w h ils t s it t in g in th e sam e pew w ith a n d n e x t to th e y o u n g g e n t le m a n w h o first m e sm e r ise d h im . H a d I b e e n p rev iou s ly aw are o f th is c ir cu m sta n ce , I m ig h t have t h o u g h t th a t so m e in v o lu n ta ry c e re b ra l a c t io n o f m y o w n c o n s e q u e n t u p o n th a t k n o w le d g e h ad c o n d u c e d to th e se co n d resu lt.

" T h e fa c t is th a t I w as n o t th in k in g o f th e b o y , a n d w as sc a r c e ly c o n s c io u s th a t I was r e ta in in g h is b a n d in m in e . T h e q u e st io n n o w ap p ears to b e w h eth er th e s leep w as sp o n ta n e o u so r w h eth er i t w as in d u c e d b y M a s t e r ---------'s a n d m y o w np ro x im ity an d c o n ta c t .

" T h e p a ren ts o f th e y o u th , M r . H a v ila n d , a n d m y se lf, w ill fee l p a rticu la r ly o b l ig e d b y y o u r k in d a d v ice , a s t o w h a t fu r th e r c o u r s e y o u th in k p r o p e r s h o u ld b e p u rsu e d . I s it a d ­v isa b le th a t h e sh o u ld b e fu r th e r m e sm e r ise d c o n s id e r in g h is h ig h su sce p t ib ility o f th e in f lu e n c e ? C h a n g e o f a ir a n d scen e h a v e b e e n th o u g h t o f , b u t th e y h a v e n o c o u n tr y fr ie n d s w h o are n o t e ith e r ig n o r a n t o f , o r d isb e lie v e rs in , m esm er ism , a n d th e r e fo re h ig h ly im p ro p e r to ta k e c h a rg e o f h im in h is p re se n t c o n d it io n . M r . H a v ila n d w ish es m e to s u g g e s t w h e th e r th e

3 9 6 M esm erism not to be trifled with.

sh o w e r -b a th m ig h t n o t b e b e n e fic ia l, p ro v id e d its u se b e n o t fo rced o n th e b o y .

“ M r . H a v ila u d , a t w h o se h o u se I now w rite , w ish es m e fu rth e r t o a sk w h eth er a g a in e n d e a v o u r in g to th ro w h im in to deep m e s m e r ic s leep m ig h t n o t b e b en e fic ia l. T h e sta te in to w h ich I h av e h ith e rto b e e n a b le t o b r in g h im b e in g th a t o f h ig h ly a c t iv e s le e p -w a k in g o n ly , o r a t le a s t v ery lit t le s lu m b e r o f a d e e p e r ch a ra cter .

“ M r . H av ilan d a lso d es ires m e to sa y , th a t h e s h o u ld h ave b e e n m o s t h a p p y to h a v e e n te re d in t o c o r r e s p o n d e n ce w ith y o u o n th e s u b je c t h ad th e b o y 's g e n e ra l h ea lth b e e u at all im p a ire d b y th e m e sm e r ic in flu e n ce ; b u t , th a t h a p p ily n o t b a r in g b e e n th e case , a n d as h e h as n o t g iv e n h is t im e to th e s u b je c t o f m esm erism , h e p re fe rs th a t 1 sh ou ld c o n t in u e to c o m m u n ica te w ith y o u o n th e m a tte r . A t th e sa m e t im e h e w ill fe e l h a p p y to g iv e y o u a n y m e d ica l in fo rm a t io n th a t y o u m a y req u ire .

" I a m aga in re q u e ste d t o re tu rn y o n th a n k s o n b e h a lf o f th e la d 's fr ien d s , a n d t o e x p ress th e ir r e g r e t th a t y o u sh ou ld a g a in b e tr o u b le d o n th e ir a c c o u n t .

“ I b e g to re m a in , d ea r S ir ,“ Y o u r o b e d ie n t servan t.

" J o h n E U iotson , E s q ., M .D . " S amuel S eles.”

" L o n d o n , J a n u a ry 2 6 th ." D e a r S ir ,— T h is g re a t su sce p t ib ility o f m e sm er ism w ill

b e k e p t u p b y m e s m e r is in g h im ; s t ill it w ou ld n o t b e r ig h t f o r h im to b e aw a y fr o m y o u r su p e r in te n d e n ce . A g a in th e p r o d u c t io n o f th e d e e p e s t sleep p o ss ib le in th e ca se o f m e s­m e r ism w ill b e th e b es t m ea n s o f s u b d u in g th e e x c ita b ility o f th e c e re b ra l o rg a n s w h ich have b e e n e x c ite d , i f th e y are w e ll b re a th e d u p o n in th e m e sm e r ic sta te . I th in k I sh o u ld a d v ise y o u r b re a th in g o v e r th e o rg a n s o f S e lf-e s te e m , a n d th e t w o o rg a n s o f D e stru ct iv e n e ss w e ll tw ice a d a y , in h is w a k in g sta te , w ith o u t a t te m p tin g to m esm e r ise h im . I f h e b e co m e s g e n e r a lly m e sm e r ise d b y th is b r e a th iu g , it c a n n o t b e h e lp e d ; I w ou ld b re a th e o n . Y o u u n d e rsta n d th at th e o n ly o b je c t io n t o th e m e s m e r ic g en era l e ffe c t , in m y v iew , is th e in co n v e n ie n t e x ce ss o f m e sm e r ic su sce p t ib ility w h ich ex ists .

" W h a t y o u sa y r e s p e c t in g th e p o ss ib ility o f u n c o n s c io u s v o lit io n d e lig h ts m e .

“ Y o u are e v id e n t ly o n e o f th o se fe w w h o u n d e r s ta n d th e tru e p h ilo s o p h y o f th e ce re b ra l fu n c t io n s a n d o f m esm erism .

“ 1 rem a in , d e a r S ir ," Y o u r s v ery tru ly ,

“ J, E lliotson.

B y D r. E lliotson. 3 9 7

“ P r a y w rite a g a in .“ M y b est th a n k s a n d c o m p lim e n ts to M r . H a v ila n d .“ I sh o u ld ap p rov e o f th e sh o w e r -b a th , i f th e b o y w ill n o t

b e fr ig h te n e d b y it .”

“ B r id g w a te r ,“ 4 th F e b r u a r y , 1 8 4 5 .

“ D e a r S ir ,* — A l l ex tra o rd in a ry ce re b ra l a c tion in th e w a k in g state h a d cea sed p r io r t o m y la s t w rit in g , as h a d a lso an y otheT th a n p lea su ra b le spontaneous e x c ite m e n t in th e m e s m e r ic s leep . T h e b r e a th in g o n th e o r g a n s I h av e n e v e r ­th e less c o n t in u e d u p t o la st S a tu rd a y m o r n in g , w h en th e b o y w as ta k e n o u t o f to w n , an d is u n d e r th e ju d ic io u s ca re o f a la d y w h o h as seen , a n d read con s id e ra b ly o f , m e sm e r ism ; a n d I a m g la d t o le a rn b y a fr ie n d w h o saw h im th is m o r n in g , th a t h e h as n o t fa lle n in to th e tra n ce s in ce lea v in g th is p la ce .

“ O n th e p r e c e d in g W e d n e s d a y , h is e v e n in g ’ s s le e p -w a k in g I d e e p e n e d b y b r e a th in g , p la c in g m y h a n d o n h is fo reh ea d , & c ., an d h e re m a in e d in a p r o fo u n d s lu m b e r n early e ig h t h o u r s : s in ce th a t th e m e s m e r ic su sce p t ib ility h as d e crea sed , h e h a v in g b u t a v ery sh o r t s leep o n th e fo llo w in g d a y , an d n o ­th in g b e y o n d an o c ca s io n a l d row sin ess Bince. 1 sh o u ld h ave w ritte n ear lier , b u t h av e b e e n u n w illin g to tresp ass o n y o u r v a lu a b le tim e b y g iv in g m in u te d e ta ils o f d a ily sy m p tom s .

“ I t w ill, I a m su re , b e g ra t ify in g to y o u to learn th a t y o u r k in d a d v ice in th e ca se has p r o b a b ly saved th e p o o r b o y fr o m th e d re a d fu l c o n s e q u e n ce s a tten d a n t u p o n th e 1 horse­whip, straight-w aistcoat, and solitary confinement to a spare room / w h ich have b e e n s tro n g ly r e co m m e n d e d as m ea n s to * bring him to his senses.H

“ T r u s t in g th a t I sh a ll n o t have a g a in to t r o u b le y o u in th is m a tte r , th o u g h I shall ta k e th e l ib e r ty o f a g a in ad d ress ­in g y o u o n o th e rs sh o rtly ,

“ I r e m a in , d ea r S ir ," Y o u r m o s t o b e d ie n t serv an t,

“ S am uel S elpe ." J o h n E llio ts o n , E s q ., M .D .”

“ B r id g w a te r , M a r ch 1 2 th , 1 8 4 5 .“ M y d e a r S ir ,— I n r e p ly to y o u r k in d e n q u ir ie s o f y e s ­

te rd a y ’ s d a te , it a ffo rd s m e m u ch g ra tifica tio n to sa y th a t th e la d ’ s g e n e ra l h e a lth c o n t in u e s g o o d ; th a t h is c e re b ra l fu n c ­tio n s are u n im p a ir e d ; a n d th a t h e h as n o t fa lle n in to th e m e sm e r ic s lu m b e r s iu ce S u n d a y th e 9 th o f F e b ru a ry .

r The plan proposed Tor sleep-waiters by a surgical teacher at Guy's Hospital. Vol. IV., p. 165, Z t i t l .

3 9 8 M esm erism not to be trifled with.

“ A b o u t th e 2 4 th o r 2 5 th o f J a n u a ry , 1 v e n tu re d to b e g th e fa v o u r th at y o u w o u ld y o u r s e lf h av e th e k in d n e ss to p r e ­p a re a s ta te m e n t o f th e case fo r The Z oist fr o m m y le t t e r s ; th is , fro m y o u r a fte r s i le n ce o u th at h ea d , I p re su m e d y o u p u rp o se d d o in g , an d in c o n s e q u e n c e I t o o k n o w ritte n n o te s o f th e ca se . 1 h a v e n o t ev en c o p ie s o f m y le tte rs t o y o u rse lf, s o th a t , w e re I n o w t o a tte m p t to g iv e a d e ta ile d a c c o u n t fro m m e m o ry , I sh o u ld b e v ery in a ccu ra te , a t lea st as t o d a tes. I f y o u p a rticu la r ly w ish th a t th e a c c o u n t sh o u ld b e g iv e n b y m e d ir e c t , a n d y o u w ill fa v ou r m e w ith a s ig h t o f m y o w n le tte rs , I w ill p rep are it b y re tu rn o f p o s t , b u t sh a ll fee l p a r ­t icu la r ly g ra te fu l i f y o u w ill k in d ly u se y o u r o w n p e n .

" H a v in g b e e n fr o m h o m e t i l l a la te h o u r th is e v e n in g , I have b u t tim e t o su b s cr ib e m y se lf, m y d ea r S ir ,

" Y o u r m o s t o b e d ie n t serv an t,“ S amuel S elfe.

“ J o h n E llìo ts o n , E s q ., M .D . , " L o u d o n .”

" B r id g w a te r , " M a r c h 1 6 th , 1 8 4 5 .

" M y d ea r S ir ,— I b e lie v e I h av e fr o m t im e t o t im e in ­fo r m e d y o u o f n e a r ly a ll th e p a rticu la rs o f th is case in w h ich I t h o u g h t y o u w ill fe e l th e s lig h tes t in te re s t . I d id , h ow ev er, o m it t o m e n tio n , th a t o n e e v e n in g , w h ils t in th e m e s m e r ic sta te , th e b o y c o m m e n c e d s in g in g J im C row . I th e n p la ce d m y fìn g e r a n d th u m b o n th e tw o o rg a n s o f T u n e , a n d h e sa n g o n w ith o u t an y b re a k o r h es ita tion , th o u g h ra th e r b e t te r th a n b e fo r e . U p o n ta k in g o f f m y fin gers , h e d is co n t in u e d s in g in g in s ta n tly , b a t resu m ed a g a in in a fe w se c o n d s b o m w h a t I c a ll sp o n ta n e o u s s le e p -w a k in g c e re b ra l e x c ite m e n t . I th e n p la ce d m y fìn g e r o n V e n e r a t io n , a n d h e im m e d ia te ly b e g a n th e e v e n in g h y m n . T h is is n o th in g u n c o m m o n , b u t it w as v e ry ex tra o rd in a ry to o b s e rv e th e m a n n e r in w h ich h e r e su m e d th e b r o k e n a ir o f th e tw o airs, r e c o m m e n c in g at th e v ery so u n d o f th e le tte r a t w h ich h e w as in te r ru p te d : th u s ,— ' J im C ro w ’ s sis’ — ‘ F o r g iv e m e , L o r d , fo r 1— ‘ ster g o in g t o a ball.* A fte rw a r d s p la c in g m y fìn g e r a g a in o n V e n e r a t io n , h e r e ­su m e d th e d e v o tio n a l s o n g ; I in te r ru p te d h im b y sa y in g , 1 N o , n o ; fin ish th e o th e r .’ ' W hat other ? ’ * W h y th e c o m ic s o n g w h ich y o u w ere ju s t s in g in g . ’ ' T ve been singing no com ic song. ' ' Y e s , y o u h a v e— J im C r o w .' * That 1 am certain I have not.*

" F ro m th is a n d so m e m o r e e x tra o rd in a ry e x h ib it io n s o f th e sa m e n a tu re in o th e rs o f m y p a tien ts , it w ou ld ap p ear th a t

B y D r. Eliiotson, 3 9 9

e a ch c e re b ra l o r g a n is o r h a s its o w n s to re h o u se o f m e m o ry . I fee l assured ] h o w e v e r , th a t I a m o n ly t r o u b lin g y o u w ith th e recita l o f m e s m e r ic p h e n o m e n a w ith w h ich y o u have b e e n lo n g a c q u a in t e d ; b u t as I h a v e n o t rea d a n y th in g b e a r in g o n th is p o in t , I ju s t m e n tio n it .

“ I f I c o u ld g iv e y o u a n y th in g n e w , it w o u ld a ffo rd m e v e ry g re a t p lea su re . T h e r e are v ery few I k n o w w h o ta k e g re a te r in te re s t in th e se w o n d e r fu l p h e n o m e n a th a n th e y w o u ld in an e x h ib it io n o f d a n c in g p u p p ies .

“ Y o u r m o s t o b e d ie n t se rv a n t, “ S amuel S elf*.

“ J o h n E liio ts o n , E s q ., M .D . ”

T h e o r ig in o f th e ca se w as fo u n d to b e th is . A n u m b e r o f ch ild re n , th e e ld e s t n o t a b o v e th ir te e n y ea rs o f a g e , w ere a sse m b le d o n th e e v e n in g o f J a n u a ry I 7 th , 1 8 4 5 , fo r m e rry ­m a k in g . A co n v e rs a t io n to o k p la c e u p o n m e sm er ism a n d p h r e n o lo g y , a n d it e n d e d in a p ro p o sa l t o m e sm e r ise o n e o f th e m . A c c o r d in g ly th e b o y in q u e s t io n to o k a sea t u p o n th e Bofa, w h ile a n o th e r m a d e passes b e fo re h im , a u d th e y b o th s ta red a t e a ch o th e r , in th e m id st o f a g o o d d ea l o f la u g h in g a n d o th e r n o ise in th e r o o m . H e fe ll , i t w o u ld a p p ear, in to B leep -w a k in g , th o u g h h is e y e s w e re o p e n , a n d was le d fro m th e n o is y p a rty t o th e la n d in g -p la ce . T h e r e th e passes w ere c o n t in n e d , as th e o th e r b o y d id n o t k n o w th e e ffe c t b a d c o m e . B u t th a t it h a d c o m e , ap p ears fro m th e p a tie n t n ev er h a v in g h ad th e lea st r e c o lle c t io n o f a n y th in g w h ich t o o k p la ce a fte r h e sa t o n th e so fa a n d w as stared a t a n d m a n ip u ­la te d . A f t e r th e passes h a d b e e n m a d e o n th e la n d in g -p la c e fo r t e n m in u te s , th e o p e r a to r c lo se d h is e y es , a n d so th e y r e m a in e d fo r a fe w m in u tes , t i l l th e h o u s e -b e ll ra n g , w h en th e y o p e n e d a n d h e sa id th a t h e w as n o t m o r e s leep y th a n b e fo r e m e sm er ism was b e g u n . T h e y th e n r e tu rn e d in to th e r o o m ; h e sea ted h im s e lf a g a in u p o n th e so fa , a n d , th e o p e ­ra tor is h a n d b e in g la id u p o n h is h ea d , h is e y e s g ra d u a lly c lo s e d a n d h e w e n t to s leep .

“ H is b ro th e rs a n d sisters b e g a n t i c k lin g h im , as th e y Baid h e w as sh a m m in g a n d th a t i t w o u ld b e su re to m a k e h im la u g h as h e was v ery t ick lis h . B u t , in stea d o f th e ir m a k in g h im la u g h , h e o n ly s l ig h t ly e n d e a v o u re d to g e t aw a y fr o m th e m . H e la y q u ie t ly o n th e so fa fo r a b o u t a q u a rter o f a n h o u r , d u r in g w h ich tim e h is m esm eriaer c o n v e rs e d w ith h im and e x c it e d S e lf-e s te e m , w h en h e b eg a n t o ru b h is e y e s a n d d e c la re d h e w o u ld d o i t as th e y p a in e d h im v ery m u ch . H is o p e r a to r th e n e n d e a v o u re d to aw a k e h im b y b lo w in g in h is e y e s a u d m a k in g a c u r r e n t o f a ir b e fo r e h is fa ce w ith h is

4 0 0 M esm eritm not to be trifled with.

h a n d k e rch ie f, w h en h e o p e n e d h is e y e s a n d Btood u p a p ­p a re n tly a n g ry w ith h is o p e r a to r fo r to u c h in g h im . T h e y th en th rew c o ld w a ter in h is fa c e to w ake h im . B u t th is o n ly ex a sp era ted h im th e m o re , a n d h e a rm ed h im se lf w ith th e p o k e r , a n d e n d e a v o u re d t o s tr ik e w ith it , b u t d id n o t , as h is o p e r a to r h e ld h im fast fo r a m in u te u n t il th ere w as a c h a n ce o f e s c a p in g ; a n d , w h en n o lo n g e r h e ld , h e w as q u ite fra n tic , m a rc h in g u p a n d d o w n th e ro o m fo r a b o u t tw o h ou rs , o c c a ­s io n a lly s i t t in g o r s ta n d in g s t ill .”

T h e m is c h ie f h e re a rose fr o m m ea su res b e in g ta k e n t o w a k en h im w h ile P r id e w as in a h ig h state o f e x c i t e m e n t : ev ery a ttem p t w as a lib e r t y ta k e n w ith h im a n d e n ra g e d h im . H e sh o u ld h a v e b e e n le t a lo n e fo r th e artific ia l e x c ite m e n t to s u b s id e ; o r th e o r g a n s o f S e lf-e s te e m d e m e sm e r ise d b y b re a th ­in g o r tra n sv erse passes o v e r th e m ; o r th e o p p o s in g o r g a n s o f B e n e v o le n c e , A tta c h m e n t , o r V e n e r a t io n e x c i t e d ; o r bo th la tte r m ea su res h a v e b e e n e m p lo y e d .

T h e p r o p e r a d m in istra tion o f m esm erism re s to re d th e b o y to g o o d h ea lth , th o u g h n e a r ly h a l f th e w ise p e o p le o f th e p la ce d e c la r e d th at h e w o u ld d ie , a n d an e q u a l n u m b e r p r e ­d ic te d th a t h e m u st b e a u in m a te in a lu n a t ic a sy lu m fo r life . I t is w o n d e r fu l th a t th e y d o n o t d e c la re h e is a t p resen t in a lu n a t ic asy lu m , as s o m a n y m e d ica l m e n to th is d a y , in p u re in v e n tio n , assu re th e ir p a tien ts w h o ask th e ir o p in io n o f m e s ­m e r ism th a t th e O k e y s a re .

T h e fa m ily su rg e o n o n c e g a v e a l it t le a p e r ie n t m e d ic in e a n d p u t a fe w leech es b e h in d th e e a r s ; b u t h o n o r a b ly d e ­c la r e d th a t th e m e d ic in e d id n o g o o d w h a tev er, an d th at th e leech es w e re m o r e in ju r io u s th a n o th e rw ise , s in c e th e y ca u sed g re a t a n n o y a n ce an d a n g ry e x c ite m e n t.

2 . T h e fo llo w in g is a m o r e r e ce n t c a s e :—

" P ly m o u th .“ A u g u s t 9 th , 184G .

** M y d ea r S ir ,— I th in k y o u w ill b e in te re ste d in th e fo l lo w in g p a rticu la rs o f a case w h ich h as e x c ite d co n s id e ra b le in te re s t iu th is to w n , a n d w h ich in its ea r lier s ta g e s b r o u g h t n o lit t le o d iu m u p o n m esm er ism . I f y o u sh o u ld th in k it w o rth y o f p u b lica t io n in The Z oist, it is q u ite at y o u r serv ice ,

" I am , m y d ea r S ir , w ith m u ch re sp e ct," Y o u rs very fa ith fu lly ,

" Edmond F ry.“ T o D r , E U io tso n .”

B y D r. BUiotmm. 4 0 1

“ A C h r istm a s p a rty h a d a ssem b led in th e w in te r o f 1 8 4 4 , a t th e h ou se o f M r . W o o t t o n , r e s id in g in W o o ls t e r S tre e t , P ly m o u t h ; a n d a fte r te a th e s u b je c t o f m esm erism (w h ich w as a t th a t t im e e x c it in g g re a t a tte n t io n in th e to w n ) w as in tr o ­d u ce d , an d it w as p ro p o se d th a t so m e y o u n g la d ies o f th e p a rty sh o u ld , i f p o ss ib le , b e p la ced u n d e r th e in flu e n ce . T h is w as s t r o n g ly o b je c t e d to b y th e la d y o f th e h o u se , w h o h a d n ev er seen an y e x p e r im e n ts tr ie d , b u t w h o h a d a g re a t d re a d o f it fro m n ew sp ap er rep orts w h ich sh e h ad rea d . H o w e v e r , d u r in g h e r te m p o ra ry a b se n ce fr o m th e r o o m , th e m a ster o f a vessel fr o m S co tla n d , w h o was p re se n t, in d u c e d tw o o f h e r d a u g h ­te rs t o a llow h im to try to m esm erise th e m . H e k n e w h ow to m a k e th e passes , b u t n e ith e r h e n o r a n y p erson p re se n t h ad h a d an y p ra ctica l e x p e r ie n c e in th e m a tte r . H e su cce e d e d h o w e v e r in in d u c in g th e m e sm e r ic s leep , fr o m w h ich th e e ld e r s is te r w as sp e e d ily a w a k e n e d ; b u t th e y o u n g e r . M is s M a r y W o o t t o n , a g e d a b o u t 1 8 years, h a v in g passed m o r e d e e p ly u n d e r th e in flu e n ce , e x h ib ite d so m e o f th e u su a l p h e n o m e n a , su ch as c o m m u n ity o f ta ste , th e p h re n o lo g ic a l d e v e lo p m e n ts , & c. T h e co m p a n y w e re h ig h ly d iv e r te d fo r a w h ile . B u t , w h en th e m esm eriser w ished to d isp e l th e in flu e n ce , h e fo u n d h im s e lf b a f f le d ; a n d , n o t s u c c e e d in g im m e d ia te ly in h is o b je c t , h e b e ca m e a la rm ed a n d e x c ite d . T h is p r o d u ce d c o r r e s p o n d in g e x c ite m e n t in h is s u b je c t ; a n d , as h is p resen ce o f m in d b e c a m e e n tire ly d e s tr o y e d , th e p o o r g ir l 's s itu a tion b e c a m e m o re a n d m o r e a la rm in g , u n t il c o n v u ls iv e a c t io n e n su e d a n d th e m esm er iser w as to ta lly at a loss w h a t m e a ­su res to a d op t. H e very u n w ise ly a llow ed o th e r p erson s to in te r fe re , an d h a n d le h is p a t ie n t ; a n d sh e was a t le n g th ca rr ie d to b e d in a m ost c r it ic a l c o n d it io n . S h e b e ca m e g ra d u a lly m o r e c o m p o s e d , a n d a fter several h o u rs fe l l in to a le th a rg ic sta te , in w h ich sh e re m a in e d u n til th e n e x t d a y ; an d w h en sh e w o k e , a k in d o f s tu p o r ap p eared to h a v e se ttled u p o n h e r , w h ich sh e c o u ld n o t sh a k e o ff , an d w h ich in a few d a y s b e g a n ser iou sly to a ffe c t h e r g en era l h ea lth a n d sp irits , F r o m b e in g a rem a rk a b ly h e a lth y , a ctive , a n d ch e e r fu l g ir l, sh e b e ca m e m o o d y , listless a n d in d isp o se d fo r a n y e x e r t io n : h e r a p p etite fa iled , an d h e r s leep w as m u ch d is tu rb e d . H e r sy ste m b e c a m e m o r e a n d m o r e d iso rd e re d , u n t il, a t th e e n d o f a few w eek s , sh e b e c a m e s u b je c t t o fits o f a v ery v io le n t a n d d is tress in g ch a ra cter . I t sh o u ld b e re m a rk e d , th a t n e i­th e r sh e n o r a n y m e m b e r o f th e fa m ily , e ith e r o n h e r fa th e r ’ s o r m o th e r ’ s side , h a d b e e n s u b je c t t o fits o f a n y d e s cr ip t io n . S h e w as n ow p la ce d u n d e r th e ca re o f a p h y s ic ia n , w h o p r e ­scr ib e d v ariou s re m e d ie s fo r h er, b u t w ith o u t avail. T h e fits c o n t in u e d w ith o c ca s io n a l sh o r t in terv a ls o f r e p o se fo r e ig h te e n

402 M esm erism not to be trifled with.

m o n th s , a n d d u r in g th e a tta ck s i t r e q u ire d sev era l m e n t o h o ld h e r . H e r screa m s w ere a la r m in g t o th e w h o le n e ig h * b o u r h o o d , a n d sh e w ou ld d e s tro y e v e ry th in g th at ca m e w ith in h e r re a ch . S o m e fi ie u d s su g g e s te d to h e r p a re n ts th a t th e ca se s h o u ld b e m e n tio n e d t o a n e x p e r ie n ce d m esm er ist , a n d b is a d v ice ta k e n æ t o th e p o ss ib ility o f m esm erism b e in g b en e fic ia lly e m p lo y e d fo r h e r re s to ra t io n . T h is w as m e n tio n e d t o th e p h y s ic ia n , who at once put a negative upon it, sa y in g , th a t h e th o u g h t m e sm e r ism h ad d o n e m is c h ie f e n o u g h a lrea d y , a n d th a t unies« they wished to destroy her life at once, th e y m u s t never allow her to be mesmerised again. A c t in g o n th is a d v ice , th e p o o r g ir l was a llo w e d to d r a g o n a m isera b le e x is te n ce fo r eighteen m o n th s , a t th e en d o f w h ich p e r io d th e fits h ad in cre a se d in fr e q u e n c y a n d v io le n ce , a n d h e r fr ien d s h a d b e g u n to d esp a ir o f h e r r e co v e ry ; w h en , as a la st r esou rce , th e y reso lv ed t o ta k e th e o p in io n o f som e o u e w e ll a cq u a in ted w ith m esm er ism , a n d in th e m o n th o f M a y , 1 8 4 6 , th e y co n s u lte d M r . E . F r y , r e s id in g in P ly m o u th , w h o im m e d i­a te ly e x p ressed h is c o n v ic t io n th a t m esm er ism m ig h t b e e m ­p lo y e d m ost b e n e fic ia lly , a n d th a t n o o th e r r e m e d y w as lik e ly t o re a ch th e p ecu lia r e x ig e n c ie s o f th e ca se . S h e h ad had th re e v ery b a d fits d u r in g th e w e e k p r e ce d in g M r . F r y 's first v is it ; a n d o n S u n d a y , th e 2 4 th o f M a y , h e m esm erised h er fo r th e first t im e . S h e d id n o t pass in to th e d e e p m e s m e r ic s leep , b u t d e s cr ib e d c e r ta in se n sa tio n s w h ich sh o w e d th a t a b e n e fic ia l e ffe c t h a d b e e n p r o d u ce d . S h e s lep t w ell, an d passed a q u ie t a n d c o m fo r ta b le w e e k . S h e w as n o t m esm erised a g a in t i l l th e fo llo w in g S u n d a y e v e n in g , w h en th e sa m e e ffe cts w e re p ro d u ce d , an d th e sa m e resu lts fo llo w e d . S h e w as m e sm e r ise d ev ery S u n d a y e v e n in g fo r fiv e c o n s e cu t iv e w eek s, d u r in g w h ich p er iod sh e h ad n o fit, an d h e r g en era l h ea lth b eg a n stea d ily t o im p ro v e : s leep r e g id a r a n d so u n d , a n d a p p etite g o o d . O n th e s ix th S u n d a y , M r . F r y saw h is p a tien t, b u t d id u o t m esm erise h er. S h e d id n o t s leep w ell th a t n ig h t , an d fe lt restless fo r a d a y o r tw o , b u t had n o fit. O n th e se v e n th S u n d a y sh e w as m e sm e r ise d as u su a l, a n d c o n ­t in u e d s te a d ily t o im p ro v e . O n th e e ig h th S u n d a y , M r . F r y d id n o t c a ll t o see h er ; sh e e x p e c te d h im as u su a l, a n d m issed h e r a c c u s to m e d séance v e ry m u ch ; h a d n o s leep th r o u g h o u t th e n ig h t , a n d was v ery u n ea sy th e n e x t m o r n in g . I n th e co u r se o f th e M o n d a y , so m e c ircu m sta n ce in th e fa m ily o c cu rr e d t o e x c ite h e r , a n d a fit w as th e resu lt . S h e was n o t w ell th r o u g h o u t th e w eek ; b u t , a fte r b e in g m e sm er ised a g a in th e fo llo w in g S u n d a y , sh e sp e e d ily re g a in e d h e r lo s t g ro u n d , a n d u p to th e p resen t tim e has h ad n o fu r th e r sy m p ­to m o f a fit. H e r h ea lth c o n t in u e s to im p ro v e . S h e has

4 0 3B y D r. EUiolion.

r e g a in e d h e r fo r m e r ch e e r fu ln e ss an d a c t iv ity , an d b o t h h e rs e lf a n d h e r fr ie n d s co n s id e r h er d is tress in g m a lad y n o w co m p le te ly r e m o v e d . T h e y a ttr ib u te h e r re co v e ry e n tire ly t o th e p ro p e r a p p lica t io n o f m e sm e r ism , a n d o n ly r e g r e t th a t th e prejudice o f a m e d i c a l p r a c t i t i o n e r should have prevented their deriv­ing this benefit at a much earlier stage o f the case.

“ T h is ca se sh o u ld b e a w a r n in g o f th e d a n g e r o f ig n o r a n t an d in e x p e r ie n ce d p e rso n s tr iflin g w ith su ch a p o w e r fu l a g en t as m e sm e r ism . I t s h o u ld n e v e r b e trea ted as a m a tter o f fun . I t is n o su b je c t fo r tb e m ere id le a m u se m e n t o f a p a r t y ; b u t sh o u ld b e co n fin e d to th o s e w h ose e x p e r ie n ce e n a b le s th em p ro p e r ly to a p p ly it s p ow ers , an d to e x p la in its p h e n o m e n a .9'

H e r e a g a in was th e u su a l m e d ica l g a m e :— I n ju r y to m e s ­m erism b y a n y m eans. T h e m e d ica l p r a c t it io n e r k n ew n o th in g o f m esm er ism , an d y e t w as co n s c ie n t io u s e n o u g h to g iv e an o p in io n ; an d h e h u m a n e ly p re fe rre d p e rse v e r in g in h is u seless, perh a p s in ju r io u s m ea su res , t o a llo w in g tb e p o o r y o u n g la d y tb e b e n e fits o f m esm er ism . A c o m m o n tr ic k , w h en m esm erism is p ro p o se d to m e d ica l m en fo r a n y o b s tin a te ca se in w h ich th e ir p h y s ic has b e e n fru itless , is t o say th at i t is a v ery d a n g e ro u s th in g , a n d , th a t th o u g h n o ill e ffe cts m ay a p p ea r a t first, th e y m a y c o m e in a fte r l i f e :— a m e re in v e n ­t io n , a n d , w ere th is th e fa c t , th e y h av e h ad n o o p p o r tu n ity y e t o f a s ce rta in in g it . W h e n v a cc in a t io n w as first r e c o m ­m e n d e d , m e d ica l m e n asserted th a t th e m ost d rea d fu l d iseases w o u ld fo llo w its e m p lo y m e n t , i f n o t at o n ce , a t a d is ta n t p e r io d . W it h in th ese fe w m o n th s a su rg e o n in O x fo r d ­sh ire to ld th e m o th e r o f a p a tie n t o f m in e w h o w as p e r m a ­n e n t ly c u r e d o f fits so m e y ea rs a g o b y m esm er ism , th a t th e O k e y s w ere th e n c o n fiu e d in a lu n a tic a sy lu m th ro u g h h a v in g b e e n m esm er ised . A p h y s ic ia n la te ly re p o rte d th at a h ig h ly re sp e c ta b le p a tien t, w h o w as g rea tly a fflicted , b u t w as a t le n g th su ccess fu lly m esm erised b y tw o g e n t le m e n , w as k e p t b y th e m . T h e y tra ce d th e r e p o r t to h im , an d h e d e n ie d i t : I r e m e m b e r a m e d ica l B tudent w h o re p o rte d fo r th e Lancet a t a L o n d o n h osp ita l, a n d is n o w a v e ry m o n e y -g e t t in g p u re su r g e o n , w ro te a r e p o r t o ffe n s iv e to th e su rg ica l sta ff, w h o ta x ed h im w ith i t ; w h en ask ed b y so m e fr ie n d s so m e t im e a fterw a rd s h ow h e g o t o ff , h e la u g h e d a n d rep lied , “ O h by te l l in g a g o o d lie t o b e s u r e : th ere w as n o o th e r w a y .”

T h e sam e v illa n y w as fa in t ly a tte m p te d in r e fe re n ce to th e s is te r O k e y s an d m y se lf. B u t b a d m ed ica l m e n k n o w m y sp ir it t o o w e ll t o v e n tu r e fa r a g a in st m e , a n d th e w orld k n o w s th a t I h a v e a lw ays r e g a rd e d m esm erism as a m o s t h o ly a n d sa cred th in g , a n d d e c la re d th a t , i f h ig h m o ra lity ts d e -

4 0 4 M etm erism not to be trifled with.

m a n d e d id e v e ry m e d ica l p r a c t it io n e r , th e v ery h ig h e s t , e v en to th e p a r ity o f b ro th e rs a n d sisters , is d e m a n d e d in e v e r y m esm eriaer , a n d have e n d e a v o u re d to im p ress u p o n a ll p erson a th a t th e m e sm e r ise r ’ s o c c u p a t io n is th e e x e rc ise o f b e n e v o ­le n c e a n d th a t h e is in th e h o lie s t trn st.

T h e la te D r , J o h n s o n s p o k e o f fem a les w h o w e re m esm erised as “ fla tu le n t , h yster ica l, im p u d e n t baggage»,"t an d o f th ose w h o b e lie v e d in th e re a lity o f th e cu re s o f th e v irtu o u s O k e y s as p e rso n s w h o “ w ill b e lie v e th a t a n y c o n fid e n t »trum pet m a y g e t p erm iss ion fr o m h ea v en to e x h ib it fo r h a lf-a -c r o w n a head v is ion w ith h e r fin g ers o r to e s .“ 11 A fe w y ears a fte rw a rd s th e tw o sisters m ig h t read in th e n ew sp ap ers w h a t w o u ld have b e e n a m p le sa tis fa c tio n t o th e m o s t re v e n g e fu l fe e lin g s , th o u g h I tru st th e y fe lt n o n e , b u t s in ce re ly g rie v e d fo r h is p a ren ta l an g u ish .

3 . A th ir d case o f m is c h ie f fr o m p erson s ig n o r a n t o f m es­m erism p la y in g w ith it h as ju s t c o m e to m y k n o w le d g e . I a d v ised m esm erism in th e case o f a y o u n g la d y . T h e m e d ica l a t te n d a n t has a su p e r io r h ea d , a n d w as w illin g to m esm er ise h er. H e d id s o m o s t d il ig e n t ly , an d in d u ce d s le e p -w a k in g , m e sm e r ic a tta ch m e n t to th e m esm er iser an d d read o f o th ers , v a r iou s o th e r p h e n o m e n a , a n d a m o n g th e m th e c o m m o n fo rm o f c la ir v o y a n c e in w h ich p a tien ts fo re se e th e c o u r se o f th e ir d isease a n d d ire c t th e tre a tm e n t. S h e w as g re a t ly im p r o v e d ; w h en an h osp ita l p h y s ic ia n , w h o had in v a in a tte n d e d h er, w ish ed to see h e r in h er m e sm e r ic sta te . S h e waa v ery p r o ­p e r ly c o n s u lt e d ; b u t sh ru n k fro m th e in terv iew a n d sa id it w o u ld d o h e r h a rm . H o w e v e r , th e p h y s ic ia n w e n t to th e h o u se , a n d w ith a n a ss is ta n t-p h y s ic ia n a n d a n assista n t- s u r g e o n o f h is h osp ita l, b o th stra n g ers t o h e r . T h e o p era tor w as u r g e d b y th e fa th e r to en trea t h e r to see th e p a rtie s . S h e a t le n g th b r o u g h t h e r s e lf t o c o n s e n t to see th e p h y s ic ia n , b u t d e c la re d th at i f h e to o k th e tw o o th e rs w ith h im , th e e ffe c t w ou ld b e ser iou s ,— th at a ll th e g ro u n d g a in e d in th e tre a tm e n t o f h e r d isease w o u ld b e lo s t , th a t h e r state w o u ld b e fr ig h tfu l, an d h e r o p e r a to r w o u ld lo se all p o w e r o v e r h er fo r a le n g th o f t im e . I n sp ite o f a ll th is , in th e p r id e a n d o b s t iu a cy o f ig n o r a n c e , th e p h y s ic ia n in sisted u p o n g o in g to h e r w ith h is fr ien d s , an d , n o t c o n te n te d w ith th is , t o o k w ith h im a m a g n e t to m a k e so m e o f B e ic h e n b a c h 's ex p erim en ts u p o n h e r , la u g h in g n o d o u b t a t th e id e a o f a m a g n e t te r r ify ­in g o r p r o d u c in g a n y s tro n g e ffe cts u p o n a p erson in so

i M t d . CAir. R e t u r , Oct. 1838, p 635. * p. 96.

Use o f M esm erism during and a fter Labour. 4 0 5

u n re a l an d fa n c ifu l a state as th e m e sm e r ic . S o in h e m a rch e d w ith h is m a g n e t a n d tw o fr ie n d s . T h e e ffe ct w as, as a ll m esm erists ca n w e ll c o n c e iv e , te r r ib le . S h e b e ca m e fr a n t ic , h a s b e e n fra n tic , a b so lu te ly m a n ia ca l, ev ery d a y s in ce , a n d n o t o n ly v io le n t a n d d a n g e ro u s , b u t a g o n iz e d : a n d , th o u g h w eek s h av e n o w passed , th e r e is n o im p ro v e m e n t, a n d th e k in d , g o o d , p e rse v e r in g m e sm e r ise r h as n o t y e t g a in e d a n y p o w e r o v e r h e r . N o d o u b t h e w ill r e co v e r h is in f lu e n c e : b u t th e a ffa ir is m o s t la m e n ta b le , a n d , th o u g h th e p h y s ic ia n is v ery so rry , h e seem s, in h is ig n o r a n c e o f th e w h o le su b je c t , t o have sa g a cio u s d o u b ts as t o th e real n a tu re o f th e case .

J ohn E llio tso n .

X . Benefit o f M esm erism during and a fter Labour. B y M r . CHANDLEa, D r . Esdaile, a n d M r . P arker.

M rs . Payne (la te H o ld s w o r th , Z oist, V o l . I I I . , p. 1 8 9 .) set. 3 9 , p r e g n a n t w ith h e r se v e n th c h ild , h a v in g fo r a lo n g t im e b e e n v ery su sce p t ib le o f m esm er ism , I d e te rm in e d , w ith h er c o n s e n t , t o a tte m p t d e liv e ry d u r in g th e m e sm e r ic c o m a , o r ra th e r in th e state o f s le e p -w a k in g . S h e has always h ad m o s t p ro tra c te d la b o u rs , a n d w as lin g e r in g fo r m a n y d a y s w ith h e r la s t c h ild .

A u g . 4 th , 1 8 4 6 . I was ca lle d to a t te n d h e r a t h a lf-p a st 1 a .m . I fo u n d th e p a in s q u ic k , a n d ra th er severe , b u t n o t o f a b e a r in g ch a ra cter . A f t e r re m a in in g w ith h e r a few m in u te s , sh e w as p la ce d on th e b e d , an d 1 m esm erised h e r , as u su a l, w ith tw o s low passes. T h e spasmodic action went on as before, b u t Bhe ceased com plaining; a n d , o n a s k in g h e r i f sh e fe lt p a in , sh e sa id (a n sw erin g m y w h isp er as u su a l) n o ; b u t c o m ­p la in e d o f th e h e a t (th e w e a th e r b e in g very h o t ) a n d th irst . A f t e r an h o n r an d a h a lf I a w ok e h er, t o a llow h e r to ch a n g e h e r p o s it io u a n d ta k e so m e d r i n k ;— w h en sh e im m e d ia te ly b eg a n t o co m p la in o f p a in .— I p u t h e r to sleep a g a in , a n d , fin d in g th a t la b o u r w as n o t a d v a n c in g , le ft h e r fo r tw o h o u r s ; a t th e en d o f w h ich t im e , as th e p a in s h ad n early cea sed , I a w ok e h er to re liev e h er fr o m h er c ra m p e d p o s it io n , a n d le ft h e r aw ake, f iu d in g th e la b o u r w as lik e ly to b e very lin g e r in g .

S h e co n t in u e d m u ch in th e sam e state , w ith o c ca s io n a l s lig h t p a in s , u n t il th e fo llo w in g T h u rsd a y , A u g . 6 th , w h e n I was su m m o n e d , at 1 0 a .m . F iu d in g h er in to le ra b ly a c tiv e la b o u r , I p la ce d h e r o n th e b e d a n d m esm erised h e r ; th e a c t io n co n t in u e d v e ry s tro n g , a n d la b o u r a d v a n ced s lo w ly u n til 1 , w h en th ere was a g a in a n a lm ost e n t ir e c e s s a t io n ; s o th a t I d e e m e d i t a d v isa b le t o aw a k e h er, fe a r in g it w o u ld b e y e t

vol. i v , r r

4 0 6 Use o f Mesmerism during end a fter Labour,

m a n y h ou rs . D u r in g th e t im e th e la b o u r c o n t in u e d , th e b e a r in g d o w n w as v ery h e a v y , a n d th e p a tie n t a p p e a re d t o b e su ffe r in g th e u su a l la b o u r p a in s ; b u t sh e c o n t in u e d to d ec la re , in an sw er to m y in q u ir ie s , th a t she fe lt no pain. T h is w as ju s t w h a t I e x p e cte d , 1 h ad in d e e d ex p ressed a n o p in io n to several p erson s , w h o d o u b te d w h e th e r la b o u r w o u ld g o o n ,— th a t sh e w o u ld ap p ear to b e b e a r in g h e r la b o u r v e ry p a tien tly . S h e c o n s ta n tly c o m p la in e d o f h ea t an d th irst , a n d sa id o n c e o r tw ic e sh e fe lt ill, b u t c o u ld n o t te ll w h a t was th e m a tter . A t h a lf-p a st 6 , I was a g a in sen t for , a n d , o n m y arriva l, fo u n d h e r in s tro n g la b o u r . 1 im m e d ia te ly p la ce d h e r u n d e r th e m esm er ic in flu e n ce . L a b o u r a p p eared s t ill t o a d v a n ce , b u t s l o w ly ; an d a t h a lf-p a st 7 , th e d is te n d e d v esica a p p ea r in g to p re v e u t th e d e sce n t o f th e h ea d , 1 d rew o f f th e flu id , a n d th e la b o u r te rm in a te d very fa v o u ra b ly b o t h to m o th e r a n d c h ild at five m in u te s b e fo re 8 , without the form er being in the slightest degree conscious o f the birth o f the child. I le ft h er in th e m esm er ic s leep an h o u r an d a h alf, a n d th e n a w o k e h er to b e g o t c o m fo r t a b ly in to b e d , an d h ad g re a t d ifficu lty in p e rsu a d in g h er th at sh e w as d e liv e re d : in d e e d , severa l tim es d u r in g th e n ig h t sh e a w ok e ( fr o m h e r n a tu ra l sleep ) w ith s l ig h t a fter-p a in s , a n d e x p ressed to h e r n u rse a w ish th a t i t m ig h t so o n b e o v e r , q u ite fo r g e t t in g , fo r th e t im e , th a t th e c h ild was b o r n , a n d im a g in in g th e p a ins w e re th ose o f la b ou r. I d id n o t leave h e r m esm erised d u r in g th e n ig h t , as th e a fter ­p a in s w e re n o t severe , an d sh e ex p ressed a w ish to have th e p o w e r o f m o v in g . T h o u g h in h er fo r m e r la b o u rs a lw a ys a sev ere su ffe rer fro m a fte r-p a in s , sh e re m a in e d to le ra b ly fr e e fr o m th em o n th is o c ca s io n u n t il 2 8 h o u rs a fte r d e liv e ry , w h e n th e y c a m e o n w ith g re a t s e v e r it y ; so m u ch so , th a t I w as sen t fo r at h a lf-p a st 1 2 at n ig h t , a n d fo u n d h er com­plaining very loudly. 1 im m e d ia te ly m esm erised h e r , an d , her com plaints ceased*1 th o u g h th e a p p e a ra n ce o f p a in s c o n - t in n e d , bu t b e c a m e g ra d u a lly w ea k er a n d less fr e q u e n t . O n a w a k in g h er, a b o u t an h o u r a fte r , sh e s t ill c o m p la in e d ; a n d , as th e re w as m u ch ten d ern ess o f th e a b d o m e n , I th o u g h t it a d v isa b le t o g iv e h e r 2 5 d r o p s o f la u d a n u m . I th e n m e s­m er ised h e r a g a in , an d le ft h er in th e s leep seven h o u r s ; a t th e e n d o f w h ich tim e I a w ok e h er q u ite easy a n d re fre sh e d . D u r in g th e s leep , sh e sev era l t im e s co n v e rse d w ith h er a tte n d a n t, ap p a ren tly k n o w in g sh e w as m e sm er ised — (as she a lw a ys h as d o n e in h e r s le e p -w a k in g sta te ), an d te l lin g h er to g e t som e g ru e l rea d y a g a in st m y w a k in g h e r : sh e a lso sa n g

a Would the Medical end Chirurgicat Society here said that she wee indifferent to pain, or had strong resolution not to thow It, end M i au im­postor I—Z a i t t .

by M r. Chandler. 4 0 7

several t im e s , a n d a p p ea red m u ch e x c ite d . T h is w as o f c o u rse to b e a ttr ib u te d to th e la u d a n u m , w h ich I m ig h t as w ell h ave o m itte d , as sh e h ad a fte rw a rd s n o r e co lle c t io n o f su ffe r in g p a in m o r e th a n a fe w m in u tes , a n d th is w as e v id e n t ly b e fo r e I a rrived a n d m esm erised h e r . T h e tim e fr o m h a lf-p a st 1 2 to h a lf-p a st 7 w as q u ite lo s t t o h er .

A m e d ica l fr ie n d w h o w as p re se n t d u r in g a p a rt o f th e tim e , a n d w h o saw th e p a tie n t t o a ll a p p ea ra n ce su ffe r in g th e usual p a n g s o f la b o u r , o b s e rv e d th at th e to o th -d r a w in g d u r in g th e m e sm e r ic s leep w as, t o b is m in d , m o r e c o n c lu s iv e th a n w h a t h e saw , b eca u se th e p a tien ts d id n o t sh ow a n y s ig n s o f p a in w h ils t h a v in g th e ir tee th e x tra c te d , a n d th e w om a n sh o w e d all th e u su a l ex tern a l s ig n s o f la b o u r ; a n d h e c o n s e q u e n t ly c o n te n d e d th at w e h ad o n ly th e w o m a n 's o w n w o rd to p rove th a t sh e fe lt n o p a in .1 P e r m it m e to p o in t o u t t o m a n y w h o m a y rea son in th e sam e w ay , th a t th e ca ses a re n o t p a ra lle l.

T h e too th is ex tra cted b y a s e c o n d p erson , a n d d o e s n o t req u ire a n y m u scu la r e ffo rt o f th e p a tien t t o g e t r id o f i t ; w h ereas th e ex p u ls ion o f a ch ild fr o m th e u te ru s is n o t a c ­co m p lish e d w ith o u t im m e n se m u scu la r a c t io n o f th e w h o le b o d y , w h ich a ction is h ow ev er p e r fe c t ly in v o lu n ta ry , a n d th e w o m a n has in h e r o rd in a ry state , lit t le o r n o c o n t r o l o v e r i t ; in d e e d n o m o re th a n sh e has o v e r th e m u sc les e n g a g e d in r e sp ira t io n ; a n d , as resp ira tion a lw ays g o e s o n d u r in g m e sm e r ic sleep , I re a so n e d th at la b o u r w o u ld d o th e sa m e. I w as r ig h t in m y c o n je c t u r e ; i f it h ad n o t b e e n s o th e case m u st h a v e b e e n a fa ilu re .1

M y p a tien t, th o u g h n o t a b le t o w rite o r rea d , w as qu ite a p h ilo s o p h e r , sh e c o m p la in e d o f h ea t an d th irst ju s t as she o u g h t t o h av e d o n e , (fo r m esm erised p e rso n s are a lw a ys v e ry sen sitiv e t o b e a t a n d c o ld ) , b u t fe lt n o th in g o f th e p a in . I f sh e h a d b e e n an im p o s to r , sh e w ou ld m ost c e r ta in ly have b o r n e th e h eat an d th irst w ith th e Bame fo r t itu d e as th e p a in . T h is v e ry c ircu m sta n ce is su ffic ien t p r o o f t o a c a n d id m in d o f th e g e n u in e n e ss o f th e case .

H a d I k n o w n th a t th e la b o u r w o u ld h a v e b e e n so p r o -

* A* Or. Etdtilc cuttingly d j i ( jioijl, nil. Mi., p. 35), t h e k n e w b f t t , -- Z u i s t , k Mr. Chandler is an example not only of undaunted perseverance with

mesmerism, and of honor, but of intelligence and soundness. His view is perfectly correct. Those who make an incessant din about what Boyle pointed out in 1663, Wbytt a century ago, and Prochagha 63 years ago, called the reflexion of sensory impression into motor,—terms now varied iota r t f t e x nubry function, never once think of this when it occurs in mes­merised persons, as Dr. Elliotson has already said (p. 313), but ascribe it alt to sensation and volition. Yet old writer» mention that, if the legs of kittens were made insensible by cutting off the bead or dividing the spine, sod a wounding instrument or hot iron was applied to the toes, the legs moved away.—See Dr. EHiotson’s Pamphlet, p. 13.—Zoirt.

F T 2

4 0 8 Benefit o f Mesmeri&m after Labour.

tra c te d , I sh o u ld h a v e co n s id e re d it a n u n fa v o u ra b le ca se f o r th e e x p e r im e n t I co n te m p la ted , it b e in g o u t o f th e q u e st io n th a t a p a tie n t sh o u ld b e k e p t m esm erised fo r several d a y s in s u c c e s s i o n a s it h a p p en ed , h ow ev er, it o p e ra te d a d v a n ta g e ­o u s ly , fo r th e a lte rn a tio n s o f th e o rd in a ry a n d m esm er ic states b r o u g h t o u t th e a b sen ce o f p a in in th e la tte r in s tro n g re lie f.

I d e s ce n d to th ese ex p la n a tio n s fo r th e b e n e fit o f th o se w h o have h ad less o p p o r tu n ity o f w itn ess in g m e s m e r ic p h e ­n o m e n a . F o r m y s e lf I u n h e s ita t in g ly d e c la re m y c o n v ic t io n , th a t th e ca se fr o m first t o last w as p e r fe c t ly g e n u in e , a n d I r e g r e t t o a d d th a t an o b s te t r ic p h y s ic ia n o f e m in e n ce , w ho h ad e x p ressed a d es ire t o b e p re se n t, was p re v e n te d b y illness fr o m a tte n d in g .

S e p t. 3 rd . B o t h m o th e r a n d c h ild have g o n e o n r e ­m a rk a b ly w e ll u p to th e p resen t tim e ." T homas C h a n d ler .6 8 , P a ra d ise S tre e t , R o th e r h ith e .

A m o n g th e e x tra c ts s e n t u s b y D r . E lllo ta o n fr o m th e In d ia p a p e r o f M a y 2 9 , is th e re c ita l o f g re a t b e n e fit fr o m m esm er ism , n o t in d e e d in p a rtu r it io n b u t in th e a fte r -p a in s ; a n d w e o m itte d i t in th e lis t o f m e d ica l cases a t p. 3 8 0 , as i t m u st s tr ik e so m u ch m o r e fo r c ib ly in c o n n e c t io n w ith M r . C h a n d le r 's case , an d o n e sen t u s b y D r . E llio ts o n fr o m M r . P a r k e r o f E x e te r .— Z oisl.

“ M a y 1 5 th , 1 8 4 0 . T h e la d y ,” w h ose ca se is m e n tio n e d at p . 3 9 , “ w as d e liv e re d at 1 0 o 'c l o c k to -d a y ; I saw h e r at 11 o ’ c lo ck , a n d sh e w as s u ffe r in g fr o m sh arp after-pain». I sa id , th a t as I c o u ld e x t in g u is h h e r o th e r pa ins , I sh o u ld p r o b a b ly b e a b le t o su b d u e th is . S h e was v ery g la d o f th e p ro p o sa l, an d I b e g a n to m esm erise h er. F o r a q u a rter o f an h o u r , th e c o n to r t io n s o f h er c o u n te n a n ce , a n d fr e q u e n t c h a n g e o f p o s i­t io n , sh o w e d th e c o n t in u a n c e a n d a cu ten ess o f h e r su ffer in g s . I n a b o u t tw e n ty m in u tes , sh e b e ca m e q u ite tra n q u il , an d I p r ic k e d h e r n o se re p e a te d ly w ith a p in , w ith o u t h er fe e lin g it , a n d le f t h er s le e p in g . A s I w as p a ss in g th a t w a y in a b o u t th re e q u a rters o f an h o u r , I lo o k e d in t o see h e r , au d w as to ld th a t sh e still s lep t. I w e n t t o see h e r , a n d o n to u c h in g h er, Bhe o p e n e d h er e y es , an d sa id th a t sh e h ad a w o k e o f h e r o w n a cco rd , a n d h ad h a d a c o m fo r ta b le sleep . I p o in te d at h e r e y e s fo r a m in u te o r tw o , a n d sh e a g a in s lep t p r o fo u n d ly , I n a b o u t a n h o u r a fter, sh e a w ok e sp o n ta n e o u s ly , perfectly

fr e e from pain, a n d h ad n o r e c o lle c t io n o f m y s e c o n d v is it .

I W< bare known this done with great advantage in diaeue.—Zeut.

B enefit o f M esm erism during Labour. 409

A ft e r m u ch q u e st io n in g , sh e sa id th a t sh e o n ly re m e m b e re d m y h a v in g ca lle d in th e m o r n in g a n d a sk ed h o w sh e a n d th e b a b y w ere.

“ M a y 1 6 th . S h e h as h ad n o re tu rn o f p a id , an d fe e ls m u ch re fre sh e d an d s tro n g e r : h e r h u sb a n d re m a rk e d , as 1 d id , th at sh e lo o k e d b e t te r th a n b e fo r e h e r d e liv ery . T h e s e are th e only t im es th a t th is la d y h as b e e n m esm erised , a n d th is p ow er seem s to b e su ffic ien t to g u a rd h e r a g a in st m ost o f th e ills th a t flesh is h e ir to . W o u ld th at w e are a ll e q u a lly s u b je c t to it I B u t w e m a y h o p e t o d is co v e r m o r e e ffe ctu a l m ea n s o f a ffe c t in g m a n k in d in th e m ass.

“ J ames E s d a il e .”

The fo llo w in g is M r . P a r k e r 's c a s e :—

M y d ea r S ir ,— A s y o u h a v e e x p ressed a w ish to have au a c c o u n t o f th e ca se w h ere th e a fte r -p a in s w ere re lie v e d b y m esm erism , I w ill n o w g iv e it t o y o u , b u t I h a d w ish e d to have fu rn ish e d y o u w ith m o r e cases .

J u n e 3 0 th , 1 8 4 6 , M rs . T . w as d e liv e re d o f h er sev en th c h i l d ; h e r la b o u rs h a v e b e e n a lw a ys v e ry d ifficu lt fr o m h er b e in g v ery sh o r t , a n d h a v in g g re a t o b l iq u ity o f th e u teru s fo r ­w ards. S h e h a d v ery s tro n g la b o u r pa ins , w ith v ery sh o r t in ­te rm ission s , d u r in g e ig h t h o u rs . T h e p la ce n ta w as d e liv ered b y n atu ra l e ffo rts h a l f a n h o u r a fte r th e ch ild was b o r n . T h e re w as s o m u c h te n d e rn e ss o f th e u teru s , th a t im m e d ia te ly a fter th e d e liv e r y 1 g a v e h e r a q u a rte r o f a g ra in o f m o rp h in e , to b e rep ea ted in an h o u r i f n e ce s s a r y ; a u d as th e s e c o n d d ose d id n o t re liev e h e r , I w as sen t for , w ith in tw o h o u rs o f th e d e liv e ry , fo r th e p a in s w ere in s u p p o r ta b le ; th e re w as a n a tu ra l q u a n tity o f flu id b lo o d , b u t n o c o a g u la , an d th e u terus firm ly co n tra cte d .

I th e n g a v e d ire c t io n s fo r lo n g m e sm e r ic passes to b e m a d e fr o m th e ep ig a str iu m to th e k n ees , an d in th e co u r se o f th e sp in e to th e h ip s. T h e e ffe c t o f it was v ery rem a rk a b le . W ithin half an hour, the pains had quite ceased , a n d o n th e ir th rea ten ed r e tu rn , a re p e tit io n o f th e m e s m e r ic passes com­p letely checked t h e m : a n d fr o m th a t m o m e u t , th e r e w as n o m o r e u n ea sin ess , a n d h e r co n v a le s ce n ce w as as ra p id as u n d e r th e m o s t fa v o ra b le la b o u r .

B e lie v e m e ,M y d ea r S ir ,

Y o u r ’ s fa ith fu lly ,J ohn B. P a r k er .

Exeter, Aug. 29th, 1846.D r . E llio ts o n .

( 410 )

X I . A case o f Spontaneous Clairvoyance.

TO T H E E D IT O R OF TH E ZO IST .

S i r ,— T h e a c c o m p a n y in g c u r io u s n arra tiv e (q u o te d fro m Chambers’» Journal, V o l . I V . , N . S . ) is o n e o f th o se in te re s t in g ca ses w h ich o c c u r fr o m tim e t o t im e o f th e sp on ta n eou s d e v e lo p m e n t d u r in g th e n a tu ra l sta te o f a p o w e r , a n a lo g o u s in ch a ra cte r t o o n e w e see m a n ifested d u r in g th e m esm eric tr a n c e , a n d w ith reg a rd t o th e ex is te n ce , o r , e v e n p o ss ib ility o f w h ich th e g re a te s t s ce p tic ism has b e e n m a n ifested , and c e r ta in ly r iv a llin g in m a rv e llou sn ess an y o f th e a n a lo g o u s fea ts r e co rd e d o f so m n a m b u lis ts .

I t is, I th in k , d e se rv in g o f a p la ce in y o u r jo u r n a l, b o th fr o m th e ex tra o rd in a ry ch a ra cte r o f th e fa c ts d e ta ile d , a n d th e c ircu m sta n ce th a t it c o m e s b e fo r e th e p u b lic g u a ra n teed b y th e n a m e o f a n in d iv id u a l w h ose h ig h m o ra l ch a ra cte r a n d u n im p e a ch a b le v era c ity a re m a tters o f E u r o p e a n n o to r ie ty .

I a m , S ir ,Y o u r o b e d ie n t S erv an t,

T . S . P k id e a c x .

“ W e m ust not conclude our notice o f this m ost interesting o f autobiographies without affording an account o f a remarkable faculty Zschokke possesses, and which he calls his * inward sigh t.' '1 am ,' he remarks, 1 almost afraid to speak o f this, not because I am afraid to be thought superstitious, but that 1 m ay thereby strengthen such feelings in others. A nd yet it may be an addition to our stock o f soul-experiences, and therefore I will confess.'

“ It has happened to m e sometimes on m y first meeting with strangers, as I listened silently to their discourse, that their former life, with many trifling circumstances therewith connected, or fre­quently some particular scene in that life, has passed quite involun­tarily, and as it were dream-like, yet perfectly distinct, before me.

“ D uring this time 1 usually feel so entirely absorbed in the con­tem plation o f the stranger life, that at last I no longer see clearly the face o f the unknown, wherein I undesignedly read, nor distinctly hear the voices o f the speakers, w hich before served in som e mea­sure as a com m entary to the text o f their features. F or a long time I held such visions as delusions o f the fancy, and the m ore so as they showed me even the dress and m otions o f the actors, room s, furniture, and other accessories. B y the way o f jest, I once, in a familiar circle at K irch berg, related the secret h istory o f a sem p­stress, w ho had ju st left the room and the house. I had never seen her before in m y life ; people were astonished, and laughed, but were not to be persuaded that I did not previously know the relations o f which 1 spoke; for what I had uttered was the literal truth.

Cate o f Spontaneous Clairvoyance. 411

" 1 on m y part was no less astonished that m y dream -pictures were confirmed hy the reality. I became m ore attentive to the subject, and, when propriety admitted it, I would relate to those whose life thus passed before me the subject o f m y visions, that I m ight thereby obtain confirmation o r refutation o f it. I t was inva­riably ratified, not without consternation on their part.™ I m yself had less confidence than any one in this mental ju ggling . So often as I revealed m y visionary gifts to any new person, I regularly ex­pected to hear the answer— ' I t was not so.’

111 felt a secret shudder when m y auditors replied that it was true, or when their astonishm ent betrayed m y accuracy before they ■poke. Instead o f m any, I will mention one example, w hich pre­eminently astounded m e. One fair day, in the city o f W aldshut, I entered an inn (the V ine) in com pany with two young student- foresters; we were tired with ram bling through the woods. W e supped with a num erous society at the table-d’hdte, where the guests were m aking very m erry with the peculiarities and eccentri­cities o f the Swiss, with M esm er’ s M agnetism , Lavater’ s P hysiog­nom y, & c., &c. One o f my companions, whose national pride waa wounded b y their m ockery, begged me to make som e reply, par­ticularly to a handsome young man who sat opposite us, and who had allowed h im self extraordinary license.

" T h is man’ s form er life was at that m om ent presented to my m ind. I turned to h im , and asked whether he would answer me candidly i f I related to him som e o f the m ost secret passages o f his life, I knowing as little o f him personally as he did o f roe T That wonld be going a little further, I thought, than Lavater did with his Physiognom y. H e prom ised, i f I were correct in m y in­formation, to admit it frankly. I then related what my vision had shown me, and the whole com pany were made acquainted with the private history o f the young m erchant: his school years, his youth ­ful errors, and lastly, with a fault com m itted in reference to the strong-box o f b is principal. I described to him the uninhabited room with whitened walls, where, to the right o f the brown door, on a table, stood a black m oney-box, & c., &c, A dead silence pre­vailed during the whole narration, which I alone occasionally inter­rupted, by enquiring whether I spoke the truth. T h e startled young man confirmed every particular, and even, what I had scarcely expected, the last-m entioned.

" T ouched by h is candour, I shook hands with him over the table, and said no m ore. H e asked my name, which I gave him , and we remained together talking till past m idnight. H e is pro­bably still living!

“ •Any explanation o f this phenom enon, by means o f the known laws o f the human mind, would, in the present confined state o f

m “ 1 What demon inspires you ? Must 1 again believe in possession t* exclaimed the spiritual Johann tod Riga, when, in the first hour of our acquaintance, I related his past life to him with the avowed object of learning whether or no I deceived myself. We speculated long an the enigma, but even hi* penetration could not solve it.”

412 S üll more M esm eric N ews from India, ¡fc .

our knowledge, assuredly fail. W e therefore sim ply give the extra­ordinary fact as we fiud it, in the words o f the narrator, tearing the puzzle to he speculated on by our readers. Zschokke adds, that he had m et with others w ho possessed a similar power.

" In gentle alteration o f light and shade, years rolled over the head o f the good philosopher. H e wrote copiously, and h is works hare enjoyed a degree o f popularity few authors can boast of. H e was, moreover, intrusted with many civil offices by the Swiss govern­m ent, on ly one o f which he consented to be paid for, and that yielded scarcely £ 5 0 per annum. *

“ H einrich Zschokke still lives am idst the besutiful lawns and graves o f Blum enhalde, the living representative o f a sound, bene­volent, practical philosophy. N o one can read his autobiography without being a wiser, perhaps a better m an. T h e lessons o f wisdom w hich he inculcates win their way to the m ind, because they are not formally or dictatorially conveyed, but are put forth with a playful kindness, and a graceful esse, w hich are m ore impressive than the haughty solem nity o f less sym pathizing moralists.’

Dr. Elliotson gave tts notice some time ago of a paper which be »preparing on appearances of distant persons, knowledge of past events, of present events at a distance, and of future events, not explicable by one received not ions, &c., &e., and begs us to say how obliged he will feel for authentic accounts of such phenomena.—Zoist.

X I I . S till m ore M esm eric N ews from India, and Surgical Operations, C o m m u n ica te d by D r . E llio tso n .

** Wbfi* la ihli cekbrnitJ *ci*wf Wh*( has bttoote of M NjchIlT" Echo »»w m -- M Nihil I'* Id the whole hlitory of ho into dtlulop theft La hardly a poriUtl to the rapid rL*e, nod atfll tnor« rapid fall of animal fflAKotiltoi In lhb country J It U aa dead 4* Pvrklolto» or ihe rarlagiQf Jufeacmati Southern« 1 1 1* It dow a wtoderlnt, dlfcmbodied ipirU—vkwtm u lh< air, and ill?tit •• the g»are f ■ < » The brief career add tragic tale of «diluai autnetlam may trtrdie a beneftclal lotfaeoee on oor profeiaion1 which, elaat hu proved itaelf—«I teui a portion of II—tn be creduloa* ■■ the itoafmot Afrlcao or the benighted Hindoo I Half a cvdiory hcace, when (he periodical! vf ihl« time are pored over by tome book-wora of ihat day, the liiveitltetor wilt reb hi* eyea aod wipe hi* ipectaclea, on taming to the page! of the Lsxnral j«d Gaxttfe fur J93$- He will tcaictly believe that meo, who*e dame», too, n»vy go down ibe »tream of Ilote, with credit and honour. Id other reapeefa, ifcoald have beeu *o lofaiealed u to give a ommedi'« credroce to aatb oulrafeoti* nriot1 *• tboae of aaltsel mtg- Betlttt»* « . ♦ Sol he will learn with Mil*fiction, that an fltiaw«*UMMi WiJbiiTf or TUI nortiaio* arr mat a race» aoatNat tub inyqotuij bnd bcmutbd tub cniduutt op m il it dblcdid pmiTHBEN- The leiaon bn been placed on record, that aeeh d«|piktni can­not be participated lo, or even eooalroaoced with ImpeoJty. It la quite dooeceaaary to advert to the oiiijfrcdao eooaeqiiescea which have Mlowed Id the train of ibl» momaotary com ta I They will ierve aa a beaeoo to prevent the ablpwreck or otherm,'*— Dr. jàiau Jormon, In h<a Afidice-i hirweicoi itmr*, April, 1399, p* 430.I h a v e re ce iv e d m o r e le tte rs a n d n ew sp a p ers fro m In d ia .

« C a lc u t t a , J u ly 4 ,1 8 4 6 . “ M y d e a r D r . E U io tso n ,— M y c o n s c ie n c e has lo n g b e e n

» Dr. Johnson probably alludes to my practice being reduced to one-third of its former amount by Mr. Wakley's announcement that mes­merism was a c o m p l e t e imposture end e x t i n g u i s h e d b y Aim f o r e v e r . The Coroner, however, has to sit upon it again aud again : he records verdicts in Vain ; it perversely will not be murdered long together. Alter declaring again and again that he bas done for it, and done with it, forever, in his L a n c e t , op it comes agaio nod again, aod he again and again throws the self-same rubbish at it with which he fatally knocked it down in 1838 ; be has “ thrice to slay the slain," and still it lives and mocks him more impudently than ever.

communicated by D r. Etliotson. 413

u p b r a id in g m e fo r n o t b a r in g w ritte n to r e p o r t t o y o u th e g re a t p ro g re ss w h ich m esm erism h as r e ce n t ly b e e n m a k in g in th is d is ta n t n e ig h b o u r h o o d ; b u t in tru th 1 a m s o op p ressed b y p u b lic d u ties , as t o h a re b e e n co m p e lle d to a b a n d o n all priv a te c o r r e s p o n d e n ce fo r th e last tw o years. I re ce n tly , h o w e v e r , h a d a n o p p o r tu n ity o f v is it in g H o o g h ly , a n d w it­n e ss in g som e o f D r . E a d a ile ’ s op e ra t io n s , w h ich I c a n n o t re fra in fro m m e n tio n in g to y o n , as th e y com pletely convinced me o f their perfect freedom from pain or suffering o f any kind to the patients w h o w ere th e su b je c ts o f th e m . 1 w rote D r . E sd a ile a b r ie f n o te , w h ich h e p u b lish e d in th e n e w s­p a p ers h ere , a n d o f w h ich 1 sen d y o u a c o p y b y th e p re se n t m a il. T h e su rg ica l d e ta ils o f th e cases b e w ill h im s e lf p u b ­lish . T h e tu m o r r e m o v e d , to g e th e r w ith th e d iseased testes , m u st h a v e w e ig h e d a t lea st 5 0 l b s . : th e c a n c e r o f th e co lis w as a d re a d fu l lo o k in g m ass o f d isease : a n d th e p a r in g o f th e u lce r a te d h ee l, a b o u t as p a in fu l a n a p p lica tion o f th e k n ife as c o u ld b e re so r te d t o : y e t , in e a ch a n d a ll, th ere w as entire absence o f every— even the slightest— indication o f p h y s ica l su ffe r in g . I n o t o n ly satisfied m yself o f th is, b u t carefully watched every movement o f the patients, to discover the fain test ray o f feelin g , but without success. D r . E sd a ile h as, a s y o u are aw are , n o w p e r fo rm e d m o r e th an o n e h u n d re d m e sm e r ic o p e r a t io n s ; a n d so g re a t is h is su ccess , as w e ll as th e c o n fi­d e n ce w h ich th e n atives fa r an d w id e h a v e in h is sk ill, h u m a n ­ity , an d th e p a in less n a tu re o f h is cu res , th a t scarcely a case o f elephantiasis o f the scrotum is now to be met with in a Calcutta hospital.0 P eople o f all classes, and with every species o f ailments are resorting to him, an d in m ost in ­s ta n ces w ith b en e fit t o th em se lv es . H e is o n e o f th e m o s t a b le , w e ll-r e a d , a n d p r o fic ie n t m e m b e rs o f th e B e n g a l M e d ic a l S e rv ice , an d I am q u ite su re , h is su cce ss fu l p u rsu it o f th e su b je c t , fo r w h ich y o u have sa cr ificed so m u ch , w ill b e a g re a t an d tru e so u r ce o f d e lig h t t o y o u .

" W i t h e v e ry s in ce re w ish fo r y o u r h ea lth a n d h ap p in ess, b e lie v e m e ,

“ E v e r y o u r ’ s m ost tru ly ," F r ed er ic k J. M ooat.

“ J . E l l io t s o n , E s q . M .D . , & c . & c . & c.”

D r . M o n a t is o n e o f th e m ed ica l p ro fessors a t C a lcu tta , an d th e fo llo w in g is h is p u b lic le tte r , a c co m p a n ie d b y o n e fr o m a c le rg y m a n . A fr ien d o f m in e saw a le tte r fr o m th e

o Mr. Riotoul'a observations at pp. 299, 3**0, now appear to striking advantage. Patients going to Hough I j in preference to lie great hospital* of Cate olta J

4 1 4 SHU m ore M esm eric N ews from India, t$c.

B is h o p o f C a lcu tta , d e s cr ib in g a p a in less te rr ific o p e ra t io n w h ich h e w itn essed . D r . M o u a t saw a ll m y m esm er ic p h e ­n o m e n a a n d cu re s a t U n iv e rs ity C o lle g e H o s p i t a l : an d h a d t o o m u c h sen se n o t t o b e lie v e , a n d to o m u c h v irtu e to c o n c e a l h is b e lie f.

Englishman, J u n e 1 0 , 1 8 4 6 .“ M y d ea r D r . E sd a ile ,— I co n s id e r m y s e l f m u ch in d e b te d

to y o u , fo r th e k in d m a n n e r in w h ich y o n p e rm itte d m e to w itn ess y o u r o p e ra t io n s o n M o n d a y la st, u p o n fiv e p a tien ts , w h o h a d b e e n s u b je c te d to th e m e sm e r ic io f lu e n c e , b e fo re b e in g s u b m itte d to th e k n ife . I t w o u ld b e n e e d le s fo r m e to e n te r in to a n y d e ta il o f cases , w h ich I d o u b t n o t w ill b e m o re a c c u r a te ly a n d m in u te ly r e co rd e d b y y o u r s e l f ; a t th e sam e t im e , I d e e m it t o b e o n ly fa ir a n d ju s t tow a rd s y o u , t o state my com plete conviction, th a t th e o p e ra t io n s in q u e st io n w ere total fended with any physical suffering t o th e in d iv id u a ls w ho w e re th e su b je c ts o f th e m .

“ T w o o f th e p a tien ts d id n o t a p p ea r to b e in a p e r fe c t sta te o f m e sm e r ic c o m a , a n d y e t , e v e n in th ese cases , b e y o n d a tre m u lo u s m o v e m e n t o f th e u p p er e y e -lid s , a n d sp a sm o d ic a c t io n o f th e m u sc les o f th e fa ce a o d n e c k , w ith a lo w m o a n ­in g , a ll o f w h ich m a y a n d d id ex ist w ith o u t th e o c c u r r e n c e o f p a in o r se n s ib ility , th e m e n p o s it iv e ly d e c la re d th e ir en tire fr e e d o m fr o m su ffe r in g o f a n y k in d .

" I e x a m in e d th e state o f th e pulse in th e in d iv id u a l fr o m w h o m y o u re m o v e d th e scro ta l tu m o r , b o t h d u r in g a n d im m e ­d ia te ly a fte r th e o p e ra t io n , a n d f o o n d it t o b e so ft, fu ll , a n d

fr e e from any o f the agitation, or other effects, usually attend­ant upon surgical operations.

“ The com plete freedom <ff the countenances o f th ree o f th e m e n from distress, anxiety, and suffering, b o th d u r in g th e m e s m e r ic sta te a n d im m e d ia te ly o n w a k in g , was particularly striking, a n d a ttra cte d th e a tte n tio n o f m o s t o f th ose w h o w ere p resen t.

" 1 sh all n o t fa il t o re la te th e re su lts o f m y v isit t o m y fr ie n d a n d fo rm e r P ro fe sso r , D r . E U iotson , w h o w ill, I am su re , d er iv e th e liv e lie st sa tis fa c tio n fr o m y o o r su cce ss fu l a n d h u m a n e e x e rt io n s in th e a llev ia tion o f h u m a n su ffe r in g ,

“ I r e m a in , m y d ea r D r . E sd a ile ," Y o u rs v ery s in cere ly ,

“ F reij. J . M o c a t .“ M e d ic a l C o lle g e , C a lcu tta ,

" J u n e 3 r d , 1 8 4 6 ."

“ B e in g a c c id e n ta lly at C h iu su ra h , o w iu g to th e d a n g e ro u s

communicated by D r. E iliotson. 415

illn ess o f & n e a r re la tive , a n d h a v in g o b ta in e d D r . E s d a ile 's k in d p erm iss ion , I p ro ce e d e d o n M o n d a y m o r n in g last t o th e H o o g h ly E m a m b a rra h H o sp ita l, w h ere I h ad b e e n in fo rm e d sev era l su rg ica l o p e ra t io n s w ou ld b e p e r fo rm e d o n p a tien ts th r o w n artific ia lly in to m a g n e tic o r m e s m e r ic sleep ,

tf O n m y arriva l a t th e H o sp ita l, I w as sh e w n a n a tiv e w o m a n w h ose le ft le g h a d , tw o d a y s be fo re , b e e n a m p u ta ted , w h ile sh e was in a m e s m e r ic tra n ce , an d fo u n d h e r n o t o n ly q u ite easy , b u t a b so lu te ly liv e ly . T h e B e n g a le e la n g u a g e b e in g fa m ilia r t o m e , I sp e n t 1 0 m in u te s in co n v e rsa t io n w ith th is w o m a n , d a r in g w h ich sh e to ld m e th at w h en h e r le g was ta k e n o ff , sh e d id n o t fee l th e least sen sa tion o f p a in ; in d e e d , th a t e v e n o n h e r w a k in g , sh e w as n o t aw a re th at th e o p e r a ­t io n h ad b e e n p e r fo rm e d , a n d c o u ld o n ly b e lie v e it w h e n she h a d o c u la r d e m o n stra tio n o f it . S h e m o re o v e r ad d ed , th a t s in ce th e o p e ra t io n , sh e h ad e x p e r ie n ce d n o u n p lea sa n t fe e l­in g , e x ce p t a s lig h t h eat o r b u r n in g a t th e e n d o f the s tu m p . I w as q u ite sa tis fied th at sh e sp o k e th e tru th ,r w h en I p er ­c e iv e d th a t th e o n ly c o n c e rn sh e seem ed to h av e , w as to k n o w h o w sh e w o u ld m a n a g e to m o v e a b o u t , w h en p e rm itte d to leave h e r b e d ; a n d sh e fe lt n o t a lit t le c o m fo r t e d , w h en I to ld h e r th at n o d o u b t sh e w o u ld b e su p p lie d w ith cru tch e s , w h ich w ou ld r e n d e r lo c o m o t io n p r a c t ic a b le a n d easy .

“ A t 11 ^ , th e o p e ra t io n s fo r th e d a y c o m m e n c e d . T h e se w e re five in n u m b e r , a n d several e v id e n t ly o f th e m o s t d a n ­g e ro u s d e scr ip tio n . I m u st say, th a t in m y o p in io n , th r e e o f th ese a t lea st c o u ld u n d e r o rd in a ry c ircu m sta n ce s n o t h ave ta k e n p la ce w ith o u t v io le n t s tru g g le s , sh riek s, a n d o th e r e x ­p ress ion s o f d e e p a n g u ish b e in g e lic it e d fr o m th e p a t ie n ts ; a n d y e t all five, d u r in g th e o p era tion s , rem a in ed p e r fe c t ly ca lm a n d p a ssive , an d a p p a re n tly in th e so u n d e st s le e p — n o m o v e m e n t o f th e ir b o d y b e in g p e rce p t ib le , w ith th e e x ce p t io n o f th e usual h e a v in g o f th e ch e s t w h e n b re a th in g . O n e o n ly w as o c ca s io n a lly s lig h tly g ro a n in g , th o u g h , as w ill a p p ear in th e se q u e l, u n c o n s c io u s ly to h im se lf. A m e d ica l g e n t le m a n p re se n t, w h o m I req u ested to fe e l th e pulse o f th e p a tien ts , d e c la re d it w as natural, a n d in d ic a t in g no excitem ent w hatever, T h e ir fea tures , a ll th e t im e , w ere com posed as in n a tu ra l

p How different the treatment experienced by this poor woman at the hands of the clergyman, Dr. Mooat, and the other gentlemen, from that of the poor Nottinghamshire man at the baada of the assembled members of the Royal Medical and Chirnrgical Societj or Loadon, who without hesitation or reserve denounced him as a well-trained impostor, and scorned to have the invaluable fact recorded in their minutes. Tbe Societj stained itself for ever, like University College: no time will ever eras« the blot. Mr. Wall ley's day of victorious insult to the innocent and afflicted on the one hand, and to tbe humble observer of nature on the other, is past.

4 1 6 S till tnore M esm eric N ews from India, tçc.

s le e p , w ith o u t e x h ib it in g a n y co n tra c t io n s o f th e m u sc le s , o r a n y o th e r ex te rn a l s ig n o f su ffe r in g .

“ A f t e r th e five o p e r a t io n s h ad b e e n su cce ss iv e ly e n d e d , a n d th e p a tien ts had r e co v e re d th e ir c o n sc io u sn e ss , I w e n t t o th e b e d s id e o f each o f th e m w ith a n u m b e r o f th e g e n t le m e n p r e s e n t , a n d a sk e d a ll sep a ra te ly w h eth er th e y h a d fe lt a n y p a in d u r in g th e o p e ra t io n . E very one fo r himself, and with- out having heard what the others had said, r e p lie d , h e h a d e x p e r ie n ce d no pain whatever, an d , in d e e d , h a d no idea till a fter waking that anything extraordinary had been done to him . I fu r th e r e n q u ire d o f th e m w h e th e r th e y then fe lt an y p a in : tw o a n sw ered th e y fe lt none at alt, a n d th e o th e rs sa id th e y h a d m e re ly a sen sa tion o f u n u su al h ea t a b o u t th e p arts o p e ra te d u p o n . 1 th e n p u t th e q u estion t o th e in d iv id u a l w h o h ad o c ca s io n a lly g ro a n e d d u r in g th e o p e ra t io n , as t o w h y h e h a d d o n e s o P H e re p lie d , th a t h e was not at all aware o f having groaned, an d th a t all he knew was that he had fu st awoke from a sound sleep.

“ M y d e c id e d o p in io n , fro m the expressions o f the patients, w h ich w ere u tte re d in th e m o s t artless a n d u n a m b ig u o u s m a n ­n e r p o ss ib le , was, th a t th e y h ad n o t ex p e r ie n ce d th e s lig h te s t p a in o r p a n g w h ile th e o p e ra t io n s w e re b e in g p e r fo rm e d , an d , a fte rw a rd s , th a t th e b u r n in g sen sa tion w h ich tw o o f th e m c o m p la in e d o f , w as e v id e n t ly s o tr iflin g as b a re ly t o d eserv e th e n a m e o f p a in . M y own eyes/ m o re o v e r , c o n v in ce d m e th a t th e y h ad n o t in th e lea st m o v e d o r sh ru n k d u r in g th e p a in fu l o p e ra t io n s , a n d th a t , su b se q u e n tly , th e y w e re ca lm , c o lle c te d , a n d ev en ch e e r fu l, to a d e g re e I w o u ld h a v e th o u g h t im p o ss ib le in a u y p e rso n s p la ced in th e sam e c ircu m sta n ce s . T h e a b o v e are s im p le , u n v a rn ish ed fa c ts , f r o m w h ich th e re a d e r o f th is s ta te m e n t m a y d raw h is o w n c o n c lu s io n s .

“ N o t b e in g a m ed ica l m a n , I fe e l in co m p e te n t to d e s cr ib e th e op e ra t io n s th at w ere u n d e r ta k e n , n o r d o I d eem it n e ce s ­sa ry to g iv e h ere an o p in io n o n th e s u b je c t o f m esm erism in g e n e ra l. S u ffice it t o sa y , th a t a fte r w itn ess in g w h a t I d id , I d o c o n s id e r m esm erism as a v a lu a b le g i f t o f G o d ’ s P r o v i­d e n c e / w h ich , w h en sea son a b ly u sed , m a y p r o v e th e m ea n s

q What a strnoge fancy of the reverend gentleman to believe bis own eyes, when Or. Johnson declared io the Medical Society that he would not have believed the facia of the Nottinghamshire amputation had he witoeaaed them, (see my Pamphlet, p. 19.) and so have many other medical persons.

r Here again it is impossible not to think of Dr, Copland and of Mr, Rintoul, who differ so widely from this divine. 1 have just seen a letter from a worthy surgeon, who also differs aa widely from him. After read­ing T k r Z n U t he begins by saying, that “ the eases in it are only such as are occasionally presented to the cognisance of an enlightened physician in extensive practice.” But, 1. the medical profession deny most of such facts, even independent of mesmerism, as are related in T h e Z o i t t .- and, 2.

communicated by D r, E lliot son. 4 1 7

o f a lle v ia t in g m u ch h u m a n su ffe r in g a n d m ise ry , an d w h ich , th e re fo re , o u g h t to b e th a n k fu lly r e ce iv e d an d a c k n o w le d g e d . A t th e sam e tim e , 1 c a n n o t b u t exp ress m y d e e p c o n v ic t io n , g a th e re d fr o m w hat 1 saw , th a t m esm er ism , in o rd e r to b e r e n d e re d re a lly b en e fic ia l an d sa fe fro m a b u se , sh o u ld o n n o a c c o u n t b e p ra ctise d b y a n y b u t medical m en : a n d e v e n b y th em , fo r m edical purposes only.

" A . F . L a c r o i x .“ M iss io n a ry o f th e L o n d o n M iss io n a ry S o c ie ty ,

“ C h in su ra h , T h u rsd a y , J u n e 4 th , 1 8 4 6 ."

T h e n e x t p u b lic le t te r was w ritten b y D r . W e b b , a n o th er P ro fe sso r in th e M e d ic a l C o lle g e o f C a lcu tta .

" To Ihe E ditor o f the Bengal Hurkaru," J u n e 4 th , 1 8 4 6 .

" S i r ,— T h ere is n o w n o M edical Journal a t th is p re s id e n cy , I w ill th e re fo re tr o u b le y o u t o p u b lish th is n arra tive . I t m u st in te re s t a ll m e n — fo r all a re lia b le t o su ffer . B u t a lth o u g h I g iv e y o u m y n a m e , u n less y o n th in k it re q u ire s su ch c o n fir ­m a tio n , I w o u ld ra th er y o u o m itte d it.

" I h ea rd fro m an e x -s tu d e n t o f th e M e d ic a l C o l le g e th a t D r . E sd a ile w as a b o u t to p e r fo rm som e op e ra tio n s in su rg e ry d u r in g th e m e sm e r ic tra n ce . I set o ff , th in k in g th a t no medi­cal man is justified tn neglecting any opportunities that may ad­vance Ms knowledge in medical science, and o f the best method1 o f relieving human suffering. I fo u n d o n arriva l a t th e fa m e d Im a m b a rra H o sp ita l, the compound* was fu ll o f carriages a n d th a t I w as n o t th e o n ly d is c ip le o f E scu la p iu s w h o th o u g h t it w orth w h ile to g o fifty m iles in se a rch o f tru th . O n e o f th e P r e s id e n c y S u rg e o n s , D r . C h a lm e r s ; th e S e cre ta ry to th e

enlightened physicians cannot strictly bn Mid to sen such facts, because the facts related are related as the effects of certain processes which they never condescend to perform, or if they see performed deny to produce any such effects, tie concludes, “ How far is it compatible with the gift of healing described in Scripture, to my judgment it trenches upon Atheism and robs God of his glory ; and therefore it is a science 1 am not anxious to dive into." This jumble of thoughts is too hard for me. But it is remarkable bow many persons who pass most admirably in society prove to have only a Jumble of thoughts if you push them closely.

> How different from Sir B. Brodie, Or. Chambers, aod so many other doctors and surgeons of nil grades of importance io Great Britain and Ireland, who have declared over and over aguin that they would not go and see mesmerism ; and hitherto have kept their word. But they will not al­ways he able to keep it. They will be pushed in by tbe pressure from with­out like my worthy country friend sddo to be mentioned (p.4i8).

< This name of the ground surrounding a building in Bengal is, 1 under­stand, a corruption of the Italian word, c a w t p a g x i a .

q One cause of the grumbling and misery of my late colleagues at Uni­versity College was the number of carriages collected.

4 1 8 S till m o r e M esm eric N ews from India,- IfC .

C o u n c il o f E d u c a t io n , D r . M o u a t ; a n o th e r p r o fe ss o r o f th e M e d ic a l C o lle g e , D r . A lla n W e b b ; th e c iv il su rg e o n o f H o w ­ra h , D r . G r e e n ; bes id es D r . M e R a e , a n d 1 d are sa y m a n y o th e rs ,— h ad b ra v ed th e te rro rs o f a b u r n in g su n to a rr iv e a t H o o g h ly b y 11 o 'c lo c k . B u t th ere w e re o th e rs b es id es M e d i ­ca l sp ecta tors , R e v e re n d C le rg y m e n , th e V e n e r a b le th e A r c h ­d e a co n a n d th e R e v e re n d M r . L a c r o ix ; b e s id e s J u d g e s , M a ­g istra tes , a n d o th e r C iv ilia n s, as M r . R u ss e l, M r . S a m u els , M r . Y o u n g . M ilita r y m e n a lso as M a jo r G r e e n ; b e s id e s m e r ­ch a n ts a n d m e n o f s c ie n ce . M r . S im m s a p p ea red t o b e au o b se rv a n t sp e cta to r o f th is e x tra o rd in a ry scen e .

“ O n p a ss in g in to th e o p e r a t in g ro o m , (an o p e n p la ce o n o n e s id e o f a sq u a re o p e n c o u r t )— th e p a tie n ts t o b e op era ted u p o n w ere seen s le e p in g p r o fo u n d ly ; at th e h ea d o f e a ch b e d — le a n in g o v e r th e p a tie n ts , w ere th e n ative m esm erisers in fu ll o p e ra t io n — d ra w in g th e ir fin g ers o v e r th e n o se to th e to p o f th e h ead , b re a th in g o n th e s leep ers , & c.

“ A t a s ig n a l fr o m th e d o c to r , th e first m a n w as b r o u g h t o u t o n h is b e d fo r th e rem ov a l o f a la rg e E le p h a n to id tu m o u r , th e v ery s ize o f w h ich ap p eared to aston ish so m e o f th e sp e c ta ­to r s . D r . E sd a ile v ery c o o lly s e t a b o u t r e m o v in g i t — h is m o d e o f o p e r a t in g w as p ecu lia r— a n d h e w o rk e d w ith a le isu re ly m a n n e r th at c o n v in c e d m e b e h a d th e m o s t c e r ta in c o n v ic t io n th a t he w a s 'g iv in g no pain, a n d , th e re fo re , in n o h u rry . T h e m a n n e v e r a w ok e— b u t w ith th e e x c e p t io n o f o n e o r tw o u n ­easy starts— a n d s lig h t g ro a n s , su ch as o n e sees in an u n ea sy d rea m , at w h ich t im es th e n a tive m esm er iser (w h o q u ie t ly c o n ­t in u e d h is op e ra t io n s a ll a lo n g )— seem ed to r e d o u b le h is b re a th ­in g s an d passes, w ith th e e ffe c t o f r e d u c in g th e tr o u b le d r e s ­p ira t io n , w h en th e regular pulse and regular respiration con­tinued to the end o f the operation, in w h ich w ere re m o v e d b e s id e s th e m ass o f d isease, o rg a n s , w h ich are n a tu ra lly e n ­d o w e d w ith e x q u is ite se n s ib ility . N o w th is m a n w as la id o n o n e s ide, re m o v e d w ith h is b e d to the side o f the same room. T h e D o c t o r a ll “ d a b b le d w ith b l o o d / ’ a g o r y sp e cta c le fo r th o se w h o c o u ld see , s tep p ed in t o th e o th e r b a c k a p a rtm en t (b u t m e re ly sep arated fr o m th e o p e r a t in g r o o m b y a r a n g e o f p illa rs ), a n d o rd e re d o u t a n o th e r m a n . N o w th is is so c o n ­trary to o u r usual m a n a g e m e n ts a n d c o n ce a lm e n ts , ns to b e v ery s tr ik in g . T h e sa m e n o n c h a la n c e w as e v id e n t in D r . E sd a ile ’ s m a n n e r o f h a n d lin g a h o rr ib le case o f ca n ce r , and even striking in his knife ju st to ascertain how fa r the disease ex ­tended. T h is m ass w h ich h e re a lso was re m o v e d in c lu d e d th e sa m e parts, an d was e q u a lly e n d o w e d w ith e x q u is ite se n s ib ility . T h e m a n never awoke— never s o fa r as I r e c o lle c t even started — an d slept quietly afterwards, as q u ie t ly as b e fo r e th e op era -

, com municated by D r. E lliotson, 4 1 9

t io u . H e and hi* bed were moved to the other com er o f the tam e room . T h e D o c t o r n ev er , i t w as c le a r , th o u g h t o f s h o c k ­in g a th ir d m a n , fo r h e and h is m e sm e r ise r ca m e o u t , u n a p ­p a lle d b y th e d o c to r 's sh irt-s leeves n ow o f a p re tty u n ifo r m cr im s o n . A la rg e d eep r a g g e d u lce r u p o n th e h e e l, w as

?ared d o w n as c o o lly as a fa rr ie r p a res th e h o rse 's h o o f, l e n e v e r s t ir red , slept like a child , a n d w h en th e d o c to r

le ft his h oof w h en p a red , th e re it la y , b le e d in g , i t is tru e , b u t a v ery re sp e c ta b le lo o k in g fin ish g iv e n to it . H a d th e m a n b e e n se n s ib le , th is w o u ld have b e e n to r tu r e so e x cr u c ia t ­in g th a t I h av e h ea rd th e h o sp ita l r in g w ith th e sh r ie k s o f p a tien ts fo r w h om it is n ecessary .

" A n o th e r s leep er w as b r o u g h t o u t a n d tu rn e d o v e r to th e su b -a ss ista n t su r g e o n . T h e o p e ra t io n w as n o t a p a in fu l o n e ; b u t th e m a n Blept o n , a n d 1 ob serv ed th e m esm eriser , an o ld e r m a n th a n th e o th e rs , w ith o u t b e in g o r d e re d , o r e v en n o t ic e d th a t I k n ew o f b y a n y b u t m y se lf, b lo w sh a rp ly in th e m a n 's fa ce an d m a k e o n e o r tw o rev ersed p a sse s ; th e m a n a w ok e lo o k in g w ith th e h a lf a n g ry lo o k o f a d is tu rb ed s leep er, w id e a w a k e ; ’ b u t k n o w in g n o th in g o f w h a t h a d b e e n d o n e to h im u n t il h e lo o k e d . I t was th e im p ress ion o n m y m in d th a t th e m esm er iser w as h e a rtily t ire d an d g la d to g e t a w a y ; h e n c e h e to o k th e first o p p o r tu n ity to b e o ff .

“ B y an d b y e th e o th e r sleep ers a w o k e ; each and all de­clared publicly, w h en th e y w ere q u e st io n e d in B e n g a lle e b y th e R e v . M r . L a c r o ix , th a t they knew nothing nor fe lt anything whatever q f the operation. 1 h a v e seen m a n y w h o h a v e su f­fe re d th ese ser iou s m u tila t io n s w h ich th e y su ffe red w ith th e cold sweat o f agony bubbling up fo r hours afterw ards; and a pulse so depressed that it was hazardous to move them ; WHEREAS THESE WEE* QUITE CHATTY AND LIVELY. D r . E sd a ile ex p la in e d th e rea son s , (v ery w e ig h ty ) th a t in d u c e d h im n o t to d e la y th e a m p u ta t io n o f a w o m a n 's le g w h om I saw . She never suffered a pang. I ca n n o t bu t state m y firm c o n v ic t io n a fte r h a v in g seen th e w o m a n , th a t she must have died i f operated upon in the usual manner.

" T h i s p e rso n , a n d th e la rg e E le p h a n to id tu m o r case , w ere not only saved pain , but a vast amount o f vital depression, which might in either case have proved fa ta l.

" N o w I h ave s im p ly s ta ted th ese fa cts , as a te s t im o n y to th e im p o rta n t b e n e fits D r . E sd a ile is c o n fe r r in g u p o n th e p o o r a n d w re tch ed n atives . H e doeB n o t m esm erise th ese , h e tea ch es o th e rs ; h e o rd e rs o th e rs , a n d th e y d o i t so e f fe c ­tu a lly th a t th e d o c to r n e v e r o n ce lo o k e d a t an y o f h is p a tien ts w h ilst o p e r a t in g . H e seem s p e r fe c t ly assu red th a t they are spell-bound— no body holds them down. T h e y m ig h t k ic k as

4 2 0 S iili more M esm eric N ews from India, t$c.

m u c h as th e y lik e — b u t they do not stir. H e is not afraid o f the others being awoke by their shrieks. H e never puts them in different room s; they who are to be operated upon, and they who have been operated upon, are all in the same room . P eople talk as loud as they like— nay even laugh— and that awe which the hardiest usually experience, which the sight o f human suf­ferin g naturally inspires, is here q u it e b a n is h e d .

" I n fin e , th a t w h ich m a k es th e b o ld e s t a n d b est o f us r e c o il fro m su rg ica l in te r fe re n c e so lo n g as w e p o s s ib ly c a n ; a n d alas, so m e tim e s lo n g e r th an w e o u g h t to d o ; th a t m a k e s a lm o st a ll n a tive p a tie n ts res is t, u n t il life a n d lim b is lo s t to g e th e r . T h e n atu ra l d re a d o f p a in is e n tire ly re m o v e d ; th e r e is n o resis ta n ce o f th e m u s c le s ; u o re b e llio u s sta rtin g , at th e m ost c r it ic a l p e r io d . I t is, I b e lie v e , q u ite as easy w ith m esm er ism t o o p e ra te u p o n th e liv in g as u p o n th e d e a d .

“ I c a n n o t c o n c e iv e , it is h a rd ly p o ss ib le t o te l l , h o w m u ch g o o d m a y b e e ffe c te d b y th o se w h o se h ig h m o r a l c o n s c ie n ­tio u sn e ss co n fin e s th e o p e ra t io n o f th e ir w o n d e r fu l p o w e r to a u u se w h ich w e c a n n o t lo o k u p o n b u t as le g it im a te . A n d th e sa tis fa ction o f h a v in g c o n tr ib u te d to s o g re a t An a m o u n t o f a llev ia tion to h u m a n p a in a n d m isery , w ill, I c a n n o t d o u b t , a ffo rd h ig h e r g ra tifica t io n t o D r , E s d a ile , th a n th e h o n o r e v en o f in tr o d u c in g in to In d ia , th is w o n d e r fu l im p ro v e m e n t in op era tive su rg e ry .

“ J u n e 2 n d , 1 8 4 6 . “ A . W . ”

T h e assem b la g e o f c ro w d s b o th o f a n d n o t o f th e p ro ­fess ion at th e H o o g h ly h o sp ita l r e m in d s m e o f w h a t w as th e ca se in 1 8 3 8 a t U n iv e rs ity C o lle g e H o sp ita l. B u t h o w d iffe r ­e n t was th e re su lt 1 T h e m o s t w o n d e r fu l an d e x q u is ite p h y s io ­lo g ic a l p h e n o m e n a w e re d e m o n stra te d :v an d a su rg ica l o p e ­r a t io n ,— th e in tr o d u c t io n o f a s e to n in to th e n e ck o f th e e ld e r O k e y , w as p e r fo rm e d w ith ou t h er e v in c in g th e s lig h te s t k n o w ­le d g e o f w h a t w as d o n e , t i ll , a fte r b e in g aw a k en ed , o n tu r n in g h e r h ea d sh e s u d d e n ly fe lt s o m e th in g u n u su a l, an d p u t h er h a n d to it , s a y in g s o m e b o d y m u st h a v e p in c h e d h er in h e r s leep . M y co lle a g u e s to ta lly d is re g a rd e d th e w o n d e r fu l fa cts a n d trea ted th e p a in less o p e ra t io n w ith so v e re ig n c o n t e m p t : in In d ia , th e p ro fess ion g o an d w itn ess m esm er ism , a n d th e n n o b ly p u b lish th e ir te s t im o n y . I m a k e th e fo llo w in g e x tra ct fr o m m y L e t t e r t o th e S tu d e n ts o n m y re s ig n a tio n .

“ A t length, in 1837, m y attention became directed to a subject which, though utterly neglected in this country, was receiving great attention on the continent. Certain wonderful phenom ena, and cer­

* [ recollect Mr. Rtaloul witnessed them.

communicated by D r, E lliot ton. 421

tain m odes o f producing these phenom ena and o f curing diseases ill-understood and difficult to cure, were vouched for by men o f the highest inform ation and the soundest judgm ent; and I felt it m y duty to investigate the matter. I soon found that there was a fund o f truth in what I had heard and read,— that an ageut o r agency existed which had been overlooked; and m y enquiries were soon attended with snch results that a large num ber o f medical men, m ost distinguished Noblem en, nay Boyality itself, M em bers o f the H ouse o f Com m ons, som e o f the first men o f science in the country, P ro­fessors o f O xford, Cambridge, K in g 's College, and Edinburgh, the Presidents o f the Royal and Lineman Societies, and Teachers o f tbe various H ospitals, flocked to witness m y facts. Som e o f these gentlemen made handsome donations to tbe H ospital in consequence, and others expressed their intention to d o the same, but have de­clined in consequence o f m y resignation. T h is soon excited envy, and this excited a com m otion ; and M r. Richard Quain advised m e to desist. H e urged that, whether the wonderful facts were true or not, and whether great benefit in the treatment o f diseases would result or not, we ought to consider the interests o f the S ch oo l;— not o f science and humanity, observe— but o f the S c h o o l: that, i f the public did not regard the matter as true and the benefits as real, we ought not to persevere and risk the loss o f public favour to the School; that I was rich, and could afford to lose m y practice for what I believed the truth, but that others were n o t :— in short, his argument was ‘ rem — rent;’ and * victim p o s t nitm m ot.’ I replied that the Institution was established for the dissemination and discovery o f truth ; that all other considerations were secondary to t h is ; that, i f the public were ignorant, we should enlighten them ; that we should lead the public, and not the public u s ; and that the sole question was, whether the matter were a truth o r not. I laughed at the idea o f injury to tbe pecuniary interests o f the School.

" T he com m otion increased. M y demonstrations were debated upon at meetings o f the Faculty, and discussions went on between members o f the Council, and Professors, an exquisite Secretary, and other more hum ble holders o f office. A t one meeting o f the medicsl faculty, D r. Davis boasted that he had seen none o f m y experiments aDd should have considered h im self disgraced i f he ba a ; that animal magnetism had been proved above forty years ago to be a perfect hum bug and im posture; and that it was now in as bad repute with the

Public ns Christianity had been at its first promulgation. D r. A . T .hom pson boasted that he had seen none o f the facts, and, though

invited by m y clinical clerk to observe them while visiting his own pa­tients in the same ward, that he had declined the invitation. Dr. Davis declared that he never could procure a vacant bed because I detained m y patients so lon g in order to mesmerise them ; and Dr. Thom pson that patients would not apply for admission, lest they should be mes­merised, and that others left the Hospital, to avoid mesmeric treat­ment. But, when I enquired o f the officer whom I understood to have furnished these absurdities, he assured me that he was blameless and made the general scape-goat o f the place; and he entreated me to

VOL. iv . o a

422 S till more M esm eric News from India, tfc.

accept his denial without an enquiry which would em broil him with the Professors. N ot conceiving that anything but reputation could accrue to the H ospital from the dem onstration o f physiological and pathological facts to crowds o f the first men in the country, am ong whom were characters totally opposed in politics to the place and who otherwise never would have entered it, 1 persevered. T he President o f the College— L ord Brougham and five other members o f the Council did not refuse to attend the dem onstrations; nor did the Professors o f the Faculty o f A rts ; nor Dr. Grant, D r. Lindley, nor M r. Graham. But, with the exception o f these three last gentlemen, whose conduct throughout has com m anded m y respect, I never saw any o f the medical faculty : i f any ever were present, it could have been only to reconnoitre unobserved by m e. T he Irish , the W elsh, and four o f the six Scotch medical Professors, held meeting after meeting o f the faculty or o f the H ospital com m ittee, w hich m y dis­gust prevented me from attending. A t these meetings I know that the most bitter feelings against m e were manifested, and matters dis­cussed which were perfectly irrelevant, but the introduction o f which showed the hostility o f certain parties. I have always acted in the m ost honourable and correct m anner; and dare any examination o f m y condnct. I had, however, given great offence by urging, with the senate o f the London University, the hardship and inutility o f com pelling attendance upon particular courses o f lectures, and es­pecially upon lectures on m orbid anatomy because the m orbid anatomy o f a disease is as much a part o f the disease, and as much to be explained at length in lectures nu the practice o f medicine, surgery, and midwifery, as the sym ptom s and h istory ; and, indeed, cannot be taught with advantage separately from the sym ptom s. D istinct lectures on m orbid anatomy m ust be superfluous, i f professors o f the practice o f medicine, surgery, and midwifery perform their d u ly : and the London University has at last yielded to the opinion I de­fended. I found that I also had given great offence by declaring in public that the College was founded, not for the Professors, but for the diffusion o f knowledge, and that the fees o f the Professors were but a secondary consideration and established solely to induce them to diffuse knowledge.

11 A m ong the puerilities talked by the Professors, both at these meetings and out o f them, it was predicted that the number o f medical students would be seriously reduced the ensuing winter, that not one would come from Bristol, and that I should nave scarcely any class at all.

" A t length D r. L indley and M r. C ooper waited upon me in the name o f the M edical Com m ittee o f the Hospital. T hey brought the follow ing acknowledgm ent o f m y right to practise mesmerism in the H osp ita l:—

“ Resolved—* That the (Medical) Committee fully recognize Dr. Elliot- son's undoubted right to employ animal magnetism as a remedial agent in the wards of the Hospital, when he considers it necessary to do so. But Ihst the Committee are anxious to know whether Dr. Elliotson has been correctly understood as not intending to continue in the Hospital the exhibition of the experiments on that subject.’

communicated by D r. E lliot ton, 4 2 3

" D r, Lindley and M r. Cooper confessed to m e that they could not im agine that m y dem onstrations would hurt the hospital; and Dr. Lindley, in his ow n noble and honest manner, declared that he thought the facts which he had witnessed were very curious and de­served investigation. T h e feeling, however, for what reason they could not tell, was so strong, that they conceived m y beat course was to give up the dem onstrations. M r. Cooper suggested, as in­deed D r. Davis had done, that I should show the patients in my own house, or som e house in the neighbourhood. D r. Davis recom m ended a public-house. But I declined to exhibit hospital patients to a num ber o f persons anywhere but in the hospital. For the sake o f peace, therefore, I consented never to show the pheno­mena again in the theatre o f the Hospital, unless m y colleagues approved o f the list o f those to whom I wished to dem onstrate them : and both gentlemen agreed that this ought to content the party. I t , however, did not content them . T hey still » fu s e d to com e and ex­amine into the phenom ena; and, when I sent to the medical com ­mittee a list o f many o f the highest names in and out o f the pro­fession , w ho had applied for permission to witness m y facts, they absolutely refused to read it. T he following are the words o f the official answer o f the secretary:—

“ ■July 5,1838.“ ‘ Your letter, addressed to the Medical Commities yesterday, was forth­

with laid before the meeting specially summoned for ita consideration. The Committee determined not to read the list of names appended thereto.'

“ I had proposed that a com m ittee should be form ed to investi­gate m y observations. It was to consist o f gentlemen from different schools, and I requested Drs. Grant, Lindley, and Sharpey, and M r. Graham to be upon it. M r. Graham declined on the score o f b is great engagements, but Dra. Grant and Lindley consented. From D r. Sharpey I received the following letter: —

11168, Torrington Square,111 Monday Morning, 14th May.

My dear Sir,— 1 was all yesterday in the country, sod arrived in town at a very late hour, otherwise I would have sooner replied to your oote.

“ * From what I have read aod seen of the so-called mesmeric phenomena, 1 am convinced that some of these phenomena really ore what they t t e m t o b o , and possess a very high degree of physiological interest; moreover, I know that there are other effects supposed to be produced by mesmeric operation, of a much more extraordinary character, the reality of which, though I frankly own I do not believe in it, is admitted by physicians of intelligence and experience, and which, no that account, are entitled to a fair examina­tion. These being my sentiments, which I have never hesitated to express, you cannot suppose me indifferent to the subject, or disposed to treat with neglect or disregard your experiments in the Hospital, but I have refrained from participating in or witnessing these experiments, for two reasons. First, from what 1 have beard of these exhibitions, (I use the word respectfully) I am inclined to think that, however different may be your intention, they are calculated rather to minister to the popular love of the marvellous than to afford an advantageous opportunity of testing the reality of the effects produced ns 1« the alleged efficacy of mesmerism as a remedial agent; and secondly, in the present state of opinion among the public and the profession, respecting animal magnetism, the frequent repetition of such exhibitions in the Hospital has appeared to me not altogether judicious.

O O 2

424 S till m ore M esm eric N ews from India, fife.

Or coarse, t am far from finding fault with you for entertaining dif­ferent opinions, but aa these exhibitions still continue, and my oven senti­ments regarding them remain unaltered, I trait you will pardon me for declining your invitation, however flattering it may be, as 1 wish to avoid connecting myself, even indirectly, with proceedings which seem to me objectionable,

“ ‘ 1 am, toy dear Sir,M 1 Very truly your's,

W. SHISPtV.“ 1 Dr. Eiliotson, &c. &c.

“ T h e public exhibitions, however, as they were termed, were discontinued; but D r. Sharper still never thought proper to witness the facts, which it surely was his duty, as a teacher o f physiology, to go and witness, that he m ight treat the subject properly in his lectures. Entreated on all sides to exhibit the phenomena, I requested o f the Council permission to demonstrate them in one o f the theatres o f the College, when this was not in use. But I was refused. O oe o f the Council, whose goodness and liberality render him an ornam ent to the Jewish nation and to England, m oved the reconsideration o f the refusal o r made a m otion for perm ission ; but in vain. I hear that he entreated the Council to witness the phenom ena and ju d g e for themselves as he had d o n e ; but in vain. Y es, the m ajority o f the Council, perfectly ignorant o f the subject, refused to g o to learn anything o f it before they passed judgm ent upon it ; and am ong these were legislators, barristers, ana one physician. Y et this same Council gave permission for the exhibition o f a calculating boy to the public, at so m uch a head, and tickets were purchased by any one, as for a concert.'**

“ On Decem ber 27th, 1 received a resolution o f council, from the H ospital Com m ittee,—

“ 1 That they he i nit me ted to take itepa, forthwith, for the discharge o f Elizabeth Okey from the Hospital.'

111 immediately showed the paper to the apothecary, w ho said that he had known o f the resolution several days before, as well aa o f another, w hich I had not yet received from the housecom m ittee, viz., that the practice o f mesmerism should be immediately discon­tinued. I proceeded to the house o f the Treasurer o f the College and Hospital, and he inform ed me that the second resolution had also been passed. I , therefore, at once wrote the follow ing letter to the secretary o f the Council.

v “ ‘ Ticket of Admission to the

Exhibition of the

Calculating 1*0 wen of the

Sicilian Boy,Mnugiamele !

* in theTheatre of the University College,

Ou Monday, August 13th, 1338.

Admission 10s.

communicated by D r , E lliot »on. 425

“ ‘ Sir,—I hare just received information, that the Council, w i t h o u t a u y i n t e r v i e w o r c o m m u n k a t i m w i t h me, has ordered my patient, Elizabeth Okey, to be instantly discharged, and forbidden me to cure my palieou with mes­merism. I only am the proper penon to judge when my patients are in a fit ■late to be discharged, and what treatment is proper for their cases.

‘ “ Asa gentleman in the first place, and as a physician in the next, { feel myself compelled at once to resign my office of Professor of the principles and practice of mi-dicine, and of clinical medicine in the College, and of Physician to the Hospital; and hereby resign them all, and will ttercr eater either b u i l d i n g a g a i n .

" 1 W ben I was made Professor, I receired a class of 90,—the class is now 197,—even 13 more than at Christmas last year; and, M there were 34 entries after Christmas then, the whole number of the present session would, no doubt, bare been above 330.

“ 11 hare not receired my fees this session. It is my wish that they be all refunded to the young gentlemen, who are perfectly welcome to the lectures which I hare already delivered.

“ 11 hare the honour, itc.“ 1 J ohn E u .torso«,

Conduit S t r u t , 37th December, 1836.’“ Y ou will agree with me, gentlemen, that, to hold office one

mom ent on such terms, and under men capable o f acting in a manner at once insulting and irrational, would hare been im possible. I f I was unfit to determine when m y patients were in a state to be d is­charged, and how they were to be treated, I ought to hare been dism issed. But, while I held office, I was to be considered fit to ju dge o f these points. H ad m y colleagues in the hospital possessed a becom ing spirit, and felt what was due to themselves and the profession, they would hare resisted this infringement o f their gene­ral rights, whatever their opinion o f mesmerism, even if they had attended to it sufficiently to justify an opinion. Indeed they were bound to act thus, since they baa resolved m onths before in com ­m ittee, that they acknowledged * my undoubted right' to practice mesmerism in the Hospital. B ut this I could hardly expect, since they were so forgetful o f academic propriety, that, in their lectures D r. Thom pson designated my patient O key * an im postor,1 and M r. Liston, the bosom friend o f the editor o f the Lancet, called mes­merism ‘ the most impudent o f modern hum bugs,' and indeed pro­nounced me to the students, iu a public room o f the Hospital, to be * a tom -fool.’ T h e insult was the greater, as I was senior ph y­sician, was thought to have greatly raised the reputation and num ­bers o f the school, and had been the main cause o f the establishment o f the H ospital, although I gave great offence at the tim e to some o f the Professors for honestly pointing out that the M edical School was inefficient without an H ospita l. T he conduct o f the Council was irrational, since the m ajority refused to witness the experiments upon a subject o f which they were utterly ignorant, and to have an interview with me for the purpose o f enquiring into the business. T hey suspended a practice which was perfectly innocent, simple, and devoid o f expense, and had worked and was w orking many m ost remarkable cures, even in cases w hich had resisted .all other treatment and bad been sent out o f other Hospitals as incurable,— all w hich they well knew. T he College was thriving this winter as

4 2 6 S itll more M esm eric News from India, ¿fC,

m uch as last; my class was larger than ever it had been at this period o f the season; and the H ospital was crowded with patients and pupils. T h e Council, com pletely unknown in science o r litera­ture, aa they all are, with two or three exceptions, proved themselves totally unfit to conduct a place o f education, ana more especially one which boasted to he founded on the most libend principles and to be free from the prejudices o f old Universities. T hey p u t a blot upon the Institution which will never be erased.”

H u t I m u st p resen t a n o th e r In d ia n le t te r , w ritten n o t b y a m ed ica l m a n , b u t b y a g e n t le m a n sen t o u t b y th e C o u r t o f D ire c to r s t o m a k e a ra ilw ay su rvey .

Another Painless Amputation, B y D r . E sd a ile .

“ To the E ditor o f the Englishman.

" J u n e 3 r d , 1 8 4 6 .“ S ir ,— B e in g o n a v is it a t th is p la ce , it w as m y in te n t io n

to h a v e b e e n p re se n t a t th e h osp ita l at H o o g h ly o n M o n d a y n e x t , t o w itn ess so m e su rg ica l o p e ra t io n s b y D r . E sd a ile , u p o n p erson a in a m e sm e r ic tra n ce , w h ich w ere to b e , an d I e x p e ct w ill be , (w ith th e e x c e p t io n o f th e fo llo w in g cases) p e r fo rm e d in th e p re se n ce o f several g e n t le m e n fr o m C a lcu tta . T h is m o r n in g I m e t D r . E s d a ile , w h en o u r co n v e rsa t io n tu rn e d u p o n th e p r o p o se d p r o ce e d in g s o f M o n d a y n ext. H e exp ressed m u ch r e g re t th a t h e sh o u ld b e u n a b le to sh ow n s tw o in te r e s t ­in g cases , w h ich h e h ad e n d e a v o u re d to reserve fo r th e o c c a s io n ; th e o n e , a m a n fr o m w h om h e w as to h av e re m o v e d a tu m o u r o f a b o u t o n e h u n d re d w e ig h t, th e o th e r was th e a m p u ta t io n o f a w o m a n 's le g . H is d is a p p o in tm e n t arose fr o m th e fo llo w ­in g c a u s e s ;— T h e s e tw o p erson s , w ith so m e o th e rs , h a d b e e n several days in a sta te o f re a d in e ss fo r o p e r a t in g u p o n , b e in g u n d e r co m p le te m e sm e r ic in flu e n ce . T h e m a n e ith e r g o t t ire d o f w a it in g d a y a fte r d a y , o r lo s t h is r e so lu tio n a n d q u it te d th e h o s p it a l ; an d th e w o m a n w as s in k in g : sh e had b e e n a tta ck ed w ith fev er, a n d h a d b e c o m e less su sce p t ib le o f m e sm e r ic in ­flu e n ce . S h e w as th is m o r n in g , h o w e v e r , t o a ll a p p ea ra n ce , in a p e r fe c t tra n ce , an d h e fe lt th a t h e s h o u ld b e d o in g h e r a g re a t in ju s t ic e t o d e la y th e o p e r a t io n a n y lo n g e r , a s h e c o n ­s id e re d th a t h e r life w o u ld b e e n d a n g e r e d th e re b y . H e h a d th e r e fo re reso lv ed u p on a m p u ta t in g th e lim b at o n c e . I e x ­p ressed a d es ire t o b e p resen t, an d a c c o m p a n ie d D r . E sd a ile t o th e h o s p it a l ; a n d th e fo llo w in g are th e fa c ts o f th e ca se as I o b serv ed th e m :—

“ T h e w o m a n was ly in g u p on a c h a rp o y , a n d o n e o f th e assistants w a s le a n in g o v e r h e r h ead m e s m e r is in g h e r ; th e c h a rp o y w as th e n r e m o v e d , an d p la ce d o p p o s ite to a w in d o w

communicated by D r. E lliot ton. 427

w h ich w as o p e n e d to a d m it l i g h t ; I th e n lo o k e d a tte n tiv e ly a t th e p a tie n t w h o , t o all a p p ea ra n ce , was in a m o s t tra n q u il s leep .

" D r . E sd a ile p rep a red fo r th e o p e r a t io n , a n d I p la ced m y s e l f s o as b o th t o s e e w h a t th e d o c t o r d id , a n d to o b s e rv e th e c o u n te n a n c e a n d m o v e m e n ts ( i f a n y sh o u ld ta k e p la ce ) o f th e p a tie n t. T h e le g w as ta k e n o f f a lit t le b e lo w th e k n e e , a n d I w as su rp rised at th e sm a ll q u a n tity o f b lo o d th a t S o w e d fr o m th e w o u n d , b e in g n o t m o r e th a n tw o , o r a t th e m o s t th re e , ta b le s p o o n s fu l ! T h e th ig h a n d k n e e fr o m w h e n c e th e le g h a d b e e n ta k e n , w ere , as w ell as ev ery o th e r p art o f h er b o d y , p erfectly motionless, and the only evidence that existed that the doctor was not operating upon a corpse, was the heav­ing o f her chest in respiration ; she was not held, or tied down in any way, and during the whole operation not the least move­ment or change in her limbs, body,1 or countenance, took p la ce ; sh e c o n t in u e d in th e Bame ap p a ren tly easy re p o se as a t first , and I have no reason but to believe, that she was at perfect ease.

“ A f t e r th e o p e ra t io n , D r . E s d a ile le ft h e r to aw a k e n a ­tu ra lly , w h ich sh e d id in a b o u t a q u a rter o f a n h ou r . A s so o n as sh e w as aw a k e , I o b se rv e d th e s tu m p o f h e r le g b e g in to sh ak e o r q u iv e r , as i f c o n v u ls iv e ly , w h ich I h ad o b s e rv e d , as a b o v e sta ted , w as n o t th e case p rev iou s ly .

“ T h e co n v e rsa t io n th a t fo llo w e d b e tw e e n th e p a tien t, th e d o c to r , a n d h is assistants, w as in B e n g a le e , a n d u n in te l l ig i­b le t o m y s e l f ; b u t w as tra n sla te d to m e as it p ro ce e d e d . I t w as to th e fo llo w in g e f f e c t :— That the burning pain was gone

from her ankle, ( th e sea t o f th e d isease fo r w h ich th e le g w as a m p u ta te d ) and that she now fe lt a sort o f prickly p a in ; lhal she had had a good and undisturbed sleep without dreams or p a in ; that she was ready to have her leg amputated, whether the doctor could get her sufficiently to sleep fo r the purpose or not, as she was so desirous o f recovering. U p o n re ce iv in g o cu la r d e ­m o n stra tio n th a t th e o p e ra t io n h a d b e e n p e r fo rm e d , h er c o u n ­te n a n ce ex p ressed su rp rise a n d p lea su re , a n d , as i f d o u b t fu l o f th e fa c t , I o b se rv e d h e r h a n d pass o v e r th e s tu m p , a p p a ren tly

j What will Or. Marshall Hall, Sir Benjamin Brodie, and the reflex.- moTemeBt parly aay to this woman, and all the other piticcU who «offered am potation« at Hooghly, for not moving the sound limb while the other waa cutting off? See my Pamphlet, pp. 19,50. Hr. Wait ley assume» a scien­tific air to tbe member» of ibe Home of Common! who question him about the man in Nottinghamshire, and tells them that the fellow was proved to be so impoilor by a K U n t iJ U : petal? Be cause he did not move the other leg while the diseased leg waa cut, Mr. Wakley, imitating Dr. M. Hall, says he had shammed well—bad not been sufficiently well trained. Alas for tbe characters of all the poor “ untutored Indians.'’

4 2 8 Still more M esm eric N ews from India , fife.

t o te s t th e rea lity o f w h a t sh e s a w ; sh e th e n sa id , th a t she knew not how U had been done.

" S h o r t ly a fterw ards, I q u it te d th e h osp ita l, le a v in g h er a p p a re n tly c o m p o s e d , an d w a r in g a p u n k a o v e r h e r fa ce .

“ S u ch are th e s im p le fa c ts o f th is case." I am , S ir , y o u r o b e d ie n t servan t,

“ P . W . S imms, C . E

D r . E sd a ile , lik e m y se lf, h a s fo u n d th e a d v a n ta g e o f sh ew ­in g h is fa cts t o th e n o n -p ro fe ss io n a l w o r ld . I t is th e y w h o w ill c o m p e l th e m ed ica l w o r ld to a tten d to th e su b je c t . T h e w eek b e fo r e last, in A u g u s t , 1 8 4 6 , a c o u n tr y p ra c tit io n e r ca lle d u p o n m e to th a n k m e , h e sa id , fo r h a v in g g iv e n a d ia g n os is in h is ca se five y ea rs a g o w h ich p roved c o r r e c t , a n d fo r h a v in g d o n e h im grea t g o o d . I su p p o se d th at h e h ad som e o th e r o b je c t a l s o ; a n d h e a d d ed th at h e w as v ery a n x io u s t o k n ow s o m e th in g o f m esm erism , fo r h is p a tie n ts n o w w e re a lw ays ta lk in g o f it a n d a s k in g h im q u e stio n s , an d h e fo u n d it v ery u n p lea sa n t to k n o w n o th in g a b o u t th e m a tte r . “ B u t ,” I r e p lie d , " y o u a sk ed m e n o q u e st io n s a b o u t it I d a r e s a y w h e n y o u w e re w ith m e five y ea rs a g o .” “ N o , " h e an sw ered . T h e n sa id I , “ Y o u b e liev ed a t th a t t im e all th a t M r . W a k le y to ld y o u . M r . W a k le y b o ld ly d e c la re d th a t h e h o d p ro v e d it t o b e a c o m p le te h u m b u g , re la ted e x p e r im e n ts o f th e tru th o f w h ich y o u c o u ld k n o w n o th in g , an d y o u d id n o t th in k it w o rth w h ile to listen to m e w h o n e v e r d e ce iv ed th e p ro fe ss io n , n e v e r le d th e m in to e rror , n e v e r m a d e a m e d ica l s ta tem en t w h ich tim e d id n o t p ro v e t o b e p e r fe c t ly a ccu ra te .” “ Y es , s ir , ’ ’ h e con fessed , “ I m u st sa y it w as so . I d id b e lie v e h im an d o n b is a u th or ity th a t m esm erism was all im p o s it io n . B u t n o w I h ear o f i t d a ily fr o m a ll m y p a tien ts , a n d rea lly y o u m u st a llow it is u n p lea sa n t, very u n p le a sa n t, t o be u n a b le to a n sw er a n y q u e st io n a b o u t it .” I b e g g e d h im to ca ll th e n e x t d a y : a n a I th e n sh ow ed h im a few fa cts w h ich sa tis fied h im th at M r . W a k le y had le d th e p ro fe ss io n all a s tra y . L ik e a n h o n e s t m a n h e b e liev ed h is e y e s an d o w n e d it , a n d assu red m e th a t h e w ou ld o r d e r a ll th e n u m b e rs o f The Z oist an d a tten d to th e s u b je c t w ith all th e d il ig e n c e in h is p ow er.

A co m p le te re v o lu tio n m u st n o w ta k e p la ce . T h o se w h o , lik e th is v ery w o r th y p ra c tit io n e r , c o u ld n o t b e lie v e th a t M r . W a k le y c o u ld b e so cru e l as t o m a k e fo o ls o f th e m , b u t w ro te in earn est, a n d th o se w h o h a v e lo n g k n o w n m esm er ism to be tru e , b u t d ish o n e st ly assured th e ir p a tien ts i t w as n o t,— m u st n o w tu r n r o u n d w ith o u t loss o f t im e . I sh o u ld n o t b e su rp rized i f D r . F o r b e s w ere to h a v e an a rtic le

com municated by D r. EUiotson. 4 2 9

fa v o u ra b le to D r . E sd a ile ’ s in co n tr o v e r t ib le p r o o fs o f its t r o th in h is n e x t n u m b e r , n o tw ith sta n d in g h e , seven y ea rs a g o ,1 a n d a few m o n th s a g o , ' d e n o u n c e d i t as a n im p o s it io n a n d d e lu s io n ; a n d n o tw ith s ta n d in g h is p a tro n , S ir J a m e s C la rk , t o w h o m , w ith a sm all n u m b e r o f h is fr ien d s , I d id th e fa v o u r o f sh e w in g th e p h e n o m e n a o f th e O k e y s e ig h t y ea rs a g o a n d w h o m u st k n o w a ll th e a s to u n d in g fa c ts in The Z oitt, h a d th e silly h a rd ih o o d s in c e th e last n u m b e r a p p ea red , t o ask a n o b le m a n w h o m e n t io n e d th e g re a t b e n e fit h e h a d r e ce iv e d fr o m m esm er ism , w h eth er h e rea lly d id b e lie v e in su ch n on sen se .

I h a v e ju s t r e ce iv e d fr o m M r . C h a n d le r th e fo llo w in g a c c o u n t o f a n o th e r p a in less t o o th e x tra c tio n e ffe c te d th r o u g h b is e n e rg y . P a in le ss o p e ra t io n s h ave n o w b e e n p e r fo rm e d in th e U n iv e rs ity C o lle g e H o sp ita l, th e M id d le s e x , a n d th e L o n d o n . T h e in tr o d u c t io n o f a ee ton , a n d tw o to o th e x ­tra c tio n s .

Cate o f Painless Tooth extraction at the London Hospital." 5 8 , P a ra d ise S tre e t , B o th e r h ith e ,

“ A u g u s t 2 7 th , 1 8 4 6 ,“ M y d e a r S ir ,— T h r o u g h th e k in d n e ss o f M r . L u k e , I

w as e n a b le d y e s te rd a y t o sh ow a case o f p a in less m e s m e r ic to o th -d r a w in g a t th e L o n d o n H o sp ita l b e fo re a b o u t e ig h ty p e r s o n s ; s in ce w itn ess in g th e tw o e x h ib it io n s at M r , B e ll 's , r e p o rte d in th e la st Z oitt, h o has b e e n v e ry a n x io u s to sh ow a case a t th e H o sp ita l, fo r th e b e n e fit o f th e s tu d en ts a n d a fe w scep tica l fr ien d s .

“ F in d in g a c c id e n ta lly th a t m y p a t ie n t P a y n e h ad a w ise to o th v e ry te n d e r a n d tro u b le s o m e , w h ich h e w ish ed t o b e re lie v e d o f , I e m b ra ce d th e o p p o r tu n ity , th o u g h I h a v e a v ery g re a t o b je c t io n t o a n y th in g a p p ro a ch in g to a p u b lic e x h ib it io n w h ere m e sm er ism is c o n c e r n e d , as I fee l p e rsu a d e d it is n o t th e w ay to c o n v in c e sce p t ics— s o few are e n a b le d to e x a m in e th e cases fo r th e m se lv e s w ith su ffic ie n t c lo sen ess— s o th a t th e g re a te r p a rt a re su re to lea v e ev en m o r e sce p t ica lly th a n th e y ca m e . S u c h I fee l c o n v in c e d w as th e ca se y e ste rd a y — m a n y e x p ressed th em se lv es p e r fe c t ly sa tis fied o f th e g e n u in e n e ss o f th e ca se — so m e d o u b te d , n o t b e in g a b le t o e x a m in e p e rso n a lly

* He thus «poke of me,—that * ' above all we lamented to eee the g r t a l deiarioa supported by one of the ablest physicians of this country, filling the most important chair in the largest medic«! school of the kingdom. " — B r i t i t h a tu t Foreign Vertical R e v i e w for April, 1039. p. 304..

• “ It is well koown that the two most striking and attractive dilations of recent times are homceopatby and mesmerises."—Paper by him in the A l / w - a<r«m, Feb. 38, 1848,

430 S till m ore M em orie N ew » from India , ifc .

— and there were I believe a few K eyites, who say in their haste, 1 all men are liars.' W h y do such men take the trouble to witness our beautiful phenomena, when they are previously determined to consider it all collusion? they had much better imitate their prototype, and say, when asked to witness mes­meric experiments, 'M y mind is differently constituted. I would not believe them if they would swear they felt no pain. I know human kind too well to be deceived.'

" O n p u t t in g m y p a t ie n t t o s leep , b e w as o f c o u r s e s u b ­je c t e d t o th e u su a l sce p t ica l tests , su ch as p u sh in g a p in th r o u g h th e sk in o f th e b a c k o f th e b a n d sea ton -w ise ,* t ic k ­l in g h is n o se a n d ears w ith a stra w , f c c . ; n o n e o f w h ich d is ­tu r b e d h im , u n t il th e d ru m w as to u c h e d , w h ich rea lly m a d e h im s h r in k ; in d e e d , i t w as d o n e s o r o u g h ly th a t th e ear too» made to bleed,c and he came to me in the evening com­plaining o f deep-seated pain in the ear. A fe w passes o v e r th e p a rt re m o v e d it . I c a n n o t a c c o u n t fo r h is fe e l in g th is , u n le ss b y th e v e r y g re a t d e lic a c y o f th e m e m b ra n e , a n d th e fa c t th a t h is h e a r in g is alwayB p a rticu la r ly a cu te w h en m es­m e r ise d , as h e h e a rs— in c o m m o n w ith m o s t o f m y p a tie n ts— th e low est w h isp er, th o u g h n o t sen sib le t o lo u d n o ises .11

" T h e to o th w as v ery d e x te ro u s ly e x tr a c te d b y o n e o f th e s e n io r s tu d e n t s ; a n d , as on th e fo r m e r o c ca s io n s , h is m o u th re m a in e d o p e n an d th e h ea d b a c k u n t il I m o v e d h im . N o t h in g c o u ld h a v e b e e n m o r e sa tis fa c to ry to a ca n d id m in d , th o u g h s o fe w o f th o se p re se n t w e re a b le t o see , th a t I h a v e n o d o u b t m a n y le f t q u ite as sce p t ica l as th e y c a m e : p erson s m u st m esm e r ise a n d ex a m in e th e m a tte r f o r th em se lv es t o b e c o m e th o r o u g h ly c o n v in c e d .

" I f y o u th in k th is a c c o u n t w o rth p u b lish in g , p lea se to se n d i t o n t o th e e d ito r o f The Zoist.

“ B e lie v e m e , y o u rs v ery fa ith fu lly ,“ T h os . C h a n d u b . "

I a m h a p p y to fn rn ish a n o th e r a m p u ta t io n in th e m esm eric sta te , a n d to sa y th a t th e o p e ra to r w as, l ik e M r . C h a n d le r , fo r ­m e r ly a p u p il o f m iu e a t U n iv e rs ity C o lle g e . T h u s so m e o f th e

t> By Dr. Parelra, who has been heard to call mesmerism d ------dh umb og.—Z o u t .

c By Dr. Little. Tbere is some fear that the drum is injured.—Z o i i t , d The anaesthesia or loss of feeling ia not always universal, or, if so,

not of equal intensity throughout the system. I have had three patients in whom it did not occur above the collar-banes, bat was complete below them : I have had some insensible patients with patches of sensibility, and n ben a person has been insensible to pinching and cutting nf the surface, I have known her start and even be awakened by dreadful darts of pain along the nerves.—J. Ell torso*.

communicated by D r. EUiotson. 431

seed fe ll u p o n g o o d g ro u n d , th o u g h m u c h u p o n s to n y g r o u n d : a n d m u ch th a t w o u ld h av e c o m e u p w as c h o k e d b y th e th o rn s o f m y c o lle a g u e s a t th e U n iv e rs ity C o l le g e , th e m e d ica l j o u r ­n a lists , a n d th o se e s ta b lish e d p ra c tit io n e rs w h o se so le m o tiv e is w o rd lin e ss .

Case o f Am putation at Bridgew ater. B y M r . K in g .

" A b o u t th e m o n th o f A p r i l la st 1 w as req u ested to see J o h n P e p p e ra l, a g e d 1 9 y ea rs , w h o h a d b e e n su ffe r in g fo r so m e tim e b e fo r e fr o m in fla m m a tio n a n d sw e ll in g o f th e a n k le jo in t , b u t b a d c o n t in u e d h is w o rk u p to th e p resen t d a te . O n a n e x a m in a tion o f th e p a rt I fo u n d th a t an ab scess h a d fo r m e d n e a r th e ex te rn a l m a lleo lu s , a n d I o p e n e d it . T h e n o th e r abscesses fo r m e d a ro u n d th e jo in t , a n d , f ln d in g h is c o n s t itu t io n g iv in g w ay , I p ro p o se d to r e m o v e th e lim b in M a y la st, w h ic h h e w o u ld n o t c o n s e n t to , a n d f r o m th a t t im e u p t o th e 1 8 th o f A u g u s t i t w as m y p a in fu l d u ty to v is it th e p o o r fe llo w , a n d o c ca s io n a lly d u r in g th a t t im e to o p e n a b ­scesses fir s t in o n e p la ce , th e n in a n o th e r , th e n to lay o p e n s in u ses , fee., fee., f o r e v e n s l ig h t r e l ie f ; an d so exquisitely p a itfu l was any motion, th a t h e h as o fte n b e g g e d o f m e n o t to m o v e h im w h e n I v is ited h im , as i t w as hours b e fo r e h e g o t a n y ease a g a in ; even touching the bedstead, or walking across his bedroom , gave him great pain . T h is is o n ly m e n tio n e d as a p r o o f o f th e ex tra o rd in a ry p o w e r m e sm e r ism m u st h ave h a d o v e r h im , as w ill b e seen i n th e seq u e l.

“ O n th e m o r n in g o f th e 1 8 th o f A u g u s t h e m a d e n p h is m in d to h av e th e le g r e m o v e d , b e in g th e n r e d u c e d a lm o st t o a sk e le to n . T h e p o is e w as 1 3 0 ; n ig h t sw ea tb a n d diarrhoea w ere p re se n t. A f t e r s o m e c o n s id e r a t io n as to w h e th e r h e w o u ld b e a r it , I r e so lv ed t o try th e e ffe c ts o f m esm er ism , a n d ca lle d th e sam e d a y o n M r . J . S . t o assist m e b y p u tt in g h im in to th e in se n s ib le sta te p re p a ra to ry to th e o p e ra t io n , w h o k in d ly c o n ­sen ted , a n d v is ited h im th r e e t im e s a d a y fo r th e tw o d a y s b e fo r e th e o p e ra t io n . I t w as o n ly o n th e e v e n in g o f th e 2 0 th th a t in se n s ib ility w as p r o d u c e d , a n d M r . J . S . w ish ed a d e la y o f a few d a y s t o ta k e p la ce ev en th e n , B n t th is I c o u ld n o t c o n ­se n t to , as I fe lt th a t m y p a t ie n t 's sta te re q u ire d p r o m p t itu d e , a n d reso lv ed o n o p e ra t in g th e fo llo w in g d a y at 4 o 'c l o c k . T h is w as k e p t t o ou rse lves , a n d it w as d e te rm in e d b e fo re h a n d th a t M r . J . S . sh o u ld p r o ce e d to th e h o u se h a lf an h o u r b e fo r e a n d in fo rm u s w h en h e h a d g o t h im in t o a state o f in se n s ib ility . W h e n w e re ce iv e d th e in fo rm a t io n I t o o k th e n ecessary a p p a ­ra tu s u p stairs, an d p rep a red th e ta b le fo r h is r e c e p t io n . A l l b e in g in read in ess , w e re m o v e d h im to th e o p e ra t in g tab le ,

4 3 2 S till m ore M esm eric N eva from Indus, fyc.

a p p lie d tfce to u r n iq u e t an d arrested tb e c ircu la t io n } a n d I m a d e th e first c ir c u la r in c is io n th r o u g h th e sk in without the sligthest exprestum o f pain either by distortion o f the fea tures or by cries and moaning. B u t d u r in g th e s e c o n d a u d th ir d in c is io n th r o u g h th e su p erfic ia l a n d d e e p m u scles , h e r o a r e d m o s t v io le n tly . T h is m a y b e a c c o u n te d fo r b y p arties e n te r in g th e r o o m a t th a t t im e a n d d is tu rb in g th e in flu e n ce o f th e m es­m e r ism . B u t a fe w passes q u ie te d h im a g a in ; a n d sa w in g th e b o n e , ta k in g u p th e arteries a u d ty in g th e m , s p o n g in g th e s tu m p a n d a llo w in g it t o b e e x p o se d fo r som e t im e a fter ­w ard s, d re ss in g th e s tu m p , an d r e m o v in g h im to th e b e d , w as all done without any apparent suffering. W e (th at is , m y s e l f a n d fr ie n d s , th e su rg e o n s ) le ft th e r o o m , a n d d e s ire d t o b e ca lle d w h en h e a w o k e , w h ich to o k p la ce iu a b o u t te n m in u te s . I th e n w e n t u p to h im a u d sa id , * W e ll , J o h n , h o w are y e ? ’ 'O h , 1 sa id h e , ' t h e n y o u b e c o m e to d o it , b e y e ? ' ' W h a t ! ' w as m y r e p ly . H e ra ised h im s e lf a lit t le , a n d , lo o k in g tow a rd s th e s tu m p , r e m o v e d th e sh ee t th a t w as c o v e r in g it , a n d ex c la im ed , ' W h y y o u h a v e d o n e i t ; so y o u ’ ve g o t 'n o f f th e n I T h a n k G o d . ' O n th e fo llo w in g e v e n in g I a sk e d h im w h a t h e r e co lle c te d o f th e o p e ra t io n , a n d h is r e p ly w as th at h e fe lt th e c u t t in g ; b u t h e d e s cr ib e d i t as ' a d u ll , ja g g in g p a in , n o t at a ll l ik e th e sh arp p a in o f la n c in g m y a n k l e r e c o l l e c t e d th e fe e lin g o f c o ld w ater a g a in st th e Btum p, a u d o f so m e o n e a s k in g fo r a p r o b e , a n d says th a t h e h as o fte n su ffered m u ch g re a te r p a iu b e fo r e th e op e ra tio n th a n d u r in g tb e o p e r a t io n itse lf.

" A b r a h a m K in o .”

A g e n t le m a n p resen t, M r . H a v ila n d , a su rg e o n o f B r id g e ­w a ter , m e n tio n e d b y m e in m y la st p a p er, h o n o u ra b ly e x ­p ressed to M r . S , S e l fe h is c o n v ic t io n th a t m e sm er ism had b e e n e m in e n tly su ccess fu l in th e ca se , a n d h a d saved th e p a tien t a v ast a m o u n t o f su ffe r in g .

H e r e w as a s t r ik in g p r o o f o f th e re a lity a n d a d v a n ta g e o f m esm erism . T h is p o o r m a n c o u ld n o t b e p r o n o u n ce d in ­se n s ib le t o p a in , n o r c o u ra g e o u s , n o r a c u n n in g im p o s to r . T h e p a in w h ich h e fe lt , a n d ro a re d o u t fr o m , p ro v e s a ll th is . H e w o u ld n o t h a v e fe lt an y p a in h a d m e sm er ism b e e n b e g u n m u ch e a r lie r (p r o b a b ly in d e e d h e w ou ld have b e e n cu re d a n d re q u ire d n o o p e r a t io n ) ; h a d th e p o in ts o f th e fin g ers b e e n k e p t o n th e e y es , o r ev en th e h a n d o n th e fo re h e a d , o r s low b r e a th in g u p on h is fa ce b e e n k e p t u p , d u r in g th e o p e ra t io n , t o d e e p e n th e s leep a n d m a in ta in it . T h e e n tr a n ce o f p e rso n s in to th e ro o m d u r in g th e o p e ra t io n w as a th in g w h ich o u g h t n o t t o h a v e h a p p e n e d . G re a t h o n o u r is d u e to M r . K in g fo r

communicated by D r. EUiotson, 433

su rp assin g in n o b le n e ss all o u r L o n d o n h o sp ita l su rg eon s . I f h e a n d th e m esm eriaer h ad b e e n p re v io u s ly fa m ilia rized w ith m esm erism , all w o u ld h a v e b e e n m a n a g e d to p e r fe c t io n . A l l w ill b e m a n a g e d t o p e r fe c t io n b y th e p ro fess ion b e fo r e lo n g . T h a t m esm erism was n o t in fu ll p la y y ea rs a g o , m a n a g e d to p e r fe c t io n y ea rs a g o , a n d in n u m e ra b le p o o r crea tu res sp ared d rea d fu l a g o n y , d isease , a n d d ea th , is th e e ffe c t o f th e e ffo rts o f M r . W a k le y a n d hia m ite— D r. F o rb e s , D r . J o h n s o n , a n d th e h o sp ita l tea ch ers , b u t a b o v e all o f M r , W a k le y , t o p ro v e m e sm er ism a d e lu s ion an d im p o s it io n . W e r e I in h is p la ce , o r in an y o f th e ir p la ce s , th e to r m e n ts o f re fle c t io n w o u ld m a k e m e sa y u n t o th e M m o u n ta in s t o fa ll u p o n m e an d th e h ills to c o v e r m e .”

I b e g a n w ith a q u o ta tio n fro m D r . J o h n s o n , I w ill fin ish w ith o n e fr o m D r . F o r b e s .

“ To detotc an article to the consideration o f eatmaf m a g n e t i s m t now tbit the E n g l i s h p r a c t i t i o n e r * are, o n e ditd dll, ojAamrd o f it* name, would be a work o f supererogation, if the cfrlitfioft, unabashed, were do! yet parading itself over some parts o f the con tine ot.*'«

* iïri/ïiA and F o r e i g n M e d i c a l R e v i e w . April, 1039,

434 N otice, Book» received, tfc.

N O TICE.Dr. Elliotson’s C u « of Spontaneous Sleep-waking in our next.

BOOKS RECEIVED .The Brain and its Physiology ; a Critical Disquisition on the methods o f

determining the relations subsisting between the Sir act ore aud Functions of the Encephalon. By Daniel Noble, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England,

Clinical Illustrations o f the Diseases o f India: u exhibited in the Medical History of a body of European Soldiers, for a series of years from their arrival in that country. By William Geddes, M.D., Member of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh, and of the Medical and Physical Society of Calcutta, and late Surgeon of the Madras European Regiment.

Commentary on the Hindu System of Medicine. By T. A. Wise, M.D., Member o f the Roys! College of Surgeons, and of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society; Corresponding Member of the Zoological Society o f London, and of the Pbi loom tic Society o f Paris. Calcutta.

Edinburgh Phrenological Journal.

EaasTA.Page 317, note J, for 11 336 ” read 338.

„ 346, in the note, for “ she " read Ihr young lady.

I i1

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