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Rare Original writings of Franz Anton Mesmer
Question -What is magnetism?
Response -It is the property, which bodies have of being
susceptible to the action of a universally distributed fluid, a
fluid which surrounds all that exists and which serves to maintain
the equilibrium of all the vital functions.
Q. -Does this fluid only exist in animals; and are they
the only individuals in nature which experience the effects of it?
R. -This principle is of equal necessity to vegetation.
It is because of this principle that the sappy juice is able to
circulate, and thereby contribute to the plant's development.
Q. -Does this fluid have any relation to the magnet?
R. -Although this action, which is powerful in nature, has
been given the name "magnetism," the fluid which is the
prime mover of this action does not appear to have the properties
of the magnet. It does not behave as a magnet-a body, which is affected
from the north to the south. On the contrary, the poles are vertical;
that is to say, from bottom to top.
Q. -How can the effects of this animal fluid be demonstrated?
R. -When a very healthy subject is in immediate contact
with a sick subject, or merely with one who is defective in one
of his natural functions, it means to evoke more or less sharp sensations
in the sick part, like cold, heat, and sometimes even pain.
Q. -In what way should one touch a sick person in order
for him to experience the effects of magnetism?
R. -First of all, one must place oneself opposite the patient,
back to the north, bringing one's invalid's; then lay one's two
thumbs lightly on the nerve plexes which-are located at the pit
of the stomach, and the fingers on the hypochondria. From time to
time it is good to run one's fingers over the ribs, principally
towards the spleen, and to change the position of the thumbs. After
having continued this exercise for about a quarter of an hour, one
performs in a different manner, corresponding to the condition of
the patient.
For example, if it is a disorder of the eyes, one lays the left
hand on the right temple. One then opens the eyes of the patient
and brings one's thumbs very close to them. Then the thumbs are
run from the root of the nose (bridge) all around the socket.
If one has to deal with a violent headache, the tip of one thumb
is brought to the forehead, the other behind the head opposite to
it.
The same thing applies to all pains which are experienced in other
parts of the body. It is always necessary that one hand is on one
side, and the other hand is on the opposite side. If the sickness
is general, the hands-made into a pyramid with the fingers-are passed
over the whole body, starting at the head and then descending along
the two shoulders down to the feet. After this one returns to the
head: from the front and from the rear, then over the abdomen and
over the back.
Q. -What must one do before discontinuing the magnetism?
R. -One must strive to bring the magnetism in equilibrium
in all parts of the body. One attains this by bringing the index
finger of the right hand to the left side of the crown of the head,
bringing it down over the length of the face, over the chest, the
abdomen, and the thighs. Then one must withdraw the index finger
from the body and go back to the head, describing a kind of circle;
this maneuver is repeated seven or eight times, after which the
same thing is done with
feet against the the left hand on the right side. A rod of iron
can be used in place. of the finger.
Q. -Is it possible to increase the force or quantity of
magnetic fluid in people?
R. -The power of magnetism is augmented by establishing
a direct interconnection among several people.
Q. -How can this interconnection be established?
R. -In two ways: the simplest is to form a chain with a
certain number of people, having them hold hands; one can also do
this with the help of the baquet
Q. -What is the baquet?
R. -It is a vat about six to seven feet; more or less, in
diameter by eighteen inches in height. There is a double bottom
in the interior of this vat, in which fragments of broken bottles,
gravel, stones, and sticks of pounded sulfur and iron filings are
placed. All of this is filled with water and covered up with a floor
nailed to the vat. On the surface of the lid, six inches in from
the rim, one makes various holes in order to allow the passage of
iron rods which are arranged so that one end penetrates the bottom
of the vat and the other is directed, by means of a curve, over
the pit of the stomach of the patient or other affected parts of
the body.
Q. -Are there then any other procedures which need to be
followed in order to establish an interconnection among several
people?
R. -It is also necessary that they be attached at the middle
of the body with a hemp rope having the thickness of a finger.
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It is important to note that according to Mesmer, the baquet is
only an accessory. The following is a footnote from "Precis
Historique des Faits Relatifs.au Magnetisme Animal Jusqu'en Avril
1781" Payot (Paris, 1971), pp. 89-202. This article, which
is not included in this article, was first published in 1781.
The so-called "imitators" of my method have erected baquets
in their hotels resembling the one that can he seen in my treatment
room. If that's all these imitators know about, they are not very
advanced.
Assuming that I were to have a suitable establishment, I would
abolish the baquets. In general, I only use these little contrivances
when I am forced to do so.
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Q. -How does one demonstrate that magnetism has an effect
on plants?
R. -By establishing an interconnection among several plants
or trees.
Q. -How is this interconnection established?
R. -It is first necessary to bend some branches from several
trees and attach them to each other; then place a rod of iron in
front of each tree, bent in such a manner that one end having been
driven into the ground, the other touches the cavity of the tree,
at a height of four feet. After this, all of the trees are connected
with the same rope. Things being thus arranged, if the finger is
then brought to a young growth [shoot or sprout] of one of these
trees, all the young leaves will flutter in a more-or-less perceptible
manner. However, this effect would be even more obvious if one were
to place several interconnecting sensitive sprouts between each
tree. In bringing the finger to one of these plants, one would see
each one shorten [contract]. It is said that the very same thing
occurs with acacias.
Q. -Are plants, therefore, able to contribute to the animal's
economy by making the application of animal magnetism more effective?
R. -Beyond a doubt. The only thing to do is to connect the
patients with the plants and to attach them with the same rope,
directing the end of a rod of iron, which is driven into the ground
over the plexes of the stomach.
Q. -Can a person magnetize himself?
R. -Yes, either with the assistance of plants or the baquet.
In this case the patient brings his hands or a rod of iron over
the affected parts in the manner we have already explained.
Q. -How does a person fortify himself?
R. -By flinging back both hands, open and outstretched,
behind himself. Then the fortification starts with the eyes and
goes to the tips of the fingers.
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GLOSSARY
Baquet -Translated as "tub." The word "baquet"
has been kept in the text since this word is usually used in reference
to Mesmer's equipment.
Hypochorzdrium-Regio hypochondriaca; that is, the region
beneath the ribs.
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