Pathetism; with practical instructions. Demonstrating the falsity of the hitherto prevalent assumption in regard to ... "mesmerism" and "neurology," and illustrating those laws which induce somnambulism, second sight, sleep, dreaming, trance, and clairvoyance, with numerous facts tending to show the pathology of monomania, insanity, witchcraft, and various other mental or nervous phenomena

Front matter

PATHETISMi

WITH

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS.

Preface

It is now generally admitted, that some knowledge of Pathetism prevailed in Egypt, more than three thousand years ago. The celebrated Anthony Pluche, in his account of the Ancient Egyptians, copies from Montfaucon a complex figure, which has been understood to represent the Egyptian process of pathetising. A patient is stretched upon a couch, while a large Anubis is painted in the act of making the passes over him, with one hand raised above his head, and the other placed upon his breast.*

It is said, that the priests of Chaldea practised pathetism as a medicinal agent, many years before the Christian era. Celsus, a philosopher of the first century after Christ, speaks of a physician, who soothed the ravings of the insane by manipulations ; and he adds, that his manual operations, when continued for some time, produced a degree of sleep or lethargy.

Various authors, from the earliest ages, have referred to cases of disease which have been cured by similar means ; and almost every sect of enthusiasts has had its records of cures performed, not, indeed, by miracle, but in some instances, it may have been, by the touch or friction of the human hand ; as it is well known that similar means were recommended for

* Did. des Sc. Med. This picture is copied into " Fellow's Exposition of the Mysteries of the Ancient Egyptians," p. 304. 1*

VI PREFACE .

the cure of certain diseases, long before the days of Mesiner.

In no other country where this agency has become known, has its therapeutic benefits been so little sought after, or so poorly appreciated, as in our own. This may be accounted for, in part, by the manner in which this subject has been exhibited, from time to time, in different places. Where people have to depend upon public exhibitions, and know nothing more of its use than what they see in experiments made for mercenary purposes, we are not to expect them to place a very high estimate upon any of its alleged practical benefits.

It is believed, however, that a large number of the most intelligent of the learned professions in this country, are convinced of the truth of pathetism ; and not a few of these classes have seen and tested the valuable benefits to be anticipated from its use, in the cure of disease.

Did the limits of this work permit, we should gratify our readers with some accounts of the present state of pathetism in France, Russia, Germany, and Prussia, countries where its practice has long been patronised by the learned, and especially by the medical profession. The government of Prussia, in 1817, attempted to guard its practice by legislative enactments, prohibiting any but regularly organised physicians from its use, and requiring them, when they did so, to report their proceedings, quarterly, to the authorities of the state. A society of Paris, from 1814 to 1820, published two periodicals, devoted entirely to the narration of facts, and the diffusion of intelligence connected with this subject. In Prussia and some

PREFACE. VII

other countries, hospitals have been established for the sole purpose of treating the sick by the use of pathetism. And a decree of the Medical College of Denmark, passed in 1815, and another in 1817, imposed upon physicians the duty of reporting the results of their pathetetic practice. But we have not the space necessary for any considerable proportion of the testimony which might be quoted, showing the estimate placed upon it by the learned in other countries, as a medicinal agent. And to deny it, as observed by Dr. Marc, before the Paris Academy of Medicine, (in 1825,) "to deny it, would be to suppose that men of the greatest merit, two learned bodies of the first respectability, and governments known to have surrounded themselves with the best physicians, must have, in various places, and at various periods of time, fallen dupes of miserable jugglers, and propagated, favored, and executed, labors merely chimerical.*

In our own country, nothing, probably, has done more to bring this subject into disrepute, than the manner in which it has been treated by its professed friends. Public attention was first called to it under a -most disagreeable name, and the many silly stories put in circulation about its wonders, could but arouse prejudice, and unfit the mind to give it a candid examination.

Though it will be seen that the author of the present volume claims originality for the theory advocated in the following pages, as well as some of the processes of operating, yet it must be borne in mind, that no ?wv: agency is assumed, by whatever names this influence may have been known in previous a^es of the world.

* Progress of Animal Magnetism. Bv Dr. C. Poven. Boston, 1837, pp. 19-^*2,

VI11 PREFACE.

The author's numerous cerebral experiments, have been conducted with the special design of ascertaining more than seemed to have been known heretofore of the functions of animal life. And the followingpages contain the results of investigations connected with nervous difficulties, which have been continued for a number of years. Upon mature consideration, it was believed preferable that the results of the author's observations should be given, rather than the details of numerous experiments ; as volumes might easily be filled with the latter, without affording any real benefit to those for whom this work is designed. His opportunities for observing those classes of mental phenomena, supposed to be of the utmost importance in forming right conclusions as to the laws of mind, have been ample , and the experiments in Phrenopathy having now been repeated by a large number of operators, en both sides of the Atlantic, no room seems left to doubt as to what some of those laws must be which govern the vital, organic, and mental functions of the human system.

It is easy to conceive how great the disappointment of many will be, on finding that the author, after devoting so long a time to the investigation of this subject, should reject the hitherto prevalent assumptions in relation to what has been called the magnetic or nervous fluid. But that these assumptions have not been rejected without some good reasons, the following pages will show. Nor can the author entertain any doubt, that if previous writers had taken up the subject as he has done, they would have arrived at similar results. Instead of attempting to test these assumptions, it has been every where taken for granted

PREFACE. IX

that a fluid was eliminated from the operator, into the system of the patient ; and the various phenomena have been explained accordingly. Indeed, the author of what has been called "Neurology," has frankly told us, that he formed his theory first, and then commenced his experiments in proof of it ! And in the same way the notion has so generally obtained, that the agency treated of in this work was really a magnetic or nervous fluid ; and one generation has believed it after another, because the necessary pains have never been taken to arrive at the truth on this subject.

New-York, March 1, 1843.

CHAPTER II. Human Life

Life is an element. Its power over matter. Its control over the imponderable fluid?, magnetism, electricity, and heat. Life is not electricity — these forces do not amount to what we know of life. They do not modify or control life, as they would were life nothing but electricity. The nerves are nonductors of electricity. Life has laws peculiar to itself. It has motion, moisture — it is affected by mere sound. Life may, as it were, be shaken out of the system. It has the sense of feeling. The nerves, themselves, are destitute of feeling, except upon the surface. Hence, if electricity were life, every part, and especially the nerves, would be alike sensitive to pain from contact with any disturbing body. 5 — 15

CHAPTER III, Susceptibility

Peculiar to animal life. Effects of medicine. Diff'erenccs in the effects of the same medicine on the same persons. Idiosyncrasy. Emotions of pleasure or pain. What is the quality of the system operated on in producing pain ? How is contagion or infection received? Reciprocal influences between the mind and one's own susceptibility. "What is the mind ? How is this question answered ? The mind is dependent upon

Xii CONTENTS.

Pages the developments of this susceptibility. Where is the mind of the foetus ? It sympathises with the body. Sexual difference. Temperaments. Diet. The health. The power of thought depends upon the state of the nervous system. Effects of the atmosphere. Influence of the mind over the susceptibility. The voice. Effects of the mental apprehensions on the susceptibility. Adaptation of the different susceptibilities to the general purposes of life. Rules for judging of this susceptibility. Temperament. Phrenological developments. 16—36

CHAPTER IV. Sympathy — Antipathy*

These states do not depend upon the judgment, but upon a peculiarity in the physical nature of each person. The correspondence of the different parts of the body, and the general sympathy of the whole with the mind. Sympathies peculiar to different parts of the system, depending on the relation which one part sustains to another. Physical sympathy does not, necessarily, depend upon continuity of surface, or the contiguity of the parts affected. Reflex nervous action. JNTo sensation independent of the brain, or medulla oblongata — but sympathies do exist independent of this organ. Anatomy and functions of the ganglia. Two separate living bodies are sometimes affected by the same sympathetic laws. The same laws shown to extend to animals. Two persons far apart, dreaming at the same time precisely the same dream. These laws of sympathy are resolvable into what we know to be the laws of mind ; and its influence may be extended from one person to another. Case of the children at the poor-house in Haerlem. Strange occurrences in Kentucky in 1801, and in Scotland, England, and Germany. Catalepsy under religious excitement, precisely like that produced by pathetism. 37 — 57

Chapter V

Relation, Relation is the connection established between two things.

CONTENTS. Xlil

Pages Chemical effects depend upon the qualities of two different bodies brought together. The relation which produces positive results, depends upon certain contrarieties in two bodies brought together. This law is universal. Nature works bycontrarieties. Two things precisely alike in quality, produce negative results. All the effects of pathetism depend upon this relation, established between the patient, the operator, or the process. This relation is increased by habit, and sometimes it acquires supreme control over the mind of the subject. Sometimes it depends wholly upon the mental apprehensions of the patient, — and the mind transfers it from one object to another. Persons have been killed by this power. It explains the phenomena produced by Mesmer, which have never been reasonably accounted for to this day, and shows how sleep is induced by a mere process, adopted for this purpose. 58 — 67

CHAPTER VI. Pathetism

What pathetism is. No more mystery in this agency than in any other. Its effects upon the sense of touch, the sight, taste, smell, hearing. Effects upon the muscles, the nerves, the organs of animal life, the mental organs, consciousness, the will. Disposition and character of the patient. Effects in the cure of disease. Anomalous results, by pathetising, by the imponderable fluids. 68 — 98

CHAPTER VII, Theory of Pathetism

What is the nature of this agency ? Is it a universal fluid ? These results are not the necessary effects of magnetism or electricity. The magnetic forces reciprocally affect each other —not so with the operator and his subject. The results produced by pathetism are radically different from any induced by the mere electrical forces. Effects of metals applied to the body. Perkins's tractors. Effects of pathetism on animals. The nerves are non-conductors of electricity. Is it a nervous 2

XIV CONTENTS.

Pages fluid ? How can this be, when sleep is induced without any physical contact or mental exertion of the operator ? Effects produced on idiots and infants. Discrepancies in the results prove that it is not a fluid. Operators have been deceived by what they supposed to be the effects of the will upon patients. The immediate agency for affecting the mind, must be the same in all cases. 99 — 116

CHAPTER VIIL

Pathetising.

Have all persons this power ? The hand — passes — the operator. His health, temperament, age, mental character, good motives, skill. Balance of power. The patient. Temperaments. Idiosyncrasy. Quiet. Sleep. Time and place for operating. Process of pathetising. Cautions. 117— -127

CHAPTER IX. Phrenopathy

Discoveries of Dr. Gall. Phrenology. The relation of the encephalon to the body. Acephalous foetuses. Numerous phenomena explained. Functions of the ganglia. Hemispheres. Decussation. Sections of the encephalon. Cerebellum. Base of the brain. Coronal region. Frontal region. Occipital region. Cerebral excitement by galvanism. Origin of phrenopathy. Theory of phrenopathy. Mental organs. Experiments. 128—161

CHAPTER X. Sleep and Dreaming

The relation of sleep to wakefulness. The will in a state of sleep. The external senses. Dreaming. Voluntary sleep. Continued wakefulness. Excessive sleep. Means of inducing natural sleep. 162—168

CONTENTS. XV

CHAPTER XI. Somnium, Trance, Somnambulism

Pages Similarity between these states. Case of a somnambulist at East Bloomfleld, N.Y. Case of a lady in the state of Maine. Numerous other cases stated. An account given by a somnambulist of himself. Case of Rev. W. Tennant. Conclusions to be drawn from these facts. 169 — 190

Chapter XII

Second Sight, Transposition of ihe Senses, Double Consciousness ? Presentiments, Prophetic Dreams, Witchcraft.

Cases cf second sight stated. Transposition of the external senses, tasting, smelling, hearing, &c. to the pit of the stomach. Living in two states, alternately. Presentiments, Prophetic Dreams, Witchcraft. 191—210

CHAPTER XIII. Clairvoyance

Objectionable manner in which this subject has been presented. Human knowledge. The question stated. Sense of perception' without the external organs. Instinct. What is clairvoyance ? Manner of inducing this phenomenon. Specimens of sympathetic perception. Cases of independent clairvoyance. 211—230

Conclusion

The reality of this agency. Its nature. How operators have been deceived. What is the medium of this agency ? Impossibility of transmitting a fluid of any kind, in the manner hitherto supposed. Vibratory medium. Mental apprehensions. Intrinsic importance of the subject. Its application to

XVI CONTENTS.

Pages the purposes of education, and the different relations of life. A well-balanced head. What should be done when the organs are unequally balanced? Parents responsible for the mental developments of their children. Conjugal union. 231 — 240

ERRATA.

The reader is requested to make the following corrections :

Page 5, 4th line from the bottom, for " be composed/5 read " is

composed."

Page 35, 9th line from the top, " which" should be stricken out. Page 36, 2d line from the bottom, for " pathist" read "pathe-

tist."

Page 42, 9th and 15th lines from the bottom, for "Mlex," read

" reflex."

Page 44, 12th line from the top, for "fact" read "fads;" and

5th line from the bottom, for " sympathy" read " sommpathy." Page 81, 2d line from the top, for "it," read "them." Page 108, 14th line from the bottom, for "thus," read "this." Page 109, 13th line from the bottom, for "magnetic," read

" magnet."

Page 118, 2d line from the bottom, for " these" read "there." Page 128, 3d line from the top, for " Phrenis" read " Phren." Page 133, 20th line from the top, for " venesection," read " vi~

visedion."

PATHETISM.

Chapter I. Explanation Of Teems

Most persons, at all familiar with the subjects we propose to investigate, have felt the want of suitable terms, by which to designate them ; and some terms we have been in the habit of using, have not been understood by all, and others, have been used in a sense widely different from what their radical meaning would justify. — Somnambulism, from somnus and ambulo, properly signifies walking in a state of sleep; but it is often incorrectly used to signify a state of sleep, merely, and without any reference to its peculiar nature, or the manner in which it may have been induced. But, as there is manifestly a marked distinction between natural sleep, and that which is artificially produced, we want some term suitable for designating the state of induced sleep, to distinguish it from any other. And so of the process for producing sleep. The term " Magnetising," has been used for this purpose, to some considerable extent, but all have been agreed that this was not, by any means, so appropriate as could be desired. The truth is, many of the phenomena common to a state of induced sleep, are so new and unaccountable, that language does not seem to have afforded the necessary terms for designating them all ; and though we offer the following, we must confess that these do not, by any means, cover the entire field, nor, indeed, are some of them quite so "classical" as we could de-

A sire ; yet they will, we are persuaded, answer a good purpose till better terms can be found. It is well known that our term sympathy is from two Greek words which signify fellow-feeling, or a like feeling with another, as sumpascho, was used among the Greeks in this sense. And hence the use which has since been made, in medical theories of the term pathos, which signifies not only disease, but passion, feeling, excitement, emotion; and pathetikos, susceptible of emotion, that which produces emotion or feeling. And, that, what has already been understood, among physicians by the term sympathy and antipathy, has its foundation in that quality, or nature of living bodies which is the ground-work, if we may so speak, of all that has ever really been produced under the name of Mesmerism, there can be no doubt at all. I do not say that the phenomena of the induced sleep for instance, is produced by nothing more nor less, than what has been known of the laws o[ sympathy, but, what I mean is, that all that has been understood of physical or mental sympathy, has originated, or been founded in that same susceptibility, upon which we operate in producing any mental or physical effects upon the sytem of another by manipulation. No term, therefore, so well expresses what is really meant when speaking of the agency by which one person operates on the mental or physical organs, of another, and for the production of all those phenomena peculiar to the induced sleep, as one which gives the idea of sympathy, and a state of susceptibility, which renders this influence efficient and successful in producing the desired results in any part of the system on which the operation is performed. Every physician knows that disease is often communicated by sympathy ; and it will appear on examination, I think, that this same agency may be equally efficient in its cure. But the results brought about in this way amount to nothing more or less, than what has so long been known under the term " animal magnetism." Hence my authority for the adoption of the following terms ; and I may add, that they have not, heretofore, been appropriated to any other use, and hence there is, there can be, no reasonable objection to their application in the sense here proposed.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS. 3

Vuthetism. — I use this term to signify, not only the agency by which one person by manipulation, is enabled to produce emotion, feeling, passion, or any physical or mental effects, in the system of another, but also that susceptibility of emotion or feeling, of any kind, from manipulation, in the subject operated upon, by the use of which these effects are produced ; as also the laws by which this agency is governed. I mean it as a substitute for the terms heretofore in use, in connection with this subject, and I respectfully submit it to all concerned, whether this be not a far better term for the thing signified, than either Magnetism or Mesmerism. The former of these has, for centuries, been appropriated, and which, when used, expresses more than is necessarily included in its meaning, when applied to the human body. The term Galvanism would be far more appropriate, than that of Mesmerism, but, I think it best to use one which answers my purpose, much better, and to which there can be no serious objections.

Pathttise. — The act of manipulating the human body, for the purpose of inducing sleep, the relief of pain or the cure of disease. The act of applying the fingers to different parts of the head, or the body, for the purpose of exciting, or controlling the mental organs.

Somnium. — This term was first used, I believe, by Dr. Mitchell, of New York, to designate what has been called by some sleep-icaking, that is, a state in which persons, in a peculiar sleep, perform acts of which they are, at the time or afterwards, wholly unconscious. The term is needed to designate the state of spontaneous sleep, merely in distinction, from that state which is accompanied writh walking, and also from the other states described below.

Somnist. — One who spontaneously falls into a state of somnium, or sleep-wraking.

Somnipathy. — The induced sleep, brought on by the process ofpathetising.

Somnipathist. — One in a state of sleep, induced by pathetism.

Somnniloquist. — One who is made to talk, hi a state of somnipathy,

Phrenopathy. — The developement of the mental functions by pathetism. The theory which teaches the susceptibilities and influences of the human brain; the method of controling the different cerebral organs, and the results produced on the mind, by manipulating different parts of the body. Upon the discovery of the susceptibility of the separate cerebral organs, to the control of pathetism, for the want of a better terrm these experiments were reported under the terms, "Phreno- Magnetism," " Cerebration," &c. But as, from the first, I have controlled the mental organs, not merely by applications directly over them, but also by manipulating different portions of the face, neck, limbs, trunk, and indeed the teeth, fingers and toes of the human system, I think the above term more appropriate. Whatever impression, therefore, is made upon the mind, by applying this agency to any part of the body comes within the sense, in which it is used in this work.

Clairvoyance. — Simply clear-sight; but it has come into use to signify, sight without the eye.

Second-sight. — This term as is well known, is used to signify a sight of distant objects; or what would be called a supernatural perception of persons, or things at a distance. The terms, sup er sentient , and somniscience are used, also, in the same sense.

Chapter II. Hoian Life

As our enquiries relate to the nature of living bodies, it is plain, that what we want to know, is most directly concerned with human life, and the laws by which it affects and controls matter. When it is said, that we never can know anything with regard to the essential nature of life, it is affirming no more than we are forced to admit of matter itself. For, who has ever been able to tell what matter is ? Some of the laws by which it is governed we know, but who has been able to demonstrate whether matter be composed of one or more elements ? Nor are our enquiries with regard to life, really, any more difficult : for over the essential nature of both life and matter, there hangs the same impenetrable shade of mystery, and whether we shall ever be able to advance beyond the knowledge of our predecessors or not, onthese questions, remains to be seen.

If we merely use the term life, as expressive of a fact, like the term attraction or repulsion, it may be as easily defined as any known property of matter. The following are some of the reasons which incline me to the opinion, that life is not the result of organization, but that it is, itself, a distinct element, and governed bylaws of its own.

1. Its power over the laws of matter.

The fluids of which the embryo is formed must be endowed with life, because, from their union, or by one, when in contact, or sufficiently influenced by the other, it is certain, a living substance, or being is produced, which partakes of the qualities ot its parents. If it be assumed that this fluid be composed of particles, in an organized form, we might answer, that life gave them this form, and hence they must be the results and no: the cause of life.

Al

From the scripture account it is plain, that the formation of the human body preceded the gift of life. After man was formed from the dust of the earth, we are told, (Gen. 2: 7,) God " breathed into his nostrils the breath of lives, and man became a living soul." And some have supposed that the language of Moses, (Lev. 17: 11), is to be understood as affirming that the blood is alive, and that life is deposited in this fluid. But, the meaning is simply, that the life depends upon the blood, so that when it is withdrawn, life ceases. If this be not his meaning, it would involve the absurd notion, that the blood is the only part of the system which is alive, but this we know is not the fact.

We admit, that without the constant operations of the well-known chemical affinities, life could not exist for a moment ; but these affinities are controlled by life, and hence decomposition cannot take place ; and the system is thus preserved from death and decay. And in a word, we may say that almost every function of living bodies is performed in opposition to the all-pervading law of gravitation. The fluids ascend against this law; and so of the sap in vegetables, it is forced up by the principle of vitality, which controls matter, and which, therefore, cannot be a mere result of its organization. For, to suppose that this phenomenon, is the result merely of organization, would be to assume that matter has a self-determining, self-controling power. But it is an acknowledged law of matter, that by itself, it is absolutely inert, and any power it may manifest, must be derived ; so that whatever changes may be observed in its different states, they are produced by some extrinsic cause; hence the conclusion seems reasonable that life is an element, distinct from matter, as much so as light or caloric.

This power of animal life may be seen also in its identity and perpetuity, if we may so speak. It remains the same in whatever clime, or color, or state, it appears. Since the world existed, no change has been produced in this element. It is the same in the human body — it is the same in the various forms of beasts, birds and reptiles. True, some of the particular features of the bodies which it animates, may

HUMAN LIFE. /

change, but this principle remains the same, and from the first, it has possessed the power of perpetuating itself, unchanged, from generation to generation and from age to age. But if life be nothing more than the result of organization, or mere electricity, it could not be shown how the life of one animal could be preserved distinct from another; or how man could preserve his identity, or why the animals, birds and insects do not so mix up their existences as to become lost in one general amalgamation.

2. Life possesses the powee of controlling the imponderable FLUIDS.

We say life, because we know, that the same bodies when derpived of life, are immediately operated on by these agencies, when, on the living system they produce no effect at all. The power of the human body to resist heat is well known. Its natural temperature in this country is not far from 96° Fahr. But Dr. Fordyce, formerly physician to St. Thomas' Hospital, London, went into a room heated to 120°, where he remained twenty minutes, and afterwards, into a room heated to 130° and remained fifteen minutes while the thermometer in his hand rose only to 100°. Sir Joseph Banks, Dr. Solander and Sir Charles Blagden, remained several minutes in a room heated to between 196° and 211°, the temperature at which water boils; and the latter of the above gentlemen remained eight minutes in a room heated to 260°. We have accounts of a youngfemale at Rochefoucault, who was in the habit of staying ten and twelve minutes at a time in an oven heated to 276°, and Tillet and Duhamel inform us that they bore a heat of 290° for nearly five minutes.

Chantry, the sculptor, often entered his furnace, when heated for drying his mould, to 320°, and his workmen did the same with -impunity when the thermometer was up to 340°.

A dog of moderate size was subjected to a heat of 220°. — The only signs of distress was holding out the tongue, and in 30 minutes the heat was 236°. On being taken out, the bottom of the basket was found wet with saliva. By the same heat, beef steaks were cooked in thirty minutes, and in twenty, eggs were roasted hard.

o PATHETISM.

Most of my readers, have probably, heard of Mons. Chabert, the "fire king," and who, as is stated by Dr. Dunglingson, entered an oven when the heat was raised above 400°.

And we find the living body possessed also, of the same power to generate caloric. We have seen that its natural temperature is about 96°; but in the account of Capt. Parry's voyage to the arctic seas, we are told that his crew were frequently exposed to a temperature 50° below zero, and 150 below that of their own bodies, without being frozen !

We may be told, we know, that heat is resisted by the process of evaporation. But what carries on this process? Or, what causes the living body to evaporate more than the dead piece of flesh? The two put into the oven together, the latter is cooked, while the former remains in the same temperature unchanged.