Vital magnetism; its power over disease

Front matter

Its Power Over Disease.

A STATEMENT OF THE FACTS DEVELOPED BY MEN WHO HAVE

EMPLOYED THIS AGENT UNDER VARIOUS NAMES, AS

Dedication

To my friend Dr. C. E. S., I respectfully dedicate the results of reading and observation embodied in these papers.

When you were the honored President of the State Medical Convention, and presented facts in your possession concerning the treatment of disease by Vital Magnetism, there was deep interest manifested in the subject ; but the total absence of information concerning it, on the part of those who attempted to discuss it, you pointed out to me, and thus prompted me to supply the lack, from abundant materials which I had accumulated.

Hoping, my dear friend, that what is here presented may stimulate inquiry and open the treasures of this great storehouse of blessing, I am as ever, Yours sincerely,

Preface

The object of this work is to furnish, in a condensed form, the actual experience of experts, in the treatment of disease by Vital Magnetism, whose statements will not be disputed.

Purely mental phenomena in connection with this force are purposely omitted, as they lead to bewildering- speculations, such as have swelled other works to great size, but leading only to confusion, disgust, or to the neglect of this important branch of science by medical men.

A class of enthusiasts calling themselves healing mediums have met with more or less success in the use of this agency, and have sought to wrest it into the support of a mis-named spiritual philosophy. They have often succeeded only in arraying the intelligent against a force which has been known from the earliest ages, and which has a wide and benign application to the ills of man.

It is monstrous injustice to permit these pretenders to usurp control of such an agency, and to frighten off men whose talents and acquirements fit them to investigate its facts and to arrange them into scientific order. For there is no doubt that healing effects are produced here as elsewhere, by the ?nost careful attention to conditions, laws and principles ; and such as fail to recognize these, can expect no more success in the use of Vital Magnetism, than those who neglect the laws that govern other imponderable forces can look for valuable results in their use. It is as much under the limitation of Natural Law as any other force, though its range is extensive.

x Preface.

It is exceedingly desirable that there should be a full anr 1 impartial investigation of the merits and nature of this powerful agency, which has been hitherto discussed chiefly by men who exalted some phenomenal feature into undue prominence.

Dr. Braid, of Manchester, England, a celebrated surgeon, a painstaking investigator of magnetic phenomena, and a successful practitioner of the magnetic art, conceived that he had discovered fundamental elements, when he had merely found a new method of producing the primary magnetic condition. He baptized his supposed original discovery with the name of " Hypnotism," and Dr. Brown Sequard refers approvingly to this term, and vainly strives to point out a distinction, that does not exist, between this and Vital Magnetism.

While speaking thus, I recommend to all inquirers in this department the very able work of Dr. Braid, entitled Neuryftnology.

My purpose will be gained if I draw attention to this important subject from a natural and practical standpoint ; while the authors whom I mention will satisfy all those who have speculative tendencies, and wish to push their inquiries into the deeper mysteries of the subject.

Many of the laws of this ancient and fascinating science of Vital Magnetism are well understood. In order that this knowledge may be more generally diffused, and that men of learning may have in their hands facts to stimulate them to arrive at profounder principles lying at its base, this treatise is given to the public. After seventy-five years of opposition to the results of _ experiments and observation, these facts were found to be stubborn and unanswerable ; and the last twenty-five years have witnessed their complete victory over prejudice and mere argument ; so that, to-day, the first scientists and physiologists write and speak of them, not only with respect, but also with warmest praise.

VITAL MAGNETISM.

i.

MAGNETISM AS A THERAPEUTICAL AGENT.

The various names under which Magnetism has been known or employed during a century are mainly these : Mesmerism, Animal Magnetism, Induced Somnambulism, Psychic Force, Nervous Force, Mesmeric Sleep-waking, Electro-Biology, Perkinism, Electrical Psychology, Pathetism, Nervo-vital Force, Psycopathy, Braidism and Hypnotism. Other terms have been applied as some new phenomenal feature came to the surface ; but the force remained fixed and unchanged in all this fluctuation of terminology, because it is one of God's immutable agencies. But, in the bitter struggle over names, and methods, and their relative value, the facts of healing have continued uniform, and humanity has gratefully acknowl- ? < edged their benefit.

Dr. John Elliottsen, in the Zoist, an English quarterly journal, published from 1843 to 1856, uses this language:

" Mesmerism has always been true. Dimly known for thousands of years, in barbarous and semi-barbarous countries, known as to some of its high results to many of the great nations of antiquity, though the knowledge was confined to the chosen few, it is only beginning to be seen in its various aspects and ramifications, and to assume the character of a science — a science of the deepest interest and importance — inasmuch as the phenomena of life transcend those of all inanimate matter, and the faculties of the brain — the mind — are the highest objects in the universe that man can study; and inasmuch as its power over the faculties of the body at large, and especially over the whole brain and nervous system, is immense, and therefore capable of application to prevent and remove suffering, and to cure disease far beyond the means hitherto possessed by the art of medicine."

If we trace magnetism along the ages its footprints are discernible in ancient literature, on the sculptured monuments of Egypt, in the traditions of Chaldea, India, Persia, Greece, Judea and Rome, upon the early records of Christianity, during the Middle Ages, and upon the clearer pages of modern history. In barbarous and half-civilized communities, men characterized its cures as sacred mysteries, as secret remedies, as something magical and occult. The unbroken stream of results in healing has flowed down, in obedience to the law that is equally perfect with the laws of light and heat, of gravitation and electricity. The facts are uniform and indisputable.

Magnetism as a Therapeutical Agent. 1 3

The experience of antiquity has been amply supplemented by the record of the last century, showing an unbroken advance, slow but sure.

The efforts of the schoolmen in the past to establish medical systems upon series of facts, involved as bitter a warfare upon each other as they have ever expended upon the practice of magnetism. At first they denied the facts, and when these could no longer be disputed, they denounced the practice as "magical," and as leagued with the black art J But, as the medical schools themselves solidified into form, and intelligence spread, the fear of " magic " died out ; the cures by magnetism increased and were acknowledged, until, later on, Royal Commissions were appointed to investigate. These learned bodies at first found it difficult to be honest and unprejudiced, and reported adversely upon side issues, but finally with favor, in spite of the ravings of members grounded in old beliefs.

Attacks have now ceased, and to-day the first living physiologists commend the practice in highest terms. The main objection now urged, is the difficulty of finding properly qualified men to pursue the practice, as no amount of technical knowledge will make a successful magnetic practitioner in the absence of natural endowment. Time will remedy all this, and a sufficient force of operators will be forthcoming to cope intelligently with a vast number of so-called " incurable forms of disease," especially of a nervous character, to which magnetism is wonderfully adapted.

14 Vital Magjtetism.

It is not claimed for this practice that it is a universal remedy: no one but a charlatan would put forth such a claim; but, that it possesses great remedial powers, when properly applied, and when the conditions necessary to success are fully met, is unquestionable; and a great number of maladies that cannot be relieved by medication will find their solution here.

But the difficulty is, as a well-known modern writer has said, in speaking of magnetic practice, that —

" There is certainly something very revolting to the pride of the present generation, to admit that magnetism, the simple medicine of nature, can do what science and art cannot effect; to give up many favorite theories and plans of treatment — to lay aside the haughtiness of established doctrines — and to yield them before the simplicity of a curative action, which many have the power to impart, though each has not the skill to direct; — and to revive the practice of thousands of by-gone years — years which are only dimly seen through the long vista of pity for the ignorance and barbarism with which they are marked ; — and then to allow the practical value of these long-forgotten processes as superior to the present results of science, by adopting them. These are difficulties that require no small degree of moral courage to surmount."

This sentiment was uttered thirty years ago. The world moves; the battle has been fought, the victory won. The period from 1840 to 1852 marked the grand struggle, and the support of such names as lend their splendor to truth, especially among medical men, effectively annihilated opposition; no public attack has since been made; pride of opinion has succumbed; the practice in Europe has become well settled ; it is rapidly gaining respect here, where it is largely and successfully pursued as a specialty.

II. Views Of Eminent Men

It must be said that, in this country, we are at least twenty-five years behind Europe in the application of Vital Magnetism in the treatment of disease. India established a Magnetic Hospital at Bengal, under the superintendence of Dr. Esdaile, in 1840, which was sustained by the subscriptions of the first British residents of that Presidency, in which hundreds of the most difficult and dangerous surgical operations were performed without pain under the anaesthetic effects of magnetism. Two hundred and sixty cases were there reported, many of which were amputations of a dangerous and painful character.*

A Magnetic Hospital was established in London in the year 1846, and for eleven years the most astonishing results were obtained from this practice exclusively, and were duly reported through the columns of The Zoist, the journal devoted to that interest, and already alluded to as being edited by Dr. Baird.

The first officers of this institution were —

The Right Hon. the Earl of Ducie, President.

Vice-Presidents: Baron De Goldsmid, the Earl of Carlisle, R. Monckton Milnes, M. P., J. H. Langston, M. P., and Rev. G. Sandby, Jr.

Treasurer: Mr. Briggs.

Co?nmittee : Dr. Ashburner, Dr. Elliottsen, Dr. Chandler, Dr. Flintoff, Dr. Clark, Dr. J. Hands, Dr. D. Hands, Dr. F. G. Johnston, Dr. Symes, Rev. Dr. Dixon, Major Buckley, Captain John James, Mr. Blythe, Mr. Fradelle, Mr. Kingdom, and Mr. Topham.

Its operations for these eleven years were sustained entirely by popular subscriptions, and among its patrons were many of the highest dignitaries of Church and State.

The Earl of Ducie was a nobleman of high position, at the time being Lord-in-Waiting to Her Ma-

* It will well repay perusal if my readers can obtain a copy of Dr. Esdaile's Mesmerism in India, published by H. Bailliere, London, or a copy of the reprint issued in this country, I believe at Hartford.

jesty, and a member of Dr. Cumming's Scotch Church.

Five years later, after a prosperous career of the institution, I find The Most Rev. the Archbishop of Dublin President, with the Earl of Stanhope and the Earl of Dunraven added to the Board of Directors.

For the grand results obtained I must refer to their published annual reports, which would, if reproduced, challenge universal attention and respect.

It will be seen from this that men of the first reputation in the realm stood sponsors for the practical character of this noble science.

At the fifth annual meeting, they say, in reviewing the stormy time through which they had passed :

"The world is becoming every day better informed as to the reality, the curative and assuaging power, and the innocence of Mesmerism; and the English medical profession is now emancipating itself from the unfortunate feelings which overpowered it for the time twelve years ago."

A similar institution was established at Exeter, and in one of their reports Dr. J. B. Parker, resident surgeon, says : " I have performed over two hundred surgical operations without the patient's feeling the pain whilst under the influence of Mesmerism, including twenty most painful operations on the eye, tying the radial artery, more than one hundred bleedings, cutting off a very painful wart, and the extraction of upwards of forty teeth." The name and residence of each of these patients is given in full, with particulars of each case.

In 1850, another institution of a similar character was opened at Bristol under the name of " The Bristol Mesmeric Institute," and under similar auspices. Dr. Stevens, in the second annual report to the Society, from which I can only make a very brief extract, says :

"When it is considered that almost all the cases received have been of the most extreme character — some of years standing — and that many of them have been rejected as hopeless under ordinary treatment, the actual amount of benefit conferred ought to be the only just criterion. Amongst these cases are comprised several of the most severe forms of epilepsy, of paralysis, of hysteria, of extreme nervous debility with depression ; cases of tic-douloureux, with rheumatism, in all its varied shapes; spinal disease, with scrofulous affections of the hip and knee joint.

" There have also been several cases of nervous dyspepsia, sleeplessness, nervous headaches, acute inflammation of local parts, such as the eye, ear and throat, which have been subdued by mesmeric influence. Several minor painless operations have been performed, such as the extraction of teeth, and the application of caustic to various parts of the body."

Dr. Lane, in seconding the adoption of the report, said :

" It was not a little consolatory to find that Mesmerism was wending its way to the shores of the Bosphorus, and returning to the country of the Ptolemies, in which its great discovery was first developed — Egypt — 2,500 years ago. The paintings in the tomb or pyramid of Sesostris speak in higher or lower strains of its adoption and practice in the curative art, by the ancient Egyptians. Mesmer only revived it.

" The Egyptians had an overwhelming example, in the case of Miss Martineau, the celebrated and useful writer, whose sedentary habits produced such derangement of the system as no medicine could reach; her physician left her, intimating that nothing remained but to smooth the descent to death. Here, then, were genius, and taste, and talent consigned to the tomb, when Mesmerism came, and with a bland and reassuring smile tendered its aid. In a month, her nightly doses of narcotics were rendered nugatory ; excruciating pains subsided ; the animal functions gradually returned to their wonted vigor ; and, in about a twelvemonths after, she was discovered writing a letter on the Great Pyramid, having ascended to its summit without anything more than the ordinary fatigue of climbing to so vast a height, over steps at least two feet and a-half high ! What a mighty triumph for Mesmerism !

" But, still greater remained; to get down is infinitely more difficult than getting up — a task fraught with pain and much danger. Men glide from step to step by the seat, but women prone on the chest;

2o Vital Magnetism.

and then they have to jump from six to eight inches to reach the step below, and woe to the she or he who shall lose their equilibrium ; bang, bang, you go from step to step, till you reach the bottom a shapeless and crushed mass ; and all this was accomplished by Miss Martineau by Mesmerism ! "*

Dr. Barnes, surgeon of Bath, who was present at the meeting, said he had " been in the medical profession twenty-six years, and for a long time had had strong doubts of the truth of Mesmerism. His first impression was received from a visit to a woman in a state of madness, whom two powerful men were unable to hold. He advanced to her, fixed his eye upon her, took her hand, and she at once fell down under his influence.

"Afterwards he was sent for to a man whom he found with one side completely paralyzed, his arm and leg being perfectly lifeless. He made some passes over his person, the capillary vessels began at once to fill, the warmth returned, and he was soon restored, and a few days ago carried two hundred weight for a mile and upwards. Four days ago he (Dr. Barnes) was called to see a child who had been in fits for a fortnight, and under the care of the hospital surgeons. She was insensible, kept incessantly rolling about her head in a shocking way, and had not spoken for many days. The moment that he touched the top of her head the roll-

* See Section IX., " Typical Cases," for the interesting details of this memorable case, as given in Miss Martineau's own vering motion was stayed; she soon became perfectlystill, and smiled at him, and directly afterwards she spoke. He left her greatly recovered, and the next morning her mother told him that in an hour after his leaving her she asked to be dressed, and was as perfectly well as ever she was in her life. This might seem to be a miracle, but it was the result of a principle which could be explained upon scientific grounds. He had produced similar effects in fever, and in lumbago and sciatica."

Another Mesmeric Institute was established in Dublin, in the year 1852, under the patronage of His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, of which Falconer Mills was president. The following prospectus clearly sets forth its objects and the principles adopted for its guidance. It is typical of all the institutions named in this connection in utterly repudiating the superstitious assumptions of supernaturalism, and placing the practice upon a purely scientific basis :

"The Committee of the Dublin Mesmeric Association, in appealing to their fellow-citizens in behalf of a Mesmeric Hospital, feel themselves called on to explain the character and objects of the Association, and to remove some misconceptions which prevail, or might be likely to arise, on the subject. They wish it to be distinctly understood, that their object is not to maintain or to devise any scientific theory, but simply to extend the knowledge of certain important facts, and to facilitate the beneficial application of that knowledge, in the relief of suffering, and the cure of disease. With this view, they propose, not to occupy themselves with a variety of experiments for the gratification of mere speculative curiosity, but to seek exclusively for practically useful results.

"Without intending to disparage scientific investigation, or to pronounce for, or against, any particular theory, they propose to confine their attention to what is practical and practically useful.

"But, they would, at the same time, remind those who are eager after philosophical speculations, that in all departments of knowledge the ascertainment of facts has always come first in order, and that correct theories, to account for existing phenomena, have always (when such have been attained) appeared long after, and have been based upon those facts. The reversed procedure — that of seeking in the first instance for a theory, and disregarding, or misrepresenting all facts, that cannot be satisfactorily explained on such theory — this is precisely that 'Anticipation of Nature' which Bacon protested against as the bane of true philosophy, and which it was the great object of his life to supersede, by the 'Interrogation of Nature.'

" The Committee beg also to be understood, most clearly and candidly, that they do not seek to produce Mesmerism before the public as an agent capable of curing all diseases, or by any means wish it to usurp the place of the medical man; but simply put it forward as an individual remedy, capable of controlling and exercising a powerful and beneficial influence over a vast number of ailments; and more especially those called nervous and chronic affections, which medical men have at all times acknowledged as little benefitted by the mere administration of drugs.

"The Committee feel it of vital importance to their own character, to the people, and to the cause of Mesmerism itself, to disclaim any connection or co-operation with those who receive or practice Mesmerism, as derived from supernatural agency, or miracle-working power, independent of the laws of creation; but, on the contrary, would more humbly and gratefully acknowledge it as an additional means granted by the Almighty to man, to make him more dependent on Him, and more useful to his fellow-man ; and believe its phenomena to be solely the result of the vital force, conveyed by the operator to the more delicate and susceptible nervous organization of the person mesmerized ; just as light, or heat, or sound, &c, variously affect the animal or organic tissues they come in contact with.

" Lastly, the Committee would suggest to the public, and in particular to the medical men of this city, that, when the existence of a real and important agent has been established by facts which it is vain to attempt denying, and when great and increasing public attention has been drawn to these facts, it is most important to the well-being of society that such an agent should not be left in the

24 Vital Magjzetism.

hands of the ignorant and thoughtless, or of designing or ill-disposed persons; but that means should be taken for affording all candid persons an opportunity of fair investigation ; so that truth may be distinguished from falsehood, and a beneficial from a noxious or dangerous application of the powers which Providence has placed within our reach. " By Order.

"J. MacDonnell,

"Hon. Secretary"

The grand results obtained in this hospital would be exceedingly interesting as related in their published reports, but space will not allow even a synopsis of them here. The same is true of the reports published at the various annual meetings of each of the other institutions named. They teem with interesting and startling records of cases ; the meetings themselves were always of marked interest, and in numbers full to overflowing, hundreds at times being unable to gain admittance.

Statements enough, I trust, are here submitted to show the strong position this science has assumed in the British Islands ; and in these entire reports we find neither rhapsody, cant, nor overstatement, but a judicial calmness, weighing carefully the aggregation of facts by men thoroughly competent to pass a solid judgment upon them.

Dr. Elliottson, in presenting the sixth annual report at a meeting presided over by the Earl of Dunraven, said:

Status vf the Practice in Great Britain. 25

" It may cure as well as any other remedy, and, what is very important, without pain or discomfort; it may cure when every other remedy fails; it may, without pain or discomfort, lessen disease which it does not cure; and it may prevent and lessen suffering when it does not lessen disease.

''When we possess established means of curing or alleviating disease or lessening distress, and above all, in cases over which they exert their beneficial operation without suffering or mischief, and in cases in which they cure better than Mesmerism, they ought to be employed as the profession at large employs them, and as we, who are medical men do, in common with our brethren, employ them in our private practice; though we give not a particle of any drug in the Infirmary, for patients enter on the understanding that they are to be treated with Mesmerism only, and we take no cases in which medicines are likely to be required ; our object is to supply to the poor that which is denied them in other hospitals and dispensaries, and, if we employed anything but Mesmerism, our cures would be ascribed by the profession to the medicines and not in any degree to the Mesmerism.

" In ordinary practice, if at the same time Mesmerism also is employed, all established means will tell the more; they will require to be used with less force, the cure will be speedier and pleasanter, and the recovery both from the disease and from the debility left by it, and very many ordinary measures, be much accelerated.

" The advantage of Mesmerism during convalescence from any disease and after any treatment, is also very great. It often serves all the purpose of change of air and scene, and is a blessed substitute to those whose means are too limited for that advantage. Wonderful as the fact may appear, persons very susceptible of mesmeric influence, if from confinement or other debilitating causes they become languid, pale and uncomfortable, lose their appetite, and are altogether in a state for which a change of air and relaxation from labor are an almost certain remedy, find mesmerization a far more potent means."

Is any better authority needed than this great physiologist, and one of the first physicians in the city of London?

See how carefully he guards all the interests of the profession he adorned, while stating such substantial facts as came under his observation during the many years he occupied in the investigation of Mesmerism.

Equally significant is the statement of that eminent representative of the Homoeopathic School, Dr. J. J. Garth Wilkinson, of London, in which he declares: "We have no certain knowledge of the limit of Mesmerism as a curative agent, nor of the conditions which should exclude cases from this treatment." This is certainly a very near approach to Dr. Mesmer's universal, remedy.

And a long stride is assuredly made in the recognized standing of magnetic practice, when that

Status of tlie Practice on the Continent. 27

greatest of living phyisologists, Dr. Wm. B. Carpenter, of England, can say, without provoking comment or contradiction, that this force, when applied with skill " will take rank as one of the most potent methods of treatment which the physician has at his command"*

IIL

STATUS OF THE PRACTICE ON THE CONTINENT

HISTORY OF ITS DEVELOPMENT.

In France the practice has been recognized by the great majority of its physicians, and, previous to the discovery of ether and chloroform, was ex-

* It is greatly to be regretted, however, that this valuable testimony of Dr. Carpenter's should be to some extent neutralized by his recent attempt in a popular magazine to excite ridicule over the mistakes of Dr. Mesmer, passing by the immense good he accomplished in the very line commended above, during his long and useful life.

What writer or discoverer in any department of science is exempt from 4he follies of immature judgment ? Is it fair, then, to represent Mesmer as holding to opinions and practices which he revised and abandoned long years before his death ?

Why draw imaginery lines, too, in regard to Mesmerism, and Hypnotism, where they do not exist, if the desire is sincere to see this practice extended?

tensively employed as -an anesthetic in capital cases of surgery in Paris hospitals.

As early as 1834 an organized Magnetic Hospital was opened by the Marquis de Guibert, a French nobleman,upon his estate at Fontchateau in the Commune of Tarascon, and during the six years which this benevolent gentleman gave to the work, 3,315 cases were treated for severe forms of disease which had mainly been pronounced incurable. Dr. Charpignon, member of the Medical Faculty of Paris, in his work entitled " Phisiologie Medicine et Mataphysique du Magnetisme," in speaking of the results obtained by the Marquis in this hospital, says:

"Out of 3,315 patients admitted, 1,948 were discharged cured, and 375 were partially relieved, and 504 were impassive. Of those admitted 2,121 were females, and 1,194 were males; amongst other cases treated 14 were for contracted limbs, of which seven were perfectly cured, and others relieved" — (p. 274 of the above named work).

I pass by the thousands of cases treated by Dr. Mesmer, and by his coadjutor, Dr. D'Eslon, as they are matters of permanent history, and challenged at the time the attention of all Christendom, provoking the appointment of Royal and Scientific commissions for the investigation of tfieir merits, and an offer of a large sum by the French Government to Mesmer to disclose the secret of his wonderful power over disease, of which he claimed to be the sole discoverer.

Status of the Practice on the Continent. 29

The world has been largely benefitted by Dr. Mesmer's researches in magnetism; and humanity will remain his debtor therefor to the end of time, and can well afford to forgive the folly of such exclusive claims as he set up respecting the discovery itself. The science also was rescued by his efforts from the domain of the so-called supernatural, and placed upon something like a scientific basis. Like all students and experimenters treading in new and unknown paths, Mesmer made mistakes; he surrounded the practice with a vast paraphernalia which did not belong to it, and made claims which could not be adequately supported; but these were of minor importance and were abandoned by this grand student when he became convinced of their inutility; (and that is the strongest expression which can be fairly used in regard to them). The magnetized rods and the baquet were abandoned and the more natural methods of his coadjutor, Dr. D'Eslon, took their place.