Etherology, and the phreno-philosophy of mesmerism and magic eloquence

Front matter

ETHEROLOGY,

PHRENO-PHILOSOPHY

MESMERISM AND MAGIC ELOQUENCE:

SECTION II. History op Etheropathy, 89

Ignorance of the Ancients concerning the Causes of Etherean Phenomena — Witchcraft — Divination — Magic — Discoveries which led to a Scientific Knowledge of Etheropathy — Van Helmont — Mesmer — His Career — D'Eslon — Adverse Report of the French Commissioners — Foissac and the Academy of Medicine — Their favorable Report — Gall — "La Place.

section m.

Theory of Light — Of Heat — Of Electricity — Of Magnetism — Of Gravitation — Newton's Conjecture — Rev. Mr. Townshend on the Mesmeric Medium — Animal Electricity — Electric Fishes.

CONTENTS.

SECTION rv\ Oxygen, 89

SECTION V.

Sleep, 93

Liebig's Error.

SECTION VI.

Organ of Consciousness, 100

Infusoria — Immortality — Rationalism.

SECTION VH.

Inter-fhreno Senses, 118

External Senses — Internal Corporeal Senses — Cousin's Criticism upon Locke.

section vm.

All Motion communicated — Nothing originates Motion but God — Sympathy is same Motion.

SECTION IX.

Etherean System of Phrenology, 132

Summary of the Philosophy of the Etherean System of Phrenology.

CONTENTS. 5

SECTION X.

Etheropathy, 136

Credencive Induction — Imitativeness — Credenciveness.

SECTION XI.

Clairvoyance.

SECTION xn.

Abnormal Sleep — Manifestations of uncommon Strength — Conferring Power on Medicine, Water, &c. — Reading Character — Discoveries in Phrenology and Physiology by Fowler and Buchanan.

SECTION XIII.

Neurology — Buchanan's Discoveries.

SECTION XTV.

Phreno-Magnetism, Pathetism, and Hypnotism.

SECTION XV.

Communion with Spirits, 227

1*

O CONTENTS.

SECTION XVI.

Abuses of Etheropathy, . 233

Immoral Induction — Local Induction.

SECTION xvn.

Rules fob Experiments, 239

Credencive Experiments — Experiments during Somnambulism — Upon Diseased Persons.

Preface

While hundreds, and perhaps thousands, are engaged in repeating old experiments, and trying new ones in Mesmerism and Clairvoyance, no successful attempt has hitherto been made to explain the phenomena upon scientific principles, and to show their consistency with previously known truth.

In philosophy, facts are useful only as far as they lead to a true theory ; and a theory is only a method of showing the true relation which exists among the facts.

When a theory is, or seems to be, well established, any fact which appears to militate against it is apt to be disputed, or received with caution and incredulity. For this reason, mankind have been disposed to oppose new discoveries and innovations, which render a change necessary in their theories, creeds, opinions, or habits. It is not because they are unfriendly to improvement, but because they doubt the reality of the discovery, or the real practical importance and utility of the proposed change. It rather demonstrates their love of truth, for they, like St. Paul, verily believe that they are doing their duty by resisting the introduction of error. But if the new truth can be made to harmonize with the old opinions, it is then cordially received into the family of

8 PREFACE.

admitted facts, which go to constitute our favorite theories. The facts of a science may be compared to the scattered and broken bones of a skeleton, while a theory is the method by which they can be put together, and proved to belong all of them to one animal.

The facts in Mesmerism call to mind a collection of strange bones once found in England, which apparently belonged to animals of a different kind from any that had ever been known to exist on earth. Some very learned and sagacious men at first denied the existence of the bones ; but when they were dragged to light, and protruded before them, so that they could no longer avoid acknowledging their existence, they declared that such enormous limbs must have a supernatural origin, and that they were undoubtedly the bones of fallen angels ! Upon further examination by scientific men, it was found that they were bones of whales and other marine animals, that had been ages ago " in the deep bosom of the ocean buried," and that the place had been afterwards raised to eminence, like classic Delos, upon the shoulders of an ambitious and aspiring volcano.

The facts in Mesmerism are exceedingly numerous, and some of them of a most wonderful and monstrous character. They have been denied again and again, even by those who have witnessed them ; and when admitted to be true, they have also been accounted for by referring them to a supernatural origin ; but the time has come when these facts should, like the facts in Geology, Chemistry, and Astronomy, be

PREFACE. 9

wrested from the hands of superstition, mystery, and quackery, and moulded into symmetrical forms of scientific beauty. This is a most difficult and laborious task, and any one who undertakes it may fairly claim some indulgence for the imperfections of his performance. I am desirous to do for Mesmerism what my friends claim that I have done for Phrenology — to reduce it to a scientific system.

When the doctrines of Phreno-Magnetism and Neurology were announced, and were making converts by thousands, and multitudes of new organs were daily discovered by these means, so that my favorite science was threatened with an overwhelming inundation, I was forced to take up this subject in earnest. Almost every friend I met asked my opinion of the new doctrines and new organs, and seemed surprised at my scepticism. This has led me to the determination of publishing this volume, that I may thus at once justify myself, and vindicate what seem to me the true principles of Phrenology. If I am mistaken in any of the positions which I have assumed, there will doubtless be enough to correct me, and I shall acknowledge the correction with gratitude. I have several times given the substance of this work in public lectures, and the approbation with which it has been received, especially at West Point and at Union College,* far surpassed my most sanguine hopes.

The plan which I have adopted for this work is, to present first a brief outline or summary of the whole,

# See Appendix to Phreno-Philosophy.

10 PREFACE.

comprised in a few pages, and then to take up each important topic, and treat it separately. It appears to me that this method will assist both the understanding and the memory of the reader.

In regard to other authors, I have made use of their language wherever I adopted their ideas, provided I found them suitably expressed ; and in such cases I have given all due credit. Wherever I differ from others, I have quoted their expressions sufficiently to do justice to their real meaning, and then freely and frankly given my own opinion, and exposed what appeared to me to be their errors. There have been so many new doctrines advanced within a short time, both on the subject of Phrenology and Mesmerism, that I must necessarily assume the office of a critic in speaking of the performances of others. I am aware that I shall be liable to the charge of arrogance ; but at the present time, scarcely two Phrenologians, or Mesmerologists, can be found who agree ; any one, therefore, who treats upon both these subjects at once, with the design of producing an harmonious system, must seem to assume that he is wiser than all others, and capable of filling the chair of grand master of the fraternity. No modesty of expression, nor respectfulness of style, can shield him from this imputation. Under these circumstances, I have deemed it best to " speak right straight on," regardless of the apparent egotism, and to " utter my thoughts " with entire independence of every thing but truth and justice.

J. STANLEY GRIMES.

Introduction

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

The lively excitement awakened in all the principal cities of the United States, during the past winter, by lectures upon Mesmerism, and its offshoots, Pathetism and Electro- Biology, renders necessary the republication of a book the very existence of which is unknown to most persons ; and yet it seems to be the only philosophic explanation of that series of wonderful facts which have been accumulating in the world's history, since the Pythian priestess raved upon her tripod. Physical and mental phenomena have been presented, which have astonished thousands of intelligent witnesses, and even staggered their confidence in the evidence of their own senses. These phenomena are so out of the course of our ordinary experiences, that scepticism is not only to be expected, but is allowable; especially when we know that the deceptive jugglery practised by many public lecturers, who are more desirous to amuse an audience than to establish the truth, has led the public to regard with suspicion and contempt both the science and its advocates. But, apart from Mesmerism in its different phases, we have a record of facts, observed by physicians and recorded by historians, which come fairly under the title of Etheropathic

12 INTHODUCTION TO THE SECOND EDITION.

phenomena. Salem witchcraft can scarcely be mentioned without a pitying smile at what we think the absurd folly of our ancestors ; and yet there was a truth in Salem witchcraft, and of fearful import to the pious and devil-hating Puritans. But with a susceptible subject, every wonder of Salem witchcraft can be actually reproduced ; and what is better, understood by any one who admits Professor Grimes's system of the Phreno organs. Phrenologists familiar with the facts of Mesmerism will be likely to have their faith in the old Phreno systems weakened when they find that their phenomena can be explained by his system, and by no other. I think that every attentive reader must rise from the perusal of this book feeling, that, even if Professor Grimes has not explored all the minutiae of his subject, he has at least done for the Philosophy of Mesmerism what Columbus did for America ; he has shown where the land lies.

Critics may be disposed to object to the nomenclature introduced by the author. His object was to obtain the most comprehensive term possible. Mesmerism is, by far, the most generally used and understood, but is objected to, by nearly every writer on the subject, as insignificant and inappropriate. Every word in the Greek lexicon that could be dragged into service, has been altered, amended, and compounded, but without as yet arriving at any all-embracing term. Every experimenter who deviates somewhat from the common method, or observes some new results, forthwith invents a new name for what is in reality to be attributed to the same general influence. Hence we have the Neurology of Buchanan, the Pathetism of Sunderland, the Electro-

Introduction To The Second Edition. 13

Biology and Electro-Psychology of Dodd and Fiske. Mental Influence, if it could be condensed into a single euphonious word, would seem to be a more appropriate and genuine term than any yet suggested ; but the author, in consideration of the universality of the Etherium by which he explains these phenomena, includes all classes of these effects under the general term Etherology ; though he is by no means tenacious of names — new names do not constitute new things. Claims to new discoveries have been preferred by those who have only relabelled old experiments. All that is now claimed under the name of Electro-Biology was practised years ago, and its principles explained in this very book. Coins and other substances were placed in the hands of subjects, but it was found that the very same effects could be produced without as with them, and they were abandoned as useless. It is evident to any one at all acquainted with electricity, that the zinc and copper coins now used cannot have the least appreciable effect, except as they may serve to delude the ignorant, by throwing an air of mystery around the process.

The object of the author in writing this book was primarily to defend the peculiar system of Phrenology which he had discovered, from the implied attacks of Neurology and Phreno-Magnetism, as practised by Buchanan, Fowler, and others. For if the new organs which they claimed to have discovered with such ease and certainty had real existence, the system of Phrenology, which, in opposition to others, he maintained to be the true one, was unfounded. An examination of Neurology and Phreno-Magnetism not only showed 2

14 INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND EDITION.

him the errors into which their supporters had fallen, but afforded strong evidence of the truth of his own system. Hence the book was in many respects of a controversial character. The publishers of the first edition had issued only 1,500 copies, when they failed, and the work, which was not stereotyped, was abandoned. During the past winter, the book has been industriously sought after with but little success. Copies are so rarely to be met with, that one in this city was sold for $5.00, and one in Philadelphia for $ 10.00.

These considerations have induced the author to issue another edition ; but having his time wholly occupied in delivering an extended course of lectures in this city, he has been obliged to intrust the necessary revisions and corrections to another, which, without doubt, would have been much better performed by himself. I have accepted this task, with permission to alter and amend as I might think proper, and the request to omit all controversial matter not necessary to a full understanding of the subject.

The alterations made are mostly verbal corrections, and, in some few cases, changes in the structure of sentences. The omissions have been numerous, and have abridged the original volume more than 150 pages. The absence of this controversial matter, which had an interest when first published that does not attach to it now, is more than compensated by binding up with the Philosophy of Mesmerism the author's recent work entitled the Compend of Phreno-Philosophy.

The reader will perceive, as he progresses through the work, that Professor Grimes has introduced several important and original views, by means of which he is able to explain

Introduction To The Second Edition. 15

some phenomena which had hitherto been considered utterly inexplicable. The idea that Mesmeric phenomena depended upon the presence of a universal Etberium was advanced by Mesmer himself, and adopted by all his followers. This is, in fact, a favorite notion with most philosophers at the present day. Our author has made free use of it in explaining mental and physiological phenomena. I cannot but think, however, that, in many instances, effects, which he considers as referable to the motions of Etherium, would be more philosophically explained by attributing them to the disturbance of the molecular forces of the nerve itself. In the same manner, Electricity passes along a wire, not by the motion of Etherium in the wire, but by the disturbance of the polar forces which Faraday has proved to exist in the molecules of matter which compose the wire.*

The insulation of the nerves is an idea obscurely suggested by Cuvier in his lecture on Physiology ; but no use was made of it, until the author, in his investigations, found that it afforded means of explaining the fact that some persons were very susceptible, while others were wholly unaffected. He shows that this difference may be accounted for by the perfection or imperfection of the nervous insulation. By the introduction of this new principle, the reader will observe that he is enabled to explain Salem witchcraft, clairvoyance, and trance with great plausibility. Next, he introduces a

* In justice to the learned Professor of Chemistry of Kenyon College, Dr. Thrall, I will take the liberty to state, that the theory of molecular forces, as now generally understood, was advanced and taught by him some time previous to the publications of Faraday and others upon this subject.

16 INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND EDITION.

new philosophy of sleep, attributing it to the overpowering influence of the ganglionic system inducting the brain, But there is no part of this work which will be read with more interest than his explanation of Credencive Induction and Magic Eloquence, in which he shows the necessity of a correct philosophy of mind and an understanding of the structure of the brain — its converging fibres and conscious centre — and the stimuli by which one organ is enabled to overmaster all others.

That this volume may be the means of solving the doubts of some and awakening the attention of others to this important subject, is the earnest expectation of the editor.

Boston, February 25, 1850.

ETHEROLOGY;

THE PHILOSOPHY OF MESMERISM

SECTION I.

SYNOPSIS OF ETHEROLOGY.

1. All the known phenomena of the universe may be referred to three general principles, viz. : matter, motion, and consciousness. Every thing that we know is a modification of one or all of these three.

2. One portion of matter cannot influence another, nor can one mind influence another, but through the instrumentality of motion.

3. One thing cannot influence another with which it is not in contact, unless there is some material substance existing or passing between every portion of the space which separates them ; — that is, no motion can be communicated from one body, nor from one mind to another, unless there is a material connection ; — therefore, when one does influence another, there is necessarily a material connection, through the medium of which motion is communicated.

4. Fact. The planets influence each other and the earth. 2*

Fact. Philosophers agree that the (so called) ponderable matter of the atmosphere does not extend more than eighty miles above the earth's surface.

Fact. Heat, light, electricity, magnetism, and gravitation, operate in an exhausted receiver, as well as elsewhere.

Fact. One mind sometimes influences another independently of ordinary sensation or muscular motion, without contact or perceptible connection.

Inference. There is a material substance occupying space, which connects the planets and the earth, and which communicates light, heat, electricity, gravitation, and mental emotion, from one body to another, and from one mind to another.

Name. I shall denominate this substance Etherium.

5. Motion has but two attributes, viz : quantity and direction. The origin of motion, like the origin of matter, is beyond the sphere of human knowledge. We see motion communicated from one thing to another, but we know not " whence it cometh nor whither it goeth; " and we can never know, unless we can " by searching find out God." We can only know motion by its effects upon matter ; and, from observing these effects, philosophers have discovered certain general rules which they denominate the laws of motion.

6. There are two equal and antagonistic forces in nature, the origin of both of which is unknown. They are sometimes denominated centripetal and centrifugal forces, sometimes attraction and repulsion,

SYNOPSIS OF ETHEROLOGT. 19

and sometimes positive and negative forces. These two forces being equal, balance each other continually, except when other forces interfere to destroy the balance ; — then both these forces move, though in opposite directions, until both are again antagonized and balanced.

These two forces are communicated by means of etherium, and all the positive and negative phenomena are produced by the disturbance of the balance of antagonistic forces. There are many reasons for concluding that even muscular motion and sensation are referable to this cause.

7. The phenomena of sensation and muscular motion, both voluntary and involuntary, are produced by. the motions of etherium, communicated from certain external objects to certain internal organs or points in the nervous system, and from these points back again to the external objects.

8. There are two distinct classes of functions in man and all other animals, viz. : Voluntary and Involuntary. The involuntary are produced by motions of etherium communicated from the surfaces of the heart, stomach, and other involuntary muscular organs, to certain different points in the nervous system, denominated ganglions, and from these ganglionic points back again to the heart, stomach, etc. ; thus completing a circuit which exactly resembles that of a galvanic apparatus.

9. The voluntary motions are produced by motions of etherium communicated from different external objects to one point in the medulla oblongata, which point may be denominated the organ of Consciousness ; and, from that conscious point, back again, through the nerves, to external objects, completing another circuit, which, in every essential, is precisely like those of the involuntary system, with this exception, that the central point of the voluntary system is endowed with consciousness, but the central points of the involuntary system are not so endowed.

10. The external senses are avenues through which motions of etherium are permitted,* constitutionally, to pass to the phreno-organs of the brain j and the phreno-organs are avenues through which the motions of the etherium from the senses and from the blood are modified and transmitted to the organ of consciousness, and from thence through the motor nerves to the muscles.

*In the first edition of. this work there was some ambiguity in the use of the terms " etherium " and " currents of etherium," which may have led to a misunderstanding of the author's ideas. I have endeavored to render his meaning more accurately in many places, by the substitution of motions of etherium for etherium, and the word force when he refers to the influence which is communicated by means of etherium. Lest I should have overlooked some expressions which may not be understood by the unscientific reader, I will say that the author holds (in common with philosophers generally) that there is a universal etherium, or elastic fluid, pervading all space and permeating all things ; by means of which motion is communicated. Not that the etherium is itself active, flowing in currents, but that currents, or, more properly, lines, of force are transmitted by means of this fluid. — Ed.

SYNOPSIS OF ETHEROLOGY.

11. The organ of consciousness is thus the central head-quarters, where all external impressions terminate, and whence all voluntary movements emanate. It is the starting point and termination of the circuit.

12. In performing this circuit, the motions of the etherium are peculiarly modified in each successive avenue or stage through which they are obliged to pass, and this modification is undoubtedly regulated by the laws of motion already mentioned.

First. Ethereal force is modified by each external object from which it emanates.

Second. Ethereal force is modified again by the intervening medium through which it passes from external objects to the external organs of sense ; thus, light is refracted and otherwise modified, in passing through air, vapor, water, glass, &c. ; so also is sound modified by the varying density, rarity, or elasticity of the medium through which it is propagated ; and the same is true of odors and savors.

Third. It is modified also by the structure and condition of the external organs of the senses through which it enters, — as the external eye, ear, and nose.

Fourth. It is modified by the structure, size, and condition of the nerves through which it passes from the external organs of sense to the phreno-organs, — as the optic, the auditory, the gustatory, etc.

Fifth. It is modified by the phreno-organs ;

Sixth. By the organ of consciousness ;

Seventh. By the nerves of motion through which it passes from consciousness to the muscles j

Eighth. By the muscles ;

Ninth. By the surrounding objects to which it passes after it has been expended upon the muscles. All these different and successive avenues constitute the circuit.

13. The modification of motion, which each phreno-organ produces, is peculiar to itself, and different, in each one from that of every other. This is proved by the fact that the consciousness produced by each organ is peculiar to itself, so that we can distinguish between the consciousness produced by any one organ, and that produced by any other. Thus, Destructiveness and Cautiousness, and Kindness and Color, produce greatly different states of consciousness, and such as are easily distinguished from each other.

14. Consciousness is produced in the same manner, in all other animals, as in man. All animals have a central organ of consciousness, but some classes of animals have a greater number of modifying avenues ; that is, they have a greater number of senses and phreno-organs, through which consciousness is affected. Some classes of animals, also, have a greater number of avenues, (nerves of motion,) through which ethereal motion passes from the central organ of consciousness. It is this difference, in the number and kind of avenues to and from consciousness, which is at the foundation of the difference between men and other animals.

15. In animals of the same class, — in man, for instance, — the number and kind of avenues to and from consciousness are the same in every individual, except in cases of deformity. But even in the same class, whether we compare different men, or different avenues in the same man, there is an essential difference in the size, the capacity, the calibre, the condition, the strength, and perfection, of the avenues to and from consciousness. It is the difference in these respects, which is the basis of Practical Phrenology, as applied to mankind.

17. There is a class of organs or fibres, which may be denominated inter-phreno senses; the office of

'Which is to convey motions of etherium from the organ of consciousness to the several phreno-organs ; so that each phreno-organ may act or not, in any given case, according to the condition of consciousness.

When any phreno-organ acts, it necessarily produces consciousness, before it produces muscular motion ; and, as every phreno-organ is in communication with consciousness, by means of the inter-phreno senses, each organ will, of course, be excited according to the impression it receives from consciousness. The idea may be expressed thus : Whenever consciousness is impressed by one phreno-organ, it radiates the impression to all the other phreno-organs.

18. The quantity of force evolved from the blood to carry on the operations of the constitution, is in proportion to the quantity of oxygen which combines in the lungs with the food from the stomach. The

24 PHILOSOPHY OP MESMERISM.

quantity of the action of any animal is in proportion to the amount of oxygen consumed.

19. As a general proposition, the larger the lungs, compared with the stomach, in man, or any animal, ccBteris paribus, the more concentrated is the food chosen, and the more rapid is the digestion and secretion. On the contrary, the smaller the lungs, compared with the stomach, the coarser and less concentrated is the food, and the slower it is digested. The reason is this : the oxygen unites with the food in definite proportions, so that when the lungs are small and the stomach large, the lungs must work rapidly to supply oxygen to the food, or else the digestion will be slow. When the lungs are large and the stomach small, the stomach must work rapidly to supply food to the oxygen.

20. If an ordinary sized stomach and lungs be supplied with a moderate quantity of rather coarse and unconcentrated food, the ethereal force* will be generated slowly, and the operations of mind and body will be moderate. But if, with the same lungs and stomach, a concentrated and stimulating kind of food be used which saturates all the oxygen which the lungs can supply, the quantity of ethereal force f generated in a given time will be much greater, and

* I do not understand the author to mean properly an ethereal force, viz., a force residing in the etherium, but a force transmitted through the etherium.

t A force by which all the functions of our bodies are performed. — Ed.

the operations of body and mind will be proportionably vigorous and energetic.

21. The blood goes from the lungs to the heart charged with oxygen, and from the heart to the in-, numerable arterial extremities or capillaries ; and it is in passing through these minute capillary tubes that the chemical process takes place, which produces the motions on which life and thought depend.

22. The perfection and energy with which ethereal force is evolved from the blood in the capillaries, and imparted to the nerves, depend upon the health and condition of the minute structure of the capillaries in. which the operation is performed. This again depends upon the climate, habits, food, health, and appetite of the individual. These are circumstances difficult to define, and still more difficult to estimate.

23. All the ethereal force evolved by the blood is divided between the voluntary and involuntary organs ; or, in other words, it is divided between the brain and its dependencies, and the ganglions and their dependencies. The share allotted to each is in proportion to their relative quantities of muscular motion and functional action.

24. The involuntary motions are continued without interruption from the commencement of life until its termination ; in fact, they constitute life. But the voluntary motions are suspended in man about one third of the time ; in Some classes of animals more, in others less. During this regular suspension of voluntary motion, we are said to sleep.

25. The reason of this suspension, or sleep, is founded upon economy. It is not necessary for us to keep awake twenty-four hours, for we can perforin all our duties in less time ; accordingly, there is not sufficient force evolved during twenty-four hours to supply both the voluntary and involuntary systems during the whole of that time.

26. If the involuntary motions are suspended, we die ; if the voluntary, we sleep. If both continue till the ethereal force is exhausted, we die ; as there is not sufficient generated to supply both systems continually.

27. The material (carbon and hydrogen) which combines with oxygen to produce motions, is all generated and secreted by the involuntary organs, and as much is used by them as they need ; the surplus is expended through the voluntary organs, the intercommunication which exists between the voluntary and involuntary systems allowing of this arrangement.