Two years following his graduation, Mesmer married the wealthy widow of an army Lieutenant Colonel, Marie Anna Von Posch, on January 10, 1768. Mesmer, unable to swallow Father Gassner's hypothesis that patients were possessed by demons, believed that in some way the metal crucifix held by the Father was perhaps responsible for magnetizing the patient and hence developed his ideas and explanation of the results into a theory of animal magnetism, which he first tested in 1773 by treating a 28 year old female, Franziska Osterlin, who eventually married Fredrich Von Posch, Mesmer's stepson.
Mesmer published his first account of the magnetic cure in 1775, under the title of, Schreiben Uber die Magnetiker. Although his fame continued to spread, he was forced to leave Vienna following the famous Paradis case, in which Dr. Von Stoerck and Dr. Barth opposed him. In 1777 Maria Theresa Paradis, a blind child pianist, and favorite of the Empress, recovered her sight after treatment by Mesmer despite the fact that she had been under the care of Europe's leading eye specialist, Dr. Von Stoerck for ten years without improvement. Influenced by jealous doctors, the child's mother took her away from Mesmer's care before the cure was complete. In an emotional scene, the mother struck the child across the face because she did not wish to leave Dr. Mesmer's clinic and the hysterical blindness reasserted itself. Nevertheless, Mesmer's influence was still great enough to secure a recommendation from the Austrian Foreign Minister to the Imperial Embassy in Paris, to which he moved early in February 1778. He founded a clinic with D'Eslon on the Place Vendome, and published his famous book, Memoirre Sur La Decouverte Du Magnetisme Animal in 1779.
In 1784 the French Government investigated Mesmer, and pronounced him a fraud. However, Benjamin Franklin, who was a member of the investigating committee, wrote the minority report, which stated the phenomenon was worthy of further consideration. Other members of the commission were Jussieu, famous for his connection with the Twilleries; Guillotin, the inventor of the Guillotine which bears his name; and Lavoisier, the well-known French chemist whose name is still familiar to Americans as the brand name of a mouth wash! Esdaile's fascinating description of the investigation states he believed the verdict was fair enough considering the nature of the evidence placed before them. He goes on to say: ...but yet, (such is human fallibility), in this case summum jus was also summa injuria; truth was sacrificed to falsehood, as I think will clearly appear from a short analysis of their proceedings. This will probably not be time wasted, as I have heard intelligent gentlemen say that the report of the French philosophers still decided their opinions. They had a series of axioms in Mesmerism presented to them, whose truth they were to examine and the efficacy of certain processes was to be proved to their satisfaction by experiment.
The Mesmerist's object seems to have been to try to convince the commission that he had a secret worth knowing, and yet to continue to keep it to himself by hiding its extreme simplicity under a load of complicated machinery and various kinds of mummery. D'Eslon, the pupil of Mesmer, propounded his laws of animal magnetism after this fashion:
I. Animal magnetism is a universal fluid, constituting an absolute polonium in nature, and the medium of all mutual influence between the celestial bodies, and betwixt the earth and animal bodies. This only a gigantic assertion.
II. It is the subtlest fluid in nature, capable of flux and of reflux, and of receiving, propagating, and continuing all kinds of motion.
III. The animal body is subjected to the influences of this fluid by means of the nerves, which are immediately affected by it. We see no other way at present.
IV. The human body has poles, and other properties, analogous to the magnet. The first proposition has never been proved, and takes everything for granted; there is only likelihood in the second.
V. The action and virtue of animal magnetism may be communicated from one body to another, whether animate or inanimate. True, as regards to the relations between animate bodies; and these can also impregnate inanimate substances.
VI. It operates at a great distance, without the intervention of anybody. True
VII. It is increased and reflected by mirrors, communicated, propagated and increased by sound, and may be accumulated, concentrated, and transported
VIII. Notwithstanding the universality of this fluid, all animal bodies are not affected by it; on the other hand there are some though but few in number, the presence of which, destroys all the effects of animal magnetism. The first part correct, the last not improbable.
IX. By means of this fluid, nervous diseases are cured immediately, and others medially; and its virtues, in fact, extend to the universal cure and preservation of mankind True, to so great a degree, that we do not yet know how far it may go.
Is it surprising that the commission dismissed contemptuously such a mass of sheer assertion and unsupported theory, seasoned with truth to be sure, but so diluted and obscured as not to be recognizable? Like a Bengal witness, D'Eslon was not content to tell the truth simply, but added so many corroborating inventions of his own that no one knew what to believe, and the case was dismissed as unworthy of further investigation. He ruined himself, and his cause, also, (perhaps in ignorance, however,) by loading the truth with a parcel of trumpery machinery through which he hoped the power of nature would nevertheless penetrate; but Nature, like an overloaded camel, turned upon her driver and threw him and his paraphernalia of magnetic platforms, conducting-rods and ropes, pianos, magnetized trees and buckets, into the dirt; and truth retired in disgust to the bottom of her well, there to dwell till more honest men should draw her forth again to surprise and benefit the world.
As far as my observation goes, all that is necessary for success, if the parties are in the relation of agent and subject, is passive obedience in the patient and a sustained attention and patience on the part of the operator. The process being a natural one, the more the parties are in a state of nature the better: the bodies of my patients being naked, and their heads generally shaved, is probably of no small consequence in the proceedings...
There are a number of very important assertions in this excerpt from Esdaile's book. First, he certainly points out clearly the reason why the commission turned down the phenomenon as unworthy of further investigation. Second, he also illustrates the point doubly by even adding a number of misconceptions of his own, misconceptions which were nevertheless accepted as true in his day regarding medical practice. Thirdly, he sums up a really ingenious and brilliant theory in one sentence: As far as my observation goes, all that is necessary for success, if the parties are in relation of agent and subject, is PASSIVE OBEDIENCE in the patient, and a sustained patience on the part of the operator. Fourthly, he makes a statement which might serve further experimentation: The process being a natural one, the more the parties are in a state of nature the better. This might be better accomplished by means other than mere nudity although perhaps the possibility that by being nude the subject psychologically is "defenseless," or more "submissive" should not be overlooked. My favorite induction method is to take the patient with all his or her senses on a journey into a primitive wooded area, peaceful and quiet, serene and still where concentration and relaxation are greatest. Both the spirits of passive obedience as well as the journey into the wilderness of nature to seek communion with God are a part of every major religion in the world.
So much for the report of the commission which had as its ultimate effect the denunciation of Mesmer, his methods and theories, although his theories were actually far more on trial than his methods.
After being denounced in Paris, Mesmer's popularity quickly faded, and he traveled to England, Italy and Germany, returning for a brief visit to Paris before the outbreak of the revolution. He then settled in Frauenfeld in Switzerland, until the summer of 1814 whence he moved to Morsburg, where he died on March 5, 1815.
It is not generally known but nevertheless true that Mesmer and his son published works on animal magnetism, and even today copies of these completed works can be obtained.
As Mesmer's patients were placed in a tub filled with water and iron filings protruding from which were larger iron rods, Mesmer would suggest to them that as he touched them with his magnetic rod, they would become magnetized and eventually would go into a state of "crisis" from which they would emerge cured. His patients invariably did this and Mesmer considered the crisis an absolute necessity for the cure. Mesmer made a very imposing picture in his long flowing robes, holding his magnetic rod and passing from room to room in his clinic. His methods of magnetism, therefore, were unquestioned and his follower and pupil of good faith, the Marquis de Puysegur placed patients in a trance which he called artificial somnambulism, in which the patients did not enter the crisis or fit, but rather into a state of quiet relaxation. (The Marquis had forgotten to suggest to them in advance that they would experience a seizure!)
Modern day thinking about hypnosis.
When you think of hypnosis, you may envision swinging pendulums and shady practitioners controlling their subjects like puppeteers. But real hypnosis doesn't involve losing control over your behavior, says Barry Snow, Ph.D., a psychologist at the Comprehensive Pain Center, Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City. Instead, hypnosis is a joint project in which an individual and a trained hypnotist work together to shift the patient's way of thinking away from limiting patterns and toward more positive perspectives. Psychologists and doctors have used hypnosis for years to help people handle stress or pain and to alter self-destructive behaviors such as smoking or overeating. "A trained hypnotist teaches you techniques that shift your focus. This allows you to let go of tension and stress or alter negative behaviors or feelings," says Dr. Snow. "Eventually, you'll be able to use these techniques on your own. Hypnosis works best on individuals with active imaginations and a strong desire to change their present situation."No matter how open-minded you are, it's important to be wary of "hypnotists" who make grandiose claims — saying they can cure cancer, for instance. "There are plenty of scam artists with no background in psychology or medicine who are full of false claims," says Roberta Temes, Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry at Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn and the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hypnosis." "A qualified professional won't 'cure' anything — he'll simply help you control how you behave or how you experience certain symptoms, such as pain," she says. A typical hypnotic session might involve writing about one of your favorite places and then learning to visualize that place when feelings of hurt or anxiety arise. We consulted the latest research to find out the truth about how this mind-body technique can promote well-being.
Pain Reduction
Numerous studies have found that hypnosis can help manage pain during surgery,
dental procedures or in patients suffering from chronic health conditions,
such as irritable bowel syndrome. A recent study at Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center/Harvard Medical School found that patients who practiced hypnosis
before surgery needed less pain medication and left the operating room more
than 20% sooner than those who didn't use the technique.
"Hypnosis helps some people distance themselves psychologically from the
pain," explains Dan Handel, M.D., a pain and palliative-care expert at the
National Institutes of Health.
Easier Labor
Many pregnant women who don't want to use pain medication during labor turn to
hypnosis. "It allows a woman to be alert during the birthing process while
easing much of the discomfort and anxiety," says Dr. Handel, who adds that some
women report that hypnosis speeds delivery time.
"A pregnant woman would learn and practice relaxation techniques months
before she's due," he explains. "Then, when she's in labor, hypnotic
techniques help take her mind off the contractions and help her focus on the
process of giving birth."
Better Sleep
Hypnosis has been found to help people suffering from insomnia, reports Handel.
How? One study found that hypnotic techniques helped people fall asleep
more quickly. "It's similar to meditation: These techniques calm you
and help you think of something more relaxing than the worries keeping you
awake," Handel says.
Weight Loss
Hypnosis is a good complement to traditional weight-loss programs, according to
Dr. Temes. In research conducted at Churchill Hospital in the United Kingdom,
people who received hypnotherapy aimed at reducing stress, a common overeating
trigger, lost slightly more weight than those who received only dietary advice
or hypnotherapy that focused on reducing calorie intake.
"Hypnosis can divert your mind when you're starting to overeat, and it
can also become a substitute for eating as a method of de-stressing," says Handel.
Kicking the Habit
Hypnosis is widely touted as an effective aid for smoking cessation, but studies
have yielded mixed results. In fact, a recent review of the scientific
literature concluded that hypnosis has not been linked to more effective six-month
quit rates than other interventions, or even no treatment at all.
Still, many aspiring quitters may find hypnotherapy helpful, especially if
they suspect their habit stems from anxiety or problems controlling their
impulses, Handel says.
