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Mesmerism and Hypnotism
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FRANZ ANTON MESMER (1734-1815) Member of Bavarian Academy of Sciences 1775
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Leyden Jars—stored electricity Benjamin Franklin c. 1750
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Animal Magnetism
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In the throes of a crisis Bibliothèque Nationale Paris
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The Mesmeric Trance
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Mesmeric Principles A subtle physical fluid fills the universe and forms a connecting medium between man, the earth, and heavenly bodies, and between people Disease originates from the unequal distribution of this fluid in the human body, and recovery is achieved when equilibrium is restored. This fluid can be channeled, stored and conveyed to other persons In this way, crises can be provoked, and patients cured. (Ellenberger, p. 62).
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King Louis XVI’s 1784 commission of the Academy of Sciences, and Academy of Medicine. FINDINGS: 1—No Mesmeric fluid 2—Effects due to the Imagination 3—Mesmerism produced erotic and sexual dangers for women who were more “excitable”(relayed in secret report to King) 4—Effects more pronounced in crowds
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“The Magic Finger, or Animal Magnetism” French, 18 th century
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The Magnetisers: “Our Faculties are in rapport!” French 18 th century
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Marquis de Puységur (1751-1825) Society of Harmony: group of Mesmer’s Followers Victor’s trance as Waking Somnabulism
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I believe in the existence within myself of a power. From this belief derives my will to exert it. The entire doctrine of Animal Magnetism is contained in the two words: Believe and want. I believe that I have the power to set into action the vital principle of my fellow-men; I want to make use of it; this is all my science and all my means. Believe and want, Sirs, and you will do a much as I. Puységur’s Will
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John Elliotson (1791-1868) Chair of Medicine University College, London resigned his university post due to mesmeric practice,1835
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British 19 th Century
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“The Magnetic Doctor” Charles Émile Jacques 1843
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Caricature by Honoré Daumier Robert Macaire magnétiseur
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A Séance of Magnetism Honoré Daumier 1868
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Portrayal of Cancerous Breast Removal of Madame Plantin 1828 James Esdaile used mesmerism as an anaesthetic Calcutta, India 1845
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JAMES BRAID (1795-1860) Scottish surgeon Neurypnology, or the Rationale of Nervous Sleep 1843 “hypnotism”
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Psycho-physiological Theories of Mesmerism Mesmerism as mental reflex “Will” not functioning Subject engages in automatic behavior, called an automaton Directly responsive to external stimuli, leading to immediate action: Ideo-motor action Insane more prone to these responses –William Carpenter, British physiologist –Thomas Huxley, British evolutionist
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Trilby a novel by George Du Maurier 1894
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Serialized by Wilkie Collins 1859-1860, London 1871 Stage Production 2005 Musical
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Hypnotism as a Model for Social Interaction Gabriele Tarde, French sociologist Laws of Imitation, 1890 “I shall not seem fanciful in thinking of the social man as a veritable somnambulist….Society is imitation and imitation is a kind of somnambulism.”
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Hypnosis produced by the sudden stretching of the hand Illustration by Gilbert, taken from 'La Nature' (Paris, 1881)
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Inducing hypnosis (1881) Illustration by Gilbert, taken from 'La Nature' (Paris, 1881)
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From Mesmer to Freud: Magnetic Sleep and the Roots of Psychological Healing Adam Crabtree
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