Isis Revelata: An Inquiry into Animal Magnetism

49 C722 i 1844 Volume 1

CONTENTS

OF

VOLUME I.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

CHAPTER I.—Definition of animal magnetism original: "Animal Magnetism"; a 19th-century term for mesmerism or hypnosis, based on the theory of an invisible force or fluid residing in living beings. The extraordinary nature of these phenomena. Why they are difficult to believe. Why experimental investigation is recommended. The best ways to conduct such experiments. Evidence in favor of the facts. Addressing the objection that the phenomena are too marvelous to be true. Opinions of philosophers original: "Philosophers"; in this context, the term refers to natural scientists and deep thinkers—Pierre-Simon Laplace, Georges Cuvier, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Gottfried Reinhold Treviranus, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

CHAPTER II.—The phenomena of animal magnetism deserve serious attention. They tend to increase our physiological and psychological knowledge. These experiments are conducted not only by empirics original: "empirics"; here referring to unlicensed practitioners or those acting without scientific theory, often used as a synonym for "quacks", but by learned and intelligent professionals. Curious popular beliefs that have existed almost everywhere in the world. The influence attributed to the touch of the human hand—the royal touch the historical belief that a monarch's touch could cure diseases, particularly "the King’s Evil" or scrofula. The influence of the human eye, breath, and saliva, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78