Isis Revelata: An Inquiry into Animal Magnetism

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VIII.—Magnetic opinions and practices of the ancients. Temples of Health.—Verses of Solon. Plautus original: "Plantus"; likely a reference to the Roman playwright Plautus, who mentions "manual stroking" in his plays. Martial. The practice of Asclepiades. Magnetism among the Eastern original: "Oriental" nations. In the monasteries. Witchcraft. Opinions of the North American Indians. The influence of the imagination. The case of Elizabeth Bryant. Philosophical medicine. The opinion of Dr. Ziermann, etc. . . . 188

CHAPTER IX.—Levret, Greatrakes, and Streaper original: "Streper"; Richard Streaper was an associate of the famous 17th-century Irish healer Valentine Greatrakes. Opinions of his practice by philosophers, physicians, and theologians original: "Divines". Gassner. Other natural magnetizers. . . . 203

CHAPTER X.—Mesmer. His labors in the discovery of animal magnetism in Vienna, in Paris, etc. Perkinism original: "Perkinism"; a medical fad of the late 1700s involving "metallic tractors" (metal rods) used to draw out disease. Mesmer makes converts. His theory. The conduct of the Medical Faculty of Paris. The progress of animal magnetism. Court de Gébelin, etc. . . . 213

CHAPTER XI.—Mesmer's mode of conducting the magnetic treatment. Unusual original: "Whimsical" apparatus and mystery. Opposition. Mesmer sells his secret. Harmonic Societies original: "Harmonic Societies"; these were the Sociétés de l'Harmonie, private groups formed to spread Mesmer's teachings. Committee to investigate the medicinal effects of the mineral magnet. Committee to investigate animal magnetism. Reports and remarks upon them. The report of Jussieu. Publications on the subject. Lavater imparts the system of animal magnetism to Doctors Bickers, Olbers, and Wienholt. Boeckmann and Gmelin receive it from Strasbourg. Works on the subject. The death of Mesmer. His character, etc. . . . 232

CHAPTER XII.—Schools of animal magnetism in Paris, Lyon, and Ostend. Strasbourg. Improved treatment introduced by Puységur The Marquis de Puységur, a student of Mesmer who discovered "magnetic sleep" or somnambulism. Magnetic power and susceptibility. Physical and psychological original: "psychical" qualifications. Magnetic treatment, simple or compound. Manipulation—with contact—at a distance original: "in distans".