EFFECTS OF MAGNETS. 97 



electroid, or electricity-like agent, as connected with the identi- 

 cal sources of these other phenomena. It was found that 

 magnets, crystals, or whatever afforded the phenomena of this 

 attenuated light, together with many things which did not, 

 also emitted an influence or aura which was capable of acting 

 decidedly upon the nerves of a certain proportion of persons. 

 This aura was described as warm or cold, according as it was 

 received from either pole of the magnet or crystal, or accord- 

 ing to the positive or negative quality of any other source 

 from which it was obtained. It was found capable of acting 

 at a distance, and of being transmitted through conducting 

 media, and of sometimes acting so powerfully upon the sensi- 

 tive as to produce catalepsy and dangerous spasms. Thus, at 

 one time, during the illness of one of Reichenbach's employees^ 

 he held a large magnet, capable of supporting ninety pounds, 

 at the distance of six paces from her feet, as she lay on her 

 bed, with her physician by her side. While the armature 

 was attached to the magnet she felt no peculiar sensation, but 

 the instant it Avas removed she fell into tetanic spasms and 

 complete unconsciousness from its action. The armature 

 being again attached, the girl slowly recovered her senses, 

 and her physician advised that the experiment should not be 

 repeated. Another lady, subject to attacks of catalepsy, 

 could instantly detect the approach of an open magnet, 

 though the latter was brought, without her knowledge of the 

 intention, near the head of her bed, on the opposite side of 

 the wall. 



Magnets, crystals, etc., were also found to powerfully at- 

 tract the hands of cataleptic patients, even during the un- 

 consciousness of their fits. 



It was also ascertained that amorphous bodies, in common 

 with others, sent forth this ethereal influence, though, as before 



9 



