MESMERISM. 661 



trable, that a pistol tired in the ear is not heard, nor melted wax 

 dropped on the body felt, nor ammonia applied to the mouth or 

 nostrils perceived, although the gentlest word of the operator 

 (magnetiser) is heard and answered, water similarly treated (mag- 

 netised) by him tasted and found ferruginous, and the gentlest 

 touch of him recognised. A delightful feeling of ease and light- 

 ness is experienced, the body grows warmer, and perspires freely, 

 though sometimes anxiety, palpitation, slight convulsions, and 

 wandering pains take place. On the first attempt these occur 

 generally without sleep-waking, and it is only after many trials 

 (and sometimes they continue fruitless) that such a state is in- 

 duced. On coming out of the sleep-waking, the person is un- 

 conscious of all that has occurred ; but, when thrown into it 

 again, recollects the whole and converses on it. The magnetiser 

 can put an end to this state at pleasure : and, when he is a good 

 magnetiser and the patient very susceptible, a single movement 

 of the hand may instantly magnetise, and even knock down and 

 kill ; a look may magnetise : and we are told that all these effects 

 may sometimes be produced at great distances by the mere voli- 

 tion of the magnetiser. 



But this is not all. We are assured that matters often go 

 much farther ; that a person can often be so highly magnetised, 

 not only as to taste magnetised water and recognise the mag- 

 netiser by hearing and touch, but even to perceive objects of sight, 

 hearing, taste, and smell, by the epigastrium, fingers, and toes, 

 by the organ of touch, so as to read a letter by these parts u , even 

 though it be folded in several envelopes ; nay more, to discover 

 a person in the next room, though a wall intervene ; to foretell 

 events entirely relating to others, and describe things going on 

 at incalculable distances, as well as learn the thoughts of persons 

 present ; to relate the most minute points regarding persons who 

 touch them, though never seen before ; to see the interior struc- 

 ture of his own body, and describe the seat and appearance of a 

 diseased organ, predict the future events of a disease of either 

 himself or others, and point out the remedy. However, I am not 

 aware of any anatomical discoveries having ever been made, and 



This reminds one 



ct Of Rosicrusian virtuosis, 



Who see with ears and hear with noses." Hudibras. 



x x 4 



