TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 59 



the execution of this project ; but another oppor- 

 tunity presented itself for making such an experi- 

 ment. A young negro slave, who had lost the use 

 of his right arm, by suddenly taking cold, was 

 brought to us by his master, to examine the nature 

 of his disease. After we had sufficiently enquired 

 into all the circumstances, we decided that the 

 application of magnetism to the right arm, would 

 be the most suitable method. One of us, there- 

 fore, made him stretch out his arm upon a table, and 

 had begun to magnetise only a few minutes, when 

 the attention of the spectators was attracted by a 

 considerable motion of all the muscles of the pa- 

 tient's arm. The operator hereby encouraged, 

 redoubled his exertions ; and when a short time 

 afterwards, he called to the negro, in a voice of 

 command, " Rise ! lift up your arm !" the patient, 

 still half in doubt, raised his arm, and as he was 

 able to perform all the motions without difficulty, 

 a scene took place which was worthy of the pencil 

 of a master ; the astonishment of the persons pre- 

 sent, and their terror at this act of conjuration, 

 the respectful triumph of our host, the joy of the 

 slave, and the gratitude of his master, formed al- 

 together a very animated picture. We did not 

 remain long enough at Ypanema, to learn whether 

 our black patient continued to feel the benefit of 

 the operation ; but at all events, w^e could not but 

 be surprised at the rapidity with which a single 

 manipulation had acted upon him. 



