ee I ee ee a e Ku lO 
1894.] The Psychology of Hypnotism. 923 
from all these results, that some great force acts upon and 
masters the patients, and that this force appears to reside in the 
magnetizer. It has been observed that many women and few 
men are subject to such crises.” These crises were character- 
ized by “ convulsions, cries, shouts, and groans.” The same 
writer says elsewhere: “It has been likewise observed that 
they (crises) are only established after the lapse of two or 
three hours, and that when one is established others soon and 
successively begin.” (Certain words and expressions are here 
and elsewhere italicized for future reference). Mesmer’s treat- 
ment became exceedingly popular. He, consequently, incurred 
the jealousy and hatred of the Academy of Science and the 
Academy of Medicine, these academies emphatically declar- 
ing that there was nothing in his method and that his theory 
was arrant nonsense. Where upon Mesmer left France, not- 
withstanding the fact that the government offered him a life- 
pension of 20,000 francs on the sole condition of his remaining 
and continuing his method of practice. He returned, how- 
ever, at the solicitation of his admirers who offered him a 
purse of 10,000 louis for a series of lectures on magnetism. 
These lectures were published and set the kingdom into a 
ferment, many declaring that Mesmer was a chaflatan and a 
fraud, while as many more declared that he was a great dis- 
coverer and a benefactor of the human race. In 1784 the 
government ordered an investigation and appointed a com- 
mission to inquire into magnetism. Their report is exceed- 
ing interesting, in as much as it shows how very near, indeed, 
these men of wisdom were, in grasping the salient features of 
hypnotism. Benjamin Franklin was a member of this com- 
mission, his name being signed first of all. A translation of 
report reads as follows: “ The commissioners have ascertained 
that the animal magnetic fluid is not perceptible by any of the 
Senses ; that it has no action, either on themselves or the patients 
subjected to it. They are convinced that pressure and contact 
effect changes which are rarely favorable to the animal system, 
and which injuriously affect the imagination. Finally, they 
have demonstrated, by decisive experiments, that imagination 
apart from magnetism produces convulsions, and that 
