memories english gustav theodor fechner

8/22/2019 Memories English Gustav Theodor Fechner.

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Memories

on the last day of Odlehre and its author.

Gustav Theodor Fechner

(Leipzig, printed and published by Breitkopf and Hartel., 1876.)

Contents:

I. Summary of Hegel

II Historical

III. Pendulum experiments

IV reputation with women employees experiments

V NachschriftlichesI. Summary of Hegel.

The so-called Odlehre seems since the death of its inventor, one must call Mr. von

Reichenbach probably pretty lost or against spiritualism, so she has a distant

relationship, receded into the background. Meanwhile, the following contribution to

the history should still retain some of the same interests, by thus, so to speak, the last

act of the occurrence of this doctrine is called, which has played its ambiguous role

for a while next to the exact teachings of the claims of belonging. Also, it would be a

pity if a negative and a positive test date, which I shall in the course of thesecommunications have to speak, remained forgotten.

In the main, the following memories relate to the rather involuntary relationship in

which I followed in the last years before von Reichenbach's death on his insistence of

his teaching.In short, namely R. v. has my interest in his experiments the last lifeline

of this doctrine sought believed ie, after vainly here and there precisely researchers

knocked at the doors for admission for the same, with my help even an

acknowledgment of the same to enforce. This expectation I have now of course been

unable to meet, and it was from the outset an illusion, because I would have All he

made his statement, can confirm - however, it does not even come out to givingreasons for a sweeping investigation - , I would so probably hurt in the bias that exists

in exact circles against von Reichenbach's teaching my reputation, but not his

teachings have helped up.

From further entering may serve some short notes to refresh the memory of the

half-forgotten Od.

The OD is to Reichenbach, the magnetism and electricity analog, imponderable

agent which, however, more or less of it presents different symptoms and its

particular laws follows. It is included in all bodies, and has magnetism and electricity

as well as two, to be distinguished as positive and negative modifications, which arecharacterized by a certain contrast of phenomena or effects. But its effects can only
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ever by some people, so-called sensitives are perceived, which are endowed with a

peculiar nervous irritability, symptoms of Reichenbach are given. But Sensitive

frequently enough before, their number is to Reichenbach's later information about

half of the people, only that under the same are many gradations through which they

pass into the non-sensitives, also changes the degree of sensitivity, even in the same

subject after many circumstances . Reichenbach seems to assume that a sign ofsolidarity of the sensitivity takes place, I believe that such a grant is limited, but will

not elaborate on here. Someone has it for interest, or to consider other on sensitivity

in Reichenbach's sense, it is in at least the following activation konstatierbaren most

easily given the same symptoms.

Sensitive are generally nervenreizbarer as non-sensitive, more by changing the

environment, weather and external circumstances are at all affected scare easily,

restless sleep, though are as sensitive in itself not ill, but before others to certain

contingencies, as convulsions, migraine, and somnambulism. like inclined. are no

strong eaters who love excellent cold meats, salads and disdain fatty foods, can notwork well in small rooms, or between other persons, including in the crowd,

enduring, are affected by the presence of a magnet or magnet swipe in a particular

way; easily troubled by moonlight; feel to stand before the mirror as something

retardant, have an aversion to yellow, however, preference for the blue color in

clothing, housing, & c - In the following two sample sets v. Reichenbach especially

weight: It can be tested by the person proffer the left hand and stroking with the

forefinger of his right hand upright and slowly lower it without the wrist to the tip of

the middle finger, they touch and at the distance of about one inch of Certified feels

like an action in the way when a fine cool breeze would run your finger over thefollowing hand, blown about like a straw quiet, so he is sensitive, he feels nothing, he

is not. And: If something subdued light, in a staggered only just through veiled sky in

weak daylight room, but also in the evening by candlelight, holding a hand to be

tested over the eyes in the normal visual range. Then he considered the fingertips, by

holding it against a dark background, which is one or two steps back. A non-sensitive

is hiebei perceive anything unusual, but discover a Sensitive over the top of each

finger with a sharpened look a very delicate flow, colorless, lightless, lust similarly,

mobile, some lines high, up pulling, face south inclining, and where he fingers the

may also apply, following them out everywhere. There is no smoke, no air, no haze, it

looks at how his tan, similar but noticeably zrter of reputation as a rising air.

Someone presents more decisively above characteristics, the more developed is the

rate in Reichenbach's sense with him.

Of the myriad symptoms or effects of the Od showing off Reichenbach, I only

mention the following:

The two poles of a magnet as the opposite vertices of a Bergkritalls radiate Od

sensitives which is visible as different colored Lichtausstrmung in perfect darkness.

The south pole of a magnet is lauwidrig of the left hand of a sensitives felt theNorth Pole cool (well cool), reversed from the right. Accordingly, as magnets behave

in this respect crystals and many other body at its opposite ends.


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Sure suspended pendulum can be moved to the upper attachment point to vibrate

when a finger is a sensitives.

The most detailed, but probably any patience exhaustive, representation of

Reichenbach's system can be found in the two-volume work of the same: "The

sensitive person" (Stuttgart. in 1854 and 1855); shorter you can teach them about the

main points of his "Aphorisms on sensitivity and OD "(Wien. Braumller 1866), orgiven to me in a resum critically behaving to his teaching writing my essay,"

Professor Schleiden and the Moon "(Leipzig, Gumprecht, 1856, pp. 269 ff.)

To generally explain me now anticipate about my position on this doctrine, it has

been and remains always been the following:

I believe deserve the sensitivity ratios of people with strange or even abnormally

crafted nervous irritability, called sensitives in Reichenbach's sense, but an in-depth,

to be subjected to as much side and extending to as many individuals to study, but no

one has been such a made in the same extent and performed with the same

persistence as the Reichenbach; any resumption of such an investigation should

therefore find occasion to go back to Reichenbach. Also can not be considered a

priori to be unlikely that there some results Reichenbach will find that differ from

those very, which can be obtained with persons of average or normal irritability, and

so is in such a deviation is not in itself reason to Reichenbach's discarding results, but

only to examine them closely. But it is necessary, it is impossible to settle down with

their own information Reichenbach's rise against both his whole system as against its

theoretical and experimental justification of the same way, from the outset the most

serious concerns. Such an examination but has found both thoroughly and in some

extent to my knowledge has not yet taken; exacte researchers have found so far to dostill else, and so I take until further my view there together: it like this to

Reichenbach's doctrine and be true, but can not decide without further investigation

as much, and not separate the good grain from the great desert. In the same sense,

only inbound here, I spoke earlier in the above-mentioned essay of my Moon book,

and think that even now there is said to be correct.

Reichenbach makes me during our correspondence to compliment what I believe to

earn by writing: "The most beautiful place in your letter is that in which you say that,

so be careful you are in the faith, so be careful you are in unbelief." In fact, I

motivated to motivate himself and also by the position of this property to histeaching, as I have just now referred. The same property but it was also what

Reichenbach was able to become so stubborn to say so finally at my heels to pin,

which I used to not concern him, and I restrained myself for various reasons almost

only defensively against him. Part I had myself busy with other things, not lust,

decided to embark on an as seemed very unclean Royal strange experiment field,

with, I had once gotten myself to not let foresee where it could dissipate, partly I

knew as I said, that I could help out his cause not only with Reichenbach; finally

justified as yet another scientific reason my aversion to this consortium to respond.

I now give folgends: first, a historical resum of, with Reichenbach in recent years

led before his death, negotiations and his last living conditions in Leipzig, 1) second,


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a representation of the employed on his occasion pendulum experiments, which have

some common interests, and to be transacted Reichenbach himself laid great weight,

however, have given a negative success, third, the representation of other large series

of experiments, the I in with me on the world by Reichenbach, hired sensitive,

woman reputation, and without anything decisive whole perform, but to confirm an

interesting and worth further examination fact have done.

1) to take on his former should not be necessary, since each encyclopedia

tells. Only beilufigmag be remembered that Reichenbach is the discoverer of

creosote and paraffin.

Historical II.

Already in 1845 Reichenbach went to me by letter, to be interested in

his teaching, I answered him with doubts, and since we do not mutually

converted us had correspondence with a few letters to her end of thematter. Against the exhibitions that I made in 1856 in the Moon book to

his studies, he replied in a font (which to me the title is omitted), which

also turned against his other opponents, and lectured me with among

them. Since I among his opponents was pretty much the only now, the

possibility that there could be something in his teaching, even admitting

he turned later repeated to me to induce me even to make experiments on

the Odfrage, including I found myself under the condition ready that I

could make a commission my colleagues to jointly test to pass. But this

is averse showed to take it, so I explained Reichenbach that I wanted tohave my hand nothing to do with it, let me talk about, however, a me

about sending him to try pendulum apparatus with which the

experiments turned out to his disadvantage. Well said Reichenbach, even

to want to come to Leipzig to convince me of the correctness of his

attempts, and although I refused my participation in it to advance and

avert its tradition itself was looking for, he did come in July 1867 and

remained there until his , 19 January 1869 took place, death, more than a

year without being able to come to his purposes. He brought with him a

certain reputation woman who had once been his housekeeper and

according to him a wonderful Sensitive should be, with all the records of

his teachings were konstatieren. Since he was once here, I liked me some

if possible decisive, try not also escape, but the very nervous person was

traveling became so ill, 2) and fell by the seriousness with which the tests

were attacked in such alteration, that they declared themselves to be

adept not right for now to the experiments, and since the condition

worsened, more and more, Reichenbach had to send them back after a

short time. The attempts I was doing while she was still being here with

you, therefore remained inadequate as a whole. Some miscarried

decided, the success of some surprised me, to prove without anything

definite, because the sensitive of the possibility of recurrence under


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modified circumstances withdrew, but a success surprised me, ie a

deflection of the magnetic needle, which the person with fingers the one

as the other hand, especially strongly brought to the elbow, and I must

consider secured by repetition under circumstances which seemed to

exclude any deception. Details about will I be giving IV.

2) Reichbach believed this to be dependent on the long Hinfahren

odically along the same unfavorable acting telegraph wire.

Reichenbach has now while he was here at all so busy to visit sensitive

(mostly from lower classes) and register the symptoms of their

sensitivity to hire even attempts on his hand with it. As he told me, he

has brought in 100 people in the way here, but still want to offer any of

the assistants to be employed by me Try also to me, as he always waited

for the woman reputed to which he had the most confidence, as would be

restored far, to let them come back, so that, as he said, the tests "crucial"

failed. Apparently he trusted to the way he was attacked, the thing here is

not quite the success, which of course itself can be considered a valid

proof that she deserves no real confidence, or at least that the most

characteristic effects of Od is rarely only one let konstatieren occurring

levels of sensitivity as he could not find him here. Also, he always talked

about wanting to set up a darkroom for light phenomena in magnets, but

it did not happen.

Meanwhile, the signs of marasmus senilis at the 81jhrigen man has

faced during his visit, more and more. His eyesight declined, and he was

so hard of hearing, deafened, that he could only talk screaming with him,

his feet failed him; finally met him a stroke of apoplexy, which left him

half-, robbed him of the consciousness and after a few days of his life set

a goal. Up to his last days, but he always spoke repeatedly of the regret

that he would have to die to have prevailed without the recognition of his

teaching well, that tragic fate is now, however, also become part of him.

My personal dealings with Reichenbach, other than the folgends to bediscussed participation in his attempts limited to him after he could no

longer go out at long intervals to visit once, to ask how it was with his

health and trying matter to me to let vorerzhlen mass of observations

which he himself has since remade with sensitives and registered, what

is common ground must be found immense piles of manuscript in his

Discounts Conditions, as he pushed for years so, and his suggestions for

me to bleed for his cause care, patient to accept. Otherwise he has, I

believe, lived lonely here. In the last days before his death he had the

woman call come again, but only to maintain him; experiments could nolonger be doing with it, because as the sensitive magnetic properties

were and remained gone.


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Should I tell hienach what finally emerged from the on Reichenbach's

cause of me employed, leading to folgends try at all, so it would be the

case under the following:

By the pendulum experiments of negative success is, I believe, a

mystical phenomenon, which has previously haunted much in the world

and occurs only as a Revenant with new demands on security basically atReichenbach, completely knocked out of the field, this course through

the magnetic led to a new field, with the acquisition of science but is not

yet certain, since the conditions under which it appears, can not be

prepared at random, and wants someone suspicious hereafter, what can I

do: but even has Berzelius, after the fatality happened to him to have

found proven the correctness of a, measures led him by Reichenbach in

Carlsbad, anodic experiment, have to put that one saw only a sign of

incipient senility therein.

For me personally, but both attempts have gained the following

general meaning concerning the whole Odlehre and such could also

probably for others, their indivisibility it is not clear to advance to

have. As to the first, I say to myself, when an attempt to Reichenbach

declared itself a cardinal test of his teaching and has recommended it to

me in front of others on probation the same, yes he, as will be seen

below, has repeatedly described with such amendments that do no

objection seems to remain, nevertheless lazy proves on closer

examination, so that the same can just as well apply to other of his

Odversuche against which no objection seems to remain, and will beagainst all information Reichenbach from the outset the greatest distrust

must cherish, - with respect to the second, however: if an attempt to, as

will be seen, Reichenbach himself has not even put special emphasis,

however, he offers an all previous physical and physiological knowledge

of foreign earnings, safely, on closer inspection against all objections is

given, the same may also apply to other of his attempts, the result is

strange and we may even deny its about to advance.

Should now also some se strange results that claims to have found

Reichenbach, to further confirm upon closer examination, this would addthough its priority for them, but not the system, which he sought to

combine them to be rescued from the I confess, in fact, that I think it is a

kind of subjective phantasmagoria. And in that sense it should always

remain true that the last days of Odlehre coincide with those of its

author, it may also One can revive.

III. Pendulum tests.

At the time when Napoleon's rule was still in bloom, declared at a woman once

common stand if I am not mistaken in a city of Upper Lusatia that he was dead Butsince one of them had no official customer, she was charged with dissemination of


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such information to taken responsibility, and testified that they have the following

means, with respect to an absent learn whether he was dead or alive. You put two

pieces of bread and two pieces of coal so crosswise to each other. About the middle

of, on 4 scale points by limited space can be a ring or any other heavy body on a solid

and steadily held with the fingers dangling thread, and is thought to the question

relating to the relevant absent, dead or alive. Is he alive, the pendulum beginsbetween two pieces of bread, on the other hand, if he's dead, between two pieces of

coal to and herzuschwingen. In the request for Napoleon now the answer had

envisaged on dead, notwithstanding he was at that time quite well.

This failure hung in the following circumstances. Imagine yourself on the attempt

by taking a person in mind, from the one already knows whether she is dead or alive,

and you will find the swing of the pendulum generally correct. But it is also just that

you know in advance whether the person is alive or dead, and that failure so only

because the woman did not know of Napoleon hung. Because instinctively, even if

one thinks to keep the pendulum thread right continuous, follows the hand to advancethe expected or imagined direction of motion, and small pulses add up gradually to a

more considerable effect. - How easy to consider based on this the well-known

attempt to make into a held by a thread in a glass ring show the number of hours.

Explained previously you have to say so popular versions of the experiment, with

its various modifications, but have also engaged physicist. Notably Some have

believed, discover by pendulum oscillations water or metals under the ground or by a

different direction of pendulum oscillations on different bodies or body parts a polar

nature thereof can demonstrate, to all such attempts by the above, if I am not

mistaken first Al. Humboldt given and documented experiments, explanation foundtheir completion, after which it has been in physical circles and writings not

mentioned.

Hienach might notice that Reichenbach has come back to experiments of this kind

at all, since it but that statement could not have been unaware of. In fact, he was once

convinced themselves of their adequacy, until he accidentally found that the

oscillations of the pendulum under the hand of sensitives, but only of sensitives

entered, even if the thread of the moving action of the hand completely removed and

glass surroundings was protected from air moving influence, and who would like the

following, 23 Sections of his "Aphorisms" of removed, representation of these testscan still raise an objection.

"More a widespread delusion thoroughly crush than to investigate its source, I have

a small apparatus composed, in which the pendulum thread wound on a shaft so that

it touches on where he is stuck with his fingers, as but where it is movable, of the

same can not be reached. The whole is protected by a glass cylinder before air

movement. Here is where the pendulum is absolutely protected from external

mechanical influences, I put my fingers on the thread shaft, and the success was as I

otherwise expected, perfect stop the pendulum. I was glad to have found your way to

a thorough refutation of so ingrained in people mistake, and wanted only to all

superfluous control repeat touching the pendulum shaft a few other people, before I


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say made the apparatus, the pendulum stayed with different people as motionless as

with me,., to my no small surprise, but it really occurred in one of them, a strong man

of 45 years, in motion, and in fact as often as he repeated contact of the shaft so that

no doubt was admissible as to the accuracy of the phenomenon., but this man was, as

result, the only sensitive to the auditors. now I summoned other sensitive and behold,

the pendulum came with the touches of all those in vibrations that were sensitive, andremained wall are fixed to all, who were not. This is so determined that at low

sensitives excursions only small size, larger in medium-sensitives, and so on

progressively further elongation showed in the same measure as the sensitivity of the

people stood up. "

"Now that the mystery was the exposure of Achilles' heel., It was proven now that

the existence of the vibrations by touching the pendulum thread with your bare hand

not a fable, but a reality, however, is under lapping certain preconditions that have

Schwankendes soon emergence soon absence under seemingly similar circumstances

indebted in different people. Nobody knew about the existence of a differencebetween people who just stepped through the detection of sensitivity to light. Unless

you knew this, it was impossible to find a cause why the pendulum came soon, soon

materialize., the result of the apparent inconsistency of the test events was that they

were no scientific consideration to part., but now from the point of view of sensitivity

of where they fit in the anodic laws, they show up as constant, that even when the

same person, depending on whether they feel more or less healthy or ill follow, more

or closer elongations. Creates a sensitive right hand 8 lines wide swings of the

pendulum, and you put another right hand on this, which you eponymous OD flows

into it, so get those to 12 lines. Sets to a left hand on the button at the swing right,then provides the same silent immediately. Gives one, while the right is on the

pendulum shaft, odnegative substances, sulfur, selenium, perchloric acid, coal in his

left hand, increase the vibrations, one does the same with iron, copper, tin, lead, and

other odpositiven bodies, the pendulum is immediately silent Carries the

experimenter, a clock, a key, some money in the. pocket, he is unable to bring the

pendulum swing, how sensitive it may be. I let such who gets rid of all metal and had

brought the pendulum to 10 lines rash, wear boots, which were studded with iron

nails , and immediately got his pendulum to a standstill. As delicate as well as

constant are those phenomena which, as we see fall prey throughout the anodic

sphere., the negative OD flows from the sensitive hand the thread along who does not

just very finely his needs, down to the pendulum, I verfertigte up to 12 Lot severity of

lead, breathes along the thread and its metal weight visible blaze out, is odleuchtend

in the darkroom., and enters into rectilinear oscillations in direct proportions to the

load (feed line? .) of Od The positive OD when it obtains about the negative rule,

behaving him its effect on the pendulum, and this gets into a standstill -. thus wins the

science a new motive power and the OD falls into the limited number of physical

engines. "

To supplement I add from the correspondence at the Reichenbach followinginformation thereof (August 1866): He 'do break up a foundation wall of his house

the pendulum too fond of and the apparatus attached to it; although its not even


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needed any thing, "by making sure the end results to win - "the direction of vibration

is always perpendicular to the center of the body of the sensitives," and had proved

by further investigation as the effect of a "rejection" by the experimenter - "the

pendulum movement begin quite weak and slow, especially need the first phenomena

a long time until that is the whole bell jar saturated only with OD's. had therefore to

probably several minutes. Later successes of the entrance of the vibrations faster.contacting only very quietly that you hardly perceives on. Gradually they swell, and

then go for men of means sensitivity to 10 - 12 - 14 lines entire length (length of

thread about 10 inches). " Be the healthy man, - "so reach the excursion 5 minutes

Maxinium her." With high sensitives it, Reichenbach had even done any tests.

Well, Reichenbach sent myself an apparatus for displaying these experiments,

consisting in, to be fastened to the neck of a bell jar or bottle, wooden Auffatzstcke,

in which the shaft is inserted to that of the heavy body carrying at its lower end,

thread having a plurality of turns to wrap its upper end. Before appointing the trial I

asked another letter from Reichenbach to the following points, which he leftundiscussed in his aphorisms, I think having to cite to prove that I have not missed

anything to make his pendulum experiment according to his own rules.

Whether the thread of linen or silk should be, what length to give him, whether the

to be fixed below body of any metal and any weight can be allowed on any kind pad,

wood, glass, metal float the pendulum to hang which fingers are whether an objection

of failure by the Odverhltnisse the adjacent wall ever existed and how it might be

possible to prevent or lift; whether the rule that the experimenting Sensitive must

have no metal to be extended then was that none at all in the room and should be

present in the drawn about the Spectator, in which case I virtue, however, theconditions of the experiment does not produce, or whether it just hinreiche that the

Sensitive itself does not directly stand in contact with metal or such wear on the

clothes, and finally whether He, according to the characters that I told him, really

recognize the sensitive, the first job was available to me of the trials as sensitive and

therefore suitable to hold the trials.

For brevity, I do not go here especially on his answering all these questions, but

only observe: first, that I perfectly complied with its he recommended measures,

secondly, that, as Reichenbach later the apparatus in the statement that I gave him,

even participated in inspection and Mrs. reputation had made attempts at it, he wasnot to raise any objection to my line-up manner. As a major, though not given to me

by Reichenbach himself in the hand, point them I just would stress that the bell, in

which hung the pendulum, was admitted with the lower circular edge of a molten wax

ring on a sandstone slab, which in a , corresponding to the physical cabinet

Augusteum, ground floor motionless Local is inserted firmly into the walls of a

window recess, whereby the state of the apparatus was so backed up that strong

shocks were able to produce any noticeable movement of the pendulum on the

sandstone slab. Thereof for the manufacture Professor Hankel, I have to be

grateful. To the tests first disponible Sensitive, my wife, anlangend, as notedReichenbach to the specified characters of me that they "decided sensitive but

probably not highly" was, and expressed in any case anticipate no objections to their


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use for the experiments, what could take place even less so, as he had himself

declared that the pendulum experiments already succeed with "means sensitives", and

that he had not yet done with such high sensitives. Incidentally, I am not limited to

tests with a female sensitive, but still suffered three male individuals, on which at

least two of them, the expression "opted sensitive" just as good, if not better, than

watched my wife. With the specified devices attempt has now been made in the manner specified by

Reichenbach of the four individuals at 4 different days. From any I had five minutes

just him, and then another 1 1 /2

continue to 5 minutes so that the individual at the

same time holding a piece of coal, graphite or sulfur in the left hand while the four

fingers of the right hand (excluding the thumb ) were placed on the thread shaft with

the tips. In none of the 4 cases I could see something of the specified Reichenbach

successes correspond and could be interpreted as anodic effect. Only the following

should be noted here that could come from any repetition of such tests, if one does

not already have enough to the previously employed in consideration.

l) If I even was come to the quietly standing equipment, I began to think without

hands applying a little, so to speak microscopic to perceive motion of the pendulum,

but are not quite sure if it was not my deception, nothing less than normal, with light

flickering prone, eye was because of the 4 experimental subjects believed only one to

notice something equivalent, the other declared for the whole of the pendulum

resting. It would be possible, after all, that the approach of a human heat source in a

draft of the bell calling out, depended on a motion of the track.

2) In two of the four cases, seemed to me the dubious move I thought I recognizedeven before the attempts to increase once an unequivocal track, but instead of

growing in the continuation of the trial, she returned to the original doubtfulness as

they have been, back before the experiment without taking one of those odnegativen

body in the left slightly changed it. Also Reichenbach himself wrote afterwards that

such weak motions me "for nothing had expected, the pendulum oscillations would

finally appear strong and determined and notice everyone."

The reason of something that has become noticeably movements could be

determined by the way, and deserves to be mentioned, as it has to be based on a

careful when similar experiments.

From inception, mine were about sent to the, of Reichenbach, appliances noticed

two errors, first, that the thread shaft still mounted in their holes, and second, that she

was too thin for crucial tests, which I myself trials with positive results without

control experiments no confidence would have paid. On the former point, however,

was to put less weight because the rotation was only with considerable effort, while

the fingers when attempts are merely hang up easily, and in a lifting and lowering of

the thread was easily recognizable. That, however, the second circumstance was not

without influence in the experiments, it is clear from the following. When I was a

trial subjects in the course of the experiments made the noticeable that I do perceive atrace of a circular motion of the pendulum unambiguous as in the beginning, he


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replied: "Yes, he felt that he had to take very beware, not the timing of breaths

involuntarily to do with the fingers down on the shaft and a reciprocating motion

herschiebende, if not the success could depend about. " It was now after completion

of the entire trial, during which the motion was lost again in the ambiguous or

subtleness, performed intentionally by the cycles of breaths that alternate exposure to

a greater degree, and soon became not only the pendulum in the clearest motion, butthe bending of the thread shaft forward and back could be also seen here. Meanwhile,

the pendulum movement was very irregular, and sometimes almost faltered again, but

only depended on that clock of breaths not coincided with the oscillations of the

pendulum. And when the action was set up on the shaft that measures in accordance

with the vibrations were not only regular, but increased also, and I have subsequently

brought up to 10 to 12 lines at the bottom (at about l foot length of thread) itself,

further did not succeed.

When I reported the negative Reichenbach success of the experiments carried, he

replied that the test subjects do not yet have been sensitive enough and was stilllooking for excuses in addition to other circumstances, without being able to even

attach much weight to them. But I think I can spare the reader with a discussion about

it after I not only think I have made the experiments more carefully than Reichenbach

himself, but also, when coming back to the pendulum test under the salaried with

woman call attempts by a main factor 'll be able to prove it. As will become clear in

explaining why the tests but Reichenbach glckten so easily, while they did not want

to succeed in my job way.

After I had finished a long time with these trials, the pendulum apparatus was but

now stopped unchanged, has subsequently another, for medicinal purposes with theuse of so-called animal magnetism as with Reichenbach's Odlehre probably familiar,

reported Lord with me, which of the tests heard and those wishing to make himself,

as he risked that they would succeed. The pendulum remained (after all metal

deposited) under the influence of his hand as quiet as in the earlier experiments.

IV with Mrs. reputation salaried experiments .

Here About I give much verbatim, with only a few abbreviations and

asides, again, what I received in my notes vorfinde like a diary, as I

believe that the interest of this communication may have about wouldhappen with a shorter contraction same stop, even some detail for the

evaluation of tests is necessary.

Thursdays, 4 Juli, 1867.

This morning I was surprised Mr. von Reichenbach with his visits. On

my repeated epistolary refusal to get involved in his attempts after I

made no commission my colleagues to check them was able to bring

about, and the pendulum experiments to nothing, he replies that he will,

nevertheless, and even wanted to bring a sensitive, just to show myattempts to make no claim that I am making a public judgment about

course presuming that I would not be able to avoid doing it if I would


12/24

have only to be convinced even in the case of his appeal to me .

I received him very cold, told him again, I would have to withdraw my

part of an investment in his experiments. And nothing would come out

for himself, but went because he was there once with him to his hotel to

the city of Dresden, where he gave me his sensitive, a large, but more

lean than strong woman between 40 and 50 years old, the once may havebeen pretty, imagined, and I saw a table on which he all possible

preparations, magnets, sulfur and metals, sealed in tubes, crystals, a raw

and a boiled egg, etc, which I know had spread.

The Sensitive explained that she was not quite well, and their

sensitivity is not greatly increased just today, but the following, listed by

Reichenbach himself, taken by me in the hand attempts have been made.

l) distinction of an iron rod by a magnetic rod through the feeling. I

found that one stick was a little heavier than the other, I wrapped bothvery paper and would not let her in, take her hand, but laid it parallel to

the table, so that they with the wrapped ends on the edge of the table

protruded. The North Pole is cool with the left, the south pole lauwidrig,

or, in the words of the Sensitive, "gruselich" perceived and thereafter the

distinction between the inert iron rods happen. The Sensitive was

wrong. The same experiment was subsequently repeated between other

experiments milungenem twice with equal success. However, it was

found that the magnetic bar, which is only about the length of half a

knitting needle and the (but rectangular) cross-section of a mediocre

pencil had not been able to do little lighter or heavier iron rods, so of

course was not very suitable for experiments on low sensitivity . When I

asked Reichenbach, why did he not taken a stronger rods, he said he was

of the success of attempts to secure, now brought a little bigger and

stronger rods, making the attempt to distinguish between the poles really

succeeded, what could be more natural random . Meanwhile, it struck me

that the following experiments invariably get behind each other.

2) A rock crystal, wrapped in paper by myself, so that a difference of

its ends was no longer recognizable, has just been laid on the table. Theydiffered with the finger without touching the paper itself, the right end,

which should appear cool to Reichenbach's given me before,

explanation. The same experiment was repeated once with the same

success at another crystal.

3) A Knaul of blue and yellow wool from another of the same size,

wrapped in paper by myself, were correctly distinguished from it. One

Knaul, I do not know what to feel namely the left even by the paper by

khliger than the other.

4) I took two balls of colorless, the one to the left, the other in the righthand, without the sensitive knew in which, and held it for about 5

minutes in it, then they were transferred to the sensitives. One is by a


13/24

hand odnegativ be the other loaded OD-positive, and the hienach a

khliger than the other are perceived. Reichenbach had previously

indicated as success must fail, and he was really like.

5) Reichenbach had among its objects, a sample bag with yellow,

black with a different looking, as he said dead, peas. The deceased is to

be distinguished from living by the feeling of Khligkeit and Lauligkeitor Gruselichkeit. I let the peas distribute so as not known in which

Sensitive to let sacs covered on each pile a paper cover, and let the

Sensitive to the feelings by hinbewegte the finger at a little distance

above the paper, the difference specify the sensation. He fell right out in

the sense of Reichenbach stated previously.

6) My room key was placed under a handkerchief, so that it is loose,

with a lot of construction bulges lay here and there about it, and the

location of the key in any way could be through the cloth by identified,

including myself, if I hand the hinfhrte over the cloth had no sensation

distinctive of the position of the key. She ran her fingertips in a small

distance above the cloth out, and I had carefully night that she was not

going to touch the cloth, and after a few times the back and forth done,

she went with a rapid movement to the point the cloth off, by which he

was, not surprisingly ausnahm in fact.

In all these experiments the sensitives through, made out of their

presence, measures had been cut off the opportunity before to know how

she had to make her statement, and with the exception of 5) and 6) and

the preparations were made so that Reichenbach himself did not know

which side of the respectiv odpositive odnegative and lay the body, thus

excluding the possibility of any character of his side, followed by the

way not to think for other reasons probably.

Meanwhile, the Sensitive was in these experiments by the task, to

introduce a sharp onlookers eye and using unusual Kontrollmaregeln,

completely altered, repeatedly declared today they have not quite sharp

feeling, also gave all their true statements as: "they mean, to feel that a

little khliger, "so that you could tell that she was not quite sure here,what I wondered the more, and to confess my mood in the experiments

themselves openly annoyed that they do so were true, as it seemed to me

to deserve a better thing, she trembled with the tested hands, finally said

she could no longer, and fell into convulsions, the Reichenbach sought to

remove by brushing. In short, the experiments had now come to an end,

and we headed out, Reichenbach should let me know when the woman is

disposable to try again.

Sunday, 6 July.

Note from me to Reichenbach: "The success of previous attempts has


14/24

struck me, but the possibility of accidental applying of thereof not yet

ruled on the small number, and showing fragmented attempts is

objectively align at all a little so I'm on one, you already. made earlier,

proposal, and would tell me for sure if the following three tests gelngen.

1) I bring a pretty strong magnet bar with unmarked Poland, and

deliver it to your sensitives. She has 20 consecutive wins, or even if itdid be a bit much, in two sessions, in whole but just as often, to decide

which is the North Pole. Between every attempt I put the rod so that it

does not know if he still has the same position as before, and pretend

completion of the entire test series no sign of successful or unsuccessful

success.

2) I'll take a plate of sulfur and an equal of a metals. They are applied

to two different designated the same, places under a sheet of paper, but

so that neither sensitive nor do you know which of the two points a, and

where the other is. For the representation of the experiments, the

objection is ruled out that a the sensitives, albeit involuntary give

signs. She has after feeling by hinstreicht with your fingers at a little

distance above the paper to decide where one is and where the other

plate. This too often (with change of location) to repeat.

3) We provide the pendulum test on at a fixed installation, but only

after the previous attempt, and if the Sensitive has become accustomed

to, so that the hand was as steady as possible.

Although the pendulum test should not succeed, and I confess tohaving no confidence, I would consider the success of the other two

trials sufficiently to give your teaching a foundation in experience. "

Here are a few observations.

To lead the finger at the second trials in a small distance above the

paper, therefore, is necessary so that will not regarded by the paper by a

difference in hardness or heat transfer between two plates. The

distinction should be that the sensitive of the action of zinc, tin or copper

also what could be, a peculiar contraction in the hand feels, what is

lacking in sulfur, graphite and other highly electro-negative bodies to

Reichenbach.

To achieve a relatively secure conviction of a had taken place odic

influence, I would not demand that meet all 20 individual experiments,

but also do not rely on a small preponderance of relevant cases

something; since the success of contingencies equally well prevented in

some cases as a slight overweight this could be caused. It would suffice

if almost all cases apply. But to make a more definite judgment in this

respect for a mere aperfu, in my opinion, could use the theory of


15/24

probability on the following principle.

Call it a true case of +, a failure with -. If there is no odic effect takes

place, the chance of + and - equal; does not prevent that with a finite

number of test cases, as we the 20 presuppose, by Random + or -

predominate, but the improbability of excess weight after a page grows

with the size of it, and you can calculate accurately and withoutdifficulty to bet how much (the opposite assumption opposite), that with

the same chance the excess of + the -. would remain under a given

number3) If it has to reached excess of this size, so you can bet is just so

much that the requirement of equal opportunity, for which the bill was

felt not exist, but that a certain influence has driven the excess so high.

Earlier I had this procedure, which also to a majority of people is

applicable with each l try instead to a majority of trials with person

l,4)

Mr. von Reichenbach letter to replace its traditional registry andleading to loud relevant cases but certainly not as pure place, proposed

the method of calculation and told him to, but he did not go on one, but

claimed that he receive the right care at louder appropriate cases. Of

course, the method is the more reliable, the more one incurs cases, but I

did not go over 20 in the abnormal sensitivity of the sensitive.

3) For Example, in 20 cases can be 499 bet against l, that with the

same chance of + and - the excess of + the - by virtue of merecoincidences less than 16 top be even negative, ie the number of +

not 18 (as against 2 negative cases) would achieve.

4) As to Reichenbach about half of the people should be more or

less sensitive, as would, if a greater number out handles quite

randomly among them, more so if you zuzge louder

nervenreizbare people, the latter method a significant

preponderance of + cases give, should Reichenbach's assumptions

are justified.

8 and 9 luli.

After Reichenbach 8 July has accepted the proposals contained in my

billet "with pleasure" and remarking that "he doubted for a moment that

the sensitive would prstiren heaters', would still only be indulged in

some time of their recovery," he wrote to me on 9 July: "Our Sensitive is

now a little bit better, but so little that it does not come into account

However, although weak compared to their healthy state it different butpositive and negative, in the main, and yesterday I made dinner one.. .

part series with her through which she set up quite right to my


16/24

amazement Under such circumstances, I would like to try to subject

them to your job if you want to have the kindness of, to give them an

hour, "etc - so I went afternoon at 4 clock in his hotel with my own

equipment.

First place I looked for the Sensitive by friendly approach quietly to

vote, they asked if they think I can take the tests, which they answereddoubtfully, and stood Reichenbach even before if he would do better to

postpone the tests yet, when suspend a dubious success. After all, if they

were once made, I would record the negative successes as well as the

positive. However, he seemed not to expect the appointment. So I gave

the sensitives the big heavy strong horseshoe magnets, instead I brought

the rod in his hand and asked them if they feel a difference in the

poles. She said she felt something khliger one pole than the other, but

very weak. "Well, - said Reichenbach, - it does not matter that you

strongly feel the difference, but that you feel it at all." - I'm on this:"Well, then, if you like, we begin."

The poles themselves were not labeled, but in order also that, for every

stranger inconspicuous, on the legs laterally exploiting dividend to make

signs harmless, was the, set on a table with two poles on the edge of the

table excellent magnet in each experiment entirely with cardboard

covers, and abandoned the sensitives of the greater Khligkeit the North

Pole, to be determined by application of the Left to the experiments, of

which two poles it. Reichenbach also did not know the location of the

poles.

After the sensitive given their statement that I quoted implied, I let

them be removed, the magnet quickly turned by hand around more than

once, so I after his re-laying on the table and immediately cover with the

box while hiring the new experiment itself did not know whether the

North Pole lies on the right or left, and convinced me after geschehener

statement of it. This experiment was seven times in a row, after each

repeated removal of sensitive and above have changed hands, position

the magnet repeatedly, but which explained the sensitive, that she was far

too insecure, and I explained Reichenbach himself, under thesecircumstances the attempt than not prove not to continue to want. The

success of the trials was 7 when applying the + with - is called is not

true, according to each of these:

+ --- + - +

so that the result had failed entirely to the disadvantage. Because with a

lack of anodic influence the probability of + was with the - same, the

latter but even predominated.

I also had a sulfur plate and a zinc plate, from very same dimensions(formerly used for experiments on contact electricity), brought to the

appointment of the second kind of experiments, but the Sensitive told a


17/24

therefore employed preliminary experiments, where the position of the

two plates under the paper was previously known that their sensitivity

for today, was not sufficient to find a difference in these circumstances.

Despite the wish Reichenbach, nor the third attempt I proposed to

make, the pendulum test. He himself had brought to a device similar to

the above sent me and applied by me, with the only significant differencebeing that the bottle in which the pendulum hanging down, instead of

being cemented to a solid surface, was placed only on one.But she had a

somewhat uneven ground so that it wobbled slightly on the table a

little. What It helped that he had a foundation wall of his house be

heading out to put the shaky camera out. Although he speaks of "fixing"

it, but does not dispute that such a place, for otherwise he would have

when I drew his attention to the defect, said that he really remedied the

same at home. As it should be then came that the experiments above

succeeds only with sensitives, the gods may know, when it's not, becausesensitive generally have shaky hands.

Of course I did not let myself to experiments with his device, we went

instead to the one described above, according to earlier failed attempts,

still left standing, solid line-up of the apparatus Augusteum. The attempt

was unsuccessful totally, the pendulum stood stock-still.

For this purpose the following remark of a later date. Reichenbach

himself never came back during his stay in Leipzig against me back to

the pendulum test, I irrespective some time after the above experiments

with him a bottle with a pendulum apparatus looked similarly mounted

on a window sill as he saw it with me, and He has not disputed by some

of the many sensitives, which he brought together, it can also hire

experiments. Had they succeeded, he would have certainly not silent to

me.

Meanwhile, an attempt to Reichenbach himself uttered while I was

still with him in the hotel, amazed me, and I still do not know what to

make of it. An ordinary Boussole with a needle from a few inches in

length under glass was placed on the table, he let the Sensitive (not theglass, but before the case) a finger on one pole back and forth, and the

magnetic needle have been held similar vibrations than when an iron or

magnetic rod back and forth in front of the same pole. These oscillations

were not negligible, and the experiment was successful at each

repetition, even if it was Reichenbach in other parts of the room. Also,

when the finger approaching from the side of the poles and alternating

was removed therefrom. I put myself to the test in the same way, the

needle remained quite motionless. Reichenbach said the phenomenon

was now weak, at times the Sensitive've shown around the magnetic

needle in circles. I looked at the finger of the sensitives in their course

and under the nails accurately as possible, the person had aufstreifen the


18/24

arm to the elbow to iron or stitches somewhere, could be pushed needles

under the skin through which to discover, nothing. However, I kept

coming back to me before on these tests.

By kind words I had gained the confidence of the sensitives, and since

Reichenbach is half deaf, she did unceremoniously in a low voice some

comments that it it probably would not have like to be heard, especiallyon our way to the pendulum apparatus, where I auszuholen something

sought. It is not irrelevant to the case DONE feel of her statements,

because they can help to eliminate the suspicion that by itself an

arbitrary deception had gone out. As Reichenbach after the 7

experiments with the magnet asked if they would be successful, and I

refused to answer until after completion of all 20, she said she did not

believe herself, that she had met. During the experiments with the

pendulum, they said, they do not believe in this experiment, but the

Baron tolerate no doubt, and they agreed my view, the trial may besooner succeeded only because of inadequate installation of the system,

at all. On the way she said "oh, if only they would only back home, she

longed so much for her child, it would be terrible to have to stay here

any longer." I asked her how it happened that they took the Baron to

try. She replied that she was 17 (or 14?) were year with him in the house

in an employment relationship, for 8 years but married to a man who,

unfortunately, was slovenly, and did it the Baron in his desire to please,

with here at go after them (i believe 1 /2

years) had a mental illness,

retarded by the great irritability. But if they should still stay here a longtime, so it would be less capable of these experiments. She seemed, in

fact, not even much of the whole story od hold and said that the Baron

had employed people to the experiments which he paid for it, and had

then spoken to please him, at least you say that. It seemed to me,

however, that the party, as she easily had my reluctance to add me

Reichenbach's views may notice I also tried something to talk about after

the mouth.

13th July.

The Sensitive had fallen since the last tests in such a state of

insensibility that Reichenbach, as he wrote to me, she could stand to the

death in the limbs with needles without it felt something. This morning,

however, he came to me, said his Sensitive is not yet to be restored to

repeat the experiments with horseshoe magnet and pendant, but the

deflection of the magnetic needle, which also hammered throughout the

state of insensibility, succeed again, and he asked me to be stated, it

immediately because he was not sure of the duration of the present

state. So I went with him. The magnetic experiments to which I limited

myself, so get that to me, I would say, stopping the mind, whatever I

tried to eliminate all possible causes of deception.


19/24

In the previous experiments, the sensitive had been sitting in front of

the needle, so that the south pole was returned to her, but this time I had

them put aside the needle.Would have had a sensitive magnet under the

dress, a suspect, who was cherish, and had to wear the more accounts

when he was very seriously raised by very respectable side, this would

have very different motion conditions cause the needle need, than thetime before, at all impossible, the regular phenomena that I observed

produce, and even irregular must produce to the needle without

presentation of the finger, which was not the case Everything. Such

suspicions could not hold already hienach. Everywhere was investigated

whether the movement of the magnetic needle was a matter of attraction

or repulsion, and it showed in general that which part of the left or right

hand or arm was used repelled the south pole of the needle, the north

pole is attracted, regardless of Reichenbach who seems to have the test

with the magnetic effect employed superficially, to my question, if notacted right and left polar and therefore a anzge what the other Gehazi,

but is compensated both in effect, had replied: that would show

indisputably that way, but in fact, right and left behaved in this respect

no matter, only the Left seemed stronger than the right to work. In any

case, a proof that not even here to be held by Reichenbach feat was

present, the phenomenon contradicted his theory outright, and he knew

to be no particular account of it.

The experiment was made only with the left index finger in front of

the South Pole, the same, with my first attempt was presented byReichenbach, and which seems to be usually drawn from it in

application. The job was done by so that the finger was approached from

the side of the pole, and the only weak repulsive motion, the oscillation

period corresponding, Diplomatic even approaching and removing your

finger turns into considerable vibrations. Should be an opportunity for

the resumption of trials as here, so this trick is not to be ignored. But you

must be careful to apply it in perverse sense, so that the vibration rather

than disturbed enlarged. Expresses the finger repulsion effect, the

chipped end of the needle is so long to pursue it, as the vibration goes

away after this page, quickly withdraw then the finger to allow the

needle to make a full return oscillation, and then again with the repulsive

finger to follow her usf , whereas to is obtained in the vicinity of the

needle end with the attracting action of the fingers so long as the

vibration continues is towards it. Confused the process is so disturbing to

the movement. The same experiment was repeated with the right index

finger, and then employed the same experiments with the left and right

index finger at the North Pole, where attraction movement took place,

then combining the index fingers of both hands, then mere middle finger,

then mere thumbs of both hands examined. Always equal success. TheSensitive said the appearance of more trap so if all held together fingers


20/24

were united presented. This was done, and the vibrations took it a width

of 40 to 50 to each page. I then had a fist and his knuckles offer. The

same success. In all these experiments the experimenting arm was up to

the elbow bare, and the other arm lay idly on her lap. The most

nourishing success but where the vibrations almost to 90 to either side

prospered, entered when the needle with the elbow approached withfolded arms.

Reichenbach was hiebei anywhere so remote and quiet, that was to get

nothing from his participation in the experiments, and the sensitives I

never noticed a movement of the body, which supported the suspicion

that you have a magnet under the dress, by the movement of success

would be caused. I also had them several times to try just one finger

under the explicit command to keep the body as still as possible while

that hire without finding exactly when it directed attention that this bid

would be violated.

After all, you can not accept it, though had nothing but magnetic

needles and put them everywhere with the same direction of the poles

that the person up needles under the skin at all the fingers to the elbow,

and. What the other hand, the suspicion that they, under the dress, the

magnetic phenomena have erknstelt to the needle by moving a magnet,

it is the same totally excluded by the fact that the extension of such

disturbance of the needle vibrations was approached and removed

depending on the manner in which the fingers while (see aforementioned

note), the principle of the sensitive and the right use Reichenbachhimself did not know quite as turned out, as it must be in accordance

with a magnetic property of the finger, which would not even let

erknsteln when the sensitive with the principle would have been known.

14th July.

This morning at 11 clock together with Professor Erdmann I been able

to determine for involvement in trials now, repeated the experiments

with the magnetic needle.They fell in the same manner as the other day,

and frappierten Professor Erdmann like me. Today could be a cause ofdeception discover as little as before. I had recently asked the Sensitive if

they do not have to iron, she had denied it, but just as little thought of

their Crinolin there when I, but even today they mentioned that the

experiment just as well without as with Crinolin succeed , and offered it

since it also had on him to take off the same thing happened in the

chamber of her. In fact, the experiments go quite as before. Also can be

easily overlooked that the previously reported results, although possibly

affected by the existence of Crinolin, but rather only in their regularity

thereby have disturbed as can be produced. For abundances are

Reichenbach explained yet ready to make the necessary tests of the very

stripped-sensitive in the presence of ladies, we want to determine.


21/24

But it took the magnetic performance of the sensitives in the course of

the experiments in this mornings yourself gradually more and more from

so that further amendments thereof, which we had planned, partly to

attract other seizures, sometimes even to the sensitive to magnetic

phenomena check could not be performed. Of course it would have had a

very particular interest in, investigate, where is to the south polarity,which showed the two arms of the sensitives coincidentally, the North

polarity stuck in the body, legs, head, spinal cord? But all the attention

had been directed to be stated only the general fact of the presence of a

magnetic state of the sensitives, and so it did not come to the specifics.

V. Nachschriftliches.

The person came in the following days in such a pathological condition that

Reichenbach had to send it back, and was later also not ready to try again. I advised

her in her second presence here, if the magnetic property should set about later oncewith her again, to report to a physicist or physiologist specialist to try it, she could be

a famous person, but have nothing of you belong. After all, so remained, with women

employed reputation experiments, although in my opinion the Konstatirung a

temporary magnetic property of the woman sufficiently, but incomplete as a whole,

and Reichenbach bemerktermaen me no opportunity to complete the same offer with

other sensitives. But now I think I still have to give the following remarks about

space.

In any case remain in the experiments, the magnetic influence of the needle on the

main sensitives. Reichenbach himself while apparently designed from the outset tothem no special weight, the success of the same it was among the many curious facts,

which he believed to have been convinced only one more, so he also produced my

attempt only casually among others; and only when he saw that I gave this

experiment before all others the most attention, he began his part to take an interest,

preferably for it, and has given much trouble since then, the same success with other

sensitives, which he brought together so many to be stated, but in vain. As I seem to

remember, therefore, have been self employed for his cause in the local Spitale tests

of some neurotic persons, also without success. Even in his writings there is nothing

to find about it, be it that Reichenbach has tried in the past tested in other respectssensitives not employed or found it unsuccessful. I asked him about it, but I forget

what the response was.

Hienach can the magnetic assets do not count on the characters of the sensitivity in

Reichenbach's sense, and, as noted above, the way of success rather contradicts the

principles established by Reichenbach Odgesetzen than that they hineintrte.

But there are those who received Ms. reputation, magnetic successes at all so

unexpected that, with regard to the previously proven impossible to reproduce those

of other individuals from the outset any doubt as to the accuracy thereof must be

allowed. Was really no deception about this? That Reichenbach himself was notfooled, everyone will admit who has satisfied itself in personal dealings with him or


22/24

from his writings that he was too occupied by the reality of the alleged facts put to

hold still tricks to support their credibility necessary , and also that the Sensitive did

not deceive for himself, had already concluded that they all represented only as a

passive tool Reichenbach in the experiments and rather negative than positive interest

betrayed, as is apparent from the above. But even if one were to assume the intent of

deception with him or her, so I did not know absolutely how such a deception in theamendments made to the trial would have been able to keep down, and, also in this

relationship back to the statements made about it. Would have been the attempts can

still be continued, they would probably still have to hire other control experiments,

and would be hired, but I confess, at least for myself already by what I can tell about

it to be sure. One could think of hallucinations from my side, and I even asked me

repeatedly if I am right, but Professor Erdmann, which I can no longer call as

witnesses to his passing would have shared the same.

And I will unconditionally to that made with one, only to a single individual, only a

few days, only two uncontrolled observers experiments for science is nothing moregained than to draw attention to the observed case and prospecting stimulate

confirmatory cases. More would have to say it if the Commission instead of our two

men whose involvement I had wanted from the start, especially longer than Hankel,

Ludwig, Rte, the two Webers, and after so much Actual let me submit, not would

have been denied, nor witness the success would be magnetic.

That these achievements are impossible in itself, you will not want to say a priori,

since, according to the famous studies of electrical Dubios EIementarstrmchen are

already available in the living nerve, and only a proper shape and arrangement known

to require such Strmchen to the phenomena of to give magnetism. In normal nerveconditions they have, according to the actual absence of these phenomena, a shape

and arrangement does not, but our nerves physics is still far from being able to assure

that they can not accept in an abnormal nervous states such. With a unicum of course,

as it could be present here, be more adequately evidence for the realization of such a

possibility is to lead, but rather what is done once, must again can take place. Now it

has come to me in the previous attempts to mind that actually already exists a

previous statement in this regard. In a rather peripheral font that is, which was

released about a somnambulist name Kachler Dresden (msg from the magnet.

Sleeping life of the somnambulist Auguste K. Dresden, from bear and Kohlschtter,1843), but I currently no longer is at hand, found I been able, among other oddities

that are mentioned by her, also reported that they speak with the finger a distracting

effect on the magnetic needle. The experiment seemed to me as I read it, so described

that his objection was immediately obvious to him, but he was not pursued in detail,

so I was at that time nothing on him.

But now I would like to those which deal with somnambulism or spiritualism, the

invitation addressed not to fail to test their experimental subjects to the assets in

question, as ruthlessly what one likes the way think of those states, the abnormal

condition the nervous irritability of such individuals might most easily be a successhope, as has been demonstrated at the Kachler, only a physicist or physiologist of

trade would be to inform them in case of success, as I have already recommended


23/24

reputation of the woman, partly to the case, make sure to konstatiren - because of

information in mere layman would be in the exact science bit - partly to address a

closer examination it. Certainly it would thereby succeed to the representatives of

those areas better than before, to draw attention to their exact experimental field

researchers. Incidentally, it would be to me, should really somewhere attempts in this

direction are employed to maintain the success of the same, it would also be a morenegative note, to create something maybe later about it.

In consideration of the presence of electrical Strmchen in the nerves was thinking

that a limb, such as a finger, this could be artificially made magnetically that you put

him in a role of multiplier wire, and an electric current is passed through this role, of

course, the magnetism, the role becomes even through this flow, by an equal

opposition, traversed by the same current, without finger roll to the other side of the

magnetic pole on trying the effect of the reinforced finger, must be compensated. This

test is at my suggestion and my involvement with all care, but was very negative

results, employed by the local physics laboratory after Professor Hankel had thekindness, the device to with mirror camera and telescope for more accurate

determination of even the smallest distracting effect produce, as he has also overseen

the hiring of the trial. The traversed by the current role worked hard enough that a

very weak iron wire in one, several divisions draw border, distraction caused the

finger inserted into different people but gave no trace.

Of course, one can notice that a magnetic state, as was evident in the call must be

indisputably intended function of a demgemen disposition of the whole body or at

least the main parts of the nervous system and the magnetism of the finger only be

regarded as an offshoot or symptom of can. So have a decisive experiments, thewhole body or at least a large part of the same must be surrounded by a spiral, which

would have made the attempt very complicated and difficult its exact job. But a trace

of effect would nevertheless be expected with a bare finger, and so the failure is thus

certainly not encouraging for a repetition of the process on a larger scale.

What, in the 4th July from 2) to 6) As for previous experiments, which have not

been repeated, so I put no weight on it, "because their success could be due to

chance." In fact, this is on each individual taken very conceivable and possible at all

for himself, but frankly for the little one after the other without exception applying all

probable, namely the (outer) probability of it only . And this improbability

increases by considering that Reichenbach these experiments would not have

presented with such great confidence in me, if they had not previously applied for

himself. Especially seems to be the last attempt to be with finding the key under a

cloth, an ordinary specimen Reichenbach's, giving me once before (August 6, 1866,

In reply to him made by me, Remarks, wrote: "At the concealment of the poles

towards the sensitives, I agree very much like to., the effect is weakened by paper,

canvas, etc little. I have such tests provided shows the Berlin gentlemen. I just hidonly one key, ie where poles were not even available under canvas could. A good

sensitive person with a flat hand about Hinsch weaving, was always the place exactly


24/24

where the metal was below the canvas., it is incomprehensible how Mitscherlich,

Riess, Poggendorff away with indifference about a phenomenon of such high

physical meaning . This is essentially the same experiment, which I had pre-shows

with Berzelius wrapped in paper materials., but these tests, of which they are afraid

that I have not yet employed, I have made many hundred times in the dark, "etc.

When the Berlin men are left with indifference on those trying, it might have beenlike, because if you did not even take such attempts from the outset in the hand, not

everything organized to yourself, you can never be sure that it is not something of

legerdemain or lying in uncontrollable circumstances deluded runs by attempting

subjects a conductive character can be known, what the, externally added outcropping

of the experiments, observers is unknown; ever attempted the kind have no weight

when their success is not under modified conditions proven. Anyway, I would give

only full confidence even such attempts, if I even brought the equipment to even the

greatest safety's sake in each experiment the arrangement would have taken just as I

have kept it in the experiments with the horseshoe magnet, I do not even with myimagination the expected rash that sensitive could influieren because I go to my

principle to be so careful in disbelief than faith, so often heard assertion that

somnambulist can be influiert of her magnetizer in such a way, in spite of the extreme

unlikelihood that their plays, but so far give consideration to derive those caution in

transmitting sensitive somnambulist on it. Reichenbach himself once told me, which I

then put the credibility in a somnambulistischen or spiritualist meeting in London,

which he attended, the somnambulist, or the so-called medium told him things that

absolutely only he can know, but when he a randomly drawn map of a game and kept

under the table without even knowing what it was, she asked the question can not beanswered then. That sensitive to distinguish black-eyed peas of yellow, a blue Knaul

of a yellow, after wrapping in paper, should by the feeling, anyway, is as unlikely as

possible, and thanks to the previous experiments by no means regarded as proven, but

I believed it Reichenbach to be guilty of that to conceal his assumptions that apply in

the experiments just as little as the Not Applicable.

I have always taken frherhin decency to publish the previous attempts at all, since

they can meet their nature but researchers doubt accurate. When I however recently

had random reason to look back at the notes about it, it seemed to me, as I said input,

a pity that the pendulum test and the magnetic test should remain completely lost, andperhaps carry the latter still positive for the future fruit . One does not live magnetic

but physically, magnetic, property on the human body, albeit to repeated konstatieren

only under very peculiar conditions, would be in effect for the science of importance,

and should succeed once, it would nevertheless the Odlehre grateful to have to be that

she has led the way to it.

memories english gustav theodor fechner

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