natural and mesmeric clairvoyance

7/29/2019 Natural and Mesmeric Clairvoyance

1/208

NATURAL

AND

MESMERICCLAIRVOYANCE

WITHTHE

PRACTICALAPPLICATIONOFMESMERISMINSURGERYANDMEDICINE

BY

JAMESESDAILE,M.D.

LATEPRESIDENCYSURGEON,CALCUTTA;AUTHOROF"MESMERISMININDIA",etc.etc.

"Onsetrompeplussouventparsesmfiances,queparsesconfiances."CARDINALDERETZ.

LONDON:HIPPOLYTEBAILLIERE,219,REGENTSTREET,

AND290,BROADWAY,NEWYORK,U.S.PARIS:J.B.BAILLIERE,RUEHAUTETEUILLE.MADRID:BAILLYBAILLIERE,CALLEDELPRINCIPE.CALCUTTA:R.C.LEPAGEANDCO.

1852.

Transcribedindigitalformat

ByMaryseLockehttp://www.transcommunication.org/

LONDON:PrintedbySchulzeandCo.,13,PolandStreet.


2/208

DEDICATION

TO

THEMOSTNOBLETHEMARQUISOFDALHOUSIE,

GOVERNOR-GENERALOFINDIA.

MyLord,

Althoughindebtedtoyoufortherecognitionandrewardofwhatyouwerepleasedtoconsiderpublicservicesofasomewhatnoveldescription,itisasmuchoutofrespectforyourprivatejudgement,asfromgratitudeforyourfavours,thatIhavenowthehonourtodedicatetoyouthefollowingpages.

YourLordshiphadsufficientimpartialityandconfidenceinyourownjudgementtobeabletosatisfyyourselfofthetruthofthephysicalphenomenaofMesmerismfromdocumentaryevidencealone,whichmustbetheonlysourceofknowledgetothegeneralityofmankindonanysubjectwhatever.Ocular

demonstration,thoughofferedtoyou,wasconsideredsuperfluousbyyourLordshipindecidingupontherealityofpainlessmesmericoperations,ofwhichyouwerepleasedtosay,"Therecanbenodoubtwhatever".

Thewonderfulmentalphenomenasaidtobeoccasionallywitnessedinpersonsunderthemesmericinfluence,areequallycapableofbeingjudgedbytheusuallawsofevidence.


3/208

AndwhenthecaresofStateaffordyourLordshipthenecessaryleisure,itwillperhapsbearelaxationtoyoutoexerciseyourindependentjudgementuponthefactsrelatedinthefollowingpagesinsupportoftherealityofnaturalandartificialClairvoyance.

HopingthatotherswillfollowyourLordship'sexample,andthinkandjudgeforthemselves.

Ihavethehonourtoremain,

YourLordship's

MostobedientServant,

JAMESESDAILE.

PERTH,APRIL5,1852


4/208

PREFACE

Mesmerismandmesmeristsmusthavemorethanafelinetenacityoflife,tosurvivesomanydetermined,and,forthetime,apparentlysuccessful,attemptstoputthemtodeath.But,likethecamomileplant,Mesmerismonlyflourishesthemoreforbeingtroddenupon:andmesmerists,likeheroesinaplay,arenosoonerkilledthanweseethemonthestageagain,notatalltheworseforallthekillingtheyhavegonethroughbeforeoureyes.

InconsequenceofaReportofaRoyalCommissioninFrance,in1784,theFacultyofMedicineofParis,sanctionedbytheParliament,ordained"thateverymemberanabettorofthenewdoctrinesofMesmershouldbestruckoffthelistofthesociety,andthatnophysicianshouldconsultwiththecondemned,onpainofthesameforfeiture".Tothethundersofsciencewasaddedthesmallarmofridicule,andMesmer,overpoweredbyinjustice,anddisgusted,quittedFrance:anditwasbelievedthatMesmerismwasplungedintooblivion.

ButhispestilentdoctrineunexpectedlyappearedinLondon,in1838,andwasasspeedilyputdownbytheCouncilofUniversityCollege,London,who,inobediencetotheeditoroftheLancet,Resolved:

"ThattheHospitalCommitteebeinstructedtotakesuchstepsastheyshalldeemmostadvisable,topreventthepracticeofMesmerismorAnimalMagnetismInfuturewithinthehospital".AndsoDr.ElliotsonandMesmerismweresupposedtobeeffectuallyputdown,nevermoretorise.Nevertheless,Dr.Elliotson"stilllivesaprosperousgentleman";and,ifthereaderwishestoknowthesubsequenthistoryofMesmerisminEngland,lethimturntothenineoctavovolumesoftheZoist,andhewillbecomeconvincedoftheefficacyofpersecutioninstimulatingthezealandindustryoftheconvertstoanewfaith.

In1846,MesmerismandIcametoanequallyshamefulandwell-deservedendinIndia,inflicteduponusbytheeditoroftheCalcuttaMedical

Journal.Alas!Littledidthisindignantworthyimaginethathewasonlyactingasawarming-panforamesmerist,andthattheGovernor-GeneralinCouncilwould,inonelittleyear,rewardmewithhisplaceofPresidency-Surgeoninexpressacknowledgementofmymesmeric


5/208

labours.Itistruethat,althoughtheeditorpilloriedmypoorpatientsinprintasasetofhardenedanddeterminedimpostors,he,withthegenerosityofagreatandsuperiormind,kindlyallowedthat"myhonestycouldnotbequestioned"thatis,thatIwasonlyafool;andperhapsIoughttohavebeenthankfulforgettingoffsoeasily,andhaveheldmytongue.Withouttheusualallowanceofinsult,injury,andmisrepresentationheapedupondiscoverersandreformers,theywouldoftenbecontentwithaknowledgeofthetruth,andthementalsatisfactionofhavingsoughtitforitsownsake.Butinsultandinjusticearethespursthatovercometheirnaturalindolence,andimpelthemtodomuchmorethantheyeverintended:and,asthebestvindicationoftheircharactersandunderstandings,theysetaboutconvincingothers,which,byanirresistiblelawofnature,theymustsucceedindoingatlast.

Inself-defence,Icommencedpublishingmonthlyreportsofmyhospitalpracticeinthenewspapers,andthetruthwasthusallowedtoflowfreelythroughthelengthandbreadthoftheland,tilleverypersonofsaneunderstandingwascapableofreturningareasonableverdictuponthefactsfromtheevidenceplacedbeforehim.Thedailypress,withoneortwoexceptions,hadatfirstjoinedintheorthodoxmedicalhowlraisedagainstme,havingbeenmisled-andimposedtherecklessassertionsandconfidentdogmatismoftheprofessionalpartofthepress.Butthejudgementsofthelayeditorswerenotpermanentlyobscuredby

professionalbigotry,jealousy,andwoundedself-love:and,soonperceivingthattheyhadbeenfollowingblindguides,theynotonlyprofessedtheirconversion,butindignantlyturneduponandpunishedtheirmisleaders,and,attheendofayear,therewasnotapaperfromCapeComorintotheHimalayasthatdidnotwishMesmerismandme"Godspeed!"

Afterbeingthebestabusedmanintheworld(notexceptingMr.0ConnellandDr.Elliotson),Iwassoonasextravagantlyoverpraised,merelyforrefusingtobebulliedoutofmysensesandunderstandingandfornotbeingconstitutionallyacoward.Thisappealtothepeople'scommonsenseandnaturalloveofjusticewasextremelydistastefultomyprofessionaljudges,andwasdenouncedasunprecedentedundignified

unprofessionalonlyworthyofanadvertisingquack,etc.But,havingnorespectfortheprecedentsofprejudice;despisingthedignitythatfearspollutionfromthecontactofvulgarfacts;preferringthemoderateindependenceofthepublicservicetothebestprivatepracticeinCalcutta;andbelongingtonoprofessionthatdoesnotgladlyreceivetruth,Iwasasindifferenttosuchattacksastospittinguponorstrikingatmyshadow.AnoppositiontotruthisasnecessaryforitsadvancementasaparliamentaryoppositionisforgoodGovernment:and,butforabitterandbigotedprofessionalopposition,IshouldneverhavegonetoCalcuttaatall(havingnodesiretodoso);therewouldhavebeennoCommitteeorderedtoreportuponmymesmericoperationsbytheGovernmentof


6/208

India;noexperimentalhospitalwouldeverhavebeenestablishedbytheGovernment;nomesmerichospitalsupportedbypublicsubscriptionwouldeverhavebeenheardof;andIshouldneverhavesucceededinintroducingMesmerismintoregularhospitalpracticeinCalcutta.Forallwhichzealinpromotingthetruthandmyselfalongwithit,Ireturnmyopponents(especiallythelearnedprofessorsoftheMedicalCollege,Calcutta),thethankstheydeserve,andthepublicwillequallyappreciatetheirexertions.Imust,however,exemptDr.Webb,ProfessorofDemonstrativeAnatomy,fromthisvoteofthanks;forhe,likehiscolleagues,notonlyboreampletestimonytotherealityofmypainlessmesmericoperations,but,unlikethem,didnot,onthediscoveryofetherandchloroform,endeavourtoeathisownwordsanddenyhisrecordedconvictions.Dr.WebbwellknewthatMesmerismwasstillindispensabletotheoperatingsurgeoninmanycases,andthatitwasthebest,becausethesafest,anaestheticagent,whenavailable,asitusuallyisinIndia;andthat,evenifMesmerismweresupersededforsurgicalpurposesbysomeequallyinnocuousdrug,thisoughtnottodiminishitsinterestintheeyesofthephysician,thephysiologist,themetaphysician,andnaturalphilosopher.

OnewouldsupposethatthesoulsoftheprofessorsofPisaandPadua,immortalisedbyGalileoinalettertoKepler,hadtransmigratedintothebodiesoftheprofessorsofCalcutta."Oh!MydearKepler",writesGalileo,

"howIwishwecouldhaveaheartylaughtogether.Here,atPadua,istheprincipalprofessorofphilosophy,whomIhaverepeatedlyandurgentlyinvitedtolookatthemoonandplanetsthroughmyglass,whichhepertinaciouslyrefusestodo.Whyareyounothere?Whatshoutsoflaughterweshouldhaveatthisgloriousfolly!AndtohearthephilosopheratPisalabouringbeforetheGrandDukewithlogicalarguments,asifwithmagicalincantations,todrawthenewplanetsoutofthesky!"Galileowellknewtheefficacyofagoodguffawinclearingthemindofmalignvapoursengenderedbytheunworthytreatmenthereceived,and,havinglaughedathisopponents,hefelthimselfcapableofinfiniteendurance.IhavebeeninthehabitofexcusingGalileo'srecantationbylikeninghimtothekeeperofamadhousewhosepatientshaveriseninrebellionandthreatenedtoputhimtodeathifhedidnotconfesshimselftobetheonly

madmanintheestablishment.Surelyitwouldbequiteallowabletosaveone'slifeinsuchapredicament.

AndhereIcannotrefrainfromchronicling,fortheadmirationofEuropeandposterity,thenoblegenerosityandself-sacrificeofthePresidentoftheMesmericCommittee,thejuniormemberofthethenMedicalBoard.ThehighlyconsistentandconscientiousPresidenthadnosoonersignedtheReporttoGovernment,declaringthatheandtheothermembersoftheCommitteehadseenmeperformperfectlypainlessmesmericoperationsofthemostseveredescription,thanherepentedhim,likeanotherCranmer,andcrying,"Oh!thisunworthyrighthand",triedto


7/208

undowhathehaddone.Beingamanofhumour,helaughedheartilyincompanyatthecapitaljokeof"painlessoperations!"Ononeoftheseoccasions,agentlemanofsomewhattenderconscienceventuredtoask:"Buthowcouldyousigntowhatyoudidnotbelieve?""Bah!"repliedthePresident,"wepitiedpoorEsdaile,butwecouldhavecrushedhim.Sir!wecouldhavecrushedhim!"

WehaveallheardofthedevotionofDamonandPythias,andSt.Paul

saysthat"hecouldwishtobeanathemaforthesalvationofhis

brethren."Butthisisthefirstinstanceonrecord,Ibelieve,ofa

mandamninghimselfforastrangerandacausethathedetestedand

despised.ThedaysofchivalryarenotpastaslongasthePresident

oftheCalcuttaMesmericCommitteelives.

Ifindtheever-beginningnever-endingtaskofputtingdownMesmerismstillhopelesslygoingoninEnglandin1852,andthemedicaljournalshavesuppressallevidenceregardingit,evenofthemostpracticalandprofessionaldescription,(*)asthemosteffectualmeansof

burkingthehatefulsubject.IhavethereforebeenhighlygratifiedtoseeDr.Gregoryaddressingthepublicthroughthemediumofthedailypress;and,ifthenaturalsenseofjusticeandnationalloveoffairplayhavenotbecomeextinctsinceIleftEngland,wemayexpecttoseethepublicandtheunprofessionalpressresentingthisattempttosuppressfreediscussionandputdownthelibertyofthepress.

EvenLouisNapoleonhasnotyetprohibitedthediscussionofMesmerism,likeourdictatorsofthemedicalpress.

IncompletingarecordofmyIndianmesmericexperience,itwasmy

intentiontohaveconfinedmyselftothestrictlyutilitarianandprofessionaldepartmentofMesmerism,withwhichIwasbestacquainted,andwhichitismostessentialthatthepublicshouldknow.

But,onseeingmedicalmenofthehighestintelligenceandhonour,likeDr.Elliotson,Dr.Gregory,Dr.Ashburner,Dr.Engledue,etc.,hootedat,andattemptsmadetoruinthemintheirprofessionalandprivatereputations,byanonymousirresponsiblewriters,forboldlyrelatingwhattheyhaveseenofthehigherMesmericphenomena,IshoulddespisemyselfforamiserablecowardifIfearedtoaddmytestimonytotheirsandrefrainedfromrelatingwhatIknowandhaveseenofthehighermesmericphenomena,bothphysicalandpsychical.


8/208

(*)Seemylatepamphlet,MesmerismasanAnaestheticandCurcitiveAgent.

Nexttothepleasureofacquiringnewknowledgeisthesatisfactionofpartakingitwithothers:but,afterconvertingIndiatoabeliefinthepracticalutilityofMesmerism,itiscomparativelyindifferenttomewhetherpeoplebelieveinClairvoyanceornot.Ihaveinthismatterthoughtandactedlikeafreeman,andonlywishotherstodothesame.Whatevermaybethereceptionofthiswork,itisimpossibletodeprivemeofthementalgratificationwhichIhavederivedfromthestudyofMesmerism,andthesatisfactionofhavingdonemuchgoodtosufferinghumanitybyitsmeans.


9/208

CONTENTS

CHAPTERI

NecessityofexaminingallthephenomenabeforeattemptingtoaccountforthemesmericinfluenceAnonymouscalumnyandmisrepresentationreprobatedThehighermesmericphenomenaascapableofbeingprovedasthelowerTheyareonlyimitationsofNaturebyArtMenoffreemindsnottobedeterredfrominvestigatingthelawsofNaturebybeinghowledatasAtheists?Examplesofnaturalsomnambulismand

clairvoyance............Page13

CHAPTERII

ArtificialsomnambulismVariouswaysofproducingitwellknowntothenativesofIndiaandtheancientsThemodernsonlyre-discoveringtheirlostknowledgeReasonwithoutexperienceuselessinthisinvestigation

Mesmerismbelievedinbythelearnedandpolite,andnotbythevulgarWasdiscoveredandpropagatedbyDoctorsTheAuthor'ssingularintroductiontomesmericsomnambulismSuspectedchild-stealingbyitsmeansFirstexperimentinmakingasomnambulistMeninastateofsomnambulismstolenoutofapubliccourtofjusticeWritersonmedicaljurisprudence,judges,andjuriesoughttobeawareofthecrimesthatmaybecommittedbytheabuseofMesmerismLucidsomnambulismmadeknowntothemodernsbytheMarquisdePuysegurAbsurdityofattemptingtosolveascientificproblembyamoneybribeCaseofclairvoyantreadingofabanknote,reportedbyDr.Chalmers,PresidencySurgeon,CalcuttaCasesofmesmericclairvoyancereportedbyDr.EngledueEarlofDucieLordFitzclarenceMr.Topham,barrister-atlawTheHon.MissBoyleBytheAuthorDangersofecstatic

somnambulismThenaturalmedicalinstinctofanimalsOfman.............Page44


10/208

CHAPTERIII

RemarkableandanomalousphenomenasometimeswitnessedinmesmerisedpersonsTheyoccasionallythrowlightonthecauseofthegeneraleffectuponthesystemFirstexperimentsonlyrelieduponExamplesofconscioustranceOflossofmemoryforsometimeprevioustothetranceOblivionofwakingintervalsMesmericdeliriumLocalrigidityandinsensibilityproducedwithoutaffectingthegeneralconsciousnessThesensesextinguishedandrestoredonebyone,theconsciousnessremainingentireAsimilarcasewithcommunityoftaste

Mesmericattraction.........Page87CHAPTERIV

MedicalmenatpresentnotentitledtodictatetheirmesmericbelieftothepublicDoctors,ingeneral,asignorantofMesmerismasthepublicTheAuthor'scompleteignoranceofMesmerismbeforeexperimentingforhimselfEveryavailableevidenceaffordedbyhimHeisobligedtogiveupmesmerisingEverythingdonebyhisassistantsafterthefirstsixweeksImposturemorallyandphysicallyimpossiblePhysiological

demonstrationoftheabsurdityofthecharge....Page99CHAPTERV

ThemesmericprocessesPublicitythebestprotectiontosocietyThemesmerictreatmentofdiseaseafieldofusefullabourforthephilanthropistTheMarquisdePuysegurandM.DeleuzeunprofessionalmenProcessusedinIndiaforinducingcomaTheEuropeanmethodLocalmesmerisingThedemesmerisingprocesses..Page105

CHAPTERVI

MesmericsurgeryMenofallprofessionscomeforwardintheirownnamesinsupportoftheAuthor'sstatementsAnamputationofathighreportedbyF.W.Simms,Esq.,civilengineertotheEastIndiaCompany

FivemesmericoperationsdescribedbytheRev.Mr.laCroixAnamputationofathighreportedbyMajorCorfieldandbrotherofficersMesmericoperationsreportedbytheRev.Mr.Hill"Mesmerismasasootherofpain",translatedfromtheCountdeGoertz'sIndianLettersListofmesmericoperationsperformedbytheAuthorConcludingremarksonmesmericsurgeryTheeffectsofcoldonpersonsinthe


11/208

mesmerictranceExperimentsonthispointExamplesofsingularphysicalandmentalphenomenasometimesseeninmesmericoperations

TheproposalofasuspectedimpostortotheDoctorSahibsP.111CHAPTERVII

MedicalMesmerismComaasamedicalagentnotoftennecessaryAjudiciousselectionofcasesrequiredforsuccessExamplesofdifferentdiseasescuredbyMesmerismaloneNeuralgiaParalysisEnlargedglandsandsuppuratingearsGenerallossofsensibilityintheskinwithpartialpalsyCaseofdumbnessdescribedbyDr.WebbinhisIntroductoryLectureAnothercaseProdigiousprolapsusanireducedinthetranceThreestrangulatedrupturesreducedinthetranceMesmerismininsanity.........Page142

CHAPTERVIII

TheabuseofMesmerismItresembleshysteriaatlastThespontaneousdevelopmentofmesmericsymptomsoftennoproofofimposture,butthecontraryBodilydangersfromgreatmesmeric

sensibilityAwarningmiracleperformed....Page156CHAPTERIX

Mesmerism,aspractisedbytheAuthor,aphysicpowerItaffectspersonsasleep,orinnaturalcoma,madmen,andblindpeoplePersonscanbemesmerisedwithouttheirknowledgeItaffectsbrutesaswellasmenKnowntotheNorthAmericanIndiansThemesmericinfluencecanbeprojectedtoadistanceCanbecommunicatedtoinanimatesubstances,towater,etc.Thequestion,''WhatisMesmerism?"attemptedtobeanswered.........Page164

CHAPTERX

TheGovernmentExperimentalMesmericHospitalThemoralofthetaleTheReportsoftheMedicalVisitorsoftheHospitalreviewedRemarkablementalphenomenaexhibitedbytheVisitorsundertheinfluenceofetherItsstupifyingeffectsuponMr.Richard


12/208

O'Shaughnessy,professorofsurgeryItsludicrousandpitiableeffectsuponDr.DuncanStewart,professorofmidwiferyItsshockingeffectsuponDr.Mouat,professorofmateriamedicaTheeffectsproduceduponthemindofLordDalhousiebytheHospitalReportsandthoseoftheVisitorsHisLordshipdoes"anactofjustice"AMesmericHospitalsupportedbypublicsubscriptionsestablishedItisclosedinconsequenceofoneoftheGovernmenthospitalsbeinggiventotheAuthorforthepurposeofintroducingMesmerismintoregularhospital

practice............Page176

Appendix..........Page186

Postscript..........Page194


13/208

NATURAL

AND

MESMERICCLAIRVOYANCE

CHAPTERI

NecessityofexaminingallthephenomenabeforeattemptingtoaccountforthemesmericinfluenceAnonymouscalumnyandmisrepresentationreprobatedThehighermesmericphenomenaascapableofbeingprovedasthelowerTheyareonlyimitationsofNaturebyArtMenoffreemindsnottobedeterredfrominvestigatingthelawsofNaturebybeinghowledatasAtheists!Examplesofnaturalsomnambulismandclairvoyance.

THEhistoryoftheriseandprogressofMesmerismasabranchofthehealingartformsanaturalandcompletedepartmentofthesubject,andhasbeendweltuponintheworksIhavealreadypublished:MesmerisminIndia,and

TheIntroductionofMesmerismasanAnaestheticandCurativeAgentintotheHospitalsofIndia.

But,howeverwonderfulandvariedthebodilyphenomenamayhe,theycomposeonlyonehalfoftheevidencethatmustheexaminedbeforewecanhopetoformanysatisfactoryorfeasibletheoryrespectingthenatureofthemesmericinfluence.Byenteringuponthepsychologicalpartofthesubject,Ishall


14/208

peril,Ifear,anycreditthatmayhavebeengivenmeforpracticalviewsandsobrietyofjudgementintheprosecutionofmymesmericresearches.But,evenifthecuriosityandinterestofthesubjectdidnotleadmeon,IshouldfeelboundtorelateallIknow,injusticetothehonourableandintelligentmenwhohavestakedtheirreputationsinthecauseoftruth,andwhoaredailyinsultedbyahostofnamelessandirresponsiblewriters.

Itisnotflatteringmyself,Ihope,tosupposethatmypreviouspublicationshavesufficientlyvindicatedmyownveracityandprofessionalreputation;anditwouldperhapsbemoreprudenttoletothersfighttheirownbattlesasIhavefoughtmine.Butinjusticeandoppressionpractiseduponothersmovemyindignationalmostasmuchasifofferedtomyself;anditishightimethatthepublicshouldhavetheoptionofchoosingbetweenthedeliberatestatementsofhonourableandresponsiblemen,andtherecklessassertionsofthenamelessassailantsofMesmerism,whoingeneralhateevidentlynoknowledgeofthesubject,andtrusttotheirreadershavingstilllesswhenperusinga"smashingarticle"inareview,magazine,ornewspaper.

Thereasonofthisdiscreditableignoranceamongwell-informed

personsis,thatallevidenceandinformationoneventheprofessionalpartofthesubjecthasbeensystematicallywithheldfromthemedicalprofessionandthepublicbythemedicalpressofGreatBritain.

But,inspiteofthisstudiedsilence,thepublichaveheardtoomuchfromvarioustrustworthyquarters,nottobegenerallyconvincedoftherealityoftheleadingphysicalmesmericphenomena.Theseare,therefore,passedoverbythemedicalpress,andarenolongercontested.Butthegroundthatthemedicalmesmeristshavewon,andcannotbedispossessedof,isundermined,andtheirdestructionhopedfor,byraisingacombinedmedico-theologicalhowlof"Atheist!"(*)

(*)TheMedicalTimesnotonlyholdsupthemenwhodaretothinkandactforthemselvestoprofessionalreprobation,butendeavours,likeaDominicanfriar,todrawdownupontheirheadspublicexecrationandpersecution,bynick-namingtheminfidelsandatheists.Suchworthyleadersfindworthyfollowers,towhoseknownpassionsandprejudicestheywritedown.Amedicalman,oneofthosebeings


15/208

"Ofwhomtobedisprais'dwerenosmallpraise,"

hasbeenfoundsoutterlyshamelessastowritewhatfollows,underhisownname,inthepublicprints(hecallshimselfCharlesDeazeley,ofMilford,surgeon):"Leavingthosewhofeelitaspleasanttobecheatedastocheat'tofollowsuchmenasElliotson,Esdaile,Ashburner,Sandby,Townshend,andahostofotherswhothroughthemedium

againstallwhodaretopassfrommattertotheinvestigationofmindandendeavourtocomprehendhowtheyareunited;howfartheycanactindependently,andhowtheyactandre-actuponeachother.

Thatbigotedandinfuriatedpolemicsshouldmournoverthedepartureofthegoodoldtimeswhenatroublesomeopponentcouldbeeffectuallysilencedbyreducinghimtoashes,isnottobewonderedat.ButtofindDoctorscallingintheaidofreligiouspersecutioninthemiddleofthenineteenthcenturytosolveaphysico-psychicalproblem,issomethingperfectlymonstrousandincredible.Theseterroristspretendthat,

becausepersonsunderthemesmericinfluenceceaseforthetimetobevoluntaryandresponsiblebeings,andoccasionallyexhibitpowersandacquireknowledgebeyondtheirreachintheirordinarystateofexistence,thereforeMesmerismissynonymouswithAtheism,seeingthatitdivestsmanofhisresponsibility,andinvestshimwithpowershithertosupposedtobetheexclusiveattributesofGod.

Thesewould-beleadersofthemedicalprofession,anddictatorsofpublicopinion,areeithergrosslyignorantofvariousmedicalfactsbearinguponandillustratingthesubject,orwilfullysuppresstheknowledgeofthem,intheireagernesstodestroythosewhodifferfromtheminopinion.Thederangementofthe

nervousequilibrium,uponwhichtheoccurrenceofthemesmericphenomenadepends,maybeeffectedbyvariousagencies.

oftheirownperiodical,theZoisthavepronouncedthemselvesinfidelsandmaterialists.Dr.Esdaile,asimilarcharactertoDr.Elliotson,isatpresentinIndia,followinghisnefariousvocationsandfromthetoneoftheZoist,Ifearisbuttoosuccessfulamongthatbenightedpeople."Nowallthispersoncouldthenhaveknownofmewas,thatIhadsavedhundredsofunfortunatehumanbeingsthemostexquisitetortures,forwhic

hIwaspubliclyrewardedbytheGovernmentofIndia.Twoofthegentlemen,Mr.SandbyandMr.Townshend,whohavethehonourtobeyelledatbythismedicalPharisee,are


16/208

clergymen.AndthelasttimeIhadthepleasuretobeinthecompanyoftheBishopofCalcutta,hewaspleasedtosay:"Ireadallyouwrite.Dr.Esdaile;Ibelieveallyousay,Sir."TheclergyofalldenominationsinIndiawereamongmyearliestandstanchestsupporters.TheArchbishopofDublin,theRev.Mr.Sandby,theRev.Dr.Scoresby,theRev.Mr.Pyne,mybrother,theRev.DavidEsdaile,andmanymoreclergymen,belongtothegoodlyfellowshipofAtheists,beingbothbelieversin,andpracticersofMesmerism.

Insensibilitytopain,whenintheirecstasies,hasbeenclaimedastheprivilegeofsaintsinallages;and,aftermakingthemostampleallowanceforimposture,itmustoftenberegardedasreal,socontinuedandconsistentisthetestimonybornetoit.Infact,thephenomenonisdailyseenrecurringatCampMeetings,religiousRevivals,andotherfanaticalassemblages,whosemembersmeettogethertogivethemselvesuptounbridledmentalintoxication,whichisproductiveofsingularmentalandbodilysymptomsmistakenbythepartiesthemselvesforinspiration,andbythespectatorsfor

imposture,butwhich,inreality,areoftenthenecessaryeffectofderangementofthenervousequilibrium,asmuchsoasintoxicationisaneffectofspirituousliquors.Insensibilitytopain,andmanyofthehighermesmericphenomenawerewitnessedaseverydayoccurrencesamongthedevoteeswhoresortedtothegraveoftheAbbParis.Delicatewomeninvitedthespectatorstoinflictthemostsevereinjuriesuponthemasasourceofenjoyment;andMonsieurBoutin,"CouncillortotheKinginParliament",hasleftusacertificate,inwhichhedeclaresthathe,incompanywithmanyotherpersons,sawagirl,whenintheecstaticstate,extirpate,withapairofscissorsandhernails,alargecanceroustumourfromtheinsideofhermouth,withoutfeelingit,anduponwhichthemostskilful

surgeonsinParishadrefusedtooperate.

Theexhaustionofthebrainbyintensecontemplationisanothermeansofderangingthenaturalfunctionsofthenerves,andofrenderingtheminsensibletoordinaryimpressions.Thishasbeenknownandpractisedtimeimmemorial,andisprobablytheobjectoftheprolongedmeditationstowhichtheNorthAmericanwarriorsgivethemselvesuppreviouslytoenteringuponthegreatestoftheheroicordeals.ItispractisedinIndiaatthisdaybydevotees,aswillbeseenfromthefollowingextractfromtheletterofanofficerinthePunjaub.


17/208

Acuriouscustomprevailshere,whichIbelieveisveryunusual,ifeverwitnessed,inourprovinces,ofMahomedanreligiousdevoteessuspendingthemselvesbytheirheels,andswingingandwrithingtheirbodiesintoeveryvarietyofcontortion,untiltheyareapparentlyquiteexhausted;butthemostcuriouspartofthebusinessisthemeanstheyusetobringthemselvesintoastatefirmenoughorindifferentenoughtoundergothesevereordeal.Thedifferentcandidatesforpenanceappearnottobeselectedortohavedeterminedbeforehandtovictimisethemselvesontheoccasion,but,aswewereseriouslyinformedbythebystanders,remainedplungedinthought,until,byforceoflongdwellingononesubject,they,asitwere,fellintoatrance.Itseffectswerevisiblebyseeingoneoftheparty,sooccupied,suddenlyfallflatonthegroundasinafit,hiswholeframebeingconvulsedbysomegreatnervousexcitement,everylimbtrembling,theeyesclosed,breathingshortandheavy,andsalivarunningfromthemouth.Wheninthisstate,heispickedupbyhisfriends,andissuspendedbyaropepassingroundabandagefasteningtheheelstogether,andgraduallyraisedtillhisoutstretchedhandsareabouttwofeetabovetheground;inthispositionheisleft,andinaveryshorttimethelips,the

brow,andinfactthewholefaceandneck,swellconsiderably,andaccordinglyasthespiritmovesthemtheevolutionsareperformedtillthemanappearsperfectlysenseless,whenheistakendown.Theydonotappeartobeaffectedbyanyinternalstimulant,but,onthecontrary,behavewiththeutmostgravitybeforethefitcomeson."DelhiGazette.

Thewholenervoussystemmaybealsoderangedbytheexhaustionofaparticularorgan,ashaslatelybeenpractisedbyMr.BraidofManchester,whoentranceshispatientsbymakingthemgazewithadoubleinwardsquintatanobjectplacedabovetheeyes.Butthisisonlyamodificationofanold

method,andare-discoveryofancientknowledge,likesomanymoderninventions.ThemonksofMountAthosprocuredthedesiredinsensibilitytoexternalobjectsbygazingintentlyattheirnavels:hencetheywerecalledOmphalopsychians;"andBerniertellsusthatthefakirsofIndiabroughtontheecstatic


18/208

statebysquintingatthetipsoftheirnoses,andsobecameabsorbedintothebeingofthegreatOm.

Thesametrainofsymptomsmaybeinducedbytheactionofvarioussubstancesonthesystem,suchasopium,hemp,aconite,hyoscyamus,ether,chloroform,anddifferentgases."Wearetoldthattheancientsoothsayerschewedhyoscyamus,andthepythonesseslaurel-leaves,toinducethedivine"afflatus".Plutarchattributestheextinctionofmanylocaloraclestochangesinthenaturalexhalationsoftheplaces;andIamdisposedtosuspectthatcarbonicacidgasplayedanimportantpartinthesacredmysteries.

Dr.Gregory.ProfessorofChemistryintheUniversityofEdinburgh,tellsus:

"Agentleman,whoinhaledthevapourofchloroform,foundhimself,justwhenhewaslosingfullconsciousness,andmuchtohissurprise,possessedofacertaindegreeofthepowerofintrovision,sothathefeltasifhecouldseeintoanddescribehisownbrain,withitsvessels,etc."

VanHelmontinformsus,that,havingputaminuteportionof

aconiteonhistongue,whenexperimentingonthissubstance,thefollowingsymptomsensued:

"Ifound,shortlyafter,myheadcompressedaswithabandage,butIcontinuedtogoaboutmyaffairsasusual.Suddenly,Iexperiencedasingularsensation.ItappearedasifIcomprehendednothing,conceivednothing,distinguishednothing,bymybrainintheusualmanner,andIperceivedwithastonishmentthatallthesefunctionswereclearlyandpositivelytransferredtomyepigastrium.Ifeltthissowell,thatIremarkedatthesametime,thatfeelingandmovementcontinuedtobedistributedfromthebraintothedifferentpartsofthebody,whilethefacultyofthinking,excludedfromthe

head,seemedtohavetakenupitsquarterspermanentlyintheepigastricregion,andIfeltmyintelligencegreatlyincreasedbythisneworderofthings.Thislucidityaffordedmegreatpleasure,andIhadampletimetotestit;forIcalculateditscontinuance.Ineithersleptnordreamed,butfeltperfectly


19/208

well:IcouldgiveanaccountofallIfelt,andperceivedclearlythatthementalfunctionshaddesertedtheheadandtakenpossessionofthepraecordialregion.Aftertwohours,Ifeltaslightvertigo,afterwhichIwasrestoredtomyusualmodeofexistence."

Gassendi,todissipatethedelusionsofthepoorwretcheswhothoughtthemselveswitches,triedtofindoutandimitatetheirsecret.Heanointedthepeasantswithapomadeinwhichopiumwasaningredient,persuadingthemthatthiswouldtransportthemtothewitches'Sabbath.Afteralongsleep,theyawokefullyconvincedthattheyhadassistedattheSatanicorgies,andgaveafullaccountofwhattheyhadseen,andthepleasurestheyhadenjoyedatthewitches'runion.

Thefollowingextract,fromSir"W.C.Harris'sHighlandsofEthiopiawillshowthattheAbyssiniansknowhowtobringontheafflatusofthesoothsayer,andalsopractisepainlesssurgery,withthehelpofnarcoticdrugs:

"Amongtheveryfewincidentsthatoccurredtobreakthemonotonyofourprobationarysojourn,wasthearrivaloftheLebashi,thehereditarythief-catcherofthekingdom.

"Forseveralhoursthelittletownwasinastateofconfusionanddismay.Burglaryhadbeencommitted,diverspiecesofsalthadbeenabstracted,andtheappearanceofthepolice-officerprovednotonewhitmoreagreeabletotheinnocentthantotheguilty.

"Aringhavingbeenformedinthemarket-placebythecrowdedspectators,thedivinerintroducedhisaccomplice,astolid-lookinglad,whoseatedhimselfuponabullock'shidewithanairofdeepresignation.Anintoxicatingdrugwas,undermanyincantations,extractedfromamysteriousleathernscrip,andthrownintoahornfilledwithnewmilk;andthispotation,

aidedbyseveralhurriedinhalationsofacertainnarcotic,hadtheinstantaneouseffectofrenderingtherecipientstupidlyfrantic.Springinguponhisfeet,hedashed,foamingatthemouth,amongtherabble,and,withoutanyrespecttoageorsex,dealtvigorouslyabouthim,untilhewassecuredbyacord


20/208

abouthisloins,whenhedraggedhismasterroundandround,fromstreettostreet,snufflingthroughthenose,likeabear,inthedarkrecessesofeveryhouse,andleavingunscrutinisednoholeorcorner.

"Afterscrapingforaconsiderabletimewithhisnailsunderthefoundationofahut,whereinhesuspectedthedelinquenttolurk,theimpentered,spranguponthebackoftheproprietor,andbecametotallyinsensible."

"AGallaoftheIttootribehadundertakentheremovalofsevererheumatism,towhichendheadministeredapowerfulnarcotic,whichrenderedthepatientinsensible.Armedwithasharpcrease,hethenproceededtocutandslashineverydirection,fromthecrownoftheheadtothesoleofthefoot."

ProfessorMiller,inhisPracticeofSurgery,thusdescribestheoccasionaleffectsofetheronthesystem:

"Notunfrequentlyastateresemblingsomnambulismcontinuesforsomehoursduringthetransitiontorecovery.Motion,sensation,someofthespecialsenses,andmuchofthementalpowers,seemtoberestored,yetthepatientremainsasifina

deepsleep.Hemayrise,wash,shave,dress,perambulate;allthetimeunconscious."

"Wesee,intheabovecases,mandeprivedofhisvolitionandresponsibilitybyvariousnaturalprocesses,andoftenforhisgood;andProfessorMillerwouldbenotalittlesurprisedandshocked,ifthecryofAtheist!shouldberaisedagainsthimfordeprivinghispatientstemporarilyoftheirreasonfortheirbodilybenefit.

ButitisNatureherselfwhospontaneouslyoffersusexamplesofthehighestmesmericphenomenaindifferentdiseasedstatesofthesystem,andespeciallyincatalepsyandhysteria.

Sothatifitbetrue,asIbelieve,that

"NatureisaneffectwhosecauseisGod",


21/208

thosewhothinkMesmerismandAtheismidenticalarereducedtotheawkwardpositionofseeingGoddemonstratehisnonexistencebyhisworks!

Inattemptingtounderstandthebodilyandmentalconditionofpersonsunderthemesmericinfluence,weoughtnottojudgethembyourselves,but,recognisingthattheyareinanabnormalstate,ofwhichwecanknownothingfromourownfeelings,weshould,ifwewishtogetacquaintedwiththeirpreternaturalstateofexistence,observecarefullythebodilyandmentalphenomenatheyexhibit,andattempttogeneraliseafterwardsfromabundantobservations.

Therecanbenothingmoreunreasonableandunjustthantotaketheknownmeanstoderangethenaturalactionofman'snervoussystem,andthen,likeFrankenstein,tobecomedisgustedwithourownwork,becauseitdoesnotfulfilthetheoreticalexpectationsentertainedofitspowers.

Wetakeawaysomesensesfromthesomnambulist,andgivehimothers,yetwillnotlethimusethem!

Wehaverevolutionisedthehumansystembytheintroduction

ofanewvitalagent;and,whilemanlivesunderitsinfluence,heisnomoreinanaturalorresponsiblestatethanapersonundertheexcitementofopium,chloroform,orParadisegas.

But,tocrownthefollyandinjusticeofthething,theduties,freeagency,andresponsibilityofmaninhisnaturalstate,andeventheexistenceornon-existenceofaGod,arereasoneduponfrompersonsinthisirregular,preternaturalcondition,whichisveryoftennomoretobedependeduponthanthedeliriumoffeverorintoxication.

Buttoreturntotheposition,thatNatureoftenspontaneouslyoffersusexamplesofthehighest

mesmericphenomenaindifferentdiseasedstatesofthesystem.

Themostsingulardeviationsfromtheusualstateofthingsarewitnessedinnaturalsomnambulism,catalepsy,andhysteria.In


22/208

thesediseases,thereissometimesseenageneralexaltationofthewholenervoussystem,thatamountstoatemporarymetamorphosisoftheindividual,orthereisanexaltationofoneormoreofthesensesattheexpenseoftheothers;anditoccasionallyappearsasifnewsensesweredeveloped,andunthoughtofsympathiesamongindividuals,andeveninanimatenature,arediscovered.

ItisbystudyingthedisturbancesofNature,thatweoftensucceedinpenetratinghermysteriesandimitatingherprocesses.Whilethenaturallawsworkharmoniouslyandwithoutobstruction,theveryperfectionofthemachinerybafflesus;noweakpointisperceptible;nocrevicepresentsitselfintowhichtheleverofthehumanintellectcanenter;andweareobligedtofallbackinadmiration,butdisappointedanduninstructed.

But,whenthelawsofNaturemeetwithobstruction,ornewcombinationsbecomenecessarytocarryouttheintentionsoftheDivineWill,thenthecreativeanddestructiveforcesofnatureseemtobefreedfromtheirallegiance,andearth,airandwaterareconvulsedbyavarietyofagents,whoseexistencewouldneverhavebeensuspectedinthestateof

orderandbeautyusuallypervadingtheuniverse.ItisinthesenaturalcrisesthatwegainamomentaryglimpseintoNature'sworkshop,andbecomeacquaintedwiththeindividualactionofthedifferentpowers,whosecombinedenergiesgivelife,order,andmotiontotheworld.

Inlikemanner,thismicrocosm,thehumanbody,performsitsvitalrevolutionswithallthesilence,harmony,andregularityoftheinorganicworld,whenitsdestructiveandreparativepowers,thevoluntaryandinvoluntaryvitalforces,areinastateofhappyequilibrium.Aswehavebeenabletodistinguish,insomemeasure,theformative,preservative,anddestructivepowersofNature,bywatchingtheminastateofrevolution;so

wemayhopebyanattentiveobservationofthephenomenaoforganiclife,whenpresentedtousinastateofspontaneousrevolution,toexhaustthesubjectbyanalysis,andthenwemayattempttoconstructthelifeofmanoutofthenumerous


23/208

fragmentsandobservationsaccumulatedbycuriousinquirersinallpartsoftheworld.

Thisdeeplyinterestingsubjectisfortunatelynotapurelyprofessionalone,requiringtheexperiencedphysicianandskilfulanatomisttobeitssuccessfulinvestigators.Itoughttobeequallyattractivetothemetaphysician,andnaturalphilosopher,whoselabourswillberequiredtoassistinsolvingtheproblemoftheunionofmindwithmatter,theextenttowhichtheycanactindependently,andthereactionofoneupontheother.

Naturalphilosophy,moreespecially,islikelytothrowlightuponthenatureofthelifeofman,whichwillprobablybefoundtobeonlyamodificationofthevitalagentwhichpervadestheuniverse,andthencewemaycometounderstandtheastoundingsympathiesandaffinitiessometimesdevelopedbetweentheorganicandinorganicworld,andbeledtosuspectthepossibilityofthefinitemindofmanpassingforatimeintorelationwiththeInfinite,andtherebyreceivingimpressionsotherwisethanbythesenseswhichregulateandcircumscribeourknowledgeofsurroundingnatureinournormalstateofexistence.

Thematerialsfortheillustrationofthehighermesmericphenomenafromthespontaneouseffortsofnatureareabundant,andthedifficultyisintheselection.

Perhapsitwillbemostsatisfactorytogiveafewexamplesfromdifferentcountries,reportedbypersonswhoingeneralhadnoknowledgeofeachother'sobservations;weshallthusgetridofthetheoriesofimitationandcollusion.

CASESOFNATURALCLAIRVOYANCE

ProfessorWienholt,inhis"LecturesonSomnambulism",says:

"Averyremarkablecasewasrelatedtomebyamosttrustworthyobserver,thelateHamburghphysicianDr.Schulz.Itwasthatofagirlbetweentwelveandthirteenyearsofage,belongingtoafamilyofsomedistinction,whowasafflictedwith


24/208

aviolentnervouscomplaint,inwhichstrongconvulsivemotionalternatedwithcatalepsyandsyncope.Besides,shefrequentlyhadparoxysms,duringwhichsheconversedwithmuchlivelinessandingenuity.Inthisstate,shedistinguishedwithoutdifficultyallcoloursthatwerepresentedtoher,recognisedthenumbersofthecards,andthestripesuponthosewhichwerevariegated.Shedescribedthebindingofbookswhenshowntoher.Shewroteinthesamemannerasusual,andcutfiguresonpaper,asshewasaccustomedtodoforpastimeinherwakingstate.Hereyesatthistimewerefirmlyclosed;but,inordertobeassuredthatshemadenouseofthem,abandagewasplacedoverthemontheapproachoftheparoxysm."

AnotherveryremarkablecasewillbefoundintheBreslauMedicalCollections,Itrelatestoarope-maker,whowasfrequentlyovertakenbysleep,eveninthedaytime,andinthemidstofhisusualoccupations.Whileinthisstate,hesometimesrecommenceddoingallthathehadbeenengagedinduringthepreviouspartoftheday;atothertimeshewouldcontinuetheworkinwhichhehappenedtobeengagedatthecommencementoftheparoxysm,andfinishedhisbusinesswithasgreatcareandsuccessaswhenawake.Whenthefitovertookhimintravelling,heproceededonhisjourneywith

thesamefacility,andalmostfasterthanwhenawake,withoutmissingtheroadorstumblingoveranything.InthismannerherepeatedlywentfromNurembergtoWeimar.Upononeoftheseoccasionshecameintoanarrowlanewheretherelaysometimber.Hepassedoveritregularlywithoutinjury;andwithequaldexterityavoidedthehorsesandcarriagesthatcameinhisway.AtanothertimehewasovertakenbysleepjustashewasabouttosetoutforWeimaronhorseback.HerodethroughtheriverIlme,allowedhishorsetodrink,anddrewuphislegstopreventthemgettingwet;thenpassedthroughseveralstreets,crossedthemarket-place,whichwasatthattimefullofpeople,carts,andbooths,andarrivedinsafetyatthehouseofanacquaintance,whereheawoke.Theseandmanysimilar

acts,requiringtheuseoftheeyes,heperformedindarknessaswellasbydaylight.Hiseyes,however,werefirmlyclosed,and

hecouldnotseewhentheywereforcedopenandstimulatedbylightbroughtnearthem.Hisothersensesappearedtobeequallydormant,aswerehiseyes.Hecouldnot


25/208

smellthemostvolatilespirit.Hefeltnothingwhenpinched,pricked,orstruck.Heheardnothingwhencalledbyhisname,orevenwhenapistolwasdischargedclosebesidehim.

ThenextcaseisreportedbyProfessorFeder.Thesubjectofhisobservationswasastudent,who,duringaseverenervouscomplaint,experiencedseveralattacksofsomnambulism.Upontheseoccasionshewouldgofromhisparlourandback,openandshutthedoors,aswellashisclosetandtakeoutofthelatterwhateverhewantedpiecesofmusic,pen,ink,andpaper,andallwithhiseyesshut!

FromamonghismusicheselectedamarchfromtheoperaofMedea,laidthesheetinapropersituationbeforehim,and,havingfoundtheappropriatekey,heplayedthewholepiecewithhisusualskillupontheharpsichord.InthesamemannerhealsoplayedoneofBach'ssonatas,andgavethemostexpressivepassageswithsurprisingeffect.Oneofthepersonspresentturnedthenotesupsidedown;thisheimmediatelyperceived,and,whenherecommencedplaying,hereplacedthesheetinitsproperposition.Whenplaying,heremarkedastringoutoftune,uponwhichhestopped,putitinorder,andagainproceeded.Hewrotealettertohisbrother,andwhathewrote

wasnotonlyperfectlyrational,butalsostraightandlegible.WhileProfessorFederwasonavisittohimoneafternoon,he(thesomnambulist)observedthatitwassnowing,whichwasactuallythecase.Onthesameoccasion,notwithstandinghiseyeswerestillcompletelyclosed,heremarkedthatthelandlordoftheoppositehousewasatthewindow,whichwastrue,andthathatswerehangingatthewindowofanotherroom,whichwasalsothefact.Wemustobserve,however,theremarkablecircumstancecommontohim,indeed,withseveralothersomnambuliststhatthereweremanythingshedidnotperceive.Thus,whilewritingtohisbrother,hedidnotobservethattherewasnomoreinkinthepen,andcontinuedtowriteon.Atonetimehestruckfire,andheldthetindertohisear,as

iftohearthecrackling,andthenascertainifitwasburning.Helightedamatch,wenttothecandle,andhelditinthemiddleoftheflame.


26/208

ThefollowingisextractedfromDr.Bertrand'sTreatiseonSomnambulism.

"Manyexamplesofvision,withouttheuseoftheeyes,aretobefoundinDr.Petetin'swork,publishedatLyonin1808(*).

(*)CalledElectricitAnimale.

Theauthor(whohadagreataversiontomesmerism)relatesingreatdetailnumerousexperimentsmadebyhimuponmanycatalepticpatients,amongwhomhehadremarkedthattheseatofallthesensationswastransportedtotheepigastrium,andtothepointsofthefingers.Itwasbyaccidenthemadethisdiscovery.Hewasattendingapatientwhowasinacompleteparoxysmofcatalepsy,seeingnothing,hearingnothing,andinaccessibletoeverykindofimpression;neverthelessshesangcontinually,andhersinginggreatlyexhaustedher,withoutanyonebeingabletoinformherbyanymeansthatsheoughttostopsinging.WhileDr.Petetinwasinthisstateofembarrassmentatthebedsideofthepatient,hischairslipped,andhefellforwarduponthebedwhilehewassaying,'ItisveryunfortunatethatIcannotpreventthiswomanfromsinging!'Thepatient,whohadhithertobeendeaf

totheloudestnoises,heardthesewordswhenpronouncednearthepitofherstomach,andsaid,'Donotbetroubled.Doctor,Iwillsingnomore'.Astonishedatthisnewmarvel,andespeciallyatthecatalepticnotansweringhimwhenhehadreseatedhimselfinhischair,hereplacedhimselfinthepositionhewasinwhenpronouncingthefirstwords;thatis,withhismouthclosetoherstomach,andinthispositionsheagainheardhim:finally,aftermakingnumerousexperiments,hewassatisfiedthatthesenseofhearinghadbeentransportedtothepitofthestomach,andtotheextremitiesofthefingersandtoes.Hedidnotconfinehimselftothefirstdiscovery,butalsotriedwhetherthestomachhadnotbecometheseatofothersenses,aswellasthatofhearing.Hecommencedwiththe

senseoftaste,andmadeaseriesofcompletelysuccessfulexperiments.Henextspeaksofvision.'Iwenttovisitthepatient',sayshe,'onthefifthday,betweennineandten


27/208

o'clockinthemorning;herattackofcatalepsyhadsurprisedherinbed,atthesamehouraslastevening,andasshehadpredicted.Shewaslyingonherback,andIdidnotraisethebedclothesmorethantoallowmetointroducemyhand,withinwhichwasacard,whichIplaceduponthepitofherstomach.Isawhercountenancesoonchange,anditexpressedattention,astonishmentandpain,allatonce.'Whatastrangediseaseismine!'shesaid,'Iseethequeenofspades.'Iwithdrewthecardimmediately,andgaveituptothecuriosityofthespectatorswhoturnedpalewhentheysawitwasreallythequeenofspades.Othercardswereplacedwiththesameprecautionandthesameresult.Ithenaskedthepatient,speakingonherfingers,'Wherehaveyouseenthesecards?''Inmystomach'.'Didyoudistinguishthecolours?''Certainly,theywereluminous,andappearedtomelargerthanusual;butIbegyoutogivemearespite,thismodeofseeingfatiguesmegreatly'.Butthehusbandcouldnotrestrainhiscuriosity;hedrewhiswatchoutofhispocket,andplaceditonhiswife'sstomach.Oureyeswerefixeduponher;wesawherassuminganairofattention;and,aftersomeseconds,shesaid:'Itismyhusband'swatch,itissevenminutestoteno'clock'.Thiswasexactlyright.OnedayshedescribedtoDr.Petetinaheadachethatdistressedhim,andthelengthoftimeitwould

last:andherdiagnosisandprognosiswereperfectlycorrect.'Ifyouwishmetobelieveyou',saidthedoctor,'youmusttellmewhatIhaveinmyhand'.Iplaceditimmediatelyuponherstomach,andthepatientwithouthesitationreplied,Iseethroughyourhandanantiquemedal.'Iopenedmyhand,confounded,andhersister-in-lawnearlyfaintedonseeingshewasright.Onrecoveringfromherastonishment,sheshutupapieceofpaperinasmallbox,andgaveittomebehindmyback.Icovereditwithmyhand,andplacedituponthestomachofthecatalepticwithoutsayingaword.'Iseeaboxinyourhand,andaletterinittomyaddress'.Thesister-in-lawtrembledwithastonishment,andIhastenedtoopenthebox,fromwhichIdrewaletterfoldedinfour,andaddressedtothe

patientfromGeneva'',etc.

Dr.Petetin'scasesalonearesufficienttoestablishtherealityofNaturalClairvoyance;but,followingthecourseindicated,letushearwhatothershaveobserved.Thefollowingcasewas


28/208

reportedbytheArchbishopofBordeauxinthegreatFrenchEncyclopedia.

"Itisthecaseofayoungecclesiastic,inthesameseminarywiththeArchbishop,whowasinthehabitofgettingupduringthenightinthestateofsomnambulism,ofgoingtohisroom,takingpen,ink,andpaper,andcomposingandwritingsermons.Whenhehadfinishedonepageofthepaperonwhichhewaswriting,hewouldreadoverwhathehadwrittenandcorrected.Upononeoccasionhemadeuseoftheexpression'cedivinenfant',inreadingoverthepassage,hechangedtheadjectivedivininto'adorable'.Perceiving,however,thatthepronoun'ce'couldnotstandbeforetheword'adorable',headdedtotheformerthelettert.Inordertoascertainwhetherthesomnambulistmadeanyuseofhiseyes,theArchbishopheldapieceofpasteboardunderhischin,topreventhimfromseeingthepaperonwhichhewaswriting.Buthecontinuedtowriteonwithoutappearingtobeincommodedintheleast.Thepaperonwhichhewaswritingwastakenaway:butthesomnambulistimmediatelyperceivedthechange.Hewrotepiecesofmusicwhileinthisstate,andinthesamemanner,withhiseyesclosed.Thewordswereplacedunderthemusicalnotes.Ithappenedupononeoccasionthat

thewordswerewrittenintoolargecharacters,anddidnotstandpreciselyunderthenotes.Hesoonperceivedtheerror,blottedoutthepart,andwroteitoveragainwithgreatexactness."

LetusnowquitFranceandseehowtheSwisssometimesbehaveintheirsleep.

ThePhilosophicalSocietyofLausanne,havingheardofaninterestingcaseofsomnambulism,appointedacommissionofthreeofitsmemberstoobserveandreportuponthecasetothem;andthefollowingaresomeofthefactsrelatedbytheCommitteeuponthisoccasion.

"Wecantestify,"saytheCommittee,"thathedressedhimselfinaroomperfectlydark.Hisclotheslayonagreattable;and,whenwejumbledthemwithotherwearingapparel,heimmediatelydiscoveredthetrickandcomplainedgrievously


29/208

thathiscompanionsmadesportofhim.Atlast,bythehelpofafeebleray,wesawhimdresswithgreatprecision.Havingsnatchedoneofhisbooks,whenhiseyeswereperfectlyshut,hesaid,'itisasorrydictionary';asindeeditwas.Withhiseyesfastlocked,hetouchedinourpresenceseveralobjects,anddistinguishedperfectlywellthosehehad,fromthosehehadnot,seenbefore.

Once,forexample,hethrustintothedrawer,thatcontainedhispapers,abookwhichdidnotbelongtohim.Hestumbleduponitbyaccident,andexpressedgreatconcernlestheshouldbesuspectedoftheft.Atfiveo'clockonthemorningofthe21stofDecember,oursleep-walkerrosefromhisbed,tookhiswritingmaterialsandversion-book,andputhispentothetopofthepage:but,observingsomelinesalreadytraced,hebroughtitdowntotheblankpartoftheleaf.Thelessonbeganwiththesewords:'Fiuntignaviprigritiailsdeviennentignorantsparlaparesse'.Whatisverysurprising,afterwritingseverallines,heperceivedthathehadomittedansintheword'ignorants',andinsertedit.

"Weshowedhimabookhehadneverseenbefore:hesaidhewouldexamineitindaylight,and,retiringwiththisintention,

intoaverydarkkitchen,openedthebook,etc.Hetookfromhisownpressseveralofhisownbooks,wenttoexaminethemintotaldarkness,castupthetitle-pages,andnamedeach,withoutmakingasinglemistake,asweverifiedbybringingthemintothelight,assoonashenamedthem.Hehaseventoldthetitleofabook,whentherewasathickplankplacedbetweenitandhiseyes.M.Tardentshowedusaspecimenofhiswriting,which,heassuredus,thesleepwalkerhadexecutedinthecompletestdarkness",etc.

ThenextcaseoccurredinthehospitalDeliaVitaatBologna,andwasobservedatthesameplacebyMM.CoriniandViscontiandbyM.Mazzacorati.Thepatientwasafemaleoftwenty-five

yearsofage,sufferingfromspontaneouscatalepsyandecstasycombined.Thebodywasaltogetherinsensibleeventothemostintenseandpainfulphysicalimpressions.Duringthefirsttwenty-onedays,theeyeswerecompletelyshut.Inthesecondperiodofthedisease,sheopenedthem,butshekeptthem


30/208

motionless,turnedtowardsthelight,andinsensibletoalltheimpressionssoughttobecommunicatedtothem.M.Mazzacoratisoonperceivedthatsomesingularfacultiesweredevelopedinthepatientduringthisstate,and,inconcertwith

M.Corini,hetriedaseriesofexperiments,themarvellousresultsofwhichwerethefollowing:Thepatientheardnosound,howeverloud,whichreachedherbytheears;but,ifshewasspokento,eveninthelowestwhisper,directedonthehollowofthehand,orsoleofthefoot,onthepitofthestomach,oralongthecourseofthesympatheticnerve,sheheardperfectlythewordsaddressedtoher.Thepatient,whenlefttoherself,keptconstantsilence;but,wheninterrogatedinthemannerabovementioned,sheansweredwithperfectpropriety,alwaysmakinguseofthetoneofvoiceofherquestioner.If,duringheranswer,theimmediatecontactwasbroken,orthechaininterrupted,shestoppedsuddenly;but,theinstantthecommunicationwasreestablished,shefinishedherdiscourse,withthisremarkablecircumstance,thatshetookitupatthepointwhereitwouldhavearrived,hadtherebeennointerruption.Withhereyesclosed,orevenbandaged,sherecognisedthingsandtheircolourswhenplacedontheregionwherethisspecialsensibility

existed.Shepointedout,totheinstant,thehoursandminutesoneverywatch.Sheoften,butnotalways,succeededinreadingwordswrittenonpaper.Laterinthedisease,thisfacultybecamestillmoreprodigiouslydeveloped.

Itsufficedtocallherattentiontoanyobjectplacedinherroomorinthenextroom,orinthestreet,oroutofthetown,orevenatenormousdistances,tohaveitdescribedbyherasperfectlyasifshesawitwithhereyes.Thefollowingaresomeexperimentssufficienttoprovethisassertion.InpresenceofacelebratedProfessoroftheUniversity,itwasagreedtoaskhertodescribeaconventinthetown,intowhichneitherherselfnoranyofherinterrogatorshadeverentered.Nexttodescribea

cellarinacountryhouse,equallyunknowntothequestioners.Accordingtothedescriptionshegave,plansweredesigned;and,ontheplacesbeingvisited,theywerefoundtocorrespondperfectlywiththedesignsmadebyherdictation.Sheeven


31/208

pointedoutthenumberandpositionofsomebarrelsinthecellar.

Odoroussubstanceswerediscoveredbythepatientwiththesamepromptitudeandprecision.Atthemomenttheywereplacedonthesensitiveregions,shenamedthem:or,ifshehadnopreviousknowledgeofthenameofthesubstanceapplied,sherecognisedthenameamongmanyotherspronouncedbeforeher.Theintellect,sufficientlyacuteinitsnaturalstate,wasmuchmoresoduringthecatalepticaccess.Althoughshewasacquaintedwithonlythefourrulesofarithmetic,shesucceeded,underthecatalepticinfluence,inextractingseveralrootsofnumbers,etc.

ThefollowingletterwasreceivedbySirGeorgeMcKenzie,PresidentoftheEdinburghPhrenologicalSociety,fromaclergymanoftheChurchofScotland."Itisperfectlytrue,thatourpoorfriend,whohasbeenwithussomemonths,presentsoneofthesesingularandalmostincrediblecasesofhystericalornervousaffection,whichareatdistantintervalswitnessedunderthedispensationoftheAlmighty.

"Theextraordinarypowers,communicatedtotheothersenses

bythetemporarysuspensionofoneortwoofthem,arebeyondcredibilitytoallthosewhodonotwitnessit:andIreallyseldomenteruponthedetails,becauseitwouldbebutreasonablethatthosewhohavenotseenshoulddoubttherealityofthem.Allcoloursshecandistinguish,bydayornight,withthegreatestcorrectness,whetherpresentedtoheroncloth,silk,muslin,wax,orevenglass;and,thisImaysafelysay,aseasilyonanypartofthebodyaswiththehands,although,ofcourse,theordinaryroutineofsuchanexhibitionofpowertakesplacewiththehandstheotherbeingthatofmerecuriosity.

"Herdelicacyofmind,andhightoneofreligiousfeeling,are

such,thatshehasgreatobjectiontomakethat,whichsheregardsinthelightofaheavyafflictionfromGod,amatterofshoworcuriositytoothers,althoughtoourselves,ofcourse,alltheseunusualextravagancesofnervoussensibilityaremanifestforatleasttwelveoutoftwenty-fourhours.


32/208

"Shecannotonlyreadwiththegreatestrapidityanywritingthatislegibletous,music,etc.,withthemerepassingofherlingersoverit,whetherinadarkorlightroom(forhersightisforthemostpartsuspendedwhenundertheinfluenceoftheattack,althoughsheisperfectlysensiblenay,moreacuteandcleverthaninhernaturalstate);butwithinthismonthpastshehasbeenabletocollectthecontentsofanywritingorMS.,bymerelylayingherhandonthepage,withouttracingthelinesorletters:andIsawher,lastnightonly,declarethecontentsofanotejustbroughtintotheroominthisway(whenIcouldnotdecipheritmyselfwithoutacandle),andwitharapiditywithwhichIcouldnothavereaditindaylight.Ihaveseenherdevelopwritingbytheapplicationofanotetothebackofherhand,neck,orfoot;andshecandoitatanytime.

"Manytakeuponthemselvestodeclarethatweareall,hermedicalattendantsaswell,underameredelusion.Weasknonetobelieveanything,iftheyprefernottodoso:andonlyreply,thecaseisequallymarvellouseitherway;eitherthatthisourpoorpatientshouldbethusaffected,orthateighteenornineteenpersonsofmyfamilyandfriends,inthehabitofdailyseeingher,shouldfancysheis,fortwelvehoursoutofthetwenty-four,doingatintervalsthatwhichsheisnotdoing",

etc.LetusnowseeiftheyevercontrivetodowithouttheirusualsensesintheNewWorld.

ThefollowingcaseisrelatedintheAmericanJournalofMedicalSciencebyDr.Belden,themedicalattendantuponthepatient.

"Shewasattackedwithasecondparoxysm(ofpainintheheadandinsensibility)duringwhich,afterseveralattemptstokeepherinbed,itwasdeterminedtosufferhertotakeherowncourse.Releasedfromconstraint,shedressedherself,wentdownstairs,andproceededtomakepreparationsfor

breakfast.Shesetthetable,arrangedthevariousarticleswiththeutmostprecision,wentintoadarkroomtoaclosetatthemostremotecornerofit,fromwhichshetookthecoffee-cups,placedthemonatray,turneditsidewaystopassthroughthe


33/208

door,avoidedallinterveningobstacles,anddepositedthewholesafelyonthetable.Shethenwentintothepantry,theblindsofwhichwereshut,andthedoorclosedafterher.Shethenskimmedthemilk,pouredthecreamintoonecup,andthemilkintoanother,withoutspillingadrop.Shethencutthebread,placeditregularlyontheplate,anddividedtheslicesinthemiddle.Infine,shewentthroughthewholeoperationofpreparingbreakfastwithasmuchprecisionasshecouldinopenday,andthiswithhereyesclosed,andwithoutanylight,exceptthatofonelampwhichwasstandingintheroomtoenablethefamilytoobserveheroperations.Shefinallyreturnedvoluntarilytobed,and,onfindingthetablearrangedforbreakfastwhenshemadeherappearanceinthemorning,inquiredwhyshehadbeensufferedtosleepwhileanotherhadperformedherduty.

"Noneofthetransactionsoftheprecedingnighthadlefttheslightestimpressiononhermind.Inoneinstance,shenotonlyarrangedthetableforameal,butactuallypreparedadinnerinthenight,withhereyesclosed.Asthefamilydidnotsetthemselvesattable,shebecameimpatient,andcomplainedthatthemenwereneverreadyfortheirdinner.Whileengagedinherpreparations,sheobservedalampburningintheroom,

andextinguishedit,saying,shedidnotknowwhypeoplewishedtokeepalampburninginthedaytime.Onbeingrequestedtogotobed,sheobjected,allegingthatitwasday.

"Ontheeveningofthe10thNovemberitwasproposedtoascertainifshecouldreadwithhereyesclosed.Shewasseatedinacorneroftheroom:thelightswereplacedatadistancefromher,andsoscreenedastoleaveherinalmosttotaldarkness.Inthissituationshereadwitheaseagreatnumberofcardswhichwerepresentedtoher,someofwhichwerewrittenwithapencil,andsoobscurelythatinafaintlightnotracecouldbediscernedbycommoneyes.Shetoldthereporterthedateofcoins,evenwhenthefigureswerenearly

obliterated.Avisitorhandedheraletter,withtherequestthatshewouldreadthemottoontheseal.Thisshereadilydid,althoughseveralpersonspresenthadbeenunabletodecipheritwiththeaidofalamp.


34/208

"Onthe20thNovemberthereportertookablacksilkhandkerchief,placedbetweenthefoldstwopiecesofcottonwadding,andapplieditinsuchawaythatthecottoncamedirectlyovertheeyesandcompletelyfilledthecavityoneachsideofthenose:variousnameswerethenwrittenoncards,bothofpersonswithwhomshewasacquainted,andofthosewhowereunknowntoher,whichshereadassoonastheywerepresentedtoher",etc.

Zschokke,thewell-knownSwisspatriotandauthor,givesusinhisAutobiographyaninterestingaccountofwhathecallshis"inwardsight"."Iam",heremarks,"almostafraidtospeakofthis,notbecauseIamafraidofbeingthoughtsuperstitious,butlestImaytherebystrengthensuchfeelingsinothers.Andyetitmaybeanadditiontoourstockofsoul-experiences,andthereforeIwillconfess.Ithashappenedtomesometimesonmyfirstmeetingwithstrangers,asIlistenedtotheirdiscourse,thattheirformerlife,withmanytriflingcircumstancestherewithconnected,orfrequentlysomeparticularsceneinthatlife,haspassedinvoluntarily,and,asitwere,dream-like,yetperfectlydistinctbeforeme.ForalongtimeIheldsuchvisionsasdelusionsofthefancy,andthemoreso,astheyshowedmeeventhedressandmotionsoftheactors,rooms,

furniture,andotheraccessories.Bythewayofajest,Ionce,inafamiliarcircleatKirchberg,relatedthesecrethistoryofasempstress,whohadjustlefttheroomandthehouse.Ihadneverbeforeseenherinmylife;peoplewereastonishedandlaughed,butwerenottobepersuadedthatIdidnotpreviouslyknowthemattersofwhichIspoke;forwhatIhadutteredwastheliteraltruth.Ifeltasecretshudderwhenmyauditorsreplieditwastrue,orwhentheirastonishmentbetrayedmyaccuracybeforetheyspoke.Insteadofmany,Iwillmentiononeexample,whichpre-eminentlyastoundedme.Onefairday,inthecityofWaldshut,Ienteredaninn,incompanywithtwoyoungstudents;weweretiredwithramblingthroughthewoods.Wesuppedwithanumeroussocietyatthetable-

d'hte,wheretheguestsweremakingverymerrywiththepeculiaritiesandeccentricitiesoftheSwiss,withMesmer'sMagnetism,Lavater'sPhysiognomy,etc.,etc.Oneofmycompanions,whosenationalpridewaswoundedbytheirmockery,beggedmetomakesomereply,particularlytoa


35/208

handsomeyoungmanwhosatoppositeus,andwhohadallowedhimselfextraordinarylicence.Thisman'sformerlifewaratthatmomentpresentedtomymind.Iturnedtohim,andaskedwhetherhewouldanswermecandidlyifIrelatedtohimsomeofthemostsecretpassagesofhislife,Iknowingaslittleofhimpersonallyashedidofme?Hepromised,ifIwerecorrectinmyinformation,toadmititfrankly.Ithenrelatedwhatmyvisionhadshownme,andthewholecompanyweremadeacquaintedwiththeprivatehistoryoftheyoungmerchant:hisschool-years,hisyouthfulerrors,andlastly,withafaultcommittedinreferencetothestrongboxofhisprincipal.Idescribedtohimtheuninhabitedroomwithwhitenedwalls,wheretotherightofthebrowndoor,onatable,stoodablackmoneybox,etc.Adeadsilenceprevailedduringthewholenarration,whichIaloneoccasionallyinterruptedbyinquiringwhetherIspokethetruth.Thestartledyoungmanconfirmedeveryparticular,andeven,whatIhadscarcelyexpected,thelastmentioned."(*)

ThefollowingexampleofaclairvoyantdreamhasbeencommunicatedbyDr.Davey,oftheColneyHatchAsylum,inthewordsofthepersontowhomithappened:

"Inaccordancewithyourrequest,Iherewithtransmityoutheparticulars,astheyoccurred,ofthepeculiardream,ifsuchitmaybecalled,whichprovedofsoessentialservicetome.

"AsImentionedtoyou,IhadbeenbotheredsinceSeptemberwithanerrorinmycashaccountforthatmonth;and,despitemanyhours'examination,itdefiedallmyefforts,andIalmostgaveitupasahopelesscase.Ithadbeenthesubjectofmywakingthoughtsformanynights,andhasoccupiedalargeportionofmyleisurehours.Mattersremainedthusunsettleduntilthe11thofDecember.OnthisnightIhadnot,tomyknowledge,oncethoughtofthesubject;butIhadnotlongbeeninbed,andasleep,whenmybrainwasasbusywiththe

booksasthoughIhadbeenatmydesk.Thecashbook,banker'spassbooks,etc.etc.,appearedbeforeme,and,withoutanyapparenttrouble,Ialmostimmediatelydiscoveredthecauseofthemistake,whichhadarisenoutofacomplicatedcrossentry.Iperfectlyrecollecthavingtakenaslipofpaperin


36/208

mydream,andmadesuchamemorandumaswouldenablemetocorrecttheerroratsomeleisuretime;and,havingdonethis,thatthewholeofthecircumstanceshadpassedfrommymind.WhenIawokeinthemorning,Ihadnottheslightest

(*)TheZoist,No.XV.,p.414.

recollectionofmydream,nordiditonceoccurtomethroughouttheday,althoughIhadtheverybooksbeforemeonwhichIhadbeenapparentlyengagedinmysleep.WhenIreturnedhomeintheafternoon,asIdidearlyforthepurposeofdressing,andproceededtoshave,Itookupapieceofpaperfrommydressing-tabletowipemyrazor,andyoumayimaginemysurpriseatfindingthereontheverymemorandumIfanciedhadbeenmadeduringthepreviousnight.

"TheeffectonmewassuchthatIreturnedtoouroffice,andturnedtothecash-book,whenIfoundthatIhadreally,whenasleepdetectedtheerrorwhichIcouldnotdetectinmywakinghours,andhadactuallyjotteditdownatthetime."(*)

Goethetellsusthathisgrandfatherhaddreamsthatwererealisedonseveralimportantoccasions,andthathehimself

hadvisionsinthewakingstatethatweresubsequentlyexactlyfulfilled.Swedenborgappearstohavepossessedthepowerofnaturallucidityalso,ofwhichKantgivesusthefollowingspecimeninhispublishedcorrespondence:

"Butthefollowingoccurrenceappearstometohavethegreatestweightofproof,andtosettheassertionrespectingSwedenborg'sextraordinarygiftoutofallpossibilityofdoubt.

"Intheyear1759,whenM.deSwedenborg,towardstheendofFebruary,onSaturday,atfouro'clockp.m.,arrivedatGottenburg,fromEngland,Mr.W.Castelinvitedhimtohishouse,togetherwithapartyoffifteenpersons.Aboutsix

o'clockM.deSwedenborgwentout,andafterashortintervalreturnedtothecompanyquitepaleandalarmed.HesaidthatadangerousfirehadjustbrokenoutinStockholm,atthe


37/208

Ludermalm(GottenburgisaboutthreehundredmilesfromStockholm),andthatitwasspreadingveryfast.Hewasrestless,andwentoutoften.Hesaidthatthehouseofoneofhisfriends,whomhevalued,wasalreadyinashes,andthathis

(*)TheZoistNo.XXXI,p.325.

ownwasindanger.Ateighto'clock,afterhehadbeenoutagain,hejoyfullyexclaimed,'ThankGod!Thefireisextinguishedthethirddoorfrommyhouse.'Thisnewsoccasionedgreatcommotionthroughoutthewholecity,andparticularlyamongthecompanyinwhichhewas.Itwasannouncedtothegovernorthesameevening.OntheSundaymorning,Swedenborgwassentforbythegovernor,whoquestionedhimconcerningthedisaster.Swedenborgdescribedthefireprecisely,howithadbegun,inwhatmannerithadceased,andhowlongithadcontinued.OntheMondayeveningamessengerarrivedatGottenburg,whowasdispatchedduringthetimeofthefire.Inthelettersbroughtbyhim,thefirewasdescribedpreciselyinthemannerstatedbySwedenborg.OntheTuesdaymorningtheroyalcourierarrivedatthegovernor'swiththemelancholyintelligenceofthefire,ofthelosswhichithadoccasioned,andofthehousesithaddamagedandruined,

notintheleastdifferingfromthatwhichSwedenborghadgivenimmediatelyafterithadceased,forthefirewasextinguishedateighto'clock."(*)

JohnKnox,whenneardeath,seemstohavehadaprevoyantvisionofthefateofhisfriendKirkaldyofGrange,thenholdingouttheCastleofEdinburghforQueenMary.TheparticularsarethusrelatedbythehistorianCalderwood.

"JohnKnox,beingonhisdeath-bed,sentforbigcolleagueandsuccessor,Mr.Lawson,Mr.Lindsay,ministerofLeith,andtheeldersanddeaconsofEdinburgh,allofwhomheaddressedinafarewellspeech.

"Theyweredeparting,whenKnoxcalledbackLindsayandLawson,anddesiredtospeakwiththeminprivate.'Weel,


38/208

brother',saidhe,addressingLindsay,'Ihavedesiredallthisdaytohavehadyou,thatImaysendyoutoyonmanintheCastle,whomyouknowIhavelovedsodearly.Go,Iprayyou,

(*)TheZoist,No.XX.,p.344,andNo.XXIII.,p.265.

tohim,andtellhimIhavesentyoutohimyetoncetowarnhimandbidhim,inthenameofGod,leavetheevilcauseandgiveoverthatCastle.Ifnot,heshallbebroughtdownoverthewallsofitwithshame,andhangagainstthesun.SoGodhathassuredme.'

"LindsaywenttotheCastleaccordingly,anddeliveredKnox'smessage;butKirkaldy,afterconferringwithSecretaryLethington,said,'GotellMr.Knoxheisbutadrytingprophet'.Mr.LindsayreturnedtoMr.Knox,andreportedhowhehaddischargedhiscommission.'Weel!'saidMr.Knox,'IhavebeenearnestwithmyGodanentthesetwomen.Fortheone,Iamsorrysoshallbefallhim;yetGodassurethmethatthereismercyforhissoul.Fortheother,Ihavenowarrantthatitshallbewellwithhim'.KirkaldymaintainedtheCastleforsomemonthsafterKnox'sdeath,butwasatlastforcedtosurrender,andwascondemnedtodeathasatraitor,and

hangedatEdinburghonthe3rdofAugust,1572,atfouro'clockP.M.,thesunbeingwest."(*)

Ifournervoussystembedisturbedinitsfunctionseven,weoftenloseouridentityandrelationswithsurroundingobjects,andliveinaworldofourown,unapproachableandunintelligibletothosearoundus.

Allgooddreamersrememberhavingthought,said,anddoneclevererthingsintheirsleepthantheyeverdidwhenawakeandmostdesiroustoexcel.Longlostlanguagesreturntopersonsinastateofdelirium,andtheyspeakunknowntongues,whichturnouttobethelanguagesoftheirchildhood,

longsinceforgotten;andPineltellsus,thatmadmenoftenconversewithaneloquenceandintelligencetowhichtheyare


39/208

totalstrangersintheirnaturalstate.Madnessinmanypointsstronglyresemblessomnambulism,whethernaturallyorartificiallyproduced,andespeciallyintheoccasionalexhibitionofclairvoyanceorluciditybyinsanepersons.

(*)TheZoist,No.XX.,p.349.

MissMitford,inher"Recollections",givesthefollowingaccountofJohnClare'smadness,theploughman-poet.

"Whateverheread,whateverrecurredtohimofhisformerreading,orhappenedtobementionedinconversation,becameimpressedonhismindasathinghehadwitnessedandactedin.AfriendofminewasstruckwithanarrativeoftheexecutionofCharlesI.,recountedbyClareasatransactionthathadoccurredyesterday,andofwhichhewasaneye-witnessanarrativethemostgraphicandminute,withanaccuracyastocostumeandmannersfarexceedingwhatwouldprobablyhavebeenathiscommandifsane.ItissuchalucidityasthedisciplesofMesmerclaimforclairvoyance.OrhewouldrelatethebattleoftheNile,andthedeathofNelson,withthesameperfectkeeping,especiallyastoseamanship,fancyinghimselfoneofthesailorswhohadbeenintheaction,anddealingout

nauticalphraseswithadmirableexactnessandaccuracy,althoughitisdoubtfulifheeversawtheseainhislife."

Sinceturningmyattentiontothissubject,ithasoccurredtome,thatweperhapsoftenmosterroneouslyconsiderasmerefantasiesanddelusionsoftheinsane,manyphenomenawhichareinfactasmuchrealitiestothemintheirabnormalconditionofexistence,withitsnewsympathiesanddifferentmodesofperception,asthephenomenaofdailylifearerealitiestothesaneinthenormalstateoftheirnervoussystem.Thenextcase,relatedbyMr.Clark,surgeonoftheShoreditchworkhouse,inthewordsofoneofhispatients,isaninstanceinpoint.

"Intheyears1841-2,mydearrespectedfatherwasfrequentlyattackedwithmentalderangement.Whenhewasfirstattacked,Iwenttoseehim,butitwasonlyattimesthathe


40/208

recognisedme.Myattentionwasfirstexcitedbythefollowingincident.Sosoonasthemeatfordinnerwasbroughtfromthebutcher's,ofwhichhecouldhavenopossibleknowledge,beingconfinedtohisbedandoutofthereachofeitherseeingorhearing,heexclaimed(pointingtothefloorunderneathwhichwastheroomitwasin),"Whatanicerump-steak!Iwillhavesome."Struckwithhismanner,andalsoknowingthatitwasnotourintendeddinner,Ireplied,"No,father,thereisnorump-steak;wearegoingtohavemuttonchops".Hewentintoagreatpassion,declaredthattherewasrump-steak,thathecouldseeit,anddescribedthedish.Iwentdownstairs,andtomyutterastonishmentbehelditasherelated.

"Inthemorning,withoutmakingknownmyintention,Itookabasketandwentintothegardentocutsomecabbagesandgatherstrawberries.Thegardenbeingatthesideofthehouse,wheretherewasnowindowtolookintoit;itwasimpossibleforhimtoseemebyordinaryvision.However,heturnedtomysister,saying,'ThatbasketintowhichBetsyisputtingthecabbagesandstrawberrieshadbetterbemovedoutofthesun,orthefruitwillbespoiled.Tellhersheisnotgatheringstrawberriesfromthebestbed;shehadbettergototheother'.WhenIwastoldofit,Iwascompletelypuzzled.Duringthe

timeofmyvisit,whereverIwent,whateverIdidorthoughtof,wasopentohisview.Mysisterafterwardsinformedmethathismedicalattendantlefthersomebooksforherperusal;onemorningmyfathersaidtoher,'Thedoctorsendshisrespects,andwillbeobligedforthebooks'.Supposingsomemessagehadbeensent,mysisterreplied,'Verywell'.Inthecourseofashorttimeafter,thedoctor'sboyarrivedwithhismaster'srespects,andrequestforthebooks.Oninquiry,shefoundnopreviousmessagehadbeensent,norinquiryforthem.Anothertimehesaidtomysister,'Thereisahandsomeyoungmanandanoldwomancomingtoseeyouthisafternoon'.Sureenough,tohersurprise,whenthecoacharrived,itbroughtmybrotherandanurseformyfather:the

distancefromwhencetheycamewaselevenmiles".(*)Inthisperson'sfamilyinsanityandclairvoyancewereinheritedbythechildren;twoofthesistershavingalsoshownthephenomenaoflucidityduringillnesses.


41/208

Dr.Darwin(inhisZoonomia)relatesacasewhichhewitnessedofayoungladywho,afterbeingexhaustedbyviolentconvulsions,wassuddenlyaffectedbywhathecallsreverie(somnambulism).

*TheZoist,No.XVII.,p.30.Sheconversedaloudwithimaginarypersons.Hereyeswereopen,butsointentlywashermindoccupiedthatshecouldnotbebroughttoattendtoexternalobjectsbythemostviolentstimulants.Sometimesshewasangry,atothertimesverywitty,butmostfrequentlyinclinedtomelancholy.Indeed,itappearsthatthisreverieonlyexaltedhernaturalversatilityoftemperandintellect.Shesangwithaccuracy,andrepeatedmanypagesfromthepoets.Insubsequentattacksshecouldwalkabouttheroom,and,althoughshecouldnotsee,sheneverranagainstthefurniture,butalwaysavoidedobstacles.Dr.Darwinconvincedhimselfthatinthisstateshewasnotcapableofseeingorhearingintheordinarymanner.

ProfessorSauvagesthoughtthefollowingcasesointerestingthathereportedittoalltheacademies.Thepatientwasayoungwoman,agedtwenty-five,subjecttofrequentattacksofcatalepsy.

"InthemonthsofAprilandMay,shehadmorethanfiftyattacksofanothermalady,inwhichthreestageswereobserved;thebeginningandtheendwereperfectcatalepsies;andtheinterval,whichlastedsometimesanentireday,wasfilledbythemalady,whichthegirlsofthehousecalledtheactivestate;thenameofthedeadstatebeinggiventothecatalepsy.WeshallseephenomenawhichIshouldhavebelievedsimulated,ifIhadnotsatisfiedmyselfbyathousandproofs;theoccasionspresentingthemselvessooften.Onthe5thofApril,atteno'clockinthemorning,Ifoundthepatientinbed:towhichweaknessandheadacheconfinedher.Theattackofcatalepsycameon,andleftherinfiveorsixminutes,which

wasknownbyheryawning,andsittingupinbed,whenthefollowingscenetookplace.Thisgirlbegantotalkwitha


42/208

vivacityandintelligencewhichnooneeversawinhernaturalstate.Sheoftenchangedthesubjectofherdiscourse,andappearedtospeaktoseveralofherfriendsaroundherbed;whatshesaidwasacontinuationofwhatshehadsaidinherattackyesterday,whenshehadrepeatedwordforwordareligiousdiscourse,informofcatechism,whichshehadheardtheeveningbefore,andofwhichshemademoralandmischievousapplicationstothepersonsinthehouse,designatingthembyfictitiousnames,allaccompaniedwithgesturesandmovementsofheropeneyes,althoughshewassleepingprofoundly.

"Thiswasself-evident,andnoonedoubtedthefact;but,seeingthatIcouldnotventuretoassertthisconfidently,withouthavingformallyprovedit,Imadeexperimentsuponallherorgansofsensewhileshewasconversing.Inthefirstplace,asthisgirlhadhereyesopen,Ithoughtthat,ifshefeigned,shewouldbedisturbedbyasuddenslapoftheface;butthisexperimentoftenrepeatednevercausedtheslightestmovement,orinterruptedherdiscourse.Itriedanotherexpedient.Thiswastoshootthefingerrapidlytowardshereye,andtobringalightedcandlesonearhereyebrowsastoburnthem:butsheneverevenwinked.Theloudestnoiseswerealso

suddenlymadeclosetoherearswithoutanyeffect,thoughatothertimestheywouldhavemadehertremblewithfear.Inthelastplace,Iputbrandyandliquorofammoniainhermouth,andevenappliedthetipofafeatherandofafingertothecornea;butwithoutanyeffect.Spanishsnuffblownintothenostrilsandprickingwithpinshadnomoresuccess;sheborealllikeamachine.Duringalltheserudetests,thegirlspokewithmorevivacityandgaiety.Thisstateusuallyterminatedwithsingingandjumping.Accordingly,shortlyafter,shebegantosingandlaughloudly,andjumpedoutofbed.Iexpectedtoseeherhurtherselfagainsttheneighbouringbeds;butshewalkedroundherbedstead,avoidingthechairsandfurniture;tookawalkintheroomwithouttheuseofhereyes;returned

toherbedwithoutgroping;gotintoit,coveredherselfup,andsoonafterbecamecataleptic.Thecatalepsylastedforaquarterofanhour,whenthegirlawokeasiffromasoundsleep,and,knowingfromthepresenceofthespectatorsthatshehadhad


43/208

afit,shewasmuchconfused,andwepttherestoftheday,notknowinganythingthathadhappenedtoherinthisstate."

IamfullysensiblethatfactsinsupportoftheexistenceofNaturalClairvoyancemightbeciteddailythroughalltime,withoutdisturbinginthesmallestdegreetheself-sufficiencyofcertainminds,who,inscienceandreligion,makeitapointtodictatewithoutexaminationorknowledgeofthesubjects,invokingreasonallthetime!(*)

Havingunfortunatelynopretensionstothisintuitiveknowledge,Iamcompelled,whenmyownobservationsandjudgementdonotaffordthenecessarymaterialsforformingarationalbeliefonanysubject,toresorttotheworksoftheauthorsofdifferentcountries,ofvariousprofessionsandopinions,andthustobecomeacquaintedwiththefactsofthecasethroughthesensesandjudgementsofhundredsofpersonswhoarelesslikelytobedeceivedthanthesensesofoneman,unitedtoasingleintelligence.

Followingthismethod,letusnowseeifwecanimitatetheabovenaturalphenomenabyartificialmeans.


44/208

(*)Forthedevelopmentofthissubject,seeMr.Colquhoun'sMagicWitchcraftandAnimalMagnetism.

CHAPTERII

ArtificialsomnambulismVariouswaysofproducingitwellknowntothenativesofIndiaandtheancientsThemodernsonlyre-discoveringtheirlostknowledgeReasonwithoutexperienceuselessinthisinvestigation

Mesmerismbelievedinbythelearnedandpolite,andnotbythevulgarWasdiscoveredandpropagatedbydoctorsTheAuthor'ssingularintroductiontomesmericsomnambulismSuspectedchild-stealingbyitsmeansFirstexperimentinmakingasomnambulistMeninastateofsomnambulismstolenoutofapubliccourtofjusticeWritersonmedicaljurisprudence,judges,andjuriesoughttobeawareofthecrimesthatmaybecommittedbytheabuseofMesmerismLucidsomnambulismmadeknowntothemodernsbytheMarquisdePuysegurAbsurdityofattemptingtosolveascientificproblembyamoneybribeCaseofclairvoyantreadingofabanknote,reportedbyDr.Chalmers,PresidencySurgeon,CalcuttaCasesofmesmericclairvoyancereportedbyDr.EngledueEarlofDucieLordFitzclarenceMr.Topham,barrister-atlaw

TheHon.MissBoyleBytheAuthorDangersofecstaticsomnambulismThenaturalmedicalinstinctofanimalsOfman.TOthosewhohavethenecessaryamountofreasonandimaginationtoenablethemtoconnectknowneffectswithunseencauses,Iwouldsubmitthefollowingsuggestionsinsupportofthepossibilityofapreternaturalexaltationofthenervoussystem,inwhichpowersmaybedevelopedunknowntomaninhisnaturalcondition.Intracingthechainofnaturefromthepolypusuptoman,weeverseeanincreaseofnervousmatteraccompanyingnewpowers,andthat,inmanhimself,nerveandbrainarethemeasureofhisfaculties.Thereisanormalstandardofbodyandmindthatnatureseldomallowsherselftoexceed;butoccasionally,asiftoopenour


45/208

understandingstotheextentofthepossible,sherunsintoextremes,andpresentsuswithdwarfsandgiants,idiotsandmenofgenius,headlessmonstersandmenofsuchgod-likeintelligenceastobeincomprehensibletotheircommonfellow-creatures.

Fromthesefactsitisonlyreasonabletosuppose,that,ifthenormalsystemofmanwerestillfurtherdeveloped,hewouldspringupintoanewbeing,withwhomwe,asatpresentconstituted,couldhavenosympathyorcommonintelligence.Althoughwecannotaddnervousmattertoourbrain,anymorethanwecanaddacubittoourstature,yettherearevariousartificialmeansbywhichthebraincanbestimulatedintoastateofpreternaturalexaltation,inwhichwegainglimpsesofwhatmanmay,andprobablydoes,become,inahigherorderoforganicdevelopment:aconditioninwhichthemindmayreceiveexternalimpressionsotherwisethanbyitspresentinstrumentsthesenses.whichareonlytheordainedmediaforconnectingitwiththepresentorderofthings.Whenwereflectthatitisthemindthatsees,smells,tastes,touches,andhears,andnottheorgansofsense,whichareonlytheinstrumentsthatituses;andthattheDivineIntelligence,fromwhencethehumanmindemanates,dispenseswiththeuseof

organs,andisyetall-knowingandomnipresent,itisdifficulttoseewhythemindofmanshouldnot,underextraordinarycircumstances,occasionallypartakeofthesamepowersinalimiteddegree.

"Allthearguments",saysthelearnedandrespectedDeleuze,"bywhichwecancombattherealityofprevision,areofthesamevalueasthereasoningofblindmenagainsttherealityofthephenomenaoflight,andthemeansofbecomingconvincedofwhatwecannotunderstandarethesameforthemandforus.Letusimitatetheblindtherefore,andassureourselvesoftheexistenceofthephenomenabytheresults;letuscarefully-observesomnambulists,andthenweshallbecomeassured

thatthehumanmindisendowedwiththefacultyofprevision;thatthispower,whichisnotexercisedinordinarynormallife,isdevelopedmoreorlessundercertaincircumstances,andthatitcanimporttousideaswhichwecouldnothavereceivedfromourordinaryfaculties.Theprevisionofsomnambulistsisdueto


46/208

asortofinstinctdevelopedinthembythelawsofnature;letusthereforeprofitbyit;butwemaybesurethatsomnambulistswillonlyrelatetousthereveriesofadisorderedimagination,ifweinterrogatethemaboutwhatdoesnotpresentitselfnaturallyandspontaneously."

ProfessorDumassays,insupportoftheopinionthatanothernervebesidestheonebywhichthemindsees,tastes,orfeels,canoccasionallyserveasitsmediumandinstrument.

"Itispossiblethat,byasingularconcourseofcircumstances,certainorgansmaybecomecapableofexercisingproperties,andfulfillingfunctions,towhichtheyhavehithertobeenstrangers,andwhichevenbelongedtodifferentorgans.Ifrareandextraordinaryfactsdidnotinspiredistrust,Icouldallegethesingulartransferenceofthehearingandsight,which,abandoningtheirusualseat,haveappearedtobetransferredtothestomachsothatsoundsandcoloursexcitedtherethesamesensationsasareordinarilyconveyedthroughtheearsandeyes.Fiveyearsago,ayoungwomanfromthedepartmentofArdche,whogaveanexampleofaverystrangephenomenon,cametoMontpeliertoconsultthedoctorsforahystericaffection,attendedwithcatalepsy.Shereferredallthe

sensationsofsight,hearing,andsmelltotheregionofthestomach,theappropriateorgansbeinginsensibletotheirusualstimuli.Iamwellawarethatfactsofthisnature,inoppositiontoalltheknownlawsofnature,oughtnottoreceive,withoutdifficulty,theassentofwisemindswhofearbeingdeceived.Butifwemultiplyourobservationsonthissubject,andscrupulouslytestthemostminutecircumstancesofeachcase,weshallbecompelledtoadmitthepossibilityofaphenomenonwhichisonlysomarvellousforwantoffactsintheusualstateofthingswithwhichtocompareit."

Butifreasonbecomesperfectlyindignantatsuchasuppositioneven,Iwouldrespectfullyask:Isitmorewonderfulthanlight

traversingtransparentbodies,electricitypassingalongconductors,caloricpenetratingallmatter,themagnetactingthroughallsubstances,eventhemostisolating,dense,andthick?Andtheatmosphereofthemagnet,howisitestablished?Reasonhasnoobjectionstothefresh-water


47/208

polypusrenewingitsheadwhencutoff,reproducingitselfbyslips,andperformingotherequallyastonishingprodigies;andweseenothingunreasonableinthestarfishpossessingthepowerofbreakingupitsbodyintofragments,andgivingtheordersauvequipeuttothedifferentpartswhenitisindanger.TheseMunchausen-liketalesareacceptedasfactsinnaturalhistory,becausesorelatedbycrediblewitnesses,like

M.TremblayandProfessorForbes,whocanhavenointerestindeceivingusinrelatingwhattheysaw.LetreasonlistenthentowhatequallytrustworthyanddisinterestedwitnessestellusregardingtheoccurrenceofmesmericClairvoyance.Thenaturalexaltationofthenervoussystem,describedinthelastchapter,maybeandhasbeenimitatedinavarietyofwaysfromthemostremoteagestothepresenttime.ThebeneficialeffectsofthemesmericprocessesareknowninIndia,andthesecrethasprobablydescendedfromremoteantiquityincertaincastesorfamilies.AndfartheronacurioushistorywillbegivenwhichleadsonetosupposethatthenativesofIndiaknowtheevilaswellasthegoodofMesmerism.Inmyfirstwork,IsaidthatIhadsatisfiedmyselfthatthemedicalpracticeoftheIndianconjurors,orJadoowalla,wasonlyMesmerismdisguisedbyincantationsandmummery;andIdescribedthe

processesgonethroughbyacelebratedconjurorforsoothingpainandcuringnervouscomplaints.ThishasbeenconfirmedfromdifferentquartersofIndia.Dr.Davidson,lateResidentatJyeporeinUpperIndia,visitingtheMesmericHospitalinCalcutta,andseeingthenativemesmerisersstrokingandbreathingupontheirpatients,said:"InowunderstandwhattheJar-phoonkofUpperIndiais;itisnothingbutMesmerism".Beingrequestedtoexplainhimself,hecontinued:"Manyofmypeople,afterIhavetriedtocurethemofdifferentseverecomplaintsinvain,usedtoaskleaveofabsenceforseveralweeks,inordertobetreatedbytheJadoowalla,andtomygreatsurprisetheyoftenreturnedtomequitecuredinashorttime;andinreplytomyinquiries,astohowtheyhad

beentreated,theyallsaidthattheyhadgonethroughaprocesscalledJar-phoonkthemeaningofwhichIcouldnevermakeout.ButInowseeitbeforemeinthecontinuousstrokingandbreathingofyourmesmerisers.Jarnameansin


48/208

Hindoostaneetostrokeandphoonknaistobreathe,whichveryexactlydescribesyourmesmericprocesses."

Dr.ThorbumthuswrotetomefromArracan,theotherextremityofIndia."ThesubjectofMesmerismhaslongbeenfirmlybelievedinbyme;andyouwill,Idoubtnot,bepleasedtohearthatithasfromtimeimmemorialbeensoamongstsomeoftherudesthilltribesinAssam:e.g.,amongtheMivis.AmongtheAssamese,thelocalpassesreceiveseparatenames,accordingtothesitesoverwhichthepassesareperformed;thusthoseusedforthepurposeofrelievingheadachearenamedMatapon.ThelongpassesareknowntothembythesamenameasinUpperIndia,viz.,Jar-phoonk."

ColonelBagnoldoftheBombayarmydescribesthesamepracticestobeprevalentontheBombayside:"Thissemi-barbarouspeoplehavehandeddowntraditionallywhatwe,withallourpretensionstoscienceandresearch,haveeitheroverlooked,or,whatismostprobable,rejectedthroughsectarianprejudice.

"ThefirstinstanceIcanrecollectoccurredtomesofarbackas

1808;yeteverycircumstanceattendingitisasfreshnowinmymemoryasthoughbutyesterday.ApooryoungHindoofemalehadfallenintoamiserablestateofhealth,theeffectsofgreatprivationduringthepreviousgreatfamine,wasepileptic,andsubjecttooccasionalfitsofinsanity.AVergraggeymendicantdevoteeofferedtoundertakehercure,byperformingareligiousceremonyormuntur;and,asthefamilylivedinthesamebuildingwithmeandmymilitarydetachment,andhadnoobjectiontomybeingpresent,Iattended.ThemancommencedwiththeusualHindooofferings,suchasburningfrankincense,breakingacocoa-nut,andinvokingsomegod,andparticularlySeetaram;seatedthewomanontheground,withherbackandheadagainstthewall;tookfromhislong

mattedhairastringoflargesandal-woodbeads,whichheheldupbeforehereyesanddirectedhertolookat;thenmadepasseswithitfromherheaddownwardsoccasionallystoppingtobreatheuponorlayhishanduponherchest.Shesoonbecamedrowsy,andappearedtosleep,whena


49/208

handfulofwood-asheswerecalledfor,wavedoverherhead,thrownintheair,andthecharmwaspronouncedcomplete:hethenretiredtoalittledistance,andsatcountingthebeads,butwithhiseyesattentivelyfixedonher,andmutteringasifinprayer.Inabouthalfanhourhestartedup,snappedhisfingers(demesmerisedher?),calledoutloudly'Seetaram!'whichwasloudlyrespondedtobytheHindoospresent;tookhispatientbythehand,andtoldhertogoaboutherfamilywork.Totheastonishmentofherfamilyandallpresent,sheobeyed,walkeddirecttothehand-millandbegangrindingcornfortheevening'smeal,aworkIamcertainshehadbeenincapableofperformingformonths.Lookinguponthisasmerepriestlydeception,Ideclinedbeingpresentatanyfuturevisits.However,hermother,brother,andseveralmenofthedetachment,assuredmeafterwardsthatthismannotonlyputhertosleepwheneverhecame,butmadeherspeakduringthatsleep,describeherdisease,andwhatwouldcureit.

''Ilaughedatthepoorpeopleasfools,andabusedthemanasaknave.Buthismild,good-humouredrebukeisoftennowpresenttomymind:'Youth!Thehaironyourchinisincomplete;bythetimeitislikemineyouwillthinkdifferentlyofme'.Thewomanrecovered,andrapidly."(*)

WecannotnowdoubtthattheTemplesofIsisandOsiris,Serapis,Apollo,andEsculapius(**),andtheSchoolsoftheProphets,wereplaceswheretheartofSomnambulism,withmorethanitspresentpretensions,waspractisedandtaughtbytheancientpriesthood.

Theancientpriestswerealsotheonlynaturalphilosophers;and,havingremarkedcertainwonderfulphenomenatoarisespontaneouslyinnaturalsomnambulism,catalepsy,andotherdiseasedstatesofthesystem,theydidnotdespairofimitatingbyartwhatnaturehaddemonstratedtobepossible;andbystudyandexperimenttheyatlastsucceededinrivallingthe

wondersofnature.Andthiswillaccountforthewisestmenofantiquitybelievingintherealityofwhatwenowregardaslyingwonders.


50/208

PlutarchandtheotherwisemenofGreecedidnotaffecttodoubttherealityoftheafflatusofthePythoness,ortheoccasionaltruthfulnessoftheOracle.Infact,wecannowimitateperhapsallthatwastrueandusefulintheancienttemplesinourmodernhospitals,bytheuseofopium,hemp,ether,chloroform,differentgases,andespeciallyby

(*)TheZoist,No.XXIII.(**)SeeMr.W.W.Lloyd'slearnedpapersinTheZoist,NosX,XI,XIX.

Mesmerism,whichisthesafestandmosteffectualstimulantofthebrainweareacquaintedwith.

Everythinggoestoprovethattheoraclesreceivedindreams,andthecureswhichfollowedthem,weretheconsequencesofwhatwenowcallthemesmericexaltationofthenervoussystem,variouslybroughtabout,nodoubt,butfrequentlybythemodernmethodofmanipulations,assistedbybreathing.

Indeed,itisimpossiblethat,inthelongcourseofages,thisfacultyinmanshouldnothavebeenobserved.Itwasso,infact,andthepaganpriestsexploredittotheirownadvantage

bygivingthecredittotheTemplesofIsis,Serapis,andEsculapius.Knowinghowtoproduceanddirectsomnambulism,theyplacedthepersonwhomtheyknewtobegiftedwiththepowerofdistantvisionandofprevisioninthesanctuaryofthetempletobetheorganofthegod,who,itwaspretended.possessedhim.Another,inhisstateofexaltation,feltthediseasesofthosewhoapproachedhim,perceivedthestateoftheirorgans,indicatingtheaccessionsoftheircomplaints,andprescribedremedies:theseweredestinedtoplaythepartofEsculapius,orthatofsomnambulistpriests;foritoughttoberememberedthattherewerepriestsinthesetempleswhodreamedforthepatients,iftheywerenotabletoenterintosomnambulismthemselves.Besides,everyconsultantassisted

inhisself-deception.Whenhehadindicatedinthesomnambulisticstatehiscomplaintanditsremedy,ashelostallrecollectionofitonawaking,thepriests,whohadcarefullytakendownhiswords,didnotfailtopersuadehimthatallwas


51/208

theworkofthegod,andthatthelatterhaddictatedthemeansofcure.

ProsperAlbinussays,inhisTreatiseontheMedicineoftheEgyptians,"Afternumerousceremonies,thesickwerewrappedupintheskinsofgoats,andcarriedwithinthesanctuaryofthetemple,wherethegodappearedtothemindreams,andrevealedtheremediesthatoughttoberesortedtofortheircure.Whenthepatientsreceivednocommunicationfromthedivinity,thenpriests,calledoneiropoles,sleptintheirplaces,andthegodnolongerwithheldthehoped-forboon."

TheoracleofTrophoniuswasinfulloperationinthetimeofPausanias,whohimselfconsultedit;and,fromhisaccount,itappearsthatpersonsresortingtoitwerethrownintoastateofsomnambulism,whateverthemeansmightbe.

''Amongotherceremonies,theinquirerwasledtothetwofountainsofOblivionandMemory,fromthefirstofwhichhedrank,thathemightforgetallhispreviousideas,andfromthelatterthathemightretainrecollectionofwhatheshouldseeinhisconsultation.

"Descendingbyaladderintothecave,helaydownontheground,placedhisfeetinasmallorifice,and,followingthemwithhisknees,immediatelyfoundhiswholebodycarriedinwards,asifbythevortexofamightyrushingriver:hisreturn,andfeetforemost,wasbythesameorifice.Hecameforthinastateofgreatdisturbance,andunconsciousofhimselfandthosearoundhim,andinthisstatewasimmediatelyplacedonthechairofMemorybythepriests,whothenobtainedfromhim,byinquiries,allthathehadseenorheard.Hewasthendeliveredtohisfriends,andafteratimecametohisusualsensesandfoundhimselfcheerful."

TheGrottodelCaneatNaplesmighteasilybeconvertedintoamodernCaveofTrophoniusby

natural and mesmeric clairvoyance

Documents