SUCH is the apathy prevailing, even at the present day, concerning the science of which mesmerism treats that comparatively few people are interested in the life of the man who gave his name to this study—Franz Anton Mesmer.
Mesmer was born on May 23rd, 1734, at Iznang, in the parish of Weiler, on the Lake of Constance, where he was christened Franciscus Antonius. Little is known of his childhood and youth beyond the fact that he received a good education, studied medicine, and took his degree at the University of Vienna in 1766. For the subject of his inaugural dissertation he chose the influence of the planets on the human body (De Planetarum Influxu). The theory to which he devoted his life was already germinating in his mind. In this essay he
maintained that "the sun, moon and fixed stars mutually affect each other in their orbits; that they cause and direct on earth a flux and reflux, not only in the sea, but in the atmosphere, and affect in similar manner all organised bodies through the medium of a subtle and mobile fluid, which pervades the universe, and associates all things together in mutual intercourse and harmony." This theory, it should be remarked, bears a striking resemblance to the theory of the ether of space held by certain of the scientists of today.
While studying at the University of Vienna Mesmer made the acquaintance of Professor Hehl, a Jesuit and professor of astronomy at the University. Professor Hehl was interested in the theory advanced by Mesmer in his essay. He had himself been experimenting with magnets, and he believed that certain forms of disease could be cured by their use.
Professor Hehl sent Mesmer some magnets to try on a patient of his. Mesmer applied them to the feet and heart, and a cure resulted, followed by relapses which were quickly cured by the same means. Hehl published an account of this cure and claimed it as his own. Mesmer resented this and a quarrel was the result, Hehl becoming Mesmer's irreconcilable enemy.
Shortly afterwards Mesmer happened to be present when a patient was being bled. It was on this occasion that he first entertained the belief that there is magnetism of some kind residing in the human body. He noticed that the flow of blood differed in amount according as he approached or receded. From this time he began to discard the use of steel magnets in his practice and relied mainly on the human hand.
Previous to this Mesmer had attained some notoriety owing to his treatment of Baron Hareczky for spasms of the throat. The Baron had consulted the leading physicians of Vienna, but without benefit. One of the doctors, Van Haen, suggested to the Baron to try Mesmer's treatment, although, he admitted, he had no faith in it himself. Mesmer was therefore invited to the Baron's castle of Rohow, in Austria.
Mesmer, relying at that time mainly on the use of magnets, took his magnetic apparatus with him. The news of his coming spread widely in the neighbourhood, and Mesmer found a large number of patients waiting for him.
From these he selected such as he considered were nervously afflicted cases; the others he recommended to the doctors or wrote prescrip-
tions for them himself. Among well-attested cures performed by Mesmer at Rohow was that of a young Jew suffering from phthisis. Mesmer treated him, with the result that the sufferer, after a strong convulsion, was seized with vomiting. His condition under treatment steadily improved. A year later he was quite well. In his own words, spoken in a chance meeting with a friend, "I have taken nothing, and yet now I am always fresh, lively, and healthy as a fish."
But the Baron, on whose behalf Mesmer had come to Rohow, did not appear to make progress, despite the use of electricity and magnets. Baron Hareczky experienced no sensations of any kind under treatment and was in despondent mood. On the sixth evening, while treating him, Mesmer exclaimed, "Patience. You will soon feel something assuredly." Next day the Baron continued as usual. In the evening Mesmer warned the Countess that she had better fortify herself to bear the occurrences of the morrow. She had, however, no belief in Mesmer and placed no reliance on his words.
The following day, about eight o'clock in the morning, there was confusion in the castle. The Baron was in violent delirium. He besought everyone to shoot him and put him
out of his misery. He swore frightfully at Mesmer. The Countess ran up and down wringing her hands. Ah," she cried, " that cursed Mesmer will send my husband to the grave." A note was despatched to the family physician, Dr. Ungerhoffer, begging him to come at once to the castle. Amid all the hubbub the only person who appeared quite unperturbed was Mesmer. He sat by the bedside holding the Baron's hand. The doctor, he said, had better be asked to bring two doses of cremor tartari with him. Nothing else would be required, as the Baron would certainly be up and about before his arrival. Mesmer then let go the Baron's hand and held him by the foot. The paroxysms thereupon gradually abated. Then Mesmer took him by the hand again, whereupon the paroxysms returned. Having continued his alternate magnetisms for a little while, Mesmer desisted. When Dr. Ungerhoffer arrived, about noon, he found the Baron in his usual health, playing the violin.
Dr. Ungerhoffer attributed the fever to chance coincidence; Mesmer maintained that, had there been no magnetism, there would have been no fever. Two or three days later Mesmer desired to magnetise the Baron again. After much re-
sistance the Baron consented. But as soon as the symptoms began to show themselves he sprang out of bed. "Rather than endure such torment," he said, "I will keep my spasm forever."
In face of this resistance Mesmer could do nothing more. Had he continued, he maintained that the cure would have been complete. Finding the Baron obdurate, he decided to leave the castle.
Just as he was taking his departure the Countess found him holding a peasant lad by both ears. "What is the matter with you?" she asked. "Six weeks ago," the boy replied, "I lost my hearing in a great wind, and this gentleman is giving it back to me again."
Mesmer then walked down to his carriage and took his leave.