In his thesis, Mesmer revived the probably ancient idea that the planets of our solar system extrude invisible rays that affect our bodies, an effect which he called ‘animal magnetism’. Later on, he became increasingly interested in the field of medicine and became a doctor in 1766 with his thesis ‘ De influxu planetarum in corpus humanum‘ ( The influence of the planets on the human body). – Franz Anton Mesmer (Propositions Concerning Animal Magnetism, 1779) Franz Mesmer and the Idea of Animal Mechanismįranz Mesmer was born in 1734 in Germany and studied theology at the University of Vienna, as well as philosophy and law. “A responsive influence exists between the heavenly bodies, the earth, and animated bodies.” He spent his career offering this controversial therapy to wealthy aristocratic clients in several European capitals. This system of therapeutics was the forerunner of the modern practice of hypnotism. Mesmer theorised that there was a natural energetic transference that occurred between all animated and inanimate objects that he called animal magnetism, sometimes later referred to as mesmerism. On May 23, 1734, German physician Franz Anton Mesmer was born. Want to learn about other magnetic personalities? Read about other magnetic innovators here. For the latest magnetic news and breakthroughs, make sure to follow our Magnets in the News blog. However, we learning something new almost every day. There is still a lot we don’t fully understand about magnets and magnetism. Scientists from all over the world, including such heavy hitters as Benjamin Franklin, ultimately concluded that Animal Magnetism was essentially bunk.ĭespite its enduring popularity, subsequent commissions eroded Mesmer’s reputation. In 1784, King Louis XVI of France had had enough and established a royal commission to determine the legitimacy of animal magnetism. To many, he was nothing more than a quack.Īlthough Mesmerism lasted all the way to the early 20th century, it was scientifically discredited long before. There, he attempted to secure approval for his research, but the French government was not impressed. A failed experiment saw him leaving Vienna for Paris. This new idea gained Mesmer international notoriety and he eventually found himself in the center of a controversy. Devotees of this school would come to be known as Magnetizers. Although Mesmer wasn’t ever able to prove the theory of animal magnetism, it did not dissuade others from studying the discipline. According to the afflicted woman, she saw a decrease in symptoms following the procedure.Īlthough this procedure was not to be performed again, Mesmer was convinced that people with high levels of “animal magnetism” were predisposed to certain maladies, and he wasn’t the only one. He then placed powerful magnets on various parts of the woman’s body. The first instance of this came in 1774, when treating a woman with “hysteria.” Mesmer had the woman swallow a drink filled with iron filings. He thought that many diseases and conditions could be treated by simply counterbalancing a person’s innate magnetism with external forces. Long before we used the phrase to express any metaphoric attraction, Franz Mesmer insisted that humans (and animals, and even plants) actually possessed a form of magnetism. Mesmer never outgrew his penchant for intrigue. However, Mesmer’s findings may have been a little too close to the original, as many claim his thesis was largely plagiarized from an English contemporary. The aim of much of Mesmer’s early research was to expound upon ideas set in motion by Sir Isaac Newton. It was his assertion that celestial bodies such as the moon and other planets had a direct influence on the body and even the diseases that plagued it. In 1766, Mesmer published his doctoral dissertation entitled, On the Influence of the Planets on the Human Body. However, once he enrolled in the medical program at the University of Vienna in Austria, Mesmer’s interests turned to more immediate celestial bodies. Like many in his day, he was raised in a devout Catholic household and religion played a large part in his early education. Mesmer was born in 1734 in southern Germany. Although his ideas were a little (ok, really) outlandish, Mesmer paved the way for a lot solid magnetic research. The term “animal magnetism” was coined in a very literal sense by Austrian physician, Franz Mesmer (hence the term mesmerizing). Believe us, when we’re looking for the latest magnetic news, it can get a little tricky with all of the metaphorical headlines. It’s often used to convey someone’s congeniality or attractiveness. Today, we use the phrase “ animal magnetism ” as a figure of speech.
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