Franz Anton Mesmer 1734 1815 Genius or Charlatan

Franz Anton Mesmer 1734 - 1815 Genius or Charlatan? 1

The Beginning Parents Father - Anton Mesmer - Games Keeper to the Bishop of Constance Mother - Maria Ursula Michel Bishop of Constance Mesmer was the 3 rd of 9 children Strong Catholic Upbringing 2

Early Years • Learned to interact with highborn aristocrats. • Bishop von Schönborn agreed with Mesmer’s mother that he should be educated for the church. • At 9 he entered a school run by monks. (1743) - 6 languages - classical literature - catholic catechism - music His passion was for music. 3

Maria Theresa (Hapsburg Ruler) Maria Teresa and her Son Joseph II (Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire) - Had some military setback - instituted changes that favored education, religious rights. 4

Jesuit Education • 1750 – University of Dillengen in Bavaria • 1754 – University of Ingolstadt 5

Descartes's Influence Mesmer was exposed to rationalism which led him to question Catholicism and away from theology. From Descartes he took the idea that medicine could be turned into an exact science by extending the cosmological laws to the physiological laws of the human body! 6

After 4 years studying philosophy and 1 year studying theology Mesmer had learned one thing for certain, that he had no aptitude for or desire for the priesthood. Refused to accept holy orders or a church. 7

The years 1755– 1759 are unaccounted for in Mesmer’s life. May have earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1759 but that degree may also have been self conferred. 8

University of Vienna Enrolled in 1759 in Law 1760 changed focus of study Medicine Great time to study medicine – Marie Teresa hires Gerhard van Swieten – Some of the best minds were on faculty. – Rejection on old ideas (e. g. , Galen) As a result the Vienna School of medicine became very prestigious. 9

Dissertatio Physico-medica de Planetarum Influxu (A Physio-medical Inquiry Concerning the Influences of the Planets) The Influence of the Planets on the Human Body 10

Odd Topic for a Medical Doctor? Scientific approach. Relied largely on Newton’s theory of the tides. Proposed Effects of Gravitation on human physiology. Mesmer proposes a universal fluid that underlies gravitation, electricity, light, heat and magnetism. 11

Universal Fluid Just as the seas and earth have tides, so does the universal fluid which is subject to great surges through interstellar space and through the heavenly bodies in an never ending ebb and flow. It passes through the earth and everything on earth. It sets up tides in the bloodstream and the nerves of human beings. 12

Heavenly Bodies Make Us Healthy or Ill “ this force which is the cause of universal gravitation, and no doubt, the basis of all bodily properties; which, in effect, in the smallest particles of fluids and solids of our bodies, contracts, distends, and causes cohesion, elasticity, irritability, magnetism and electricity ; a force which can in this context be called animal magnetism. ” 13

Plagiarism? Mesmer plagiarized large part of his dissertation ideas from Richard Mead, (an eminent English physician and Newton's friend). In Mesmer's day doctoral theses were not expected to be original. 14

January 10, 1768 Marries Maria Anna Von Bosch (aristocrat) Austria was at peace (7 Years Wars ended) Mesmer had it made. 15

Mesmer set up practice in his home and also set up a lab. Generally used conventional treatments. • Bleeding, Blistering, cupping & leaches • Opium • Herbs (e. g. , sassafras for diabetes). 16

1767 -1773 Period of regular medical practice. • Internship (1 year) • Specializes in cases of mental or nervous derangement, (lunacy, epilepsy, hysterical blindness, chronic nightmares, pathological coughing and trembling, fits of depression and panic). • Saw that conventional treatments (e. g. , electroshock) did not work. 17

Mesmer the Musician • Played cello, clavichord and the Glass Harmonica (0. 30 to 2. 44) invented by Benjamin Franklin. 18

Mozart and Mesmer 6 year old Mozart played at the palace in Vienna in 1762. Referred to as the wunderkind. At 12 Mozart was no longer considered such a protégé, and a planned concert at the palace was cancelled. Mesmer held the concert at his mansion. They became good friends 19

Mesmer and Mozart This is that piece Of magnet The stone of Mesmer Who originated In Germany And then became so famous 1790 20

The start of Animal Magnetism 1773 Franziska Oesterlin – house guest/cousin Suffered Hysteric symptoms “Miss Franzl has again been dangerously ill, and blisters had to be applied to her arms and feet. She is so much better now [They had expected her to die. ] that she has knitted in bed a red silk purse for Wolfgang, which she has given him as a remembrance. ” It is amazing how she can stand so much bleeding and so many medicines, blisters, convulsions, fainting fits and so forth, for she is nothing but skin and bone. 21

• Mesmer kept a detailed case study of the ebb and flow of her symptoms. • Was able to predict them • Ascribed the symptoms to the universal fluid • Sought a means to control the ebb and flow. 22

Maximilian Hell (1720 -1792), Mesmer’s friend and professor A court astronomer and Jesuit priest Used magnets in the treatment of disease Influenced Mesmer to conduct his first attempts at healing with a steel magnet. • Believed that every body possessed a magnetic force which connects all human beings. • • 23

Magnets July 28 th - 1774 Mesmer produced an "artificial tide" in Franzl. Had patient swallow a preparation containing iron, and then attaching magnets to various parts of her body. She reported feeling streams of a mysterious fluid running through her body and was relieved of her symptoms for several hours. 24

Loosing the Magnets Mesmer did not believe that the magnets had achieved the cure on their own. He observed that he could produce improvements in his patients without Magnets. Lead him to believe that he possessed magnetic powers and could “channel” the universal fluids into his patients. Began passing his empty hands over his patient’s bodies and sometimes massaging distressed parts. 25

Mesmer vs. Hell Controversy over credit for therapeutic success followed with a series of alternating public “letters” by Hell and Mesmer’s Defense • His thesis • Hell’s magnets were superfluous for the magnetic therapy, because virtually any object could be magnetized and used therapeutically! 26

Medical Community Reaction Mesmer sent out letters to various scientific societies, stating his belief that "animal magnetism" existed, and that through it one man could influence another. No attention was given his letter, except by the Academy of Berlin, which sent him an unfavorable reply 27

Jan Ingenhousz Teacup Demonstration Ingenhousz’s test: patient reacted only to objects which she believed were magnets or that were connected with Mesmer! Ingenhousz publicly denounced Mesmer as a fraud Mesmer temporarily abandoned efforts both to obtain a court appointed commission and to disseminate his treatment into hospitals. 28

Mesmer adds Props Treatment of Baron Hareczky de Horta “Mesmer sat at the right side of the bed on a chair with his left arm turned against the chair. He wore a light gray rode trimmed with gold lace. One foot he was wearing a white silk stocking. The other foot was plunged into a wooded bucket filled with water. . . He held in his left hand the lower end of a metal rod that descended into the water. He rubbed the upper part of the rod along his (the patients) body in a continuing motion. ” 29

More Cures “By means of magnetism I restored menstrual periods and hemorrhoids to their normal condition. . . I cured hemoptysis, a paralysis following an apoplexy, an unexpected trembling after a fit of passion, and all kinds of hypochondriac, convulsive, and hysterical irregularities in the same way. ” (Mesmer, 1775) 30

Johann Joseph Gassner Catholic priest (1727– 1779) discovered that he had extraordinary powers of exorcism. Deciding that demons were responsible for most human ailments. He healed thousands, rich and poor. Mesmer was asked, and he denounced Gassner (1775). 31

Maria-Theresa von Paradies - 1777 • 18 year old, blind, pianist, singer, and composer • Her father had close relations to the court. • Awoke with acute blindness at the age of 3 years and 7 months • Physicians unable to find anything wrong with her eyes. 32

Cure and Relapse Mesmer cures Maria using animal magnetism Medical community pronounces it a "miracle“! But then she lost her ability to play the piano! Maria’s mother took her away from Mesmer's care before the cure was complete. Mother struck Maria across the face because she resisted leaving Dr. Mesmer's clinic and the hysterical blindness reasserted itself. 33

Cure Again and Relapse! One month more of treatment restored vision again. She leaves Mesmer to returns home. Symptoms reappear! And she thereafter lived the life of a blind person. Mesmer leaves Vienna and goes to Paris (without wife)! 34

Paris • Quickly established an extremely lucrative practice • Queen Marie Antoinette • Methods of mass treatment Baquet 35

Mesmer treated Aristocrats and peasants equally. His new patients are often taken from other Doctors. Jealousy competition for aristocratic patients. 36

Initial Praise The use of magnets to heal was not too bizarre in Paris in 1778. Journal Encyclopedique Published article on magnetic fluids and how it flows from magnets to magnetized. Published accounts of others (including Hell) cuing using magnets. 37

1777 One month after Mesmer’s Arrival Journal printed a letter by Hell about Mesmer • Claims Mesmer is ignorant of science • Brings up the Paradise Case • Warns that the treatment throws patients into horrible convolutions and agony 38

Mesmer seeks Science’s Approval French Academy of Science Mesmer wants to argue for the existence of this universal fluid, but the members either walk out or are only interested in a demonstration. I thereby bandaged the eyes of M. A. – and mad a number of passes under his nose, and he smelled the odor of Sulphur … as I directed. I also controlled his sense of taste by offering him a cup of water, which gave him, the taste of different flavors. 39

Offers Evidence of Medical Cures Invites Royal Society members to his clinic and cures a woman of epilepsy. Visitors reject this evidence citing the possibility that the patient was feigning illness. The Royal Society rejects Mesmer’s ideas as "destitute of foundation and unworthy of the smallest attention. " 40

SOCIETY OF HARMONY Members paid handsomely to be initiated into the mysteries Mesmerism On the eve of the French Revolution, the Society had 430 graduates, with thriving satellite organizations in every major French city (6, 000 unsanctioned Mesmerists operated in and around Paris alone in 1785). 41

King Louis XVI's - 1784 Marie-Antoinette was a frequent patron of the baquet. When Mesmer threatened to go into exile in 1781 because he felt his discovery was not suitably appreciated in France, Marie-Antoinette offered him a substantial pension of 20, 000 francs ($150, 00. US today)and an annual salary of 10, 000 ($75, 000. US today) more to stay, on condition that he train three government pupils in his technique. Mesmer wrote an ungracious public letter to the queen rejecting the proposal and suggesting a sum closer to 400, 000 francs. 42

Louis Commission Headed by Benjamin Franklin, comprised several of the leading scientists of the time. Mesmer refused to cooperate with this select group, but one of Mesmer’s pupils, Charles D'Eslon, gave the commission full access to his own practice. 43

The commission's purpose was to determine not whether Mesmer's treatment had any beneficial effects but whether he had discovered a new physical force. No evidence was found. Double Blind – Placebo tests More than 20, 000 copies of the Commission’s report were rapidly and widely distributed. 44

The Report A secret supplementary report drafted for the king warned of the dangers of the erotic attraction, or what we now know as “transference”, between the male magnetizer and the female patient: "All of them were subdued in an astonishing way, " the king was advised, "to the man who was magnetizing them. " 45

Anonymous French cartoon, Magnetis m Unveild, 1784. Benjamin Franklin is shown brandishing his exposé of animal magnetism, while Mesmer flees with his loot on a witch's broom 46

Ben’s Doubts “The Report makes a great deal of talk. Everybody agrees that it is well written, but many wonder at the force of imagination described in it as occasioning convulsions, etc. , and some feel that consequences may be drawn from it by infidels to weaken our faith in some of the miracles of the New Testament. Some think it will put an end to Mesmerism, but there is a wonderful deal of credulity in the world and deceptions as absurd have supported themselves for ages. ” 47

The Aftermath 8 Months after Commission Report “Mesmer continues here and has still some Adherents and some Practice. It is surprising how much credulity still subsists in the World. I suppose all the Physicians in France put together have not made so much money during the Time he has been here, as he has done. ” B. Franklin 48

Ridicule Engraving shows Aesculape striking Mesmer with a thunderbolt, and two doctors comforting a victim of the baquet. 49

The last years Mesmer was driven into exile soon after the investigations on animal magnetism In 1785 Mesmer left Paris and travelled eventually returning to Vienna (after his wife’s death) and then to Lake Constance. 50

1789 until 1799 French Revolution During the revolution he lost his entire fortune and fled to England. 51

Died on March 5, 1815 Buried Meersburg Germany 52

Prologue Mesmerism begins to see renewed interest in Germany even before Mesmer’s Death. Mesmer’s name lives on as a synonym for the process he expounded. 53

Discussion questions Was Mesmer a Quack? Even if it is a “placebo effect” should hypnosis be dismissed as a tool for healing? If Mesmer was alive today, and the same study results existed, would Mesmer have been dismissed as a Quack? 54

References Buranelli, V. (1975). The Wizard from Vienna Franz Anton Mesmer A Biography of the 18 th-century Doctor who Laid the Foundation for Modern Psychiatry. Toronto, Canada: Longman Canada Limited Lanska , J. , & Lanska, T. Franz Anton Mesmer and the Rise and Fall of Animal Magnetism: Dramatic Cures, Controversy, and Ultimately a Triumph for the Scientific Method Douglas J. Springer 55