#Franz mesmer images full

Mesmer’s system rested on his belief that illness was caused by depleted levels of ‘animal magnetism’, and that these could be replenished by the healer transmitting some of his own abundant magnetic force across the ether to the patient. However, Mesmer probably did not believe that fluid was actually draining from her body per se and from a modern day perspective, the results were probably achieved by hypnosis. He was able to induce his patient the sensation of a fluid draining from her body and taking her illness with it. For a cure, Mesmer apparently used a magnet in order to disrupt the gravitational tides adversely affecting his patient. Mesmer described Oesterline’s symptoms as convulsive malady and it is assumed that she moved into Franz Mesmer’s house in order to receive a decent care. The woman was apparently suffering from “ the most troublesome symptoms of which was that the blood rushed to her head and there set up the most cruel toothaches and earaches, followed by delirium, rage, vomiting and swooning“. One day, Mesmer met the 27-year old Franzl Oesterline who helped Mesmer to increase his fame. He found that often the healing methods were more terrifying than the conditions doctors intended to treat and he favoured a more gentle approach.

He founded a practice in Vienna in his mid-30s and it is further assumed that Mesmer through the years of practice was increasingly dissatisfied with the conventional medical approaches at the time. When Treatment often was more Terrifying then Illnessīack then, it is believed that Mesmer’s theory did not arouse much controversy. 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. The extraordinary tales of Mesmer's personal power over individuals are probably part exaggeration, part real results of his confidence and skill in the use of the means he wielded.On May 23, 1734, German physician Franz Anton Mesmer was born.

#Franz mesmer images full

To the ignorant the scene was full of wonderment. The method was supposed to provoke in the sick person exactly the kind of action beneficial to his recovery.

One person became hysterical, then another one was seized with catalepsy others with convulsions some with palpitations of the heart, perspirations, and other bodily disturbances. With this, and with each other, they were placed in relation by means of cords, or jointed rods, or by holding hands and among them slowly and mysteriously moved Mesmer himself, affecting one by a touch, another by a look, a third by passes with his hand, a fourth by pointing with a rod. The patients were seated around a sort of vat which contained a heterogeneous mixture of chemical ingredients. A profound silence was observed, broken only by strains of music which occasionally floated through the rooms. The apartment, hung with mirrors was dimly lit. His patients were received with the air of mystery and studied effect. The process of Animal Magnetism or Mesmerism, laid the foundations for the later development of Hypnosis.Ī contemporary English doctor described Mesmer’s technique in vivid detail: In the late 1770’s Mesmer moved to Paris and found more interested students there than in Vienna.