Animal magnetism, also known as mesmerism or mesmerization, was a concept developed by Franz Anton Mesmer in the late 18th century. Mesmer was a German physician who believed that there was a natural energy or force that could be harnessed and used for healing purposes. He called this force “animal magnetism.”
According to Mesmer, this animal magnetism was present in all living beings and flowed through invisible channels in the body. He believed that imbalances or blockages in the flow of this energy could lead to illness or disease. Mesmer developed a healing technique that involved the use of magnets and his own personal presence to manipulate this energy and restore balance in the body.
Mesmer’s method of treatment involved inducing a trance-like state in his patients, often referred to as “mesmerization” or being “mesmerized.” He would make passes over the patient’s body, sometimes touching or lightly stroking them, and claim to transfer his own animal magnetism to them. This process was believed to rebalance the energy flow and alleviate symptoms.
Mesmer’s theories and practices gained popularity and sparked controversy at the time. Some people believed in the effectiveness of his methods, while others dismissed them as pseudoscience or quackery. In fact, a commission appointed by the French King Louis XVI in the 1780s, which included prominent scientists and intellectuals, concluded that mesmerism had no scientific basis.
George Winslow and Marilyn Monroe bring up the term “Animal Magnetism” in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1953.
Despite the skepticism and criticism, the concept of animal magnetism had a lasting influence. It contributed to the development of hypnosis and influenced various psychological and therapeutic approaches. Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, acknowledged the influence of mesmerism on his work and the understanding of the unconscious mind.
Today, the term “animal magnetism” is not commonly used in scientific or medical contexts. Mesmer’s ideas and practices have been largely discredited within the scientific community. However, the historical significance of animal magnetism lies in its role as a precursor to the study of hypnosis and its impact on the exploration of the mind-body connection in medical and psychological fields.
Franz Mesmer
May 23, 1734
German physician with an interest in astronomy who theorised the existence of a natural energy transference occurring between all animated and inanimate objects; this he called "animal magnetism"
Stanisław Leszczyński
October 20, 1677
EVENT CARD
Russia, Austria, and Saxony Sign Löwenwolde's Treaty to Block Leszczynski’s Polish Crown
It happened on 19 August, 1733
In Warsaw as Stanislas Leszczynski appears to be on the verge of being elected King of Poland, Russia, Austria and Saxony sign Löwenwolde's Treaty (named for Russian diplomat Karl Gustav von Löwenwolde), pledging to go to war to place Frederick Augustus, son of the late King Augustus II, on the throneFeaturing: Stanisław Leszczyński.
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