Report of the Commissioners on Animal Magnetism

» all the impressions of movement; it is susceptible to
» flow & ebb Original: "flux & de reflux," referring to the tidal motions of the fluid.. The animal body experiences the effects of this
» agent; & it is by insinuating itself into the substance of the nerves, that it
» affects them immediately. One recognizes particularly
» in the human body, properties analogous to those
» of the magnet; one distinguishes there poles equally diverse &
» opposite. The action & the virtue In 18th-century science, "virtue" refers to an inherent power or active property of a substance. of Animal Magnetism, can
» be communicated from one body to other animated &
» inanimate bodies: this action takes place at a great distance,
» without the help of any intermediate body; it is
» increased, reflected by mirrors Original: "glaces." Mesmer believed mirrors could reflect and concentrate the magnetic fluid just as they do light.; communicated,
» propagated, increased by sound; this virtue can be
» accumulated, concentrated, transported. Although this fluid is
» universal, all animated bodies are not equally
» susceptible to it; there are even some, though very few in number,
» who have a property so opposite, that their mere presence
» destroys all the effects of this fluid in other bodies.

» Animal Magnetism can immediately cure
» nervous ailments, & mediately Meaning indirectly, or through an intervening agent. cure others; it perfects
» the action of medicines; it provokes & directs
» salutary crises A "crisis" in Mesmeric practice was a physical reaction—often involving convulsions or intense emotions—that was believed to be the moment the body expelled a disease., in such a way that one can master them; by its
» means the Physician knows the state of health of each indi-
» vidual, & judges with certainty the origin, nature & progress
» of the most complicated diseases; it prevents their growth
» & achieves their cure, without ever exposing the
» patient to dangerous effects or unfortunate consequences,
» whatever the age, temperament & sex (a).

(a) Memoir of Mr. Mesmer on the discovery of Animal Magnetism, pages 74 & following.