Report of the Commissioners on Animal Magnetism

General remarks made during the public treatment:

the Commissioners cannot perform experiments there.

...and few men; that these crises In this context, "crises" refers to the intense physical reactions—convulsions or trances—supposedly triggered by the magnetic fluid. took one or two hours to establish themselves; and that as soon as one was established, all the others began successively and in a short time. But after these general remarks, the Commissioners soon judged that the public treatment could not become the site of their experiments. The multiplicity of effects is a primary obstacle; one sees too many things at once to see any one in particular. Moreover, distinguished patients, who come to the treatment for their health, might be inconvenienced by questions; the effort of observing them might either embarrass or displease them; the Commissioners themselves would be hindered by their discretion. They have therefore decided that their regular attendance was not necessary at this treatment; it was sufficient for a few of them to go from time to time to confirm the first general observations, to make new ones if there were occasion, and to report back to the assembled commission.

After having observed these effects at the public treatment, it was necessary to focus on untangling the causes, and to seek proof of the existence and utility of Magnetism.

These experiments must have as their primary object the verification of the existence of Magnetism.

The question of existence is the first; that of utility should only be treated when the other has been fully resolved. Animal Magnetism may very well exist without being useful, but it cannot be useful if it does not exist.

In addressing this existence, it would be necessary

Consequently, the principal object of the Commissioners’ examination and the essential goal of their first experiments had to be to ensure this existence. This