An Introduction to the Study of Animal Magnetism

...the sensation that the discovery of animal magnetism excited in Paris. No theological controversy in the earlier ages of the Catholic Church was ever conducted with greater bitterness. On the one side, the adversaries of Mesmer, closing their eyes to the facts before them and hurried away by an impetuous party spirit, endeavored to proscribe the discovery as mischievous, false, and heretical. On the other side, his advocates vindicated his cause with an impatient zeal and sincerity that was equally intolerant of all doubts or alternative explanations. One party denied the effects of animal magnetism altogether or ascribed them to the operation of some very commonplace natural causes, while the other, equally indignant, exaggerated the claims of the new science and carried their theories in its defense to an absurd extent.

In less than eighteen months, Paris was inundated with upwards of five hundred controversial pamphlets—erudition, sarcasm, and wit alternately assailing and vindicating the doctrine. The prohibitory decree of the Académie Royale de Médecine cited above, issued against those who ventured to practice animal magnetism, was in many cases completely disregarded. Several of the docteurs-régents (governing doctors/faculty members) who refused to compromise their consciences or submit to such a verdict were deprived of the honors and emoluments of their profession. Among these were Dr. Deslon and M. Varnier, who opposed the decision of the medical faculty against him in a very able memoir. This memoir was drawn up by M. Fournel and accompanied by the joint opinion of seventeen advocates, who severely and justly deprecated the arbitrary conduct of the medical faculty, especially for exacting an oath from individuals that they would never believe in magnetism and never become disciples of the system.