Franz Anton Mesmer

What it is

Franz Anton Mesmer was a German physician who developed a system known as animal magnetism. He believed that a universal natural energy flowed between all animate and inanimate objects. This force could be directed to heal illnesses by restoring the free flow of life within the body. The practice became widely known as mesmerism and influenced medical and spiritual thought for decades.

Where it comes from

Mesmer studied medicine at the University of Vienna and published a dissertation on planetary influences on the human body in 1766. He built upon theories of tides and celestial forces. In 1774, he treated a patient using magnets and claimed to have induced a cure through a mysterious fluid. This event marked the beginning of his work with animal magnetism. He later moved to Paris, where his ideas gained significant attention among the wealthy and powerful.

How it is done

Mesmer treated patients individually or in groups. In individual sessions, he would sit close to the patient, touch their knees, and hold their thumbs while looking into their eyes. He made sweeping hand movements called passes along the arms and pressed fingers on the abdomen. Group treatments used a large wooden barrel called a baquet. Patients sat around it holding iron rods connected to the center. Mesmer would move his hands or eyes to direct the fluid without touching anyone.

Tools and materials

The primary tool was the practitioner's own body and hands to direct the supposed magnetic fluid. Early treatments involved magnets placed on specific body parts. Later, a glass harmonica was used to play music during sessions. For group therapy, a large wooden vat known as a baquet was central. Iron rods were inserted into holes around the vat, allowing patients to connect physically to the device.

What it is for

The practice was intended to heal various ailments, including hysteria and blindness. Practitioners believed that illness resulted from blocked flows of animal magnetism. By provoking crises or convulsions, the blockages could be cleared. Health was restored when the natural flow of the fluid was reestablished. Patients sought relief from physical and mental suffering through these treatments.

Who does it

Mesmer himself acted as the primary healer and conductor of the magnetic fluid. He trained disciples, such as Charles d'Eslon, to propagate his methods. After Mesmer left Paris, his student the Marquis de Puységur continued the practice. Practitioners were often physicians or individuals with social standing who claimed to possess a high degree of animal magnetism.

Peoples and places

The tradition originated in Germany and spread to Austria and France. In Vienna, Mesmer faced scandal after failing to cure a blind musician. He moved to Paris, where he gained a large following among the elite. The French royal court eventually investigated his claims. After the investigation, he practiced in Switzerland until his death. The practice influenced European medical and spiritual communities throughout the late eighteenth century.

What people believe

Mesmer believed in a universal fluid that connected all matter. He drew parallels between this fluid and Newtonian gravitational forces. Health depended on the unobstructed circulation of this energy. Illness occurred when the flow was blocked. Nature possessed a self-healing power that could be accelerated by contact with a skilled conductor. The mind and imagination were also seen as vital components in directing this force.

How scholars and sceptics see it

In 1784, King Louis XVI appointed commissions to investigate animal magnetism. Members included Antoine Lavoisier and Benjamin Franklin. They conducted blind trials and found no evidence of a physical fluid. Benefits were attributed to imagination and suggestion. These findings are considered early observations of the placebo effect. One commissioner dissented, arguing for the reality of the phenomenon. The official report concluded that the treatment worked only when subjects were aware of it.

Compare and confuse

Mesmerism is often compared to modern hypnosis. James Braid coined the term hypnotism in 1843 for techniques derived from animal magnetism. Today, mesmerism is frequently used as a synonym for hypnosis. It is also distinguished from religious exorcisms, which Mesmer critiqued. His secular approach contrasted with the spiritual healing practices of contemporaries like Johann Joseph Gassner.

Questions people ask about Franz Anton Mesmer

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Franz Mesmer on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data