..*^.. ?^5l! IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // A f/. 1.0 1.1 11.25 ■i. M 22 20 U ii.6 ^>. />^ y /^ Photographic Sciences Corporation ^\ ^v 23 \WfST M ! closing the eyes, counting the pulse, watching a spot, as seen in the ilhistriiUon i.sv< pui^i 26. No. 8) where the per- son mesmerized becomes facinated by watching the linger of the operator so as to follow him around the room. Take another illustration of the power of facination. Persons with large concentration taking up a book to read; becoming interested in its contents, we find them often so absorbed, and charmed with its subject matter, as to become what we often call absent minded, or for- getful of everything else, and entirely itidilferent to their surroundings. Such phenomena we call facination. and IS the same in nature and principle as that shown in our illustration, where the subjects mesmerizetl are so ab- sorbed as to be inc^^fferent to the o[)inions of the audience, and for the time lost Ut everything except the subject, or object, presented to their consciousness by the opera- tor ; {si'i' pdi^f 2L', No. 7 and S). We might give many more similar illustrations to show the power of con- centration or facination. but suffice it to say that it is the power of concentration by which we are enabled to suspend sensation, subdue pain and greatly relieve the sufferings of humanity in general. It is recorded of the great statesman, Henry Clay, on one occasion being 22 Prof. Seymour's Psychology very much indisposed, and rather unable to speak ; a gentleman on the floor in Congress made a severe and personal attack on Mr. Clay, who whispered to a gentle- man w^ho sat next to him, and said : " I must answer him, but I beg of you not to let me speak over half an hour." Mr. Clay commenced, and was soon on wmg soaring higher and higher in his sublime eloquence, and pouring forth language like the thunderbolts of heaven, in the defence of his own manhood. He became fascinated with the subject of his own defence, until he forgot his indisposition. His half hour expired, and the gentle- man by his side pulled his coat, but Clay paid no atten- tion to the signal. He kicked his limbs but it made no impression. He ran a pin several times half its length into the calfs of his legs. Clay heeded it not ; spoke two hours, sank exhausted into his seat, and rebuked the other gentleman for not stopping him. He had felt nothing. The concentration of mind had called the electricity of his system to the brain, and he threw it off by mental effort, and in proportion as sensation was called to the brain the limbs were robbed. But let me turn from the power of fasci mtion or con- centration, to that :)f " Confidence and Fear." To illustrate tl phenomena of Mesmerism through confidence upon tl basis of the natural conditions of and Mesmerism Explained. 23 the Mind, let me give you a few exampJes: — Sup po si ng I should be on the sidewalk, waiting for a stteit* car ; I advance to the curb-stone, and stan -.ui. sus- pended three inches above the floor: i .: .: ::ie same rail be suspended one hundred feet above i?>e i^iooc. and 11^ 24 Prof. Seymour's Psychology the same man dare not attempt to walk it ; simply because the idea of danger again has destroyed his confidence in his own ability. There is as much surface to walk upon, with the rail suspended one liundred feet in the air, as when it was down within three inches of the Hoor, and the law of gravitation is the same, but the difference lies in the confidence of tlic mind. Now place the rail in another position, let one end ot the rail be placed upon a burning ship in mid-ocean, with the other end placed upon a rock ; the rail furnishes the only means of escape for this same individual, who failed to attempi .o walk it over a chasm one hundred feet deep. And now as the flames play round, and the danger becomes eminent, he nervously views the path of escape, which at first appears narrow and dangerous, hut as the peril of his situation advances — he knows to remain is death ; the ship shows signs of sinking, his pathway of escape begins to widen before his imaginations, until the danger of travel is lost, and in confidence he again enters upon the rail (as when within three inches of the floor) and crosses over in safety. We miglit give many more illustrations to show the involuntary response of what we term Matter to Mind, and the power of facination, as well as the confidence of Mind and the influence of fear, in all the various ri I ■— FTl'ia lIMnWWMlMIMll ■ and Mesmerism Explained. phenomenon of life, based upon the principles of Psychology, and synonomus with what is known as Mesmerism ; such as I'olitical and Religious excite- ments, Revivals, etc. For so far as we know there are but two laws controlling and governing the entire uni- verse — that is the law of Mind and the law ot Matter; or in other words, the law of Chemistry and that of Psychology. Hence every phenomena must come either under one of these great laws, or both ; whether it be done in the name of God or man. But we think sufili- cient has been said on this point for the present, to fully explain that what you have seen on the platform, in the various shows of mesmerism, is nothing more or less than the phenomenon of every day experience, and that a knowledge of its principles can do us no harm, farther than the knowledge of any other power or force in Nature, which may be used equally for good or evil. And furthermore; than this, if this '.h' a power which may be used for good or evil, (and such it is) then it is important that its knowledge should become more uni- versally known by those whose desire is, for the well being of the community in which they ma\ reside, or for the improvement of scciety in general. In further consideration of the subject of Animal Magnetism, let us turn our attention for a while to that part known as Magnetic Healing. I 26 ' Prof. Seymour's Psychology ■liit I' I ill!' ifl; itiit ill' . I and Mesmerism Explained. 27 Magnetic Healing. This part of our subject cannot fail to be of interest to us all. And in consideration of the truth of this part of the phenomenon of what is termed Animal Magnetism; let me state, that all Nature is governed by the laws of Attraction and Repulsion, or in other words, by positive and negitive forces. These suttle forces or laws in Nature which we call Attraction and Repulsion, are governed by the affinity (or same- ness) or the lack of affinity (or sameness) which exist between what may be termed the combination of atoms or molecules which goes to make up organic structure. Where this affinit}' or sameness exist between the different particles of matter, there is what we term the law of Attraction (or in other words, the disposition to unite or blend together.) Where there is no affinity existing between the nature of the different particles of Matter, there is what may be termed the law of Repulsion, which has a tentlency to destro}^ the harmony which would otherwise take place. If then this position be true, that this law of Attraction and Repulsion is universal through all the kingdoms of Nature, Mineral, Vegitable and Animal, and that like attracts like ; then we think we are prepared to give a rational solution of the truth of this part of the pheno- 28 Prof. Seymour's Psychology I m\ lli f[! menon of Animal Magnetism. As we examine this Magnet which I now hold in my hand, together with this piece of steel, we at once discover that there is a similarity in their nature; in consequence of which there is a magnetic attraction existing between the two, by which, when brought into close connection, so far as the posit've and negitive forces are concerned, the two become one; differing ouly in power or force in propor- tion to the size of their own individualitj'. Now wiiat is true of tiie magnet ami steel, is also true from the sameness of the nature of two human bodies; and what is true of the body, in this sense, is also true of the same- ness or magnelisni of the mind. Hence i>v the laying on of hands, or by tlie association of tiie minds of individuals, we reach tlie same results, as when a combination is produced in any other department of Nature. Where this sameness or affinity exist, there will be a blending of forces which has a tendency to build up vitality ; but where there is no atfinity, tiiere will be a disturbing inlfuonce, whicli has a tendency to repel each other. As a proof of tiiis position, how often have you felt the society of tiiose of whom you know- but little, to be so repulsive to your feelings, tliat you have no disposition to associate. Others seem to bring witli them a soothnrj influence that draws you closer to \i\ and Mesmerism Explained. 29 their side. I contentl that all these involuntary likes and dislikes are but the residts of the Animal Magnetism that we are constantly throwin^^ off from our bodies, by wiiich (althouf^h seeniinj^ly inperceptable to our external senses) the dojj^ can scent his nuister, and determine the course which he pursues, although there may be various other influences brought to bear upon its sense of smell. This law of iMagnetism is a vcrx important one to be considered; fori beHeve main' of the infirmities that afnict humanit}' are largel\- due to a w.uit of ,111 under- standing of its princi[)](!S, and the right api)lication of the same. 1 believe that if- this law of Magnetism was more fully understood and acted u))on. there would be far greater harmony in the domestic circle ; the health \of parents and children might often be preserved — where now sickness antl discord so frequently prevail. I'\)r if, as we have said (and as all Nature seems to j)rove) this law of Magnetism exists in the liuman organism ; the weak must naturally draw front tiie strong, until both have become ecpial ; that is wiieu brought into close commuuimi, and so loii.sj; as this (^inalilx exist, there will be perfect harmony between indiv icliials, because of the reciprocation which exist ir, their nature. But if through the activity of either the intellect or the pro- iXJ^ " 1 30 Prof. Seymour^s Psycholo^v in pensities (which seems to he the battery, which com- municates or attracts the electric or magnetic forces of physical, as well as our mental nature) one should gain the advantage of the other in m gnetic attraction, the chances are, that through thelawof development, or what has been termed "the survival of the fittest;" the stronger will rob the weaker until one becomes stout, robust and healthy, while the other grows weaker and weaker day by day. This frequently occurs with children sleeping together, as well as between husband and wife. I am acquainteil with a lady w-hom I con- scientiously l>elieve has innocently caused the death of three husbands, by this law of magnetic attraction. When first married she was fast wasting away with Consumption ; siie married a husband with a ■';ood degree of Vital Temperament ; in a year or two, instead of the wife sinking with Consumption, the husband was the afflicted subject, and the wife grew strong and healthy. In a few years the husband died of Consump- tion, and after his death, during the widowhood of this lady, she again showed signs of Consumption, and began to waste away. She again married a man of good healthy appearance, and again herself grew healthy. But to the astonisament of everybody who knew them, the second husband grew consumtive and died. And and Mesmerism Explained. 31 so of the third, And now in her old age the same lady is said to be sinking fast of consumption. I have no other solution to this phenomenon, but that through .nagnetic attraction ; this lady has lived and enjoyed physical strength for so many years, simply upon what she has drawn from her husbands, and in proportion as she has drawn upon the vitality of her husband ; hav- ing no power of supply in herself, the expenditure ot vitality in both was more than the nature of the hus- band could support, and as a consequence, when the fires of his vitality had become exhausted, the embers naturally died out. Hence I hold that it is not always wise that even husband and wife should sleep together, nor that cliildren (whose temperaments does not harmonize) should be compelled to sleep in the same bed. By tlie same law it is wrong for' the young to \ sleep with old persons. I have slept in tiie same bed with persons when in the morning I have got up seem- ingly more tired than when I went to bed. At otlier times with different persons, I have laid awake two- thirds of the night in pleasant conversation, when I have got up in the morning without scarcely realizing that I had been to sleep at all ; yet have felt perfectly rested and refreshed. Now, having brought forth these arguments which itrr 1:1 ' 32 Prof. Seymour's Psychology must ( I have no doubt) accord with similar experiences of your own ; we shall be the iietter prepared to understand the rationality of Magnetic Healinj^. And in endeavourinpj to mak(i clear this part of our subject, '.ve niif:fht ask 'n'luit is JwnltJi, iduI wJuit is (Jisaisc ? To which we answer : Health is an even ballance of the forces between botly and mind ; and disease is a want of ballance between these forces ; or in other words, health is the harmonious distribution (jr circulation of the blood and nerv(! Huid in the nerves, veins and arteries. There is (so to speak* a state of commerce or bank account i^'-un.ii, on between our mental and phy- sical natures. And when the balance is such that the mental can draw ujion the physical, or the piiy- sicaJ can draw upon the inentrd, without over taxa- tion of either, man will i)e found in a liealtln condition. But the moment eitlxn" of these forces are exhausted, there will be a stati' of im;iUal or physical bankruptcy, and the whole nerxous system becomes disoredered, as a result ut which nervous prostration, or fexerish excite- ment is manitested. And hence tliis want of ballance brings with it tin; need of help. As force is j)roduced by a combination of positive atoms; and as in nerxous prostration, these j)ositive atoms in the patient have become exhausted, the business of practicing physicians and Mesmerism Explained. 33 have been to endeavour to ascertain and administer to the necessities of invalids, such compounds as shall contain these positive elements which the nature of the the patient requires, and thus to stimulate the physical, that the mental may again draw upon it, that amount of vital stemina, which it recjuires to produce a sanguine condition. In the case of fevers, etc., the skilful phy- sician endeavors to administer into the stomach of the patient, a compound composed of negitne atoms, de- signed to absorb the surplus positive atoms of the sys- tem, which in themselves, are feverish, stimulating or exciting, and through the aid of digestion, physics, or the law of evaporation, these positive atoms are carried off, and the system assumes its normal condition of balance. And now having glanced at the natural influ- ence of medicine, 1 think we may be the better prepared to understand the reasonableness of the process, and in- fluence of Magnetic Healing, or what has been known as the laying on (jf hands ; for, as it is a universal law that where there is an affinity, the negative will absorb the positive until botii are ecjual ; it must be conceded that this law of Attraction exists between the physical and mental forces of our being, and then, being brought into communion with one another, mankind are capable of administering to, or drawing from, each others forces. III 34' Prof. Seymour^s Psychology And as nervous prostration is a negative condition beneath the normal, by the laying on of hands a person in a normal, healthy condition, is capable of communi- cating to the necessity of the weak. For the negative condition of the patient, will as naturally draw from the strong, as the loadstone draws from the magnet, until both become equally charged ; and as fevers are a posi- tive condition of the system " beyond the normal," the normal condition of the healer, will, by the laying on of hands, absorb these positive atoms, until the fever of the patient becomes abated. As proof of this, the Magnetic healer often hnds him or herself prostrated after treat- ing the weak ; and excited or feverish after treating a fev^erish patient. Question. — Is tluri- any other condition, injluence or powtr, which nitiy be brow^ht to bear upon a patient, except the laying on of hands, as a curative agent, in what you term Animal Magnetism ? Answer. — Yes ! As a condition, apart from the lay- ing on of hands, from the laws of reciprocity, which exist l^etween the lx)dy and mind of an individual, the faith or confidence of the mind of the patient often restores the health of the body. This position is beaut- ifully illustrated in what is termed the miracles of Jesus Christ, spoken of in the Bible, | See Mark, 5th ch. and and Mesmerism Explained. 35 25th verse), where a woman who had an issue of Mood twelve years, and had suffered many tilings of many pliy- sicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing better, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus she C3me in the press behind, and touched his gar- ment, for she said : " If I may touch but his clothes I shall be whole," and straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus turning to her, said : "daughter, thy faith has made thee whole ! " This is but a sample of the many works of Jesus, spoken of m the Gospels, but sufficient to show the re- sponse of Matter to the faith of the Mind. But some one will say that Jesus was Divine, and tlu- reason this woman was healed m this e.xtraordinary way, was because she had faith in His Divine power. But we must consider that if Jesus was Divine, (and such we believe Him to have been), still He did not attribute the curing ot the woman to the influence or His Divine power, but rather to her faith. And in all that Jesus did, He has left us an example that we should tread in His steps; and said, that greater things than He did, shall men do it they believe. Hence He has not only given us to understand that faith is required on the part of the patient, but also on the part of the operator. I '— :?■ 'i; 36 Prof. Seymour'' s Psychology \ \ m\ Question. — Does the faith or confidence of the operator have any infiueuce upon his own magnetism^ or the mag- netism of the patient ? Answer. — Yes ! When the mind is positive, which is a condition of confidence, the electric forces of the body are more active ; hence the magnetism of the body becomes more powerfully directed. Question. — Have you any other evidence where per- sons have been cured through faith, except those spoken of in the Gospels ? Answer. — Many instances are on record of this phe- nomenon, where persons have made their complaint a subject of prayer, and in answer to faith in prayer, have been restored to health. But I will cite one or two, where the confidence or faith has seemingly not bten directed to God ; but rather has been placed entirely in the ability or power of the Magnetic healer. In Pitts- burgh, Pa., in the month of Januar\', 1884, an old lady came to me in the hall, after one ot my lectures, on the subject of Psychology. She had been troubled for years with Rheumatism in her right arm, and could not lift it to her head. She told me that she had not been able to raise her hand to put on her own bonnet, m ^o comb her hair, for several years ; but stated 5he l/eJ ieved I could and Mesmerism Explaifud. 37 help her, and in response to her faith, I told her to visit me at my rooms, which she did ; and, after raaidng a few passes over her arm, she raised it to her head, moved it around as though nothing had ever beea the matter with it, ana when I was in Pittsburgh last Sprini^ she told me she had never suffered from Rheumatism in th«it arm since. The lady's name is Mrs. Doathin. An- other lady in Wilmington, Del., in the winter of 1S76, by the name of Longbottom, who lived on East Seventh St., had been troubled with Sciatica, and had suldiered foi years. For full six months, before I went there, she had not the use of one of her legs. \ visited her on Thursday evening, stroked her limb with my hand a few times, and the following Saturday she was wdl ; and walked, and did her own marketing, several squares away. At another time I was in Chicago, and <» my way home to Philadelphia, I was to stop over at Pitts- burgh to lecture. When I got to the hotel in Pittsburgh I found a telegram waiting for me, which staled th^.: my wife was very sick, and that it was necessary kx me to hasten home at once. I at once cancelled my engage- ment, and took the evening train for Philadelphia. When I got home I found her so weak, (the resok of Hemorrhages), that she was unable to rise in the bed. No sooner had I got into the room, than she said : w I 38 Prof. Seymour's Psychology '• Now I shall get well." I laid my hands upon her and sue at once declared she felt strong ; in a few minutes she was fast asleep, and, only three and a half hours after I entered the house, got up, went to the dinijig room, eat her breakfast with the rest of the family, and did not go back to bed again until the evening ; when she seemed quite well. I might go on to tell you of many other instances that have come under my notice, of a similar character ; but as we shall have occasion to speak of this more fully under the head of " Faith Cure," we will let what has been said already, suffice for the pre- sent. Question. — Is there any difference between what you describe as the power 0/ fascination , and what is generally termed Impression ? Answer. — There is some difterence ! What we have spoken of as the pt^ver of Fascination, is the result of Concentration, hence a person who becomes fascinated always becomes in a negative state, and is the subject of control ; and in this state may be the recipient of an impression ; but the impression is always the result of a pocitive condition. This is true of all impressions in nature, whether they come from within ourselves, and are conveyed to other objects or persons ; or whether they come from without, and fascinate themselves upon and Mesmerism Explained. 39 our own being. Hence if we would ward off the influ- ence of diseases betore they have made a deep impres- sion upon our natures, we must meet the positive with the positive; that is to say, we must make up our minds positively, and firmly, that we will repel its influence; and in proportion as mind is superior to matter, so will the positive conditions of the one overcome and control the other. So long as we remain positive, there is but little danger of our contracting disease of any kind ; but when we become fearful of our surroundings, we are then in a negative state, and are susceptible to impression. Question. — Have you any facts in your experience in proof of this position ? Answer. — Yes ! I know of no part of our subject which is more susceptible to demonstration, than the doctrine of impression ; and before giving you any spec- ial demonstracions in my experience, let me call your attention to this phenomenon in a general way : Some loathsome, and dreaded disease, breaks out in a com- munity, it enters a dwelling where there are four or five persons in a family ; the majority of its members are afraid of the diseast . and in proportion are in a negative state, hence w)k "» the virus of the disease begins to be emitted, those wlio are the most sensitive, (because the most fearful and negative,) are impressed with this virus ;j 40 Pvof. Seymour^ s Psychology and are smitten with the disease. The Nurse, Doctor, and in case of death, the Undertaker, who have to come in closer proximity with the disease, so far as external conditions are concerned; neither of them contract the disease ; and wliy ? Simply because their minds were so positive as to be proof against it. So far as its contagious influence is concerned, (apart from these pos- itive and negative conditions of the mind), there must be more danger of the Doctor, Nurse, and Undertaker, than of the different members of the family, because of their immediate contact with tiie disease. This position is not only true of Small Pox, but of Epidemic Fevers, Colds, and diseases in general. In still further proof of this position, I will cite a case in my own family, where the positive condition of the mind not onl}- demonstrated its power to ward off diseases, but actually repelled and expelled the disease, that had already fascinated itself upon his body. My son, a boy then about nine years of age, who had travelled with me during one or two of my lecturing tours, and had listened to my teachings, until he had gotten a fair idea of the principles involved, was taken with the Measels, and when they were about fully developed, this boy said to his mother: "Ma, I don't like these things about me." His mother said: " Well Charley, you will have to bear with it, until they '?'% and Mesmerism Explained. 41 ttvt are gone» and you get well." Charley said, " I don't think so ! don't you know what papa says ; that it you make up your mind to do a thing, and are positive that you are right, it will be so ! Now, I think if I were to take a wash-tub, and go out under the Hydron out doors and wash these things off, I would be well." His mother tried to persuade him of the danger of taking cold, but he still persisted ; when his mother told him, if he must wash them off, take some warm water and do it indoors, in the bath room, but Charley still stuck to the idea of going outside, until his persistence overcame his mother, and she consented. He went out, and Deing the fall of the year, it was rather cold weather, still he washed the measels off; his motlur rubbed him down quite dry, and in a little while after, he said : " Now i feel better ! " The next day he went to play as though nothing had happened. There seems to be no other solution to this phenomenon, save that the positive condition of the mind, balanced the circulation of the blood and nerve fluid, so as to expel the iuHuence of the disease from within the system; and repelled the influ- .^i>!"e ot the weather, and tlu' chilling impression of the vrater from without. This was done in res[)onse to the jiujicy/e impressions of the miiul of the boy upon his own body; but it is also possible that the positive con- :§"< ir 42 Prof, Seymour*5 Psychology dition of the mind of the Magnetic Healer shall produce similar effects upon the body of the patient. And by the same conditions of mind to control the electric forces of the nervous system, so as to suspend sensation, (or feeling,) that an amputation may be performed upon a patient without the sense of pain or suffering ; or in other cases, where parts of the nervous system have become paralized ; to impart strength and action to the parts, that must otherwise lie comparatively dead and useless. And this ?-io, in cases where the patients themselves have but lui no confidence in the power of magnetism, save a mere .^rillingness to try the .experi- ment, which renders them passive, by being free from prejudice. m Question. — Have you any incidents in your experience, which you can give us in favor of this position of perform- ing amputations, and of curing paralysis ? Answer. — Yes ! Right here in the City of Toronto, on the 14th day of Dec, 1888, Dr. J. Hunter ■ ,mory, 33 Richmond Street East, invited me to his office to try an experiment of this kind upon a gentleman by the name of Charles Armstrong, who lives at 247 Spadina Ave. The operation to be performed was the amputa- tion of a finger. I went to the Doctor's office at the time appointed, and was introduced to the patient, and and Mesmerism Explained, 43 'Hi the object of my presence was made known. Mr. Arm- strong stated that he objected to taking Ether, and was willing that I should try my power of magnetizing the arm ; but at the same time he said, he had but little confidence in my success, as he had been tried by sev- eral professional mesmerists, and had never been con- trolled. I told him, I did not intend to mesmerize him ; but simply intended to control the circulation of the blood and nerve fluid, so as to prevent his suffering. When he had seated himself in the chair, and the Doctor was reaa^,^ commencing with the tips of the fingers of my right hand, at the end of his fingers; and with the assurance of mind that the blood in his hand would receed back into his arm, as I drew my hand back over his arm. I moved slowly back- ward, and when I had drawn my hand clear back over his arm to the shoulder, I told the Doctor I was ready. I then placed my right hand upon the patient's forehead, and the left hand just back of the hand that was being cut. The finger was taken off", aud the pat- ient was conscious of all that was going on during the operation ; and, according to his own testimony, (not only given to those who were present on the occasion, but also before the Canadian Institute, on the 22nd of the same month,) he did not feel the slightest sensation w 44 Prof. Seymour's Psychology of pain during the entire amputation, nor in sewing up the flesh, until the last stitch was being put in ; which took place after I had withdrawn my influence from him. Nor was there a loss of more than from about 6 to 8 drops of blood, during the ten or flfteen mfinijl^' s that must have expired in sewing up the wound. Another Case of Partial Paralysis. — About two months ago Mr. Saul, of No. lo Buchanan Street, called on me one morning, to go and see a lady in this city, who lives at No. 12 Maplewood Ave. When I got there, I found her suffering with Rheumatic pains in the arm, and shoulders. One of her arms was partially par- alized, so much so that she had not been able to raise it above her vaist for about 16 or 18 months. I took hold of her hand with my left hand, and commenced rubbing her arm down straight trom her shoulder, upon the naked skin. In about ten minutes after I entered the house she was able to raise her hand to the top of her head, and put it back to the back of her neck, and has had tlie use of her arju ever since., I could give you many more instances of a similar character, but as these are within reacli of your inunediate confirmation by appealing to these persons (wiiose names and ad- dress I have given), I think them sufficient to illustrate the truth of our position ; that the electric forces of the ajtd Mesmerism Explained. 45 body of the patient will yield to the positive control of the mind of the Magnetizer, who produces an impres- sion, through the electric forces of iiis own body. t Question. — W/iy du yon use the tips of yoitr fingcrc, ? Answkk. — Because the extrc.miti(^s of our bodies are the direct outlets of Magnetism —the fingers, toes and hair — and in these parts there is more magnetism con- tained than in any other part of the body. Hence I contend that ladies would be much more healty, if they wore short hair ; from the fact that the hair contains more magnetism, than any other part of the body. By combing the h^ir, tiiey throw off that magnetism ; and when this exhaustion takes place, the magnetism which was before in the system goes up to take its place and the body suffers the loss. Hence it is that some ladies become more tired after combing their hair, than doing a hard day's work at something else. Question.— r/.s animal ina' 48 Prof. Seymour's Psychology the blood, and the secretion of the nervous fluid, I will first make a few observations in relation to the nerves and blood vessels soiliat I may be distinctly understood. I have alreatly slated, that the brain is the fountain of the nervous system, and that both its hemispheres are made up of a congtries of nerves. That both pass to the Celebelum; and the spinal marrow continued to the t>ottom of the trunk, is but the brain continued. In the spinal marrow, which is the grand conductor from the brain, is lodged the whole strength of the system. From the spinal marrow branches out thirty, two pair of nerves, embracing the nerves of motion and those of sensation. From these branches out others, and others again from these ; and so on till they are spread out over the human system in network, so fine that we cannot put down the point-of a needle without feeling it; and we cannot feel unless we touch a nerve. We see therefore, how inconceivably fine the nervous system is. In all these millions of nerves there is no blood. They contain the electric fluid only, while the blood is confined to the veins and arteries." He then remarks: "That the air we breathe, as to its component parts, is computed to consist of twenty-one parts oxygen, and seventN-nine parts nitrogen. Electricity, as a universal agent, prevades the entire atmospere. We cannot turn and Mesmerism Explained. 49 the electric machine in any dry spot on earth, without collecting it. Oxygen is that element that sustains flame and animal life. Neither can exist a moment without it ; while nitrogen, on the contrary, just as suddenly extinguishes both. The atmosphere in this compound state, is taken into the lungs. The oxygen and electricity, having a strong afinity for moisture, in- stantly rush to the blood, while the nitrogen is disen- gaged and expired. The blood being oxygenized and electrified, instantly assumes a bright cherry-red appear- ance, and by this energizing process has become purified, and prepared for circulation. The lungs, and the blood they contain, are both rendered electrically positive; and we know that in electrical science, two positives resist each other and fly apart. Hence, the lungs resist the blood, and force it into the left ventricle of the heart. The valve closes, and the blood passes into the arteries. Hence arterial blood is of a bright cherry-red hue. It is by the positive force of electric action, pro- pelled through every possible ramification of the arter- ial system, till all] its thousands of minute capillary vessels are I charged. Along these arteries, and all their thousands of capillary branches, are laid nerves of involuntary motion, but no nerves whatever attend the veins, "Why is this so? Why is il,that the nerves. iir ■'•JBi'i' 1,1 50 Prof. SeymoUr^s Psycholo^ like so many telegraphic wires, are laid along the whole arterial system, in all its minute ramifications, but that none are laid along the venous system ? I press this question ! Why do nerves attend the arteries while none attend the veins ? I answer ; that nerves are laid along the arteries to receive the electric charge from the posi- tive blood that rolls in them, which charge the blood received from the air, inspired by the lungs. But as the venous blood is negative, it has no electricity to throw off; and hence needs no attendant nerves to receive a charge, because thai very electric charge, which the blood receives from each inspiration at the lungs, is thrown off into the nerves by friction, as it rolls through its destined channels in crimson streams. At the ex- tremites of the arterial system^ — at the very- terminus of its thousands of capillaries, the last item of the electric charge takes its departure from the positive blood, es- capes into the attendant nerves, through them is in- stantly conducted to the brain, and is there basined up for the use of the mind. The arterial blood, having thrown off its electricity, as above described, assumes a dark, a purplish hue. It enters the capillaries of the veins, which are as numer- ous as those of the arteries. The blood is now negative, and as the lungs, by new inspirations, are kept in ^ posi- and Mesmerism Explained. ^i five o.. .e, so the venous blood returns thiCNigfa the right ventricle of the heart, to the lungs, on the same principle that the negative and positive forces rush to- gether. There it is again electrified and oxyigexuzed, changed to a bright cherry red color, is again rendered positive, and is thus purified and prepared once more for arterial circulation, We now clearly perceive that it is electrically the blood circulates, and electrically it recedes frcm, and returns to, the lungs through the two ventricles of the heart. ^ From the arguments already offered, it will bedeaxly perceived by every philosophic mind, that the circulat- ing system is, in reality two distinct s^'stems. The first is the arterial system that carries the /»o«77r7 iW*/, which is, as before stated, of a bright cherry -red ct^or, and is ever flowing from the heart to the extreiiiitie& The second is the venous system, that carries the wr^a- tive blood, which is of a purple color, and is ever jBowing from the extremities to the heart. To these two circu- lating systems, the heart with its two auricles, two ven- tricles, and valves, is exactly adapted, so as to keep the positive and negative blood apart, and to re<;ulate the motion of both. The nerves of involuntar}- motion are laid along the arteries to receive the charge of electricity, from the positive blood that flows in them. These Wv' ^rm 52 Prof. Seymour's Psychology } views of the circulation of the blood are strengthened by the fact, that the blood contains a certain portion of iron ; and we well know that iron becomes a magnet only by induction, and looses its magnetic power the moment the electric current passes from it. Hence the blood, through the agency of the iron it contains, can easily assume a positive state, at the instant it receives the electric charge from the air at the lungs. It can then pass into the arteries, and by friction throw off its elec- tricity into the nerves, and again assume a negative state, as it enters the veins. I now consider the electric or magnetic circulation of the blood, philosophically and irresistibly proved. The heart does not circulate the blood, nor on the contrary, does the blood cause the heart to throb. The heart and lungs both receive their motion from the cerebellum, which is the fountain and origin of organic life and in- voluntary motion. Hence the involuntary nerves from the cerebellum throb the heart and heave the lungs; and the electricity contained in the air they inspire, circulates the blood, and supplies the brain with nervous fluid. Perhaps, however, the enquiry may arise ; What proof is there that the involuntary nerve, from the cere- bellum, throb the heart and heave the lungs, and that the blood is not made to circulate from the same cause ? MAMata^MriMMk and Mesmerism Explained. 53 This double interrogation is easily answered. Insert, for instance, a surgical knife between tL* ointsof thever- tebraj, and cut off the spinal marrow below the lungs and heart — all the parts below this incision will be so com- pletely paralized, and voluntary motion and sensation so entirely destroyed, that we have no power to move the limbs by any volition we may exert ; nor have we any power to feel, even though the paralized limbs should be broken to pieces by a hammer, or burned with fire. Yet in these immovable and unfeeling parts the blood continues to circulate as usual, through the veins and arteries. This is proof positive, that the blood is not made to flow by any power whatever invested in the cere- bellum, but by the positive and ucgative forces of that electricity contained in the air inspired by the lungs, But let the spinal marrow be severed above the lungs and heart, and both will be instatitly paralysed and cease their motions ; yet the last inspiration taken in by the lungs, will cause the blood to circulate till it floods the right ventricle of tlie heart with venous blood, and empties the left ventricle of its arterial blood. This is proof, (the most irresistible), that the heart and lungs are moved by an involuntary nervous force,, original ting in the cerebellum, while the blood is circulated by thc/>o.>;- itive and negative forces of that elcctrir' v which is taken in with the air at the lungs. li K^ !l :'li; 54 Prof. Seymour's Psychology 11 w 'i ■• iiiiii ill'' ■ The lungs merely act a9 a double force-pump to bring in the surrounding atmosphere, extract from it a pro- per supply of the vital principle, to feed the bright and burning flame of life, and to reject and expire the dregs unfit for that end. And now having given you what I consider to be the most rational theory of the circulation of the blood, we may be all the better prepared to understand the true philosopny of disease, and the rationale of its cure, by electricity or magnetism. If, as we have before said, all diser ses are caused by the electricity of the system being thrown out of balance, and such we believe is the case, then, in order to understand the methods of cure, or of prevention, we should understand the conditions by which, or through which, the electricity of the sys- tem may be disturbed ; and we believe this may be done either by mental or physical impressions. By mental impressions which act directly upon the nervous fluid of the voluntary nerves ; or by physical impressions, which act more directly upon the nerves of involuntary motion. The whole nervous system being- filled with electric fluid ; the mind controls all that is contained in the nerves of sensation and of volition, which have their seat, or centre, in the cerebrum ; hence any disease which may be contracted in the voluntary nerves of the and Mesmerism Explained. 55 body, maj' be overcome by the positive condition of the mind of the person afflicted, as well as by the influence of the Magnetic Healei'. For this electric fluid being, (as shown in the circulation of the blood,) tiie power that moves the blood, as well as the servant, or agent, of the mind; health being the result of a balance of circula- tion. When the nervous fluid or electric forces of the body are equally balanced, tiie cirulation of the blood will also be equally balanced, and Judith nuist be the consequence, but when the nervous fluid is thrown out of balance, the blood will, in like manner, be thrown out of balance, and discdsc will be the const(iuence. And the disease will be nnldor intensified, in proportion to the disturbance of the electric forces ; whether this be done by the impression of the mind or by the external forces of nature. In illustrating this part of our subject still farther, and to show, if possible, the truth of thi' position more clearly, let me, tor a few moments, call }our attention to a few of what we call those special diseases, which afflict humanity. In the first place we will consider' the affliction of INSANITY. caused by a mental impression. A man with a large ' *velopment of Acquisitiveness and Cautiousness, (as p*" s <\ 56 Prof. Seymour^ Psychology ' IC ' shown in Symbolic Head, page 5 ), works hard and accu- mulates a fortune ; with one half of which he provides for himself and family a home. He puts the balance intoa bank for safe keeping, but the bank breaks, and he loses his money. His mind becomes troubled and excited ; and, like as in the case of Henry Clay, in proportion as the mind becomes excited, the electricity leaves the ex- tremities and rushes to the brain, the blood follows after it ; a fever is engendered in the brain ; and if the man broods over his misfortune he soon becomes a mone- maniac. Now suppose in additton to the loss of his money, a f.re breaks out and destroys his property, his mind becomes involved in still greater distress ; the increased excitement of his mind calls forth a greater amount of electricity, and ftow of blood to the brain, until ho becomes entirely dethroned of reason, and is at once a raving maniac. Now, then, if by Magnetic Attraction, or by the positive condition of the mind, we are enabled to control the electric forces of ourselves, or of one another; is it not reasonable to suppose, that by the same law of Magnetic Attraction and Repulsion, the electric forces of an insane person could be controlled. And if so, when the electric forces were again equal- ized, or when the undue excitement of the brain was removed ; which must take place as soon as the electricity and Mesmerism Explained. 57 was removed; there would be again a sanguine condition of both body and brain, and the man is at once cured of his insanity. ^ But, suppose again, that the brain had been unifoVmly balanced, when the tidings of such misfortunes had reached him ; instead of brooding ovsr his loss, he would have brought his reason to bear against his Acquisitive- ness, and would have repelled the electric forces of the organs of Acquisitiveness, and by the exercise of Hope and Reason, would have prevented the malady altogether. And, now suppose, instead of their being an abnormal development of any of the faculties of the brain, there is a weakness of the stomach, or a predisposition to Dyspepsia ; then, by the same law, any sudden excite- ment of the mind, or long continued mental exertion,, which calls forth an extra amount of electricity to the brain ; and consequently of blood, to supply that electric- ity, would proportionately rob the stomach of its share, and the result would be Dyspepsia ; and ihus of the Liver, Lungs, Kidneys, etc., through all the debilitating train of disease that afflicts humanity. Hence the cause of diseases of every kind, being the want of proper circulation ; if as we have demonstrated, we are able to control these forces; we can, by the 58 Prof. Seymour's Psychology i! !( same law, cure every form of disease that comes under its influence. Whether it be a mental impression, which calls the electricity from the weakest parts of the body to the brain ; or whether it be a physical impression from external Nature ; such as a cold, which drives the electricity in upon the external organs, and fastens it- self upon the weaker organs, in the form of a Fever or Inflammation. I will now proceed to give you some of the different methods of operating. Suppose you have a case of BRAIN FEVER, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. You should place your left hand on the back of the neck, just between the two shoulders of the patient; and with the tips of the fingers of your right hand, commence from the organ of Individuality, (just at the top of the nose,) and draw your hand back over the top of the head, towards your left hand. When you have done this a few times, draw it from the same starting point, back over the sides of the head, towards the back of the neck, and down towards the left hand. When you have done this for a few minutes, remove your left hand to the bottom of the spine, and with your right hand commence at the back of the neck, and rub down to the left hand again for a few minntes; then place your left hand c own to the feet, and with your right hand again and Mesmerism Explained. 59 at the end of the spine, rub down to the feet, until you have completed the circuit, from the positive pole in the brain to the negative in the feet. In such cases it would be well to wet the hair before commencing operation. The foregoing treatment will apply to Headache as well. CATARRH. In a case of Catarrh ; take a bowl of warm water, and dip the fingers of both hands in the water, and with the left hand placed upon the back of the neck, commence with the fingers of your right hand placed on each side of the nose ; rub up over the forehead, and back to the left hand, at the back of the neck for several minutes ; after which place your left hand down \o the bottom of the spine, as in the case of Brain Fever, and with your right hand at the back of the neck, rub down the spine. Repeat this treatment every morning, and in a few weeks you will find the most stubborn cases of Catarrh will yield. In ordinary cases relief will be found after the first two or three treatments. The same treatment may be used for Colds, and Influenza. HEMORRHAGES. To stop a Hemorrhage" (suppose it be a bleeding of the nose), take the finger and thumb ot your right hand, one on each side of the nose, and rub up to the forehead, 6o Prof. Seymour's Psychology lit i. I 3 ■*' at the same time keep your left hand at the back of the neck. In all cases of Hemorrhage, the right hand should be applied as near the bleeding point as possible, and the left hand to. the spot where you wish to attract the blood. After you have thus treated the case for a few minutes, then pass your hands over the body of the patient in general, in order to produce a general circu- lation. TUMORS, SWELLINGS, ETC. In cases of Tumors, Swellings, and Enlargements of the Glands, place your left hand at the most suitable point, 'i small distance from the Tumor ; and with your right hand commence to rub around the tumor at the edge of the swelling ; or, if there be Inflammation around it, at the extreme edge of the inflamed part ; then grad- ually move m toward the center, and over the swelling ; at first touch it lightly, then gradually press a little harder, and when you find you are able to press fairly heavy upon the swollen part, without the patient suf- fering any severe pain ; then rub from the centre out to- wards the left hand, and enlarge your circuit, until you have reached from the centre of the tumor, to the near> est extremity of the body. Thus, if it should be a tumor in the neck, rub out towards the shoulders and down the arms to the end of the Angers. and Mesmerism Explained. 6i PARALYSIS AND RHEUMATISM. In case of Paralysis of the lower limbs ; commence with your right hand on the head, and pass down over the spine with your left hand at the bottom. When you have made a few passes thus ; then place your left hand at the feet and rub down the limbs, and out of the toes, and likewise the arms. In cases where the mus- cles are rigid, wet your hands in warm water. Rheu- matism may be treated in the same manner as Paralysis. TOOTHACHli, NEURALGIA, ETC. There are two ways of curing the Tooth Ache ; one is by calling off the mind, and concentrating the attention upon something else, (upon the principle that there is no pain where there is no consciousness), and the other by attracting, or repelling the electricity which has become unduly concentrated upon the nerve of the tooth, to some other part of the body, and producing a ballance of circulation. In magnetizing the nerve, place yoiu: left hand at the back of the head, upon the organ of Concentrativeness, and with your right hand upon the tooth, commence to draw up toward the left hand — always using the tips of the fingers. The same method will apply to Neuralgia of the face and head. SLEEPLESSNESS. Where you find a patient troubled with Sleeplessness, 11' (^1 ■I't H s • V t, '- 1 1. ^ .1: h. V J i 62 Prof. Seymour's Psychology it is a gcxx] thing to place their feet in warm water for a few minutes, before retiring, and treat magnetically as you would for Brain Fever ; that is, moisten the hair, and beginning with the front part of the head, moving back over the top aifd sides with your right hand, and down the spine, and out at the extremities. In addition to this, try and impress upon the mind of the patient, the idea that they will find great relief from the treatment, and that they will sleep soundly. From what has b«en said upon the treatment of di- seases, you will percieve that in all forms of disease, you use your right hand to Scatter, and the left hand to Attract the circulation. Hence where there is debility, or an inactive condition of muscular or nervous power ; you should appl> the negativjs to such parts, with the posi- tive to some other part, where the circulation or action has been increased. Question*. — Are there any cases in which you would use Medicine ? Answer. — Yes ! Sometimes I regard Medicine as being ven,- beneficial ; for as all diseases are produced by mental and physical impression, so through physical or mental impression th^ must be healed ; and medi- cine produces a physical impression upon the system ; t . and Mesmerism Explained. 63 and although it never heals the disease (as we have said before), from the relation which it sustains to our physical nature, through the positive and negative forces, if properly administered, it will have a tendency to co-operate with the Magnetism of the operator, (especially in cases of debility ; ) and thus the sooner be- stir action in those latent powers of vitality, until there is a balance of circulation ; and health is again restored. And now, turning from the subject of Magnetic Heal- ing to the practical benefits that may be derived from a knowledge of the principles of ANIMAL MAGNETISM IN BUSINESS. I would State that all commercial transaction is carried on upon the basis of Animal Magnetism. To illustrate : Two men starting out on the road to sell goods. One is a man of experience, and the other is on the road for the first time. Both enter a town to- gether, and having but a limited time between trains starting for another town, there is seemingly no time to waste in showing their goods, least they miss the next connection, and have to stand the expense of remaining over night in a small town, without doing sufficient busi- ness to warrant it. They both enter a store together, and find the proprietor busy with a customer. The man of experience lays down his samples, takes a seat, 64 Prof, Seymour's Psychology if 1 '■i «■. ^t* or leisurely leans himself against a counter, as though he cared but little whether he made his sales to-day or to-morrow ; the inexperienced man, feeling that time is money, and with an over-zealous anxiety to do busi- ness, and thereby make for himself a favorable record with the firm who had employed him ; without thinking that two positives will repel each other, and that when a person is tryinf? to sell a customer a bill of goods, the mind is active, and consecjuently a positive. The young man goes up '.o the proprietor, presents his card, and solicits his attention. The proprietor looks at the card a moment, and then says he will look at his samples as soon as through with his customer. In a few minutes the young man presents himself to the proprietor again. This time the proprietor is somewhat stem, and says, rather haughtily, " I have no time to attend to you until I am through with this customer !" Time seems lo fly rapidly, and the chances are that if he waits until the proprietor is through with his customer, the train will have passed, and he will be under the expense of remaining over night ; and not do business enough to meet it. Again he g ^s up to the proprietor and says : "Mr. S — , it will take but a few minutes to show you my samples, and I would like to make the four o'clock train." Mr. S— says in an angry tone, " then i ' 4' A and Mefffnerism Explained. go and make the train, and don't come here bochering me any more ; and if your firm can'i send out a man that has got more sense than you have, I don't want to deal with such a firm." The young man '^etls teaten, and almost resolves to quit the business; fieanng that he will meet with the same treatment elsewhere. But the man ot experience, havmg waited until the proprietor has consummated his sale v^-itfa the cus- tomer; he goes up to him — the anxiety of the pro- prietor to sell having been satisfied ; he is now in a passive state, ready to investigate the samples that may be presented to his sight ; and also ready to listen to an j arguments that may be to his advantage to buy. And in this passive condition, the positive mind of the sales- man p'-oduces an impression upon him, and ht '-:ecwtesa sale ^ hus we see that two positives repel, as well in Business as in Mesmerism, and that the same principle holds good — that if you would control the mind of the second person, you must first gain their confidence. And in proportion to the confidence you have gained, will be your success in business. And the best method of gaining the confidence of an individual, is never to approach them in a manner \vhich would lead tiiem to infer, that either your time, or services, are of vntxe im- portance than theirs ; but, under all circumstances, yon !F 66 Prof. Seymour'' s Psychology 1 are willing to give them the preference, and to act ac- cording as they desire. When you have manifested sucli a spirit, you at once appeal to the better part of their nature, and become at once in sympathy with each other. And now, before we close the subject of Animal Mag- netism, let me say, that not only in business do we see this phenomenon demonstrated, but also in REVIVALS OF RKLIGION. In bringing up this (}uestion, I do not wish to mani- fest a spirit of antagonism against Revivals, or any other effort that may be put forth, for the moral im- • provement of Mankind ; but rather to show that the same power, which is demonstrated for the amusement of the masses, upon the stage, in the name of " Mes- merism ;" when otherwise directed, may be made a power to save from sin and vice in every direction. For I hold the law of Mind is the same, and conditions be- ing favorable, the eftects will be similar, under what- ever name it may be called. In the gentle fannings of the breeze, and the refreshing showers, that impart life and beauty, to the o|)€ning butls and flowers of spring, lies hidden the howling winds and pelting storms of winter ; and all that is necessary to prgdi.ce the differ- and Mesmerism Explained. 67 ;■•:! ent results, is a change in tlie condition ol" the atmos- phere. The conditions necessary to get up a Revival of Religion in the church, is, that the members of the church become united in the belief that a Revival will take place. Hence what is done first is to call the church together for special prayer ; that by so doing each member may be }>rougiU to feel, and believe that God will send them a Revival. And when this is done, they have formed a Positive Battery. Next, sinners are invited to the Altar, and when one volunteers to go forward, the concentration of the entire Battery, with its confident, is brought to bear upon that individual, until he or she becomes magnetized with its influence, and becomes a susceptible subject to the Positive con- ditions of their faitli. And the stronger the faith of the church, and the more Positive the operators, who lead in the Revivals, the more general will be their success. But, (as is the case in Mesmeric Exhibitions,) if the operators lack confidence, and tl)e sympathy of the congregation is not with the leatiers, their success will be small. Again, not only in the conditions of getting up a Revival, do we see the manifestations of Animal Magnetism in religious excitetnents. but also in the fact that these Revivals are always bro\^ght about by an appeal to the External Senses. Hence the tone <:»f Jhe li ■' ^te ^'^ .5 « I' t 68 Pro/. Seymour's Psychology voice, the nature of the expression, and the language used, are all important factors in securing a Revival of Religion. Ah ! but you say Revivals of Religion are the direct operations of the Spirit of God. Admitting this to be true ; nevertheless we find, as an agent for the manifestation of that Divine Spirit, a good Revival- ist consists more in the excitability of his nature, and the Magnetic influence he carries with him, than in his ability to preach, or his capacity for reasoning upon the merits of rhe Gospel. And now, as a review of the subject of Animal Mag- netism, you are at liberty to put forth any questions pertaining to what has been said upon it. Question. — Supposing a person should become deeply entranced when Mesmerized, is there any danger of not being able to bring them out ? and what method would you use ? Answer. — There is not much danger of awaking a person who is entranced, providing you do not lose your own presence of mind. In order to be safe oa this point, it is always best to learn the name of the subjects before putting them into the hypnotic state. Then if you find they do not respond to the usual sig- nal of " all right !" or " wake up !" etc., call aloud their own name, which is the most familiar wor they S"! tt and Mesmerism Explained. 69 acquainted with — hence the most Hkely to arouse their consciousness. If you find this to fail ; then commence with the feet and make your passes upward until you reach the head. Do this several times ; then from the back of the head work forward towards the front, around the sides, and over the top several times. Then placing your left hand on the forehead, and the right hand on the back of your head, remain (juietly for a few minutes, with your mind positive that the subject is going to awake, and in a tew minutes they will show signs of returning consciousness, by opening the eyes . or moving the head. Then again call loudly their name, following with the usual word of •' all right," or whatever word you may be accstomed to use ; and you will have no difficulty in brmging them out of a trance or the hypnotic state. The same method may be ap- plied to Fainting, Catalepsy, or Nightmare. Question. — Why should we make our passes upwards in these cases ? Answer. — Because the electricity and blood having receded from the brain to the lower part of the body, by the upward passes, you draw it up, and produce the normal action of circulation. Questions. — Then, is there not equal virtue in making n 1- 70 Prof. Seymour's Psychology ■■•'. I if 1 passes down over the subjects when trying to Mesmerize them ; which you said in the beginning was only done to cancentrate the mind of the subject ? Answer. — There is a difference between making passes in front of the subject, in order to appeel to his consciousness through the eye ; and coming in close com- munion with him, and drawing the magnetism down from the brain. The first comes under the head of mental impression, and the latter under the head of affinity or mental attraction. QuKSTioN. — In treating diseases, does the Magnetic Healer ever take on the conditions 0/ the snhjeet : and if so, what is the best method of throwing it off ? Answer.— Oftimes the Magnetic Healer does take on the conditions of the patient, and unless something be done to throw it off, would be likely to suffer for a long time. There are two or three ways of getting rid of such complaints. The first is to wash your hands in old water. In cases of treating a F'ever, it would be well to let your hands remain in cold water for a few minutes, so as toabsorb the magnetism. For inasmuch as it is a universal law of nature, that where there are two bodies brough in close communion witii each other; and one being cold, and the other hot, the one being and Mesmerism Explained, 71 cold will absorb the heat of the other, until both be- come equally charged ; so, by placing the hands in cold water, the water will absorb the Caloric of the body that may have been absorbed, by the treatment of the pat- ient ; and then by taking your hands out of the water you leave the Feverish Magnetisni behind, and thus get rid of the condition. Another method of getting rid of the condition of the subject is : after treating a debilitated patient, when you have imparted so much of your mag- netism as to feel weak ; go out in the open air, and standing up at full length, with your shoulders back, take in a few deep breaths, and fill your Ings with the Oxy- gen of the atmosphere ; thus you will increase yoiir elec- tric forces, and re-supply your exhausted energies. Question. — Hon' would you attempt to ovenonn: the prejudices of an audience, who did not believe that the phe- nomenon produced upon the sta^e was trenuine ? Answer. — If you find you have a susceptable subject, then give some scientific demonstration, such as stop- ping the pulse, by drawing your right hand back over the arm of your subject, as you would do in the case of performing an Amputation {See page 42), or by produc- ing Catalepsy; which gives evidence that there is some- thing in tlie phenomenon that the auilience cannot ac- count for, on any other theory than that of Magnetism, i! 72 Prof, Seymour^s Psychology Hi' Question. — In Magnetizing a patient, why does the pain, which yon have somcimes removed, retvrn in a short time ? Answer. — Often times this occurs because the treat- ment has been confined to too short a circuit. Thus, if the pain should be in the shoulder of the patient, it is not enough that we rub from the shoulder to the elbow; although this might remove it for the time ; but not hav- ing drawn it out of the system, nor produced a balance of circulation from the afflicted part in the arm to the different parts of the body, it is likely to return, but if you work it out at the extremities, there is no danger of its returning until there is a return of the conditions brought to bear upon the physical constitution of the patient, which first caused the affliction. Question. — Cin you Mesmerize the Lower Animals } Answer. — Yes ! Every animal is susceptible to the positive conditions of the mind of man. As a proof of this position, we see people who are naturally afraid of dogs ; almost every dog they come across seems to realize their fear ; and as a consequence the dog barks and jumps at them. Yet another person who seems to have no fear of dogs whatever, may pass by in perfect quietness. Or to make this still more plain ; ih and Mesmerism Explained. 73 we will suppose a man owns a savage dog, which will scarcely allow a stranger to come into the yard ; you are afraid of that dog ; but being in need of a good watch-dog, you buy this dog from its master, and al- though you were very much afraid of the dog when it belonged to another person, (and, because of your fear, you stood in a negative relation to the dog,) yet when you became the owner of the dog, you at once began to educate yourself up to a positive condition of mind, that you were going to make the dog obey you as his master. In proportion a.« you became confident, the dog became negative, until by the determination of your will, you have made the dog afraid of you, and consequently do your bidding. Thus you have Psy- chologized the dog. This is the power by which the keeper tames the Lion or Tiger. The power is not so much in the Eye (as people suppose), as it is in the Mind of the Tamer. I am aware that tiie Keeper will not venture to go in or out of the cage of wild animals, with his back towards the beasts ; because he has edu- cated himself to the belief that the Lion is afraid of the glance ot his eye. But when we take into consider- ation the fact, that the same keeper, who dare not turn his back upon the Animals, when entering or retiuning from ths cage, will stand up and hold out a stick for Ml; li! 1. 1 III •i ' 'i ,; it 74 Prof. Seymour's Psychology the animals to jump over, and command them to pass behind his back, and come around in front to jump again ; and this sometimes when the animals are very angry and unwilling to do so ; we must conclude that it is not so much in the glance of the Eye, as the posi- tive condition of the Mind, which controls the Lion or the Tiger. And if the confidence of the Keeper should • become destroyed, his power over the animals would also be destroyed, and the beasts would turn upon him and rend him. Th.us we may learn that by rendering ourselves positive, we become masters of the animal kingdom, from the supremacy of otir intellect. And that our power to subdue one another, and the animals below us, tloes not so much; consist in the size of our physical statures, as in the condition of our minds. And now. seeing that the hour for closing our Itsson on Animal Magnetism has arrived ; let me impress upon you the importance of studying well the principles in- volved in what has been said ; and, although you may be considered foolish, in attempting to practice what you have learned to-night ; yet I hold that the time is coming when the truth of Mrs. Abdy's lines upon the subject will be realized ; and the pointed finger of scorn will only serve to reflect the ignorance of the scoffer. 1 will now give you the lines of the Poetess, V'^ Hi' and Mesmerism Explained. 75 THE PSYCHOLOGIST. He stands before a gathered throiiK. strange knowledge to unfold, ChanninK the dezzled fancy, like the fairy-tales of old; Yet most he brook the idle jest, the cold and doubting sneer, He batb no beaten path to tread, tio practised course to steer. Tbe wonderoas science, that hr ^:.Ives, to bring to life and light. Is softly. £aintly breaking from the misty shades of night ; And scoAng prdjudice upbraids the pure and genial ray, Beconse ii doth not burst at once, to bright and beaming day. He tells ibehcniing benefits, that through this power arise. How sweet and soothing sleep, may seal the vvtary mourners eyes, Hoir fa^ng madness may be rlu;ckcd ; how sutterers may obtain The boon of deep oblivion from the keenest throbs of pain. Anon be dwells on loftier themes, and shows how mind may claim An empire, independent of the still and slumberifig frame Can yoa doabt the proofs, ye careless throng, submitted to your view : Can ye hold ihem in derision, because; yet untried and new ? KivMrihat improvements ever w(!ud a tardy course on earth ; And tboa Wisdom's mighty goddess gained perfection at her birth. Her children reach by slow degrees the vigor of their prime. For tbe wisdom of this lowtrr world rcquircis the growth of time. Nooe wish ye on the statements of a single voice to rest , The oiarrels ye have witnessed, y(.' are urged to prove and test ; Survey tbem in their varied forms-inquire-observe-inspect Watch-meditate-compare-ilelay-do all things but neglect '. If ye bear in mind the lesson that to-day ye have been taught. Ye need not lack material for intense and stirring thought ; And my simple lay can little aid an orator's discourse, So sifted with the energy of intellectual force. But I ask if yoar cherished ones sharp anguish should endure. Which tbe stated arts of meilicine had in v.iin essayed to cure ; Woold it not grieve ye to reflect ye might those pangs allay, Boi that, jestingly and mockingly, ye cast the means away ? Mistake me not i prize not aught, howt'ver great or wise. If held iKM in subjection to the God v.'ho rules the skies; To me aO knowledge would be poor, all splendor would be dim. All booos Bosafe, all joys untrue, unless derived from Him. And if eagerly the wontlrous power I witness and approve, It isbecanse I know no lionndsto Heaven's amazing love, And I cannot, by tbe pedant rules of critic caution, scan The depth fyf those cxhaustless gifts, His mercy pours on man. If CLAIRVOYANCE, •frU Ladies and Gentlemen : — On last evening we con- siderd as far as time would allow us, the principlrs of what we term Animal Magnetism, which we reco^^iiized as the phenomenon produced through the use of our external senses, and the Magnetic impressions and inftu- ence of the sameness which exist in tht; human liody. To-night, we have met to consider that part of Psychol- ogy known as Clairvoyance. A phenomenon which is not dependent upon the use of the external senses, but rather may be considerered as Mental Telegraphy. The mind and brain of an individual, (imder what we term the law of Psychology), bears the same relation to another, that (under what we call the law of Chemistry) one Galvanic Battery deos to another. And I ccntend still farther, that the Atmosphere bears the same relation to mind and brain, that the metallic wire does to the batteries. Hence between the metallic wire and the Galvanic Battery there must be an affinity ; a corres pondence in their nature. So I contend there is a sim- ilar correspondence in the nature of the Atmosphere w 78 Prof. Seymour's Psychology II and the intellectual nature of mankind. As a proof of this position, consider how the mind of .nan is aflfected by the changes in the conditions of the Atmosphere. A dark and cloudy Atmosphere produces what is termed, **a depressi«^n of spirits," while a bright and clear At- mosphere produces the sensation of cheerfulness. Now Clairvoyance being a kind of telegraphy ; the conditions necessary to produce this phenomenon must be similar to those required to send a communication from one battery to another. In sending a message from Toronto to Montreal, (or any otlier given point), the operator at this end of the line may tap ujxjn the handles of the battery artistically, and send the electricty coursing through the wires, until it reaches the l^aitery at the other end of the wire, where it was directed ; but if the batter^' at the other end was in operation, sendmg a message to some other point, then that battery like the one here in Toronto would be a positive, (because being active), and upon the law that two positives repel each other, the call fjom Toronto would make no impression upon it. But if, on the other hand, the battery at the other end is a negative, (or inactive), then there is an impression made upon it, by the call from this end, and the communication is opened up. Now this is practi- cally the case in Clairvoyancce. Whenever the mind ■ -A and Mesmerism Explained. 79 of man is engaged in thought, and the brain is active upon any subject, it is in a positive conditioa; and from that universal law of nature that two positives repei each other, it is incapable of rcK:eiving any impression from another mind, l^ut if the mind of t»oe man be in- active, then it is a negative, and may be impressed by the mind of another individual. To illustrate this more fully, and to make it clear from the phecoroenon of almost every day experience ; let me suppose a case. William Smith, Thomas Jones, and John Williams, liemg boys together, and going to the same sclutoi, becoaie what is called " chums," and before they rtach the y«ars of man- hood Smith's family moves West, and nothing; is heard from the boy Smith foi years, during which tune Jones and Williams have grown up together. maT-ied and sett- led near each other, and still retain a companionship. As time elapsed Smith, with the rest, having developed into manhood, and being free from the restriction of of his parents ; feels a desire to visit the |rface of his childhood, and mingle once more with the com- panions of his youth. One day he detemiines to put his desire into execution, and starts on his journey. On reaching the place, his first enquiry- is for Jones and Williams ; and on learning of tueir circumstances, and their place of residence, he (Smith) starts to make t k I! jl I ^! 80 Pro/. Seymour*s Psychology a call upon them. He determines to call first upon Jones, and it so happens that Williams is spending the evening at Jones' house. As Smith draws near the residence, his mind directed to the spot, naturally re- volves these (juestions: Mow tloes Jones look? What changes has twenty years made in his personal appear- ance ? How will he receive me ? and various other (luestions. Jones and Williams, just having finished a conversation, u[)()n some interesting subject, there is at this time a passive moment, before another topic is de- termined upon by either, as a subjec^t for future converse. And during this passive nii nient. the positive condition of the mind of I^!uitli leachts the mind of Jones, and he makes the remark : " Hy the way, 1 womict what has become of Smith ! I v,ondrr if he his j^'ot nuirried ! I should like to see him !" and various other thoughts are expressed by Jones concerning Smith. Suddenly the door-bell rings, and Smith inttoducts hiuiself. "Why!" sa}S Jones, *' y<>i» vere the very last inuu wt were speaking about! Only i few unfiutes ago I expressed to our frieid \\ illiams, that I should like tfi set' you !" etc. Such or similar experience falls 10 the lot of almost every indivit'uial. Now i ask, how aire we to account for this phenomenon, excep; upon the principle of (Mairvoy- unce ? That thoughts are existing entities, ai.d th«tt r ii and Mesmerism Explained. 8i Mind is not dependent upon the external senses wholly, for the reception of thought, l)iit rather for its manifes- tation. The phenome:v>n of Clairvoyance may be con- firmed by a variety of experiences. How frtHjuently do we hear people talking of w|iat they call premonitions, OS' presentments ? And how often are these present- ments confirmed by testimony ? All of which proves the truth of Clairvoyance— that imp!; ssions arc made upon the Mind, independent of the external senses. Hence imder this head we shall consider what is known as Mind Reading, Clairvoyant Fortune Telling, Diag- nosing Diseases, and sonw of the phenomena of Faith Cure and Christian Science. MINI) KHADINC. In opening under the head of Miixl Keading, 1 might remark that tliere is a great deal that passes ff)r Mind Reading, which is not Mind Reading at all. Such as persons hiding something, and another i being bliit^j- folded,) taking their h md and leading them to the spot where the thing is hidden an winter of 1X76. His method of Mind Reading was as follows: hx\y person in an and Mesmerism Explained. 83 ■ii audience might tell the person sitting next to them something, and then keep their minds upon that spoken of, (without ever speaking aloud, so that no one but the two persons in communication could hear), and then Prof, lirown would tell them what it was whicii the first person had said to the second, and the second person should bt- tht; witness, as to the truth of the phenomenon. Antl when the conditions, of keeping the word spoken m the mind, were complied with, 1 never knew the Professor to fail in giving the correct answer >o the mental question put forth. Auother gentleman, whom I consider a good Mind Header, is Mr. E. W. Eft-verson, of New Hampshire (a Spiritualist). I re- member, at one time, being at a Spiritualist Camp Meetin>?. *rt a place called Nesluaneny I'^alls, about 20 miles fri^ii Philadelphia. This man would stand on the placform. , .»ok around upon the audience, and would give exprcssi'^n to some of the most hidden secrets in the exjKirienct's of many of those, whom he had never ilen before ; and those who had never heard of him. I remember one instance, of his descrd)ing the home of a lady, wko was an entire stranger to him, and even went so lar as to describe what she had placed away in her hurea>