born May 23, 1734, Iznang, Swabia died March 5, 1815, Meersburg German physician. After studying medicine at the University of Vienna, he developed his theory of "animal magnetism," which held that an invisible fluid in the body acted according to the laws of magnetism and that disease was caused by obstacles to the free circulation of this fluid. In Mesmer's view, harmony could be restored by inducing "crises" (trance states often ending in delirium or convulsions). In the 1770s he carried out dramatic demonstrations of his ability to "mesmerize" his patients using magnetized objects. Accused by Viennese physicians of fraud, he left Austria and settled in Paris (1778), where he also came under fire from the medical establishment. Though his theories were eventually discredited, his ability to induce trance states in his patients made him the forerunner of the modern use of hypnosis
Healing force by which a well-intentioned man exerts his strong will over a patient with or without touching him, or even at some distance, in such a way that the vital force of the healthy mesmerizer gifted with this power dynamically flows into the patient
The belief in Franz Anton Mesmer's theory in the power of "animal magnetism" and the use of magnets to guide healing forces; may involve a trance state during which paranormal abilities are facilitated
The art of inducing an extraordinary or abnormal state of the nervous system, in which the actor claims to control the actions, and communicate directly with the mind, of the recipient
An 18th century movement begun in France by the Austrian doctor Franz Anton Mesmer, who believed that astrological influence on humans was conveyed through a force or substance similar to magnetism He first began treating patients with magnets or charged fluids but quickly modified his position, theorizing that cures were actually coming from an energy or mysterious "magnetic fluid" coming from the hands, voice, or nervous system of the practitioner This invisible substance or magnetism was thought to be similar to electro-magnetism and was dubbed "Animal Magnetism " Mesmer's pupils were later able to induce a "magnetic sleep" (trance state or hypnotic condition) in their patients The term Mesmerism eventually became analogous with hypnosis