Mesmer: events

1770 – 1779

Mesmer develops mechanical “magnetic fluid” pushing technique

1766

Mesmer writes his dissertation, “On the Influence of the Planets on the Human Body.”

1774

Mesmer witnesses major placebo drama while treating a woman with magnets borrowed from Hell.

1774

Mesmer produces first “artifical tide” in Francisca Österlin. Credits the cure to fluid transfer from himself, not the magnets.

1774

Mesmer claims to feel an attraction and repulsion phenomenon around the body similar to that felt when handling magnets.

1780

Mesmer develops purely mechanical “bacquet” therapy

1784

Committee says fluid is fake and, while cure is real, it is self-powered.

1785

Academy of Sciences concludes that animal magnetism devoid of any medical or scientific value.

1839

Electricity finally explained with Faraday’s discovery of electric charge, unifying static-, current-, and bio-electricity

1842

Academy of Sciences gives up on Mesmerism