Animal magnetism, also known as mesmerism, was a treatment theory and practice promoted by German physician Franz Mesmer in the 18th century. It posited the existence of an invisible natural force, called Lebensmagnetismus, possessed by all living things, including humans, animals and vegetables, which Mesmer claimed could produce physical effects, including healing, and which he applied to patients as a clinical treatment. It is now regarded as a pseudoscientific theory.
Facts
Classification
StatusDiscontinued or Obsolete 1 Origin YearSourced to the subject's own account Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_magnetism, lead sectionQuote, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_magnetism, lead section
Animal magnetism, also known as mesmerism, is a pseudoscientific theory promoted by German physician Franz Mesmer in the 18th century. It posits the existence of an invisible natural force (Lebensmagnetismus) possessed by all living things, including humans, animals, and vegetabl
2. Animal Magnetism (Wikipedia)
Wikipedialead section, paragraph on its influenceQuote, lead section, paragraph on its influence
It had an important influence in medicine for about 75 years from its beginnings in 1779, and continued to have some influence for another 50 years.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
Choose a year to see this entry's facts and connections as the atlas records them at that moment: what it held then, what it held instead, and what it had not yet adopted. Choose Present for the current record.