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Mesmer, Franz Anton 1734-1815
Austrian physician and founder of mesmerism
Born near Constance, he studied medicine at Vienna, and about 1772 claimed that there exists a power, which he called 'magnetism', that could be used to cure diseases. His treatment, activated by a magnetized object, aimed to facilitate the flow of an invisible fluid around the body; known as 'mesmerism', it was the forerunner of hypnotism. In 1778 he was accused of fraud and went to Paris, where he created a sensation. However, in 1785 a learned commission appointed by King Louis XVI reported unfavourably, and he retired into obscurity in Switzerland.
Bibliography: Vincent Buranelli, The Wizard From Vienna (1976)
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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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