American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis

ISSN: 0002-9157 (Print) 2160-0562 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ujhy20

The Phreno-Magnetic Society of Cincinnati — 1842

William C. Wester II Ed.D.

To cite this article: William C. Wester II Ed.D. (1976) The Phreno-Magnetic Society
of Cincinnati — 1842, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 18:4, 277-281, DOI:
10.1080/00029157.1976.10403811

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.1976.10403811

Published online: 20 Sep 2011.

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THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS
Volume 18, Number 4, April 1976
Printed in U.S.A.

The Phreno-Magnetic Society of Cincinnati - 1842 1

WILLIAM C. WESTER, II, Ed.D.

Behavioral Science Center
Cincinnati, Ohio

Between 1845 and 1861 a well organized and active Mesmer society flourished
in New Orleans. The president of the society, Monsieur Joseph Barthet, was
aware that magnetic societies had been established in Cincinnati and in
Philadelphia and made mention of the existence of the society in Cincinnati in
one of his letters to the Baron du Potet, editor of the Journal du Magnetisme in
Paris. The origins of the Phreno-Magnetic Society of Cincinnati, composition of
the membership, its activities, and its first publication are presented. The docu-
ments discovered carry the date 1842. Further documentation verifying that the
Phreno-Magnetic Society of Cincinnati continued beyond 1842 is not available
at this time.

Monsieur Joseph Barthet, president of Ohio with the following note: "This
the Societe du Magnetisme de la brochure seems like a bit of humor. The list
Nouvelle-Orleans, in one of his letters to of 'grave and neverends' named as mem-
the Baron du Potet, editor of the Journal du bers would not justify this altogether."
Magnetisme in Paris, made mention of the The Preamble of the Constitution reads
existence of an organization in Cincinnati, as follows:
Ohio, which dealt with mesmerism:
Believing that the condition commonly known as the
mesmeric, magnetic, or sleep-waking state, is one
II s'est forme a'Philadelphie une societe magnetique essentially different from 'common' sleep, and one in
sous Ie titre de 'Philadelphia pathematic association.' which the faculties are under a control, and indicate
II y en a une a Cincinnati, mais je ne saurais encore susceptibilities distinct from those manifested in
vous rien dire de leurs travaux 2 [Thomlinson, 1974] man, in 'any known natural condition;' and with the
view of the investigation of all the phenomena, men-
On June 4, 1932, Davis L. James tal and physical, causing, constituting, and proceed-
presented two documents, the Constitution ing from that condition, we, the subscribers, do
and By-Laws of the Phreno-Magnetic So- hereby form ourselves into an association to be gov-
erned by the following Constitution and By-Laws.
ciety of Cincinnati, 1842 and The Journal
of the Phreno-Magnetic Society of Cincin- The Phreno- Magnetic Society of Cincinnati
nati, Volume 1, No.1, August, 1842, to was organized on the evening of June 14,
the Historical and Philosophical Society of 1842.
The object of the Phreno- Magnetic So-
1 The author would like to thank Wallace K. Tom- ciety of Cincinnati, which was divided into
linson, M.D. for providing helpful suggestions and Committees of Inquiry composed of seven
the French translation for this paper. members, was to actively seek out subjects
2 "There has been formed in Philadelphia a
magnetic society under the title of 'Philadelphia
and embrace every opportunity for making
Pathematic Association.' There is another one in practical phreno-magnetic experiments.
Cincinnati but I do not know enough yet to be able to The Society which held its meetings on the
tell you correctly of their work. " first Monday of every month limited its
277
278 WESTER

membership to 50. Extra meetings were show if the separate portions of the brain,
usually held every week. Any member who as phrenologically marked, were im-
missed three successive evenings without pressible by the "magnetizer's" will or
an apology satisfactory to the majority of touch; and (b) to show generally and locally
the members present had his name stricken upon the "magnetizee" the power of the
from the list of members. "magnetizer" as compared with bodies of
All "subjects" presented to the Society metal, the magnet, and the galvonic bat-
for examination and experiment had to be tery.
recommended by the "Committee of In- Whenever a disease was submitted to the
quiry. " All examinations and experiments "magnetic" influence, as a treatment, a
were conducted in such a way so that there complete history of the cause and nature of
was full and accurate knowledge of all the disease was to be regularly recorded.
phenomena - physical and mental- man- Members of the Phreno- Magnetic So-
ifested in each "subject." The required in- ciety were to maintain the strictest secrecy
formation included (a) the degree of clear- in regard to any communications that might
ness of the atmosphere, its weight and lead to a discovery of the names or condi-
temperature; (b) the age, weight, height, tions of the parties, unless they declared
muscular vigor, color of hair and eyes, themselves as having no objection to pub-
complexion and temperament, state of licity. Visitors, which were not to exceed
pulse, skin, eyes, tongue, and general five in number, were not admitted to any
health, was to be observed prior to putting meetings of the Society unless furnished
the "subject" into the "magnetic" sleep; with a ticket from the President.
and (c) the mode by which the "magnetic The President of the Phreno-Magnetic
sleep" was to be indicated fully and in de- Society was Thomas J. Matthews. Among
tail. those listed as honorary members were Dr.
In addition to these pre-' 'magnetic John Elliotson of London and Dr. B. A.
sleep" conditions the following post- Parnell of New York. There were forty-four
"magnetic sleep" procedures were fol- members of the Society listed in the Con-
lowed: stitution and By-Laws and seven honorary
1. After the sleep was induced, the con- members.
ditions of the subject had to be accurately The Society printed its first and, perhaps,
(and in detail) compared with the appear- only Journal in August, 1842. The Journal
ance observed before sleep. was to be published whenever there was
2. The experiments were instituted to as- enough matter of interest to fill a pamphlet
certain (with precision) the condition of the of 16 or more pages. The members of the
muscular system, and the exact state of the Society were well aware of the feeling
sense of hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, which existed with regard to Animal Mag-
and touching and were to be repeated at the netism and even stated in their Journal that
close of the general examination. members should expect sneers and ridicule
3. The experiments were made in order from many individuals. The Society indi-
to test the existence and degree of any pow- cated that they would study whatever facts
ers the "subject" may have in "clair- appeared to be connected with Animal
voyance" - to establish whether there was Magnetism, nearly or remotely, and pub-
any degree of sympathy between the lish such facts in the Journal of the Society.
"magnetizer" and "magnetizee" is under It should be noted that some subjects were
the control of the "magnetizer's" will. either members of the Society or relatives
4. The experiments were made (a) to of Society members.
HYPNOSIS IN CINCINNATI - 1842 279

For example, on Wednesday evening, ciety, was presented for experiment - 19

June 29, 1842, Edward Petticolas was in- .years of age, with a nervous sanguine
troduced by his father, Thomas, a member temperament, the sanguine predominating
of the Society. Edward was described in the - light complexion, blue eyes and about
Journal as a 14 year old having a delicate six feet in height. He was examined by Drs.
condition, a nervous, bilious temperament, Latta and King, who reported his pulse to
and blue eyes. The President requested Mr. be 70. The President requested Mr. Cornell
J. P. Cornell to place young Petticolas in a (also a member of the Society) to place Mr.
magnetic sleep. The process took 12 Vallentine in a magnetic sleep, which he
minutes. There was a great deal of em- effected in five minutes - both the gentle-
phasis placed on "conditions" for inducing men having pledged their honor that there
magnetic sleep. When young Petticolas was was no collusion between them, and what-
placed in magnetic sleep the conditions were ever might be the result of their experi-
described as light atmosphere, damp and ments, they would be made in good faith. It
cloudy evening. may be well to remark here, that this rule
Other reports of the Society contained was adopted, not because any suspicions
even greater detail regarding the "condi- were entertained of the honesty of purpose
tions." For example, on July 9, 1842, the of each and every member of the Society;
"conditions" were described as follows: so far from it, each is regarded by the other
Barometer 28-54; Thermometer 70; Eve- as being not only incapable of deception,
ning clear and dry. The operator at 12 but as distiguished for his uncompromising
minutes of 9, at a distance of 15 or 16 feet, veracity; but with a view to satisfy the
proceeded to mesmerize the subject by the sceptic, as well as the public at large,
influence of his eye and will and succeeded should the record of our proceedings be
in three and one half minutes. spread before them.
There were six reports given in the Jour- "The pulse of the subject was now de-
nal together with a section entitled' 'Corre- clared to be 80, and after a close examina-
spondence," a copy of the "Conclusions of tion having been made, he was pronounced
the Commission of the French Academy to be in what is termed a magnetic or un-
(1831)" who investigated the subject of natural sleep, manifesting extreme rigidity
Animal Magnetism, and an article from the of both arms and hands - a rigidity in him
New York Tribune entitled "Another Step unusual, as represented by Mr. Cornell,
in Phreno- Magnetism. " who had magnetized him several times be-
In order to provide a better understanding fore. The condition of the eye was closely
of the Society, one of the six reports ap- examined, but not with that carefulness
pears below in its entirety. necessary to be observed when persons are
in that peculiar state; the pupil was consid-
EXTRACT FROM THE RECORDS OF THE
erably dilated, and it was supposed that the
PHRENO-MAGNETIC SOCIETY OF
optic nerve was sensibly affected by the
CINCINNATI
light from the candle, which was inconsid-
Society Rooms erably brought in too close contact to aid in
Tuesday Evening, July 5, 1842 the examination, as the whole system be-
"The afternoon of this day was cloudy, came strongly convulsed; the pupil ap-
with a heavy rain between five and eight peared fixed, as in death, and after the eye-
o'clock- the evening cloudy, with a damp lid had been raised by the aid of the fingers,
and heavy atmosphere. it remained so until it was restored to its
"Ralph Vallentine, a member of the So- position by the same means.
280 WESTER

"The operator was requested to will him he extended his hands in evident kindness.
to raise his hands to his head; the request ,Adhesi veness' was now touched - he
being signified by a gentleman making it, grasped a gentleman by the hand, clasped
by the appropriate movement, he standing him in his arms, placed him upon his lap,
some distance behind the subject. He did and held him there until 'Benevolence'
so, and the experiment was successful; being excited, when he released him. The
again he was willed to place or fold his fingers were now placed upon the organ of
hands on his bosom, in this he failed; and 'Approbativeness,' when he extended both
again to stretch out his right arm with the arms with open hands, making conciliatory
hand clenched, in this he also failed, having movements or gestures, whilst his counte-
extended the arm, but letting it fall by his nance was beaming with smiles and anima-
side almost on the instant. tion.
"The organ of 'Mirthfulness' was then "'Weight' was strongly minifested by
excited, the request being made in writing, raising himself up to his extremest heighth
and exhibited to the operator. The manifes- with the greatest apparent labor and
tation was a convulsed laugh, indicating a difficulty. This was an extraordinary and
peculiar state of mind, or an unusual condi- powerful manifestation - interesting as
tion of the subject. It was a painful manifes- well as both powerful and extraordinary.
tation to witness. Whilst standing thus erect, the organ of
"Upon 'Self-Esteem' being aroused, the 'Self Esteem' was excited, when he folded
corresponding manifestations were but par- his arms, looked around somewhat con-
tially elicited, the subject being more or temptuously, and upon being requested to
less convulsed. take his seat, he persisted in maintaining his
"'Combativeness,' however, was more position, and commanded silence; 'Com-
strongly and more fully developed by the parison' was but partially or slightly man-
clenched hands, striking with the fists and ifested by movements of the hand with one
the intensely excited expression of the or two fingers extended.
countenance. 'Music and Time' being "Mr. Vallentine was now awakened by
awakened in connexion, he commenced the reverse passes, having been asleep 40
beating time with his hands and feet - minutes. He complained offeeling very un-
singing - now whistling - 'Yankee Doo- comfortable, more so than ever before on
die.' 'Reverence' being touched, he united similar occasions; his head and eyes were
in the air, but not in singing the words of a much affected - his head with fullness, his
hymn sung by a member, and upon the eyes dull and exceedingly heavy; in fact,
member taking up 'Yankee Doodle,' he his whole system, he said, was most sensi-
seemed shocked, expressed great displeas- bly affected, paralyzed as it were. Whether
ure, and commanded him to hush, whilst this was the consequence of the continued
he continued the hymn. convulsed state of the subject throughout
"'Destructiveness' was now very the sleep, is a matter claiming the consid-
strongly manifested by stamping with his eration of the Medical gentlemen who were
feet, clenching and striking with his fists, in more immediate contact with him
violently shrieking, and the threatening and throughout the evening; and what oc-
ferocious expression of the countenance. casioned the unusual convulsive action (as
'Benevolence' being excited, he reposed in it is said to be unusual in this subject)
perfect calmness, and the expression of presents another important inquiry for the
fierce ferocity gave place to that of sweet- consideration of those gentlemen. Might or
ness and gentleness, whilst at the same time might it not have arisen from the great sus-
HYPNOSIS IN CINCINNATI - 1842 281

ceptibility of the optic nerve to an impres- Additional research on the Phreno-

sion made upon it by an increased degree of Magnetic Society of Cincinnati will con-
light coming in contact with a dilated pupil? tinue in an effort to further identify each
The case would seem to present a field for officer and member of the Society and to
extended and important investigation, and see if the Society continued beyond 1842.
it is hoped that it will receive further con- No other supporting documents can be
sideration of the Society. found at this time.
, 'An experiment or two were now made
with the 'Bar Magnet.' Mr. Cornell SUMMARY
presented the north pole of the magnet to
Mr. Vallentine's fingers, - they were ap- Monsieur Joseph Barthet, president of
parently attracted towards it - he then the Societe du Magnetisme de la
presented the south pole, with the expecta- Nouvelle-Orleans, in one of his letters to
tion that it would repel the hand, but no the Baron du Potet, editor of the Journal du
effect was observed. Mr. Vallentine re- Magnetisme , stated, "There is another one
marked, 'your hand attracts mine, and over- (magnetic society) in Cincinnati, but 1 do
comes the influence of the magnet.' Mr. not know enough yet to be able to tell you
Cornell then handed th,e magnet to another correctly of their work." Monsieur Barthet
individual, who presented the south pole of was correct and the magnetic society in
the magnet to the hand of the subject, when Cincinnati was called the Phreno-Magnetic
the hand immediately moved from the Society of Cincinnati. The Constitution and
magnet, - seemingly repelled. His arm By-Laws and the journal of the society
was then magnetized with the magnet, and carry the date of 1842 and it is obvious
efforts made to disperse the influence by from the journal that the society was com-
manipulations in the usual way, but without posed of doctors, judges, clergymen and
effect; the arm was then relieved by the others interested in the purpose of the So-
reversed passes made with the magnet. ciety.
"I certify the foregoing report to be true
in each and every particular, being made
from notes taken at the time, and by order REFERENCES
of the President. BARTHET, J. Communications. Journal du Mag-
Wm. R. Foster, Corresponding Sec. netisme 1848,6,311. Constitution and By-Laws
"The foregoing report was read before of the Phreno-Magnetic Society, 1842, 1-9. Jour-
the Society on the evening of the 9th of nal of the Phreno-Magnetic Society, 1842, 1,
1-20.
July, 1842, and was on motion, unani- TOMLINSON, W. K. Mesmerism in New Orleans,
mously adopted and ordered to be recorded. 1845-1861. American Journal of Psychiatry,
"Attest: Thos. J. Matthews, President" 1974, 131, 1402-1404.