Curiosities of Medical Experience Part 52

[39] Ibid. vi.

[40] Sir G. Blane.

[41] The celebrated Boyle used to apply to his wrists for the same purpose, the moss that grew from a human skull.

[42] The term that designated magnetic manipulation.

[43] Since the first edition of this work was published, animal magnetism has become the subject of much controversy and animadversion in London and various parts of the empire. The utmost virulence has as usual been resorted to, not only to impugn the doctrine, but to stigmatize its supporters; while, on the other hand, the greatest ingenuity has been displayed to convince unbelievers, and to give to the many experiments practised for this purpose the semblance of undeniable facts. Baron Dupotet's labours and publications have been submitted to the test of a public investigation; while Dr. Elliotson and several other pract.i.tioners have aided the practice apparently with success. It would be foreign to the nature of this work to consider this matter more elaborately; it is now before the tribunal of public opinion, whose decision we must await.

[44] Inquiries concerning the Intellectual Powers, &c.

[45] That serious accidents might have resulted from the use of h.e.l.lebore is most likely, since various plants resembling it have been mistaken for it; chiefly the _adonis vernalis_, _trollius Europaeus_, _actaea spicata_, _astrantia major_, _veratrum alb.u.m_, and the _aconitum neomontanum_, the last of which is a most virulent poison.

[46] The advocates of fasting have calculated that in one hundred and fifty-two hermits who had lived eleven thousand five hundred and eighty-nine years, the average age was seventy three years and three months.

[47] On this very curious subject the reader may consult the various statistical works of Quetelet.

[48] It is somewhat strange, but in the mountains of the South of Spain, there does still exist a dance called _los t.i.tanos_, in which the performers raise their hands in threatening att.i.tude against the heavens!

[49] The matter of insensible perspiration is calculated at being daily equal weight to one half of the food.

[50] Madder, when given to animals tinges the surface of their bones with a red hue.

[51] The life of J. E. Jenner, M.D. &c., by John Bacon, M.D. &c.

[52] History of Egyptian Mummies, &c. &c., 1834.

[53] In a work on the "Anatomy of the Pa.s.sions," which I am about publishing, I have entered most minutely into this important sympathy.