A Genealogy of the Extraterrestrial in American Culture

In the late eighteenth century, Mesmer pursued investigations into the circulation of vital
force through the human form. Citing its similarity to the more commonly known force of
ferromagnetism, Mesmer dubbed this vital force animal magnetism (Mesmer used both forms of
magnetism in his therapy). While using conventional magnets to affect cures earlier in his
career, Mesmer found that curative powers flowed not only from the magnets but also from the
hands and nervous system of the operator - curative powers which Mesmer attributed to animal
magnetism, a force that he argued permeated the universe in a fashion similar to the parallel
“substance,” ether. One can see an alignment with the scientific understandings of the day in
both the combination and comparison of ferromagnetism with animal magnetism and the
connections drawn between the latter and the “ether.” The term “ether” itself represents a
common ground between science and matters cosmic. As Hyslop argues in Science and a Future
Life, “It is scientific and sane to say ether, but not to say spirit.” 30
Hence in partial answer to
Pick’s query as to whether mesmerism should be understood as atavistic, I would argue instead
that it illustrates an ongoing rapprochement between science and more spiritual realms. As we
shall see, this rapprochement would continue into the nineteenth century, with the world of spirit
increasingly aligning itself with the world of science.
The primary element of mesmerism that was to pass on to Spiritualism was the practice
of hypnotism, or the induction of a trance state. Mesmer had made his reputation as healer,
manipulating animal magnetism via the passage of his hands over the patient’s body. His name
was to become equivalent to the practice of hypnotism via the neologism “mesmerism” despite
the fact that the practice of Mesmer himself did not involve the induction of somnambulant
states. To understand the source of this confusion, we must turn to the work of one of Mesmer’s
many students. The first recorded instance of hypnotism is credited to one Marquis de Puységur
(1751-1825), who a few weeks previous to the event had paid Mesmer to share some of the
secrets of his trade. Puységur took it upon himself to apply his new skills in aid of suffering
30 James H. Hyslop, Science and a Future Life (Boston: Herbert B. Turner, 1905) 82.
28