A little Tub Thumping
For those who grimaced at yesterday’s one-on-one description of a Mesmer Animal Magnetism Session, maybe you would have been more interested in a group environment. Yes, indeed, folks - step right up and be amazed. You ailments will be relieved and you will be entertained.
Enter Mesmer, gold slippered, robed in lilac, and maybe even a turban. Then take your place in front of the large vat or rather, if you must be proper, the baquet. This is a tub that was filled with liquid (presumably water) that has been charged with Mesmer’s Animal Magnetism. He had discovered his own Animal Magnetism became super-charged if he stood in a pail of water with an iron rod in it, so he used this concept for the group experience.
As part of the group, you would take your place at the baquet. You would press the afflicted area of your body onto one of the iron rods that protruded from the vessel and be tied to it by the ropes. When settled in, you would all link fingers and create a “circuit.” Mesmer would circulate amongst you, occasionally tapped in the baquet with a magnetized wand. Like in a private session you might find yourself laughing, convulsing, or doing any other type of odd body contortion. Interestingly enough, if you got too out of line of experienced screaming pain, one of Mesmer’s assistants would escort you out of the room to a mattress lined recovery room. Hmmm? Abreaction or no upstaging allowed?
In thinking about this, it was probably a great stress reliever, acting crazy and free. It was a place where such things were warranted, much like a modern hypno show. Apparently, Mesmer had similar reactions with the group as today’s stage hypnotist do - the participants happily play their parts and get into it.
The is only one reported baquet that is available for public viewing currently. It is at the Musée d’Histoire de la médecine et de la Pharmacie, Lyon, France.
Source: Cabinet Magazine
May 9th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
This thing looks painful to say the least. Are you sure Mesmer used it? Could it be just a figment of someone’s imagination? PhotoShop can do wonders.
I’m glad those pioneers did all the “dirty” work for us modern hypnotists. They must have had a field day with trying out different things on “clients”. But wait, did they have “clients”, or were they guinea pigs?
May 12th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Well, Gary, it was indeed part of someone’s imagination - Mesmer’s.
You know, they did a lot of different sorts of uncomfortable things for health through out history. I’m with you, though, the pioneer process has made our lives much easier.