The Philosophy Which Shows the Physiology of Mesmerism and Explains the Phenomenon of ClairvoyancePasley, T. H.
Philosophy
The Philosophy Which Shows the Physiology of Mesmerism and Explains the Phenomenon of Clairvoyance
Pasley, T. H.
Mesmerism
Elementary co-relation is conspicuous in the opposite polarities
of the loadstone, magnet, and crystals, and all bodies subject to
polarization, which includes the animal frame. Similar co-relation is
evinced between the galvanic fluids, those of the pile, and those named
electricity; likewise between oxygen and hydrogen, the oxygenating
element and nitrogen, acids and alkalies and all mutually neutralizing
substances. Still it is not meant that all the general elements are so
paired; doubtless, there are several ratios of size between the atoms
of the different elements, for the purpose of multiplying variety among
formations, the substance of which is of the same species throughout.
Possibly the correlative principle gave rise to the ideal scale of
_chymical affinities_, subsequently refined to _affections of matter_.
Naturally, correlative elements will be found together, as are nitrogen
and the imponderable element; also the magnetic fluids common to iron.
MAGNETISM.
Were attraction a property of the atomic substance of the loadstone, it
could be neither transferable, receivable, nor liable to be destroyed
by fire. A magnet is a work of art, the substance is inert, it can
no more attract than think. Magnetism is an accident of matter; it
consists in the correlatives of an iron bar having become separated,
and drawn one to each end of the bar: separation and transition to
the extremities of the bar, are what the rubbing on the poles of the
loadstone effects.
Two paving-stones hanging a short distance asunder and touched by
nothing but the tranquil air, remain at rest; but should attract
each other had "every atom in creation" the property. Were a vacuum,
partial vacuum or air much rarer than atmospheric, now placed between
the suspended stones, each would be in motion towards the other the
same instant. Here both _causes_, the general pressure, and the
minus-pressure, or motion _promoting_ means, are given; the latter are
sensibly present, and the absence of attraction is as evident as the
inutility of anything of the kind to effect the mutual approach of the
two bodies. Not so is the approach of two magnets understood, because
the intermediate minus-pressure means _present_ are not sensible. That
iron magnets do not move together by attraction, or that attraction is
not the cause of the phenomena imputed to it, is proved in the case of
iron-filings dropping from a bar, when the connection of the bar with
the galvanic battery is broken; and it will not be contended that the
galvanic current is attraction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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