Summary
According to Mesmer, sickness was caused by "obstacles" to the natural flow of a mystical fluid through the human body. If these treatments workedand they definitely seemed to-this was a huge breakthrough for science and medicine! THE COMMISSION Although mesmerism became wildly popular, doctors were skeptical about this magical new medical treatment. Incredibly, he knew intimate details about complete strangers, such as their names, street addresses, and medical conditions.
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Extract
Great American Skeptics
BEN FRANKLIN
When you think of Benjamin Franklin, do you imagine a chubby man in knickers and knee-high white socks flying a kite in the middle of a thunderstorm? Or, do you think of him as a "Founding Father" who helped to create the United States?But did you know that Benjamin Franklin was also one of America's first skeptical investigators? It's true! In 1784, he participated in one of the first known scientific investigations to test a "paranormal claim." Few people know about this interesting (and sometimes funny) part of Franklin's life.WHO WAS BEN FRANKLIN?Benjamin Franklin was an American scientist who became world-famous for his experiments with electricity. He also played an important role in helping the American colonists win their independence from Britain.Born in Boston in 1706, he was the youngest in a family of 17 children of a poor candle and soap maker. When he grew up and became a wealthy printer, he decided to retire early and devote himself full-time to science and other "gentlemanly pursuits" like writing and public service.He also worked as a diplomat (someone who represents the government of one country in another country). When he arrived in France, he got a rock star's welcome from the French people, who knew all about his famous experiments with electricity. He helped to convince France to join sides with the American colonists in their struggle against Britain-a key turning point in the American War of Independence.After the war ended, Franklin continued to live and work in Paris for two more years. It was during this time that he was asked to participate in a scientific investigation of a weird and popular new belief called "mesmerism."THE POWER OF MESMERiSM"Mesmerism" was fad named after the German doctor who introduced it to Francs-Franz Anton Mesmer. He clai...See the full content of this document
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