MESITYLOLE (C„II„), is obtained from the distillation of acetone with finning sulphuric acid. Thus, 3 equivalents of acetone = 0 ) yield elf 0 and inceitylele. The atoms of hydrogen may be sub s ' • stituted by chlorine, bromine, and nitrous acid.
ltIESMERISNI, the terui usually applied to the phenomena of animal magnetism, after the name of its first propounder, Anton 5lesmer. (Mtsuri, in Blue. Div.) Perhaps the time is not yet come when the combined physiological, pathological, and psychological phe nomena of mesmerism can be rationally explained. At ally rate it involves a series of facts in relation to the human syetem which historically have a high interest. Not that these are all new since the time of 3lesiner ; but he first gave a systematic character to the phe nomena, and, with the air of a philosopher, 'sought to refer them to scientific principles. The following is his account of the agent which he summed to exist : " Animal magnetism is a fluid universally diffused ; it is the medium of a mutual influence between the heavenly bodies, the earth, and animated bodies ; it is contiunous, so as to leave no void ; its subtilty admits of no comparison ; it is capable of receiving, propagating, cum municating all the impressions of intake); it is susceptible of flux and of reflux. Time animal body experiences the effects of this agent; by iusinuating itself into the substance of the nerves it affects them imme diately. There are observed, particularly in the human body, proper ties analogous to those of the magnet ; and in it arc listened poles equally different and opposite. The action and the virtues of animal magnetism may be comumnicated from one body to other bodies, animate and inanimate. This action takes place at a minute distance, without the aid of any intermediate body; it is increased, reflected by mirrors; communicated, propagated, augmented by sound ; its virtues may be accumulated, concentrated, transported. Although this fluid is universal, all animal bodies are not equally susceptible of it; there are even sonic, though a very email number, which have properties so opposite, that their very presence destroys all the effects of this fluid on other bodies. Animal magnetism is capable of healing diseases of the nerves inunediately, and others mediately. It perfects the action of medicines; it excites and silicas salutary crises in such a manner, that the physician may render himself master of them ; by its means he knows the state of health of each individual, and judges with cer tainty of the origin, the nature, and the progress of the must complicated diseases; he prevents their increase, sod succeeds in healing them, without at any time exposing his patient to (tingerous effects or troublesome coneequenc, whatever he the age, the tempera ment, and the sex. In animal maguetism nature Fascias a universal method of healing and preserving mankind." (.1/enmire MI' in Dt!rott• reeve eta Alagiteh.toic Animal, par M. Mesmer, Peril, 1779, p. 74, et bop Ibid. Arie uu Leetetcr, 11. G.) The mode adopted by Mesmer of bringing the magnetise(' under the influence of the magnetic fluid was peculiar. In the middle of each room in which the persons to be treated were collected was placed a large circular vessel, made of oak about a foot or a foot and si-half in height : the interior of this vessel was filled with pounded glass, iron filings, and bottles containing magmtised water arranged symmetrically : the cover or upper part of the vessel was pierced with 1111111UPJUSIIOILW, in which were placed polished iron rusts of various lengths, bent, and capable of being moved : tide was called the &vie( , ur magnetic tub. The eatients were placed in successive rows Armin(' the baguet, and each had one of the rods of iron, the end of which he applied to the part of his body which was supposed to be the seat of his disease : a curd passed around their bodies united the petieuts to one another, and sometimea they formed a second chain by taking hold of each other's thumb's. A pianoforte was placed in the collier of the room, and
various airs were played upon it, sometimes ticcompanied with the sound of the voice and song. The ninguetiser held in his hand a polished end pointed rush of iron from ten to twelve indicts long. The baguet was a reservoir of magnetic virtues; its interior arrangement was fur the purpose of concentrating the magnetic fluid ; the rods were the condi:eters for transmitting it. The cords around the bodies 'of the patient's amid the other chain of connection by the thumbs were for increasing the effects of the fluid by communication. The magnetiser had previously charged the pianoforte with intenictic fluid; the person playing en it was incessantly giving out more ; the mound conducted it to the patient's. The purpose of the mimic was to put the patients into a Mate of (mid; to give them agreeable menstetions, and thus to dispose them to receive the magnetic action. The 'Impose of the magnetiser's rod was to concentrate to a point the fluid which issued from him, and thus to render it more powerful. The sick persons arranged in great numbers and in several rows around the baguet, thus receive the mag netism by all these means ; by the iron rods which convey to them that of the baguet ; by the cords wound round their bodies; by the connection of the thumbs which communicate to them that of their neighbours; by the sound of the pianoforte or of an agreeable 'voice diffusing the magnetism in the air ; by the finger and rod of the magnetiser moved before their faces, above or behind their heads, and on the diseased parts, always observing the direction of the poles ; by the eye of the magnetiser ; but above all by the application of his hands aud the pressure of his fingers on the hypochondria aud on the regions of the abdomen ; an application often continued for a long time, sometimes for several hours. Meanwhile the patients in their different conditions present a varied picture. Some are calm, tranquil and experi ence no effect : others cough, spit, feel slight pains, local or general heat, and have sweatings; others again are agitated or tormented with convulsions. These convulsions are remarkable in regard to the number affected with them and to their duration and force ; and are characterised by the precipitous involuntary motions of all the limbs and of the whole body, by the constrictiou of the throat, by the leaping motions of the hypochondria and the epigastrum ; by the dimness aud wandering of the eyes ; by piercing shrieks, tears, sobbing, and immoderate laughter. They are preceded or followed by a state of lauguor and reverie, a kind of depression, and even drowsiness. The smallest unforeseen noise occasions shudderings ; even a change of tone and measure in the airs played on the pianoforte influences the patients, a quicker motion agitating them more and renewing the vivacity of their convulsions. Nothing is more astonishing than the spectacle of these convulsions ; one who has not seen them can form no idea of them. The spectator is equally astonished at the profound repose of one part of the patients and the agitation of the rest ; at the various accidents which are repeated and the sympathies which are established. Some patients devote their exclusive attentiou to each other, rushing towards one another, smiling, speaking with affection, and mutually soothing their crises. All are under the power of the mag,uetiser ; it matters not in what state of drowsiness they may be lls voice, a look, a gesture brings them out of it.