MINERAL MAGNETISM.
NOT " Animal Magnetism," gentle reader, but mineral or telluric magnetism—that principle in nature by means of which the sailor steers his course—is supposed to possess a curative property in dis- orders of the nerves. Hitherto, except in the case of' the mariner's compass, the magnet has been a mere toy. The beautiful experiments lately performed at the Gallery of Practical Science., of the extraor- dinary powers of Electro-magnetism, as developed by Professor FARA- DAY at the Royal Institution, have as yet been of no practical utility, beyond supplying another link in the wondrous chain of causation by which magnetism, galvanism, electricity, light, and heat, are all shown to possess properties in common.
The sanatory efficacy of mineral magnetism is not of recent discovery, though it is scarcely known in Englasul. In Germany, France, and recently in Austria and Prussia, it has been successfully demonstrated. Before the art of making artificial magnets was known, mineral mag- netism in its primitive shape, loadstone, was employed as a remedy. The amulets of the dark ages were of loadstone, to whose influence these cabalistic charms owed their physical efficacy. It was mineral magnetism, too, that gave rise to the much-ridiculed "animal mag- netism," which MESSIER and other German mystics practised on the morbid susceptibility of some persons.
Dr. SCHMIDT, a German physician, who has been employing it in his profession at Vienna and Berlin, has recently arrived in London, for the purpose of making known in this country his observations on the subject. He founds his practice on the writings of his country- man, Dr. BECKER, and of the French physicians, A NDRY and Tow- ner ; but endeavouring to improve upon theirs by the use of much more powerful magnets. His experiments, too, have led him to take a new view of the theory of magnetic polarity, which tends to subvert the laws laid down for the science, and to establish it upon a new basis. Hitherto the opposite poles of the magnet, North and South—called " friendly poles," from their attracting each other—have been sup. posed to maintain the magnetic stream. Dr. SCHMIDT makes the reverse to appear by the very same experiments from which the former opinion was deduced ; and shows that the current of magnetic fluid exists between the two like poles, and not between their opposites. Anxious to extend the knowledge of magnetism, and to establish its laws and ascertain its properties, Dr. SCHMIDT invites scientific men, whether chemists or physicians, to investigate his experiments. So far as palpable results testify, Dr. SCHMIDT certainly gives proof of his superior knowledge of magnetism. He makes the most power-
ful magnets in a few minutes. It has been considered a powerful
magnet that would lift its own weight : some of his will raise and sus. tail) even ten times their own weight; this being a permanent power of
pure magnetic attraction, produced without the aid of the galvanic battery. Ile also elicits the magnetic spark instantly without this means.
Of the curative property of the magnet it is not our province to speak. Suffice it to say, that the theory upon which it is founded is
the supposed close alliance of the magnetic fluid (which pervades the earth and man) to the nervous power or vital principle: and it is by in- vigorating the weak and calming the irritated nerves that it is con- jectured to operate. Its action is produced by directing a magnetic current through the diseased part. The whole catalogue of nervous affections comes under its influence.
If there be virtue in the remedy, it will make its way; if not, its futility will soon be apparent.
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