Recherches et doutes sur le magnétisme animal -- EDITION ORIGINALE

P., Prault, 1784; un volume in 8, broché, couverture muette de l'époque, (couverture défraîchie, manque de papier au dos et traces de mouillures sur le premier plat de couverture), 35pp., (1pp.), 251pp.

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---- EDITION ORIGINALE ---- EXEMPLAIRE à toutes marges, non rogné, broché avec sa couverture d'origine (défraîchie), bon état intérieur ---- "One of the first opponent to Mesmer". ---- Crabtree N° 116 : "Thouret was a member of the Royal Society of Medicine in Paris and of the leading spokesman of the opposition of that society to animal magnetism and the teachings of Mesmer. In this work Thouret claims that his main concern is not to examine the details of cures being performed by animal magnetism, but to trace the history of the theory and practice of animal magnetism. He nevertheless clearly sides with those who reject animal magnetism as an illusion. Admitting that many persons of stature accept animal magnetism as an effective cure, Thouret uses his considerable crudition to show that such cures are not new and that Mesmer was simply the most recent of a long tradition of thinkers who posited a hidden power of nature produces healing effects. He cites Paracelsus, Kircher, Maxwell, and Fludd as examples of men who held views similar to those of Mesmer. He also points out that there have been many healers over the ages who have accomplished cures resembling Mesmer's mentioning the exorcist Gassner and the stroking doctor Gretrakes as examples. Thouret's learned critique was extremely influential and served as a starting point for much of the discussion at the time about the originality and effectiveness of animal magnetism"5022/F3