Ancient Magic, Magnetism and Psychic Forces

About this book

A hypnotist's suggestion changes what someone thinks they feel. A magnet seems to promise healing. Dreams and strange mental impressions suggest forces that cannot be seen. L. H. Anderson gathers such claims in an age fascinated by the powers of the mind.

Anderson examines magnetism, mesmerism, trance and alleged psychic influence, looking for connections with what were then called the forces of nature. His explanations have no standing as established science. The book records a time when new psychological observations, medical theories and occult claims could share much of the same vocabulary.