Na pograniczu nauki i wyobraźni – XIX-wieczny fenomen hipnozy i magnetyzmu w społeczeństwie polskim

Abstract

Magnetism and hypnosis have been well known since antiquity. These two phenomena became more popular in XVIIIth and XIXth century thanks to Franz Anton Mesmer. He was a German doctor who created a theory of animal magnetism called mesmerism. He tried to prove the existence of invisible universal fluid which surrounded each organism and planets. Mesmer found a system which was used to diagnose and cure patients. In the XIXth century idea of mesmerism attracted Polish people interest. The main promoter of this original system was Ignacy Emanuel Lachnicki who redacted „Pamiętnik Magnetyczny Wileński” in years 1816–1818. Although magnetism seemed to be extremely controversial, it gained supporters and was used in treatment. Many common people organized private meetings during which they practiced magnetism and hypnosis. Both phenomena expressed mentality of Polish people in the XIXth century and mystical character of Romanticism.