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A )/5-:1+ "0-68? A )/5-:1+ "0-68? imagination rather than magnetism that was ancient peoples, including the Egyptians, effecting any cures. According to the worshipped certain animals as gods, and in commission , any improvement in a patient’s other cultures gods have been described as part The use of magnets to treat disease health was due to Mesmer’s verbal suggestions human and part animal. Ancient Abyssinia (now goes back to ancient times. In the that he or she would become better. Mesmer’s Ethiopia) was supposedly ruled at one time by a 18th century Mesmer’s licence to practice was removed as a result of dog-king, who wore a gown and a gold crown. Priests interpreted the creature’s barks and the the commission’s negative report. controversial salon followed taps of his paws as edicts. physician Paracelsus’s 16th- Magnetic touch century ideas about the magnetic The report also suggested that Mesmer’s Psychic possibilities properties of the body. techniques were of a dubious moral nature. In fairness, animals may be as likely to possess There undoubtedly was something erotic about unexplained powers as humans. Many stories the technique, which often resulted in ladies describe the uncanny ability of various creatures Franz Anton Mesmer believed sickness caused crying out ecstatically during the “magnetic” to predict natural disasters and man-made by a stoppage to the vital yet undefined fluid touching sessions. accidents. Animals also display an amazing that he believed constantly flowing through the Mesmer died in relative obscurity, but rapport with people - and reportedly with body. He suggested that individuals could “mesmerism,” the therapy to which he gave his ghostly phenomena as well. Some creatures, it control the fluid’s actions by massaging the name, continued to develop and change. In the is said, will not enter the same buildings that body’s magnetic “poles,” thus overcoming light of present knowledge, it seems that he did humans believe are haunted. obstacles to the flow. The massage then induced employ certain recognizable techniques, The study of ESP in animals is called convulsions and a “crisis” that restored a Mesmer certainly made good use of what anpsi, short for animal psi. Research into anpsi person’s health. psychiatrists now call “abreaction” or release of began in the early 1920’s when Dr. W. Mesmer and his followers sometimes tension by the reliving of a traumatic Bechterev published a report describing treated individuals by sitting with the patient’s experience. [] experiments on influencing the behavior of a knees between their own. The therapist ran his dog telepathically. Objects were placed around fingers over the patient’s body, seeking the room and experimenters the poles of the small magnets that concentrated on the object they made up the great magnet of the body wanted the subject, a fox terrier palled as a whole. Pikki, to bring back to them. Mesmer’s many patients, who According to Dr. Bechterev, the dog were mainly woman, regarded him usually chose the selected object. with awe, but for Mesmer the In 1950’s, researchers at Duke technique was rooted in science. He University’s parapsychology believed that disease and healing were laboratory began studying part of natural cosmic law, and that unexplained animal behavior that space was filled with a special might reflect anpsi. Dr. Rhine studied “animal magnetism” through which the possible ESP abilities of rats, cats, “the magnetic influence of the and pigeons. He even ran tests for the heavens affects all parts of the body.” army, which wanted to know if Any interruption in the natural ebb German Shepherd Dogs could be and flow of this universal and trained to find land mines using ESP. invisible substance had direct effect The dogs performed well, but Dr. on the nerves, thus causing disease. Rhine suggested the animals may have The healer’s function was to restore been using a sharp sense of smell balance by acting as a human magnet rather than psychic power. Staff and channeling the vital force to the members also collected stories of affected area. unusual experiences from different Mesmer’s group therapy relied parts of the world, involving a range of on a combination of magnetic therapy species. Investigators suggested and atmospheric suggestion. several kinds of behavior that could Background music played as patients involve anpsi: sat around large oak tubs filled with A 91 :8)1315/ An animal separated from water, stones, and iron filings. Metal rods Animal Power a person to whom it is attached follows that protruded from holes in the top of the tubs, and person to an unfamiliar area. sufferers held these rods against ailing parts of * Death reactions: Animals may react to the their bodies. This therapeutic approach was We know that animals have many approaching death of a master, or may have used to treat a variety of problems, from physical abilities that humans premonitions of their own death. paralysis and ear trouble to insomnia, and liver cannot match. But do all their * Reactions to impending danger: Danger to disorders. talents have a rational explanation people or to the animal itself from a natural Mesmer would enter the room grandly, disaster may prompt unusual behavior, perhaps wearing a silk lilac robe and touching patients or might animals be displaying in an attempt to raise the alarm. with a long, iron wand. He passed his hands paranormal powers? A 6415/ Many species show an instinct that over clients and fixed his eyes upon them. He guides them back toward their original home. prompted the group to talk about their feelings Animals have many abilities that humans lack. * Case of possible telepathy: In a range of and actively encouraged highly emotional No person can run as fast as a cheetah or walk situations, animals sometimes show that they responses that often led to hysteria and even upside down on a ceiling like a spider. The eyes are responding to an owner’s unspoken wishes. unconsciousness. of the shark are 10 times more sensitive to light In 1784 King Louis XVI of France set than our own. The built in radar of the bast and Continued on Page 20 up a royal commission to investigate Mesmer. the long life-span of the giant tortoise are The team included a number of well-known additional examples of animal capabilities that "0- B&C (65- ),16 "$A!06= scientists, including Benjamin Franklin, who people cannot equal. with Rob McConnell was the American ambassador to France at the The impressive and, in some cases, www.xzoneradiotv.com time. unexplained powers of animals have been or listen to our podcasts The commission concluded that it was recognized for thousands of years. Many www.xzonepodcast.com