Franz anton mesmer animal magnetism rs3

German physician (1734–1815)

"Mesmer" redirects here.

Franz anton mesmer animal magnetism rs3

For other uses, see Mesmer (disambiguation).

Franz Anton Mesmer (MEZ-mər;^[1]German:[ˈmɛsmɐ]; 23 May 1734 – 5 March 1815) was a German physician with an interest in astronomy. He theorized the existence of a process of natural energy transference occurring between all animate and inanimate objects; this he called "animal magnetism", later referred to as mesmerism.

Mesmer's theory attracted a wide following between about 1780 and 1850, and continued to have some influence until the end of the 19th century.^[2] In 1843, the Scottish doctor James Braid proposed the term "hypnotism" for a technique derived from animal magnetism; today the word "mesmerism" generally functions as a synonym of "hypnosis".

Mesmer also supported the arts, specifically music; he was on friendly terms with Haydn and Mozart.

Early life

Mesmer was born in the village of Iznang (now part of the municipalit