A Treatise on the Phenomena of Animal Magnetism: in Which the Same Are Systematically Explained According to the Laws of Nature

A Treatise On The Phenomena Of Animal Magnetism: In Which The Same Are Systematically Explained According To The Laws Of Nature by M. Loewe offers a comprehensive examination of the phenomena of Animal Magnetism from a mid-19th century perspective. The work delves into the origins of the subject, highlighting Mesmer’s influence and providing a philosophical-physiological framework. Loewe posits that all matter is driven by an original power with two polar aspects—attraction and repulsion—that together constitute life. He aims to deduce general natural laws through analytic and synthetic reasoning. The treatise categorizes the natural world into vegetative, animal, and intellectual life, detailing the nervous system, organs of sense, and the transformation of external impressions into internal perceptions. It investigates states of consciousness such as waking, sleeping, dreams, and somnambulism, and describes the gradual development of higher faculties under Animal Magnetism. Throughout, Loewe examines the potential medical applications of magnetism, sharing case observations while advocating for careful professional study. This foundational exploration of magnetism and mind remains a significant, albeit controversial, contribution to the field.