The 18th Century Health Craze Behind The Word “Mesmerize”
It all started when a doctor with some peculiar methods showed up in Paris.
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In the late 18th century, a doctor showed up in Paris practicing some very peculiar medicine. He would escort patients into dimly lit rooms, wave his arms over their bodies, and touch them with a magnetic wand. Patients would react to these treatments violently: crying, sweating, convulsing or shrieking. But then they would emerge healed. According to the doctor anyway.
Many believed he was a fraud, but despite his dubious methods, this doctor inadvertently gave us a new approach to healing—and a new word: mesmerize. Because the doctor’s name was Franz Anton Mesmer.
Read a transcript of this episode.
Watch a short piece of the story—animated!
Guests:
Emily Ogden is an associate English professor at the University of Virginia.
Footnotes & Further Reading:
For a deep dive on mesmerism, check out Emily Ogden’s book, Credulity: A Cultural History of US Mesmerism.
Credits:
Science Diction is hosted by Johanna Mayer. This episode was produced by Johanna Mayer and Katie Thornton. Elah Feder is our editor and senior producer. We had story editing from Nathan Tobey. Daniel Peterschmidt is our composer, and we had sound design from Chris Wood, who also mixed and mastered the episode. Fact checking by Michelle Harris and Danya AbdelHameid. Nadja Oertelt is our Chief Content Officer.
This season of Science Diction is supported by Audible.
Meet the Writers
About Johanna Mayer
@yohannamayerJohanna Mayer is a podcast producer and hosted Science Diction from Science Friday. When she’s not working, she’s probably baking a fruit pie. Cherry’s her specialty, but she whips up a mean rhubarb streusel as well.
About Elah Feder
@ElahFederElah Feder is the former senior producer for podcasts at Science Friday. She produces the Science Diction podcast, and co-hosted and produced the Undiscovered podcast.
About Katie Thornton
Katie Thornton is an award-winning multimedia journalist, Fulbright Fellow, and National Geographic Explorer. Her writing, audio, and photos have been published by National Geographic, the BBC, National Public Radio, 99% Invisible, Atlas Obscura, and others.