Mesmerism Extraordinary.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 488, 12 July 1890, Page 6

Mesmerism Extraordinary.

Mb T. A Kennedy, the American mesmerist, who is now appearing at the Aquarium Theatre, held quite a reception the other day. Some four hundred medical mc-11 had been invited, and nearly all put in an appearance to see the hypnotiser experiment upon the living subject. Having placed six young men under his peculiar influence, Mr Kennedy proceeded to drive long darning needles into various parts of their bodies, to sew them together, and to test their consciousness in every conceivable w’ay. He made them drink a mixture of kerosene oil, cod liver, and boiled oils ; he gave them the most nauseating drugs to eat; he filled two glasses with oil containing doses of one hundred and twenty grains of quinine each, and two men drank off the mixture, thinking it to be milk. The medical gentlemen were permitted to try every possible test, but in the end they unanimously agreed that there was not tho slightest suspicion of fraud, and that they were willing to subscribe their names, if necessary, to the genuineness of the experiments and of the experimenter. Mr Kennedy attempted 'no explanation ; on the contrary, ha declared that he did not know what the marvellous force is—he only knows' that he has this power, and that is all the explanation he gives.