that while thinking about the movement of the table, they would necessarily be unaware how firmly they might press upon it, or how much muscular force they might exert. There can be no doubt that when the rotation became rapid, and the party with their table were going round and round the room, every one concerned would push most heartily, and without having the slightest knowledge of it.

The lifting of tables must be explained, in so far as it was real, by an alternate pressure upon their opposite sides, causing first one leg, and then another, to be elevated. But the absolute and entire lifting is totally incredible; and, together with the rapping, and all such nonsense, must be unreservedly ascribed to trickery and imposture.1

The whole subject of Mesmerism, and of all its kindred phenomena, the proportion of truth and error which they contain, their nature, and the method of their production, may be made clear to the apprehension of every one, by careful perusal of the recent works upon the subject. An able article in the 19th vol. of the British and Foreign Medical Review,' another in the 7th vol. of the British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Review,' the chapter on the Functions of the Nervous System, in the 4th edition of Dr. Carpenter's 'Principles of Human Physiology,' the chapters on 'Mental Physiology,' of Sir Henry Holland, the letter of Professor Faraday, in the 'Athenæum' for July 2, 1853, and his recently published lecture on Mental Education,' these works, taken together, may be considered completely exhaustive, in so far as the present state of the inquiry is concerned. The brief observations in the text have been chiefly intended to point out that this branch of natural science, although avowedly obscure, is not in any especial manner mysterious or occult; and that its obscurities are likely to be cleared away, not by the platform exhibitions of ignorant itinerants, but by the careful and steady prosecution of scientific research.

PART II.

CHAPTER I.

THE EFFECT OF ILL HEALTH UPON THE

NERVOUS SYSTEM.

THE connection between disorders of the nervous system, and ill health affecting the body generally, has more than once received incidental notice in the course of the foregoing pages; but, notwithstanding this, it is of a nature so important as to require a further and more detailed description.

During the periods of infancy and early childhood, the nervous centres undergo rapid increase in size and in structural development, far outstripping all other parts of the body in the vigour of their growth. The brain is said to double its weight during the first two years after birth; and almost to attain its maximum by the end of the seventh year. It is evident, therefore, not only that the original character of its structure must greatly depend upon the manner in which the formative processes of the child are carried on; but also that a defective or feeble organization, then established, would be likely to place its stamp upon

the nervous system for a long period, or even throughout life. For the great principle of nutrition is, that each tissue tends constantly to repair its loss from ordinary usage, by the reproduction of its own kind; and that it can only be raised or improved in character by the long-continued operation of favorable influences. Thus, if a finger be cut, the divided parts are joined again by material of imperfect formation (constituting what is called a cicatrix), and this material is subjected to the same wear, and requires the same constant renewal, as the skin surrounding it; but it is long renewed in its own likeness; and, even if ultimately converted into true skin, the change does not occur until after many years have elapsed. In the same way, if the nutritive materials supplied to the blood be insufficient, during childhood, in quantity or quality, or if the digestive powers be inadequate to their proper application, there is reason to believe, not only that the naturally active growth of the nervous centres will be retarded, but that it will be modified in regard of the kind of new structure that is laid down, and, consequently, in regard of the character that is impressed upon its further development. It is true that the nerves and their centres, under the operation of such injurious influences, do not suffer the same amount of evident physical deterioration that is observed in other structures; but seem, as it were, to be first served from such aliment as is supplied to the blood. The whole nervous system has, indeed, been compared to a parasitic animal; and has been said to grow, and to appropriate nourishment, without reference to the remaining wants of the body.

But there can be no doubt that it suffers, in some degree, from all disorder of the general nutrition; although less affected, perhaps, by an insufficiency of food, than by hurtful alterations in its quality. And, as the aliment actually consumed by man feeds only his blood, while the blood, in its turn, feeds all the structures of the body, it is evident that the growth of the nervous centres may be modified, not by meat and drink alone, but by anything that changes the healthy character of the circulating fluid. Deficient respiration, from a carbonized or otherwise impure atmosphere, and deficient glandular action, from torpor or irregular activity of the nerves of organic life, are both of them the continual causes of such modification; and, therefore, it is only in the perfect systemic balance which constitutes health, and under the operation of salutary external agencies, that the nervous centres of a child can be developed in entire harmony with that normal type which is best fitted to bear the innumerable burdens of animal and of intellectual existence.

The statements that have been made with regard to the growth of the nervous system, apply with equal force to that constant renewal which preserves its various parts in their integrity. Like those of all other organs, their individual cells daily perish in the using; and these, for the very maintenance of the fabric, must daily be replaced by the formation of others. Unless this be thoroughly done, a gradually increasing incapacity for exertion will be the result; and it cannot be done, if the health, or the digestive powers, be in any great degree impaired. Hence,

injury to them is so frequently attended by nervous disorder; such as depression of spirits, or confusion of intellect.

In some way, that is not clearly understood, the presence of a due quantity of healthy blood is essential to the proper performance of any of the functions of the nervous system. By loss of blood, these functions are temporarily suspended, as in fainting; and, if the blood be altered in its properties, they will be performed in unnatural force or succession, and will be liable to various kinds of disturbance. The effects of alcohol or chloroform illustrate this position in a familiar manner; and the consequences of a gouty or rheumatic taint may be mentioned as further examples of it.

It may be said, therefore, that a continuance of deranged or feeble health in early childhood is likely seriously to interfere with the formation of the nervous system; and hence, not only with its actions at that time, but also with such of them as are prospective. Later in life, disease or constitutional debility will often modify the various forms of nervous activity, and will hinder the efficient repair of the centres; but it is not then so likely to work changes of a permanent character, and the effects may commonly be removed by the removal of their immediate cause.

The nature of these effects may almost be summed up in the single word irritability; using it, in the sense given by Mr. Abernethy, to express "debility excited." From the existence of this condition, every stimulus applied to the extremities of nerves, and every idea passing through the brain, would be liable