COMMENT:In the late 18th century, science had enormous popularity. The discoveries of oxygen and carbon dioxide, manned balloon flights, and experiments with electricity had caught the public's imagination to such an extent that they were common topics for popular music and poetry. Unfortunately, just like today, many people were unable to distinguish between real science and impostors dressed up in scientific-sounding packages. This book traces the history of mesmerism in late 18th century France, placing it into the social context of the times, and trying to understand the reasons for its popularity and for its eventual demise. The author also points out that many of the leaders of the French Revolution (Marat and Lafayette, in particular) were ardent mesmerists. He proceeds to make a case that attempts by the government and the Parisian medical authorities to suppress mesmerism helped to fuel the popular resentment toward authority that eventually led to the Revolution.
