The “invention” of Mesmerism can be dated to 1774/75. The Vienna-based German physician Franz Anton Mesmer believed that he had, in the course of his treatments, discovered a fluidum that governed the organism. He called it “animal magnetism” (animalischer Magnetismus, later also thierischer Magnetismus) and it also came to be known as Mesmerism. He was referring to a “vital magnetism,” as opposed to “mineral” magnetism. Mesmer triggered convulsions in his…