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Popular Superstitions, and the Truths Contained Therein / With an Account of Mesmerism cover

Popular Superstitions, and the Truths Contained Therein / With an Account of Mesmerism

By Herbert Mayo
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Archaeology & AnthropologyHistory - Modern (1750+)Science - Earth/Agricultural/Farming

About This Book

A sequence of letters analyzes popular beliefs in divining rods, vampirism, apparitions, trance phenomena, religious ecstasies, and animal magnetism, proposing natural explanations rooted in sensory illusion, altered neuro-psychic relations, and suggestion. The author classifies forms of trance (including death-trance, trance-sleep, somnambulism, and trance-waking), reviews historical and experimental accounts (noting mesmerism and related forces), and traces how heightened nervous states produce extraordinary perceptions and reports. Practical considerations include the medical uses and risks of mesmeric practice and cautions about accepting trance communications without critical scrutiny.

About the Author

Mayo, Herbert portrait

Herbert Mayo

Herbert Mayo was a notable figure in the exploration of popular beliefs and their psychological underpinnings. He is best known for his work "Popular Superstitions, and the Truths Contained Therein / With an Account of Mesmerism," where he delves into the origins and implications of various superstitions, while also examining the phenomenon of mesmerism. Mayo's writing reflects a keen interest in the intersection of science and folklore, making significant contributions to the understanding of how superstitions shape human behavior and thought. His work remains relevant for those interested in psychology, sociology, and the history of beliefs.

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