Franz Anton Mesmer

An Austrian physician (1734-1815) who lived in France and developed the pseudoscientific doctrine of animal magnetism, a form of hypnosis. Mesmer’s theories and methods were discredited by the medical practitioners of his time.

Mesmer,

Franz Anton, Austrian physician, 1733-1815.

mesmeric crisis - reaction technique. Synonym(s): grand crisis; magnetic crisis

mesmerism - the use of hypnotism as practiced by Mesmer.