Punch,  22 (1852), 199.

Obtaining Money on Electro-Biological Principles

Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Electricity, Commerce, Psychology, Charlatanry, Crime, Belief


    Explains the practice of electro-biology and electro-biologists' ability to make people 'the victims of the most extraordinary delusions'. Responding to an advertisement in The Times for a 'CLASS for INSTRUCTION in this SCIENCE', concludes that electro-biology is less a science than an art for extracting money from people whose 'pecuniary substance' dominates their 'cerebral development'. Deplores the fact that entire assemblies of people can fall under the sway of the electro-biologist and regards this demonstration of the 'gullible portion of the human species' to be 'psychologically interesting'.



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