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Wollstonecraft, Mary, 1759-1797

"Vindication of the Rights of Woman"

From these delusions to those still more
fashionable deceptions, practised by the whole tribe of
magnetisers, the transition is very natural. With respect to them,
it is equally proper to ask women a few questions.
Do you know any thing of the construction of the human frame? If
not, it is proper that you should be told, what every child ought
to know, that when its admirable economy has been disturbed by
intemperance or indolence, I speak not of violent disorders, but of
chronical diseases, it must be brought into a healthy state again
by slow degrees, and if the functions of life have not been
materially injured, regimen, another word for temperance, air,
exercise, and a few medicines prescribed by persons who have
studied the human body, are the only human means, yet discovered,
of recovering that inestimable blessing health, that will bear
investigation.
Do you then believe, that these magnetisers, who, by hocus pocus
tricks, pretend, to work a miracle, are delegated by God, or
assisted by the solver of all these kind of difficulties--the
devil.
Do they, when they put to flight, as it is said, disorders that
have baffled the powers of medicine, work in conformity to the
light of reason? Or do they effect these wonderful cures by
supernatural aid?
By a communication, an adept may answer, with the world of spirits.
A noble privilege, it must be allowed.


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