Franz Mesmer

Franz Mesmer was a 18th-century German physician who pioneered the idea of "animal magnetism," suggesting that a universal fluid influences health. He believed that imbalances or blockages of this magnetic fluid caused illness, and by using techniques like mesmeric passes or passes of the hands, he aimed to restore balance and promote healing. Although his ideas were controversial and not scientifically validated, Mesmer's work laid the groundwork for later developments in hypnosis and psychosomatic medicine. Today, his name is associated with the practice of hypnosis, emphasizing the mind's power over the body in health and healing.