These unequivocal cataleptic symptoms were succeeded by a development of the integrity of the mental organs, while separated from surrounding objects by the obliteration (for the time being) of the external senses. During this state, questions were submitted to' her by the manipulist, and were replied to, some correctly, but the greater portion otherwise, although all the answers had reference to the subject of inquiry, showing conclusively, that several of the fundamental elements of the mind were not influenced by the disease.

During one experiment, it was observed, after she had been under this influence for an hour, that the wax-like flexibility of her arms was subsiding. Thom relates an instance of the removal of a paroxysm of catalepsy through the influence of music. An experiment was now resorted to by means of a large accordeon played near the back of her head, but without apparent effect. After she was liberated from this condition, she at first retained no recollection of any circumstance whatever; but on having her mind called to the subject of music, she remembered to have heard it, seemingly at a great distance. How this sound was communicated to. the sensorium is an enigma, unless the peculiar condition in which she was had very much subsided, or that there is an influence in the "oncord of sweet sounds" over this disease.

These experiments were instituted for the purpose of obtaining facts to establish the laws governing the phenomena of Animal Magnetism, and have been continued in this particular case, for the elucidation of the disease developed by its influence.

Catalepsy does not extend its morbid influence to that portion of the brain that provides nervous excitement to the system of organic life; if it did, the functions of respiration and circulation would cease during the paroxysm, and life be extinguished. Neither does its power obliterate for the time the action of the intellectual organs; for how could these be manifested when all the symptoms are upon the patient in their greatest perfection? The power of articulation shows that the organs through whose agency the mental operations are conveyed by the faculty of speech are still supplied with nervous influence, and are under the control of the will, consequently not influenced by the disease; and the source of that nervous power which is bestowed on the muscles during locomotion, and which is subject to the will, is also independent of its morbific action.

The exciting cause of cataleptic symptoms may arise from mental or physical, social or general irritations. Catalepsy is only the symptom of a disease. The cause of the repeated attacks of this affection undermines the health, and ultimately destroys life. The disease being a secondary symptom of an irritation which is acting with continued injury to the system, only showing itself when it becomes of sufficient intensity to develope this peculiar condition, is uninterruptedly bearing upon the health of the patient. In the case under consideration, it has been repeatedly induced without the least injury. The reason is obvious; - the exciting cause being entirely removed, the system is left in as perfect a state of health as before the experiment.

The proximate cause of the pathognomonic muscular phenomena arises in an equal distribution of nervous power conferred on the voluntary muscles of animal life. The nervous influence necessary to the rectitude of these organs is regularly transmitted; but as there is a disconnexion of the intellectual faculties and physical condition, volition is not directed to them, consequently they do not perform those offices for which they were intended; they are equipoised by this nervous stimulus. When external force is applied, as in bending the arm, the balance of power is merely overcome; and upon withdrawing the force, the power is again equally balanced, presenting in the limb the diagnostic symptom of the disease. When the will acts upon these muscles in their normal condition, it changes or overcomes this equal distribution of the nervous influence, and they perform those movements directed by the intellect. During sleep, the voluntary muscular system is in the relaxed state to which it was resigned when sleep was taking possession of the system; but the phenomenon in question is unpremeditated, and seizes suddenly upon those organs subject to its influence, leaving all other parts in the accomplishment of their natural functions.

The pathology consists in the entire separation of the intellectual faculties from the requirements of physical existence. The functions of the external senses by which we are connected with surrounding objects, and through whose agency the mind recognises nises external relations, are by the action of the disease closed to all impressions. The intellectual power of volition, which excites the muscles to act in obedience to the dictates of the mind, is stationary; because the mind is disconnected with the external world. This condition annuls the power of making muscular efforts, because it has annulled the desire of willing, for as the mind perceives not the situation of the body, it does not comprehend its wants, and therefore cannot will the action of the organs of external life.

Catalepsy is confined to the voluntary motor and sensitive divisions of the nervous system. The intellectual operations are indirectly influenced by the closing of the channels of sensation.

If the mind is not dormant when the body is under the influence of this disease, why does it not manifest itself through the vocal organs, as when replying to the interrogations of the magnetizer? Simply because the disease has shut it in from the perception of external influences; and however perfect it may be in itself, the external world can have no bearing upon it; its desire of external communication through the organs of speech is not excited.

It may be asked, through what channel the magnetizer communicates his ideas to the magnetized, if the functions of the external senses are in abeyance ? The reply would be speculative; but that they are not transmitted in the usual modes in all cases, is shown from the fact, that should another than the magnetizer propound the question, the sound would fall on the ear without producing an impression; and the accurate perception in the sensorium of the quality of many substances, when placed in the hand, that during a natural state could only be determined by the eye, is opposed to the inference that the communication is made through the ordinary means.

Animal magnetism produces in some constitutions merely a condition of sound sleep, while in others it superadds convulsions; in this case it was the exciting cause of catalepsy, and in every instance, its morbific force is exerted on some portion of the nervous system. Irritation in the alimentary canal will sometimes produce cataleptic symptoms; so also will the more direct nervous irritation of animal magnetism: but although this peculiar phenomenon may depend upon either of these causes, it is no less genuine in its character, and no less a proper subject of pathologic investigation.