UNDER THE INFLUENCE IN BRITISH-INDIA - ESDAILE,JAMES MESMERIC HOSPITAL IN CALCUTTA, AND ITS CRITICS

Mesmerism was for a period very popular in Victorian Britain. The spec ial clinical approach developed by Dr J, Esdaile while on duty in Brit ish India is elaborated in detail. The controversy surrounding Esdaile 's treatment of surgical, medical and psychiatric cases at the 'mesmer ic hospital' at Calcutta is discussed, and the main arguments are set within their contemporary socio-cultural context. Some of the argument s advanced for and against mesmerism contain concerns similar to those that have been raised during later decades in regard to hypnotism and hypnotherapy.