I therefore postponed operations until about
eight the next night, when the arrival of a medical student with
whom I had some acquaintance, (Mr. Theodore L--l,) relieved me from
farther embarrassment. It had been my design, originally, to wait
for the physicians; but I was induced to proceed, first, by the urgent
entreaties of M. Valdemar, and secondly, by my conviction that I had
not a moment to lose, as he was evidently sinking fast.
Mr. L--l was so kind as to accede to my desire that he would take
notes of all that occurred, and it is from his memoranda that what I
now have to relate is, for the most part, either condensed or copied
verbatim.
It wanted about five minutes of eight when, taking the patient's
hand, I begged him to state, as distinctly as he could, to Mr. L--l,
whether he (M. Valdemar) was entirely willing that I should make the
experiment of mesmerizing him in his then condition.
He replied feebly, yet quite audibly, "Yes, I wish to be "I fear you
have mesmerized" --adding immediately afterwards, deferred it too
long."
While he spoke thus, I commenced the passes which I had already
found most effectual in subduing him. He was evidently influenced with
the first lateral stroke of my hand across his forehead; but
although I exerted all my powers, no farther perceptible effect was
induced until some minutes after ten o'clock, when Doctors D-- and F--
called, according to appointment.
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