The legs were at full length; the arms were
nearly so, and reposed on the bed at a moderate distance from the
loin. The head was very slightly elevated.
When I had accomplished this, it was fully midnight, and I requested
the gentlemen present to examine M. Valdemar's condition. After a
few experiments, they admitted him to be an unusually perfect state of
mesmeric trance. The curiosity of both the physicians was greatly
excited. Dr. D-- resolved at once to remain with the patient all
night, while Dr. F-- took leave with a promise to return at
daybreak. Mr. L--l and the nurses remained.
We left M. Valdemar entirely undisturbed until about three o'clock
in the morning, when I approached him and found him in precisely the
same condition as when Dr. F-- went away --that is to say, he lay in
the same position; the pulse was imperceptible; the breathing was
gentle (scarcely noticeable, unless through the application of a
mirror to the lips); the eyes were closed naturally; and the limbs
were as rigid and as cold as marble. Still, the general appearance was
certainly not that of death.
As I approached M. Valdemar I made a kind of half effort to
influence his right arm into pursuit of my own, as I passed the latter
gently to and fro above his person. In such experiments with this
patient had never perfectly succeeded before, and assuredly I had
little thought of succeeding now; but to my astonishment, his arm very
readily, although feebly, followed every direction I assigned it
with mine.
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