In the earlier pages of this work it will be noticed that I have alluded more than once to the idea of the brain generating an unknown force, which not only by its radiations through the body caused marks and variations on and in the body, but that also through the medium of the ether in the atmosphere every human being was more or less in touch with and influenced by one another (see pages 16, 19, and 21).
When I made this statement some years ago, I did not do so only on an opinion based on the writings of scientists such as Abercrombie, Herder, and others, for I had at that time a tangible proof that such a force did exist through experiments made by my friend, the well-known French savant, Monsieur E. Savary d’Odiardi. I knew that some years before I wrote of this force that this gentleman had invented an apparatus which had been exhibited before the Académie des Sciences, Paris, in which a needle of metal could be moved a distance of ten degrees, by a person of strong will concentrating his attention on it at a distance of from two to three feet.
This little machine was in its infancy then, and although scientists marveled at it in those days, yet there were few who thought it would ever be so far perfected as to be of use in any practical way; but the brain of the man who could think out and invent such an apparatus could not be satisfied to rest at such small beginnings; for nearly five years he patiently worked and labored on, until at last, about two years ago, he triumphed over all p. 159 obstacles, and constructed an apparatus which completely eclipsed the first machine he had invented, and showed with every person the action of thought in the brain, and which, instead of only being able to move ten degrees, could register 360 in one movement. From that time on he confined his attention to observations of the registering needle with people of different emotions and idiosyncrasies of temperament.
In his electro-medical hospital for the cure of diseases reputed incurable by ordinary means,1 he had ample opportunities of watching the effect of various temperaments and diseases on this singular apparatus. The result of his work has been that he has been able, by “the observation of cases,” to make certain rules to act as a guide in watching the indications of this instrument.
- 1 The Nottinghill Gate Hospital, 30 Silver Street, London, W. p. 159
On my return to London, in June, 1896, I had the honor of assisting Professor d’Odiardi with various experiments in connection with this apparatus; and, finally, for the sake of obtaining charts of all sorts and conditions of people, he requested me to collaborate with him in the use of this machine, in order that he might enlarge his scope and field of observation.
After placing notes made from hundreds of experiments in my hands, I brought the instrument to my rooms in Bond Street, and have since then tested it upward of thirty to forty times a day in connection with the various people who visited me.
The proof that the needle in this machine is influenced by a force radiating from the brain is shown by the Professor in his experiments with people who approached it under the influence of certain drugs that injure or stupefy the brain. This is also proved by the fact that though the entire body may be paralyzed, yet as long as the brain is uninjured the needle in the instrument will act as before. He has also demonstrated that “subjects addicted to the habit of having recourse to drugs known as neuro-muscular agents,” depressers of the reflex action of the spinal cord, p. 160 such as chloral, chloroform, bromide of potassium, etc., are the less apt to produce (by looking at the instrument) a deflection or a succession of them in the registering needle; thus demonstrating that the transmission of cerebral force by external radiation is interfered with by the use of such drugs; the absence of the radiation produced by thought-force seeming to point out that the production of thought and the intensity of it is impaired by the ingestion and assimilation of those agents. Not only is such an effect produced by toxic drugs, but also by any kind of intoxication; i. e., by an excess of stimulants, whether in the form of drink or of food. Thus is the stupefying effect of drunkenness and voracity scientifically proved by this registering apparatus.
The same diminution of deflective power in a subject over the needle is caused by anger, violence (after the fit), and by envy, jealousy, hatred (during the fit). A subject being tested in the vicinity of a person he dislikes or hates is shown by the instrument to lose standard; if in the vicinity of a person he likes or loves the standard denoted by the needle is raised.
He has also demonstrated that an idiot has no power to deflect the needle in the apparatus, whereas a single look from a person endowed with brain-power may cause a variety of movements and deflections even at a distance of from two to twenty feet.
Among the many interesting experiments made from time to time by the inventor and myself, there is one that has been quoted by “Answers” in an article entitled, “The Most Wonderful Machine in the World”; it is to the effect that upon one occasion a gentleman stood in front of the instrument criticising its action and endeavoring, if possible, to find some explanation of its power. About the same time several other persons entered the room, and in casual conversation one of them mentioned the fact of a sudden fall in the value of South African Chartered Company’s shares. No one knew that the gentleman looking at the machine was the holder of many thousands of pounds worth of these shares; but at the moment the drop in the value was mentioned the man’s mental emotion p. 161 caused the indicator in the machine to move rapidly, and register one of the highest numbers that has been recorded by it.
Another curious experiment is that in which one can determine whether out of two people there is one who loves more than the other; in this case the two persons are tested separately, and charts made out of their movements shown by the machine. After they are left together for half an hour they are again tested, and the one who loves the most will be found to have a greater influence on the instrument, while the person who loves the least will be found to have lost power over the registering needle, in a greater or less degree, according to the effect that has been produced by the other person’s presence.
But hundreds of interesting experiments might be cited in connection with this wonderful invention, which have been summed up by the editor of Vanity Fair, December 17, 1896, in which he says: “This curiously interesting machine really seems to bridge the gulf between mind and matter.”
The accompanying illustrations are taken almost at random from the hundreds of charts that have been made from this instrument; they show, in a very striking way, what a difference exists in the radiations of two persons of widely different temperaments. No. 1 is that of Mr. Lionel Phillips, who has played such an important part recently in connection with South African affairs. No. 2 is that of a well-known London clergyman, the Rev. Russell Wakefield. These are good examples of what one would call two strong personalities, entirely distinct and different in magnetism, will-power, etc.
One of the most extraordinary conditions of the machine is that there is no physical contact whatever required (see Pall Mall Gazette, article at the end of appendix). In the regular course of experiments the person to be tested stands within a foot to two feet of the instrument; but if the atmosphere is clear and dry, a person of a strong will may influence the needle at a distance of from ten to twenty feet.
There are no magnets employed by the operator, or electric communication with the needle, except the unknown agent—be it odic force, magnetism, or something still more subtle that radiates from the brain through the body, and that, passing through the atmosphere, plays upon the condenser of this sensitive machine. People have tested this for themselves in every conceivable manner. The greatest unbelievers in this machine have tried in every way to prove that the needle was moved by any other agency but this unknown force radiating from the body, but one and all have in the end admitted that the action of the needle was due to a force given off by the person tested.
One of the leading divines in the Church of England, a few days before this article was written, after seeing the machine being tested in a variety of ways, said: “Such a machine not only would convince one of the influence of mind over matter, but more importantly the influence of mind over mind; for if the radiation of our thoughts affect this needle of metal, how much more so must we not affect the thoughts, ideas, and lives of those around us.”
In conclusion, may not then the very force that moves this needle be the very power that in its continual action marks the hand through the peripheral nerves. We know not, and may never know, why this unseen force should write the deeds of the past or the dreams of the future. And yet the prisoner in his dungeon will often write on the stones around him his name and legend, to be read or not, as the case may be. May not, then, the soul, as a captive in the body, write on the fleshly walls of its prison-house its past trials, its future hopes, the deeds that it will some day realize? For if there be a soul, then is it, being a spirit, conscious of all things, its past joys, its present sorrows, and the future—be it what it may.
Cheiro.
17 New Bond Street, London.