Hypnotism, or Amimal Magnetism, began in the mid 18th century, touted widely as a cure for a variety of medical conditions and use in painless surgery. August, 1817 issue of the "Bibliotheque du Magnetisme Animal". the Journal of the Mesmer Society, w the latest investigations & medical experiments. ink identified to the noted German Philosopher, Livan Ess, Marburg, Germany vg. Scarce, very early pioneering work on hypnotism.