2)      Was Ben Franklin a medical doctor?
No, even though he is often referred to as Doctor Franklin, Ben’s doctorate degrees (from Harvard and Yale in 1753) were honorary and bestowed based on his electrical experiments. He never had any formal medical training. However, the medical training of the time was rudimentary. As the playwright Molière (1622-1673) wrote, “The role of the physician is to entertain the patient while the disease runs its course.” This was certainly true in Franklin’s time a century later as the “treatments” of the day were still often ineffective or even harmful.

3)      But Mesmer really was a medical doctor?
Yes, Franz Anton Mesmer was trained as a physician and practiced the general medical treatments of the time – which included things like bloodletting and use of leeches, as well as “cupping” – the application of a strong vacuum to the skin aimed at raising a blistering welt. These practices were designed to draw out the “bad humours” and allow people to heal. But as noted in the book, such treatments, and the physicians who used them, often did more harm than good. Compared to the barbaric treatments of the day, Mesmer’s ministrations were undoubtedly gentler – and probably just as effective.

4)      Is that where we get the term “mesmerized”?
Yes, unfortunately being “mesmerized” has taken on the connotation of being under the control of someone, or something – and often evokes a negative meaning – as in being duped or exploited. However, Mesmer used his technique in an attempt to heal people. And in fact, his patients did feel better – at least for a time. Nothing that he did really changed the course of their disease, of course, but people were noted to be calmer, more at peace with their malady (whatever it was) after his treatments.

5)      What happened to Mesmer’s treatments?
After the commission “debunked” mesmerism, it fell into disuse – at least within the traditional medical community. However, in the mid-1800’s it re-emerged as what we know today as hypnotism. Hypnotism has been shown to be a helpful tool in many areas, from smoking cessation to depression. Some of strongest evidence comes from the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders – possibly through decreases in stress and anxiety.

6)      Did Ben Franklin invent anything medical?
Most of the things that Franklin invented were utilitarian, but they often had implications for health and wellness. For example, his invention of what came to be known as the “Franklin stove” was an innovation (a baffle) that kept smoke from entering the house. By inventing a stove that exhausted the smoke outside, many lungs were saved! Also, because of need to find a better way to empty his bladder due to a stone, he designed a urinary catheter. Franklin’s design (made up of interlocking silver pieces) was more flexible and easily sanitized by boiling – reducing the risk of infection. A historically accurate anecdote, recounted in The Wisdom of the Flock, relates how Franklin used a strong electrical jolt to cure depression (melancholia) and an attempt to make a paralyzed man’s arm move. He theorized that an electrical shock might restart a heartbeat. All of these observations being precursors to modern medical treatments. Of course, his bi-focal glasses have aided many in reading. And his “long arm” was what we would call today a “reacher” – allowing someone to reach objects despite disability. Lastly, Ben believed in daily aerobic exercise – and while not an invention – this practice clearly aided his health during his lifetime and that of many others since.