Portrait of the Austrian physician Friederich Anton Mesmer, 1734-1815. Mesmer was a mystic, very interested in astrology and convinced of the existence of cosmic forces affecting the lives of human beings. He also believed that magnetism could be an important healing method. His medical career was full of troubles. Due to his numerous failures Mesmer was forced to leave Vienna and later Paris. Probably his best achievement is represented by the introduction of hypnotism as a medical therapy. Even today mesmerism is a common synonym for hypnotism.