Beginning his experiments in 1837, Elliotson found that his patients could undergo major surgery without agony, and he applied these techniques whenever possible. This incurred the wrath of his fellow physicians, who clung to a firm belief that pain was necessary for healing.

Father Gassner, a Catholic priest, was contemporary with Mesmer, and was also very active in hypnosis. He apparently worked briefly with Mesmer, according to at least one historian. Gassner mastered the art of suggestion as a means of faith healing and was perhaps of the modern faith healers.

Mesmer is probably the most famous name in the entire history of hypnosis, even though he never heard of the art or the science by that name.