by Edgar Allan Poe

pretend to consider it any matter for wonder, extraordinary case of M Valdemar has excited discussion It miracle had it not-especially under the circumstances desire of all parties concerned, the affair public, , or until we had farther opportunities for investigation -- through our endeavors to effect this -- garbled or exaggerated account made its way into society, and became the source of many unpleasant misrepresentations, and, very naturally, of great deal of disbelief

now rendered necessary that the facts -- as far as I comprehend them myself , succinctly, these:

My attention, three years, repeatedly drawn subject of Mesmerism; and, about nine it occurred , quite suddenly, that series of experiments made hitherto, there very remarkable and most unaccountable omission: -- no person had been mesmerized in articulo mortis It remained seen, first, whether, condition, there existed patient any susceptibility magnetic influence; secondly, whether, if any existed, impaired or increased condition; thirdly, to what extent, or for how long period, the encroachments of Death arrested process There were other points ascertained, but these most excited my curiosity -- the last in especial, immensely important character consequences

In looking around me for some subject by whose means test these particulars, brought friend, M Ernest Valdemar, the well-known compiler "Bibliotheca Forensica," and author (under the nom de plume of Issachar Marx) Polish versions of "Wallenstein" and "Gargantua " M Valdemar, who has resided principally at Harlaem, N Y , year 1839, is (or was) particularly noticeable extreme spareness person -- his lower limbs much resembling those of John Randolph; and, also, whiteness whiskers, in violent contrast blackness hair -- the latter, in consequence, being very generally mistaken for wig His temperament was markedly nervous, and rendered him good subject for mesmeric experiment On occasions I had put him to sleep with little difficulty, but was disappointed in other results which his peculiar constitution had naturally led me to anticipate His will was at no period positively, or thoroughly, under my control, and in regard to clairvoyance, accomplish nothing relied upon I always attributed my failure points disordered state health For some months previous to my becoming acquainted , his physicians had declared him in confirmed phthisis his custom, indeed, calmly approaching dissolution, as of matter neither avoided nor regretted

ideas alluded first occurred , very natural that think of M Valdemar the steady philosophy man too well to apprehend any scruples ; and he had no relatives in America likely to interfere I spoke to him frankly ; and, to my surprise, his interest seemed vividly excited to my surprise, for, although he had always yielded his person freely to my experiments, he had never before given me any tokens of sympathy with what His disease was character which would admit of exact calculation in respect epoch termination in death; and finally arranged that send about twenty-four hours period announced by his physicians decease

now rather more than seven months since I received, from M Valdemar himself, the subjoined note:

My DEAR P -- ,

come now D -- and F -- are agreed that hold out beyond to-morrow midnight; and hit the time very nearly

VALDEMAR

I received this note within half an hour after written, and in fifteen minutes more dying man's chamber I seen him for ten days, and was appalled fearful alteration which the brief interval had wrought in him His face wore leaden hue; the eyes were utterly lustreless; emaciation was so extreme skin broken through cheek-bones His expectoration was excessive The pulse was barely perceptible He retained, nevertheless, in very remarkable manner, both his mental power and certain degree of physical strength He spoke with distinctness -- took some palliative medicines without aid -- and, when I entered the room, was occupied in penciling memoranda in pocket-book propped up bed by pillows Doctors D -- and F -- were in attendance

After pressing Valdemar's hand, these gentlemen aside, and obtained minute account patient's condition The left lung for eighteen months in semi-osseous or cartilaginous state, and was, , entirely useless for all purposes of vitality The right, in its upper portion, was also partially, thoroughly, ossified, while the lower region was merely mass of purulent tubercles, running one into another Several extensive perforations existed; and, at one point, permanent adhesion ribs had taken place These appearances right lobe were of comparatively recent date The ossification had proceeded with very unusual rapidity; no sign of it had discovered month before, adhesion had only been observed during the three previous days Independently phthisis, the patient was suspected of aneurism aorta; but point the osseous symptoms rendered an exact diagnosis impossible It opinion of both physicians that M Valdemar would die about midnight morrow (Sunday) then seven o'clock on Saturday evening

On quitting the invalid's bed-side to hold conversation with myself, Doctors D -- and F -- had bidden him final farewell It their intention to return; but, at my request, they agreed to look in patient about ten the next night

had gone, I spoke freely with M Valdemar approaching dissolution, as, more particularly, experiment proposed He still professed himself quite willing and even anxious it made, and urged me to commence it at once male and female nurse were in attendance; but feel myself altogether at liberty to engage in task character with no more reliable witnesses than these people, of sudden accident, might prove I therefore postponed operations until about eight the next night, arrival of medical student I had some acquaintance, ( Mr Theodore L -- l,) relieved me from farther embarrassment It my design, originally, to wait physicians; but induced , first, urgent entreaties of M Valdemar, and secondly, by my conviction that I moment to lose, as evidently sinking fast

Mr L -- l was so kind accede to my desire that take notes of all that occurred, and memoranda that what I now have to relate is, most part, either condensed or copied verbatim

It wanted about five minutes of eight when, taking the patient's hand, I begged him to state, as distinctly as , to Mr L -- l, whether he (M Valdemar) was entirely willing that experiment of mesmerizing him then condition

He replied feebly, yet quite audibly, "Yes, " mesmerized" -- adding immediately afterwards, deferred it too long "

While he spoke thus, I commenced the passes which I had already found most effectual in subduing him evidently influenced first lateral stroke hand across his forehead; but although I exerted all my powers, no farther perceptible effect was induced until some minutes after ten o'clock, when Doctors D -- and F -- called, according to appointment I explained , in few words, what I designed, and opposed no objection, saying patient was already death agony, I proceeded without hesitation -- exchanging, however, the lateral passes for downward ones, and directing my gaze entirely right eye sufferer

his pulse was imperceptible breathing was stertorous, and at intervals of half minute

This condition was nearly unaltered for quarter of an hour expiration period, however, natural although very deep sigh escaped the bosom dying man, stertorous breathing ceased -- , its stertorousness was no longer apparent; the intervals were undiminished The patient's extremities were of an icy coldness

At five minutes before eleven I perceived unequivocal signs mesmeric influence The glassy roll eye was changed expression of uneasy inward examination never seen except in cases of sleep-waking, and which quite impossible to mistake With few rapid lateral passes the lids quiver, as in incipient sleep, and with few more I closed them altogether not satisfied, however, , but continued the manipulations vigorously, and fullest exertion will, until I had completely stiffened the limbs slumberer, after placing them in seemingly easy position The legs were at full length; the arms were nearly so, and reposed bed at moderate distance loin The head was very slightly elevated

When I had accomplished this, fully midnight, and I requested the gentlemen present to examine M Valdemar's condition After few experiments, they admitted him an unusually perfect state of mesmeric trance The curiosity of both the physicians was greatly excited Dr D -- resolved at once to remain patient all night, while Dr F -- took leave with promise to return at daybreak Mr L -- l nurses remained

We left M Valdemar entirely undisturbed until about three o'clock morning, when I approached him and found him in precisely the same condition as when Dr F -- went away -- , he lay same position; the pulse was imperceptible; the breathing was gentle (scarcely noticeable, unless application of mirror lips); the eyes were closed naturally; limbs were as rigid and as cold as marble Still, the general appearance was certainly not that of death