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Meaning of the name "Baquet" |
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The Baquet family name is the French word for vat, tub or bucket. It’s most ancient meaning would probably refer to a person who sold, work with or made large tubs. More recently the word refers not only to a regular bucket, but as well as to “bucket seats” in a car or to a car seat for children. A special use of “baquet” is found in the “medical practice” of Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815). He developed a theory of "animal magnetism." This was not normal magnetism in that he believed he could "magnetize" such non metallic substances such as paper and glass, as well as living things such as trees and dogs. He taught that disease is
caused by "obstacles" in an unseen fluid that flowed throughout
the body. Healing would take place when magnetism
created a "crises" (convulsions) that caused the “obstacle” to
be removed. When he could no longer meet the needs of the many who were coming for to him for “healing” he developed a “hot tub-everybody hold hands-group therapy”; this where the word “baquet” comes in to the picture. His solution was building a double walled oak wooden tub to hold and transmit magnetic fluid. It was about five feet across and a foot deep. It was filled with water, powdered glass and iron filings. The bottom of the “baquet” had bottles with various symbols and others with magnetized water. From this “baquet” protruded iron rods that the afflicted person would place against the area of the body that had the “obstacle” and was causing them their discomfort. To enhance the process he dressed in flowing robes and walked about with a wand and gave “hypnotic suggestions”. To day we remember his name more than is contraption; the baquet. Whenever we observe anyone whose attention is so totally captivated by an event, person or performance, we say they are “spellbound,” or “mesmerized,” and when we do we recall “Doctor” Mesmer. |
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