malicious animal magnetism

Malicious animal
magnetism is an expression coined by Mary Baker Eddy
(1821-1910), the founder of Christian Science. Eddy rejected
Anton Mesmer's notion of magnétisme animaland
agreed with magnetic healer and father of
New Thought Phineas Parkhurst
Quimby (1802-1866) that only a god heals. Eddy believed, however, that one could manipulate the universal fluid that permeates all things to
cause illness and harm. By using
malicious animal magnetism one can transmit something damaging
to another person. Eddy took this idea to be a scientific
explanation for things like casting evil
spells. Mesmer might be said to represent a lack of understanding
of the powerful placebo effect, while
Eddy would be a representative of those who lack an understanding of the powerful
nocebo effect.

Eddy
believed her enemies were poisoning her with malicious animal
magnetism (Randi).
Although there is no compelling scientific evidence for the
existence of malicious animal magnetism, the belief "remains a
part of the doctrine of Christian Science" (Williams 2002: 203).