Moore vividly portrays the harsh medical landscape of the time, where surgery was performed without anesthesia and treatments often proved more dangerous than the ailments themselves. This backdrop highlights the desperation that fueled the public's fascination with alternative therapies like mesmerism, promising gentler solutions in a world of agonizing medical practices.

The book chronicles the meteoric rise of mesmerism, fueled by Dupotet's charismatic personality and claims of miraculous cures. Moore delves into the theatrical demonstrations that captivated London society, examining the genuine belief they inspired as well as the skepticism they provoked from established medical figures. This exploration captures the public's struggle to reconcile traditional beliefs with the allure of innovative, albeit unproven, methods of healing.

At the heart of the book lies the conflict between John Elliotson, a progressive physician, and Thomas Wakley, the founder of The Lancet, a prominent medical journal. Their opposing stances on mesmerism, one embracing its potential and the other denouncing it as quackery, mirror the era's larger struggle to define the boundaries of legitimate medical practice. This battle underscores the enduring tension between innovation and established knowledge within the scientific community.