Biology:
Poe has referred to the branch of biology in many of his works. For example, in "The Murders in the Rue Morgue", Dupin, the detective, solves the mystery after making an observation that the hair strand found on the murder site is far from that of a human hair strand. It resembled the hair of an orangutan. The human hair is relatively thinner and less rough than that of an orangutan's hair. Also, Dupin compared a human's body strength to that of an orangutan, and found it impossible for a human to be as strong as an orangutan. Thus, Dupin solved the mystery behind the murder and concluded that an orangutan was the real murderer of Madame L'Espanaye and her daughter.
Mesmerism:
Mesmerism is the science of hypnotism. It is actually a pseudoscience and in some ways, is synonymous with animal magnetism. During Poe's era, mesmerism was rampant and was used on people to help them feel temporarily relieved from their symptoms of illness. Poe wrote about Mesmerism in his work "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar". In fact, this story is completely based on the science of mesmerism.
The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar
"The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar" is a hoax, written by Poe. In this story, the narrator is interested in the process of Mesmerism.
He points out that, as far as he knows, no one has ever been mesmerized
at the point of death, and he is curious to see what effects mesmerism
would have on a dying person. He considers experimenting on his friend
Ernest Valdemar, an author whom he had previously mesmerized. Valdemar was diagnosed with tuberculosis and informed the narrator that he would die soon. His physicians informed the narrator of his poor health. Valdemar was willing to be mesmerized by the narrator and asks the narrator to hurry up since he doesn't have much time left. Valdemar was mesmerized and first reported that he is dying, and then that he is dead. The narrator left him in the mesmerized state for seven months. During this time, Valdemar's body seemed dead and without heartbeat. In the end, the narrator attempted to wake him up, asking him questions. Valdemar's tongue had turned black and was swollen. In between trance and wakefulness, Valdemar begged the narrator to put him back to sleep or to wake him. The narrator took him out of his trance and in the process, Valdemar's
entire body immediately decayed into a "nearly liquid mass of
loathsome—of detestable putrescence".
Thus we realize that Poe used mesmerism in his works as well.
Thus we realize that Poe used mesmerism in his works as well.
Phrenology and Physiognomy:
Phrenology and Physiognomy were two branches of life sciences that Poe referred to in his works. An extensive description about these works has already been given on one of our pages. You can access this page for more a complete presentation of our research.
Archaeology and Mummy Research:
In "Some Words With a Mummy", Poe describes Mummy research and archaeology as life sciences. In the story, a group of men bring a mummy to life and ask the mummy various scientific and cultural questions. They asked the mummy about ancient Egyptian science and about the process of Mummification. They also ask the mummy the reason behind the process of mummifying bodies. Thus, we realize that, in a way, they carry on research about mummies of the Egyptian period. Thus we can interpret archaeology and mummy research as life sciences and can conclude that Poe included these branches of life sciences in his work.
