Final Answer:
The findings of Franklin's commission did not refute Mesmer's techniques; instead, they concluded that there was no scientific evidence to support the existence of animal magnetism as proposed by Mesmer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Franklin Commission, led by Benjamin Franklin, was convened in the late 18th century to investigate the claims of Franz Mesmer regarding animal magnetism. Mesmer, an Austrian physician, asserted that a magnetic fluid in the body could be manipulated to cure various ailments. However, the commission's findings discredited Mesmer's theories. Through rigorous experimentation and analysis, they determined that any observed effects were likely due to psychological factors rather than the manipulation of a magnetic fluid.
Firstly, the commission noted that the same results could be achieved with or without the use of Mesmer's techniques, suggesting a placebo effect or the power of suggestion at play. Secondly, they highlighted the lack of consistency in Mesmer's methods among different practitioners, undermining the reliability of his approach.
Finally, the commission concluded that there was no empirical evidence to support the existence of a magnetic fluid as described by Mesmer. In essence, the findings emphasized the importance of scientific rigor and empirical evidence in evaluating therapeutic claims, ultimately discrediting Mesmer's proposed techniques as lacking scientific validity.