a French physician and mesmerist who was a native of Rennes. Bertrand is remembered for his scientific investigations of animal magnetism and somnambulism. In his public lectures on animal magnetism he spoke confidently about the existence of "magnetic fluid", but through experience and reflection he later changed his mind, becoming a leading critic of its existence. From 1825 to 1830 Bertrand published numerous articles in the progressive journal Le Globe.
