How did Dmitri Mendeleev challenge spiritualism in St. Petersburg?

In the 1870s, the arrival of a famous medium in St. Petersburg prompted Dmitri Mendeleev to take a public stand against the growing influence of spiritualism.

Mendeleev challenged these practices by publishing a series of harsh criticisms directed at what he termed the "apostles of spiritualism." His actions reflected his commitment to scientific rigor and his desire to combat claims he viewed as lacking empirical evidence, consistent with his broader efforts to promote scientific and technological knowledge throughout his career.1