The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-13
Trance Condition in
Surgery.

Some experiments were made recently at
the Office OF a physician in New York with
a view Of testing the utility Of the trance
condition for surgical operations. Among
those present were Professors ThWing, Of
BROOKLYN DR.. BIrdsall DR.. William G..
Jarvis. and DR.. Miltendor:. Ore OF the
subjects was boy from Brooklyn about
sixteen years old, who was thoroughly well
trained and able to take part in some very
interesting experiments. II he was told
To 20 into sound sleep when cer-
tam number was counted he would
obey, and when the number was
reached he would be in an uncon-
scious condition. Ii his arms were raised
they would drop like lead. II a sharp in
strllmcnt was thrust into his skin he gave
no sign whatever OF being conscious, and
being questioned aftcrward had no recOl-
lection Of it. Another subject was younger
boy, with bright black eyes and a pleasant
round face. lie had never been thrown
into a trance condition before. At first
he refused to be subjected to the inilu-
ence for fear that he would suffer
some injury. but after seeing the eX-
periments made with the other boy he
consented. Professor Tbwing, who is very
in thoroughly unconscious condition i'm a
few seconds. In one experiment the two
bows were locked i'm each Others arms and
passed into the trance condition at the
same word. They remained in that posi-
ton for some time, until they were aroused
by the touch and voice Of the mesmerist.
Efforts were also made TO mesmcriZe Il
Young woman. but she was not a good
subject. as she did not reach point be-
yond drowsness. Her curiosity, as she
remarked. prevented her from yielding
herself up completely to the experiment.
The boy with the black eyes was placed
i'm chair to be operated upon. His right
nostril was entirely closed by the thicken-
ing OF the septum, superinduced by chrO-
mic catarrh. He was mcsmcriZed by Pro-
iessor Thwing. DR.. Jarvis then ran a
long sharp needle through the thckened
membrane Of the septum. The subject did
not give the slightest movement, either vol
untary or involuntary; he said afterward
that he did not know that the needle had
been introduced. \ loop OF thin wire was
then inserted i'm the nO>tril and drawn
around the base and point Of the needle
and made To cut through the membrane
by the gradual reduction OF the circumier-
ence of the loop. As the membrane OF the
nose is highly sensitive, this is under the
usual conditions an extremely painful
operation. The great pain produced by
the tension on the wire aroused the sub
iect, but he did not fully regain conscious
ness. He talked and acted very much as II
he had been under the influence OF ether.
When the pieces Of membrane grasped by
the loon had been entirely cut OF the boy
was brought out OF the trance condition.
Experiments In mind-reading were also
made by DR.. Birdsall and others. Some
who had never before attempted muscle
leading met with remarkable degree Of
success. DR.. Blrdsall made an experiment
that was new TO many OF those present.
He held a number OF cards in his hand,
with their faces turned toward person in
front OF him, who was asked to select in
his mind card from the group, and in
each ease he was able to pick out the one
chosen. This experiment was successfully
performed by others. The explanation is
simple. The success OF the experiment de-
ponds on getting the direction of the eyes
at the instanf the selection j. made, there
being at that instant a peculiar muscular
movement OF the eyes.
view 10 determine whether the object Sc
lected by one or more persons could be
found by person in partial trance state,
without muscular contact. All OF these
resulted i'm failure. Similar experiments
OF tins nature were made few days ago
in Brooklyn, at which the reporter was
present. They were on that occasion sue
cessful In a number OF instances. several
objects Of a miscellaneous character were
placed side by side upon a table. The sub
iect was then told TO select the object chosen
after his eyes had been blinded by mesme-
rism. lie succeeded in selecting the right
object more often than he failed, but the eX-
periments were not numerous enough, or
varied enoughin their character, to be sclen-
tho. lie also succeeded in two or three in
stances in finding objects that had been
selected IN remote parts OF the room. The
theory OF one OF the persons engaged In
the experiments was that u
subtle influence was exerted by the mind
OF the operator upon that Of the subject.
A more tenable theory is that the subject
Is able to determine the right location by Il
movement on the part OF the operator.
whose attention Is closely fixed upon the |
object, or by some aerial disturbance.