, 1888-06-08
uNcANNY. IF NOT DANGEROUS
Some of the d Experiments Made By
Professor of HYpnotism-

UNCANNY, IF NOT DANGEROUS :
Some Of the Odd Experiments Made by q
Professor of Hypnotism-
DR.. Feldman, the famous h~ypnotist, Is
above medium height and of muscular
build, although not what would be called
a tall or a stout man. He wears a
Napoleonio beard and mustache, and
they and his hair are as nearly black as
capillary flaments over grow. His
quick, nervous movements extend even
to the eyes, which never rest long on any
n object Eyeglasses give him a pro-
fessional air, but he lacks the repose
which is usually the acquired or natural
bearing Of a physician.
Invited to the house of a Russian lady
Of considerable literary distinction, by
special request, he arranged to have q
professional subject present on whom he
could make experiments. The method
adopted by the hypnotist for obtaining
the presence of this individual was first
to possess him with the idea that he was
going to Russia and then to order him to
present himself at the house of the lady
and give her q note asking her II she
could give him some letters of recon-
mendation to persons In that country.
This plan was carried out literally by the
subject, and when he had walked into
the drawing room and asked the ques-
tons he sat in a most strained attitude,
with fixed eyes and clinched hands.
Only q rather vigorous tapping on the
forehead administered by DR.. Feldman
brought the subject pack to a natural at
titude. He then blinked his eyes and
rubbed his face as If he had beer asleep.
The lady of the house then asked him
II 1t was he who desired some letters of
introduction to families In Russia. He
replied that he had no intention of leav-
ing the country. and he had therefore no
need of letters The hypnotist then ex-
planned that the subject had forgotten all
about the request he had made when he
entered. The subject, although a strong
looking fellow of "a or t~hereabout, was
pronounced to be most sensitive to the
hypnotic influence of DR.. Feldman, and
this was proved by his being put into n
complete state of eatalepsy after a few
passes over the eyes and forehead having
been made, Catalepsy was the disease
for which the man had been under treat
ment. Any n with a tendency to such
a disease is most easily worked upon.
When the hypnotizer had made a num-
Der Of passes, he then drew his finger
down over the nose of the subject and
outward, and instantly the mar arose and
moved in the direction of the finger until
1t WINS pointed at an object, and then
his object was gazed at just as intently.
The man was her told that mosquitoes
were biting him, and he Immediately be-
gan to slap his face, first on one cheek
and then on the other, and then on his
hand, making sure that he had the little
insect each time by carefully drawing up
his fingers and pinching them together
with an expression of countenance which
indicated the sublime satisfaction he had
In putting an end to their lives. His
thought was then made to change, and
he was informed that he was q rooster.
Immediately he began to make a cluck-
ing noise, perhaps more hike a hen than
u rooster, and o o he took to Growing in
a manner that WIS irresistibly funny.
He was given the half of q lemon and
old that 1t was a sweet apple. He took
a huge bite from it and smacked his lips
as if he thoroughly enjoyed 1t. In the
twinkling Of an eye his expression
changed when DR.. Feldman applied n
magnet to his forehead, and It became
one of intense disgust, the real taste of
the lemon having come back to him.
Inc same TEST was made with Qutnfne.
Being told that it was sugar, he thought
1t was delicious and asked for more, but
when he was told hat it was nasty he
wiped 1t from his mouth as II 1t was
most distasteful. Alcohol was poured on
his head and he assumed the appearance
Of an intoxicated man. he was made to
hold himself quite rigid in q recumbent
position between two chairs, only his
head and his feet being supported.
There was a small audience Of physi-
clans, who regarded the exhibition from
a scientific point of view, and to them It
was both interesting and instructive. To
the ordinary observer, however, such a
subservience of the viii of one person to
that of another, although powerful and
remarkable, is both painful and fright
full The seance was perfectly success
full, but left the impression of something
80 uncanny that nature revolts against it.
By frequent experiments it may some
time be reduced to a useful science, but
at present 1t may hardly be considered
other than dangerous. New York Press.
Storx of m IadvBa RatIcnIa