Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-08
HYPNOTlsM AND lNEBRlATES.
An Orphan-Asylum Manager Claims That
it's Sure Cure.
london sunday TimeSl

Some go ladies and gentlemen assembled
bv invitation Yesterday at st. Michael g Or
phanage, WOod-ide. To witness demon
etrati0u of hypnotic influence, especially
in connection with the cure of dlpsomanla
10y mental treatment, by the Key; Arthur
Tooth. The audience included many
medical men and members of the clergy.
With the exception OF one, "a young man OF
nineteen or twenty. Mr.. IOOths subjects
were all BOYS belonging 70 the institution.
In one Of the large schOol-rooms OF the
Orphanage benches had been so arranged
that large space in the centre was fenced
of. In this space was a couch, upon Whlch
as he found 1t necessary the lecturer
caused his patients TO lle down.
Mir. Tooth commenced by saying that
with regard to the ordinary medical treat
ment of drunkards 1t had been his expert
euce that after being successfully treated,
and after a better physical condition had
been restored 70 them, the patients lnyari-
ably returned 10 their evil courses. Ihey
shOuld be treated rs moral invallds, and N
the marvellous power of hypnotsm no
thought he had already discovered the Sc
cret of dealing not only with drunkards,
but also with those who were Otherwise
AT this STAGE m intelligent-looking lad
about thirteen years was introduced, and
having laid down on the couch, was IN
simultaneously thrown into condition re-
sembling ordinary sleep by mere glance
from the lecturer. Two medical men,
watch in hand, felt the boys pulse, while
Mr.. Tooth, by simply placing his hand
upon the SUBJECTS heart, alternately raised
and lowered the action of that organ.
After this moustration. and while stu
quietly talking to his audience, Mr.. Iooth
fixed his eye upon young man seated
some distance away, who was the solitary
outside subject referred to, with remarka-
ble effect. The subject Immediately show
ed signs Of great agitation ana nervous
ness. and his eyes became hXed upon tho
hypnotist in a moment, IN response TO
ouiet invitation from Mr.. Tooth 10 como
nearer. he rushed toward him with vio-
lence Mr. Tooth put ms hand upon
the subjects head, and he was imne-
diatelv 0uieted and stood at rest, sleeping
sCundly. Two boys were placed beside
him and also thrown into a deep sleep, ono
with his head upon the other shoulder,
and the other leaning against the hrst SUP,
jcct. The young man was then released
from the spell, and. rubbing MS eyes, le-
turned TO his seat, eagerly pursued, how
eyer. bv his companions. who were still IN
q hypnotic state, and VINO would on no ac-
count lose touch of him. In "A minute, ny
a Observation-Disclosures sign, they had
returned to consciousness.
Standing his patients upon their teet the
lecturer then suggested 10 them mat they
had vinegar in their mouths. Again the
grown-up subject was the most violently
Affected and Spat upon the floor with ex-
IRENE disgust, TO which he gave audible
EXPRESSION bv EXPLANATIONS, not, however,
using any words. The younger subjects,
VINO. Judging from appearances, had been
more accustomed 20 disguise their feelings
in such q contingency pressed thelr pocheI
hgndkerchefs 10 their mouths. The sug-
gestion of mustard" called forth sun
more pronounced signs of discomfort.
At "A word, again. from Mr.. Tooth the
patients sneezed violently until the paroA-
vsms were brought TO an end by touch OF
the hand Now said the demonstration.
Il will inhics some slight pain, and he
quietly suggested to the young man that lie
was suffering from a severe rneumatlc pam
in the shoulder. You viii still suher from
il when YOU are awake" he ADDED. Inc
two bows were allotted each an uneaslness
upon the wrist, resembling the sting 81 a
bee" All Immediately showed signs or
suffering. Being restored 20 conscious
ness by a simple touch OF the hand, me
suderings still continued, the young man
CRYING out that somebody was twisting his
arm round. Another touch gave him ana
his companions in misfortune instant re-
lief
Mr.. Tooth then placed number of boys
in different parts OF the room among the
audience, whom he invited 20 use all law
full means to Illustrate his endeayors. lie
then left the room. and wllled subjects
asleep IN spite of the sincere efforts OF
those around them 10 keep them awake.
Mr.. Tooth upon his return enlarged upon
the great stimulus which was given
. 10 mental endeayOr by hypnotic IN
nuence, and gave striking example.
A few DAYS ago he had placed under
the influence n subject whom he had then
requested 10 draw COW. Tho request was
complied with. The spell was then re-
moved and the subject was again asked to
draw COW. Unconscious OF his former
performance he, laughing, said that he
/ could not draw. On being asked to do his
best he sketched an animal which might
( have resembled an elephant or a rhinoce-
ros. or any other animal, but GER
tainly did not resemble q COW. Both
sketches were handed around among
the audience, and the one which had
/ been executed in the hypnotic state. II not
artistic, was at any rate comparatively
/ faithful representation of COW. This, Mr.
/ Tooth said. showed clearly the stimulating
I influence which hypnotism had upon the
mental faculties. As work done under such
/ circumstances, however, was necessarily
done under very high pressure, il was very
| inadyisable that IL should be used Tor work
of such kind. Only for special purposes
and in very special circumstances should
/ advantage be taken OF 1t.
Now came the most important feature,
| by far. of Mr.. Tooths demonstration. IL