Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-06-05
STRANGE IF TRUE.
Funny Antics of the Subject" In a
Iecture-Room.

looking man in a medical school re-
Gently. He was what is known TO
medical men as a hypnotic subject"
and DIR. GTaeme Hammond, SOL of the
famous specialist in nervous diseases,
was about 10 hypnotic him for the in
struction of class of sixty men.
why do you ask me not to hurt
you?r DIR. Hammond asked, reassur-
ingly; "What are you afraid of?''
because | was hypnotized BEFORE"
said the subject as he wiped his fore
head and rubbed his clammy hands
together. ''and while / was in that
state they pricked me with pins to IL
lustIate my insensibility to feeling.
When l came to myself l was sore all
over. Now mind l don't want you to
hurt me"
Don't be afraid. Just stand here
and I'll be ready for you in a moment"
DIR. Hammond then summed up the
definition OF hypnotism as follows:
"Hypnotism is the entire engrosS nent
of the mind W tn whatever may be for
the time the object of its attention. 1t
is the passive respectfully of the mind,
the will of the patient being in be-
ance. All his mental operations are at
such a time directed altogether by
whatever suggestions the operator may
choose 10 impress on his conscious
neS'.
The subject listened attentiyely to
these remarks, shifting from one foot
to the other and at intervals wiping his
brow. Evidently he dreaded the or
deal and was summon.ng his courage
to meet it, The lecturers voice ceased
and for a moment there was silence in
the room as he fixed his eyes impera-
lively on the subject. Very slowly the
man lifted his eyes to the lecturers
face and the students leaned eagerly
forward.
"LOok at this, What is it?'' asked
DIR. Hammond, taking up q snuff-box.
"a snuff-box."
Are you sure?" asked Dr. Ham
mond, looking deeply into his eyes and
passing his fingers slowly over his eye
| ] ds. The subject looked at the box and
at him with an irreSolute, changing eX-
| preston. you don't know, see, 1"
said DIR. Hammond, touching him on
the shoulder. At the touch the man
became transformed. lie looked con-
fident and peaceful.
''IIe is now under my control. l can
do what / please with him." said DIR.
/ Hammond to the class ''In his pres
ent state l could use this man as IN in
1 stTumeut in committing a crime, and
after l had withdrawn my influence
and given him back his will he would
remember absolutely nothing about il.
| Don't you want TO sit DOWN." he
| aSked the subject
"YeS, l feel tired" and he moved
toward chair.
''But you can't sit down. say you
can't
"Is that 50? I'd like to know how
you are going 10 stop me"
BY this time his hand was on the
back Of the chair. He made An effort
10 seat himself, then struggled franti-
cslly and at length stood up perfectly
rigid.
''Why don't you sit down?''
| ~ can't" he answered, helplessly-
| Neither could he raise his arm or
lower il when the operator stated tat
it was impossible. y silver dollar was
flung upon the floor and he made a
| sudden lunge for it. "Hou can't get
that" said DIR. Hammond; "It's a
Thousand miles away"
That's 50, said the subject sadly
at looks as il 1t were close by, but il 5
a thousand miles away"
| When a student sent it spinning
across the floor again, he only looked
4
attempt to pick it up.
"Why don't you go and take ride
this beautiful afternoon?" asked DIR.
Hammond.
81 have no horse; I'm too poor to buy
one.''
"No horser'' Why, are you blind?
What's that beside your" he asked
pointing to a chair. "Don't you see
the horse? Jump on his back ana go
for a canter" \ smile broke over the
subjects face and he threw back his
head.
"All right. Whoa there! Steady
nowl'' lie cried, getting astride the
chair and rocking TO and fro, Now
we are off. Get upl Fasterl Faster!'
But my friend, you had better be
careful; that's balky horse. Look
Outl BY Jingo lie will surely throw
YOU" During these shouts the subject
became very excited, and stood over the
chair as If rising in his stirrups. Al
the words, HE will surely throw you, .
ne flung his Ia .dS upward and rolled
of the chair to the ground.
You're terribly hurt, - said the ply.
| sician bending over him. Hou must
feel very sore; l know you do. "How ::
your headI"
Broken" answered the subject
| much to the amusement Of the stu
dents, and for few moments he lay
perfectly still, with closed eyes. Aftel
AN imaginary bathing and bandaging
he was told he felt better. He fully
agreed with that opinion and struggled
TO his feet.
why, you're all right again. said
DIR. Hammond you're looking a:
fresh as a June rose"
Never felt better in my life," re
piled the subject.
But 1 have a terrible piece of new:
for you. Come over near me. No on,
must hear it.
What is it, whispered the subject
You see that man leaning agains
the wall near the door?' Look at hin
well. lie is the murderer of you
father"
"Yes, you are right, Oh, III SETTLE
him. missed the subject, as he stealth
ily fastened his distended eyes on tn,
man pointed out to him An expires
sion of hate flashed over his face, anC
with a cry he rushed forward
BE careful" whispered DIR. Ham
! mond, dragging him back. Take hin
/. unawares."
After an effort he became calm ant
/, his expression changed to one Of in
! tense cunning He knelt down IN
. corner, took q lead penceil from hi:
, pocket AID commenced 10 sharpen j
upon the s'de OF his boot, as IL IL were .
. knife. The students hell their ereatl
/, and watched his eve y movement Will
4 excited eyes. what will he do next:'
wA- the thought Ia every mind H
! rose TO hIs feet without making
sound, and drew the pencil along hL
fingers as II testing the edge
IL was evidently sharp enough Il
suit HIM, tor he drew back his finger
With an exclamation IS IL the pencil
had drawn blood and commence,
sucking his thumb. Keeping close L
the wall be crept up behind the sup
: posei murderer. who had purpose
a turned hs back. TheTe Was . moment
ipalse q. Ia nsxf Of he mh.ect the