The Dickinson press., 1889-04-20
SUGGESTIVE HYpNOTISM.
A SYSTEM OF HEALING OF AL
MOST UNLIMITED SCOPE.
Theories of Eminent Men Who Have Stud.
led tho Subject-Hithal, 1t Is a Mystery
Still-Exccrpt from an Article by slscr-

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tical Physician Who Investigated.
What is the explanation of these phenom-
cna? In the various scientific treatises OH the
subject several theories are advanced to ac-
count for thenl-theories differing materially
from each other and yet agreeing on some
important points. The Nancy school has fol-
lowed the example of Braid, tho celebrated
Manchester surgeon. who was tho first to
formulate rational explanation of the mes
meric and kindred states Its disciples reject
all theories of supernatural and mystic in
lluence: they deny the presence of mag
netic fluid, and maintain that hypnotic and
natural sleep are analogous. Professor Bern
helm quotes instances in which by speaking
to a patient who had fallen into a natural
sleep he has produced hypnotic sleep without
awakening him and without any visible sign of
transition.
The subject still slept peacefully; only his
mind had come into communication with
that Of tho physician. Then, n reader may
insist, "some cmanaton, some magnetic or
electric current, must have passed from ono
organism to the other" Not so: the relation
between was such relation as may at any
moment exist between any two human be-
ings The sleeper obcyed the doctors voice
yes, because he heard it, and it was voice
which he had perhaps been accustomed to
obey Or he followed the doctors gestures,
either because his intensified sense of hearing
conveyed to him the faintest sound heard in
producing them, his sleep being light or he
saw the movements from between his slightly
opened eyells. a gesture made behind the
patient, and so cautiously as to produce no
sound or made before, his eyes being kept
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sponse whatever
A THEORY CONCERNING NATURAL SLEEP.
Dr. Licbault maintains that natural sleep
is the result of auto-susgestion. We retire
to our room at the usual hour and make the
usual preparations for the night. We put
out the light, lie down in our accustomed po-
sitions, close our eyes, try to compose our
thoughts. All this suggests sleep, which
presently comes, unless it is kept away by
some countcracting influence. We arc in u
strange bed, perhaps, or We feel some bodily
discomfort, or an agtatins or pcrplcxing
thought enters our mind and the sumbcr we
have tried to WOO is banishcd Auto-suggcs-
ton has failed, just as medical suggestions
may fail if the conditions are adverse.
DR.. Liebault tells me that he has frequently
employed mild suggestion as means of self
cure; when suffering from some light ailmcnt,
such as an attack of neuralgia, he has lain
down, fixed his eye on some bright object
and wished to sleep for half an hour and
awoke free from pain. a true hypnotic
sleep has thus been induced, and he has
awakened at the suggested moment with the
pain gone | take it, however, that his case
is exceptional, and that the curative susgcs-
ton, to be effective, must generally bo sup
piled by another person.
Professor Bcrnhcim defines tho hypnotic
state as n psychical condition in which the
subject is influenced by suggestion to an in
creased degree. In this state he is in relation
with the operator, whose suggestions he ac-
cepts and obeys unquestioningly. These sug-
gestions may be trivial and useless, or they
may be and in treatment are serious and bene-
fetal. But whatever be their nature the pa
TENTS mind is for the time being entirely
bent OH carrying them out, and if so directed
will act OH the body to effect changes of bene-
fetal tendency. Thus some morbid habit is
for the time controlled by command or
suggestion acting through the Imagination.
a patient is subject to periodical attacksaof
some complaint-say asthma or neuralgia.
His system has accepted the morbid condi-
tion, which has bcrn'ne as much a habit as
waking in tho morning or eating at regular
hours.
Such one is put into the hypnotic sleep
his mind is closed against impressions except
tho suggestion of the operator; it strives tc
obey this suggestion, that the pain shall not
return at the usual time. That time arrives
and tho morbid habit tries to assert itself
There will be some uneasiness, a transient
difficulty of breathing in the ono case, slight
pricking or burning in the other; but the
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titions of lthe treatment suffice to overcome
it. In cases where the complaint is of long
standing little, of course, can be done without
perseverance, as complete change has to be
effected in the constitution
1T REMAINS A MYSTERY.
And still, though we see and record sucl
results, we cannot tell why or how patient
in tho hypnotic state is influenced to his cure
Wo may thcoriZe on this subject, but as yet il
remains mystery. Whether human intel
ligenco will ever compass it is doubtful
though great neurologists. among other:
Professor Charcot, of Paris, arc at work try
ing to make it clear. III tho meantime tho
friends of treatment by suggestion accept it
as we all accept much that we cannot under
stand.
In what hands is vested this powcr1 Wha
gifts of mind and body must its possessor b,
endowed withs With none that can DO callet
exceptional. Magnetizers and mesmerist
used to hold that to obtain an influence ovel
his subjects the operator should be in robus
health, US tho process was extremely cx
hausting for both mind and body The,
no doubt found it So as they considered
it necessary to concentrate their every facult,
upon each subject; to strain their will powe
to tho utmost; to employ much muscular fore
in making passes" The Nancy school, be
lievlng that the condition they produce is
simple result of psychical and physiological
laws, find that no special effort of will is re
! quired, and dispense altogether with passes
There is no physiological reason why tho ina
jorityof people should not possess the powe
; to hypnotic, but there are tho stronges
reasons why that power should be exercise
only by approved persons and within strictl
regulated limits.
The continental physicians who practic
t this system are wisely careful to protec
, themselves and their patients with such pre-
cautions as they would use i'll administerin
annsthetics, never hypnotizing any patier
, without his own free consent or that Of h
natural or legal guardian, and insisting @
some third person being prescnt-if possible
friend or relative of tho patient. The MOI
cultured and broad minded of them regar
the treatment not as u universal specific,
be used against all diseases and with all p;
tients to the exclusion of other means of hea
t Inc, but rather as a valuable adjunct to the:
l in certain cases. They choose net to be inn
vators but improvers-not to take away bl
to add; and they work with a firm convictic
that it should DO the aim of medical scient
and of its exponents to press all remedi
agents into the service Of hulnanity.-C. Lloy
Tucke, NJ. D., in Nineteenth Century.
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Q lodgers were boys who ran away from hon
r and had no real need for its conveuicuceS