The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-10-24
DAEcERs OF HYPNor,sm.
a philadelphia Discusses the Legal
Aspects of the Science.
philadelphia Press.l

philadelphia Pressl
Dr. Judson Daland, DR.. William Penner's
assistant and rising junior physician of
THIS city, declared last night that the dan
gers accompanying hypnotism are spontane-
GUS sleep, Increase in susceptibility, insanity.
headaches and insomnia, enfeeblement of
the will power, and making active latent
hysteria, and he asserted that a law ought
to be passed restricting the exercise Of
hypnotizing to physicians. He said all this
In paper which he read before the Medical
Jurisprudence Society in the hall of the Col
lege of Physicians on 1.-The Medico-Legal
Aspects of Hypnotism."
DR.. Daland opened by giving short his
tory of the subject, which he said had en-
crossed the active attention of scientific men
for more than century. From 1912 to 1883
more than S01 seperate communications were
made on the subject by 481 authors. Hyp-
u0tjsm was formerly known as mesmeriSm
or animal magnetism. IL mas n m E s9ree
prick Anton Mesmer gave his name to 1t;
from 1842. when James Braid published his
work on the subject; and from 1878, when
interest in it was excited again.
HYPNoTIsM DEFINED.
"Hy pnotism has been Defined" saws DR..
Daland, "as induced sleep, or a peculiar
physical condition which Increases suscepti-
mystery He spoke of the various ways of
hypnotizing. Mesmer would sit opposite bis
subject, and, grasping his hands, he would
stare at his eyes ten or fifteen minutes, and
then stroke the patients head with his hand.
Another method was by revolving mirrows,
which converged the rays of light to focus,
and thus strained the optic nerve. which pro-
duced the hypnotic condition. DIR. Daland
said women were more susceptible to hypno-
tism than men, and at one time it was be-
disposition could be hypnotized, but that
has oeen found to be unture. The French
and Italians and some other European ma
tions are more susceptible than the Ameri-
cans or those Of the colder climates. 1t is
very difficult to hypnotic the insane, and
IDIOTS are insusceptible. DR.. Daland then ex-
planned at length the three states which
finally led to the hypnotic condition. They
are the lethargic, cataleptic and somnam-
bulistic states.
The Doctor spoke very briefly upon the
most important topics Of his paper, the dan
restriction BY law. He said that a patient
when hypnotized was very apt to become ex-
tremely weak. In certain persons 1t pre-
duced tendedcy to sleep spontaneously.
and they would come to be easily influenced
by anybody. Hypnotism also brings about
mental arrangement. He spoke of patient
who became so mentally deranged that he
would follow the lights of wagon any,
where. After public seances nervous pa
tieDt becomes worse. The will is worked
up and hysteria is liable to follow. 1t is
very likely to produce insanity and thus
lead to crime. such as murder, theft, fraud,
&c.
81 would protest." said DIR. Daland.
against its use by any but physicians.
Other countries have recognized 1t in legisla-
tfnxn. he hn~ A-.a Anl tN..1
He suggested that committee be appointed
to investigate the advisability OF taking &C
tion to further such scheme.
At the conclusion of the reading of the
paper the subject was opened for discussion
by those present. Dr. Charles K Mills was
the first to speak. He said: 81 fully accord
with DR.. Daland in the necessity of recogniz-
ing the dangers of hypnotism, and, on the
other hand, extreme denunciation of all its
uses is not in accord with science. believe
harm can be done by hypnOtism, and have
always been extremely careful and have de-
sisted from experiments, because no good
would result from them. | believe, however,
that good can be done by it. / would con-
fine 1t either to physicians or licensed per-
sons. don't believe in debarring. for in
university from its use. While he may not
be practicing physician. yet he should
have the privilege of its use. Whether a
law should be passed restricting it, | don't
KNOW. Wnll6 0arm can De done by II, yet
1t is probable that very little has been done,
and especially very little of it which has led
to crime. Opiates can be used which would
lead to crime in the same way"
DR.. Kyser was the next speaker. 81 think
the Doctor did not go far enough" said he,
"and tell us the benefits derived from it.
have never seen patient benefited by 1t.
/ would suggest that the physician be re-
strained from its use as an amusement"
DIR. Bird said that within the past year he
had tried to hypnotic forty-five persons. He
hurt one girl by its use. She had fits, and
after being hypnotized she had several fits,
one after the other. II think we had bet
ter 60 slow as to the law" said the Doctor,
1T has not the foothold here that 1t has In
France" One or two others spoke, who SIM
ply said that they agreed with DIR. Daland,
The latter, in reply to Mr.. Mills idea Of
restraining Its use by law to physicians and
licensed persons. said he only wanted it re-
stricted to responsible hands. He thought
it was good time to have the laws passed
now. In regard to the absence of benefits,
he said benefits had been obtained. Vicious
children had bad their dispositions changed
by suggestion. hysteria had been removed
and nervous sick headache relieved by it.
"HYpnotism is purely physical expert
menr," said DIR. Daland; there is no will
power used IN it. No particular power is re-
quired by the operator. Questions of hypnc-
tism have come before the Courts i'll France,
but there Is no case reported here of it"