The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-17
GIRLS MESNERIZED.
A Novel Course In Nerve Training at q
Seminary.

Novel Course In Nerve Training At q
Seminary. -5
AUBuRNDALE, Mass, June 16.-Two las
sell seminary girls have been reduced to a
serious condition of i'll health by reason of
curious course of study in that institu-
tion. 1t is called nerve training'' by the
seminary authorities, but the doctors who
for the past six months have been calling
upon all the medical resources to save the
lives of the two young ladies affected there
by declare that it is hypnotism.
Both girls were completely hypnotized
and their nervous systems were almost
shattered. They were forced to leave school
last December, and not until to-day were
they able to leave their BEDS
The instructor in this branch of study is
Miss Annie Mccall. She believes the sys-
tenn one of great advantage to her students,
teaching them to relax their nerves and to
instructions is to have the student lie at
full length and endeavor to induce all her
nervous system to relax.
This relaxation, which is an essential
point in the instruction, must be 80 perfect
that when the instructor lifts an arm or
fall as if lifeless. If the instructor directs
student to move head or eye or finger,
the controlling nerves and those only must
be used and entire relaxation must imme-
diately follow the m ovement.
A class of l2 young ladies undertook this
course last fall and suddenly the nervous
system of two of them collapsed. Their
brains were too susceptible and both were
completely mesmerized. It was some time
before their condition was understood, and
until proper counteracting influences were
brought to bear there was no improvement
visible.
Much opposition to the course of instruc-
tion has developed since its effects were so
unpleasantly shown in the case of those two
students. The unique system of instruc-
tion which resulted so seriously in the cases
of these two students is dignified with a
seminary. It has never been introduced
elsewhere in this country in an institution
OF learning, so far as is known here. This
Is what the catalogue says about it:
we employ systematic training in the
use OF the mind itself, as we'll as in its guild
ancc of the body, and the results should
bring young women to a better nervous bal
ance, and SO prepare them to meet life out
OF school with strong nerves, thoroughly
controlled according to natural laws.''
Miss Call has given this instruction the
entire year, but it has been recognized only
as an experiment. She is an enthusiast and
the principal of the school is still inclined to
believe there are good points in the instruc-
ton and many physical benefits to be de-
rived therefrom. Miss Call is very much
exercised over the publicity given the cases
of the two young ladies.
In explaining her system of instruction.
she said: Il work to obtain a perfectly
quiet mind and then to get that mind well
centered or focused by its owner at pleas
ure, and to secure better direction Of the
mental faculty. The idea is that the laws
governing the use of the body may Just as
successfully and consistently operate i'm
governing the use of the mind. We aim
first to secure perfectly passive body and
then to be able to use any muscles or nerves
necessary, whether We are to play the piano,
sing or sustain part in an act on the STAGE
In this way the body is left more perfect for
natural expression in any FORM"