Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-18
ADANGEROUSPOWER.
PittSburg Physicians Think the En-
ployment of HypnOtiSm
SHOULD BE RESTRAINED BY LAW.
Its Boundless Future in Fields of Medicine
and Surgery
NEEDS TO BE LEGITIMATELY GUARDED
SHOULD BE RESTRAINED BY LAW.
NEEDS TO BE LEGITIMATELY GUARDED

Never since order was called out of chaos
and this planet took its place in the eternal
fitness of things, has any medical discovery
been made that opens up such vast posi-
bilities as are embraced in the subject OF
bypnotism. Some leading physicians OF
Pittsburg were interviewed yesterday, and
the interesting fact developed that the
sword of hynotic flame that will dazzle the
universe is expected to be unsheathed before
old Father Times head is moulted with the
cares of many more years.
PensiveIy pause, patiently ponder over
the grand and inestimable advantages pos
sessed BY the professors who have the power
of putting people into a hypnotic stated
What glorious opportunities for spectators!
For example, behold the perspicacious
pickpocket hypnotizing such a staid
and honorable citizen as Mayor Gourley,
and putting him under the magnetic spell,
command him to filch fine "silkers" from
the dear public, under the impression that
he is full-hedged pickpocket. Or what
would better illustrate the magnificent
powers of hypnotism than to see murderer
condemned to death, throw hypnotic spell
over the executioner, then glide rapidly
away.
RoUNDLESS POSSIBILITIES.
The possibilities of this peculiar nerve
training" are boundless. Life is too short
to enumerate even fraction of the wonder
full deeds that might be ACCOMPLISHED by
those possessing the power to hypnotize
others. The employment of this phenomenal
faculty by unprincipled characters to further
evil designs is not mere matter OF fancy,
but well-known fact, as evidenced by
what DR.. Seip said yesterday afternoon to
DISPATCH reporter.
when was in Paris" he said. 'the French
authorities passed laws placing restrictions on
the use of hypnotism, for the reason that many
abused the power. Whether the time will come
when the hypnotic state will have recognized
place in surgery as a substitute for chloroform,
cocaine, etc, is difficult to say, for the reason
that the matter has not been thoroughly inVes-
tgated."
This peculiar and in, ,,resting mental and
muscular phenomenon, = hen reduced to nrst
principles will have an important function to {
perform in cases of minor surgery. DR.. z. B.
Scott the Penn avenue dentist, remarked:
'Hypnotism has future in dentistry, which
must be given over in charge to the pro-
tession itself. and in its practice the greatest
care must be exercised in preventing nervous
prostration of the patient"
IN PHYSICIANS HANDS.
''There should be law forbIdding the use Of
hypnotism by any one except a skilled ply
sician," said DR.. Winslow. II saw the opera
tions Of Prof. Charcot the French savant,
who is the head and soul of hypnotism in
Europe, and to say the least, patients who are
put under the influence should be in the hands
of thoroughly competent physicians. 1t is a
practical mental phenomenon that can be
handled with safety only by expert. Quacks
and charlatans strive to invest this play on the
nervous system with supernatural character
istics in order to impose on credulous members
of our community. but this state of hypnotism
does not depend in any way on supernatural
agenciesn