The record-union., 1891-08-22

ment at Salpetriere in which cigar-case
applied to the skin of patient during
hypnosis was made to raise blister un-
der the suggestion that the case was hot
iron. Bleeding from the skin is recorded
as well established during hypnosis, and
the claim of the miracle of the stigmata
it is held is thus to be reasonably ac-
counted for, since in all such cases the
subjects had in religious ecstacy gazed
fixedly at the crucifix. The records of
the Catholic Church are well filed with
such accounts. Hypnotic investigation
may, therefore, be said to be a breaker of
idols of superstition.
The correspondents indicate that the
Nancy school of Investigators dwell
much upon the psychological phases of
hypnotism, but they do not make clear to
laymen their theories of the retention of
ideas and speaking with tongues" con-
cerning which there is reason to believe
there is much delusion. The Nancy school
claims that the lethargic state in which
one may remain asleep for several days
is not hypnotic. Concerning favorable
subjects there is wide difference of opin-
ion. The Nancyites think that warm
weather is favorable; that sex cuts no
figure in the matter; neither do hysteri-
cal predisposition, feeble health nor weak
ness Of viii. On the contrary, the intel
lgent are more susceptible than the ig-
norant, and mistrust is an opposing con-
dition. The SaIpetriere record gives
oneinstance where forty attempts to bring
one under control were unsuccessful. but
it is added that the patient grows more
susceptible the oftener the attempt to
hypnotic is made. Children under
three cannot be affected, and those under
eight only with difficulty.
What the Salpetriere experimenters
most seek to ascertain is the value of
hypnotism as a therapeutic agent, for
whatever value there is in hypnosis
lies" say the Nancy school, sin the in
creased susceptibility it gives to sugges-
ton, but the two are entirely separate"
| The effect of the mental power in the
cure Of disease or aileviation of pain is
old and well known, and hypnotism, say
these doctors, only gives the mental part
freer play. The Nancy school propose
to see if suggestion, therefore, cannot be
used scientifically in medicine. For this
they are laughed at andsby many utterly
scorned but in this day and age it may
| be wiser to wait upon the result of in
vestigation. For these Salpetriere inves-
| tigatOrs court opposition because it is an
aid TO the discovery of truth, and this
frankness is at least deserving of respect.
To the charge that hypnotism is the
work of charlatans, the Nancy investi-
gators respond then it should no more be
left in the hands of charlatans than medi-
cine, which many of them successfully
practice. When they are told that hyp-
notism is dangerous they reply, "all the
| more reason for ascertaining its true
value and danger; it should not be treated
as a toy, but lifted to the rank of a
! science or condemned as fraud" But
they are told bad effects follow it's use, as
nervousness. mental incapacity, etc., and
the investigators retort that the same is
! true of the use of opiates and anesthetics
that are liable to result injuriously, but
/ they should not for that reason be put out
side the pale of study, but that the proper
and improper use of them should wisely
engage the labor of the scientist.
The Nancy school, now experimenting
at Salpetriere, admit, say the correspond
ents, that there is real danger in hypnot-
ism, as increased tendency to hypnosis,
the possibility of inducing the condition
against the patients will. etc. For the
latter instance they have found a check,
that is, suggestion to the patient
that no one shall hypnotic him
! against his will. Loss of speech, cata-
lepsy and convulsions are possibilities
| following much practice of hypnotism
1t will be remembered that the State
Medical Society OF California in 1885,
recognized these dangers and passed reso.
lutions asking the Legislature to prohibit
any but physicians practicing in hyp.
motto experiments.
AS to whether hypnotic suggestion has
resulted in therapeutics beneficially the
testimony of experimentation at Sal.
petriere is conflicting. The correspond.
ents affirm that the proofs are affirmative
more than negative, and that high anc
lasting good has resulted, as in treatmen
of nervous disorders, rheumatism, som.
/ nambulism, melancholia, the alcohol anC
morphine habits, etc. But some recent
cases'in San Francisco give us record O
total failure in the last two instances. A:
to the relation of hypnotism to the com
mission of crime, the Investigators are al
at sea. True they do make patients fire
guns against their will, alter writings
put poison into food, etc., but there is nc
instance as yet authenticated of crime
due to the misuse of the power. Thus
far, then, hypnotism has not proved itsel
an aid to the administration of justice
In the meantime, while France expert
ments in it, in Russia it is prohibited b,
law, except practiced in the presence o
three physicians; in Germany public ex
hibitions of it are forbidden. All whicl