Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-12-03

New York Sun: The November
number Of the Contemporary Review
contains paper by DR.. Charles Lloyd
TuclSey on the applications OF hypno-
tism, in which he refers more especially
TO It's use in the treatment OF the vic
Tins OF alcohol and opium. The article
therefore, is Of peculiar interest and
pertinency at this time when the
Kelley cure for drunkenness is under
discussion.
Dr. Tuckey accepts Professor Bern
helms definition OF hypnotism as ''the
induction OF a physical condition in
which the subjects susceptibility to
suggestion and ability to act upon II are
enormously increased" ut matters
not, " he explains, 'whether the degree
OF influence produced amounts TO pro-
found sleep with unconsciousness, or to
a slight languor Of drowsiness, during
which the use OF the senses or intelli-
gence is entirely retained. so long as
the 'suggestibility' OF the subject is in
creased Suggestion is the key to
the hyprotic problem" Sometimes a
suggestion will take possession OF the
minds and dominate the actions OF per-
sons who are barely hypnotizable, while
others will reject II In the most pro-
found hypnotic sleep.
Such susceptibility apart from hypno-
tism Is frequently exhibited and gener-
ally acknowledged. Tho drunkard
converted by Cough or a Father
Mathew is redeemed through sugges-
tion, says DIR. Tuckey, "and through
it the victim OF evil example or evil
solicitation falls to his ruin" Disease,
according to Liebault, implies an ex-
cess OF nervous action in one direction,
and its deficiency in another. The
function OF hypnotism, as described by
DR.. Tuckey, is TO restore the nervous
equilibrium on which depends the
maintenance OF health, or, in other
words, to combat disease by utilizing
the patients own forces. ''The pa
tlent, says Professor Bernheim, "hyp-
notices himself, and so also he cures
himself through forces that are essen
TALLY his own, though the direction Of
them comes from without.
DIR. Tuckey presents several instan-
ces OF the application OF hypnotic sug-
gestion for the cure OF drunkenness. In
one case gentleman who seemed to
have lost all power Of self-eontrol, so far
as alcohol was concerned, was restricted
by him to the use OF light wines and
beer nt his meals and ordered never to
touch spirits, but TO hold them In alb
horrence. Though be never lost con-
sciousness In the hypnotic state he has
never exceeded the allowance granted
and has had no relapse. A merchant
subject 20 the periodical mania for alcO-
holic excess was treated by hypnotic
suggestion, though he retained full
q L..
seven months without suffering from
the appetite. Then, under peculiar
circumstances, he took TO drinking
was able TO control himself OF his own
accord, and since has had 70 re-
lapse. A manager OF an important
drunkenness, was thrown into a deep
hypnotic sleep and then told that alco-
hol was poison to him, and that IN the
future the taste of it would make him
violently Ill. When he awaked, small
glass OF beer brought on an attack Of
illness and he has had no relapse 10
drinking habits. A short time ago he
rejected with loathing a glass OF whis-
ky offered him in sudden illness, SO
strong is his acquired mental distaste for
aAANAbA aiAA AAo lAAN HAstAA thsNNibAA
against IT, In all these cases the treat
ment lasted from three weeks to a
month and somewhat more. the time
usually spent under the treatment Of
keeley.
or course, the Kelley treatment does
not fulfill exactly the conditions Of hyp-
notism. though the results are similar
The patients who have submitted 10 IL !
testify frequently that they acquire an
aversion for alcohol so strong that they |
cannot lit glass OF spirits to their |
lips. II Is not merely that they do moi |
want TO drink, but that they cannot |
drink. They have undergone a moral |
transformation which seems 10 be akin |
TO the change effected by the sugges |
tion OF the hypnotizer. This result !
cannot be brought about by any mere |
drug, physicians say, and reason and |
are on their side. The BIZ |
OF gold may serve a subsidiary |
purpose As tonic, but the cure is per |
haps really OF the nature Of faith |
cure.
Il is a very interesting field for inves-
tigation and speculation.