The morning call., 1892-03-03
Views of DIR. Burgess.

CALL reporter visited DIR. Oscar o. Bur
CESS al his office. Upon stating his business
he was received cordially. To the question,
''Do you think the study of hypnotsm tends
TO create Insanity" the doctor replied in
substance as follows:
"HypnotIsm can be classed in the same
category with theosophy, spirtualism and
all the other isms-ench an occult science,
or rather study. The study of hypnotism is
apt to be extremely disastrous unless the
pupil possesses 4 well-balanced mind. /
nave no personal acquaintance with or
knowledge of young McCOmb. and there
fore | am lot qualified to speak of his case
a business man devoting the majority or
even part of his time TO the study of hyp-
nOtsm would impair his capacity for con-
Quoting business to great degree, and also
the business itself. On the other hand, d
moderate amount Of the study at the same
time being careful to pay his customary
close attention to his affairs, would tend to
save him from being carried too far by in
vesugations OF the mysteries OF hypnotism.
'All regular physicians in good standing
are probably unanimous in this opinion
but specialists in mind and nervous diseases
are better qualified to speak on this point,
though their opinions essentially tend toward
the same conclusion. As far as hypnotism
is concerned there is no doubt that it Is at
tracing wide attention. As to the efficacy
of the science as remedial agent the feel
ing is very general among the profession
that it should never be resorted 10 unless
under the direction OF a thoroughly we'll
qualified medical man.
In some countries-notably Belgium
laws are in existence prohibiting the prac-
tice OF hypnotlsm except by physicians.
WISE LAWS.
II consider these laws very wise, efficient.
and beneficial. The power gained over O
hypnotic subject could be easily abused by
rlrTrl nf sAl ad in
don't think there is nothing In hypnotism :;
ON the contrary there is great deal that is
occult and ii should not be tempered with
The effect of very strong mind over a
weaker one would without doubt be ex-
tremely disastrous. A man may be hypno-
tiZed mechanically"
AS proof of the latter assertion the doc
tor showed the reporter unique mechani-
cal continuance, termed the revolving mir
rors." 1t IS the invention of Dr. Luys of
Paris, and is modification of an apparatus
used By French huntsmen for ensnarng
small birds. The article is an iron box, six
inches high and four wide, surmounted by
mirrors of peculiar form. ten inches long
revolving in an opposite direction. The
motive power Is spring In the interior,
double shaft. The patient sits directly I'm
front of the machine and concentrates his
attention upon the glittering mirrors, allow
ing nothing to divert his gaze.
Referring to this machine DR.. Burgess
continued:
"Some are not hypno TIED at all, others in
few seconds, while st i'll others are affected
in as many minutes. but the effects are pre-
cisely similar 10 those produced by human
operator. / have seen the machine in op-
Grafton many times in La Charlie Hospital,
In Paris, and have witnessed many patients
succumb to its influence. while Others were
bypnotlzed by the resident physician when
ne simply pointed two fingers at them. The
effect was instantaneous. and they went
down like shot
"Unremitting devotion to hypnotism. as
well as to religious enthusiasts, is always
disastrous and wrecks the mind. This little
machine has been used in place of anes.het-
les for extracting teeth and performing
small surgical operations, aud invariably
without pain"
Dr.. Grffiith's Expressed Opinion.
DIR. Z. NJ. Griffith had this to say on the
subject: " Excessive study of anything
produces insanity. Hypnotic study is
kindred to all other isms and w-fan gled
notions. Provided man is mentally sound
| there is no reason for insanity being pro
| duced by the study; on the contrary, If such
a condition prevails it would have no bat
| effect. The more the mind is used, ration.
ally. the more it is developed, Just as 9
blacksmith develops the muscles of his arm
| Dy constant use. INSANITY IS one OF those
conditions which are inscrutable, notwith
standing the vast amount of studies pur-
| sued upon it.
I IF young McC0mb was dissipated o
given to overstudy, either cause may hav
unbalanced his mind. Late hours and ca
| rousing cannot fail In time to weaken tn,
Intellect. ! think the future will witness
some wonderful developments In hypno
tism. / will give you an instance la M
own practice.
Il had q woman patient who was terri
bic sufferer from disease, and who wa
obliged to use morphine In excess to allie
yiate pain. hppn0tiZed her three times
the first and second time produced no re
suit; but in the third / succeeded in throw
ing her into cataleptic state. When re
stored to consciousness she was free from
pain. She came back In week and com
planned of a return Of the pain. l aga
put her under the influence an
cautioned her not to use morphine
At the end Of three weeks oh
reappeared. again complaining of pain. W he
the operation was repeated and she departe
apparently we'll woman. have not see
her since. and have no little curiosity as
the ultimate result; but the most singus
part OF the case was her statement that dul
ing her absence she was entirely free frol