Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-06-06
HyDnOtiSn.

As illustrations Of his address on "a
Safe Possible Anasthetic" before the
MARYLAND State Dental Association in
Baltimore last night DR.. VIM. Lee How
ard gave series of interesting expert
ments in hypnotism. Two subjects
were operated upon. One was a young
man of DR.. Towards acquaintance and
the other one Of the members OF the
association whom DR.. Howard had
never seen before. In the first case the
patient was put to sleep readily, and
then a gold pin was pushed through
the lobe of the ear and into his arm
without the slightest resistance on the
part of the patient. The subject was
also made to assume a variety of posi-
tons. After the experiment he said
that he felt no pain ;.ld knew nothing
of what had been done.
The second subject was put to sleep
with little more difficulty, but after
he was asleep was thrown from the
chair without trying to save him.
self from falling, was compelled to
open his mouth and keep it open until
told by DR.. Howard to close it, and to
do several other things at the sugges-
ton of the physician, all showing that
his own will was wholly in allegiance,
and that he could not resist that of DR..
Howard. This subject also declared at
the close of the experiment that he was
not aware of what had occurred. DIR.
Towards method was to seat the sub
iect in a chair and then stand over him,
looking down into his eyes. The posi-,
ton of subject and operator compelled
the subject to raise his eyes as high as
it was possible.
In his address DR.. Howard said
'"rhere is nothing mysterious, occult or
non.explainable in hypnotism. 1t is
due to natural causes, not supernatural,
many, unfortunately, believe. DIR.
Haft, editor of the British Medical
Journal, deserves the thanks of the
scientific world for placing hypnotism
in the list OF explainablc scientific facts.
He does not dispute the danger or pow
er of hypnotic suggestions. On the
contrary he emphasizes their wonderful
power. He said that the idea that
there was any magnetic fluid 'exter-
palization of sensation or 'communica-
ton by contact was pure nonsense,
which it is. Suggestion, and sugges-
ton only, is the Key to the whole sub
iect. There is no 'transference across
space, except by verbal or written sug-
gestion.
"Prof. Horatio Wood, in recent
publication, says: 'Hynotism is some
times of great value in the treatment of
hysterical symptoms l have seen
rapid cures by it Of hysterical contrac-
lures which had resisted all other treat
ment."
DR.. Howard then quoted number of cases
OH record, in which painful operations had
been performed on hypnotizcd PERSONS they
knowing nothing of what had been done.
Almost any one he said, could be hypno-
tiZcd. ''All Persons cannot be hypnotizcd ut
all times, but nearly everybody can be hypno-
tizcd at some time. The morning is the best
time for the operation. but other times will do
if the patient is not fatisucd. Intelligent co.
operation of the patient with the physician is
necessary. Sex makes no difference, but alb
solutc confidence in ones self is necessary, for
if the patient detect any INDIGESTION or ncr-
vousness on the part of the operator the feel
ing quickly becomes contagious and VIII over
come any amount of trust in the general abll-
ity and integrity Of the physician"