The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-06-25

OF Otuer UtuItoIlou purpose RENAMED an
open question. The consensus of opinion
among scientific experts was opposed to
the soundness Of the theory, but such men
as Laplace. AgassiS. Hufeland. Sir Will
lam Hamilton and DR.. William Carpenter
were always among t1s stanch supporters.
at least so far - tho fundamental facts
were concerned.
THE novel development of the subject
on sharply defined lines Of scientific
method owes itself to J. Braid. surgeon
Of Manchester. England, who first pub
lished the results Of his studies in 1910.
He invented the name "hypnotism" and
withdrew the domain of discussion and
experiment wholly from tho cloud of &C.
cultism. which had more or less yelled it
since the days of Mesmer. But it was
many years before his studies became
widely kDown and had their due weight.
He now shines primus inter pdrcs among
those who had shed most light on per.
picking problem. But, strange to say,
just as the modern French art school
built itself upon the work OF the English
man Constable. SO it took the genius and
enthusiasm of such Investigators as Drs.
Luys and Charcot, and Of Col. Rochas
D'Aiglua to carry on Braid's beginnings.
Yet 1t has never entered the minds
OF DR.. Luys. or Of DR.. Charcot, or O, NJ.
Rochas d'Aiglun. al! three scientists of
recognized greatness, to proclaim that the
secrets Of ny pnotism have been solved, or
that its possibilities have been more than
foreshadowed. On the other hand, they
assert that the results already obtained,
many being practical in An eminent de-
gree, give encouragement to pursue their
Investigations.
The recent discrediting attacks made in
n. III ~
and the Ninsteenth Century on the scien.
tihc verify and caution Of the methods
pursued by the experimentaiists will add
fresher interest to \ rehearsal of the naked
facts. as they may be observed at the
Charlie hospital. Whatever conclusion
may be deduced. the picturesque interest
OF the phenomena shown can be scarcely
questioned. even by the skeptic.
The hypnotic experiments practiccd by
DR.. Luys and DR.. Encausse may be
roughly divided into two classes The
frs, are experiments OF q speculative kind.
that is TO say, such rs do not produce prac-
teal effects. The second class includes
such as do produce such results. To the
latter class may be assigned the researches
now practlcei at the Charlte hospital,
wnich both DIR. Luys and DIR. Encausse
believe TO be amongst the most interesting
they have yet pursued. These experiments
are mainly the diagnosis Of patients by
subjects In the hypnotic state, the cure OF
nervous disorders by the transfer OF the
same from patients To subjects IN the hyp-
motto state. and the cure OF moral and
physical maladies by the power of sug-
eestion.
The hypnotic state is divided BY DR..
Luys INTO tive phases OF intensity, SOM
nambuiism, fascination, caia.epsy. leih-
aEgy and hypo-.ethaEgy, with various IN
termedlary phases which have not yet
h4pn al til
one or other O. its phases - produced in
the subjec, o. patient IN two ways, 10y
| word al command or by the use oi the
rotatiye mirror. The rotaiiye mirror IS
used IN al cases where hypnotic influence
$ lrsi applied 10 an indlyiaua4, that IS 10
say. @hen man or woman Is pat 10 steep
Tor the ars. few times. Tais mirror much
resen 5ses that used by birdcatchers for
snaElng !aras. II Is composed OF four arms
q; right angles To each other, oyerIaad with
| bright. polished metal. TIE arms rcyoivc
ny ciocAsorG on a pivot az rapid rate OF
. speed. ihe patient Is seated In high-
hacked chair WITH MS back TO the light.
which shines fuls on the mirrors. and Is
oiiien 10 Seep his eyes axed upon IT, and
ssnla l.5aeousiy To desire TO oe sent 10
sleep Ilae c!ockwork sets the mirror IN
rotary motion vita a dazzling effect Sieep
Is no, invariably produced. May persons
are refractory. hGt. ss a rule, IN about ID
lNA SNsAs Ns S2sSs lac - 9~N~NFs~
! ini. and after 4 perioa varying from ave To
ssenty minutes the patient is seen 10
drop ID sleep.
The eyes" SAYS writer on the sub
Ject, are llrss attracted ny the rays OF
light which fash from the wings Of the
mirror then little oy little and al the end
. OF a period which varies according - the
temperament Of the patient. kind OF
fascination IS produced. the lids get tired
aad inirercepsiaiy close. the head fails
back anu the patient s.esps sleep which
seems natural, bar which Is resiiy one Of
the frss phases Of bypnotism." la other