The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-30

lieved to be a murder. and when awakened
and told Of his crime proceeded most in
geniously to Justify himself without ex-
pressing any rcmorse
DIR. Montpelier Of Paris, I'm trying a
somewhat similar experiment, met with a
different result. His subject was woman
Of gentle nature After she had been put
TO sleep the doctor told her that there were
some people present who annoyed him.
"Oh, nonsense, " was the reply. The doctor
insisted that they did, and pointing out a
Mr.. ID. told the patient that she must poison
him. Il will not, was the firm reply
but you must-I will IT," said the doctor.
Here is the glass with the poison. You
must make him take IT,"
Tho patient, after "A severe struggle with
herself. finally took the glass, aud going up
to Mr.. ID. said. You must drink this" al
most forcing it down his throat. When
awakened and told what she had done, she
was overcome by the horror Of her imagi-
nary crime, and rushing up TO Mr. ID. ex-
claimed, with piteous sincerity; "Oh, sir,
quick, take an antidote. If you die, do for
give me before you die"
Here H. Is demonstrated that, though I'M
der strong pressure n hypnotic subject may
be induced to commit crime, instantly on
way seek to undo the evil done. Liegensis
Of Nancy, touching the subject Of criminal
suggestion, says it is not the question
whether hypnotic suggestion renders the
prosecution Of crime more difficult, but
whether IL really can be employed to COM
NIT crimes or cause them TO be committed.
DR. Ladame replies TO this that the ques-
ton can only be solved in the affirmative
sense. "The proof has been experimentally
made, and If the experiments have not nc
qured an absolute value IL is because they
have not as yet been conducted by honest
men" This Is a fair summary Of the Opin-
ion of those who believe that hypnotism
can be used as an agent OF crime
On the other hand, il would seem that the
majority Of experts are Of a totally differ
ent opinion. Nobody stood higher IN the
esteem Of his profession thnn did the late
Professor Charcot. He was very emphatic
In his opinion that criminal suggestion was
nothing but a 'senseless bogy man, made
use Of by perhaps well meaning hut woe
fully ignorant students of hypnotism."
DR. Tourette SCOTS at the idea that any
one has been able TO make criminal.
Though he has made many experiments, lac
latly refuses 10 regard them Of any practi-
cal value aud refers to them simply rs
Laboratory crimes" let them produce
one authentic ease, the proof Of real a.
sassination committed under suggestion, -
says DR.. Tourette. 'and our opinion will be
shaken. although we should not even then
be convinced"
Donate confesses TO having induced sleep
in some 5000 individuals, but not one Of
them could be influenced against his will
De Courmelles most emphaticaly rejects
the theory Of criminal suggestion. lie says
the suggestion may he repeated. hut 10 is
absolutely powerless 60 transform as has
been asserted criminal into an honest
man, or vice versa.
The dominant will power Of man cannot
be- directed into foreign channels except
with his sanction. The existence Of dis
eliminating sense Of right and wrong. even
in the most general acceptance Of the term
ia a sufficient guarantee as To the response
biiity OF a crime committed. Our will fiuc-
tuates. 80 to speak. aud we are all Of us
fully conscious Of exist ng flaws ia our
makeup still we are cognizant that for
the preservation Of law aud order IL Il i'm
perative that we check any tendency 60
crime 20 which our dispositions might
lead Nobody Is irresponsible II u can he
proved that crime has been committed
through direct or indirect criminal surces-
ton. the originator Of such must suffer ~
an acconplice. This does not ia the least
excuse the executor Of the act.