The herald., 1895-09-07
MED|CO LEGAL CONGRESS
Hypnotic Power in Criminal
Acts Discussed
EMINENT AUTHORITY GIVEN
Consensus of Opinion Admits Potency
OF the Influence
NATURAL Criminal May Be Induced to
Act by Suggestion. but floral
Worth Is Invincibie

NEW YORK, Sept. 6.-Tbe afterroor
session of the Medico-Legal coppress 20,
opened with the reading of paper by
oiark Bell ION Hypnotism in Courts of
Law. Mr.. Bell sent a letter to several
prominent physicians asking: "Can
crime be committed by the hypnotic
power, the subject be the unconscious
and innocent agent and the instrument?
If the subject is unconscious and even
unwilling has the hypnotizer such power
ana domination over the hypnotized as
could.control action to the extent of COIN
mission OF crime? Is it possible to re-
move by hypnotic suggestion from the
mind OF the subject all memory of acts
or occurrences which happened in the
hypnotic state"
Reports in the affirmative vera re-
ceived from several eminent professors,
whlle others, conceding that persons in
hypnotic state made constantly amena-
BILE TO control by suggestion, denied that
hypnotism has any place in criminal iu-
rlsprudence, as defense for crime Mr..
Bell pointed out that it appeard the ma
jority Of medical men in this country did
not recognize hypnotic trance as an ex-
listing fact. The lawyers and judges wero
on the same grounds as the doctors. In
the courts of Europe the contrary was
the fact and men of highest characte r
and professional attainments devoted
their best efforts to its study and eluci-
dation.
AS it was W ith professional so 1t was
with the people. Professor Carl Sextus
OF Chicago wrote to say that natural
criminal coulQ be made 10 do criminal
acts under hypnotic influence. but not a
person of real moral worth.
DR.. w. l.. Howard OF Baltimore said
that hypnotism was reality. He gave
several instances of hypnotized persons
in Baltimore, including his own servant,
whom he sent to a neighboring physi-
clans laboratory to steal everything the
doctor had. He restored the fellow while
he had the articles in his possession. The
doctor confessed it affected the man s
Grain somewhat, but he always took care.
except on this occasion. to get the sub
ject back into good mental state before
he restored him.
DR.. Grover of Massachusetts tells of q
young lady in Boston who had tendency
to tuberculosis being cured by hypnotic
influence. The following resolution was
adopted on motion by Clark Bell:
Resolved, That in the opinion of this
medico legal congress, not only should
the subject of medical jurisprudence be
recognized in the various institutions OF
learning, but in medical and law schools
of the country, that such schools should
include it in their studies. and that the
examinations on this subject be made
necessary for the graduation in either
medicine or law.
On the motion OF r. S. Isom, the fol-
lowing was passed:
Resolved, That it is the duty and would
add to the interest of the legal and med
icai professions If every national and
and state bar association in the United
States and British provinces should ap-
point standing committee on medical
Jurisprudence.
The session then adjourned and the
congress ended with banquet and re-
ception tonight.