The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-12
SOME HYPNOTIC TESTS.

SOME HYPNOTIC TESTS.
Professor barnes Gives q Very Good
Manifestation Of the Power Of Sugges.
tion-A Boy Was the Subject.
From the Buffalo News.
Professor William A. Barnes, who is
| well known in Buffalo as a hypnotist Of
| undOubted ability, and whose manifes-
tations Of the power of suggestion have
been tested In many ways, gave q pri-
vate exhibition last night to a few
friends and newspaper men at his
rooms. 200 North Division street.
Professor Earnes' experiments last
| night were full of interest to those pres
ent III they were regular, and there is
little evidence to that end, they were
marvellous manifestations of the
power. If they were brought about
Through collusion between the principal
and his subject, then the manifesto
tions were equally wonderful from a
dramatic standpoint; for If the subject
was a "horse," as a subjects confeder-
ate i5 called, he acted most admirably.
There Is no question regarding hyp-
notism. 1t is a science susceptible of
education. 1t is an established fact, an
unquestioned piece of straight goods.
Its use has grown In many directions; (;
1t has been used by fools who didn't
kncw it Was loaded; 1t is now used quite
extensively by medical men in the man.
agement of patients. In Paris, where
some of the most eminent physicians of
that wonderful country have been ex-
pertmenting largely with the science,
Its value has been proven beyond the
shadow of doubt. "A great deal rests
with the subject. If he be too suscepti-
bic to the Influence he may, by his too
apparent relaxation of mind, give an
impression that he has been INSTRUCT
ed;', others are so stubborn the mani
festation Is painful.
The subject Professor Barnes worked
with last might was boy, say of IS
years. He Is bright although he doesn't
look it particularly. 1t may be that he
was a too willing subject. with a mind
completely under control of Professor
Barnes slightest mental wish.
The Experiments Begin.
Many experiments were given. The
boy was asked his name.
Leighton"
Sure, now-you know your name?"
'Oh, yes, SIR"
A few passes Of the professors hands
and:
'+Do you know your name, now?'
pitiful negative shake Of the head
was all the reply.
Isn't 1t Jones?"
"Oh. yes" said the subject, brightly,
the blank look on his face fading away
and look of absolute confidence taking
It's place. When he was relieved of the
influence he was asked:
Your name is-?"
leighton"
Sure? Isn't it Jones?'
"Oh, no, sir; it's Leighton"
one OF the reporters was introduced
to the subject as Grover Cleveland. This
was funny. The newspaper man Is thin;
very thin. The boy gazed at him and
then thrust out his hand with a CHEEKY,
bold:
"Oh, hello, therer'
Hello" responded Mr.. Reporter
Cleveland.
boy.
"Oh, I'm losing flesh" said the re-
porter. sadly, whereat a young woman
smiled very loudly and the rest of the
small audience smiled silently.
another reporter who had whiskers
was introduced as ex-President Harri.
son.
'Do you recognize him" asked the
professor.
on. yes. sir. Yes, SIR
Did you ever see Mr.. Harrison?"
asked the reporter.
''No, sir"
How did you recognize him?
boy.
1t sounded odd to hear him saw "pic.
lures of him." when it would have
sounded better to say "of you' for he
was talblng to the pseudo Mr.. Harri-
son.
Ine subject was then put through
various other experiments. such as kill
ing snake, represented by a cane.
nghting 1t with cries of horror: BRUSH
ing away flies: riding chair, supposed
to he a bicycle.
The Most Interesting Tests.
The last two experiments were the
most interesting. One absolutely proved
lhe entire power exercised by Pro-
iessor Barnes over his subject. 1t was
the anesthesla test
Ihe subject was hypnotized, and by
suggestion all sense OF feeling was re-
moved from the left forearm.
Then the hypnotist thrust a hat pin
through the flesh. There was but the
tne puncturing. The test was unques-
tiorably honest.
The other test showed the apparent
too-wlllingDess of the subject. The
question regarding the subject being
under the influence Is not raised, for
hypnotism Is mystery yet even to the
most actue scientific mind. A subject
may not be wholly under control, but
be forced by the evident mental desire
or the hypnotist to simulate the condi-
ton ne is ordered to. This Is not fax
ing; 1t Is not confederacy.
The test was what Is known as the
sleep test.
You are tired now; you're sleepy"
said Mr. Barnes. "Close your eyes and
Ee down and go to Sleep"
The boy sank back on a couch. Con-
trary to the usual normal sleep cOndi-
tlon. his respiration did not change,
although 1t vlsibly grew heavier
A test was made for reflx action in
the eyes by bearing gently on the closed
eycilds. And they responded by wink
Ing every time. And all during his
sleep his closed eyes winked in the
light That the boy was not asleep
at all. at any time. may be said with
great deal of certainty.
The experiments, with this one ex-
ceptlon, were successful. The boy was
tired, and may. as stated above, have
been too willing.
Slightly DccOllcto.
From the Syracuse Post.
Farmer Lawnmoer-Where'd yer git