The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-04
HyPNoTrsM AND CRIME.
A Question Which Is Likely 10 aDe-
come troublesome in the Courts.

come troublesome In tne ScuH
Pittsburg Dispatch
1.-The theory of hypnotism when IS
brought into courts a defense TO GRIM
inal," said a gentleman who has mace d
study of the subject YESTERDAY. no. ne ~
have gone somewhat into the philosophy OF
this mysterious force. A murderer makes
defense of his crime by proving ne Was
undoubtedly hypnotized and made do 1t py
another. He was, in other words, an I'M
conscious instrument, more accountable
morally for the deed than the dumb-leaden
messenger that carried death to the VIC
tim. Hypnotism is becoming a great de-
thief as well the murderer seeks refuge
behind this great unknown veil of mysterI-
pass upon the righteousness of such de-
Tense. Men of science who have invests
gated the laws which govern this as yet
but little understood force assert that
subject connot be made to perform any
serious act or deed that would be contrary
to his nature when he is in his normal con-
dition
IF as Du Maurier would have use be-
lieve a subject could be hypnotized and
remembering anything but blank: if the
Tribly theory of hypnotism was fact, then
the world would indeed be in sorry plight
: But men of science tell us that as hypno-
tism is only matter of suggestion, the
strongest suggestion is the one that Will al
ways prevail. So when man under the
hynotic influence is given paper knife,
and told to stab some one in the audience.
as Professor Carpenter has often done in
{ Ills experiments, ne CDcyS Tie COliihdho
without dissenting knowing that it is a
paper knife he holds in his hands and that
it can do no harm.
But let a real steel knife be given to the
subject and the same order be given, 1T
will make a difference in his actions; in
stead of doing as commanded he will not
move. This is the assertion of suggestion
much stronger than that given him by the
hypnotist, the suggestion which is strong
self preservation. He knows if he murders
the man he will be hanged for 1T, and while
s ne was that no WAS as bs
upon himself, he becomes unruly as soon
as he discerns that he is putting his life
in jeopardy by committing a crime This
is the established theory of hypnotists.
My experience and investigation have per-
mitted me. in a measure a;gI to agree with tn
altogether too radical l am of the opinion
that, under some circumstances, person
could, by hypnotic influence, be made to
do things entirely foreign to his nature or
desires; that, under certain conditions, a
murderer might use another tool for his
awful work more safely and more surely
than he could cold steel. But the conditions
must be favorable.
..Hypnotic murders could not be INDUCED
| in as regular business; in fact, believe
| that the majority of attempts at such
work would prove most disastrous failures.
| But I think that innocent person of a
| susceptible nature might be. so used by a
powerful hypnotst to do crimes that per-
| haps the mere thought of which never en-
| tered the victims mind. OF course, it is
| difficult to experiment with this phase of
| hypnotism, for the hypnotist to give a
| thorough test to the question whether
person while hypnotiZed, would have to be
| in earnest about the crime. For the OPP
| it never SO strong to such point as would
| completely hide the thought that would
| be in his mind that he was not in earnest
| simply experimenting. He would, without
| rushing to do so or without knowing it,
give mental suggestion to the subject
| scientific value far solving the
question is concerned.
1.-The only solution for the problem is fol-
| some hypnotic murderer to confess his
| crime and show proofs as to how he ac
complished the deed. And, as this is MOI
as hazy and disputed as ever. But we have
instances in smaller matters that prove tt
some extent the power which the hypnotis
holds of performing acts which the subjec
has expressly made UP his mind not Il
do just before the experiment.
You often hear it remarked, oh. If yol
going to be hypnotized no operator on cart
can do it, Not long ago was present a
known hypnotist- He brought his subjec
with him; Just Just before he began | hear
ann ann opposed to those doctors making m
inhale ammonia or you making ME believ
there's a fire under Ter my chair Now | won
system. I always feel sick after an ex
pertinent of that kind-at least after a
experiment of which my friends have toll
me was, of that kind. SO / won't do i
I've made up my. mind to that The or
orator. after getting into his work, forge
tho wishes of the subject and made hin
go through the very performance he $
much disliked. He, of course, was uncor
scious of having gone through the perform
| ance he detested. Yet his mind was mad
| up to withstand any attempt of the ope1
| ator to make him do 1T. This is but one
| the smaller instances where the will or ma
ural inclination of the subject would go f
| absolutely nothing against the superie
| force of the hypnotst But, of course thes
| cases are in the minority. Their existenc,
| however small in numbers, only heighter
the difficulty which attorneys and Judge
| have in doing away with this defens,
! Mores the pity