The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-01
WHAT Is HYPNOTISM? ?
Ono Of Scranton's WcIl.Known physi.
clans Says 1t Is Nothing More Nor Less
Than Animal Magnetism.

Than Animal Magnetism.
DR.. f. B. Smith, of this city,
writes to The Tribune as follows: "In
recent issue of the Republican there
appeared an editorial on 'Hypnotism
or Hypnotic Suggestion which went
on to say that the physicians of Scran-
ton had been consulted and some few
of them had stated that it would be at
least fifty years before physicians
could make any use of this method of
healing with satisfactory results. 1t is
not my intention to say anything detri-
mental to my brothers ad professio, but
simply to enllghten the public in gen.
eral. Considering the advancement
that has been made in hypnotism by
most of our physicians, 1t would take
a thousand years before they could
make use OF 1t. Hypnotism or animal
magnetism is a mighty power, and by
the majority one more honored in the
breach than the observance. 1t re-
quires years of hard study and devo-
tion to learn the science of healing by
this mighty power; also man of
strong muscular and nerve strength
to apply 1t successfully.
ANY physician who is acquainted
how to properly apply 1t is aware of the
fact that 1t Is not necessary to hypno-
tie his patient to bring about n cure.
Hypnotlsm, or more properly called
animal magnetism, Is science, while
the practice of medicine Is only an
art. and has been so decided. This prin-
ciplc of animal magnetism being coeval
with mans existence 1t doubtless lay
lat. ,c h. ,.tl H.,
explicable. mysterious and miraculous,
in the life and religions of ancient pco-
pie. Among the Hebrews and Assyrl-
ans these means were resorted to in
the cure of disease.
"Namaan said: Il thought he would
stand up, and strike his hand over the
place and recover the leper' QI Kings,
v, ~.
The hpposition OF Hands.
Spiritual powers gifts of healing,
prophecy and leadership were also CON
veyed by the opposition OF the hands.
The Lord said unto Moses, Take
Joshua, the son of Nun, n man on whom
Is the spirit. and lay thy hands upon
him. Set him before the priests and
congregation and ask counsel for him.
And he laid his hands upon him as the
Lord commander Numbers xvii, 49,
80. And Joshua was full of the spirit of
wisdom because Moses had laid his
hands upon him. Jnnumerable pass
ages could be quoted from the sacred
books of the Hebrews In support of the
practice, some of the effects approxi-
mating more to the Incidents of modern
spiritualism than to purely mcsmeric
phenomena. Healing by the appllca-
ton of the hands was common among
the Jews, and was practiced by the
Founder OF Christianity and His imme-
date followers. Many were astonished
that such mighty works were
wrought by His hands mark, vi, p.
Lay hands upon the sick and they shall
recover mark, xvi. 1S).
"As illustrative of what I wish to
point out. In the light of modern science
held inconsistently by processing Chris
tians, Namaan, IL cured. was cured
by nothing more or less than hypnotlsm
or animal magnetism. While Hippo
crates is supposed TO be the father
of medicine Esculapius really de-
serves this soubrlquet. Esculapius
delivered oracles in a dream for the
cure OF his patients. He breathed on
the diseased parts or allayed pain by
the application of his hands and often
the application of his hands and often,
patients into long and refreshing sleep
for the recovery Of health. There can