The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-14
THEY EMPLOY HYPNoTISM.
NEW YORK DOCTORS Use 1T WITH
GOOD RESULTS.

Shrhus-oome OF the AdNuI tages OF
Hypnosis.
From the New York sun.
Against popular prejudice and the de-
termined opposition Of many medical
men. the science OF hypnotism has been
gradually winning its way to "A place in
medical practice. As yet fl IS practiscd
with great caution by those who believe
in its efficacy in certain cases. because
OF the feeling against it, a feeling en-
gendered by its long association with
quacks, charlatans. and travelling mes
merists, who have turned IL to improper
II not absolutely harmful usage to make
money. But to-day It is recognized by
physicians Of the highest rank as a
factor in the cure Of many ailments and
in the alienation and even humiliation
Of suffering in both the medical and sur
gieal branches Of healing.
In this country the study OF hypnotism
has not been carried so far as IN France,
where there are several Institutions de-
voted entirely 10 the study Of the sub
ject. 1t is not recognized as a special study
by any Of the medical colleges of this
country. and its legitimate practice is
mostly confined TO physicians whose
high standing warrants their employment
Of an agency which, il made use of by
less experienced man, might bring him
under suspicion. Such physicians OF this
city as DR.. Graeme NJ. Hammond, DR..
George +. Shrady, DR.. NJ \. Starr. and
DR.. r. Osgood Mason have made use Of
hypnotism in many cases with remarka-
bic success. DR.. Mason, who has made
a special study of the subject and has
written upon it, is a strong believer In
the efficacy OF this in
where other means have failed.
one of the most Interesting cases OF
cure rs nus rescue OF young man from
the alcoholic habit. The young man, who
for convenience may be called \, was Of
good family, well to do, about twenty
nve years old, and of strong vitality and
personality. His manner of life, while
not absolutely vicious had been loose,
and he had contracted the drinking habit
TO such an extent that when he attempted
TO throw II of he found himself incapa-
bic OF so doing. Every attempt had been
made 10 cure him in vain. The medical
history is thus set down by DR.. Mason
by constant drinking X had so under
mined his health that'he had violent at
taeks Of vomiting blood which in several
instances proved all but fatal. one even
ing when he had been drinking, he came
into my office, not intoxicated, but much
exhausted. ! told him TO lie down on the
lounge. suggesting that he might get a
little sleep. Up 10 that time / had never
mentioned hypnotism to him, but as he
lay down / began making passes along
Ills lace ana tIeaI ana over MS nOUN.
he smiled as II understanding what i was
attempting, and presently seemed to be
railing asleep. IN ten minutes he was fast
asleep. / raised his hand. 1t re mainei
where l placed 1t. Evidently he was In
the hypnotic sleep. Here was a young
man fast going to ruin, who desired to be
free from his wretched condition, but had
not the strength TO free himself. Why
should 1 not help him by sugges lion? 1
considered myself justified in trying. 4
spoke to him in an ordinary tone:
aHarNaa. a
ton you are In, and what unhappiness
you have brought upon yourself ana your
family by your unfortunate habits. You
wish to be cured. You shall be cured.
When you awake you will no longer have
any desire for alcoholic drink in any
form, You VIII dislike it and shun it in
every torn as your enemy. Even the
smell Of IL will be disagreeable to you and
viii make you sick
u repeated the suggestion, and then
aWoke him. He awoke cheerful and re-
freshed, and without any knowledge that
anything had been said TO him during his
sleep. Three months later l had let
ter from him saying that he was in eX-
cellent health, and had not drank a drop
of any intoxicating liquor since the even
ing ne was in my office. year later he
came into my office looking hale and
hearty. l asked him what ne did after
leaving my office that evening. he re-
piled that he went home and took a nap;
that ABOUT IL o'clock he awoke, and. as
usual thinking he would go and have a
drink, went to the saloon where he was
accustomed to drink. on entering he
thought IL smelt very queer and Disagree
able; in fact II made him sick. He went
out without taking his drink and went
home and went to bed, and had not taken
any liquor from that time to the present
Tine suggestion made to him while he
was in the hypnotic state, of which he re.
tanned no recollection, still controlled his
actions, and seemed to have eradicated
his dipsomania."
Another interesting case of this kind
perhaps even more successful in showing
the extent 10 which hypnotism may be car
RED, occurred in the experience of Dr.
George Il. Shrady. The case was a surgi-
cal one. There was some injury to the hin
and deep incision was 10 be made. DR..
Snrady decided to try hypnotism instead
OF anaesthetics, the patient having a pre-
1udice against them. Accordingly, having
placed the patient, middle-aged man,
upon the operating table he said 10 hin,
Now you must lie there for a time Intii
your nerves are calm. We are not ready
70 begin yet. Calm yourself as much as
YOU can While re-, am preparing and lie per-
leetiy still That's right. Just So When
We are ready We will let you know"
While talking thus, and so concentrating
the attention Of the patient, DR.. Shrady
Iaade a deep incision in the thigh without
the knowledge of the man, and talking
70 him al the time, kept him in a condi,
notlsm which deprived him Of SEN
satlon, although he was perfectly con
scloNs. and once asked:
when are you going to begin, doctor?"
there Huie''
AT length, when the surgeon was busyinr
iiinSeI with some bandages the patient
half turned and said:
why, you've been doing something to
my leg Why didn't you tell me?"
By that time the operation was practi-
Sally concluded, and the subject had suf-
Tered not the slightest pain. This patient
was, however. an unusually easy subject
IN other surgical cases the patient ha 6
knoWn what was being done but has
!eL no pain. Some persons are easv To
ilnnuence IN this way: others very difficult
some seem incapable of being made sub
gect 10 the influence, but others can hvn-
notlze themselves. One man will succumb
70 one method and remain uninfiuenced
oy some other which would quickly send
another man into the hypnotic sleen
Fasses and counter passes affect some
gazing lntently at a bright object infiiI.
Snees others; physical contact, partieu-
larly That of the thumbs, with the hvnno-
uzer Is et1cacious in many cases. and EASY
SUBJECTS 80 into the hypnotic state merelv
upon being forced to concentrate their
attention upon some one subject TO the
exclusion Of all others A specialist in
nervous diseases, well known in this CITY
cries TINS case Of hypnotism:
. Inc patient was an old negress n FAM
ny servant, who Tor weeks had suffered
from nervousness and insomnia / was
called 10 see her and found bat. ,ro,.,- ~