The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-07-05
HYPNOTIC SUGGESTION.
People Sometimes Confess Crimes
They Never Committed.
From the Cincinnati Innulrer.

From the Cincinnati Inquirer
The trial of Rornie ]. Cottell, alias John
Smith, for the murder of the Stone fam
sly at Tallmadge, near Akron, O.. will
open to the scientist a new field Of inves-
tigation in the domain of hypnotism, or,
rather, hypnotic suggestion. A newspa-
per is not the proper place to discuss the
theories which are current on the sub
ject; but in the present instance the facts
suggest a retrospective review of cases
presenting a certain similarity, with the
theory submitted by the defense.
To begin with, the antecedents of Cot
tell admit the possibility of a physical
temperament readily submissable to hyp-
nOtism. Cottell is represented as a man
whose moral sense has been destroyed
by immoral habits Of a personal nature.
This thing alone justices the belief that
he has acquired a certain predisposition
to epilepsy, and epileptic subjects are not
only very sensitive to hypnotism, but also
to deprivation of the power of free will,
which IN itself excludes the presence of
responsibility, ~.
The main point IN the confession of Cot
tell Is that he denied later on the facts
admitted by him. One will infer that a
criminal IS always apt TO deny the COM
mission of a, crime of which he Is &C
cused. This is not the rule, however, as
is demonstrated by criminal statistics
On the other hand the individual who
y
suggestion will always recognize that he
was duped, as soon as circumstances
returns
This explains why it is possible, for
instance, to experiment successfully in
the laboratory, while there is not a single
example on record of a. real crime COM
mitted under the influence Of hypnotsm.
For instance, Liegeois. who is an author
ity on the matter said to a suggestable
LADY, You know that l loaned you 500
francs; kindly sign note that will give
me security" but, SIR" the lady re-
piled, Il do not owe you anything; you
never loaned me any money" Your
memory fails you, madam I will recall
the circumstances. You had asked me for
this sum, and I consented to loan it to
you. 1 gave it to you in fve-franc pieces. "
By the force Of his look, and by his attir-
nation, Liegeeis gave an impression of
sincerity. Madam hesitated, her thoughts
were troubled; she tried to remember, ODE
dent to the suggestion; at length she re-
called the loan. This suggestion assumed
in her mind a real character, and she
signed the note.
While it Is undeniable that one can in
this manner be made to sign taiSe hote
or will, it is doubtful whether the exper-
iment would succeed in ordinary lie out
side of the laboratory II would be nee
essary that the note should be MADE pay
able very soon, for the suggestion might
not remain very long; also the patent
would reason a bout it; subsequently the
truth would be found out, and the hypno-
tier would be in danger.
AS to confession obtained under tne
hypnotic state, the matter IS more compn-
Gated. as ii is well known that IN such
a state it is possible to violate the con-
science of q person and make him admlt
the deepest secrets. 1t remains 10 deter
mine If suggestion has been resorted TO-
and yet it is to be considered II sald sug-
gestion was voluntary or involuntary on
the part of the hypnotizers.
Sneaking Theoretically in reference ~