Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-01-23

called now, and great many make use
of it among their patients.
When a person is hypnotized, he will
do whatever he is told to do. Hypno-
lists very often give exhibitions of
their power, and make the subject, as
the person who is hypnotized is called
do all sorts of things, such as to be-
lieve that he is dog, or cat, or horse,
and run around barking, scratching
or galloping on his hands and knees,
just as the animal which he is supposed
to represent would do. These are only
a few of the tricks with which hypno-
lists attempt to amuse an audience.
They very seldom try, however. to mes
merize an animal. This is not at all
difficult. Anybody with little prac-
tice can do it, although very few per-
sons know that it can be done at all.
Of course, if you put bird to sleep
you cannot make it believe it is some
other animal, but that is only because
bird cannot understand what is ex-
pected of it. An animal can, however,
be trained while it is in the hypnotic
state, and some persons think it is
easier than when the animal is awake.
1t used to be thought that mesmerism
was the effect of one mind over another.
That is, person with a strong will
could hypnotic anybody with a weaker
will. This is not correct. The will has
nothing to do with it. The process il
entirely mechanical. An animal is
much more easily hypnotized than a
man or woman, and any boy or girl can
mesmerize dog or bird, or any other
pet. A certain amount of practice is
necessary, however, before a dog or
other subject can be made to do much
while sleeping.
Some scientists claim that the ami
mails most easily hypnotized are those
of the lowest order of intellect. A cat,
for instance, is more easily hypnotized
than dog. But monkey (Which is of
greater intelligence than a duck) is
hypnotized in about half the time it
takes with that animal. For practice
in hypnotizing animals bird is the
most convenient subject. The kind
makes very little difference-a pigeon.
dove, canary or sparrow all answering
equally as well. Hold the bird secure
ly but gently in the hand, back down.
ward. Look straight into it's eyes, The
little creature will at first struggle to
escape, but after a minute or two it be-
comes quiet. On first attempts it may
be difficult to fix the birds gaze, but the
fascination of the human eye will make
itself felt in the end, and the tiny SUBJ
ject will not try to take it's eyes off tho
hypnotizer.
When it has reached this stage, begin
very slowly to loosen the grasp. AS
the pressure grows lighter, the bird
comes more under the influence of the
charm exerted by the firm gaze. The
beating of it's heart, which can easily
be felt in the fingers, becomes more
rapid, the legs contract slightly, and
the lids draw over the edges of the
eyes. There must be almost no pres
sure of the hand now, or the bird will
not sleep deeply. Yet the grasp must
not be loosened entirely, or the body
will roll in the palm of the hand, and
the bird awake. In Il few minutes,
sometimes two, sometimes five or ten.
the eyelids will have entirely closed,
Still hold the bird carefully for two or
three minutes. BY the end of this time
it will be sleeping.
1t may now be handled freely but
gently. Held by the foot, head down.
ward, its body is entirely limp, like
bird just shot. The neck stretches be-
yond the shoulders, the head swings
freely and the feathers droop. The
bird may be tossed about without awak.
ing SO long as it is not dropped or hurt
in any way.-Walter Larrabee, in NY.
Recorder.