Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-02-07

readily hypnotized. Children up to the age
of Ia are very susceptible. Men are al
most as easily affected as women; but per-
sons of docle mind and those trained to
some degree of mental discipline and ca
pacity for submission are more sensitive.
The percentage of susceptibility is much
greater in Europe. Those who have been
mesmerized once Uhis sentence deserves to
be put in italcs) are more easily affected
afterward, and. may even pass into the
state invountarily.
Hypnotism is no doubt associated with
changes in the vascularity of different
parts of the brain and with rapid breaking
down of nerve tissue. Animals constantly
subjected to hypnotic influence rapidly
become demented. Minor hypnotic states
are less dangerous, but the practice of
using major hypnotization is always in
furious, tending to exhaust the nervous
force and weaken the will. Its utility in
medicine greatly doubt. 1t may relieve
symptoms in the hysterical for time, but
1t cannot be of permanent benefit and is
likely to lead to actual harm. 1t has its
value in pedagogy, among children, in the
nervously exhausted, and in morbid habits,
but, DIR. Dana adds, "the general popu-
larization of hypnotism by means of mind
cures, Christian science, ETC., accomplishes
its results at the expense of mental demoral-
ization."
The Thing that Has Been Shall BE.
These facts of history and conclusions of
science leave little to be said by way of
comment. The last part of the 10Th CEN
tury of progress and boasted enlightment
is as rich in creduity and superstition as
any of the preceding ones, fact which is
proved by the thousands who yearly visit
shrines and sacred springs, faith cOnven-
tions, etc, to be cured of bodily ailments.
Not long since one Of England's prondest
mobiles Travelled on a pilgrimage to Lourdes
in the hope that Notre Dame de Lourdes
would make his only son, who is deaf
mute, hear and speak. Every one is ia
miliar with the fact that thousands of the
manned and blind make annual pilgrim
ages to the sacred spring of Ste. Anne de
Beaupre and are miraculously healed.
Credulity is not simply the error of con-
tracted minds. 1t exists at both extremi-
ties of the scale of intellect, and will be
found, in varying notifications, in the in
dividual who is credulous, because he is
unable to see and comprehend many points
of the subject, and therefore gives rein to
The imagination.
No one doubts the influence of mind up
on mind, or the effect that may be wrought
upon certain nervous temperaments and
conditions by Suggestion" as the term
is. Hypnotism is conceded to be a valu-
able ally when employed in medical prac-
tice by men who are familiar with its pow
er and are competent to protect the sub
ject from its dangers. Its use, however,
is growing less oy scientific practitioners
in this country, and at present it is more
| largely used in Paris than elsewhere.
Humanity dearly loves a craze and a
craze like that which has laid a gentle
hand on this community this week is the
dearest and most seductive of all. But it
| is a solace to know that it is no new thing
under the sun. 1t is the thing which has
| been, which is, and which shall be. The
| most notable instance in recent times is
the Schlatter craze in Denver, and in this
as in other such outbursts the most curl
GUS features is the wave of mental con-
tagion which seems to sweep over COM
munity, and even a whole section of coun-
try. But these phenomena can be par
alleled in every generation all the way
down through history. 1t is idle to scott
at them or at whatever of good they do or
seem to do. They are the help and joy of
mental dyspeptics and of persons afflicted
with certain forms of functional nervous
disturbances But to effect through any
of these healers the cure of organic dis
ease, or permanent change in organic
conditions, is as impossible as to make an
old man young or a stately oak to grow up
in night. 1t is entirely safe to say that
this latest emotional craze, which we may
claim for our very own, will soon share the
common fate of all such infatuations, and
humanity will be none the worse off for
the loss (?) which it has sustained.