The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-20
ONE GOOD CASE.

record is that Of q wealthy young man
Of this city. who some years ago be-
came victim Of drink. His family had
been patients Of DR.. r. Osgood Mason.
and the young man when suffering
from the effects Of his debauches would
come to DR.. Mason's once for treatment
and help. Finally II came to a pass
where the doctor told the young man
that he was In q fair way to become a
dipsomaniac. If he wasn't one already,
and that his reason or his life would be
the forfeit II he couldn't control his ap-
petite for alcohol. The young man said
he would take the pledge A month
later he staggered into DIR. Mason's Of
flee In pitiable condition, the effect OF
q weeks debauch.
For Gods sake, DOCTOR" he cried,
make me sleep or I'll 60 crazy or kill
myself. l haven't dared close my eyes
for two nights because OF what l see
when do"
1t was evident that he was on the
verge OF delirium tremens. Making
him lie down on the lounge. the doctor
sat beside him and began making
strokes across his forehead. Soon the
young man said drowsily:
You're putting me to sleep: don't
stop"
For many years DIR. Mason has made
study Of hypnotism. He determined
to try suggestion In this case When
the young man had become quiet, he
asked him:
Are you asleep?"
Yes" said the young man.
understand"
YES"
Then the doctor went on to impress
1t upon his mind that he must keep
away from liquor, telling him emphat-
ically that thereafter the very smell Of
liquor would be repulsive to him. On
coming out Of his sleep the young man
remembered nothing Of what the doc.
tor had said to him; but q few weeks
later, going into a barroom for q pack
or cigarettes. he caught q whiff from a
glass OF whisky and became violently
nauseated. Since that time he has not
touched liquor. and. just as DR.. Mason
told MIN. the very smell Of 1t Is re-
pugnant to him.
UNSUCCESSFUL.
Sometimes the use Of hypnotism has
discouraging results even where the
cure Is effected. Such was the case
with q young physician who has O good
practice on the upper west side The
wife of prosperous business man sent
FOR him to treat her for persistent in
somnia. After other attempts to cure
her had failed he hypnotized her by the
Charcot method Of throwing flashes of
hght into her eyes from q mirror, and
after few visits had induced q condi-
ton such that she obtained natural
sleep. Soon after he pronounced her
cured her husband came in to the doc
tors office in condition Of great ex-
citment.
What have you been doing to my
wife?" he demanded.
i've been curing her." said the phy.
sician. rs anything the matter?"
Enough is the matter. You've been
practicing some mesmerism or some
such tomfoolery on her."
Hasn't 1t had the desired effect?"
Oh, don't say she isn't cured, but
want to ask you what right you had to
make TOOL OF her that way"
doctor shortly.
Didn't you shake a mirror in front
OF her and tell her some rot about mes
merizng her?"
.na II d did d,In hypnotise her. and that is why
Wei, It's damned outrage. There's
no such thing as hypnotism or mesmer.
ism. It's fake. You're a quack. How
dare you hypnotize my wife?"
III IT'S fake, how could I hypnotize
ner, you blazing idiot?" cried the doc.
tor, getting mad
"Of course it's a fake!" shouted the
man. You've made a fool of my wife
Of me-" A'o'
Don't need to-" retorted the doctor
but Ill make a surgical case Of you II
you ever come here again. Get out!''
AND SO he lost a good patient.
HYPNoTIzED THE PROF"
The second class of those who use
nypnotism are the professional per
formers, such as those now exhibiting
IN tnls city. As rule they confine their
appearances to the smaller towns, and
.ne present access Of interest in their
art, as they call 1t Is responsible for the
invasion Of the metropolis. OFTEN thew
nave with them their own subjects, in
producing them as such: but this ia
not IN all cases collusiOn and trickery
farticularly susceptible subjects are
hard TO get and some of the persons
called "accomplices" by those who dis.
believe In hypnotism are generally hyp.
notized by the performer, and are paid
10 travel around with him because of
the peculiar characteristic which rend-
ers them sensitive to the influence.
Orten, however, the professor" will take
subjects at random from the audience.
When the reporter was at college in q
small town in this state, q hypnotist
named CarDenter advertised a per-
Iorfnance IN the local opera house,
Nearly the entire college turned out,
with the intention Of having fun with
him. but those who came to scoff re.
mained to dance jigs. crawl on all fours,
stand on their heads. play kitten, eat
tallow candles. and perform other un-
premeditated feats melted thereto by
Professor Carpenter. The man was q
wonder. In the audience was DR.. H.,
who filled the chair Of philosophy in
the college. He had promised his class
a lecture on "Mesmer and the Hypno-
tism Superstition" on the following day,
and had come there to get points. While
the rest OF the audience was lost in
wonder DR.. H. was openly amused and
skeptical. Suddenly Professor Carpent-
err. seeing him laughing. extended a
hand toward him and made a motion as
if pulling In rope. and. as II he were
tied to the end OF the rope, DR.. H.
came up the aisle. Amusement had died
out Of his face. horror and distress be-
Ing substituted. Up he went to the
stage, amid breathless silence.
Now" said the mighty Carpenter,
you are a gay young chap (Dr. H.
was then about G. and severely Puri-
See the pretty girl over there.
Why, she's waving at you. Isn't she
nice?"
A smile Of delight bnoke up the stern
lines around the doctors mouth.
Actually, she's trying to flirt with
you." pursued the professor. Here's
a handkerchief to wave at her."
The husband Of a pious wife, father
of a family of seven children. and ter
ror Of the senior class in college flut-
tered the handkerchief and simpered
like a front row chorus girl A dead
silence held the audience.
kiss YOUR hand to her." suggested
the Professor. That's right. Again.
Saw TIA ia ;"