Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-15
MODERN BRAIN SHOP
Psychological Laboratory for Developing
Mind.
Prof. Gntes' Ingenious Application of
Scientific Principles to Gel
lular Stimulation.

Prof. Elmer Gates, the psycho-physicist,
has just removed to this city, where he is
permanently establishing what Is to be
known as 1.-The Laboratory of Experimental
Psychology" This, it Is said. will be the
T.ost extensive institution in the world for
studying the mind. It will be purely a
benevolent institution supported by rich en-
dowments from one or more wealthy Amer
leans. Prof. Gates proposes to pursue the
scientific study of mind and the application
of the data obtained to the new system of
brain-b building and mind-using, discovered
by himself
In outlining his future work he says that
all living things, from the lowest micro
scopic organism up to man, will be subject
ed to research in his rev laboratory. These
experiments will be for the determination
of the best methods OF applying the science
of mind to the art of getting more mind.
This will require many assistants and CO.
operators not only in tho labora tory, but in
all parts of the world. No publications con-
corning his studies will be issued until the
experiments have been submitted to emf
nent scientific men.
Prof. Gates says that modern students of
the mind make mar measurements of men
and women and give results without con-
sidering the surrounding influences VIII, n
cause peoples minds to act, and measure
differently at different times. For instance
a common experiment is to cause q person
to move a certain muscle upon being given
a certain signal. By accurate recording in
struments 1t is learned how Ions before a
person is able to act after conceiving the
command. In this and all other expert
Eent5 must be considered the fact that the
same person Will not show the same results
always. Temperature, moisture or dryness
light. e!ectrostatic. potential, barometric
pressure. etc. all have effects upon all brain
workings.
In his new laboratory Prof Gates will
study these different effects. He will have
rooms especially fitted out in which will be
art-hc!ally created different conditions of
temperature. moisture, electrical potential
etc. For instance, in one room a man or
enid VII! be subjected to different rarifica-
ions OF the air, caused by large air pumps.
Result of Special Training.
Prof Gates says that vivisection has
hitherto been mostly employed by great
students of the brain, who either cut away
with Instruments or wash away with rapid
Jets of water portions of the brains of liv-
ing animals. The result of such process he
believes causes abnormal conditions which
are misleading. He prefers to place ami
mails under special training, in order to de-
velop certain faculties. After time they
are painlessly killed and their brains re-
moved and compared with those of animals
not thus trained.
Arrangements have been made to apply
this same study to human beings. Eleven
Well-known persons have agreed to will their
brains to the INSTITUTION for post-mortem ex-
animation.
Prof. Gates does not employ flypnotism in
his experiments In brain DEVELOPMENT
Hypnotism renders certain parts of the brain
abnormally fuller of blood and others abb
normally empty. This interferes with the
normal dcminancies of blood supply. and
every pupil of the art of brain building must
avoid hypnotism as he would any other dis
ease of the brain.