Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-05
TALK WITH Dir. HENRY
The Eminent Hypnotis. Tells Of His
Theories and Diseases the Science.
INFLUENCE ON THE HUMAN MIND.
Conditions Which Make IL Possible
To Hypnotixc "a Person and Create
Lasting Impressions ON the Train
Death May he Produced.

DIR. John Henry, the eminent hypnotist.
who is delivering a course Of lectures at
the Richmond Theatre on hypnotism or
psycbo-tberapy, was seen in his room at
Mrrphy's Hotel yesterday by a Dispatch
man. and interviewed as TO the effect
OF tho hypnotic influence on the human
mind and body.
DIR, Henry Is man 20 years OF age.
but he carries his years with exceeding
ease and is as bale and hearty to all
aspects as a man 40 years of age.
He is a most interesting conversation
alist, and discusses the various theories
OF the science to which he is devoting his
life with great fuency in a most inter-
esting manner.
''Hypnotism," said he. properly inter-
preted, means sleep. The deep hypnosis Is
sleep. The means Of reaching 1t
are similar to those used for obtaining
natural sleep. 1t Is not an applicable
term, when used with reference to the
condition In which subjects are, who are
governed suggestively. 1t is as applica-
BILE though, as the terms mesmerism.
pathetism, psychology, ana biology,
which have been used.
A SUBJECTIVE CONDITION.
For want OF a. better term. II might
be called a subjective condition IN whioa
the objective Is more or less positive
The connection between the tw0-op-
1ective and ubjective-enablin9 an opera
tor to control, not by any inherent or
magnetic power. but simply by force OF
o suggestion.
THE impressions made are similar 10
those that produce dreams, dream-lfe
being the subjective life. Concentration
of mind, combining thought to a particular
object. with desire and anticipation, are
the chief factors in the production OF the
condition called subjective. intellectual
ability is no bar Or hndrance. Time ana
repeated trials will enable any one to
reach IL.
A PANACEA FOR DISEASE.
People from time immemorial," con-
tiuued DR.. Henry, have been cured or
various diseases by suggestive influence.
tho Iaying-on of hands. and by inanipu-
lations. AZ far back as the days OF the
prophet Eliza. who, when Leper Naaman
came to him to be cured py
the Iaying-on Of hands and making OF
passes. down to the days of Clovis, King
of France: Valentine Greatrakes. ana
Queen Anne. of England, all celeDra'su
for their ability TO cure by the toucr.
people of various nations have peileVeu
in the power 10 cure by the touch anu
pass. .,
and more especially since the time OF
Charcot. in 1880. that any attempt mas
been made to give a scientific explanation
for the cures accomplished by the above
methods. or those of pilgrims to shrines'
or those affected by relics, or by the
waters OF the Lourdes. and other mar
vellous cures. effected by those possessed
OF what is called the healing power.
Now. psycho-therapy. or the system
of mental therapeutics, has found place
in our medical colleges. and ] hold the
chairs OF Psyche and Mental lherapeu-
tics and Mental and Nervous Diseases III
the Bygeia Medical Coliese, of Cincin-
nati-
1T entered the lecture field when a
Young man. preferring 1t TO the practice
Of medicine, and have since that time
been deyoting my energy TO tile advocacy
and elucidation of principles OF TINS Won
derful science, which Is now commanding
the attention OF the scientific world, ana
throwing light upon mental science and
disease that entities il 10 place IN the
front rank. My effort has been 20 re-
deem IL from the slurs cast upon II by
fal,irs and charlatans, and in this nave
succeeded.
UNITE THE SCHOOLS.
IL have endeavored TO unite the dlt-
erent schools who have been entertaining
diverse theories i'm regard to hypnotism,
and the methods cor its production, ana
/ have succeeded in formulating u work
ing hypothesis hat will be acceptable TO
tnrtain.1 conflicting tlrO-
ries. and | believe that hypnotic states
are not the result of a power exercised
nv an operator or hypnotist. but con-
dition ether natural or self-induced, IN
which the objective, being rendered passive
0he mind being duaD, the subjective be-
comes the recipient of suggestive In
fluences of whatever character or however
absurd.
THE subject In this state can be con-
trolled 10 an unlimited extent, even 10
tho production of death. The subjective
mind having complete control or the
functions. sensations, and condition OF the
body. suggestions can be made TO relieve
main. break habits, cure disease, prolong
life. and keep the system healthy.
Psycho-theraphy is, therefore. one OF the
most important departments OF medical
science with which every intelligent phy-
stefan should become acquainted.
'Tn this progressive age great reforms
are being made. and all can be traced
directly TO the light that hypnotism. In
It's broad sense. has shed upon suggestive
treatment l am proud TO know that l
am one of the pioneers of this science
IDEAL SUGGESTIONS.
"As a means of moral training, Neal
suggestion Is more potent than hypnotic
suggestion, and ought TO be studied by
every one. II will keep the system
healthy. and produce conditions for In
SEPARATION or the inflow of ideas ON any
subject. which IDEAS can be retained and
brought to objective memory at win-
The subjective mind. being the store1
house OF memory. nothing learn
cd Is ever forgotten. and self-ccn-
troll through ideal suggestion will enable
Its possessor to appeal to this store
house effectively. and enable him 10
bring 20 his recollection effectively ideas
and knowledge that he may desire. The
science. therefore. commends Itself TO all
literary men,"