Evening star., 1896-08-22

aday consciousne S. was absent at the time.
but the "subliminal consciousness" he says.
was present during the operation. Hence
anaesthetics destroy the former and only
postpone the enregistering of the sensation
conductors controlling the latter conscious
ness. 1t may be that this ''subliminal con-
sciousness" is the one affected by hypnot-
lists.
Sensitive to Drugs.
Recent laboratory experiments have also
been made to ascertain the effects of drugs
upon persons in hypnotic state. Some
subjects are found to be so sensitive to
drugs while in this condition that they con-
tort themselves in various ways when the
substances are not applied directly, but
merely held in proximity to their skin. not
even touching ii. Some chemical substances,
even when sealed in tubes, will cause sem
sitives to alter their bodily appearances and
physical conditions, producing violent con-
vulsions hallucinations, alterations Of the
pupils, changes I'm the pulse-beats symp-
toms of joy, grief or anger and other emo
tional conditions.
The influence of color upon hypnotized
persons has also been tested in the labo-
ratCry by subJecting sensitives to rays Of
light passing through various screens Of
different colored glass Blue light is found
to produce sadness, red light joy, yellow
light strong affection and violet or green
light variable conditions. Charcot used
sudden ray of intense light as one means
or throwing sensitives into the hypnotic
state
Just as these instruments for producing
hypnosis are applied to the sense of sight,
other physical methods are applied. in its
induction, to the senses of hearing and
touch. The condition does not seem to be
Induced by stimulations of either taste or
smell. Charcot threw some of his subjects
into hypnotic states by the sharp and
sudden sounding of a large gong. The
ticking OF watch has been used with
the same success by others, the sensitive
being required to concentrate his mind
upon the sound, just as he does upon the
seeing OF the revolving fans or nickel ball.
The monotonous chants sung by semi
same effect.
Strokes and Passes.
For creating hypnosis through the sense
OF touch, strokings or pressure upon the
skin are resorted to by some hypnotists.
while others apply warm plates of metal
to different parts of the body. Physicians
realize that warmth induces natural sleep,
while coldness tends to prevent it, Some
foreign hypnotists maintain that the crown
OF the head. roof of the nose, the thumb
or eibow are most sensitive to hypnotic
stimulation by touch. Some merely
forehead The electric battery has been
resorted to by few expermenters who
claim that it is successful as an inducing
mary effect the magnet
II Is now an easy matter for certain hyp-
notists to transform natural sleep into
hypnotic sleep without the subjects knowl-
edge. I'hus one who gees to sleep in a
public place may never remember what
foolish actions he has been made to do
during that period. Hypnotic suggestion is
the latest phase of this whole subject which
IS now Interesting expermenters. A sensi-
tive. under hypnotic influence, receives
command from the hypnotist which he
Will obey on awakening. although he Is un-
conscious OF ever having received such a
command This power is used by a physi-
clan in Massachusetts. who is said to be
able TO stop the most severe pain by sug-
gestion. Several people report to the Soci-
ETY. for Psychical Research that he has
gwen thCm suggestions before they have
gone to the dentist, with the result that
their dentistry has invariably been painless
experiments are now being made as to the
value OF hypnotic suggestion in education
It's medical value has already been proven
in France, where such conditions as ner-
vous insomnia, sonambulism, kleptomanIa
l&ziness and various forms of moral degen-
eracy have been cured by its means.
Uses of Hypnosis.
The power Of suggestion as an agent in
crime is now being talked about in this
country Men are believed to have been
hanged for committing murder while acting
under hypnotic influence from another
Some celebrated medico-legalists have pro-
posed that laws should be passed defining
the responsible murderers in such cases
In such an event hypnctism will be as both
erSome plea of defense as insanity is to-
Gay. The dangers threatened by the vicious
or careless hypnotist have become legally
realized in France and Russia In the
former hypnotism is forbidden for purposes
OF public amusement, and in the latter no
persons except. licensed physicians can
practice it 1t is said that 50 per cent of
the people in the world are hypnotizable
The hypnotists, on the other hand are dis
covering and improving their powers faster
and faster each day. Will they at some
future century become the governing class