The morning times., 1896-05-31
ITALY ABAspoNs JlsG oIsM.

After S1Drl1tcl0E thousands OF lives anu
millions OF treasure in trying to create Il
colonial empire in Africa, Italy has come
To the conclusion u:at ''the game is not
worth the candle" and has withdrawn
the army she sent against Negus MencIck
OF AbysS!nia. The barbarian has eX-
hibited a high order OF niagnanmity in
his conduct toward an invading foe, which
might serve as an example, we'll worthy
or imitation, to many a civilized and Chris
tian ruler He asked no indemnity, hut
freely gave up al Italian prisoners OF war,
furnished medicines TO the sick and gave
them every facility at his command 10
embark safeE and i'll comfort for their
native land. Ali this is the more remark
able because of tie fact that lie had the
Italian army completely at his mercy. He
could have slaughtered them like rabbits in
warren, but on the first intimation Of
desire for peace be staid his victorious
force ana demanded nothing save that the
invader should go back To where lie be-
Ionged.
Italy has learned a painful ard expensive
lesson in Africa Her colonial enterprise
was "A dismal failure in all respects and
nothing remains now but vain regrets.
There is mourning in many Italian hcnIcs,
national pride has been terribly Inundated
and the national treasury sadly depleted
For King Humbert's sake, who is a fairly
good and humane and liberal sovereign,
ii is 10 be regretted that he did not have
wiser Cumsellars. 1t will take years of
prudent management and good govern
ment TO retrieve the past, and tie least
that may Toe hoped and expected is that
Italy will devote all her strength and
ali her resources to home affairs instead
OF going after strange gods
HYPNOTISM AND ITS PERILS.
1t is noticed with no small degree of
satisfaction that the press of the country
is calling attention TO the danger that lies
in the indiscriminatc practice OF hypnotism.
to regard the hypnotiSt simply as a sleight-
of-lland performer and the exhibition of
his power as merely clever trick is no;
only foolish but an evidence of neXcuSatlr
ignorance. There is nothing new about
il, of course. IL las been practised under
various appel!ations in past times and by
more or less prominent people. 1t has
been made use of by scientists as well as
by mountebanks. Just as il is today. Mes
ner and Cagliostro were its eXponents
IN the latter part of the last century and
the beginning of this. Eminent psychia-
rr:stS Of Germany, France, Switzerland
and the United States have engaged in the
study and practice OF it for entirely proper
and humane purposes in our day, but at
the same time il is made the means of
money making by men WHO must be classed
with the Heunanns and Hellers and Kellers
as entertainers only.
Right here lies the danger a faculty,
a power capable of producing such excel
lent results, as can be secured through
hypnotisun in the treatment OF certain
nervous diseases, but which also may be
employed for the accomplishments Of crirae.
should no longer ne GrtEcl beneath The
notice Of lawmakers. For instance nearly
every hypuotist going about the country
giving performances assures his audience
that the hypnotic sleep or condition has
absolutely no bad effect upon the subject,
but is rather beneficial than otherwise.
Ou the other hand, there are eminent ply
sicians who assert that every time a man
submits himself TO lie hypnotic influence,
he is injured mentally. a New England
practitioner of distinction declares that a
person who makes Il business of being
hypnouzed, and continues to do so for
several years, will, beyond all question.
become an idiot.
How much OF alI this is true on either
side of the question IS matter that
cannot he passed upon by the Iayman.
This much is certain, that hypnotism should
no more he allowed 10 be prac cticed indis-
crimiuately by anybody and everybody
and without legal control and regulation
than poison is permitted to be sold by
persons not properly qualified and author
ized Ia do so and under definite restrictions
at that.