Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-19
HYpNOTISM,

HYPNOTISM.
A correspondent writes us asking upon
what scientific principles hypnotism Is
based" Also. If It has been fully in
vestigated and weighed in the balance
iudicially," and if its power has been
fully and seriously considered" Further
our friend wishes to know 'if 1t has been
established as a science" Searching ques-
tons these be-
AS the Dispatch understands the mat
Ter. hypnotism is a condition very SINH
lar TO somnambulism, which Is produced
by artificial means. 1t is based, IN gene
raj terms, on the fact that the nina can
be dazed, but the underlying scientihc
nrinciples are not fully understood, and
the theories on the subject depend upon
physiological propositions which are 100
abstruse to be easily explained. IL mas
been quite fully investigated, but there
Is n difference Of opinion as TO the ac-
tual value of the Investigations; it is very
certain that all of them do not deserve
70 be called judicial. Two very formida-
bile difficulties obstruct the pursuit Oh
these inouiries-one is the incorrigible pro-
pensity of the subjects Of the experiments
70 deceive. many Of these persons being
arrant frauds; and the other is the creuu-
lity of the experimenters, who are OFTEN
altogether too easily satisfied with their
results. And, besides, the practice OF the
art has been so long and so completely
monopolized by charlatans that reputable
and qualified observers justly distrust It's
manifestations. and are 10th to NEEDLE
with it, for they do not feel that they are
equally matched when contesting with
practiced imposters.
No faith whatever can be put IN the
| travelling expounders Of its mysteries
and II Is q. sheer waste of mental energy
70 attend to anything they say or do.
! Still. hypnotism must be regarded as an
! established science, to the extent at
least, that 1t has been studied by trust
worthy scientific men, who vouch 1or the
reality of some of the phenomena claimed
for II. There seems to be no doubt that
impressionable persons, whose nervous
systems are disordered, can by hypnotic
methods have their will partially sup
messed, so that they are disposed 10
ohev up to a certain limit Suggestions
made 10 them by the hypnotizer. Inc
range and amount Of the influence which
CON he thus exercised are, however, quite
restricted, being by no means as STU
nandous as enthusiasts have declared
them TO be. 1t is very quesuonaoie
whether a person of ordinary sense, whiie
in the hypnotic slumber, can be mace 10
do ANYTHING he does not choose TO DO
and when one asserts, as an excuse ior
his rascality, that he was hypnotized' II
90 well 20 have in mind the old dictum
that mot everybody whose eyes are shut
"a asleep." No unimpeachable observer
has verified the extraordinary Manifesto
,,ons which have been attributed to some
phases of this state, such as reading
sealed letters, seeing into closed boxes
describing occurrences in distant places
and even foretelling future events. AL
iud,cious inquirers are satisfied that THESE
displays are decisions or deceptions.
It should be pointed out to amateur
hvnnotists that it is q very risky ex
perience for the living human brain whei
It is used for plaything. lrreparaoi'
injury may be done to the victim OF theil
inlay. for that way lies madness" 1t i
as If a watch were made to run back
wards. and the teeth of its wheels SPRUNG
ont of gear for the fun Of seeing INT
works Jerk and hearing them clink an'
clatter. So great is the danger OF iasl
ing harm, which is sure to come IL thi
rude strain Of the nervous system is Oh
ten repeated, that many conscienlou
physicians hesitate to use hypnousm eve
as n curative agent. 1t Is shame ina
travelling faklrs are allowed to attemp
u upon children, and that children ar
taught by the contagion of example
attempt to practice it themselves; ano
therefore. the medical profession, know
ing how demoralizing and otherwise IN
furious are these public exhibitions OF SO
:. called hypnotism. is almost unanimou
IN advising that they be prohibited b
o law. -