Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-09-18

this phase OF psy-
Geological science
have refrained from giving or neglect
ed to give the results Of their work TO
the public, says the San Francisco
Call.
An apt illustration OF the adaptable
ity and harmlessness of hypnotlsm in
delicate and painful operations was
furnished a few days ago in the case
OF Mrs. A. r. Clothier OF Ccllinsyille,
Solano county. now residing at 2ll5
Webster street. in this city.
An operation which Is known among
the surgical fraternity as 'traehelorr-
Apply, was performed on her about ten
days ago under hypnotic influence. but
'perineorraphy" was performed later.
and owing TO aggravated conditions
from the previous operation was se-
rious ordeal.
DIR. NJ. Il. Van Meter was the operat-
ing surgeon, assisted by DIR. Charles
Clark, who readily placed the patient
under the influence OF hypnotlsm. Tho
only other persons present during the
operation were the assistant surgeons
and nurses.
At the first operation the lady was
hypnotized while lying on the couch.
and walked at the bidding Of the doc
tor to the operating table. and after
the ordeal returned 10 her former rest
ing place. Al the last operation DR..
Clark approached her as she lay on this
operating table, and, placing hand
across her temples. which were covered
with a handkerchief, said soothlngly
You are going to sleep now on this
lounge, and will feel much refreshed
when you awake
Am II" she said contentedly. and Ia
few minutes, being told that every
one had left the room but himself, she
failed TO see or hear any Of those NOV
Ing about her. The surgeon bent over
her and touched her forehead. but she
showed no signs OF consciousness,
tho gh she was aware OF ali that Dr.
Clark said and did, converslng With
him and acqutesciug In every state
ment he made and obeying him as a
child would.
In the meantime the operator had air.
ranged his instruments and began hts
work. A slight stream OF blood fol-
lowed the gIlttering scalpel, and she
still quietly discussed the topics Of the
day with her companion. Needles
scissors and knives were bereft OF their
terrors. and the faIntest hearted could
but lose himself In interest and wonder
as the operation progressed. Every
moment or so the doctor said to her.
You can feel neither touch nor pain.
you are resting perfectly" and she re-.
peated her affirmation on each state
ment and lay as quiet and motiontsgs
as II in slumber. the muscles relaxed
the respiration regular and normal and
the voice subdued
At times she complained OF WEAKNESS
and asked to change her position. bnt
subsidized at word. believing herself
perfectly comfortable. She asked for
water and drank from an imaginary
glass with perfect satisfaction 10 her
self.
AT last the task was finished and the
physicians prepared TO lift the patient
from the table to her bed. DIR. clark,a
influence was again brought TO hear
and she became rigid as IL frozen ~
perfectly did she respond 70 the 'shyn.
motto suggestion" After being plarea
on her bed she lay passive and retaxed
while told she would soon wake ana
would feel no pain or WEAKNESS. Post.
hypnotic suggestions" as they arc
called, seem the most remarkable =,
all. for they control the subject after
waking, leaving him free from the in.
fnence Of the operator.
After the lady had been confortabt.,
placed the surgeons Withdrew. ~
Clark stepped back from the bedslde
to the middle Of the room and watched
her closely without speaking
As though he had uttered his con,
mand aloud she began to count conc
two, three" and on reaching "twelvea
she threw back the handkerchief from
her face and opened her eyes. She 70.
membered nothing with the execution
Of her conversation with Dr. Clark ana
there was no appearance OF exhaustion
or pain. Later she complained az !
smarting sensation, but was persuaded
by further suggestion" that she waa
quite we'll