The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-02-02
HYPNOTIC HEALING.
"SLEEP ROOM'' A New YORK
HOSPITAL.
Within Its Walls Patients Pass Into
Peaceful Slumbers-Thcy
Awaken Fully Restored
to Health.
stranvcst roor that INV

hypnotic power proves TO be blessing
to the afflicted. Pain is banished and
pleasure takes lite place. The most
distressing operation becomes TO the
sufferer n matter of congratulatlon.
The doctors say that people. as q
rule, have very erroneous idea of
hypnotism and its effects. matter
OF fact, bypnotism is like oil other
powerful influences, capable of being
diverted into channels of evil, as well
as those of good. Hypnotic suggestion,
when brought about by the proper
person, is never injurious In its effects.
because great care is taken In selecting
a subject, TO ascertain if he or she IS
OF such temperament as would suffer
from hypnotic influence. If it is
learned that nature has so constructed
tho patient that evil might follow
hypnotic suggestion some other
method is tried
DIR. William p. Wilkin, man of
much learning and exceedingly we'll
versed i'll modern thought as it relates
to medical science, has made special
study of the Sleep Room and its effects,
which his regular attendance at the
hospital has given him ample oppor-
tunity to investigate. The facts that
are stated in this article so far as
regards the technical details of the
treatment arc related by DR.. Wilkin.
They are strange, indeed. illustrating
as they do what was long considered
the ianciful theory that the influence
of mind over matter, and mind over
mind, could be brought to the aid of
the disciples of Galen.
There is nothing in tie first glance
at the Sleep Room which indicates
that anything of an unusual nature
happens there. ltis very plainly fur
nlshed, being practically baro of
everything but benches along the wall,
few comfortable chairs and several
screens. a distinct method lies in
this plainness, for exceeding care Is
taken that there shall be nothing in
the room to distract the patients at
tention in the least from the person
from whom the hypnotic suggestion
comes. 1t is awell known essential OF
successful hypnotism to concentrate
the patients attention. This is the
central idea OF the entire ARRANGEMENT
OF the room. Just how the patient is
treated, just how hypnotism is re.
Garded By the medical profession, is
explained in DR.. Wilkins own story.
81 may say" said DR.. Wilkin, Chat
my experience In treating n certain
line of diseases has been such that the
prejudice fret felt in employing this
method, prejudice quite prevalent
among the profession of this country,
has been entirely removed, and | fully
believe in the benefits to be derived
by hypnotic suggestion properly en-
ployed. Hypnotism has great value
In treating certain diseases, though
ITS place in therapeutics is peculiar.
My feeling is that its value is more
striking in its effects tkan wide in ap.
plicability.
1.-The method l employ for inducing
the hypnotic sleep is the one in most
general use, an is commonly referred
to as 'Bernheim's method it is very
simple. In the first place 1t is so ar
ranged, as far as possible, that every
condition will favor tho development
OF the thought we wish should domi-
nate the patient, namely, that lie
should go to sleep. To this end, then,
must he considered the mental state
of the patient, the titude of the oper-
ator, and the environment. 1t is my
opinion that revolving disks, or any
methods of seeming mystery employed
for the purpose of inducing the hyp-
motto SLEEP, are On imposition on the
patient ] prefer to influence him by
appealing only to his confidence aud
Intelligence.
at is explained then to the patient
that, for the proper treatment of his
disease, he is to DO hypnotized; that
the treatment, it is believed, will be
ehectual IN it's results, and that Ger.
talnly there is nothing unpleasant in
the employment OF it. His nervous
ness and any scruples or fears are over
come by reasonable explanation OF
our object and method, or by any
means suitable to individual cases. We
aim TO secure his entire confidence and
10 place him at case.
The attitude OF the operator only
need be quiet, confident and firm. ANY
nervousness or agitation or uncertainty
on his part is communicated imme9i-
ately 90 the subject. There should be
no noise IN the room, and it is proDa.
bly, more favorable TO have the room
somewhat darkened. Then the patient
is placed in a chair sufficiently easy 20
produce no physical constraint; his
head rests against the back of the chair
or against the wall, he IS directed to
fix mis- eyes upon some object which is
held mp before bis face, or upon any
object in the room, and so, having the
patient in q mental and physical con
dition favorable to the hypnotic state.
he is told quietly, repeatedly and
firmly to go 90 sleep His brow ia
usually stroked. In a short time his
eyes look sleepy, his eyelids become
heavy and tremulous. He is then
commanded to close his eyes. The
band OF the operator is passed gently
over his eyeiids, and the patient is i'm.
formed that he cannot open his eyes
until he is told 90 do so. In almost
every case the patient will be in the
first stage Of hypnotic sleep.
The degree OF hypnotism need
never, rs n rule, exceed the first stage.
the somnambulic state, though it will
be found that some patienta. those