The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-27
NO HYPNOTIC CRIME.
SantanelIi Says it is Altogether
Impossible
To Lead Subjects to Commit
Grimes
Or Any Immoral Acts While They
Are in the Hypnotic State.

If the statement of Santanelli, 'the
man who works with the brain" is to be
taken as final, a solution of the much
! discussed question of the power of
a hypnotist to instigate crime in the
mind of his subject has been reached.
Santanelh emphatically declares that
the instigation of crime is an impos
sibility.
Absolutely impossible" said the hyp
notist last night, shaking his heavy
black locks with a negative motion of
his head, "and I'll tell you why. But
| first let me explain to you something
about hypnosis"
The hypnotist lighted a cigarette, and
and then from his match case selected
six matches. STOPPING over in his
chair he placed five of the matches in a
circle on the floor with ends pointing to
a center like the spokes of wheel.
/ The sixth match he placed with the end
prOtruding but a short way between
two of the other matches.
Now in the first place. he said as he
resumed a sitting posture and blew a
volume of cigarette smoke into the air,
man is not a free agent. Every act
and thought is controlled by suggestion.
For instance; you hear that supper bell
ringing on the street. Did you to choose
to hear that bell or was it forced upon
you? You hear the clatter of that
wagon on the pavement; do you hear it
from your own choice, or was it forced
upon you? Why. forced upon you, of
course. Suggested to you.
And what is suggestion? Sugges-
ton is simply hint which unconscious
y ar3Qses and puts in operation :. a
an action or a series OF ac-
lions. Man has two brain sys-
TENS, one 1 call the abdominal brain
and the other the memory brain. The
center of the former brain is located
directly back of the stomach, and it
| controls the entire mechanical actions
| and function of man. The memory
! brain is situated in the head and is
simply the receptacle of memory. Now
the mind is divided exactly as is the
brain, in two parts. The two parts OF
| the mind are ideas" and assorted
ideas" and an understanding of their
relationship ends the mystery of hyp-
nOsiS."
The hypnotist was by this time thor
OughIy interested in his subject and
| leaned forward in his chair.
Around every idea,' he continued,
is grouped a series of associated ideas,
the size of the group depending on the
persons experience, education, etc.
| When once associated around a pre-
dominant thought, they follow up that
thought, and become a part of it as
the background to the picture In our
cerebral brain is impressed memory, or
thoughts, around which are grouped
different associated IDEAS according to
the different experiences in relationship
to ideas. Now let me illustrate with
these matches on the floor.
needs doctor. This single match rep
resents the idea of the doctor At
once, associated with this idea of the
doctor and Illustrated by these
five matches in the form of a wheel
are the ideas of pain. expense 'naus-
eating drugs confinement to the house
and death
ITO further explain we take the
idea of dinner, and follow it and its
associated ideas in the mind of a king
merchant, an ignorant labOrer, and
a beggar. The predOminating thought
dinner carries with it common to
each, picture or vision of something
that will satisfy the hunger. The as
ISOLATED idea in the mind of the king
is that of a magnificent banqueting
hail. liveried servants, fine wines, a
company of geOgeOusly dressed guests
an elaborate menu, music, and perhaps
the govt. In the mind of the merchant,
a meeting at the door, a loving kiss
from devoted wife, the greeting of
happy children, a Hastily arranged ia
Bile, smiling faces of his familyHa mod
est fare, and a peaceful evening. Those
in the mind of the labOrer, a quantity
of coarse food, beer, a dirty wife, still
more dirty children, damaged table
service, a quarrel, and an eager desire
to reach the corner saloon. With the
beggar, the scOWling face of some good
housewife, apt to set the dog on him
or some sympathetic old lady who will
hand him from the back door piece of
cold bread and meat"
SantaneIli stopped and picked up the
IiledlCliSS. <AAlGI d IlUulenL pause ne
said:
1t is wrong to suppose that a person
can be hypnotized against his or her
will. In hypnosis it is necessary that
the subject follow the condition or
suggestions of the hypnotist, and by
so doing he will unconSciOuSIy be led
but not forced into hypnosis. After be-
ing guided a few times he will learn
how to go to sleep at his own or the
hypnOtist's suggestion. Hypnosis is
really self induced The subject, hav-
ing learned the condition can go there
of his own accord it may be self sug-
gestion' or with the intention or 'sug-
gestiOn of receiving no idea except
through the voice of the hypnotist
After a suggestion has been accepted
by a subject, he is no longer in hypnos-
is but is labOring under an illusion or
predominant thought, normal in every