The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-23


Journal contains an article entitled .Sensa-
tional Journalism and Hysteria, by DR..
William l.. Howard, of Baltimore, which
contains statements that are entitled to
attention. He makes the unequivocal dec
laration that "the basis of yellow journal
ism is as certainly an hyster1cal one as
were the manifestations of wonder making,
miracle-producing epidemics of the four
tenth and fifteenth centuries He points
out that the earliest observers of hysteria
noticed the boundless mendacity in this
affection" OF the symptoms and manifes-
tations of this hysteria he says:
All mental efforts are made to attract at
tention, court remarks and disturb the
peaceful routine of a community. The hys-
terical need, crave something new and mar
Vicious every day. Night and day the yell
low journals show these well-known symp-
toms. New sensations must be found, man
ufactured or imagined daily. No matter
how impossible or nasty, the morbid mo-
bilfty of the mind of our patients, the ex-
cessive excitability of the imagination de-
mands stories-storieS often without the
basis of truth or reason.
DR.. Howard admits that there is de-
mand for this sort of thing on the part of
considerable part of the public, and gives
the scientific cause of such demand. as fol-
lows:
Hysteria is contagious and soon becomes
epidemic. A large proportion of the public
is controlled by suggestion. 1t is through
suggestion that hys6te;riad becomes epidemic;
yellow Journal or one who, in other
words, is receiving daily. suggestions of a
nature which disturbs the emotional ele-
mont in him, and we Soon have an hysteri-
cal individual This case rapidly affects
others brought into contact with it and the
certain ultimate result is AN epidemic of
hysteria, which is exhibited in the work
shop, on the street and at the fireside.
Observing and thoughtful people who have
noted the emotional and sensational phases
of sentiment during the past six months
are not surprised by the foregoing state
ment. They have noticed and, noticing.
have inquired if we are not becoming an
emotional rather than a thinking people.
This apparent emotionalism was attributed
to the yellow newspaper, but it has re-
manned for Dr. Howard to present reason
able and scientific cause. DR.. Howard next
points out the practical effect of these NOR
bid conditions and influences. There is no
doubt in the minds of those who study the
insane and the criminal" says DR.. Howard,
'but that the suggestions offered by the
owners of sensational journals is the seed
planted which ripens into lust, murder and
plumber" No less interesting and instruc-
tive is the analysis of the characteristics of
the yellow newspaper by this writer. which
is as follows:
The prominent feature in the yellow jour-
nails which attracts the attention of the
psychologists is rabid impulsiveness. This
impulsiveness may take various forms and
phases when it takes the form exhibited in
the yellow journals ii shows a diminished
resistance to judgment. acumen, moral dis
elimination and personal responsibility: in
TACT, TO that popular expression common
sense a term full of meaning.
The writer closes his analysis and dag
nosis of the hysteria of sensational Journal
ism with the following conclusions:
The nature of yellow journal suggestion
distributed among the masses in our large
cities is destructive to all intelligence
Whatever is right and sacred is at
tackled. They are instruments for the ex-
ploitation of sin and the perpetuatior of
crime. In fact, they make up a perfect
clinical picture of hySteria when, after
thorough examination. we find thew can be
brought down to the pSychopathic unit-no
living force, nothing that can assist the
weIl-being or happiness of communities.
1t is hopeful Indication that a reaction
has set in against yellow Journalism on the
part of many people who realize the evils
of a class of newspapers which proceed
upon the theory that the plain truth should
not be told. Reaction will take the more
positive form of revulsion when the mani
fold evils of yellow journalism are shown to
have a scientific basis which admits of a
remedv