The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-03
TO CURE BY HYPNOTIsM.
School of Psychology to BE Estab
Iished by Philadelphia Doctors.
Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record.
The study of hypnotism will be placed be-
lore scientific basis in Philadelphia this
summer. Several physicians of well known
standing have about completed arrange
ments tor the organization of a society to
thoroughly develop the art of hynotism. 1t
is used to greater or less extent by almost
every practitioner in the city, but in a dis
connected and desultory way, while the new
use and systematize it's application in the
treatment of diseases They will reduce it,
If possible. to. an exact science.
Regular clinics will be established, where
patients will be treated pSychologically, and
Lectures given by physicians on the SUBJ
ject OF hypnotism in its relation to health.
The physicians who are organizing this
school are all homeopaths and graduates
Of the Hahnemann Medical College, of Phil
the surgeon, who is connected with the
Hannemann Hospital; Dr. William ID. Culin
and Dr. +. c. Gray assistant lecturers on
physical diagnosis at the college. For sever
al years these particular physicians have
been making an exhaustive study of psyche
logical phenomena, with especial reference
lowed closely the experiments made by
Bernheim Tuckey, Luys, Charcot and
other leading physicians and scientists Of
Europe, who have gone deeply into the SUBJ
Ject, and are to-day using hypnotism very
extensively in the practice of their profess
sions The therapeutic results have been
most satisfactory. and in New York and
Chicago fouriShing schools of psychology
are now in operation.
IN france nypnOt1Sm has been the subject
OF legislative enactment, and none but regu-
Iarly graduated physicians are permitted to
practice it.
Chicago is the acknowledged center of
medical hypnotists in this country, and Pro-
lessor Parkin, of that city, the editor of
the Medical Hypnotic Magazine, Will be in
Philadelphia next month 10 assist in estab-
fishing the first school Of medico-pschology
in Philadelphia
DR.. Gray was seen, yesterday. after.
meeting of physicians had been held to dis
cuSS the plans for the new school, and in
speaking on the subject of hypnotism said:
This method of treatment has during the
last few years attracted so much attention
among men of science and members of the
medical profession that it seems strange
that a knowledge of it in this country has,
until quite recently, been almost entirely
theoretical. The system of pyscho-thera-
peutics has so far attained its fullest de-
velopment in most European countries that
its position is secured by the support of
leading physicians and by the success at
tending their practice.
THE introduction of the system into new
fields was vigorously opposed at first by
persons who feared it's mystical influence,
ment became manifest people began to give
it some attention, and, with the mystery
solved, opposition decreased and has now
almost died out.
In this country we have numerous
schools of psycho-therapeutics conducted on
a strictly scientific basis and managed by
regularly qualified physicians, where grad
yates in medicine taught it's methods
by practical experience gained from their
clinics.
These schools are quite numerous in the
West, and recently there has been one
opened in New York city, and it is safe
to predict that the near future will see
every medical college with chair for this
branch of medicine.
THE dangers of hypnotis1n have been
proved chimerical. In proper hands no I'M
desirable medical results can occur through
its practice, and l have been unable to
learn of one authenticated case of it's being
used for criminal purposes. More than this
can hardly be said for the prevailing sys-
tenn of medical treatment.
Anyone who has given attention to this
method of treatment will acknowledge what
immense power the mind has over the body.
This power is exercised in health and dis
ease, but is peculiarly evident-perhaps be-
cause more closely observed-in the latter
condition.
There is no more effectual depressant,
no surer harbinger of disease than fear
! Much of the immunity from infection en-
! to the pre-occupation of their minds which
| leaves no room for selfish terror, and partly
| to the confidence begotten by long famil
! iarity with danger. On the other hand, it
/ is impossible for a healthy person to de-
| velop, by pure imagination, the symptom of
''Laymen who dabble in medical science.
! and medical students at the beginning of
| their course, are apt to imagine that they
| have one or another of the diseases they
| have been studying, heart complaints be-
| ing, perhaps, the most common, and in
the subjective symptoms. There are many
people who never hear of a disease without
fancying that they have it.
THE illness of a distinguished sufferer
the progress of which is daily reported in
the newspapers will sometimes become al
most epidemic. That fear will promote dis
ease has been abundantly proved during
outbreaks of cholera, smallpox the plague
and other epidemics
Pseudo hydrophobia is a recognized NAL.
ady, and no doubt many supposed cures of
hydrophobia have in fact been cures of this
fear-induced imagination.
In all ages wonderful cures, real amid
ifr1aa nf oh hGp 1r5a% >
holy places dedicated to various saints of
various cults. Among the throngs of pill
grims to Mecca, 10 the sacred rivers and
temples of India, to the shrines of Buddhist
hagiOlogy. there are persons who, having
made the outward journey YEARLY and
painfully, turn homeward with the gift of
health. The cheered, uplifted and con-
WINGED mind works sometimes with start
ling rapidity on the diseased body.
Facts like these show US that hypnotism
is a potent factor III the treatment Of dis
ease, and for this reason we have deter
mined TO open school Of psychology for
the trea tment OF the afflicted in Phiadel-
phia This viii be the first one in the city,
and hypnotism is a scientific and estab-
lished fact, can say that this is not an
experiment, and that il Will open the way
to a more eornmon-sense dealing with many
maginary ills, which now confne people
to their homes. Such peorIe can be cured
without being dosed with medicines. and
that is just what we propose to do