The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-11

IF he had been incurably insane, hypno-
tism, they said, would not have had any
effect, as his mind would have been in
capable OF receiving suggestions. Mr..
Jones said after his experience with Mack,
that he believed he had been hypnodzed
before. He does not believe there IS any
effects Of It now. He believes his case,
strange as it IL, can be relieved by hyp-
nOtism-
DR.. Parr does not believe that his case
will yield 10 the treatment, at least not
readily. He believes the condition Of
MacS's mind is a delusion bordering on
absolute insanity, and viii require spe-
cial medical treatment such as he viii get
at the asylums. At any rate the condition
of Billy Mack has ELECTED the interest Of
scientific men.
Physicians have discussed the subject
and every one who has given It any
thought says that Billy Mack's condition
IS one Of peculiar interest and worthy of
further investigation.
The communication in the Eagle from
Minco, L T.. relative to Mack's condition,
and comparing MS symptoms with those
of the writer of the letter when he was
under the influence of hypnotism for eigh-
teen months, has also created a great deal
of discussion among those who believe in
the science.
Another reason for the examination yes
terday was to ascertain as to whether or
not there IS any trace of the influence of a
spell, and to further ascertain, If possible.
whether the condition of the patients
mind is an illusion, a delusion or insanity,
ciuty. DR.. Parr. who was one of the
jury who adjudged Mack insane, is very
much interested in the case. He is well
informed on mental diseases, and yester-
day he quoted Ray, who IS the recognized
authority on diseases Of the mind, along
the line of Mack's alteration. Ray says
there are three stages of mental disease,
and it would seem from later developments
in Macks case that if he is not under a
spell of hypnotism, he may be suffering
with either Of the first two stages OF
mental disease which Ray mentions. Mr..
Jones did not visit Mack with any view
of personal interest, but for the purpose
of doing the patient good and perhaps
curing him. He IS of the opinion now.
however, that Mack is not under a spell
notism does not last so long as Macks
trouble has lasted, but it may be that his
mind was first deranged by hypnotic sug-
gestion which, if true, he can relieve. Mr..
Jones says that hypnotic suggestion
rarely lasts longer than four or five days
and in this event the subject must be
very susceptible to it's influence, and for
this reason he does not think that Mack
IS now laboring under any hypnotic spell
However, mental illusions and decisions
have been known to readily yield to the
treatment of hypnotism and it may be
possible for this science to greatly relieve,
if not entirely cure, Billy Mack. It would
! be impossible to benefit him in the least if
the decisions have become so fixed in his
mind as to have resulted in absolute in
sanity. This does not seem TO be the case
with Billy Mack. He has only the one
deIusion and that IS that two women are
influencing him and he obeys their sug-
gsstions in spite OF himself. On every
other subject he seems mentally sound.
After the examination yesterday, in
| formation was received that Mack had
been assigned TO the Ossawatomie asylum
which Will prevent any further treatment
by Mr.. Jones. The sheriff viii probably
take him TO the asylum Sunday or Mon
/ dav