The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-18
OPINION STILL DIVIDED
AMONG DOCTORS AND SCIENT-
ISTS AS TO HYPNOTISM.
HOW IT FEELS TO BE HYPN0TlZED
A Numbness and Tingng Said to be The
Sensation. Making Subject Follow
an Intricate Curve Traced
on the Floor.
Washington Post.)

washington Post.)
In spite of the periodic exposure Of
hypnotic fakirs. and the confessions of
''horses," who help them delude the pub
lie scientists cling stubbornly to the
theory of hypnotic suggestion, and its
value in the treatment of many minor
ailments, when properly applied. y
"horse." it should be explained is a pro-
fessional subject of the fake hypno-
tst, who has, by nature or training, be-
come capable of enduring an almost in
credible amount of what would be tor
ture to one with more sensitive nerves
or less stoical grit. Recently, one of the
most adept of this craft submitted
himself to an examination by
reputable physicians, and without
any stimulation of the hypnotic
state, permitted his lips to be sewed to-
gether. held his hand over a blazing
match. and withstood other tests which
are commonly convincing. This fellow
has been professional subject for sew
eral years, and has deceived the public
as well as physicians. Yet, admitting
HII lueSt lhilFusluIcS, lIie men WHO uuNe
made Il deep study of hypnotism still
declare that there is great deal of
good in it when properly used Reduced
to its simplest form it is an every
day matter. and has been practiced for
hundreds of years by the best physi-
clans. As an old physician. with an ex-
perience of over thirty years, once re-
marked IF you can once convince
your patient that he is going to get we'll
half the battle is won. On the other
hand. believe it is practically possible
10 scare Il we'll man to death. provided
he is sufficiently creduloliS and imagna-
tive by simply hammering into his mind
the idea that he is Il dangerously sick
man. Once when ] was Il youngster and
an assistant surgeon in the army, we
thought we would have little fun with
one of our darky camp-followers. lie
was a big, husky black, and | don't be-
lieve he had ever been sick day in his
life. Nevertheless, by concerted effort
we succeeded in convincing him that he
was dangerously ILL., and l verify believe
if we had kept it up he would have died
from sheer fright
THE POWER OF SUGGESTION.
The current number of the Medical
Summary, of Philadelphia, says, edi-
torially:
"A popular writer has said that sug-
gestion is the moving power i'll the treat
ment of disease. Experienced practi-
TONERS habitually employ it to advan-
tage of the patient. Prudent friends
and callers at the bedside practice sug-
gestion by taking with them the assur-
ance of better things to come. A word
Of cheer. the reassuring smile. inspires
hope-this, too, is suggestion. Rheumatic
rings, magnetic healing. and divine
healing" all have their tap-root in sug-
gestion. Pain sleeplessness, neuralgia,
rheumatism, headache, etc, often yield
to suggestion.
is the practice of hypnotism or sug-
gestion undetrimental TO patient and
physician! Unquestionably, All proper
and eifectual means i'll reach may be
employed for relief. If. with ability to
diagnose disease and without the aid
from coal-tar sedatives and opates, the
physician can relieve such maladies as
headache lumbago. scatica, anguish of
rheumatic joint or buniOn, duty imposes
the obligation to do so. Wisely eXpe-
rienced, hypnotism will do no injury. 1t
will not injure practice, rather better it.
1t is hard to see how such use of hyp-
nOtism can be Il means of lowering the
dignity of the physician or profession
Truth never hurts worthy cause or oc-
cupation; truth elevates and dignities the
physician and the profession alike.
prove all things, hold fast to that
which is good. That the doctrine of
hypnotism is true scarcely any one who
has given it careful attention can doubt.
1t has been tester in the crucible of eX-
perience. No doubt the INSCRIPTIONS di-
vert the most beneficent powers into inn
proper channels. and thereby delay or
defeat the accomplishment of the aims
of science and benevolence; but the ply
sician who has the best right to use
them, never.
"Ofcourse. the hypnotst makes use of
suggestion to induce sleep but except
for the relief of insomnia may not need
to take that step. Good effects, at least
most of them. may be had without. Mes
merism, faith cure, magnetic healing
and divine healing possess little of val
ne except power of suggestion. The ply
cisian need be none of these However.
apparently he owes it to himself, and
patient as well, to acquire knowledge
in the lore of suggestion, the accepted
practice and precepts of hypnotism, to