The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1900-02-15
THE PEOPLES COLUMN.
ANENT HYPNOTISM.
DR.. Wells Writes Entertaningly On An
Absorbing Topic.

Editor HERALD: In your peoples
column in last weeks issue l noticed a
paragraph which leads me to believe that
there are many people who still hold that
say in regard to the wisdom or folly of
people in flocking 10 hypnotic shows.
1t is true they take away money and
leave but little behind, but the same may
be said OF all shows, some of which are
certainly far less eleyating than hyp.
motto shows.
But speaking OF hypnotism IN general
there is no doubt in this age OF science
and progress as to the genuineness OF the
hypnotic condition. The woman in the
window on our streets few days since
was in genuine cataleptic condition and
could not have been conscious of her sur
roundings.
But hypnotism is science and should
be regarded and treated as such. On
general principles l am not in favor of
promiscuous hypnotizing, especially OF
promiscuous public hypnotizing. 1t is
true that nearly all people possess this
power to a certain extent. The mother,
for instance, when she soothes her babe
uses the principles of hypnotism and by
so doing exercises power over it that no
other person possesses.
But the power of inducing genuine
and complete hypnotic condition in an
other ought to be placed in the hands
only of those of intelligence, morality
and conscientious character. While it
is generally conceded by scientists that
one will not while under the hypnotic
influence commit acts which he would
not be morally capable of performing of
his own free will, yet he might not per-
form those acts voluntarily while in a
natural condition for the reason that his
better judgment might restrain him even
if his moral principles did not And
though we grant that he cannot be made
under hypnotic influence to do things
which he believes is wrong, might he not
be made to do things which are generally
regarded by the best people as being
wrong even though he himself did not
think SO?
Again it is conceded, generally speak
ing, that only those who are willing can be
hypnotized and that the more intelligent
a person is the better subject he makes.
This is IN the main true, but yet | be-
lleve that there are people, perhaps of a
comparatively low mental calibre, who,
after being repeatedly hypnotized by the
same person may finally be so brought
under The influence of that person that
he may be hvpnotized by him, even with
out his (the subiect's) voluntary consent.
And yet, properly handled, hypnotism
as a science is dong much good, and will
continue to do even much more good in
wears to come. 1t lies within the prov
ince of every honest, conscientious ply
stefan and surgeon to do good in certain
cases and at certain times, not necessarily
by inducing hypnotic condition. but by
the use Of hypnotic influences and sug-
gestions properly exercised as it also lies
with parents, teachers and others who
directly influence the lives and habits OF
certain people.
shah be glal for the day to come, as
it soon will, when hypnotism will be
taken out Of the realms OF the mysterious,
with which it has no proper connection
and will be known and recognized by all
as part of psychological and medical
science. H. R WELLS, NJ. d.