Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-01-05
THE REGION OF THE OCCULT

TIE REGION or THE OCCULT
Concerning points of medical doc
trins and faith. particularly regarding
new remedies. doctors are divided
into numerous classes, some believing
one thing some another, while some
remain perched on the fence, awaiting
Developments. BY many, hypnotism
ia regarded as mere humbug and quack-
cry. with no more basis than mesmer-
ism or spiritualism. Others consider
ii as something queer and touchy 70
handle. like sorcery while sorcery had
any support in human credulity.
There arc some likewise who con-
slider it as Lying in borderland be
tween proper and forbidden things.
the region OF the occult. or of out
and out humbug according TO the
bias with which it is approached
DR.. Menard, q French physician.
writing in Cosmos, obviously thinks
that il may have some remedial and
curative virtues aud be sometimes ad
missible in orthodox practice. He en-
deavors to show how il may be used
in an indirect way in the treatment
Of disorders hard TO reach otherwise.
and says that when subject is ia
the state OF hypnosis his mind accepts
without control the ideas that are
suggested TO him. and these ideas are
translated into actions. Hypnosis
enables us to study. in the case of
those who accept it and are sensitive
to it. the influence of imagination on
the organism.
Persuade the subject that he is para
lyzed, and he cannot move hand or
foot, give him a glass of water, assur-
ing him that il is an emetic, and IL
/. will produce the effect of one. The
argument for the treatment is pursued
along these lines in much detail, and
to some may be as convincing as the
claims Of DR. Mesmer were to his
proselytes hundred years or so ago.
But tile great body of doctors the
world oversshow no haste in recognize
ing it's claims, and DIR. Menard's ra-
Their guarded and reserved advocacy
Of them does not promise much effect
in promoting their acceptance.
CONGRESS AND THE EXECUTIVE
In mis- recent address at Chicago
Professor Young, of the Wharton
School Of Finance. strongly animal.
verified upon the decline of political
influence in Congress with the cor
responding growth of executive power.
But this is more apparent than real,
says the Philadelphia Record.
Il is an observation as trits a. any
presented by Professor Young that
Congress pursues its own way without
giving much heed to the numerous
recommendation of a Presidential
message. This Indifference of Con-
gress TO Presidential advice has been
witnessed ne frequently under the
latest aa under preceding administra-
tions. So true is this that 1t is use
less fer the Executive TO raise Com
missions so consider measures Of legis-
lation, as the reports are sure 20 be
sent UNDECIDED to the document rooms
Of both houses.
1t has always been more or less the
practice for experienced officials in
the departments TO formulate meas
urss oftlegislation, but such measures
are as jealously examined aud amend
ed In committees of Congress and in
open session as at any former period.
How little power over legislation
President Roosevelt actually possesses
10 seen by his inability TO persuade
she majorities OF his party in either
house of Congress to adopt his views
ne 20 tariff revision or the control of
corporations. 1t required all the
Efforts Of the Administration, backed
by strong public opinion, to secure the
treaty with Cuba by the aid of Dem
ocratic votes in the Senate. But Con-
gress makes no demur to bill care
fully prepared in an executive bureau
for carrying on the operations of the
Government. In the absence Of the
main fact il Is needless to consider
she causes assigned by Professor
Young for the loss OF power and pres.
tigs in the Congress Of the United
States.
a