Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-14
HYPNOTIZED
INTO LUPUS
WEALTHY RANcHER AFFLICTED
WITH HALLuclNATloN
THINKS FAMILY IN FRANCE CON-
Trolls HIM
Takes Harmless Red Spots for Lep-
rosy-AppIies to Police for
Protection from Evil
Influences

Herbert Fryer, one Of the wealthiest
and best known cattle raisers of Ventura
county, became suddenly insane at the
HolIenbeck hotel last night and is now
patient in the detention ward of the city
receiving hospital.
This morning complaint of insanity
will be filed against him by the surgeons
of the hospital and the probate branch
of the superior court will make an in
quiry into his mental condition.
Mr.. Fryer is suffering from the oe-
lusion that he is a victim of deadly lep-
rosy and that the awful disease has been
transferred to him by hypnotic sugges-
ton from members of his family, all OF
whom live in France.
At the receiving hospital last night Mr..
Fryer talked in apparently serious man
ner of his situation and stated that he
had come to Los Angeles at the direction
of relatives in France, who had hypnot-
ically suggested the journey to him.
After his arrival here and while he was
at dinner at the Hollenbeck the sugges-
ton was received from Paris that he was
insane and he was told to apply at once
10 the police authorities for protection
against an evil influence which would as
sail him within few moments.
Leprosy by Suggestion
'I tried" said Mr.. Fryer 'to get to
the hospital in time to overcome this evil
suggestion, but I was unable to do so.
Now I am attacked with lupus. 1t Is
a very deadly and contagious disease and
I would advise you to stand off at least
a few feet. for, like the leper of the
Savior's time, I am unclean.
'sThis disease, which will ruin my life,
was transmitted to me by this evil hyp-
motto suggestion from the old country
and while have good influence which
belongs to me and which has been trying
to overcome the evil influence the poor
little thing has been unable to do so.
"I will think the matter over calmly,
however, and by morning I may be able
to get away from this horrible sugges-
tion. I am not sure that I can, how
ever, as it has been attacking me In one
form or the other for the past two
years"
Mr. Fryer arrived at the Hollenbeck
hotel Monday night. He registered from
his home at Camulos, Ventura county,
and was assigned to a room. His actions
around the hotel created no notice and
he conducted himself much as other
guests.
Gets Sudden Suggestion
At dinner last night he suddenly left
the table and walked out onto the street
and inquired of policeman the direction
to the station. On being informed he
went to the station and applied to Desk
Sergeant Lee Heath for protection from
an evil enemy who was pursuing him all
the way from France. Sergeant Heath
recognized that the man was demented
and sent him to the receiving hospital.
In the hospital Mr.. Fryer said he had
started to take a horseback ride over his
ranch Sunday and before he could get to
the point he wished to go the suggestion
came to him from France to go at once
to Los Angeles. He said he had tried to
overcome this influence, but 1t had proved
too strong for him and he consequently
took a train in obedience to the direction
and came here.
The patient is said to be a man Of
wealth and the owner of a big cattle
ranch at Camulos.
His family lives in Paris, his wife be-
ing dead but he has several children and
relatives there who formerly lived with
him in California.
He has a daughter attending convent
school in Paris, and as best can be
learned he has had several disagreements
with relatives over the control of his
children and the property that will be-
come theirs on his death.
1t is probable that brooding over this
family trouble has driven him insane.
Mr. Fryers wealth is said to amount
to nearly a quarter of a million of dol
lars and his pitiable case is attracting
much attention at the police station.