The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-14
FLINT is FINED.
HypnOtfst Pleads Guilty to Vic.
lating Kansas Law.
He Used Boy Under Is as a Sub.
ject.
DIR. WILM COMPLAINS.
Says Practice Is Injurious to
Youths.
!. WILM COMPLAINS.
Calls Attention to Regulations
in Other Countries.

Between the devil Represented by the
statutes of 1903, which prohibit hypnot-
ism of minors under the age of 49,, and
the deep sea represented in this in
stance by the only possible defense or
| even plea of mot guilty'D, Doctor
H. L. Flint, the hypnotist who has en-
! tertained Topeka audiences on many
occasions, gave up s25 and costs in city
court today.
Flint was arrested last evening by
Captain Wintrode, marshal of the city
court, upon a warrant charging two
counts of the violation of chapter PIG,
session laws of 1903, IAN act prohibit
ing hypnotic exhibitions under certain
conditions" Flint was charged by Dr.
E. c.. Wiln, of Washburn psychology
cal department, with having hypnotized
at his Thursday night performance a
boy named Charles Lundborg 16 years
of age, who lives at 1035 North jack
son street. Flint gave bond signed
by DR.. H. w. ROby, who is an admirer
of the hypnotist, and the case was set
for hearing at IL o'clock this forenoon.
Flint appeared, accompanied by his
retinue and Attorney ]. B. Larimer. 1t
took solid hour of wrangling between
Larimer and Schenck to decide on a
plea. Flint did not care to plead mot
guilty" because dozens of witnesses
could be brought to show that the
Lundborg boy was one of his alleged
Subjects" Such a plea would have
branded the doctor" as a faker to
The only thing to do under the circum-
stances was to make an easy lighting
place, and plead guilty, County Attor-
ney Schenck recommended a fine of $50
and costs, which seemed satisfactory
to the defendant and his attorney.
Larimer intimated that the act of
legislature under which the case was
brought, is unconstitutional, as the
title prohibits and the text of the act
only regulates" The county attorney
blandly agreed to stand pat upon the
law as it is, without any apologies.
The penalty under the act of 1903, for
permitting minors under Is years OF
age to take part in any hypnotic ex-
hibition. ranges from so to 500 fine,
and from ten days to three months in
jail or both at the discretion OF the
court.
Dr. wilm. of washburn college, was
aided in the prosecution by James Nc
Cure Both seemed to take hypnotlsm
seriously, and declare that it is in
jurious4to health. DR.. Wilm said today,
in regard to this case:
This prosecution is not to start
any trouble for the troubles sake and
it is not my desire to interfere even
in the smallest degree with any mans
legitimate business. It is simply
brought with a view of stopping what
consider to be a public disgrace.
Competent psychologists and medical
authorities are almost universally of
the opinion that the continued prac-
tice of hypnotism is injurious to the
subject and that 1t should he regulat-
ed or prohibited by law Physicians
in this city who make practice OF
nervous and mental diseases a spec
iaIty. have said that there can not be
any doubt of its righteousness. 1t is
q morbid condition in which the~win
and consciousness of the subject Is
deadened by the operator could
cite quotations from any number or
authorities who denounce the indis-
criminate practice of hypnotism as
being injurious to the subject. why
we often think that Russia is bar
barrie in her customs yet in that coun-
try no physician can hypnotic a sub
iect except in the presence of two
witnesses. In Prussia public exhibit
lions are prohibited. We sometimes
criticise the French for certain prac-
tees yet they regard the indiscrim-
mate practice of hypnotism from
motives sufficiently ser
iously az to limit the use of hypnotic
to the medical profession.
I also understand that legislation reg
ulating the use of hypnotism and
its illegitimate exercise
has been passed in italy and Switzer-
land and what I can not understand
is how it is that any enlightened and
intelligent community will stand idly
by and see the minds of its children,
mere school boys, coined into money
bv those who do the community no
good in return for the harm and in
iurv wrought by such practices. Is |
not the mental keenneSs and self re-
spect of our American BOYS of suf-
ficient Importance and value to So
ciety and the body polite to arouse
public sentiment to the extent of stop |
ming what is undoubtedly a detrimen-
tai and injurious practice and thwart-
ing schemes whereby the mental
alertness finer sensibilities and intel |
Iigence of our children are deadened, |
e.. r,,nrnl1r rannnRtarX - urnOSeS.'