Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-13
NOVEMBER 13, 1910.
A MEDICAL VIEW OF HYPNoTIsM

WnaL Snail we say OF the cnarBe Thai
physicians have refused to acknowl-
edge the remedial value of hypnotism
Unquestionably the medical profession
is guilty of failure to accord this potent
influence the scientific study which II
deserves. On the other hand, hypno-
tism in its present unmastered stage is
a two-edged sword, capable of much
harm. But If recognized medical au-
thorities would give the subject more
study and publicity the disfaVor which
doctors fear from it's use would soon
disappear.
The hypnotic state seems to be a
halfway state between sleep and wax
ing, a state in which the subject is
asleep to all surroundings except the
operator and his commands. The sub
ject'S consciousness is suspended and
the operators consciousness assumes
command of the subjects subconscious-
ness. A thoroughly hypnotized subject
will obey any and all commands of the
operator unhesitatingly, except those
that conflict with the most deeply root
ed moral conceptions. This hypnotism
might be used as a test of ones innate
and unalterable moral character.
Men and women are about equally
susceptible to hypnotic suggestion.
Persons of great independence of char
acter are hard to hypnotic. 1t is i'm
possible to hypnotic the average per-
son without his cooperation. The great
point is to secure faith and expectant
attention. Granted these states of
mind, the operator can soon cast his
spell. On account of the Importance OF
attention, it is impossible to hypnotize
certain low-grade idiots and lunatics.
But hysterical persons are, as class,
the easiest to hypnotize. And hypnotic
suggestion has been used to dislodge
obstinate delusions of hysteria. BY
the way, hysteria Is a much graver dis
ease than most people realize.
The oftener one is hypnotiZed the
easier one succumbs to the hypnotic in
fiuence. Thus some subjects have be-
come so susceptible that they go Off
into the hypnotic state from the mere
thought of the condition or from the
shock of a loud sound or sudden flash
of light.
The usual method of inducing hypno-
sis first is to fatigue the subjects oc-
ular muscles, for instance, by having
him look upward at bright object, and
then to follow up the drowsiness thus
obtained with soothing passes over the
head and statements declaring that the
subject is asleep, deeply asleep, and
that he cannot open his eyes. OF course
there are many variations, but the
principle is always the same-Q) faith
and expectant attention, (2) the produc-
tion of drowsiness by monotonous
sound or visual image of tactile sensa-
ton, and go authoritative suggestion
that the hypnotic state obtains.
There are three stages or degrees of
hypnotism-the lethargic, the catalep-
tic, and somnambulistic stage. The
first of these is a stage resembling
ordinary sleep, The cataleptic stage is
characterized by rigidity of the limbs
and the somnambulistic stage is the
one in which the subject can be made
to do anything the operator suggests.
Hypnotism produces analgesia, or in
sentibility to pain; and surgical ope-
rations have been performed under its
influence. But the after effects upon
the mind and character of the subject
are said to be much more serious than
any that follow ether or chloroform.
Constant hypnotism seems to weaken
the will and character generally. Per-
haps the greatest remedial use of hyp-
notism proper is the Kidding of the sub
ject of troublesome delusions, such as
may assail victims of hysteria and neu-
rasthenia.
The operator may sustain the hyp-
motto spell to any length apparently, If
he "stays on the job," but the subject
gradually regains normal consciousness
within an hour or so If left to himself.
Subjects do not remember any of their
hypnotic adventures after they regain
consciousness, but upon rehypnotism
they may recall experiences encoun-
tered in a previous hypnosis.
Mere Suggestion" is at present more
important to the doctor than actual
hypnotism.
HEALTH HINT