The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-05-21
OF HYPNOTISTS
AND HYPNOTISM
Continued From Page One)

was wealthy man, and was paving
us large salaries. He was not look
ing for the money end of the game.
The glory and notoriety were what
he was seeking. We were perfect
ly satisfied he should have this, so
long as he could afford to pay for
| it.
ATrying Ordeal
Somehow or other during our
travels, l injured the thumb of my
left hand. At a hospital in Rich
mond, Virginia, doctor told me
that blood poisoning had set in, and
that it was absolutely necessary |
should have portion of the afflict-
ed member amputated. l assented
promising to return a few hours
later for the operation.
You can imagine my feelings,
when within a few minutes of the
operation, my friend the hypnotist
arrived at the hospital wearing a
grin from ear to ear, and requesting
the physicians in charge to allow
him to place me under the influence
of hypnotism. By so doing, he
claimed he would prove the superb
GRITTY of hypnotism over drugs or
anaetbetic.
| was in dilemma. To refuse
meant to expose him; and might be
the means of my losing good
thing" On the other hand, if I by
ill-luck should yell with pain during
the operation-well, you can picture
for yourself what a position [ was
in-sort of between the Devil and
the deep sea. Wishing to end the
suspense. said:
/ waive my objections. Proceed
as you see fit"
Thank you," said the hypnotist.
Then. turning to the group of physi-
clans who had gathered during the
discussion, 1 am willing to assume
all responsibility. 1t is too good a
subject for experiment to miss
With much ceremony, he placed
me in reclining position and COM
handed, Look in my eyes," l
actually believe that if looks could
kill, that hypnotist would have
dropped dead in front of me, [ said
a little prayer and closed my eyes.
| was apparently deep in hyp-
motto trance. The operation was
performed in the presence of few
of Richmond's most prominent doc
tors. There was not one of them
but believed l would cry with pain
at the first touch of the knife. Yes,
| felt it, but grltted my teeth. For
tunately, tainted dead away at the
first touch or soof the surgeons in
strument, feeling nothing until
regained consciousness, as the band
age was being applied to my mu-
tilated thumb.
The hypnotist received great
praise and some free advertising as
result of the operation. He pur-
chased for me an elegant overcoat,
besides presenting me with a ten
dollor bill. 1t was worth it.
Never Hypnotized
Perhaps, there is such a thing as
hypnotism. But during my travels
| have failed to encounter the gen.
uine article. l have been seeming
ly placed under the influence by
some learned physicians. Now, the
fact may be that l was really hyp-
notised and did not realize it. But
if hypnotism consists of gazing into
the eyes of one who calls himself a
hypnotist. closing my eyes at his
command, performing whatever task
he may ask, meanwhile thinking
what fool he is who imagines I am
hypnotised, then and only then have
l been under the influence of hyp-
notism.
Now, it takes a brainy man to be
a successful fake hypnotist. He has
lot to contend with. He must be
an expert Judge of human nature
and have in addition goodly supply
of personal magnetism. People in
some towns are skeptical and very
hard to convince. Again, / have
been IN towns where the folks were
in deadly fear of a hypnotist, and
would cross the street at his ap-
proach, to get out of his So called
evil eye.
Volumes might be filled with facts,
for and against hypnotism; but
enough has been said to demonstrate
the fact that it has been used to a
large extent to be-fool public ever
willing to be deceived. Star Of
Hope.
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