The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-11

n
attention OF those who are inter
- ested in social conditions is that
presented by the poisoned needle craze
tim. has swept over New York and ada
cent sections OF the country within the
past several months.
A rather superficial attempt at expiana-
zion seems inclined to regard this craze
an entirely novel phenomenon due to
the unusually free discussion Of sex prob
Gems and to the ''thrillers" OF the lower
grades Of moving picture shows.
While these factors, no doubt have had
their influence, the truth is that In this
new form of delusion We have simply an
other example of the workings oil one of
the most generally recognized principles
OF psych ology-the principle of sugges-
ton.
The study OF the origin and remarkably
rapid development OF this new hysteria is
particularly interesting for the reason
that 1t is typical of a great host Of men
tai epidemics that have swept over com.
munities and even entire nations in earlier
times, but which we of the present day
are Inclined to regard as impossible now
because OF our assumed superior iuteli-
gence. We think OF witchcraft for ex-
ample, as one of the manias of an ago
lost IN superstition, and we Ratter our
selves that such thing could not exist
in the present state Of civilization. And
yet we actually find flourishinR in what
we Ionoly believe TO be the very centre
OF enlightenment Il popular obsession
winch III It's absurd credulity certainly
equals, II 1t does not surpaes, the witch.
craft delLsion Of more than two centuries
ago.
The sininle fact is that the laws of the
human mind remain unchanged from rem
Grafton 10 generation. no matter how the
manifestations of it's activity may vary
from tine TO time
The first indications OF this most re-
cent epidemic of hysteria we're reported a
Kew snort months ago. young woman
standing in front or box office window
at theatre suddenly screamed that a
strange maT. had .pricked her wrist with a
hypodermic syringe needle. The woman
complained Of feeling of dizziness, but
the incident was not regarded ms espe-
efally serious and the mysterious offender
was allowed to disappear In the excite
Inept or the moment.
This occurrence was printed In all the
newspapers as II curious piece OF news,
although no attempt was made to give it
prominence through great amount OF
space or conspicuous headlines
But the seed OF suggestion, small as 1t
was. happened to fall into soil especially
adapted for its reception and nourish.
M Tbf, ~piro tho
white slave trade had made the general
public familiar with the methods used In
obtaining recruits for this traffic. Among
these methods was one which especially
Impressed the iluas inations of Women be.
Cause OF its spectacular as well rs insid-
ious character 1t consists In the use OF
a powerful narcotic which Is stealthily al.
mlnistered 10 the intended victim Just
as she succuTnbs to its Supplying effects
the villain appears on tn scene, takes
charge OF the victim under the pretence
that he is relative or friend, rushes her
into waiting taxicab and carries her
away 10 her dismal late.
Here, tAen, i'll th,s published account,
was concrete instance Of tile very dan
ger TO which attention had been pre-
yiousiy called in & general way 1t ar-
forded the imagination d definite nucleus
about which TO build, and in the cases of
certain women with more or less unstable
minds. The result was the development of
real obsession. That is, through con
tinued brooding upon the dangers in.
volyed In such situation. this IDEA be-
came permanently fixed in the so.called
subconscious mind
Now it is q prominent characteristics Of