HYPNOTISM, that which formerly was, that which, popularly, still is called "mesmerism," or, more exactly "animal magnetism," founded on a belief in a so-called "magnetic fluid" which is sup posed to pass from operator to subject, has become recognized as hypnotism. The actual foundation of modern hyp notic suggestion was discovered by Lie beault of Nancy. After several years of practical experience in 1866, he wrote his first book on the subject. It was shelved and he was pronounced erratic. Hypnotism remained a curiosity and Liebeault's book was not reproduced till six years after Charcot, in 1878, began his studies in Hypnotism. In 1884 Bernheim wrote his charming book on suggestion and this created a demand for Liebeault's book, which then gave him his lasting reputation. He was Bern heim's teacher. The word hypnotism means putting a person to sleep and means nothing else. If an individual seems to be subjected to another in the waking state it should be said that he is unduly influenced. He is not hypno tized. That would mean that he was asleep.
The means by which hypnotism is used is "suggestion." A person may be influ enced by suggestion in the waking state, for suggestion is a great force in daily life. As connected with hypnotism, how ever, suggestion is the expression of an idea or combination of ideas which be comes impressed upon the mind of the somnolent subject to whom it is ad lressed. Conscious or unconscious re sults are sure to follow.
If a subject be awake he can, accord ing to the strength of his will and de sire, control to a greater or lesser degree the effect of a suggestion which he has received.
In the hypnotic state this self-control is decreased in a degree corresponding to that of the increase of the degree of sleep. Nevertheless, if merely the first degree of hypnosis have been attained, the subject, conscious of all he hears, may be influenced by the suggestion of the op erator. In this way a vast amount of relief has been given to individuals who rnay claim that they have not been af fected at all. In the hypnotic state there are nine sharply marked degrees of somnolence. In the first six degrees not withstanding he has been perfectly quiet and apparently asleep, the patient re members all that has been said. In the last three degrees the patient, on wak ing, remembers nothing. Strange as it may seem, however, a person may be more influenced by suggestion in the lighter degrees of sleep than in the more profound degrees, and vice versa. This is due to the patient's suggestibility. Generally, if the subject be made to reach any degree of somnolency he can be re lieved by suggestion. No person can be hypnotized unless he be willing. No per gon can be hypnotized at a distance, un less by telephone, or if he be a good and willing subject, by letter; and the patient must first have been hypnotized by the writer at some previous time.
Otherwise the operator cannot influence him at a distance in the slightest degree.
It is an absolutely safe and beneficent form of aid. It may not always bring relief, but never in the hands of a com petent operator has it done harm.
The method of the operators of the school of Nancy is wholly verbal. The patient is talked to sleep and on waking he is delighted by the changes in himself which are apparent and he has become convinced of the agreeable effects of the treatment.
Formerly a bright object was held be tween and above the patient's eyes, and he was directed to fix his eyes upon it. This created sleep. But it was found that nervous distress was apt to follow this method, and it has been abandoned by followers of the school of Nancy. If a sleeping person be assured by the oper ator that he will lose his craving for alcohol, or opium, or cocaine, or, that his pain will cease, that he will sleep at night, that his nervous unrest will dis appear, that his power of will or a men tal concentration will increase, and so forth, in nine out of ten cases the desired result will follow.
There are scores of popular forms of relief which act wholly through the pa tient's mind and in themselves literally have no value. The effect of the mind cure and Christian Science is due to a weak form of suggestion, behind which an intelligent knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and disease is wholly lacking. The results are owing to influences pro duced upon the minds of those who seek these forms of relief, which thus have accomplished a degree of benefit but are dangerous aids where serious disease exists.
With reference to causation of crime by means of hypnotic suggestion; few or no rientific men believe it possible. Habit is as strong as death. If a man's habit of mind be honest, no suggestion, sleeping or waking, can cause him to commit crime of any sort. If he be dishonest, naturally or by inclination, the suggestion would be unnecessary.
The hypnotic sleep is a natural sleep. Those who claim that it is not natural are not intelligent in the matter and their opinions are based upon pure and uninformed theory.
As has been shown by scores of thou. sands of cases, treated by brilliant and educated physicians, the treatment is absolutely innocuous. It either relieves or produces a neutral effect, and is use ful in a multitude of ailments which baffle ordinary means of relief.
But the operator must be educated in the use of this valuable method of treat ment. Hypnotism should be used only by physicians, and amateurs should by no means experiment with it as a means of amusement.