Hypnotism is apt to produce evil effects on the organism. and it espe cially favors and develops tendencies to hysteria. Germain fide (Then. Gaz., Apr. 15, '90).
Hypnotism regarded in the light of a physical force, as real as the currents of electricity and as potent for good in the relief of disease. Luys (Jour. de Me"d., Feb. 2S; Mar. 7, 13, 20, '92).
Hypnotism is a pernicious practice, in that it lessens one's power of resistance, and so degrades the patient both mor ally and intellectually. William James Morton (N. Y. Med. Jour., Mar. 13, '97).
There is no doubt that the methods employed by Charcot and his followers— such as tiring the subject by gazing at bright objects held in such a position as to strain the eye-muscles, the sudden flashing of an electric spark before highly-hysterical subjects, frightening a nervous person by striking a loud-sound ing gong hidden near her, or stamping the floor with the foot, and in a loud and commanding voice bidding the person go to sleep—may result in great nervous and mental strain, often throwing the sub ject into an hystero-epileptic condition. Convulsions and insanity have followed such procedures.
As to whether some persons may pos sibly be hypnotized against their will, it is my opinion that these are mainly ac cidental cases and could rarely be used for the purpose of crime. No one can be hypnotized against his will if only the suggestive method of inducing hypnosis is employed. It is probable that after repeated hypnotic suggestions a person might be forced to commit a criminal act against his will or desire.
[A. Stodart Walker has recently de tailed such a case, and says that he has met with more than a dozen experiences. J. T. ESETUDGE.
Case in which an innocent married woman confessed herself guilty of adul tery and made a written statement of her infidelity, which was afterward re peated and amplified. The law in Eng land requiring that the evidence of adul tery must have corroboration, the evi dence showed that she was simply labor ing under an obsession which had its origin in the suggestion of a palmist she had consulted. Editorial (Lancet, Mar.
17, 1900).
Therapeutics.—PRECAUTIONS NECES SARY.—As it is difficult to hypnotize the highly nervous and intensely self-con scious by the suggestive method, it is well to refrain from hypnotizing these sub jects when it is possible to help them as much by other methods. When it seems
imperative to induce hypnosis in them the suggestive method, combined with staring, pressure on the head, or stroking of the body should be resorted to. In all classes of subjects hypnosis should not be induced more frequently than seems absolutely necessary. To prevent resort ing to hypnotism too often it is well at each séance to suggest that the impres sions will be lasting, and repeated hypno tizations will not be needed or desired by the subject. The latter should be cautioned against depending entirely upon the help of another, but encouraged to assert his will and become independ ent. Such suggestions should be re peated in a firm voice two or three times while the patient is in a deep hypnosis. Unpleasant or exciting suggestions should be avoided during hypnosis as much as possible, and if we are forced to use any such, their effects should be counteracted by the proper suggestions before the subject is allowed to awaken. It is better, as a rule, to suggest that the patient will 'remember nothing of what has been said during the seance. We should never allow ourselves to use sug gestions to satisfy a morbid curiosity, neither should we inquire into the pri vate affairs of the patient. The subject should always be told before being al lowed to awaken that nothing but good can result from the hypnosis, that noth ing but proper suggestions can be fol lowed, and that he will feel better, less nervous, and refreshed on awakening. It is safer never to hypnotize a person, espe cially a female, except in the presence of a third party. The suggestion should be made during each hypnosis that no one shall ever be able to hypnotize the sub ject against his will, and not even then except in the presence of a third person. If any delusions have been suggested during the hypnosis they should be de stroyed before the person is allowed to awaken. The awakening should be done in a soothing manner. It is well for most persons, if not absolutely necessary for all, to be aroused slowly, by being told that they are gradually awakening, and will be wide awake in a certain number of seconds, feeling quite well, without mental or physical depression.