Read here

The science of hypnotism : the wonder of the 20th century--all known methods explained. The way to become an expert operator, etc

L. E. Young · 1899 · Scanned text · Free in the US

92,950 words · about 6 h 31 min to read

Period artwork: Interior of the Bodleian Library, 1845
About this edition

Scanned text — may contain errors · view original scans

Free in the US: this text is in the public domain in the United States; it may still be in copyright elsewhere.

Licence: PD · Library of Congress states the book is in the public domain and free to use and reuse (https://data.labs.loc.gov/digitized-books/README.html); published 1899, public domain asserted for the US only · Library of Congress, Selected Digitized Books (https://www.loc.gov/item/00006984); text via the Common Pile (CC BY 4.0 compilation, per-document rights preserved)

Text from Library of Congress, read from page scans by OCR and set out for reading on screen; no words of the book are rewritten or summarized. How RedLectern is built

About this book

Author
L. E. Young
Language
English
Published
1899
Length
92,950 words · about 6 h 31 min
Sections
18 reader sections
Text
Scanned text, read from page scans by OCR; may contain errors
Rights
Public domain in the United States

 

Contents (18)

Continue:

Preface

npHE tidal wave of Hypnotism Is fast approaching the shores of America. The press, the medical faculty, the scientist, the layman, in fact the masses, all are reaching out and seeking for more knowledge, for facts, and for Information on this most wonderful and strange subject. Many that have in the past been sceptical, are now counted among the believers and adherents. The study of Hypnotism has proved to be not only interesting but instructive, and therefore, the demand Is increasing for books, treating this subject fairly, and without prejudice, and such works find a welcome reception and are eagerly sought after. It has become a common topic* of conversation among all classes from the. college professor to the schoolboy.

The Importance of Hypnotism as a healing agent is fast becoming understood by many throughout our land. Hypnotism does not come before the American people an entire stranger. Its advance guard has already marched over the entire Continent of Europe, and its noble work has been witnessed there by thousands of our citizens, many of whom have tested its wonderful healing power. Thousands of invalids have been cured in the hospitals of France and Germany of diseases that appear not to have been reached by any other method. Hypnotism promises a great deal to those who suffer from terrible habits — especially the morphine, the alcoholic, the tobacco, the opium, and many others, and if we can reach these unfortunates by the publication of this book we feel positive in saying that a large percentage of those who study its pages can be cured, and all more or less benefitted.

We have traversed a very large field to gain the information this book gives. We have embodied the experiences and views of many who rank high in the medical world, and have for many years treated successfully thousands of patients every year by Hypnotism, in European hospitals, and their success appears to have been something bordering on the miraculous. In some of the chapters we have given their methods and their mode of treatment, and such facts as might interest the general reader.

Chapter I

Hypnotism as a Science — What Hypnotism means — When Hypnotism was discovered, and by whom — The different names this Science has been known by. . . . . . 13

CHAPTER n. 1/

Hypnotism as discovered by Dr. J. Br^id; his method, and a few interesting cases as cited by him, in his noted book "Neurypnology." 28

CHAPTER HI. ^^ The School of Nancy— The Nine Degrees of Hypnotism— The Theory of Hypnotism as advanced by Dr. Liebault, the founder of the Nancy School — The discovery of "Suggestion," showing how it has helped the Science of Hypnotism to advance in the Medical World 51

CHAPTER IV. ^

Dr. Liebault of Nancy— Description of his treatment and the method employed at the School at Nancy— His system free from Mysticism— Curative Suggestion, as applied by Dr. Liebault — Absolute sleep or unconsciousness unnecessary for curative treatment— Different stages of Hypnotism, as known at the Nancy School. . . , » . . * 66

CHAPTER V.

M. Charcot experiments at La Salpetriere — Dr. Burq's discovery — The method used at La Salpetriere — Hysteria and Hypnotism closely combined, says M. Charcot — Neurosis theory has many followers. 88

CHAPTER VL

The School of the Hospital de la Charite— Dr. J. Luys' method, and his many finds, which have helped Hypnotism — The hypnotic mirror — Its uses and successes — The effects of colored balls on hypnotized patients — The use of animal magnetism as united with hypnotism — The uses of drugs, and their influence on hypnotized persons — The uses of magnets in hypnotism. . 102

CHAPTER Vn.

The Classifications of Hypnotism — The Inductive Stages of Hypnosis Classified as used in the different Methods — Gurney, Speculative Stages of Hypnosis — Lloyd Tuckey's Classifications of Hypnosis — Dr. Li^bault Stages of Hypnotism, numbers six — Bernheim's Divisions of Hypnotism — The Method used by Ralph H. Vincent, of London, England — Very Important to a Student in Hypnotism. 11 1

CHAPTER VIII.

The Induction of Hypnosis, by the Fascination method — The method as first used by Donato — Dr. Bremaud's method of Fascination as it differs from other methods — Abbot Faria's method — The power of the magnet to induce Hypnosis — Carl Saxtus, method — The candle method — Professor Bernheim's method of Suggestion, as used by himself on his patients. 126

CHAPTER IX.

Telepathic suggestion — Hallucination — Auto-suggestion — Post-hypnotic suggestion. . . . . . . . 13.S

CHAPTER X.

Somnambulism — Arousing Latent Memories, after Waking from a Somnambulistic Sleep — The use of Tobacco Cured— Curing Drunkenness — The Curing of the Morphia Mania — The dangers of Hypnotism and Drugs compared 155

CHAPTER XL

The Phenomena of Hypnotism — Why Hypnosis is different in different subjects — Proof that such a Science as Hypnotism exists — Rapport — Double Consciousness — Max Dessoir Theory — H. Bernheim Theory. ... .168

CHAPTER Xn.

What can be done with Hypnotism — The elevated moral tone of Subjects when hypnotized — Three rules, never to be forgotten by the operator — Can hypnotism be simulated? — Professor Gregory's views— How to waken subjects without harm. , 184

CHAPTER Xni.

The Wonders of Hypnotism — Hypnotism as a Curative Power — The effects of Hypnotism upon the Senses — The effect of Hypnotism on the Function of Individual Organs — All Turns on the way Suggestion is made — 'Donatism.' . 195

CHAPTER XIV.

The Wonders of Hypnotism Continued — Catalepsy — Automatic Movement — The Phenomena of Imitative Speech — Hemi- Hypnosis — Increased Sensitiveness of Hypnotic Subjects — Hypersesthesia of the Eye — Suggestion and Hypnosis — Circulation and Respiration in Hypnotism— Memory in Hypnotism — Hypermnesia 206

CHAPTER XV.

{From the New Yolrk Journal, June, 1899.]

A Boy who can see straight through your clothes to your very Bones — How he has diagnosed Diseases which puzzled Physicians — Described Internal Disorders which Science had no way of finding out, and explained Fractures of Bones which the Doctors did not suspect — Physicians confronted with a Scientific Phenomenon which it is impossible to explain. 218

CHAPTER XVI.

The dangers of Hypnotism. ...... ^32

CHAPTER XVn.

Brief Explanations of Important Points in Hypnotism — Special Advice and Instructions to Young Experimenters, and Particular Reference to Inducing Hypnotic Sleep and Awaking. . 241

PART 11.

Animal Magnetism — Magnetic Clairvoyance — Influence of Animal Magnetism on the Body — Plan of Mesmer — Principles of Deleuze — Influence of Animal Magnetism on the Mind — New Theory of Animal Magnetism — Process used in India to produce Magnetic Sleep— Art of Mind Reading. . . 264-320

Noted Writers on Hypnotism,

WE would suggest to all who expect to study Hypnotism in detail to secure the latest and best books on that subject. You will find the titles of several of the Standard Books named below, to which we owe a tribute of thanks for extracts we have made.

Neurypnology, - - - By Dr. James Braid.

The Elements of Hypnotism, - By Ralph H. Vincent.

Psychotherapeutics, - - By Lloyd Tuckey, M.D.

Le Magnetisme Animal, - - By Binet and Fere.

Der Hypnotismus, - - - - - By Forel.

Du SoMMEiL, - - - - - By Liebault.

The Subliminal Consciousness, - - By F. Myers.

Suggestion and Reflex, - - By Karl Schoffer.

DES Hypnotismus, - - - By Krafft-Ebing.

De la Suggestion Mentale, - - By Ochorowicz.

Das Doppel-Ich, - - - By Max Dessoir.

The two following books are published by the London Society of Psychical Researches: Peculiarities of Certain Post-Hypnotic States,

By Gurney.

Phantasms of the Living. -

The following books we can furnish sent prepaid by mail, at the prices named in this book:

Suggestive Therapeutics, - - - By Bernheim.

Hypnotism, ----- By Albert Moll.

The Law of Psychic Phenomena, By Thomson J. Hudson, Hypnotism, How it is Done, - By James R. Cocke, M.D. Hypnotism, - - - By Dr. Foveau de Courmelles.

Hypnotism, - - - - - By Carl Saxtus.

HYPNOTISM.

CHAPTER I.

HYPNOTISM.

Hypnotism as a Science — What Hypnotism means — Wiien Hypnotism was discovered, and by whom — The different names this Science has been known by.

Hypnotism, comparatively speaking, is a new word, although the science is as old as the world — as old as the human mind.

In whatever quarter we direct our researches, whether it be in dusty old manuscripts or deciphering hieroglyphics, we find the indelible traces of the influence of man over man.

Diodorus of Sicily, writes : "The ancient Egyptian priests threw each other into trances," thus showing that they understood something of the art of Hypnotism.

On the Zodiac, in the arched wall of the Temple at Denderah, Isis Is depicted holding a child by the hand, while she passes her other hand in front of him In the the attitude of a magnetlzer.

Prosper Alplnus, in his treatise on the Egyptian practice of medicine, mentions their mysterious chafing and rubbing, and manipulating of the body, for all disease.

In India, Mythology represents Vishun with flames issuing from his finger-ends, and it was said that the light and heat from them cured all the Ills of life.

The fakirs of India have great dexterity In their Sankhya philosophy, and believed that they, like Kopila are perpetually exempt from every sort of evil and bodily ills. They practice their arts to-day the same as they have for thousands of years. India is the home of Occult Sciences, and the peculiar rules and doctrines of their faith are laid down in several of their holy books, especially in the "Yoga Satra," which teaches how an ascetic or devotee can enter the fourth stage of life, in which the human soul becomes permanently united to the Supreme Being, which gives man the mysterious power to control all other men who are not advanced into the yoga system of Hindoo philosophy.

Sanskrit literature tells of one Indian god, Brahman, who introduced medicine into all India. Charaka, tells us, that Brahman, with gentle v/ords and a few passes of the left hand over the forehead of his patient, would produce a sleep which had a wonderful power; and that he became renowned as a healer of bodily ills, and seldom used herbs. From Brahman, comes down the long road of time the saying, that ' ' magic and medicine are combined."

The Assyrian scholars, have recently brought to light, the proof, that the old word "magi," signifies "reverend," and that the early Scythian, who inhabited Babylonia 500 years B. c, gave the title magi to their most learned priests and philosophers. They were not only the "keeper of the sacred things, the learned of the people, the philosophers and servants of 'God,' " but "diviners and mantles, wonder-workers and prophets." They were believed to have the power to call up the dead, to be able to bring disaster wherever they wished by resorting to awful formulas which were in their exclusive possession, to heal the sick by means of water, and passes of the hand.

The oldest traditions of Persia, hold that these Babylonian sages had control over darkness and fire, as well as over the mind and body of man. In matter of fact, the word magi, became a general name for wonderful effects, produced in some mysterious way. The law of nature being Httle known ; one thing was not more incredible than another ; and effects were assigned to causes in the most arbitrary and accidental way. The Rosicrucian physicians treated a case of wounding by applying the salve to the weapon instead of to the wound itself, and, the wound was healed. Hyppocrates believed in somnambulistic powers. It is also well-knov/n that exhibitions were got up, and that Aristophanes openly derided the wizards of olden days.

Thus we find that the broad idea that man is endowed with a dual mental organization Is far from being 7iew. The essential truth of the proposition has been recognized by philosophers of all ages and nations of the civilized world. That man Is a trinity, made up of " body, soul, and spirit ' ' was a cardinal tenet in the early faith of the ancient Greek philosophers, who thus clearly recognized the dual character of man's mental or spiritual organization. Plato's idea of terrestrial man was that he is a ''trinity of soul, soul-body, and earth-body." The mystic jargon of the Hermetic philosopher declares the same general idea. The "salt, sulphur, and mercury" of the ancient alchemists doubtless refers to man as being composed of a trinity of elements. The early Christian Fathers confidently proclaimed the same doctrine as Is shown in the writings of

Clement, Orlgen, Titian, and many other early exponents of Christian doctrine.

Therefore it is safe to state that man, has, or appears to have, two minds, each endowed with separate and distinct attributes and powers; each capable, under certain conditions, of independent action. It should be clearly understood at the outset that for the purpose of arriving at a correct conclusion it is a matter of indifference whether we consider that man is endowed with two distinct minds, or that his one mind possesses certain attributes and powers under some conditions, and certain other attributes and powers under other conditions. It is sufficient to know that everything happens just as though he were endowed with a dual mental organization.

In recent years, the doctrine of duality of mind is beginning to be more clearly defined, and it may now be said to constitute a cardinal principal in the philosophy of many of the ablest exponents of this new, yet old psychology.

Thousands of examples might be cited to show that in all the ages the truth has been dimly recognized by men of all civilized races and in all conditions of life. Indeed, it way be safely predicted of every man of intelligence and refinement, that he has often felt within himself an intelligence not the result of education, a perception of truth independent of the testimony of his bodily senses.

It is natural to suppose that a proposition, the substantial correctness of which has been so widely recognized, must not only possess a sohd basis of truth, but must, if clearly understood, possess a veritable significance of the utmost importance to mankind.

Now, as we are willing to acknowledge two minds, and recognize that the two minds possess distinct characteristics essentially unlike, we know that each is endowed with separate and distinct attributes and powers, and that each is capable, under certain conditions and limitations, of independent action. We know, then, that the general difference between man's two minds may be stated as follows :

The objective mind takes cognizance of the objective world. It is the outgrowth of man's physical necessities. It is his guide in his struggles with his material environment. Its highest function is that of reasoning clearly.

The second, or subjective mind takes cognizance of its environment by means independent of the physical senses. It perceives by intuition. It is the seat of the emotions and the storehouse of memory. It performs its highest functions when the objective senses are in abeyance. In a word, it is that intelligence which makes itself manifest in a hypnotic subject, when he is in a state of somnambulism.

It is in this state many of the most wonderful feats of the subjective mind are performed. It sees without the use of the natural organs of vision; and in this, as in many other grades, or degrees, of the hypnotic state, it can be made, apparently, to leave the body, and travel to distant lands and bring back intelligence, oftentimes of the most exact and truthful character. It also has the power to read the thought of others, even to the minutest details; to read the contents of sealed envelopes and of closed books. In short, it is the subjective mind that possesses what is popularly designated as clairvoyant power, and the ability to apprehend the thought of others without the aid of the ordinary objective means of communication.

Two thousand years ago, the inhabitants of East India understood the relations of the two minds to each other, and this we must partly attribute to their great success in all matters relating to this most wonderful of science.

The history of the middle . ages is full of wonders — mysteries — and experiments, all wrought to master this science, which comes down to us, with a newness and a vast undiscovered sphere that no other science offers this generation.

During the Middle Ages all Europe studied this science under many names, such as Magic, Mind-reading, Wonder-working, Secret-mysterious, Animal- magnetism, Hindoo-science, Will-power, Soul-power, Unnatural sleep, Psychology, Clairvoyance, Witchcraft, Somnambulism, Mesmerism, Mineral-power, Personal-magnetism, and now the name of this century, is HYPNOTISM.

The Middle Ages can boast of many distinguished names among the students who attempted to treat the ** Secret-Mysterious " as a grand science, by which the workings of nature could be discovered, and a godlike power be acquired over the "spirits, men and the elements." The principal students and professors were Pope Sylvester 11. , Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon, Raymond Lully, Pico della Mirandola, Paracelsus, Cornelius Agrippa, Trithemius, Van Helmont, and perhaps the most noted of that era, Jerome Cardan, who left behind him many valuable papers pertaining to his researches along this line. He mentions a state of insensibility produced by a magnet, he also speaks of bright spots throwing a subject to sleep; again, he says, '* a sudden glance cast unexpectedly upon a highly sensitive subject will cause him to start forward.

Paracelsus asserts his theory of double magnetism, and shows that the magnetic fluid of a healthy body attracts the weaker and deteriorated magnet of an unhealthy one; so also do Glocenius, Burgraeve, Helinotius, Robert Fludd, Father Kircher and Maxwell, in the latter part of the sixteenth and early part of the seventeenth centuries. These latter considered that the magnet was endowed with the principle of existence. A great number of more or less hazy works, full of abstract terms, often misunderstood by those who employed them, have been handed down to posterity, and they all show the influence of that passionate love of the marvelous which humanity seems unable to shake ofl". It would seem, indeed, from all past experience, and even judging from the present state of society, that an irresistible attraction draws us toward the study of the Occult Sciences at the close of each century, then the attraction dies away and vanishes, to rejoin the forgotten bygone ages that have preceded it, only to return to us when another age is about to depart.

The close of the eighteenth century, filled as it was with a feverish and mystical activity, proved no exception to the rule. A worldly-minded generation, overflowing with nervous temperament, and over excited by the expectation of some great event, was inevitably destined to produce such a man as Mesmer.

In this name, full of magic reminiscences, our waning nineteenth century sees one who has been cruelly traduced, and is almost ready to worship him. His name is to be rehabilitated, and the charlatan of former days is very near being transformed into the great man of the present time.

Mesmer Is proclaimed the creator of scientific magnetism, the scholar who has given us the fruitful Inheritance; whose ideas and labors have led to vast researches.

Mesmer argued that the sun, moon and stars acted on the human body by means of a subtle fluid, which he called Animal Magnetism, in order to point out its aflinity with the magnet.

A few years later came Father Hell, a Jesuit, who cured diseases by means of magnetized Iron.

In 1787, a pupil of Doctor Mesmer, the Marquis Chastenet de Puysegur, attracted all the scientific world to Buzancy, near Soissons, where he obtained most remarkable results.

Doctor Cloquet relates that he saw there, patients no longer the victims of violent hysterical fits, but enjoying a calm, peaceful restorative and silent slumber. It may be said that from this moment, really efficacious and useful magnetism became known. Puysegur had resuscitated magnetism, public opinion had become infatuated once more about this new agent that was to be the gratuitous means of curing mankind. Puysegur' s "tree" impregnated with the fluid, was touched by hundreds of persons who came from all parts, and the effects were most beneficial. The learned naturalist Deleuze, wrote in 18 13, the " HIstoIre Critique du Magnetlsme Animal," which sums up the question as It stood at that period.

About the same time there appeared in Southern Germany, Father Gassner, a priest, who effected some wonderful cures. This method consisted of the patient being ushered into a semi-dark room, and then, from a portiere, Father Gassner emerged with outstretched hands, carrying the crucifix held aloof Directing his gaze sharply on the patient, he exclaimed in thundering tones in Latin: ^^ Detur mihi evidens signum proestigice -braeternaiuralis ^ proecipio hoc in nomine Jesu!^^

If the individual was at all susceptible he would fall into the crisis or unconscious state. Father Gassner was a wise man, much ahead of his time, and he took advantage of it. Among the men who stood by him and believed in his science were Carl Albrecht, Prince of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-, and Ludwig Joseph, Bishop of Freisinger. In 1820, Dr. Bertrand, formerly a cadet at the Ecole Polytechnique, held a course of public lectures on Magnetism and orthodox science, now took up the interesting questions. Dr. Husson at the Hotel-Dieu; Dr. Goerget and Dr. Rastan at the Salpetriere, induced Baron du Potet to perform experiments in their different wards, many experiments proving very w^onderful.

In 1825, Dr. Foissac persuaded the Academy of Medicine of Paris, France, to take up the subject, and that learned body of the most noted men of the world admitted that magnetism did exist: —

' * Considered either as an agent of physiological phenomena or as a curative means," said the members of this commission, "magnetism must be allotted a place in medical knowledge; consequently doctors alone must make use of it, or at least superintend its application. The commission has collected and noted down facts important enough to warrant the Academy's authorizing the study of magnetism as a serious branch of Psychology and Natural History."

The above declaration was signed by Bourdois, De la Motte, Fenguier Gueneau de Mussy, Guersant, Itard, J. Leroux, Marc, Thillaye.

From this time, Magnetism was in the hands of honest men, and has never since gone astray. It is of course, Hke all great sciences, open to doubt, and its partisans may even be considered mad, but with the exception of Mesmer's cupidity none of its adherents have been swayed by mercenary motives. Puysegur, indeed offered a striking contrast to Mesmer, and avoided all public exhibitions and everything that could affect the imagination, never choosing special subjects, but experimenting on peasants — male or female— afflicted with stubborn and matter of fact diseases. He however, admitted the marvellous and believed in somnambulistic lucidity.

About the same period, Baron du Potet invented the Magic Mirror, which convulsed so many people. The famous magnetiser first traced on the floor with a bit of charcoal, a complete and blackened circle. The subject drew near and then receded, looking alternately at the spectators and at the circle. "Soon," writes Baron du Potet, "the effect is visible. The 6-?^4^V<:^'^ head is lowered, his whole person becomes uneasy; he turns round and round the circle without taking his eyes off it, then bends lower, rises again, draws back a few steps, then advances again, frowns, looks morose and gloomy, and breathes heavily. The most curious scene then follows. The subject, without doubt, sees images reflected in the mirror, for his perturbation, his emotion, his strange motions, his sobs, tears, anger, despair, and fury, all prove the disorder and agitation of his mind. For him it is no dream or nightmare ; the apparitions are relative, and a series of future events represented by figures and signs that he understands, unfold themselves before him, filling him in turn with joy or sadness, as they pass before his eyes. Soon he is seized with a transport of frenzy, strives to lay hold of the phantoms, and dashing forward stamps with his foot on the blackened circle, the dust flies up, and the operator now approaches and puts an end to this dramatic performance, so full of excitement and terror."

In all this, du Potet fancied he saw magic ; but Hypnotism obtained by physical means brings about the same results, but in a very pleasant way.

Father Lacordaire, from the pulpit of Notre Dame, acknowledged the existence of magnetism. ** Wrapped in a fictitious sleep," he said, "man sees through opaque bodies; he is able to indicate remedies that heal, and appears to know things he knew not while awake."

The enthusiasm now became universal in France. The new ideas found disciples even amongst the clergy, and an encyclical letter from the Holy Inquisition was addressed to the Roman CathoHc Bishops (July 30th, 1856), warning them against the errors and dangers of magnetism.

The next to call attention to it was Dr. James Braid, a surgeon of Manchester, England. After incredulously witnessing experiments by La Fontaine, a French traveling mesmerist, he became interested in the science, and later on Dr. Braid renamed this science to Hypnotism, and employed his method in all cases possible.

Dr. Braid, however, did not seek to deny magnetism for he wrote as follows in his book on " Neurypnology " :

" For a long time I beHeved the phenomena produced by my experiments and those produced by mesmerists to be identical; and after a close investigation, I have come to the conclusion that there is a certain analogy in the effects produced on the nervous system. Nevertheless, and judging from the effects magnetizers declare they have obtained in certain cases, there seems to be enough differentia to lead one to consider HypJiotism and Mesmerism as two distinct agents. ' '

When Dr. Braid made this discovery, hypnotism had its origin, and the fact was established, that sleep coula be induced by physical agents. This, it must be remembered, is the essential difference between these two classes of phenomena ; for magnetism supposes a direct action of the magnetizer on the magnetized subject ; an action which does not exist in Hypnotism. This distinction is not generally made, hence the confusion between the two methods. Whenever the word hypnotism is therefore employed, the reader must remember that it is sleep induced by physical agents that is understood, that is to say, sleep obtained by fixing the gaze on some object (as Dr. Braid discovered) or by some sudden sound, like that of a Chinese gong (such as is used at present at Salpetriere). When, on the other hand, the word magnetism is employed, it will be understood that reference is made to a subject passing from a waking condition into that of sleep, owing to the personal action of the experimentist on the experimentized.

Following his example, came Dr. Esdaile, Presidency Surgeon of Bengal, at Calcutta, who employed hypnotism in nearly all his operations.

Then for a few years this science made little if any progress. The value of this wonderful " Braid " discovery was not appreciated by the English, and it was not until the Continental scientists extended their researches that he obtained substantial recognition.

Liebault was the first to confirm his experiments. He was, in fact, the founder of what is now known as the Nancy school of hypnotism. It was founded in 1866.

Many prominent scientists have followed him, among them worth especial mention: Ch. Richet, Bremaund, Beaunes, Delboeuf, Beyon, Facachau, Mabille, Liegeois, Forel, Chas. Fere, and Alfred Binet, also Professor Bernheim, the author of the book "Suggestive Therapeutics" which many assert to be the best medical work on hypnotism and therapeutic suggestion which has ever been written. Prof Bernheim for years was a member of the f iculty at Nancy.

Professor Charcot, of the Paris Salpetriere, is also the founder of a school of hypnotism, which is generally known as the Paris school, or school of the Salpetriere. Charcot's great reputation as a scientist obtained for him many followers.

Prof Charcot mostly hypnotized ladies, and especially hysterics. At La Salpetriere, he studied hypnotism mostly through hysterical subjects. Charcot has, by his cures, done an immense good, curing people by the thousands of a number of diseases.

To Charcot is given the honor of first classifying the different phases of hypnotic sleep into the Lethargic, Cataleptic and Somnambulistic stages.

To Dr. Burg is given the honor of reviving hypnotism in France ; and it is to him the world owes the knowledge of the effects of different metals upon the human system. Dr. J. Luys, a member of the Academy of Medicine, has performed many curious experiments in the Hospital de la Charite. The action of physical agents —even at a distance — and of Suggestion are both admitted at La Charite. Dr. Luys' method we give later on in this work.

Jarval, an Ophthalmologist Member of the Academy of Medicine, and Dr. Foveau de Caurmelles are making wonderful discoveries in their researches on the eyes, through the power and aid of hypnotism.

We can furnish Dr. Foveau de Caurmelles' latest book on * ' Hypnotism, " as it is practised in the European Hospitals. This work is illustrated and sells for $2.50, sent post-paid by mail.

Albert Moll, of Berlin, Germany, who is one of the ablest, and certainly one of the most unprejudiced of modern scientific writers on the subject of hypnotism, writes as following :

The opening of the book is shown; the full text loads in the reader.

Loading the full text…