Complete Hypnotism, Mesmerism, Mind-Reading and Spritualism | Page 8

Charcot places hypnotism in the same category of nervous
affections in which hysteria and finally hallucination (medically
considered) are to be classed, that is to say, as a nervous weakness, not
to say a disease. According to this theory, a person whose nervous
system is perfectly healthy could not be hypnotized. So many people
can be hypnotized because nearly all the world is more or less insane,
as a certain great writer has observed.
Suggestion. This theory is based on the power of mind over the body as
we observe it in everyday life. Again let me quote from Dr. Cooke. "If
we can direct the subject's whole attention to the belief that such an
effect as before mentioned--that his arm will be paralyzed, for
instance--will take place, that effect will gradually occur. Such a result
having been once produced, the subject's will-power and power of
resistance are considerably weakened, because he is much more
inclined than at first to believe the hypnotizer's assertion. This is
generally the first step in the process of hypnosis. The method pursued
at the school of Nancy is to convince the subject that his eyes are
closing by directing his attention to that effect as strongly as possible.
However, it is not necessary that we begin with the eyes. According to
M. Dessoir, any member of the body will answer as well." The theory

of Suggestion is maintained by the medical school attached to the
hospital at Nancy. The theory of Neurosis was originally put forth as
the result of experiments by Dr. Charcot at the Salpetriere hospital in
Paris, which is now the co-called Salpetriere school--that is the medical,
school connected with the Salpetriere hospital.
There is also another theory put forth, or rather a modification of
Professor Charcot's theory, and maintained by the school of the Charity
hospital in Paris, headed by Dr. Luys, to the effect that the physical
magnet and electricity may affect persons in the hypnotic state, and that
certain drugs in sealed tubes placed upon the patient's neck during the
condition of hypnosis will produce the same effects which those drugs
would produce if taken internally, or as the nature of the drugs would
seem to call for if imbibed in a more complete fashion. This school,
however, has been considerably discredited, and Dr. Luys' conclusions
are not received by scientific students of hypnotism. It is also stated,
and the present writer has seen no effective denial, that hypnotism may
be produced by pressing with the fingers upon certain points in the
body, known as hypnogenic spots.
It will be seen that these three theories stated above are greatly at
variance with each other. The student of hypnotism will have to form a
conclusion for himself as he investigates the facts. Possibly it will be
found that the true theory is a combination of all three of those
described above. Hypnotism is certainly a complicated phenomena, and
he would be a rash man who should try to explain it in a sentence or in
a paragraph. An entire book proves a very limited space for doing it.
CHAPTER I.
HOW TO HYPNOTIZE.
Dr. Cocke's Method--Dr. Flint's Method--The French Method at
Paris--at Nancy--The Hindoo Silent Method--How to Wake a Subject
from Hypnotic Sleep--Frauds of Public Hypnotic Entertainers.
First let us quote what is said of hypnotism in Foster's Encyclopedic
Medical Dictionary. The dictionary states the derivation of the word

from the Greek word meaning sleep, and gives as synonym "Braidism".
This definition follows: "An abnormal state into which some persons
may be thrown, either by a voluntary act of their own, such as gazing
continuously with fixed attention on some bright object held close to
the eyes, or by the exercise of another person's will; characterized by
suspension of the will and consequent obedience to the promptings of
suggestions from without. The activity of the organs of special sense,
except the eye, may be heightened, and the power of the muscles
increased. Complete insensibility to pain may be induced by hypnotism,
and it has been used as an anaesthetic. It is apt to be followed by a
severe headache of long continuance, and by various nervous
disturbances. On emerging from the hypnotic state, the person
hypnotized usually has no remembrance of what happened during its
continuance, but in many persons such remembrance may be induced
by 'suggestion'. About one person in three is susceptible to hypnotism,
and those of the hysterical or neurotic tendency (but rarely the insane)
are the most readily hypnotized."
First we will quote the directions for producing hypnotism given by Dr.
James R. Cocke, one of the most scientific experimenters in hypnotism
in America. His directions of are special value, since they are more
applicable to American subjects than the directions given by French
writers. Says Dr.