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Hypnotism.

A FRENCH SCIENTIST UPSETS LONG STANDING THEORIES. HYPNOTTC SUBJECTS CANNOT BE FORCED TO COMMIT CRIME. Experiments made by the moat famous French hypnotists show the singular fact that, in spite of (ho supposed inferiorty of woman to man in point of nervous and physical organisation, it is a third easier to place a man under tho influence of hypnotism than it is to induce a woman to accept hypnotic suggestion. Perhaps the leading mind among the French scientists who have devoted their attention solely to hypnotism is Dr Liebeault. He has paid particular attention to the difference between the sexes, in tho matter of acceptance of hypnotic suggestion. A series of experiments at Nancy, tho doctor’s home, extending through 12 months, firmly established the truth of the assertion made regarding tho sexes. During the time mentioned, Dr Liebeault caused bv hypnotic powers, 682 persons to sink into a deep sleep. It was shown beyond question that the influence of tho scientist upon the person in point of sex was exactly in tho proportion stated. Opinions differ widely as to the reason of this. It is the general thought, however, that this is because the mind of a woman lacks the strength cf that of a man. It is often true that a person of exceedingly nervous temperament, lacking in a measure ability to concentrate thought, is a very poor subject for tho hypnotist. This is shown by tho fact that it is rarely possible to actually hypnotise, a person wlmse mind is unbalanced. It is, as a matter of fact, almost impossible to place a person under hypnotic influence unless the mind of the subject is passive and is ACQUIESCENT TO THE WISH OF THE HYPNOTIST. Dr Liebeault is tho leader of the scientists who have made hypnotism the study of their lives. It is, fore, no ordinary statement which follows, just as it came from the lips of the distinguished savant; “ It may surprise you to know,” said Dr Liebeault, “ that it is possible to hypnotise 95 per cent, of mankind. The remaining 5 per cent, are impervious lo (he direction of the hypnotist, let him he of as strong mind as he may. All those persons who are susceptible to the influence of hypnotism are not affected to the same degree, by any means. The influence of the hypnotist on woman is very different than upon tho sterner sex. It is more difficult for a woman to fix her attention upon a given object than for a man to do so. Just why this is I cannot toll, Of couise, we all have our theories. This much we know, that a woman does not possess the power of concentration given to man. That is my explanation. You sec, this is ’the case : Poisons who are easily disteactvl, who, from nature of training, have not the power of fixing the attention or concentrating thought, and persons :n agitition, those who are heavy and dull, idiots whose brains lack the power of understanding what is required ot them—these are the least capable of hypnosis. The central idea of hypnotism is simple enough. It is merely ma king a suggestion to a certain person, instead of that person making the suggestion to himself. The hypnotist must lie able to impress that suggestion on the mind of the subject, so thoroughly, that the result will be tho same as if it came from the individual himself. To do this, the subject must first lie placed in the hypnotic state. When in this state he is practically asleep. The process of placing a subject in the so cdied hypnotic state is simple, despite the great efforts which have been made to cloak it with mysterious rites and incantations. When one wants to produce hypnosis in its most extraordinary form, he asks the patient to fix his eyes upon the orbs o i the hypnotist—that is, himself. This is the first step towards concentration. Tho subject is desired in this way to free himself from direct excitation, such as light, sound or touch. In order to produce this, it is necessary for a person to possess THE FACULTY OF CONCENTRATION. In other words, it requires a strong mind to gradually slacken mental activity strange as that may seem. This state of affairs being arrived at, tho operator or hypnotist then, by means of hypnotic suggestion, gradually induces the subject to think of sleep. That is all there is of it. Once the subject accepts tho suggestion ot the operator, it naturally follows that he will accept suggestions other than those which are first given. Yet, according to my belief, it is absolutely impossible to make a person who is hypnotised perform a crime. No person can he hypnotised against his wi‘l. I am fully aware that in saying this, particularly the first assertion made, 1 am contradicting generally accepted beliefs. Yet I do not hesitate to say that what I have said is not only true hut that the statement is the result of thorough investigation and experiment. It is no deduction from theory, hut fact, fact, fact. You ask me way a man cannot be induced to commit crime while under the influence of hypnosis. Simply because tho power of the hypnotist does not extend (hut far. A person may bo made to become THOROUGHLY INSENSIBLE TO PAIN, and his mind may be turned in various directions, up to a certain limit, but that limit reached, then a halt must be culled—or, rather, tho hypnotist finds himself incapable of forcing further action on the part of his subject. He may make the subject think of crime by offering such a suggestion, but ho cannot force him to commit actions of that sort. It is very plain to the hypnotist who has given the subject thought and who has tested lua ideas by experiment, that

hypnosis as applied to women to relieve them of frightful pain is of inestimable value, For instance, in the matter of therapeutics, it is exceedingly useful. You see, for centuries it has been admitted that there was no medicine that equalled sleep. Therefore, the doctor who can place his patient at a critical time under the influence of hypnosis, is really giving her an opportunity to And in that blessed oblivion the relief that can be gained in no other manner, except by the use of anodynes. lam sure that there is no woman who would object to being placed under the influence of hypnosis if she understood how beneficial it would bo to her under such circumstances. I do not hesitate to mate the assertion that hypnosis is of far greater benefit than ordinary sleep. Neither sleep nor medicine can approach in power the effect of thought reacting by suggestion upon the organism. Of course, the hypnotised subject is possessed of but a single idea—whatever may have been suggested by the hypnotist. If it be a woman, she is practically isolated mentally from the world about her. She possesses no thought, no knowledge of the pain she is really enduring. Under the influence, then, of this suggestion the nervous force of the subject, liberated freely from or accumulating in certain organs of the body, reacts without hindrance upon the morbid affections to which it is directed, and that often with a prodigious intensity which seems to work miracles. The patient wakens at the suggestion of the hypnotist, and has no recollection or idea that she has been SUBJECTED TO A GREAT PHYSICAL STRAIN. It is not true that hypnotism is dangerous, provided thot the power is exercised by lit persons. But if the would-bo hypnotist is not a proper individual to use the wonderful power, then his influence is evil indeed. 1 would say that the successful hypnotist must have absolute sell-con tideuce, must bo sure of success when he begins, and, above all things, bo possessed of a manner that is persuasion itself. These qualities ensure any person tho power to place a subject under tho influence of hypnosis. Since mankind lias existed, they have voluntarily put themselves into an ordinary sleep. There is no difference in the way in which they enter induced sleep—if they wish it. The hypnotiser is nothing in the world but an intermediary. He only helps his subjects to go to sleep, just as the subject enters into slumber each night.” Much of what M. Lieboault says, is like a revelation to those who have A MERE SUPERFICIAL KNOWLEDGE OF HYPNOSIS. and what it performs, in I'aris, bis utterances are always looked upon as being absolutely authoritative. The wave of interest and investigation which has swept over Franco has stirred thousands to look into the mysteries which Or Liebeault and his confreres hive long studied. Of course, this portion of it relating to the effect of li) pnotism upon woman is but one of the ramifications of what seems to be a science of tremendous import.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CROMARG18970511.2.13

Bibliographic details

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 1462, 11 May 1897, Page 3

Word Count
1,495

Hypnotism. Cromwell Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 1462, 11 May 1897, Page 3

Hypnotism. Cromwell Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 1462, 11 May 1897, Page 3