LOST MEMORY RESTORED

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2646, 27 October 1919, Page 7

LOST MEMORY RESTORED

YPRES INCIDENT RE-ENACTED UNDER HYPNOTISM. Hypnotism is said to have restored memory to a gunner who was “ knocked out ” at Yprcs two years ago. The case is vouched for by Dr William Brown, who gave the facts recently during a discussion on ‘ Instinct and the Unconscious ’ at Bedford College, Regent’s Park. Dr Brown said that the gunner lost power of speech and memory, and was also left with a weak and trembling right arm. He regained speech, but could remember nothing except that he was “ knocked out.” A few days ago Dr Brown hypnotised him, and iold him to go through his experiences at Ypres. He did so. He shouted to another man (using strong language): “What do you mean by pulling the pin out of that fuse?” The shells were evidently getting nearer and nearer to him. He was faying the gun, turning ihc handle with his rieht hand, and another man, who had evidently quite lost his head, was providing him with ammunition. The gunner was nmler the influence of two strong emotions H l, and anger. When he came to, the trembling, which had been very pronounced before, had stopped absolutely, and next morning be was able to shave, himself for the first time for two years. The trembling did not return, and the patient'felt convinced that it. would not. Further, ho i remembered the whole incident at Ypres.. i His memory wis restored, and lie was normal again. Hallucinatory vividness had been needed to bring it back.