WARNING AGAINST SPIRITUALISM.

Gisborne Times, Volume LII, Issue 5476, 11 May 1920, Page 7

WARNING AGAINST SPIRITUALISM.

Professor G. M. Robertson, physician superintendent of the Royal Edinburgh Mental Hospital, in his statement, to the annual lueeting (reports The Times) said that the admissions of patients last year had only once been .exceeded —namely during the South African War, when wages were high and alcoholic excess reached its high-water mark. While he -implored that one patient, in eight- had drunk himself insane in these days of tho position was much better than 20 years ago, when the proportion of patients who drank to excess was one man m three. The position was even more hopeful with regard to women. In discussing the after-eft ects ol tne war, Profesosr Kobertson said tho strain had lasted too long tor the iobouiul of elation to be enjoyed, except by the young. Some who had suit erect bereavements bad taken an interest in spiritualism. He uttered a warning as to the danger of neurotic people 011gu«ing in practical inquiries of a spiritualistic nature. He did not consider either Sir Conan Doyle or Sir Oliver Lodge to be safe judges, whose opinions should be accepted in this difficult and important subject, in view of then- bereavement and unconscious desires. Lne tricks the brain could play without calling in spiritualistic aid were simply astounding. •