Hypnotist Censured

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 65, 18 March 1936, Page 7

Hypnotist Censured

TREATMENT OF INVALID WIFE Sovero censure on a husband was advocated by members of an inquest jury at Denham, Buckinghamshire, after they had investigated tho death of Mrs. Polly Collier Orton, aged 52, of Denham. She was tho wife of J. Louis Orton, psychologist, hypnotic practitioner, and former collaborator of Emile Coue.

Tho jury returned a verdict of “Death from natural causes,” aud added the following rider:—“We are of the opinion that there was neglect—not criminal —in that the husband did not avail himself of professional advice, and wo think he should be severely censured.” Mrs. Orton, it was stated, was an in- | valid, and had not been attended by a doctor for the past five years, relying

on her husband’s powers. In the course of his evidence Orton stated that iu 193.1 his wife had influenza. Hot-water bottles caused burns, and she was taken to an infirmary, .She was brought home later at her own request. Questioning Orton about his wife’s illness six weeks previously, the coroner asked, yDid you tkiuk at that -time she was likely to die at any time?” Orton: 1 knew she might die, perhaps, in tho course of time. I had. seen so much'6'f he'r’Viffllity 'that' f fliouglit she might conceivably last 'for several mouths.'

The coroner read a passage from a letter written by, Mrs* Orton in 1931, which said:— ■

"Lour knowledge of my ease "and others has quite surprised mo at-times, aud I want no other help than that which you can give me. —Your loving wife. ’ ’

Describing the treatment he gave his wife, Orton stated: “Diet was the biggest thing, and I used methodical suggestions every night. If I called it hypnotic suggestion some person might get a wrong notion of what I mean. It enabled her to be practically free from pain all the time up to the end, and to sleep well without any drugs whatever to induce sleep.” Dr. W. Andrew Hotson gave evidence that Mrs. Orton was paralysed in both legs. The cause of death was pneumonia, but bed-sores, caused by a spinal lesion, were a contributory, factor. In censuring Orton, the coroner declared: “You must bo careful in future if you have any case in your care of tho-sort which requires what any reasonable person considers proper medical attention and nursing, and you will be well advised to call such medical attention;”