HYPNOTIST CENSURED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22831, 16 March 1936, Page 11

HYPNOTIST CENSURED

TREATMENT OF INVALID WIFE Severe censure on a husband was advocated by members of an inquest jury at Denham, Buckinghamshire, after they had investigated the death of Mrs Poby Collier Orton, aged 52, of Penham. She was the wife of J. Louis Ortou, psychologist, hypnotic practitioner, and former collaborator of Emile Coue. The jury returned a verdict of “ Death from natural causes,” and 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 invalid, and had not been attended by a doctor for the past five years, relying on her husband’s powers. In the course ot his evidence Orton stated that in 1931 his wife had influenza. Hot-water bottles caused burns, and she was taken lo an infirmary. fshe was brought home later at her own request. Questioning Orton about his wifes illness six weeks previously, the coroner asked, “Did you think at that time she was likely to die at any time” Orton: I knew she might die, perhaps, in the course of tune. I had seen so much of her vitality that I thought she might conceivably last for several months. The coroner read a passage from a letter written by Mrs Orton in 1934, which said: — , , “ Your knowledge ot my case and others has quite surprised me at times, and 1 want no other help than that which you can give me. —Your loving wife.” Describing the treatment he gave Ins wife, Orton stated: “Diet was the biggest thing, and I used methodical suggestions every night. If 1 called it hypnotic suggestion some person might get a wrong notion of what 1 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, hut bed sores, caused by a spinal lesion, were n contributory factor. In censuring Orton, the coroner declared: “You must be careful in future if you have any case in your care of the sort which requires what any_ reasonable person considers proper medical atttentiqn and nursing, and you will be well advised to call such medical attention.