HYPNOTISM EXTRAORDINAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6064, 30 December 1897, Page 2

HYPNOTISM EXTRAORDINAY.

A MYSTIC BALL. SOME VERY CURIOUS STATEMENTS. [From Oub Correspondent.] LONDON, Nov. 12. Few people in this world, outside those odd millions dwelling under the aegis of the Stars and Stripes, have even heard of Orange, New Jersey. It is, indeed, a onehorse sort of place, but it bids fair to become ephemerally famous as the birthplace of the Hypnotic Ball, According to exchanges, this invention has already " played up old Harry " in Orange itself, tbe town being given up for tho time to experiments in hypnotism. Business is neglected, merchants meet to discuss catalepsy and cerebration, and ladies talk hypnotics over the tea cups, to the entire exclusion of scandal and dress. The hypnotic ball is of glass, and is about an inch and a half in diameter, with a wooden handle. The ball is filled with silver sand and ultra-marine, and in the centre pf the handle, inside the ball, is a small metal needle point. This point is the secret of the invention. All that is necessary TO PRODUCE THE HYPNOTIC CONDITION is to concentrate the mind and attention of the subject to one point, to the exclusion of all else. This accomplished, the subject will readily receive any simple suggestion. For beginner*?, three tests are suggested, as follows : — Place the subject in a standing position, his head up, heels together, and hands at the side. Tell tho subject to close his eyes, and stand with the muscles relaxed. Put the ball against the back of his head at the base ofi the brain, holding the ball in the right hand. Now put your left hand on the subject's forehead, and push his head against the ball a little. Hold the ball still for a few seconds (pressed tightly against tho head), and say, in slow and decided tones: "When — I— draw — the — ball — from — you — you — will — slowly— fall — backward." Now remove the left hand .from the subject's forehead by drawing it over the temple, aad remove the ball from the subject's head very slowly. Remove it so slowly that the motion at first is hardly perceptible. If the subject does not fall backward, try again. HAVING TUMBLED TOUR MAN successfully backwards, the next thing is to restore his equilibrium, and, by a similar process to that described above, induce him to fall forward. The. third test is to get the victim to clasp his hands together very tightly, and then to look flxidly at the point within the ball ; after which you say to him, " One, two, three. Now you can't | open them." This last you must say, according to the inventor, very quickly and positively. All this is merely introductory. After a little experience there is no limit to the strange things you can do by means of the sphere. You can induce a lady to tell her age, your tailor to say he would rather you did not pay that little account, the editor to say he would like you to contribute more frequently at ten guineas an article. The mind reels at the possibilities which suggest themselves, only' " first catch your hare." The ball is selling by thousands in New Jersey, and the hynotic craze is spreading all over the State. Orange itself, has, a wicked wag remarks, " gone to the very juice" over the invention.