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 HYPNOTISM
ITS FACTS

Theories and Related Phenomena

WITH

EXPLANATORY ANECDOTES, DESCRIPTIONS

AND REMINISCENCES.

BT CARL SEXTUS.

ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS ORIGINAL

ENGRAVINGS.

Agassiz has wisely said:

“ Eveiw great scientific truth goes through three
stages: First, people say it conflicts with the Bible.
Next, they say it has been discovered before.
Lastly, they say they have always believed it.”

B. C. 4004:
And
“ the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon
Adam.”

CHICAGO:
Published by Carl Sextus.
1893.
 Copyright, 1893, by Carl Sextus.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

WELLCOME INSTITUTE
LIBRARY

Coil. welMOmec
Cal!

John Anderson Publishing Co.

Printers, Chicago.
No. VmH
 'JHc WUr 1?
4 <& 6-, IMP

tUDGAl E CIRCUS. LONDON. E.O

PREFACE.

Many of my friends have often urged me to publish my experiences

and reminiscences in the field of Hypnotism. In answer to this demand
I herewith present this work to the public.

On account of the justified curiosity and great interest aroused by

these still mysterious phenomena, I believe that this book will be of
service to all interested in Hypnotism. The burning questions of
Hypnotism and its related phenomena, with all their mysticism and
perplexity of character, are exciting much attention and calling for
explanations among enlightened and thinking men and women the
world over.
I have done my best to explain, in as clear and significant a manner
as I can, everything connected with the phenomena mentioned.
Furthermore, I have, to the best of my ability, endeavored to show
the relation of Hypnotism to society — its significance morally and
legally; its importance as a factor in medical science — as a new and
effective method of cure. I hope sincerely to have met with some
degree of success. If the reader finds matter not only for ephemeral
interest, but also explanations of hitherto more or less unexplained
questions, in the so-called occult realm, that will in the future direct
his attention more carefully to this subject, my ambition is attained.

Little reference is made to all the tedious and tiresome, and, for
most people, well-known facts about Mesmer and his difficulties with
the authorities in Vienna, and the report of the Royal French Investi-
gation Committee about Mesmer and Dr. D’Eslon. I have named the
so called Mesmerism and Hypnotism “ Puysegurian Somnambulism,”
after the French Marquis M. de Puysegur, because all my inquiries
have shown that he was the real discoverer of artificial somnambulism;
and we owe to the untiring exertions, the assiduous labors and the
published works of this noble Frenchman, the fact that Hypnotism
iii
IV PREFACE.

to-day is known and appreciated. I have included everything that I

deemed to be of interest to the science. I have also added some

opinions on this subject from celebrated European and American
scientists, editors, etc.

That the contents of this book may the more easily be understood I

have secured a series of originally-designed illustrations, which bring

to the eye, in realistic form, many interesting operations and their
results.

I take this occasion to acknowledge my great obligations to Mr.

Emil Bjdrn, the talented artist who has designed and drawn nearly all

of the superior engravings which so faithfully illustrate my themes

and so greatly beautify my book.
CARL SEXTUS.
Chicago, 1893.
 ———— — —

CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER Puyseguri an Somnambulism. — Hypnotic Science— Some Facts
I.

Relating to Its Discovery and Subsequent Development — How Subjects are

Influenced —The Tests — The Curiosities of Somnambulism as Developed by
Skilled Hypnotists — Its Use and Abuse — Father Gassner as a Hypnotist —The
Different Degrees of Hypnotism — The Hindoo Science —How to Hypnotize
Animals — The Advance of the Science — Treatment of Diseases 9-32
CHAPTER II. Hypnotism as a Remedy. — Its Development as a Science
Cures Claimed to be Effected where Ordinary Medical Skill was Impotent
—
Curious Limitations of the Operator’s Power Opinions of Specialists Pater —
—
Faria as a Hypnotist Disorders Removed by Suggestion Is Hypnotism —
—
Immoral? Southerners Easily Influenced 33- 51
CHAPTER III. Hypnotism. — Also Called Mesmerism, or Artificial Somnam-
bulism 52- 62

CHAPTER IV. Hypnotic Methods and Conditions. — Special Remarks Re-

garding “ Hypnotism ” and “ Phenomena ” Relating Thereto — Clear and
Practical Methods by which Hypnotism May Be Produced — A Double Con-
scious State is an Interesting One with Hypnotic Individuals — A Striking
Example is that of King Lear — Psychological Impressions — Important Sugges-
tions — Alcoholic Trance — Strange Things that Men Do Under the Influence of
Drink 63- 77

CHAPTER V. Hypnotism Defended. — Popular Misapprehensions Concerning

Hypnotism —The Dangers of Hypnotism Easily Avoided by Care on the Part
of the — Practical Value of Hypnotism in the Healing Art
Hypnotized 78- 86

CHAPTER VI.— Hypnotic Clairvoyance. — The Mystery Practiced by Magi-

cians of Egypt — Experiment in Clairvoyance — A Strange Seance in Egypt
—
Extract from Lane’s Work on Egypt Author’s Comments on the Above
Clairvoyant Experiments in Gothenburg, Sweden —A
Gypsy Palmister Proves
an Excellent Clairvoyant and Predicts for the Danish Royal Family Its Future
Destiny 87- 97

CHAPTER VII. —
Crystal Visions. — Marvelous
Experiments Produced by
Looking Into a Tumbler of Water and a Plain Crystal 9S-107

CHAPTER —
VIII. Magnets and Od. Mineral and Personal Magnetism as
Methods of Cure — The Art of Manipulations and Passes by the Hands on the
Diseased Part of the Body and the Cure of Diseases— Mental Electricity, also
Called Nerve Ether or Life Electro-Dynamism 10S-124

CHAPTER —
IX. Hypnotism and Animals. A Queer Method by which to
Magnetize Serpents, Employed with Great Success by the Mojowee and
Apache Indians— Hypnotized Snakes— Rattlers and Copperheads Magnetized
—
or Fascinated by Music— A Texas Snake Charmer He Doesn’t Like Work and
Prefers to Play with Rattlesnakes v
. 125-136
V
 , , —— — —— — — —— — ——
—

VI CONTEXTS.

CHAPTER X. Hypnotic Miscellanies. — By George Lutken, M. D. —Testi-

monial — Hypnotism and the Meaning and Use Thereof, by Viggo Bendz, M. D.
—The Mysterious Soul-Power or Will-Power; also Called Telepathy or
—
Mental Telegraphy Telepathy ^ *
37 “* 7S

CHAPTER XI.Natural Somnambulism or Sleep-Walking. —The Different

States of Somnambulism and the Phenomena in Relation thereto— Idio- Som-
nambulism —The Oracle and the Delphian Cavern — The Different Preparations
Used — Partly from an Ancient Author — Nitrous Oxide —The Effect of Its
Inhalation — The Different States or Degrees of Somnambulism in Connection
with Those of Natural Sleep — The Influence of Music on the Somnambulist
Interesting Experiments — The Instinct of the Somnambulist — Somnambulism
and Its Peculiarities — The Strange Effect of Spontaneous Somnambulism on
Peculiar Individuals— Sleep-Walking, by D. Hack Tuke, M. D., LL. D.,
London — Also by James Esdaile, M. D., Civil Assistant Surgeon, U. C. S.,
Bengal, India — Also by Winhart, the Well-Known German Physician and
Scientist —
Freak of a Somnambulist — lie Gets His Knife and Starts to Dissect
His Room-mate while Asleep 179-234

CHAPTER XII. —
Introduction of Hypnotism in Chicago. Hypnotism —
—
Introduced Into Well-Known Chicago Residences It is Now Appreciated and
Understood, Not Merely as a Means of Entertainment; but It is also Recog-
nized and Recommended as a Method by which Numerous Diseases are Cured
— Interesting Cases Present Themselves —
Daily at my Office People Wish, not
Merely Treatment for Troublesome Diseases, but also Apply in Order to Have
—
Their Talents Developed Through Hypnotic Influence Generally Very Excel-
—
lent Results are Reached Peculiar Double State During the Hypnotic
—
Condition The Facts Show that the Majority of People Can Be Hypnotized
If not Immediately, by the First Attempt, They Can Always Be More or Less
—
Influenced by Repeated Experiments At Least Sixty Per Cent. Can Be Hyp-
notized if the Right Method is Employed and the Party Concerned is Willing
Young and Vigorous People in General are More Susceptible to Hypnotism
Even in the Nineteenth Century We Find People in Chicago Who Consider
—
Hypnotism Demoniacal The Visible Symptoms in Partial and Perfect Hvpnose. 235-27S
PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS. Chicago Herald January 26, 1S90 Chicago
,

Sunday Press November 22, 1S91 Chicago Sunday Tribune February 23, 1S90
,

—
,

Progressive Thinker June 11, 1S92 Sunday Inter Ocean, January 19, 1S90
,

The Germania Monthly Magazine March 7, 1S90 Rcligio- Philosophical jour-

,

nal February 13, 1S92 Progressive Thinker, January 2S, 1S92 Hordisk Folkc-
blad, February 23, 1S90— Chicago Inter Ocean, May 9, 1 SS9 Chicago Daily
Herald February 7, 1S90— Progressii’e Thinker, February 6, 1S92 Chicago
Sunday Herald, August 17, 1S90— Daily Skandinaven, February 23, 1SS9
Chicago Illustreret Ugeblad, February 2$, 1SS9 279-304
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Carl Sextus (Portrait; Frontispiece.
Anton Mesmer (Portrait) n
Father Gassner as a Hypnotist 13
Polished Horn with Glass Prism in the Center 14
Zinc Button with a Copper Wire Through the Center 14
A Practical Modern Method 15
The New Fascinating Method 16
The Old Fascinating Method. The PuysSgurian Method 17
Hypnotized Lobster — Cataleptic State 21
Hypnotized Hen— Lethargic State 22
Hypnotized Hen — Cataleptic State 23
Hunter Hypnotizing (Charming) a Snake 24
A Hypnotic Tea Party 26
Prof. Carl Hanson, Hypnotist (Portrait) 28
Dr. John Bovee Dodds, Hypnotist (Portrait) 30
Catalepsy in Eyelids and Hands, Cannot Close the Eyelids and Cannot Open the Hands. 35
Believes She is Patti 37
The Subject Cannot Withdraw His Hand 39
Found His Long-Lost Father 41
M. Liebault, Professor of Physiology of Nancy University, France (Portrait) 42
The Hypnotized Dentist and Patient 44
The Hypnotized Subject Supposes She is in a Garden, Picking Flowers 45
Pater Faria (The Brahmin) Giving a Hypnotic Seance in Paris 47
Prof. J. M. Charcot (Portrait) 54
Persian Magic Mirror 58
Cabalistic Magic Mirror 59
Chiron Fascinating Esculapius, B. C. 92S Oi
Mr. F. W. H. Myers, Secretary of the Society of Psychical Research, London, Eng.
(Portrait) 83
Magic Mirror 89
Bunch of Magnetic Rods, for Passes Over the Body — After Mesmer’s Model 109
Egyptian Cabalistic Magic Mirror 114
Modern Manipulations 116
—
Oriental Manipulations After the Bath 11S
Japanese Magnetic Healer 120
The Good Samaritan Pouring Wine and Oil on the Wounds — With Manipulations 122
Dr. Albert Reibmayr’s Method— Vienna 123
Charming Wisely — Frank Kerr and His Snakes 12S
The Moorish Horse Fascinator Hypnotizing the Horse 131
An Egyptian Snake Charmer 133
Brazilian Turtle Charmer 135
Prof. R. A. Campbell (Portrait) 171
A Sleep-Walker 180
vii
Vlll LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

A Sleep-Walker Carefully Avoiding the Water-Tub Placed at His Bedside 1S4

Dreaming About the Moon 18S
Supposed Witches in Auto- Hypnotic Somnambulistic State 190
In Ecstacy — Believing Themselves Flying Through the Air on Broomsticks and
Having Communications with Satan 191
Flying Witches 193--194
Pythia, the Delphian Oracle, Seated on the Tripod Over the Sacred Cavern *97
Somnambulist — Playing While Asleep 201
Somnambulist — A Judge Tries a Case While Asleep 203
Hypnotic Seance at the Residence of Mr. Robert Lindblom — The Fascinated Subject
Following the Movements of the Operator’s Hand 236
The Subject Has Forgotten Her Name 235
Drawing the Subject Backwards 240
Inhales Water and Believes It is Ammonia 243
The Subject Dances “ Ta-ra-ra-bom-de-ay” with His Sweetheart 245
Hypnotizing by Passes Only, Without Touching the Subject 246
The Subject Cannot Strike. 247
Telling of the Absent 24S
Imitating the Hypnotist 25 *

The Happy Fisherman 254

The Subject Believes Himself a Nurse, with a Baby in His Arms 257
The Orator 265
Face Muscles Cataleptic — Cannot Close Their Mouths 267
These Colored Subjects Had It Suggested to Them, While in a Hypnotic State, that at
a Certain Time in the Future, When They were Seemingly Awake, They Could
Wash Themselves White with a Cake of Soap. They are Now Carrying Out that
Suggestion, Much to the Amusement of Their Associates 275
From Lethargy to Catalepsy 2S2
The Somnambulic State 2S3
Cataleptic and Somnambulic 2S4
Thought It Smelled Sweetly 2S6
A Cataleptic Hand 2S 7
Believes Himself a Cripple 2SS
 CHAPTER I.

PUYSEGURIAN SOHNAMBULIS/.l.

HYPNOTIC SCIENCE SOME FACTS RELAT-

ING TO ITS DISCOVERY AND SUBSEQUENT
DEVELOPMENT — HOW SUBJECTS ARE IN-
FLUENCED THE TESTS THE CURIOSITIES
OF SOMNAMBULISM AS DEVELOPED BY
SKILLED HYPNOTISTS ITS USE AND ABUSE
FATHER GASSNER AS A HYPNOTIST.
“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in our philosophy.”

It is to Mesmer’s disciples, the French Marquis

one of
Armond Jacques Marc Chastend dePuys^gur, that the discovery
of animal magnetism, or artificial somnambulism, properly be-
longs and it ought, therefore, to bear the name of Puys^gurian
;

Somnambulism. In May, 1784, M. de Puys^gur, living in retire-

ment on his estates at Buzancy, near Soessons, employed his
leisure in magnetizing peasants, after the manner of his master,
and on one occasion he chanced to observe the production of an
entirely new phenomenon. A young peasant named Victor, 23
years of age, who had been suffering four days from inflam-
mation of the lungs, was magnetized into a peaceful sleep, un-
accompanied by convulsions or other suffering. While in that
condition he spoke aloud, and his mind was busied about his
private affairs. It was easy to change the direction of his

9
IO PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM.

thoughts, and to inspire him with cheerful sentiments —when he

became happy, and imagined that he was engaged in rifle prac-
tice, or that he was dancing at a village fete.

In his normal condition he was simple and foolish, but during

the crisis his intelligence was remarkable there was no need of
;

speaking to him to enable him to understand and reply to the

thoughts of those present. He himself indicated the treatment
necessary for his illness and he was soon cured.
;

This is a brief account of Peasant Victor’s case. The news

of his recovery was rapidly spread abroad, and from all sides
there came a large number of sick people demanding relief.
The phenomenon was repeated, to the physician’s delight,
and he wrote: “ My head is turned with joy, now that I see
what good I am doing.”
Dr. Frederick Anton Mesmer of Switzerland, who, in Paris,
performed a number of cures, and caused an immense sensation,
nevertheless performed his cures in such an extreme manner
that they frequently resulted in causing a hysterical condition.
The state into which his patients were brought was different
from the placid, pleasant, refreshing somnambulistic state that
Puysdgur produced on his patients; and their method of pro-
cedure were also very different.
Mesmer did power to produce an ecstatic condition
all in his

or crisis, for through that he was able to cure; while Puvsegur

after having hy his manipulations discovered somnambulism, did
all in his power to avoid a crisis.

It is possible that Mesmer also was acquainted with the state

Puysdgur produced, but it is a fact that Mesmer never employed

it in his practice ;
and he never informed anyone of his knowl-
edge thereof.
Puysegur was the first who brought this discovery before
the great public. He also taught several of his disciples the same
method; consequently, in justice to Puysegur, he should be
credited with the discovery of Puys^gurian Somnambulism.
 ! ,

PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM I I

At the time that attentionwas being called to Mesmer and

Puysegur there appeared in Southern Germany Father Gassner,
a Jesuit priest, who effected some wonderful cures. His method
consisted of the patient being ushered into a semi-dark room,
and then, from a portiere, F ather Gassner emerged with out-
stretched hands, carrying the crucifix held aloft. Directing his
gaze sharply on the patient, he exclaimed in thundering tones
in Latin:

ANTON MESMER.
'•'•Deturmihi evidens signum prcestigice froeternaturctlis
prcscipio hoc in nomine Jesit ” —
If the individual was at all
susceptible he would fall into the crisis or unconscious state.
At a seance given by Father Gassner he treated a young
woman, and by means of his strong voice, his commanding tones
pronouncing his string of Latin words, his penetrating look and
his raised crucifix, he put her in a complete condition a lei Mes-
mer. His proper experiments now commenced. He cried out,
“Agitetur brachium sinistrum ! ” As he commanded, her left
 ! !

12 PUYSEGURTAN SOMNAMBULISM.

arm commenced to move, at first slower, then faster. The

father cried out, “ cesset ” and the arm suddenly become still.
“ Agitctur caput !'” — The woman flung her head to both sides.
Then the father raised the crucifix again. The consequence of
this was that she made the most terrible grimaces, and she
jumped around in the room as one possessed. Suddenly the
father pronounced “cessct ” and she became still again. Father
Gassner commanded her to speak Latin. She answered: “ Non
possum ” (I can’t). He commanded that her pulse shall beat
very slow. Hofmedicus Bottinger from Mergenthal, examined
the pulse, and he declared that it was beating very slowly.
Father Gassner commanded the pulse to beat very quickly, and
certainly „it was increased to fifty beats in the minute more than
normal (normal beating is about eighty). After that the father
commanded her to be very quiet, feel well, not to speak, not to
move the muscles of the face, and also to lie down on the floor
to die, slowly, little by little, but only for a short time, when he
would call her back to life. Her pulse beat slower and slower,
until it could no longer beAfter a short time of this pro-
felt.

cedure, as commanded, she appeared dead. Everyone present

pressed around her to examine her pulse. “ She is entirely
dead,” one of them cried out. “ Look at the death sweat,” said
another. “ The pulse no longer beats,” said Hofmedicus Bot-
tinger. After a few minutes Father Gassner cried out with a
voice of thunder, “ But now I command you in the Lord’s name
to return to life.” A new examination by Hofmedicus Bottinger
showed that the pulse had commenced to beat. Her features
were relaxing. She commenced to move, and at last raising
herself with a glad and delighted face, she declared that she felt
herself released from all those pains she had before the treat-
ment, and that she now felt herself entirely well. As we will
see Father Gassner was a cunning hypnotist. He knew how
to capture the public with his miracles. The good people he
treated did not know that it was but simple hypnotism. It was
 PU YSEGURI AN SOMNAMBULISM.

very natural that the young girl and several others he treated
should understand his Latin, as she had been educated in the
cloister. Occasionally he sjsoke German (the priest was Ger-

FATHER GASSNER AS A HYPNOTIST.

man). Gassner was a very wise man, much ahead of his time,
and he took advantage of it. Among the many powerful men,
J
4 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM.

who signed the narrative of this seance, I will especially men-

tion Carl Albrecht, Prince of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg ;
Ludvig
Eugene, Duke of Wurtemberg; and Ludvig Joseph, Bishop of
F reisingen.
DIFFERENT METHODS OF HYPNOTIZING.
If I wish to hypnotize a class, or to try a larger number, I
use a zinc button with a copper wire through the centre, which
I request the individual to hold in his closed right hand, resting
the hand on the right knee. In the left hand, which he holds
open, I place a small crystal, set in horn, that is j^olished to a
shining black, the left arm and hand resting partly on the chest.

POLISHED HORN WITH GLASS ZINC BUTTON WITH A COP-

PRISM IN THE CENTER. PER WIRE THROUGH THE
CENTER.
The subject is requested to gaze continually and intently on the
crystal prism, and not to undertake any motions whatever, keep-
ing the same position in which I place him, and to fix his whole
attention on sleep.
After a lapse of seven or eight minutes I
commence to make my passes over the subject; at the end of
two or three manipulations I command him to close his eyes; I
perform one or two passes more, from the head downward to
the knee placing my left hand on his forehead, then press a cer-
;
 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM. >5

tain place with my thumb, at the same time pressing with my

righthand the subject’s right thumb.
Another and very effective method, one 1 often employ
when I hypnotize one person — singly, is to let the subject gaze
fixedly at a lighted candle for about three minutes, held at such
a height that it requires considerable effort on the part of the
subject to look at it. The subject must not wink the eyelids
any more than is absolutely necessary, and must draw the breath

A PRACTICAL MODERN METHOD.

deep and in a measured time. The subject is told before com-
mencing to hold the mouth open about one inch, with the tongue
curved, the tip resting parallel with the lower teeth. At the end
of about three minutes I raise the left hand over the back part
of the subject’s head, and with my fingers spread apart, make
two or three passes downward along the spinal nerves, after
1 6 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM.

which I command the subject to close the eyes. I then perform

one or two more manipulations until full sleep is secured.
My method is the fascinating method, which consists
third
principally in making the subject press his hands strongly on
mine. Suddenly I push him backward and quickly glance into
his eyes. Surprised he recoils, and immediately the impression
of his eyes indicates to me his degree of susceptibility. The
subject understands by the sternness of the hypnotist’s eyes on

THE NEW FASCINATING METHOD.

his that his eyes must remain attached and
to the operator's,
follow them everywhere. He thinks himself drawn toward
him ;
it is a psychical suggestive fascination, and in no wise
physical.
There Donato method. The subject is asked to
is also the
kneel before the operator, and to look steadily into his eyes.
 PU YSEGURI AN SOMNAMBULISM. l
7

Standing before him the operator places his hand on the sub-
ject’s forehead, and inclines his head slightly backward. As
soon as he tries to straighten forward he directs at the subject’s
eyes an imperative glance which, if he is susceptible to his in-
fluence, hypnotizes him.
If sensitive persons are experimented with they can also be
brought into the hypnotic state by having them occupy
com- a
fortable position, closing the eyes, and keeping the right hand

THE OLD FASCINATING METHOD. THE PU YSEGURI AN

METHOD.
closed tightly around their own left wrists. Then perform manip-
ulations from the head downward to the feet, for about ten to
fifteen minutes.
These are the visible agencies by which the operator pro-
duces hypnotism ;
and it may seem very easy but often it is
;
i8 PUYSEGURIAX SOMNAMBULISM.

very difficult to produce hypnosis if the conditions are un-

favorable.
It follows, as a matter of course, that the one who wishes to
be hypnotized must give himself up completely to the operator,
and consequently follow the operator’s instructions, and not en-
deavor to work against sleep when it commences to make its

appearance.
Everybody can not be a hypnotist. To be one requires a
strong and sound constitution, a determined will, and a large
practice to learn to concentrate that will.
There are, of course, a number of people who possess con-
siderable power in that line if they had it developed properly
and many would only waste their time by devoting themselves
exclusively to hypnotism because if one does not possess spe-
;

cial ability in that direction it will avail but little to attempt it.

A person can not make an excellent musician, singer or author

by practice simply ;
he must necessarily have some talent as a
foundation upon which to build.
During a hypnotizing it is necessary to have perfect silence
in the room where the seance is held ;
the temperature must be
moderate and normal and under no circumstances should there
;

be any draft or tobacco odor.

THE DIFFERENT DEGREES OF HYPNOTISM.
The first degree of hypnotism is somnolence, recognizable
by a feeling of numbness in the body, and light, stupefying
symptoms in the head.
The second degree is light sleep. Persons in this state of
hypnose still hear everything that is said in their presence, and
have not altogether lost the sense of feeling.
The third degree is deep sleep. The subject on being
awakened remembers what has been suggested to him and per-
formed by him during the sleep.
The fourth degree is very deep sleep. The subject’s own
individuality is completely isolated. He is only cn rapport with
 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM. *9

the hypnotist. The fifth degree is catalepsy. In this state the

hypnotist produces catalepsy in one certain muscle, or certain
part of the body where he desires catalepsy or lameness to ap-
pear.
The sixth degree is somnambulism. This condition presents,
besides the former degrees of phenomena strengthened, also a
number of varied symptoms. In this state clairvoyance is often
developed.
It is needless to remark that it requires an expert to be able
immediately to discern the different conditions, and by his
knowledge of the science to understand how to bring the sub-
ject easily from one state to the other. This knowledge is espe-
cially beneficial to the hypnotist or physician who intends to
employ hypnotism in the curing of disease. There it depends
largely on producing the conditions best adapted to the patient’s
complaint, and inknowing the moment most opportune to give
suggestions, which are used in the majority of cases.
Regarding the susceptibility of hypnotic influence, it is very
interesting to note the great differences in the percentage of
nationalties. The first be mentioned are the French,
on the list to
with about fifty per cent.; next come the English and Scandin-
avians with about forty per cent. Germans about twenty-five
;

per cent.; while of the Dutch there are only fifteen per cent. A
very susceptible nation, although far up north, are the inhabit-
ants of the Hundred Islands. I have found that about forty per
cent, of the Finlanders can be influenced. The conditions of the
climate, the mode of living and degree of civilization certainly
play a prominent part. The Latin races are more easily in-

fluenced than the Teutonic races. The South Americans are

more susceptible than the North Americans. In the eastern
countries, especially in the East Indies, the susceptibility is

larger than in any other country on the earth ;

in fact the people
there are all susceptible to hypnotic influence. This we must
attribute partly to their tender, dreaming disposition, and partly
20 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM.

to their climate and their entire mode of living, as well as to

their education.
The have great dexterity in hypnotizing but
fakirs of India ;

then it is an art which they have practiced and cultivated for sev-
eral thousand years, while we have advanced in practical know-
ledge and invented railroads, steamers, telegraphs and telephones.
While the inhabitants of the East Indies never waste a
thought on such matters as accumulating money, they cultivate
their occult sciences and never think of to-morrow. They en-
tertain positive scorn for all earthly goods.

THE HINDOO SCIENCE.

To be sure we do not possess the two thousand years’ ex-
perience which the Hindoos have. The peculiar rules and doc-
trines of the hypnotizers, the Yogis, are laid down in several
holy books, especially in the work, the “Yoga
old Sanscrit
Satra.” However, there have been a few Europeans who pos-
sessed singular talent in that direction, and during several years
stay and association with these learned men of India, they be-
came initiated into all the mysteries of those who were there the
cause of creating wonder and astonishment throughout the mod-
ern world of Europe, such as, for example, the Count de Saint
Germain.
HOW TO HYPNOTIZE ANIMALS.
That the majority of animals can be hypnotized is some-
thing a number of people have only a very limited knowledge
of, although it is easily done, and also of great interest to all

—
who think seriously on such matters especially for scientists.
I have experimented with quite a number of the larger ani-

mals, such as horses and dogs, and always had complete suc-
cess. Some animals can easily be brought into the hypnotic
state. This has long been known. The bringing of animals
into the hypnotic condition is easily accomplished, because the
methods are very practical ;
we can almost call them mechani-
cal. They immediately produce their effect ;
it is not neces-
 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM. 2 1

sary to follow all the rules such as for hypnotizing people. So

far as some of the animals are concerned, it evidently plays a
prominent part that they have a great respect for us,who at all

events to a certain extent are the animals’ god. As early as

1646, Father Athanasius Kircher relates in a book entitled
il
Ars Magna Lticis et Umbrae ,” that if a cock with his legs
tied together be placed before a line made upon the floor with

white chalk, he becomes at the end of a few moments perfectly

motionless if the string be untied and he is excited, he does
;

not issue from the cataleptic state. This experiment may be

of still earlier date, since it has been ascribed to Daniel Schreuter
(1636). However this may be, in many countries the hypno-
tization of poultry became a source of popular amusement.
22 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM.

In 1S72, Czermark carefully repeated these experiments; he

hypnotized a cock without making use of the chalk line, keep-
ing the animal immovable. He extended the experiments to other
animals, to sparrows, pigeons, rabbits, salamanders and crabs.
Preyer, of the University of Jena (Germany,) whose treatise
on the subject is the most complete that we possess, ascribed
most of the phenomena observed under the conditions to fear.
For instance, if a lizard’s tail or a frog’s foot is suddenly
pinched, the animal becomes paralyzed, sometimes for several
minutes, and is incapable of moving its limbs. Gentle and pro-
tracted excitement is needed to effect hypnosis of animals.

HYPNOTIZED HEN LETHARGIC STATE.

guinea pig are kept for some time slightly
If the nostrils of a
compressed with a pair of pincers, the animal becomes hyp-
notic, and is thrown into such a stupor that it can be placed in
the most ridiculous position without This being awakened.
between catalepsy and hypnotism has not
arbitrary distinction
been generally accepted. We
need only note that many
animals can be hypnotized cither by a brief or strong excite-
ment of the skin, or by a repeated and fainter action of the
same kind. The experiments on the frog are interesting and
easy to reproduce. Henkel has shown that if a lively frog is
 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM. 23

lightly heldbetween the fingers, with the thumb on the belly

and the four fingers on the back, the animal becomes perfectly
motionless at the end of two or three minutes ;
it may be
stretched upon its back or placed in all sorts of positions with-
out making any attempts at defense or escape.
The same paralytic state may be produced by gently scratch-
ing the frog’s back. If a pigeon is placed on its left side and
held in that position a couple of minutes, it will then remain
motionless until released from the position in which it was
placed.

HYPNOTIZED HEN CATALEPTIC STATE.

Another curious practice is When a hen has laid a number

:

of eggs in a nest of her own selection and has begun to sit

and there is any reason for transferring her to any other nest,
the hen’s head is put under her wing and she is swung to and
fro until she is put to sleep. This is soon done; and she is then
placed in the nest designed for her when she awakes she has
;

no recollection of her own nest and readily adopts the strange

eggs. By means of this process hens may sometimes be made
to sit which have previously shown a disinclination to do so.
This modification of instinct by suggestion seems to show that
24 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM

HUNTER HYPNOTIZING (CHARMING) A SNAKE

 PUYSEGURIA X SOMNAMBULISM. 3
5

the educational use of suggestion is not so absurd as some

authors assert it to be. Some species of snakes are put in a
cataleptic state by a suddenly light touch of a stick or by
light pressure between the fingers on the neck. The interest-
ing experiment the author has performed when a school-boy.
This cataleptic condition will cease by blowing on the neck of
' the snake. (The reader will remember the same method of
blowing is used in relieving a hypnotic person of the catalep-
tic state.)

The snake represented in the illustration is not venomous,

and is found generally in northern Europe. In the Scandina-
vian countries it is called “ steel-snake,” on account of getting
into this peculiar condition. If hit too hard it will go to
pieces like glass.
That a number of people can be hypnotized at the same
time you will see by the following instantaneous photograph
representing a tea-party, where the ladies are brought from
the somnambulistic into the cataleptic state by a word, or by a
motion of my hands.They remain as motionless as statues in
the position they were when I induced catalepsy. The sub-
4 jects retain the same position by an exclamation or motion
until
I release them. In the above condition subjects are always
found to be unconscious and so completely under control that
a lighted candle can be held very close to the open eye without
any winking of the eyelids or contraction whatever of the
pupils of the eye, which in a normal condition would occur
immediately. I will here remark that to produce phenomena

of a similar nature on several persons at the same time and

without any wavering on the part of the hypnotist it is neces-
sary on several previous occasions to have tested and thereby
ascertained the subject’s susceptibility to hypnotic influence,
also that the operator can, during the hypnosis, bring the sub-
ject from one state into the other where the deeper degrees of
sleep are produced.
26 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM.

SIGN OF THE HYPNOTIC STATE.

The most usual sign of this state is as follows: The eye-

balls generally turn slightly upward, the breathing has a labor-

A HYPNOTIC TEA PARTY.

ous sound, the hands and forehead being a little cold, other-
wise nothing abnormal. Usually the temperature rises, and
 ~
PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM. 2

the pulse accelerates about 10 beats per minute. The phenome-

non is interesting ;
in fact, it is remarkable.
Let us bear in mind the famous scene in Macbeth •.

Doctor You see, her eyes are open.

:

Gentlemen Ay, but their sense is shut.

:

As we know it was toward the end of the last century that

Mesmer discovered the germs
which is still in
of a science
embryo, but which had already been perceived by Maxwell in
1673, by Paracelsus in the sixteenth century, and by Van Hel-
mont in 1630. [Anton Mesmer was by nature a very liberal
man, and cured numerous poor people gratis, although by his
colleagues he was often unjustly criticised.] Count de Saint Ger-
main was in 1769 appointed French Minister and Ambassador
to Copenhagen, Denmark. Reports about this peculiar indi-
vidual said that he was not only a clever diplomat, but also
possessed a power to fascinate people, could heal diseased
parts by the touch of his hand, and at times was capable of
placing himself in a clairvoyant state.
THE ADVANCE OF THE SCIENCE.
But in spite of the efforts of the pioneers in favor of hyp-
notism, as well as Mesmer’s and Puysegur’s persevering
efforts later on to bring hypnotism to its proper use ,
hypno-
tism seemed to have been partly forgotten, when the F rench
physicians, Du Patet in 1821, and De Foissac in 1S25, brought
the subject up again, by employing hypnotism largely in their
practice. Then hypnotism again dropped into oblivion for a
number of years.
The next one to call attention to it was Dr. James Braid, a
surgeon of Manchester, England. After incredulously wit-
nessing experiments, 1841, by La Fontaine, a French traveling
hypnotist, he became interested in the science, and later on
employed hypnotism in all cases possible.
Following his example, came Dr. Esdaile, Presidency Sur-
geon of Bengal, at Calcutta, who employed hypnotism in
28 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM.

nearly all upon the natives for six years, ending

his operations
1 85 1. He performed no less than 256 operations, some of
them being very dangerous.
Mr. Carl Hansen, the well-known Danish hypnotist, was
born in Odense, Denmark, in 1S33. As a boy he magnetized
others, an ability which he inherited from his mother. When
a youth of sixteen years he went to Copenhagen, where he
continued his experiments. He he often succeeded
relates that
in transferring his own thoughts and ideas to the subject while
he was in normal sleep; so that he dreamt exactly the same
that Hansen was thinking of. In 1S53 Hansen went to Aus-
tralia and thence to and the Capeland, Africa.
Mauritius
Originally he was a business man but he sometimes experi-
;

mented both in public and in private and in the above named

;

places he founded societies for hypnotism. In 1S63 he returned

to Denmark, and gave public seances first in Copenhagen, —
and later on in Sweden, Holland, France, Belgium and Russia.
Finally he went to Germany, and though he met with oppo-
sition in many places, he at last succeeded in convincing mam-
scientists, psychologists and physicians, Thiers and Zollner in
Leipzic, Mathieson in Rostock, Weiggert, Freckner etc.,
that he was no pretender. In Greifswalde he engaged a hall
in which he was going to give his lecture and seance. There
was a crowd of students who crowded the hall, and when
Hansen commenced his seance with some introductory remarks
about hypnotism, they greeted him with laughter and scorn-
ful shouts. He then said that he always preferred to show his
experiments in university towns, because in those places he
could reckon upon a good reception from the students, as they,
for the sake of science, listened with careful interest. “ But after
this reception,” he added ironically, “ I have reason to suppose
that the semesters are closed, and only a few students are pres-
ent here to-night.” Those words caused, of course, the great-
est exasperation. They undertook to drive him away; but he
From a Painting.
 PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM. 29

induced a couple of those who made the most noise to come

upon the platform and submit method of inducing the
to his
hypnotic condition. A tall fat fellow, who had been the
worst of them, was soon brought under Hansen’s influence;
and he made him in return pass through the whole series of the
well known experiments, such as eating potatoes as apples,
dance a polka, dandle a bundle of clothes as if it were a little
baby, and finally to beg pardon for his foolish behavior. I
regard it unnecessary to state that the humor of the audience
turned to the advantage of the magnetist.
Mr. Hansen, my countryman, is not only a skillful magne-
tizer, but he is, at the same time, an amiable gentleman. I

have several times during my had the pleasure of meet-

travels
ing this distinguished colleague in the field of hypnotism; and
I have then had opportunity to enter with him upon many an

interesting conversation from which I have derived much inter-

esting and valuable knowledge.
The well known English physician, Hack Tuke, studied
with great interest Carl Hansen’s experiments, and described
them in his book about “Natural and Artificial Somnambulism ”
Hypnotism received an effectual advance when the prominent
Parisian, Dr. Charcot, after Hansen’s seances in 1869, in Paris
began his investigations that later on proved to be so satisfac-
tory, that he employed hypnotism at his hospital, La Salpetriere,
where he performed cures by the thousand. As especially de-
serving mention, I name Professor Liebault, professor of phy-
siology; Ch. Richet, Professor Bernheim, Beaunes, Delboeuf,
Berjon, Facachan, Mabille, Liegeois, Forel, Bremaund, Chas.
Feirt:, Alfred Binet. In America, Wm. B. Fahnstock, M.
D., and the celebrated New York physician, Hammond,
and John Bovee Dods, who, in 1850, gave a series
of lectures on Hypnotism in the House of Representatives,
Washington, D. C. The works of Charles Richet, 1S75, also
Charcot, 1S78, Paris, France, regarding hypnotism, were
3° PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM.

the cause of considerable interest throughout the whole scien-

tific world.
We are now justified in saying that hypnotism is established
and not be abandoned as long as science exists.
to
The German physicians, R. Hajdenhain in 1SS0, Gruntzen
and Bergen in 1881, were awakened to the value and interest
of hypnotism by Carl Hansen’s seances in Leipsic, Breslau,
Berlin, and other cities.
The reason why hypnotism has become properly recognized
within the last twenty years, is that several scientists have
adopted the science with great alacrity. Those few who in
olden time practiced hypnotism were unjustly criticised and
ridiculed, even to the extent of being completely shunned by
some of their colleagues.
Now, I am happy have changed
to say in that regard, times
for the better. It is no longer a crime to heal by hypnotism.

But it also requires a great deal of earnest study, energv, and a

fair amount of natural qualification.
A fact that is not generally known
everybody
is that not
possesses the gift to become a competent hypnotist, although at
the present time, having the knowledge of the science through
popular works and close study of the phenomena by practical
hypnotists, including some hospitals in Europe, the physicians
have numerous opportunities to ascertain the secrets of hypno-
tism. In practical, skeptical America, the physicians have now
commenced to evince more interest in this science. It has
pleased me to note reports in scientific journals in regard to
remarkable cures performed through hypnotism.
I can readily comprehend how many of the conservative doc-
tors do not follow the progress this science has made with very
pleasant feelings. It is always unpleasant for certain people to

recognize what they cannot perform themselves, and as before

mentioned, not every one can become a hypnotist, be he an M.
D. or not, if he is without the necessary natural qualifications.
 PU YSEG U R A X SOM X A M BUI. IS M
I
3 1

Such conditions have made it very difficult to introduce hyp-

notism, although during my four year’s stay here in America
I have personally had the satisfaction of curing a large number
of sufferers through hypnotism, and when the patients had
been unable to derive any benefit from medical aid.

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

The diseases for the treatment of which hypnotism is espe-

cially adapted are neuralgia, insomnia, sick headache, morphine,
alcohol and opium habit, etc.
To the sensation my cures Northern Europe,
have caused in
the local medical journals can testify. While in Europe I was
called on to treat a member of the royal family, and cured
the patient successfully of a very disagreeable nervous disease,
in which case medicine was proven to have no effect.
I had also the satisfaction of being the means of introducing’

hypnotism in Sweden, 1SS3-S4, where Chief Royal Librarian

C. F. Klemming, Professor Anton Nystrom, M. D., and others
were the first to study and adopt my method. In Norway,
1SS5, I a ^ so aroused the interest of physicians.
In my native country, Denmark, in 1SS6-S7-SS, my seances
also inspired enthusiasm for the art, and I taught some verv
prominent jDhysicians there — among them George Lutkin,
M. D., Viggo Bendz, M. D., and Herman Schwartz, M. D.
Hypnotism is there, as in France, employed extensively.
During the last thirteen years, devoted entirely to the science
of hypnotism, have succeeded in curing thousands of cases.
I

The great danger with which hypnotism is believed to be

attended or followed is ridiculously exaggerated, and the reason
is, I think, that many of those who have written on this subject

have had very little practical knowledge of it.

There is no danger whatever in hypnotism when the hyp-
notist makes it a positive rule never to hypnotize anybody unless
friends or relatives of the subject are present as witnesses, in a
32
PUYSEGURIAN SOMNAMBULISM.

position to control what occurs and note the suggestions given

to the subject.
I will here state to all those timid individuals that hypnotic
conditions cannot be used as a mask by the hypnotist to commit
crimes against humanity, as people usually believe. Because it
is a fact that even if the subjects are in the deepest degree of

sleep, they cannot be compelled to do anything immoral or

criminal —
if the subject is an honest and upright person. The
above has been proven by numerous experiments, and the sub-
jects who are hypnotized positively refuse to obey where it is
against their own morals and character.
They will even awaken if anything very disagreeable is
suggested.
Another very effectual rule can be followed to the satisfac-
namely, to limit the hypnotist’s power.
tion of those hypnotized,
Let him give the subject a suggestion dui'ing the hypnotic
sleep. “You shall never be placed under my control without
being perfectly willing, as in case of sickness should you desire
it
;
otherwise it will be impossible for me or any other hypnotist
to hypnotize you.”
After such suggestions it is an absolute impossibilitv to hyp-
notize the person, even by employing the most effectual meth-
ods, without his or her perfect willingness to be influenced.
In conclusion, remember what Colton Lacon says: The
greatest friend to truth is time her greatest enemy
,
is prejudice ,

and her constant companion is humility.

 CHAPTER II.

HYPNOTISn AS A REMEDY.
ITS DEVELOPMENT AS A SCIENCE CURES CLAIMED TO BE
EFFECTED WHERE ORDINARY MEDICAL SKILL WAS
IMPOTENT CURIOUS LIMITATIONS OF THE
OPERATOR’S POWER OPINIONS OF
SPECIALISTS PATER FARIA
AS A HYPNOTIST.
Hypnotism (from the Greek word hypnos, sleep) is the
science of the sleep-like state which is manifested by various
phenomena, and is produced by a special influence on the
nervous system exerted by another, and also, though more
rarely, by spontaneous action.
To put anyone into such a state is to hypnotize that one.
The sleeper is hypnotized, is in hypnosis, is in the hypnotic
state.

It was James Braid, M. D., the celebrated Manchester sur-

geon and eye specialist, who named the science. During his
investigations in mesmerism he succeeded in accomplishing
a number of phenomena similar to those until then called mes-
merism, after Frederik Anton Mesmer, hut which Braid called
by the new name of hypnotism. He commenced his investi-
gations in Novemher, 1841, but did not publish the results
until 1S43.
Following came Dr. Azam, teacher at the school of medicine
in Bordeaux, France, who published a work on hypnotism in
1S60. Dr. Azam had his results witnessed by two of his
33
34 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY.

friends, Broca and V erneuil,

who were members of the scien-
tific faculty in Paris, and who later on achieved great fame.

Singular as it may seem, it was by means of this new name

that the science gained a new entrance into France, hypno-
tism’s original In June, 1859, Dr. ^- zam was called to
home.
attend a young lady who was supposed to have attacks of
insanity, and who displayed peculiar symptoms of spontaneous
catalepsy, anasthesiaand hyperesthesia. He exhibited the
patient to several physicians. One of them, Dr. Baving, said
that he, in an article about sleep, had read that the English sur-
geon, Braid, had discovered a remedy by which he could produce
symptoms that were analogous to those noticed in the hysteri-
cal young lady. Azam procured Braid’s Neurypnology, and
commenced a number of experiments that placed him in a
position to duplicate the results accomplished by Braid.
It must be remarked here that fortune especially favored

him, for his subject proved to be of an unusually susceptible

temperament. Pie succeded in curing her according to Braid’s
method, and this encouraged him to further experiments in that
direction.
Between 1843 and 1878 there was published, besides Braid’s
and Azam’s memoirs, a number of excellent works, of which
I mention Phillip’s, De
will especially Marquais’, Geraud-
Teulon’s, Charpignon’s and Liebault’s.

INVARIABLY FORGET WHEN THEY AWAKE.

The French hypnotist remarks properly : “The different
have ascribed to somnambulism are very
qualifications that I
seldom found united in one individual; only the last (loss of
recollectionon awaking) is a constant anti particular evidence
of somnambulism.”
There are also somnambulists whose eyes are open, who hear
very well, and who are in rapport with all the surroundings
but we must remember they are only in the second or third
 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY. 35

degree of hypnotism (and we know there are six degrees).

There are others in whom only one of the senses are strength-
ened, and who only receive disturbed sense impressions, and
last, there are those who only
speak or express themselves with
the utmost difficulty. But so far we have not been able to find
one instance where the somnambulist has been able in a waking-
condition to recollect anything regarding his experiences in the
somnambulistic state.

The above distinction is of more than ordinary importance, as

CATALEPSY IN EYELIDSAND HANDS— CANNOT CLOSE THE

EYELIDS AND CANNOT OPEN THE HANDS.
itdraws a perceptible line between the somnambulistic expres-
sion and dreams.
All the thoughts we have had while we
and those we
slept,
remember on awaking, are only dreams. It is consequently
far from the truth that participation in somnambulistic phe-
nomena tends to confirm the subject’s belief; on the contrary, it
36 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY.

assists in banishing that belief. This explains, also, how some

celebrated physicians in olden time have been able to establish
that the soul during sleep is in a better condition to describe the
diseases and to predict dangers that threatened the bod}-.
They had, however, investigated somnambulism quite thor-
oughly but they had not been able to distinguish the differ-
;

ence between somnambulism and normal sleep.

Abbot Faria, a Portuguese priest (Brahmin he called him-
self), immediately on his arrival in Paris from India created an
immense sensation. “We do not produce somnambulism,” he
says in language that is as far from being as elegant as his
own personal self, “ each time we desire it, but only when we
happen to find one especially adapted to such conditions ; that is,
one who is a natural somnambulist. In these individuals we do
not create the somnambulistic sleep, but only develop their nat-
ural tendencies. The investigations we have made in regard
to several persons, showing that during the somnambulistic
sleep at a certain distance they follow all movements of the
the
operator, are not sufficient to justify the meaning and use of the
word animal magnetism, and no legitimate right
there is to asso-
ciate this common expression with somnambulism.”
It was furthermore Faria’s opinion that the lethargic sleep,
or somnambulism, did not in any way
from the normaldiffer
sleep a conclusion that in our time has been brought forward
;

again, but without gaining any great number of followers.

That even the ablest critic can be criticised Faria knew and
admitted; and he therefore considered it necessary to strengthen
his doctrine by the statements of some views from which we
respectfully dissent. Doctor Tourett sarcastically remarks that
Faria was not skilled in medicine; but what matters that?
Would not the continuous existing theory concerning fluids or
juices be able to afford him an explanation ? “ Sleep,” he says,
“ has its different degrees the deepest sleep is what we have
;

called somnambulism. This exists only where the blood is

 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY. 37

universally easy flowing, and, as this condition has its own

peculiar degrees, so also has somnambulism its perfection of
scales. Easy-flowing blood does not alone effect the more or
less deep sleep, but also its more or less rapid appearance.

Usually that state of blood circulation is only evidence of weak-

ness; and experience has taught me that the loss of a certain
amount of this fluid made somnambulists of those who had not

BELIEVES SHE IS PATTI.

previously any disposition to So here we have the true
it.

cause of what we call natural somnambulism.”

F aria was probably not altogether wrong, for we see that in
—
females and it is usually they who are most easily hypnotized
— we very often find a distinct anomi (loss of blood). Never-
theless, it is impossible to set up this doctrine as a general
validity, or to accept it in the exact letter. Faria judged as
3S HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY.

above, that we can only develop as somnambulists those who

are so by nature; that the sleep produced by the magnetizer’s
unspoken command must be ascribed to somnambulism, forced
out through himself, and not, as supposed, by some outside
power; therefore, to produce sleep, Faria was obliged to em-
ploy a method that differed widely from those employed by
previous operators. “ The method,” Faria says, “that I em-
ploy to bring people into the sleep is very simple. I consider
itabove all reasonable doubt that we cannot compel those to be
somnambulists that are not naturally so, and we must therefore
endeavor to develop those who are susceptible on each occasion
that they in good faith offer themselves.”

COMMANDED TO SLEEP.

“According outward appearance, as I will try later on to

to
describe, I avail myself in advance of those who possess the
required dispositions and when I have them seated comfort-
;

ably in a chair, I exclaim in a determined and clear voice the

word Sleep’; or I show to them at a little distance my open
‘

hand, and command them to gaze sharply at it without moving

the eyes; but I allow them to wink the eyelids when they feel
the necessity. In the first place, I command them to close the
eyes. And I invariably notice, when in a determined tone
of voice I order them to sleep, a visible tremor in all their
limbs, upon which they go to sleep. This tremor is positive
evidence not alone of their natural dispositions but also of their
good will to give themselves up. Secondly, when I perceive
they do not wink the eyelids any more I slowly advance with
my open hand until within a few inches of their eyes. Then
when I notice that the eyelids do not naturally close I perform
one more operation which I will immediately explain :

“ Before developing new somnambulists, I always take the

precaution to let several developed somnambulists go into the
condition —
my aim being thereby to inspire confidence in those
 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY. 39

who are willing to try and who are natural somnambulists;

because when they notice the ease with which the others sit

down, there no longer any fear regarding the coming sleep.

is

Usually these persons are affected by an overwhelming fear, in

spite of their entire willingness to become influenced. They
often have attacks of cramps, nervous trembling and hard
breathing. These attacks are the crisis, in which originates
what is so erroneously termed healing, which are not, as claimed,

THE SUBJECT CANNOT WITHDRAW HIS HAND.

from magnetism. If the operator does not watch closely and
is not able immediately to bring the patient back to his normal
state there is a liability Of leaving dangerous effects, which may
later on render special treatment necessary. When the de-
scribed methods do not have the desired effect, I slightly touch
the subject on the crown of the head, the temples, root of the
nose, the abdomen, over the heart, both knees and on both feet.
Experience has taught me that a light pressure on the parts
where the blood is especially easy flowing always produces an
4° HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY.

effect (concentration) that is sufficient to dull the senses and

will power when there no direct resistance present.”
is

It must be admitted that this development is very interesting

and contains more than the germs to the whole of Braid’s the-
—
ory and of the theory concerning the power of imagination or
suggestion in consequence of the same.
The phenomena observed by Faria in his subjects do not dif-
fer in the main points from those of Puystfgur and the other
operators or their somnambulist subjects; and this is the case
especially in regard to the complete loss of memory about
everything on awakening.
F aria adds “ During the somnambulistic sleep the eyes are,
:

as a rule, closed. There somnambulists who

are, nevertheless,
sleep with open eyes and my experience has proved to me
;

that these latter are somnambulists by nature.” Their open

eyes remain fixed and immovable and they seem to be perfectly
sightless. There are a few who move their eyes and see what
occurs in their surroundings, stillwithout being able to have
any recollection whatever when they are awakened.

MADE THEM BELIEVE WATER WAS WINE.

As an advocate of the identity of somnambulism and normal
sleep, Faria made a study of lethargy; and he was one of the
who in
first a few lines described this interesting condition,
which Azam also investigated. This is the state in which we
nearly always rind a certain double individuality of the person.
It must be remarked that F aria claimed positively that there
were no dangers attached when using his methods; and that
subjects thus caused to sleep and brought under influence will
by no means suffer any unpleasant effects.
Abbot Faria was famous in Paris, and there was great
demand for tickets to the seances given by this great man, not-
withstanding that he was tanned by the scorching sun of India,
and that he spoke the French language as poorly as he wrote it.
 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY. 41

During these seances he caused somnambulists to sleep

his
and was one of the first to practice the mysterious influence,
suggestion, in a manner, if we dare say, rather scientific, as he
compelled his subjects to enjoy large quantities of water, in the
belief that it was the best select wines. Abbot Farias’ retreat
did neither injure magnetism nor interfere with its progress.
Thanks to several prominent scientific men (especially du
Potet, 1821, whose “ Traits Complet du Magnetisme ” is a rare
and valuable contribution), there was proclaimed for Mesmer’s
discoveries a more medical and scientific direction.

Du Potet magnetized the patients in the Hotel Dieu hospital

and he was successful in convincing several very eminent
physicians. Alexander Bertrand, formerly a pupil of the
Polytechnic school, gave a seance to which people crowded
42 HYPNOTISM A=> A REMEDY.

from all sides. Nevertheless several of the learned societies,

in reference to Bailey’s celebrated report, continually condemned
magnetism.
Dr. H. Bernheim, a professor of the faculty of medicine at
Nancy, says in his work, “ Suggestive Therapeutics” “ In :

reality we must come down to i860 to find the doctrine of sug-

gestion entirely freed from all the elements which falsified it

even in the hands of Braid himself, and applied in the simplest

manner to therapeutics. Durand de Gross, like Abbot Faria,
had already employed simple vocal suggestions, speech, in the
productions of hypnotic phenomena. Mr. Liebault conceived
the idea of applying the same vocal suggestions to thera-
peutics.
“ The patient is put to sleep by means of suggestion —that is,

by making the idea of sleep penetrate the mind. He is treated

—
by means of suggestion that is, by making the idea of cure
penetrate the mind. The subject being hypnotized, Mr. Lie-
bault’s method consists in affirming in a loud voice the disap-
pearance of his symptoms. We try to make him believe that
these symptoms no longer exist, or that they will disappear,
that the pain will vanish, that feeling will come back to his
limbs, that his muscular strength will increase, and that his
appetite will be restored.
“We by the special psychical receptivity created by
profit
the hypnosis, by the cerebral docility, by the exalted ideo-
motor, ideo-sensitive, ideo-sensorial, reflex activity, in order to
provoke useful reflexes, to persuade the brain to do what it can
to transform the accepted idea in reality.”
Such is the method of therapautic suggestion of which M.
Liebault is the founder. He was the first to clearly establish
that the cures obtained by all magnetizers, and even by Braid’s
hypnotic operations, are not the work either of a mvsterious
fluid or of physiological modification due to special manipula-
tions, but the work of suggestion alone.
*
 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY. 43

The whole system of magnetic medicine is only the medi-

cine of imagination; the imagination being put into such a
\

condition by the hypnosis that it cannot escape the suggestion.

M. method was ignored a long time, even by the
Liebault’s
physicians at Nancy. In 1SS4 Charles Rickett was satisfied to
say that magnetism often had advantages, that it calms nervous
agitation and that it may cure or benefit certain insomnias.
have experimented with the suggestive method
Since 1882 I

which I have seen used by M. Liebault, though timidly at first

and without confidence.
DISORDERS REMOVED BY SUGGESTION.
Now it is daily used in my clinic; I practice it before my
students, perhaps no day passes in do not show them
which I

some functional trouble, pain, paresis, uneasiness, insomnia

either moderated or instantly suppressed by suggestion.

Dr. J. R. Buchanan, in his work on Therapeutic Sarcog-

nomy, remarks in regard to Dr. Esdaile: “How widely dif-
ferent from the monotonous imbecility of Deleuze is the prac-
tical exposition by Dr. James Esdaile of his medical and surgical

application of animal magnetism in India, in the volume, Mes- 4

merism in India,’ published in 1846, showing his observations

during six years, a work which no candid person can read
without realizing the guilty folly of the medical profession in
ignoring and opposing so valuable a portion of therapeutics.
It was his intention at first to communicate his observations

only to the medical profession, but he soon felt it his duty to

give them to the public.”
Dr. Esdaile’s report embraces seventy-three surgical opera-
tionsand eighteen medical cases treated by mesmerism with
complete success, and shows how simple is the practice and
how brilliant are the results in India. A student of sar-
cognomy in that climate, even if he dispensed with medi-
cine entirely, would have a brilliantly successful prac-
44 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY.

tice that might astonish the adherents of the old regime.

Dr. Esdaile regrets that the public should wait for a
professional sanction of mesmerism ;
for, says he, medical men
in general as yet know and there is nothing
nothing about it;

in their previous knowledge, however great and varied, that

bears upon the subject. I fear that not many of this genera-
tion will live to benefit by mesmerism if they wait till it is

admitted into the pharmacoposa. He sj^eaks of the opprobrious

language applied to those who succeed in curing diseases with-
out medicine, and adds: In my estimation the genuine medical

THE HYPNOTIZED DENTIST AND PATIENT.

quack he who, professing to cure disease, yet allows his
is

patients to suffer and perish by ignorantly or presumptuously

dismissing any promising or possible means, of which the father
of medicine thought very differently from his degenerate sons.
 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY. 45

I remark concerning Esdaile’s methods of hypnotizing

will :

Esdaile usually had the patient led into a semi-dark room,

where he was then requested to lie down upon his back upon a

THE HYPNOTIZED SUBJECT SUPPOSES SHE IS IN A GARDEN,

PICKING FEOWERS.

low couch. At the head of the couch the operator, who was
generally a native, placed himself. This colored operator bent
himself forward over the patient’s face, constantly directing his
46 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY

gaze sharply on the subject’s eyes, at not too great a distance

from the patient. At the same time the operator placed a hand
on each shoulder of the patient. After a lapse of about ten to
twenty minutes symptoms of the magnetic sleep generally com-
mence to appear.
The operator then commands sleep. As a rule this jarocess
is very successful. In cases where they do not immediately
succeed in bringing them under influence, the attempts are re-
—
peated until they do either by the same operator or another
who is substituted.
Besides what hypnotizations Dr. Esdaile performed he had
engaged different ojierators who, singularly enough, were nearly
all colored, whom he had developed. Another method he often
pursued produce sleep was passes or manipulations only;
to
these passes were all performed from the head downward to
the feet, at a distance of about one inch from the subject’s
body. The subject was here back on a low
jilaced on his
couch, but ordered to close the eyes. Then suggestions about
the sleep were given; the subjects were, of course, to be pass-
ive. The treatment lasted from fifteen to forty-five minutes
before the desired results were obtained.
Du ring recent years hypnotism has been the means of arous-
ing considerable interest. Magazines and daily papers have
contained numerous articles on the science. A constant ques-
tion has been concerning the great dangers that are sujiposed
to lurk under and be connected with the use of hypnotism all —
kinds of probable and improbable dangers of hypnotism or
mesmerism. Such anecdotes are very often not only unrea-
sonable, but actually ridiculous, and, at the same time, they are
usually published by people who have really studied hypnotism,
which makes it appear still more incomprehensible.
IS HYPNOTISM IMMORAL?
Especially there brought forward, in vivid colors, the
is

danger connected with hypnotism as regards the evil influence

 HYPNOTISIN' AS A REMEDY 47

PATER FARIA (THE BRAHMIN) GIVING A HYPNOTIC SEANCE

IN PARIS.
4s HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY.

exerted over the subject’s moral nature, but I am pleased to

remark modern hypnotists, as well as
that lately several of the
many physicians, have commenced to deny this assertion. Even
some of the old hypnotists expressed their opinion through
their different works and are extremely favorable in regard to
all the benefit derived through hypnotism, and on numerous

occasions gave undeniable proofs of there being no such danger

as was formerly supposed.
As for example let us note what Binet and Fere say: “In
the majority of subjects there no marked difference between
is

their normal life and that of somnambulism. None of the

intellectual faculties are absent during sleep. It only appears
that the tone of the physical excitement is nearly always pres-
ent during somnambulism. This is clearly shown in the
emotion. It is, in general, perfectly easy to make a subject
shout with laughter or shed tears. Ide is deeply moved by a
dramatic tale, and even by words in which there is no sense, if

they are uttered in a serious tone.

“ It is curious to note the influence of music; the subject ex-
presses in and gestures an emotion in accordance
all his attitudes
with the character of the piece. In short, hypnotism does hot
appear to effect any radical change in the character of those
subjects whom we have observed. The intellectual faculties
are as active as before. The following is a conclusive proof
of the exertion of the mind.
“ x\ patient who had been admitted to the Salpetriere at an
early age was in the habit of tutoying M. X. when she was
alone with him, or in company with her acquaintances she ;

ceased to do so on the entrance of a stranger. Even under

somnambulism this patient observed the laws of good breed-
ing, addressing M. X., as to when she was alone with him and
ceasing to do so as soon as a stranger came in.
“ It is in somnambulists that we find the curious phenomenon
of resistance, of which we shall speak further, when we come
 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY. 49

to consider suggestions. When

an order is given to somnam-
bulists they will often dispute it, ask the reason or refuse to
obey. It is under the form of refusal to obey a given order
that resistance occurs. Subjects more rarely resist hallucina-
tions, since these do not affect their personality. There are,
however, instances of the latter form of resistance.
“ When we proposed to transform one of our subjects into a
priest and to give him a cassock, he obstinately refused it.
“ If we study our own dreams we may all become aware of
those curious duplications of consciousness, and this shows the
connection between normal and hypnotic sleep.
“ The dreamer is, in general, like the somnambulist to whom
hallucinations are suggested. He is surprised at nothing, al-

though the most absurd impossibilities are presented to his vis-

ion. Yet there is sometimes a remnant of critical sense which
induces him to say, in the midst of some grotesque scene But : ‘

this is impossible. I must be dreaming!’

“These facts show that a somnambulist is far from beingr, as

some writers assert, an unconscious automaton, devoid of judg-
ment, reason and intellectual spontaniety. On the contrary, his
memory is perfect, his intelligence is active and his imagination
is highly excited.”
Instances have been given of subjects who could, during
somnambulism, perform intellectual feats of which they were
incapable in the waking state. M. de Puysegur remarks “ The :

power that we acquire over those individuals who are brought in

the hypnotic condition (somnambulism) is only unlimited when
it concerns their health and welfare. Outside of that they can
only be brought to do harmless acts, such a« going to and from
places, dance, sing, carry articles to different places, etc., in
short, what anybody would do in a normal condition. But there
are limits, beyond which this power is without effect
and I can ;

almost say positively that every hypnotist iuvariably feels and

knows that his subject will obey him to a certain extent, and
5°
HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY.

where the suggestions are disagreeable to the subject’s own

morals and character, they positively fail.”

As wecan see by the above the danger in connection with

hypnotism is by no means as great as people usually believe
and that the good that can be therapeutically accomplished bor-
ders on the incredible, especially as related to nerve and muscle
diseases.
SOUTHERNERS EASIEY INFLUENCED.
The differences in climate appear to have great influence on
hypnotic susceptibility. Southerners, and generally those who
have been exposed to tropical heat, are much more easily in-
fluenced than those who live in the temperate or frigid zones.
Hypnosis not only appears sooner in the tropical climates, but
it is usually deeper, and the more complicated conditions of the

states invariably immediately appear. The hypnotic suscepti-

bility does not depend on these circumstances alone. There are
many other conditions which we must find, partly outside of
the individual and partly within. It is necessary to especially
notice the different tempers of mind, such as delight, sorrow, etc.
That which also works against coming into the hypnotic state
is over-exertion, either mentally or bodily, an empty or an over-
loaded stomach, excessive use of certain nourishing substances,
liquors, strong spices, coffee or tea. All these conditions, more
or less, prevent or disturb the coming hypnosis. Furthermore,
outward influences, such as temperature, dress, place of resi-
dence and surroundings, should all be considered. The room
in which experiments are to be performed must neither be too
warm nor too cold.
Dryness always encouraging to hypnosis, while damp air
is

disturbs the influence. Strong odors of flowers and certain per-

fumes are very often advantageous. Strong lights are by all
means unfavorable. A
mild and shaded light is always favor-
able. The subject’s seat must be as comfortable as possible
the least noise, the buzzing of a fly, the creaking of shoes, may
 HYPNOTISM AS A REMEDY. 5 1

disturb thegood results in causing an involuntary distraction of

thought, which tends to disturb the effects of the manipulations
of the operator.
Without exception there should be a third person present in
the room, to witness every hypnotic treatment involving uncon-
sciousness of the subject. There will then be no cause for mis-
understandings.
The time is near at hand when hypnotism will be employed
in the majority of diseases that have so far thwarted all other
treatment.
 CHAPTER III.

HYPNOTISM.

ALSO CALLED MESMERISM, OR ARTIFICIAL SOMNAMBULISM.

Hypnotism is very old and was known thousands of years

ago ;
but during the ever changing circumstances in different
countries it has generally been known and employed only by
magicians and fakirs, to produce visible, so-called supernatural
phenomena, such as experiments in clairvoyance and similar
states — inwhich the persons were supposed to be able to tell
the past, present and future.
This science was also employed by Egyptians and healers
in the olden time, to cure diseases that had baffled all other
treatment.
Some names applied to this science are, Electrical
of the
Psychology, Mental Electricity, Human Aura, Electric Biology,
Pathetism, Sychoclunamy and many others.
A good hypnotist should possess certain special qualities.
He should possess knowledge, good morals and a good, sound
constitution also have full control of himself, a determined and
;

clear voice and the will power always to do the best. When
we wish to proclaim the use of a discovery we ought first care-
fully to investigate its nature, so as not to enter on the wrong
road because only he who thoroughly knows a thing can de-
;

cide what remedies should be employed, and on whom to in-

duce them and teach them to appreciate and adopt it. Our
present scientists accept experience as a main basis in the study
of nature.
52
 HYPNOTISM. 53

WHO IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HYPNOTISM.

I am constantly asked, who is susceptible to hypnotism? also
the percentage of both young and old ladies and gentlemen,
under the usual circumstances. In replying we are assisted by
all the modern methods of procedure.

As a rule one-third of those who

and willingly give
try,
themselves up to the operator’s instructions, can be brought into
the hypnotic sleep. There is not the slightest doubt that even
more can be influenced if they will, once every day, undertake
an attempt of this mode of treatment; then about fifty per cent,
would be caused and this peculiar
to sleep, state of sleep we
call hypnotism or somnambulism.
Puysegur and Mesmer as well as many others followers —
of the old school —
were convinced that all persons could be mag-
netically influenced —
only the manner of its appearance being
different. It is not always necessary to jrroduce a sleepy condi-
tion, for magnetizing or hypnotizing may produce some very
slight, almost unnoticeable effects, which the subject generally
is not able to describe.
For hypnotic experiments young people and children are
preferred. But as nearly every one in the eastern countries by
repeated attempts becomes hypnotized, then the actual reason
why they prefer younger people, almost children, is because they
are the most easily put to sleep, especially during a special
period and age.
These fakirs claimed that in these young subjects they could
easily produce real clairvoyance, and phenomena equally as
astonishing, and which they say cannot very well be produced in
older people, even though they are in the deepest state of hyp-
nosis.

We find a large number of people who still in their old

age retain the disposition to become hypnotized, but, as a rule,
it is the younger age. Girls from io to 18 years are best
54 HYPNOTISM.

adapted, youths during the ages from 15 to 23 years. Amongst

those we not alone influence a larger percentage, but pro-
duce the most interesting conditions.
In regard to the different sexes, the ojiinion for a long time
was that there existed a great difference between the male and

PROF. J. M. CHARCOT.

female susceptibility, their more or less development, and larger

percentage of each who were naturally hypnotizable.
It was a general helief that many more ladies could be
hypnotized than gentlemen. Experience proves that men who,
as a rule, are considered the stronger, are as easily hypnotized
as women, who are considered the weaker sex, and who usually
are more nervous than men.
 ]i YPNOTISM. 55

HYSTERIA AND HYPNOTISM.

Prof. Charcot, who mostly hypnotized ladies —and especially
hysterics —does not give either reason or the right to believe
that it is only females who can be hypnotized. It is an abso-
lute untruth, although it has been published in the papers, that
Charcot should have said that only hysterical females can be
hypnotized.
The truth is that in his specialty at La Salpetriere he
studied hypnotism mostly through hysterical subjects.
Charcot has by his cures done an immense good, curing peo-
ple by the thousands of a number of diseases.
A mistaken judgment that many pass is, that to be hypnot-
ized is to become hysterical. I think it is sufficiently proven
by Charcot’s treatment, he by hypnotizing hysterical ladies
as
actually cured their hysterics, a disease that by seeking medical
aid they had not been relieved from.
Of hysterics we find many who cannot at all be hypnotized.
Charcot’s and other hypnotists’ experience 'shows this.
At the recent meeting of the French Society of Hypnologi
in Paris, Dr. Berillon astonished his hearers by stating that
almost all children could be hypnotized, except those who were
idiotic or hysterical. The idea that there is any connection
between hysteria and hypnotism was strongly disputed. One
physician alleged that he had hypnotized sixty-nine patients out
of seventy-two under his care for various diseases in a hospital,
and said it was absurd to believe that so large a proportion
could be hysterical.
hypnotism is that we can by no means
Another great good in
produce somnambulists by the hundreds; which was the gen-
eral belief when hypnotism was little known but instead of ;

this it cures those who are attacked by this nervousness.

Peculiarly enough, artificial somnabulism produced by hyp-
notism, causes the natural somnambulism to disappear, so we
are almost sure of curing a somnambulist of his nightly walks
56 HYPNOTISM.

by hypnotizing him. Well known hypnotists, De Bremaund,

Bernheim and Liebault in F ranee, and hypnotists in Germany,
England and America, have positively proven that men and
even the most robust and strong are easily hypnotized, as a
rule; and usually they are easier to produce the conditions in
than women.
Amongst the conditions as well as age, of advantage and in-
fluence to their susceptibility we must mention as a valuable
factor the person’s occupation or position.
Individuals who
do hard manual labor are more susceptible
to hypnosis than those who exert mental activity.
The difference should here be ascribed to the fact that the
first are more accustomed to concentrate their whole thought,

while the others of rapid thoughts find the effort to concentrate

them on one subject very hard. For the stated reasons, soldiers,
sailors and people who are in the habit of obeying orders, and
have only one thought in their mind at the time, are susceptible.
Also those who are working in the free air —
healthy and ro-
bust workingmen —
are easily influenced; and they are more
readily hypnotized than weak and delicate looking people con-
fined to the house.
Besides the old well-known methods, there are some new
and very practical ones, by which to produce hypnotism but ;

even by the methods now employed we are only able to in-

fluence about thirty -five or forty per cent. Probably the day is
not far off when a new and more practical method will be dis-
covered, better than any yet known, and by which everybody
can be brought into hypnosis.
We can not give one special method any advantage over
the other, as the susceptibility of the nerve systems are
different in the different individuals, and even in the same
persons —the sense nerves can be more or less easily in-

fluenced. This is the reason that in accomplishing cures and

employing only one method, I have made ten or fifteen at-
 HYPNOTISM. 57

tempts and more on the same person, without gaining any

result, while I have found that by another method I have im-
mediately produced the hypnotic sleep.
The immense good a competent hypnotist can perform,
when the conditions are produced, is to many people almost
incredible. A great many generally considered incurable
diseases are cured through hypnotic sleeo alone, by the refresh-
ing sleep and resting conditions of hypnosis.
The diseases are nervousness, insomnia, and others ;
but
a still larger field the hypnotist has in suggestion, are the mor-
phine and alcohol habits, which these people in a normal con-
dition can notwith the best intentions give up. The hypnotist
can, during this somnambulistic condition, suggest to them to
abstain from their former weakness. k
I will here quote what Dr. Hamilton Osgood says: “/
have seen many neurosis cured. I have never seen one caused
by suggestion. I have seen the intelligence restored ;
I have
never seen a mind enfeebled by suggestions.'
''
1

In spite of all that is done by hypnotic treatment both in

Europe and America and all there has been published on the
subject, there nevertheless are a great many people who as
usual cannot comprehend what is new to them, and that there
really exists such a thing as hypnotism. Some blindly deny
that they understand and never try to become better informed;
it

still they proudly denounce everything as nonsense that they

cannot understand or comprehend immediately. But it is a

well known fact that most people never allow themselves to
study what they have a prejudice against.
As an example, I remark related at a meeting
will give a
of the society for Psychical Research, London. An amusing
instance of the existence of mental prejudice amongst eminent
scientific men is given by the late Miss C. Fox, in her recently
published journal; she relates that the late Provost of Trinity
College, Dublin, said to her “When in Dublin, Sir William
:
5§ HYPNOTISM.

Hamilton mentioned to Airey some striking mathematical fact.

He paused a moment, when Airey interposed with, ‘No, it can
not be.’ Sir William mildly remarked, ‘I have been investigat-
ing it for the last five months, and can not doubt its truth ’ !

PERSIAN MAGIC MIRROR.

‘But,’ said Airey, ‘I’ve been at it for the last five minutes, and
can not see it at all ’ ”
!

METHODS BY WHICH HYPNOTISM IS OFTEN PRODUCED.

There is the method of suggestion, Liebault’s method, and
the well-known fascinating method also the method by which
;

the subject in a resting and comfortable position with tight

 HYPNOTISM. 59

closed eyes, becomes hypnotized by manipulations or passes,

performed in a monotonous manner. There is also Braid’s
method, in which the subject’s whole attention is centered on a
glittering object, crystal or metal, held at a certain distance from
the subject’s eyes.
Braid’s method can be traced back to the dim old age, which
we can see by the following extract from a letter to Demarquay
and Giraud — Toulon.

Recherches sur V Hypnotisme, i860 p. 42 by Dr. Rosse, pri-

(. , ,

vate physician to Halim Pasha in Cairo.)

“The old remark nil sub sole novum (there is nothing new
under the sun) finds daily new illustrations; and to return to
6o HYPNOTISM.

my real object, the wonderful discovery of hypnotism is a new

evidence of the fact.
“ In this traditional world, where everything is done as it was
4,000 years ago, we find a class of people who cultivate trade
as mandeb . The experiments they do, and which up to date
have been scorned as charlatanism, are the same that Braid
mentioned.
'•'Their method of procedure is as follows They gener-
ally employ a whole white plate. That is Dr. Braid’s shining
object. In the center of this plate they draw with pen and ink
two triangles, whose sides cross each other, and write in this ge-
ometrical figure cabalistic words ;
most probably this results in
concentrating the gaze to a limited space.
“ They then pour upon it some oil to increase the polish.
“A young man is generally preferred in the attempts, and he
is gaze in the center of the double triangle. After a lapse
to
of four or five minutes the effects present themselves. The
individual commences by seeing a black spot in the center of
the plate, this black spot grows, changes form and is transformed
dance in front of his eyes. At his state
to different figures, that i

of the hallucination he often comes in possession of a somnam-

bulistic clairvoyance, that is equally as wonderful as are those
hypnotized.
some amongst these Sheiks (those who can
“Still there are
produce these phenomenon, are honored as Sheiks) who use
even fewer apparata; who, without seeking refuge in geomet-
rical figures ai\d cabalistic words, simply produce hypnotism
and somnambulism in the same manner as Dr. Braid, by letting
the individual look sharp at a glass and as they did
marble ;

not possess such a competent mechanic as the Parisian, Char-

rierre, to make their scientific apparatus, they were compelled
to be satisfied with a decanter which they filled with oil.
“ In giving all these details it is not my intention to rob Dr.
Braid of his glory, but I only wish to emphasize that the old
 HYPNOTISM 6l

Egyptians retain their priority in the case, to which they have

undisputed right.”

CHIRON FASCINATING ESCULAPIUS B. C. 928.

Chiron the Centaur, a prince of Thessaly, has fascinated his

pupil Esculapius, brother prince, for the purpose of discovering
a remedy to cure the foot of Hercules, which had been wounded
by a poisoned arrow. An herb was prevised which saved the
62 HYPNOTISM.

hero; this plant, known from the circumstance as the Centaury

(Centaur’s herb), gave name to a genus, one species of which
is our common blue-bottle. Chiron was the great physician of
his clay, and derived his name from a Greek word, meaning the
hand, because he performed most of his cures by manipulating.
His wonderful horsemanship has made the poets repre-
skill in
sent him as a centaur, Mlf man, half horse. In after times, the
medical fame of Escu'apius far eclipsed that of his master^
Chiron, and he was early invested by the people- with divine
honors. His mode of practicing, called by his descendant
Hippocrates, the secret means of medicine, can be found de-
tailed in the work.
 CHAPTER IV.

HYPNOTIC HETHODS AND CONDITIONS.

SPECIAL REMARKS REGARDING THE CAUSE OF “ HYPNOTISM ”
AND PHENOMENA RELATING THERETO. CLEAR
AND PRACTICAL METHODS BY WHICH HYP-
NOTISM MAY BE PRODUCED.
In order to hypnotize an individual it is essential first to gain
the attention of the person concerned. In thus gaining his at-

tention, his thought may be controlled so that he has but the

one idea — that he will draw the shortest straw in the end, and
must submit. The hypnotist must, as a matter of course, have
confidence in his own power otherwise it is not to be expected
;

that others will have such confidence in him.

A good hypnotist has it in his power to suddenly check the
will or desire of a sensitive either by simply gaining the atten-
tion with the aid of sonorous, monotonous sounds, or by certain
manipulations or passes.
These methods, of course, are each and all simply sugges-
tions. We may further make use of other well-known meth-
ods or suggestions, as have previously mentioned. Some hyp-
I

notists merely throw their so-called magnetic atmosphere in the

direction of different parts of the body, and, consequently, with-
out contact or touch.
There are some instances when these have been successful,
even when contrary to the desire or will of the subject ;
but these
are rare. These cases thus produced by the will-power
are solely
of the hypnotist, and in this instance without touch. These are
in brief the most common means employed.
63
6a.
I
HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS.

Regarding manipulations we have the following: (a) Manip-

ulations by touch, and ( b ) manipulations at a distance. Both
may have similar effects on different individuals.
I would say that in cases where the manipulations by touch

are executed by a practical and scientific hypnotist with fixed

certain manipulations or pressure in a certain direction, they, of
course, would produce a certain effect. In manipulations at a
distance the hands are to be held in a certain manner, being
clinched and moved forward in a certain manner to gain a cer-
tain effect. These manipulations may be executed at a shorter
or longer distance from the sleejping person.
Savants of the present day admit that the will of the hyp-
notist plays an important part in hypnotic experiments and ;

they cite instances of hypnotizing at a distance, and of trans-

ference of thoughts.
Braid, when discovering hypnotism, fancied he had given
to so-called “ animal magnetism ” the finishing thrust ;
but he
was proven in error. Even if some of the phenomena per-
formed by mesmerists of old bear a striking similarity to hypno-
tism, there still remain various experiments which Braid and his
followers, by their mode of procedure, were not able to per-
form.
DIFFERENT SUGGESTIONS.
Of these we have four :

1. The direct or so-called hypnotic suggestion to the sub-

ject, who is to be put to sleep.
2. The post-hypnotic suggestion by which a person hypno-
tized is suggested to do something after being awakened.
3. Distant suggestions, when the person contrary to his
willand desire falls asleep.
4. Suggestions to a person fully awake. When the person
without apparent hypnotic influence, but awake and in every way
normal, submits solely to the superior will and intelligence of the
operator.
 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS. 65

The following instances go to prove that there are various

interesting forms of hypnotism, or, as it is generally termed,
personal magnetism. I will endeavor in the following to
demonstrate my views upon this subject. To illustrate: Sup-
posing two business men come together. One, without th.i
other having the least idea of it, is studying the weak points of
his associate. The stronger and more intelligent of the two
will, after a while, bring the other to look upon a subject as he
desires,and finally to submit to his wishes. This, then, is sug-
gestion with hypnotic influence though the person is perfectly
awake. The person upon whom the influence is brought to
bear imagines himself to be possessing all his senses, while at
the same time he is bound to submit to the influence of the
other. As a result of this .kind of suggestion many otherwise
shrewd business men are frequently led to enter upon business
enterprises which they, under other conditions, when exactly
.

the same offers were made by the same people, refused to ac-
cept or consider because they then followed their
;
own personal
by their own particular interest;
sense, will or conviction, guided
and hence they did not commit any folly to regret later on. As
soon as the weaker party is out of the sight of the stronger, the
former perceives his blunder, but, alas, too late.
Hypnotism may be called by different names, which all
imply the same. It matters but little whether we term it Sun-
derland’s “ Pathetism,” Dr. Braid’s “ Hypnotism,” Burr’s
“ Biologi,” Dodd’s “ Psychology ” or “ Animal Magnetism.”
Elliottson, of London, gave to it the name of “ Mesmerism,” in
honor of Mesmer; still, as a matter of justice to its real dis-
coverer, M. de Puysegur, it might more properly be called
'•’•Puysegurian Somnambulism?'’
THE DOUBLE CONSCIOUS STATE IS AN INTERESTING ONE
WITH HYPNOTIC INDIVIDUALS.
While every individual will, in a state of somnambulism, re-
member everything that has happened in his normal as well as
66 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS.

hypnotic state, he will have forgotten all that has occurred dur-
ing the hypnose, when awakened. Thus we find a divided
recollection, and hence we have dual states which may be
named (a) the normal or awakened and,
(6) the somnambulistic
recollection. It is of great importance that everything, even to
the minute detail, which has occurred during previous peiiods
of somnambulism be recalled in each succeeding somnambulistic
period, regardless of the duration or interval of these periods.
Thus the memory is strengthened and may recall long past and
forgotten occurrences.
Belonging to the soul category is another peculiar condition,
the hypnotic rapport existing between the hypnotist and his
subject.
The subject submits to and obeys the hypnotist, even to the
minute details. As a matter of course while the subject is con-
tinued “en rapport” with the hypnotist —he entertains the
same thoughts and desires — smiles or shows anger with him,
while at the same time he remains indifferent to everyone else,

and remains unconcerned about the influence which may be

brought to bear from others than the hypnotist.
Whenever the hypnotist places the subject in rapport with
some other person, the subject will in the same manner be-
come submissive to that person, while remaining indifferent to
the demand, suggestion or manipulations of anyone else en-
deavoring to exert an influence. The hypnotist may at will
cause the rapport to return to himself even by the slightest
motion of his hand. He may accomplish this by passes or
manipulations solely — or by words or without, and with some
subjects even without any direct words or touch, but simply by
the will of the hypnotist. In very sensitive persons similar effects
are caused by the concentrated thoughts of the hypnotizer. To
have the rapport return it is but necessary to again gain control.
It is to be borne in mind that the hypnotist’s thoughts during

the entire jDeriod of hypnose are with the subject. Hence the
 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS. 6?

final thought of the subject as to the hypnose is in harmony

with that of the latter. It thus becomes natural for the sub-
ject to see, hear and comprehend the hypnotist, he being the
last one in the mind of the hypnotized person when awake.

The subject during his sleep is continually attracted and

controlled by the hypnotist.
The following example is familiar to all. When the
mother goes to sleep with the child at her side, she, though
slumbering, does not cease to watch over her babe. While
asleep she is still watching. Although she remains uncon-
scious of every noise, no matter from what other source, she
will awake at the slightest movement or outcry of her babe.
The hypnotic rapport bears great resemblance to this. It is

the same concentrated consciousness that causes the mother,

solely interested in her babe, to observe every little noise, every
sound or —
movement from it which makes the hypnotized
somnambule so sensitive to every impulse emanating from the
hypnotist, while the subject, as has been proven, remains en-
tirely indifferent to any other person.
Hence it is in the mind of the hypnotic individual the hyp-
notist exercises some peculiar individual power in him, which
causes the well-known lack of will in the hvpnotized indi-
vidual:
Thus the rapport is a kind of suggestion caused by either
a conscious or unconscious effect of the hypnotic sleep, as ap-
pears in the mind of the somnambulistic individual. The phe-
nomena is very interesting and is worthy of consideration, giv-
ing food for thought. So
one has been able to explain
far no
satisfactorily this vital, still natural, phenomena. As previously
stated by one, when in gaining the attention of a person and
thus making him forget everything else, he will be entirely
absorbed in the one thought, and be influenced by none but
the hypnotist with whom he is in rapport. He feels, sees,
hears only that which is related to that one thought. We find
6S hypnotic methods and conditions.

instances of this in everyday occurrences, where a person :s sub-

missive to the one idea and seems to forget everything else, and
becomes indifferent to those who formerly held his affection.
He sees nothing, hears nothing, and feels nothing, but is en-
tirely absorbed in the one idea.
Every one knows that we can be occupied by a certain sub-
ject to such an extent that we, as it is generally termed, neither
see nor hear. This idea, or class of ideas, which has arrested
our entire attention, is incessantly increasing in strength,
until it finally remains the only thing perceptible for our
thought everything
;
else is forgotten ;
we hear nothing, neither
do we see nor feel. This overwhelming thought dominates
our mind and prevents the apprehension or conception of any-
thing else. Even such impressions as would under usual con-
ditions prove disagreeable or painful do not affect the person,

A STRIKING EXAMPLE IS THAT OF KING LEAR.

We have
one time a striking and interesting example of
at
this in the tempest scene of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy,
“ King Lear” —
a scene which, as well as so many others, writ-
ten by the Grand Master, shows his deep knowledge of
humanity. King Lear at last clearly convinced of his daugh-
ter’s grave ingratitude finds himself deserted in the wilds of
the night. He is so horror-struck by this mighty certainty that
he sees, understands, perceives nothing but this all-dominating
thought that he feels prevails, everything dies in his mind:
and as he more and more faces this sole idea, he cries in the
fearful raging tempest of the night, as a soul in agony
—
“Fool I am growing insane.” And he hurries further into
the terrible tempest, hears no more the thundering storm he is ;

regardless of the rain that beats his face. When the faithful
“ Kent” begs and implores the King to leave the desert’s mel-
ancholy wrath and seek shelter from the horrible tempest, King
Lear replies:
 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS. 69

“ Thou think’st ’tis much, that this contentious storm

Invades us to the skin; so ’tis to thee;
But where the greater malady is fix’d,
The lesser is scarce felt — — —
— — — When the mind’s free,
The body’s delicate; the tempest in my mind
Doth from my senses take all feeling else,
Save what beats there.
Act HI, Scene I V.
We remember that in the brain of the king rages the
deathly, despairing, all absorbing thought — the ingratitude of
his daughters. His brain is therefore incapable of receiving any
impressions which enters as telegraphic messages from every
nerve-center of the body. He is utterly unable to pay any at-
tention to anything outside of this. The only thing perceptible
to him is this all dominating thought, rooting itself deeper and
deeper, until it is finally so fixed, so intense, that it — as he him-
self expresses it — leads to insanity.
King Lear in his misery furthermore exclaims:
There is a cliff, whose high and bending head
Looks fearfully on the confined deep;
Bring me but to the very brink of it,
And I’ll repair the misery thou dost beai.
The King was a grand and noble soul, good in
unfortnnate
every sense of the word and he gave away to his children all
;

his worldly goods. Then being in the closest of all relation

they showed not only their ingratitude, but they were in every
respect cruel to the old king. They hereby gave the mental
death-blow which threw the king into the despairing darkness
of that insanity which he himself predicted.
His attention was arrested as it is the case of the hypnotized
individual.
The hypnotic somnambule is not a mere automaton to he
moved about at pleasure. To make the hypnotic suggestion
applicable, it is essential to impart the hypnotic suggestion —
otherwise it can not he carried out. It must not be forgotten
7° HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS.

that the execution of the suggestion depends entirely on the dis-

position of the subject, which does not alter but remains the
same asleep or awake.
There are certain instances where a person has a so-called
dual character. These persons are, to all appearance, peaceable
and law-abiding beings, who under certain circumstances be-
come vicious or dishonest. It stands to reason that these same
persons would, when under hypnotic influence, at times be joure
and honorable, and then again dishonest or unreliable, just
as in the normal state. The reader will understand that the
somnambule may show resistance; not only refusing to do that
which he has been ordered to do when asleep, but even when
in the deepest hypnose after their sleep. I have given my per-
sonal views upon this subject, and may now properly give those
of well-known scientists who have made investigations.
I cite from statements made by the well-known Professor

Pitres of France:
“ When ordering certain hypnotic individuals to execute
awakening, disagreeable to them or caus-
certain acts after their
ing their displeasure, they would simply refuse to obey and
would not be awakened until released. Should the hypnotist
remain firm or insist upon the suggestion being carried out, it
would become impossible to awaken them.”
“Two years ago,” I again quote Professor Pitres, “we
had our department a young woman who was easily hypno-
in
tized. With little difficulty she was made to imitate every
movement of the hypnotist; and illusions and hallucinations
were easily called forth with her still she could not be made
;

to lay hands on anyone. In endeavoring to make her do so by

sternly 'commanding her to obey orders, she would raise her
hand, but immediately it would relax in a lethargic manner.
Another female patient enamored with a person who had for-
merly caused her downfall, was through suggestion brought
into his company. Still retaining her affection for him, she at
 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS. JI

once would become nervous and make efforts to evade him. It

was, however, impossible to cause her to do him any injury.

Any other command she would instantly follow.”
I again quote from the named gentleman
last “ I once :

ordered one of my female patients, who was under hypnotic

influence to go (upon being awakened from her hypnotic sleep)
and kiss a young physician present. On awakening she went
towards the doctor, took his hand, but observing the attention
paid her by those present, she remained standing a few minutes,
while a troubled look overspread her feature, and apparently
she was in mental fear. In questioning her closely she admit-
ted,blushing deeply, that she had the desire to kiss Dr. X, but
found it contrary to her very nature to make such a breach of
etiquette.”
Another example: “After placing a coin on the table,” says
Professor Pitres, “I said to one of the sleeping patients: ‘On
awakening go to the table and pick up the coin which has been
left there by some one and pocket it. You know it is stealing,
but you need fear no trouble.’ On awakening she went to the
table, picked up the money and placed it in her pocket, but
immediately after, she took it from her pocket and handed it to
me with the remark that it did not belong to her, and asked me
to find the party who had left it. I am no thief and would not
‘

keep it,’ she added.”

Resistance may appear under very different forms. A
young girl, Miss W., had it suggested to her that it was very
warm, and she at once began to wipe the sweat from her brow,
remarking that the heat was intolerable. I suggested, “ Let
us go and bathe.” She exclaimed, “What! In your company ?
”

“Yes? Why not,” I made reply; “You are aware that ladies
and gentlemen go bathing together at fashionable resorts, and
they see nothing improper in it.” Evidently she was in doubt,
hut began, nevertheless, to undress. When she began taking
off her corset, she hesitated and became convulsive. The ex-
 72 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS.

periment was stopped at once, thus preventing bringing on

hysterics, which with her, always appeared in this manner.
The patient was of a very modest disposition, and hence the
result.
Another lady, Sarah R., in similar instances never showed
any signs of hesitancy, but would immediately undress and take
the imaginary bath. It must be remembered, however, that

Sarah R. naturally was reckless and far from modest in her

behavior.
These experiments will clearly sustain me in my statements
previously made. These jaroofs are evident and speak for
themselves.
Dangers such have been spoKen of by persons unac-
as
quainted with these phenomena, do not seem prcbable when
the subject is propei'ly investigated. The benefits to be derived
are much greater and more numerous than is generally sup-
posed; and at no distant day all this unwai'ranted prejudice
concerning this subject and these phenomena will disappear
in the light of truth.

PSYCHOI.OGICAI. IMPRESSIONS.

There is a peculiar condition into which many subjects may

be induced, which is variously called psychologized, magne-
tized, fascinated, charmed, etc.

In this condition the subject is, to all appearances, fully

awake and complete self-control, except that
in possession of
at the proper suggestions and passes he finds it impossible to
move the hand, limb or any part of the body affected. In like
manner any part of the body may be rendered insensible to
pain, touch, or even to a surgical operation.

IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS.
If the operator understands his art and does not use severe
or startling methods, and if the subject submits without fear
 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS. 73

or apprehension, the latter will usually exhibit first the lethargic

state when hypnotized.
By proper suggestion and passes the subject may be readily
brought from the lethargic into the somnambulistic condition.
Somnambulism is only a deeper degree of lethargy; and it is
best induced in the following manner: Place the subject in a
perfectly easy position. Suggest that in a few minutes he (or
she) will be in a very deep and j)eaceful sleep. Make passes
from the forehead down over the chest to the knees, or the
operator places his right hand over the subject’s heart and his
left hand upon the subject’s forehead, and suggests deep and
quiet sleep.

If the operator uses startling methods, and if the subject is

very nervous, apprehensive or hysterical, a cataleptic state is

frequently produced as the first stage of hypnotism.

To bring the subject from lethargy into a cataleptic state it

is usually sufficient to place the arm, limb or head in a certain

position. Then, touch the forehead, and, making passes over
the part to be affected, suggest that in a minute (or some
other short time) the said part will be rigid, and that the sub-
ject will be unable to move or bend it. Some subjects are
so naturally impressionable that if their arms or limbs are
placed in a special position, with the proper suggestion, they
will at once become cataleptic.

There is never any danger of ill effects from lethargy or

somnambulism and this proceeding is perfectly safe. All experi-
;

—
ments, however, which involve catalepsy and especially when
the subject is caused to undergo any muscular strain —
must be care-
fully undertaken. Insuch experiments the subject should
all

be a healthy one, and not easily alarmed or predisposed to any

hysterical excitement.

Every hypnotized subject should be fully disabused of any

and every hallucination; and then fully and absolutely relieved
 74 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS.

of every hypnotic influence —and, of course, then fully

awakened.
It is never safe to hypnotize anyone afflicted with heart
disease —much less to experiment with such a subject.
I matter without the emphatic statement
cannot leave this

that the would-be hypnotist should be perfectly familiar with

the theories and principles of the art before undertaking
any experiment even the simplest.
, And when thus familiar
and even after extended expei'ience — every step in practical
work in this line should be carefully considered and intelligently
carried out. In more intelligent the operator, and the
fact, the
greater the experience, the more detailed and perfect his plans,
and the more carefully will he proceed at every step of his
operations.

ALCOHOLIC TRANCE STRANGE THINGS THAT MEN DO UNDER

THE INFLUENCE OF DRINK.
“ In somnambulism the person may go about and perform
many intricate acts without consciousness or recollection of —
them afterward,” says science. In epilepsy distinct periods of
unconsciousness occur. Acts unusual and often violent occur,
which are never remembered. In mania these memory blanks
are common, and the person is an automaton, acting without
any conscious influence of the present. These are familiar illus-
trations of some unknown pathological and psychological states
of the brain, in which memory is suspended or cut off, and the
operations of the mind go on without realization of the sur-
roundings or the influence of experience. This is some obscure
form of psychological palsy, in which he has no recollection of
his acts during this time. F rom the many clinical studies of
cases which have been made, the following general conclusions
seem to be sustained:
i. Alcoholic trance is not an unusual condition of inebiiety.
The victim is literally an automaton, and acts without memory
 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS. 75

or consciousness of passing events — a state which may last from

a few minutes to several days.
2. It is distinct from epilepsy, hysteria, or any known forms
of mania ;
and it is found associated with some unknown condi-
tion following alcoholic poisoning, continuously or at intervals.
3. This condition is probably one of brain exhaustion, fol-

lowed by a lowering of consciousness till events are no longer

clearly remembered ;
or it is a suspension of nerve force in cer-
tain directions, closely allied to the paralysis of certain brain
functions; hence there are profound disturbances of brain cen-
ters, and impaired and lessened responsibility.
One group of trance cases seems never to do anything out-
side a natural, accustomed order of every-day life. Thus a
farmer in this state goes on with his regular work, a physician
continues to visit his patients, and a railroad conductor attends
to all his usual duties, without any memory of these states. A
second group of trance cases seems prominent by unusual acts
and thoughts. Thus, a banker, in this state, left his regular
work and went round delivering tracts in the lower parts of the
city. A
quiet, retiring man became vociferous, bold and aggres-
sive. A peaceful man was combative, a truthful man untruth-
ful, and a conscientious, religious man was treacherous and
skeptical. Later these events were perfect blanks in their mem-
ory. In a third group of trance cases some unusual line of con-
duct seems to grow out of the surrounding unexpectedly or ;

some old buried thought or conception comes to the surface.

Thus a clergyman insists on riding with the engineer in the
engine. A skeptical physician takes part in a prayer meeting.
A merchant goes round threatening to kill an old schoolmaster
who punished him in boyhood. A wealthy man has a new will
written, disposing of his property differently every time. In
the last two groups criminal cases occur most frequently, although
some very remarkable instances have been reported under the
first group.
76 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS.

In a little work entitled “ Alcoholic Somnambulism,” Prof.

Jurnsky, of St. Petersburg, mentions the case of a chief of
police, who was an inebriate, ordering the arrest and execution
of two suspected Jews. Plis orders were carried out in form,
but not in reality. A day later he recovered from the trance
state, and had no recollection of the past he had total amnesia;

of this act. Another case is cited of an officer who ordered a

house burned down, on the, supposition that the inmates were
preparing to destroy his command. Two days later he awoke
with no memory of this event, and could give no reason for the
act. In these cases (he somnambulistic act was along the line
of his usual work, and performed without the slightest con-
sciousness of its nature and consequences. The criminal trance
cases may be divided into two classes, one of which seems to
have no history of criminality previous to the commission of
the crime. They are inebriates of active, neurotic temperament,
who have occupied reputable stations in life and belong to the
better classes. All crime is unusual with them, and apparently
grows out of alcoholic poisoning.
The
second class are the low neurotics and defective by
birth and education. They have a history of irregularities of
life and conduct that seems to prepare the way for criminal acts;
and probably they are more subject to the trance state because
of defective heredity. Clinical facts indicate that in all cases
of inebriety there is power, and general per-
a defective brain
version of healthy activity ; also, the door is open for many
varied nerve changes and degrees of instability, which always
give a doubt to the sanity of the victim. The fact of be mg an
inebriate points to an unsound mind and to more or less inca-
;

pacity to act or think normally. When the trance state is de-

termined the actual responsibility or cognizance of right or
wrong is suspended —the person a mental waif, without com-
is

pass or chart. No evidence of premeditation or apparent

judgment in his actions can change this fact. Any special act
 HYPNOTIC METHODS AND CONDITIONS. 77

may spring up from some impression laid up in the past, which,

when conscious reason is withdrawn, takes on form and sem-
blance. The real condition of the mind is always more or
less concealed. When the case is a periodical inebriate, with
distinct free intervals of sanity, a possibility of concealed or
masked epilepsy should always be considered. Epilepsy is
likely to be present or follow from some organic tendency of
favoring conditions. When the defense of no memory of the
act is made the case should receive a thorough medical study
before any conclusion of responsibility can be reached.
 CHAPTER -V.

HYPNOTISM DEFENDED.
POPULAR MISAPPREHENSIONS CONCERNING HYPNOTISM.
Many invalids who could easily be cured of painful diseases
by receiving hypnotic treatment, still, in spite of this available
remedy continue to suffer, because they cannot brace themselves
up to try the method of treatment. The reason is usually that
they have the erroneous idea that to be hypnotized is a positive
way weakening
of the character. In short, they imagine that
mentally they would be too much of an automaton —subject to
the hypnotist’s will, and blindly follow his instructions, not being
able to refuse to obey whatever he might suggest for them to
perform. This is a totally erroneous idea. On the contrary,
the hypnotist’s power is limited ;
and this is attested by authori-
ties who have made a special study of hypnotism.
The be hypnotized does not change the sub-
fact is that to
ject’s moral character. If one in the waking and normal condi-
tion isan honest and upright jierson, he will also be so during
the sleep; and just as it is impossible to induce honest people to
do anything wrong in the normal condition so exactly is the —
case during the hypnotic sleep —
as the character and moral power
is the same. There is this safeguard for those who are anxious
that no misunderstanding may occur always have friends or :

relatives present during the hypnotic treatments.

Professor R. A. Campbell the well known Investigator
,

and authority on psychic matters , and who has made a special

study of this subject, has kindly allowed me to quote the follow-
ing from his forthcoming work :

“The questions as to the benefits and dangers of hypnotism,

7S
 HYPNOTISM DEFENDED. 79

are by no means answered. There are in the nature of the case,

some results to the hypnotized subject. These results may be
either transient, temporary or permanent; and they may be
beneficial, indifferent or injurious. The facts in the cases are of
great importance, but they are not as yet, fully known. Even
the theories agreed upon by able and experienced hypnotists
must not be confounded with, or mistaken for, demonstrated
laws. That many wonderful and permanent therapeutic re-
sults have been obtained through hypnotism is freely conceded
by everyone who has given this subject any fair investigation.
That cures by hypnotism lie in the domain of the mental, the
nervous, the fluctional and the muscular, is well known by all

who are acquainted with the facts. The limit of such benefits
and the possible extent of such curative results are alike matters
of theory —
which have not yet been fully determined. Enough ?
however, is known to warrant the employment of this partially-
known remedial agency in a large range of cases that have
always puzzled and usually baffled the medical profession.
“ As to injuries inflicted by intelligent and proper hypnotic
treatment they are mainly conjectured possibilities, rather than
observed and verified effects. So far as they have any reality
they are of the same nature as the incidental injuries of any
surgical operation —a
temporary tax on the patient’s comfort,
strength and free will and they are cheerfully nay thank-
;
—
fully —
borne for the sake of the desired beneficial result on the
therapeutic plane of their operation.
“ The claim that hypnotism will prove a powerful agent in
reforming the vicious or in demoralizing the innocent or virtu-
ous is not founded on any well known fact of its influence
eitherway. Thiat the subject while hypnotized may have sug-
— —
gested to him an act or even a series of acts which he is to
perform in his subsequent seemingly fully awakened condi-
tion is an established truth. There is, however, no case in
which this suggestion has been obeyed when its performance
So HYPNOTISM DEFENDED.

involved a heroic sacrifice beyond the ideal of the subject ;

or
when it called for any act which was shocking to the subject’s
sense of propriety or integrity —much less when it induced an)’
crime against the person. The simple truth seems to be that
the morality of the subject no perceptible way modified.
is in
The hypnotic subject may be induced to perform certain acts,
and he may be instructed in certain facts or truths, but there is
no warrant for the supposition that his intellect may be dulled
or sharpened, that his morality can be debauched or purified, or
that his disposition can be changed.”

Mr. well-known Theosophist and investigator,

Sinnett, the
in his late work, H Mesmerism and Hypnotism,” very thoroughly
disposes of the false idea so insiduously propagated by those
who are interested in making the practice of hypnotism a sub-
ject of legislation, that, even when performed by an earnest and
high-minded operator, there is real danger to the subject in mes-
meric treatment. There are not lacking indications that the med-
ical faculty are feeling the ground and preparing the way for

introducing into Parliament in England a proposal similar to

that lately introduced into the New York State Legislature.
The ground asserted will be the danger of the practice when
performed by anyone not a qualified physician. Mr. Sinnett
exposes in the clearest way the absurdity of this proposed re-
striction. But in view of the threatened action it is highlv
necessary to have brought together, and readily available, a mass
of evidence and testimony tending to rebut the misleading asser-
tions of the interested class.

THE DANGERS OF HYPNOTISM EASILY AVOIDED BY CARE ON

THE PART OF THE HYPNOTIZED.
As regards the dangers of hypnotism Dr. Bramwell, the
celebrated physician, believed they were easily avoided by a lit-

tle care on the part of the subject. He had been accustomed to

impress on his patients that they were entirely free to accept or
 HYPNOTISM DEFENDED. 8l

refuse his suggestions. In one or two cases he found his dec-

laration of freedom had been too impressive because the pa-
;

tient, when separated from him for some time, had supposed
that he would not be able to renew the influence.
Prof. Delboeuf (Liege, Belgium) said that at all times the
mind of man had been capable of influencing the body, but it
was only in recent times that this action had scientifically put
in evidence. Was it necessary for this purpose to put the brain
into an abnormal condition? Was that which was called hyp-
notism a state against nature? Not at all. The question car-
ried the answer with it. To
hypnotize a person was to per-
suade him that he could not do a thing which he believed he could
not be prevented from doing. This persuasion might be indi-
rectly produced. The indirect method consisted in producing
artificially that which is known as hypnotism, and it was only

the development of suggestibility —

the exaltation of the will.
Take, for example, a high official whose nervous and agita-
ted state had rendered him unhappy for twenty years. He
showed to him, without sending him to sleep, that he had the
faculty of not feeling pain. He passed a needle through
his arm without making him jump. He showed to him in that
way the power of his will. That will had only to be directed
against his nervousness. The subject understood and was
it

cured. In mental maladies the mind must act on the mind, the
healthy part of the brain on the diseased part. He cited the
case of a woman possessed with the idea of killing her husband
and children. Every day she asked herself in rising if that was
not the day for her to accomplish her murders. He defied her
to call out the morbid thought while he looked at her. Having
succeded, which was very easy, he announced to her that the
following day from eight to nine she would not be able to think
of killing those who were dear to her. Success was, so to
speak, inevitable. By degrees it was possible to charm away
the morbid ideas for two hours, then for day, then for a week.
S2 HYPNOTISM DEFENDED.

The cure was accomplished. Was there any mystery in that?

Was there the production of an abnormal condition? Evidently
not. Apart from the starting which was the conviction
jooint,

of the subject that she was dealing with a man endowed with a
curious power, or that she submitted herself to a curious treat-
ment, the subject had been simply led to act by her own will
upon the ideas which she thus succeeded in dispelling.
PRACTICAL VALUE OF HYPNOTISM IN THE HEALING ART.
Is it jDossible to induce hallucination? And if possible, is

it safe?
A satisfactory answer to these questions is furnished b}- the
continued experimenting in hypnotic hallucinations, which has
been carried on of late years at Nancy and elsewhere. Pro-
fessor Bernheim and his friends have conclusively proved that
hallucinations can be induced in very many subjects healthy —
—
both in body and mind without any kind of consequent ill
effect. There is no necessary injury even from what looks
most dangerous, namely, the very frequent induction of hyp-
notic hallucination in a diseased subject. “ In one of my pa-
tients,” says Dr. Bernheim, “a very intelligent woman, affected
—
with locomotor ataxia I have allowed myself to make, with
her consent, certain experiments (with the view of testing the
effect of repeated hallucination), while carefully watching her
physical condition, and keeping myself prepared to stop the
experiment at the slightest alarming indication. I have on
several occasions subjected her for several days in succession to
—
complex and repeated hallucinations hypnotic and post-hyp-
notic, immediate and deferred —
and no trace has remained of all
this. During three years that she has passed in my ward, in
spite of very frequent suggestions given in waking hours and
in the trance, her intelligence has continued equally alert, nor
has her power of initiative been impaired.”
This is by no means an isolated case. Professor Bernheim
himself has several other living examples, some of whom he
 HYPNOTISM DEFENDED. S3

has allowedme to see. And in a long series of experiments

begun by Edmund Gurney at Brighton in 1S83 and continued
at intervals (mainly by Professor and Mrs. Sidgwick) up to
the present time, the same healthy and intelligent young men
have been subjected (18S7-92) to scores of hypnotic and post-
hypnotic hallucinations, with no bodily or mental injury what-
ever. There is, theybfore, no reason to suppose that the mere
fact of undergoing a hallucination is, in itself, either injurious,
or an indication of weakness or disease. —
(Proceedings of the
Society for Psychical Research, London).
Mr. F. W. H. Myers says furthermore: “I am assuming,
of course, that the experiments are conducted on suitable sub-
jects, and with proper care. Harm may no doubt be done by
hallucinating weakened subjects, or even by forgetting to remove
the hallucination which has been induced.”
An interesting circumstance I 'will mention: M. de Puys^-
gur one day asked a young woman, Genevieve by name, while
she was in the hypnotic condition, how far his power over
her extended, as he had a short time previously commanded
her to strike him with a leather strap, which she held in her
hand. “ Seeing that you found yourself compelled to strike
me just now, although I have done so much for you, then I am
almost forced to believe that if I insisted upon it, I could make
you do whatever might wish, for instance, suggest that you
I

undress, etc.” “No, Marquis,” she answered, “that would be

something altogether different. As to me striking you, I was
very loth to do so, but as it was all a joke, and you absolutely
insisted on it, I at once obeyed, but in regard to what you
now mentioned, you would never he able to compel me to re-
move all my clothing. My shoes and headwear I am willing to
remove as often as you desire; but beyond that you could not
control me.”
Another young lady, Cathrine Montmecourt, who was present
during the above mentioned conversation, remarked laughingly,
 s4 HYPNOTISM DEFENDED.

that when anyone was in Genevieve’s condition, they could as-

suredly be compelled to do whatever was suggested ;
and she
was far from being convinced by the subject’s statement.
“Half an hour later,” Puys^gur says, “I had occasion to put
Cathrine in the hypnotic condition. I directed the same ques-
tion to her which I had asked Genevieve; and the answer was
exactly the same. reminded her of her opinion during her
I

waking condition. ‘Yes, that was then,’ she replied, ‘but now
I look at it in a different light.’ But if I was determined
‘

that you should undress, what then ?’ ‘ Then I would

awaken,’ she answered, ‘and it would make me very ill.’
Genevieve, who in the meantime was brought back into nor-
mal state, now completely gave Cathrine’s previous opinion,
and made the very same remarks. However earnestly all
those who, having been present during this double act, tried to
convince her that she had said exactly the same while she was
in the hypnotic condition, she would under no circumstances
believe them.
Dr. Giles de la Tourette remarks further in one of his
.

works of 1887 about a subject, “ M. Vielet,” he saj-s, “who

during the hypnotic condition, and in a complete somnambu-
listic state one day, had a pen in his hand.

him if he would sign his name to a blank,

“ I inquired of
which I then would fill out as I desired.’ ‘Yes,’ he replied.
‘Well, then, I could easily procure for myself a deed of all you
possess, without you being at all aware of it.’ ‘ No, that
would be impossible, as I would be able to ascertain j-our rea-
son before giving my signature. I could at least change mv
writing so that it would not be my usual signature.’ That ‘

would not matter. I would have your name and that is all that
would be required.’ But under those conditions I would
‘

under no circumstances give my signature.’ Surprised at the

determined voice with which he spoke, I asked But when I
: ‘

insisted on having you sign vour name, you would consent, as

 HYPNOTISM DEFENDED. *5

I have you completely in my power.’ ‘ No, your power over

me extends only to a certain degree, and if you would insist on
me doing anything like that, it would occasion me great pain,
and I would awaken.’
The Marquis after that commenced the following observa-
tions : “ All my investigations regarding this science have con-
vinced me that in regard to animal Magnetism in the hands of
conscientious and honorable operators we can only consider it
,

as a remedial agent, with which to do as much good as possible

while in the hands of unscrupulous people it does not occasion
any such fear some suppose partly because in a case of that
as ;

kind the operator would not be able to secure complete submis-

sion probably because even if that would be possible, the sub-
;

ject could not be successfuly suggested to perform anything

without seriously risking his health, and the operator would not
then gain his object.”
It is clear to me that hypnotism applied in the right way
and in appropriate diseases, will result in so-called wonders —
even in diseases where modern medicines have proved unsuccess-
ful. As we have learned in this article from the enunciations
of the best known hypnotists, the danger attached to hypnotic
treatment is far from being so great as ignoramuses and its ene-
mies claim. Several of our leading daily papers from time to
time have contained articles referring to the danger of hypno-
tism when practiced by unscrupulous performers. It can not be
denied that there may be, at times, some reason for anxiety, but
in general this matter has been much exaggerated. Though
hypnotism may be misused in a single case, there is no proof
that this is often or successfully done. The hypnotizer must be a
wretch, with nothing but bad intentions, who would take ad-
vantage of his momentary influence over his subject to suggest
evil or criminal actions. But even to gain success in such a case
the subject must in the normal state be an immoral or a very
weak character, and, hence, easily influenced to do wrong. The
S6 HYPNOTISM DEFENDED.

operator in such a case running a serious risk, as he may some

is

day he unmasked, whenever his subject undergoes a new treat-

ment by another hypnotist, who then discovers the abuses which
have previously taken place.
 CHAPTER VI.

HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE.
THE MYSTERY PRACTICED BY MAGICIANS OF EGYPT
EXPERIMENT IN CLAIRVOYANCE—A STRANGE
SEANCE IN EGYPT EXTRACT FROM
LANE’s WORK ON EGYPT.

“A few weeks after my second arrival in Egypt my neigh-

bor, Osman, interpreter of the British consulate, brought a
magician to me, and I fixed a day for his visiting me, to give
a proof of his skill, for which he is so much famed.
“ He came at the time appointed, about two hours before
noon; but he seemed uneasy, frequently looked up at the sky
through the window and remarked that the weather was unpro-
pitious ;
it and cloudy, and the wind was boisterous.
was dull
The experiment was performed with two boys, one after the
other. With the first it was partly successful, but with the
other, it completely failed. The magician said he could do no
more that day, and that he would come in the evening of a sub-
sequent day.
“ He kept his appointment, and admitted that the time was
favorable. While waiting for my neighbor, before mentioned,
to come and witness the performance, we took pipes and coffee,
and the magician chatted with me on different subjects. He
was a fine, tall, and stout man, of a rather fair complexion, with
a dark brown beard. He was shabbily dressed, and generally
wore a large green turban —being a descendant of the prophet.
In his cdnversation he was affable and unaffected. He pro-
fessed to me that his wonders were effected bv the agency of
87
ss HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE.

good spirits but to others he has

;
said the reverse —that his
magic was Satanic.
“ In preparing for the experiment of the magic mirror of
ink, which, like some other performances of a similar nature, is

here termed ‘darb elmendel,’ the magician first asked me for a

reed pen and ink, a piece of paper and a pair of scissors; and,
having cut off a narrow strip of the paper, he wrote on it cer-
tain forms of invocation, together with another charm, by which
he professed to accomplish the object of the experiment. He
did not attempt to conceal these ; and on my asking him to give
me copies of them he readily consented, and immediately wrote
them for me, explaining to me at the same time, that the object
he had in view was accomplished through the influence of the
two first words, ‘Tarshun’ and Tarzooshun,’ which, he said,
‘

—
were the names of two genii his familiar spirits.
“ Having written these, the magician cut off the paper con-
taining the forms of invocation from that upon which the other
charms were written, and cut the former into six strips. He
then explained to me that the object of the latter charm (which
contains part of the twenty-first verse of the Soorat Kaf, or
fiftieth chapter of the Kur-an) was to open the boy’s eyes in a
supernatural manner—to make his sight pierce into what is to
us the invisible world. had prepared, by the magician’s direc-
I

tion, some frankincense and coriander seed and a chafing-dish

with some live charcoal in it. These were now brought into
the room, together with a boy, who was to be employed he —
had been called in, by my desire, from among some boys in the
street returning from a manufactory, and he was about eight or
nine years of age. In reply to my inquiry respecting the
descriptions of persons who could see in the magic mirror of
ink, the magician said that they were a boy, not arrived at
puberty, a virgin, a black female, and a pregnant woman. The
chafing-dish was placed before him and the boy, and the latter
was placed on a seat. The magician now desired my servant
 HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE. b9

to put some frankincense and coriander seed into the chafing-

dish then taking hold of the boy’s right hand, he drew in the
;

palm of it a magic square, of which a copy is here given-

“ The figures which it contains are Arabic numerals. In
o
the center he poured a little ink, and desired the boy to look
into it andhim if he could see his face reflected in it. He
tell

replied that he saw his face clearly. The magician, holding the
boy’s hand all the while, told him to continue looking intently
into the ink, and not to raise his head.

< 1 V
A

f
c
^ B
\\

> 6 "3

MAGIC MIRROR.

“ He then took one of the little strips of paper inscribed

with the forms of invocation, and dropped it into the chafing-
dish upon the burning coals and perfumes, which had already
filled the room with their smoke; and as lie did this he com-

menced an indistinct muttering of words, which he continued

throughout the whole process, except when he had to ask
the boy a question or to tell him what he was to say. The
9° HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE.

piece of paper containing the words from the Kur-an he placed

inside of the boy’s ta-kee-yeh or scull-cap. He then asked him
if he saw anything in the ink, and was answered ‘No’; but

about a minute afterward the boy, trembling and seemingly

much frightened, said: ‘I see a man sweeping the ground!’
‘ When he has done sweeping,’ said the magician, ‘ tell me.’
Presently the boy said: ‘He has done.’ The magician then
again interrupted his mutterings to ask the boy if he knew
what a ‘ bey-rak ’ (or flag) was, and being answered ‘yes,’ de-
sired him to say, Bring a flag.’
‘ The boy did so and soon ;

said: ‘ He has brought a flag.’ What color is it?’ asked the

‘

magician. The boy replied, ‘ Red.’ He was told to call for

another flag, which he did, he said that he saw
and soon after
another brought, and that it was black. In like manner he was
told to call for a third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, which
he described as being successively brought before him, specify-
ing their colors —
white, green, black, red and blue. The ma-
gician then asked him (as he did also each time that a new flag
was described as being brought), ‘ How many flags have }-ou
now before you ? Seven,’ answered the boy. While this
’
‘

was going on, the magician put the second and third strips of
paper upon which the forms of invocation were written, into
the chafing-dish; and fresh frankincense and coriander seed
having been repeatedly added, the fumes became painful to the
eyes. When the boy had described the seven flags as appearing
to him, he was desired to say: ‘Bring the Sultan’s tent, and
pitch it.’ This he said; and in about a minute after he said :

‘Some men have brought the tent a large green tent they— —
are pitching it;’ and presently added: ‘ They have set it up.’
‘Now,’ said the magician, order the soldiers to come, and to
‘

pitch their camp around the tent of the Sultan.’ The boy did
as he was desired, and immediately said ‘ I see a great many
:

soldiers, with their tents ; they have pitched their tents.’ He was
then told to order that the soldiers should be drawn up in ranks;
 HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE. 91

and having done so, he presently said that he saw them thus ar-
ranged. The magician had put the fourth of the little strips of
paper into the chafing-dish, and soon after did the same with the
fifth. He now said: ‘Tell some of the people to bring a bull.’
The boy gave the order required, and said I ;
‘ see a bull; it is

red four men are dragging it along, and three

;
are beating it.’

He was told to desire them to kill it, and cut it up, and to put
the meat into sauce-pans and cook it. He did as he was directed,
and described these operations as apparently performed before
his eyes. ‘Tell the soldiers,’ said the magician, ‘to eat it.’ The
boy did so, and said ‘They are' eating it; they have done, and
:

are washing their hands.’ The magician then told him to call
for the Sultan; and the boy having done this, said: ‘I see the
Sultan riding to his tent on a bay horse, and he has on his head
a high, red cap he has alighted at his tent, and sat down within
;

it.’ Desire them to bring coffee to the Sultan,’ said the ma-
‘

gician, and to form the court.’

‘ The orders were given by the
boy, and he said he saw them performed. The magician had put
the last of the six little strips of paper into the chafing-dish.
In his mutterings I distinguished nothing but the words
of the written invocation, frequently repeated, excepting
on two or three occasions, when I heard him say, If they de- ‘

mand information, inform them and be ye veracious.’ But

;

much that he repeated was inaudible and as I did not ask him;

to teach me his art, I do not pretend to assert that I am fully

acquainted with his invocation.
“ He then addressed himself to me, and asked me if I wished
the boy to see any person, who was absent, or dead. I named
Lord Nelson, of whom the boy had evidently never heard; for it
was with much difficulty that he pronounced the name, after sev-
eral trials. The magician desired the boy to say to the Sultan,
‘My master salutes thee, and desires thee to bring Lord Nelson
— bring him before my eyes that I may see him, speedily.’
The boy said so, and almost immediately added A messenger : ‘
92 HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE.

has gone and has returned, and brought a man, dressed in a

black suit of European clothes; the man has lost his left arm.’
He then paused for a moment or two, and looking more closely
into the ink, said; ‘No; he has not lost his arm; but it is
placed to his breast.’ This correction made his description more
striking than it had been without it, since Lord Nelson gener-
ally had his empty sleeve attached to the breast of his coat, but
it was the right arm that he had lost. Without saying that I
suspected the boy had made a mistake, I asked the magician
whether the object appeared in the ink as if actually before the
eyes, or as in a glass, which make the right appear the left. He
answered, ‘ That they appear as in a mirror.’ This rendered
the boy’s description faultless.
“ The next person I called for Egypt, who
was a native of
has been for many years a resident of England, where he had
adopted our dress, and who had long been confined to his bed
by illness before I embarked for this country. I thought that
his name —
one not very uncommon in Egypt might make —
the boy describe him incorrrectly, though another boy, on a
former visit to the magician, had described this same person as
wearing an European dress, like that in which I last saw him.
In this present case the boy said ‘ Here is a man brought on a
:

kind of a bier, and wrapped up in a sheet.’ This description

would suit, supposing the person in question to be still confined
to his bed, or if he be dead. The boy described his face as cov-
ered, and was told to order that it should be uncovered. This
he did, and said His face is pale, and he has a mustache, but
:
‘

no beard which was correct.

;
’

“ Several other persons were successively called for, but the

boy’s description of them were imperfect, though not incorrect.
He represented each object as appearing less distinct than the
preceding one, as if his light was gradually becoming dim he ;

was a minute or more before he could give any account of the

persons he proposed to see towards the close of the perform-
 HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE. 93

ance, and the magician said it was useless to proceed with him.
“ Another boy was then brought and the magic square,
in,

etc., made in his hand, but he could see nothing. The magician
said he was too old.
“Though completely puzzled, I was somewhat disappointed
with his performances, for they fell short of what he had accom-
plished in many instances in presence of certain of my friends
and countrymen. On
one of these occasions an Englishman
present, ridiculed the performance, and said that nothing would
satisfy him but a correct description of the appearance of his
own father, of whom he was sure no one of the company had
any knowledge. The boy accordingly having called by name
for the person alluded to, described a man in a Frank dress,
with his hand placed to his head, wearing spectacles, and with
one foot on the ground and the other raised behind him, as if
he were stepping down from a seat. The description was ex-
actly true in every respect ;
the peculiar position of the hand
was occasioned by an almost constant headache, and that of the
foot or leg by a stiff knee, caused by a fall from a horse in hunt-
ing. I am assured that on this occasion the boy accurately
described each person and thing that was called for.
“ On another occasion Shakespeare was described with the
most minute correctness, both as to person and dress; and I

misfht add several other cases inwhich the same magician has
excited astonishment in the sober minds of Englishmen of my
acquaintance. A short time since, after performing in the usual
manner by means of a boy, he prepared the magic mirror in the
hand of a young lady, who, on looking into it for a little while,
said that she saw a broom sweeping the ground without any-
body holding it, and was so much frightened that she would
look no lcnerer.”
©
author’s comments on the above.
The subjects of this interesting experiment with the magic
mirror drawn in ink in the palm of the hand were, I think,
94 HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE.

persons in a light hypnotic state. Everyone who knows a little

about hypnotism will understand this, when he notices the fol-

lowing First, that the subject for the experiment was told to
:

have his whole mind fixed on the coming subject; second, the
continuous gazing at the figures drawn in the hand. One
thing which is especially remarkable and impossible to pass
without notice is that the subjects for the experiments in nearly
all successful cases were minors, and consequently very sensi-
tive and easily hypnotized. I feel, therefore, quite certain that
I have the best reason for my opinion —
especially as several
times, with more or less success, I have tried the same experi-
ments. And I have noticed that the subjects nearly alwavs
get paler, often breathe with difficulty, the pupils of the eyes
become more than usually enlarged. Furthermore, the subjects
were, for few minutes after the
a sleep, somewhat beside
themselves, which showed the results of self-hypnotism.

CLAIRVOYANT EXPERIMENTS IN GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN.

When Gothenburg, Sweden, about seven years ago, 1
in
gave a lecture and hypnotic seance in the home of a well-
known Swedish nobleman, Count Y
few words . A
about the magic mirrors made the count ask me to try this ex-

periment. In the audience were about 25 to 30 persons all —

friends and acquaintances of the family; but I saw in an in-
stant that I could do the experiment with none of them. It
was somewhat late in the evening, about 10 o’clock. broker A
in the audience said that a girl of 10 or 1
1
years of age, the
daughter of one of his employes, very well answered the
description I had given of a sensitive. He gave her name and
address, which was near by, and a messenger was hurriedly
dispatched to secure her presence. The messenger returned
with the girl, as the parents did not at all object to the
experiment. We continued the seance; the girlwas re-
markably sensitive and a superb clairvoyant. She was told to
 HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE. 95

see the Countess X. in Stockholm. She answered “yes” with-

out the slightest hesitation, and gave a full description of the
countess and the room
which she (the countess) was that
in
very same evening. (Stockholm, the metropolis of Sweden,
is 350 miles from Gothenburg, and the little girl had never

seen the lady in question). Then she proceeded to give a

minute description of a young gentleman whom she saw in the
same room together with the countess. Several in the audience
were laughing the description was very accurate, and the
;

very picture of Count Y., who had been for the last six months
the countess’s very ardent and favored admirer. But at last the
description became somewhat exaggerated and a little frivolous,
so I was obliged to cut short the experiment. Something con-
cerning the countess and her lover was not pleasant for the
audience, and especially Baron V. looked very annoyed. I
pitied the countess, too, who, in supposed safety behind locked
doors, thought herself barred out from the world’s slander,
knowing nothing about the fact that she really was on public
exhibition. The next night I went to Christiania, on a four
months’ trip through Norway, to lecture upon hypnotism.
When I again reached Gothenburg, I met my former host.
He told me that he in the meantime had looked the matter up
concerning our somnambulist’s description of the countess, and
found everything correct. Also a laughable situation, which
she had the same evening predicted for the countess, on a
certain day, proved to be correct.

A GYPSY PALMISTER PROVES AN EXCELLENT CLAIRVOYANT

AND PREDICTS FOR THE DANISH ROYAL FAMILY
ITS FUTURE DESTINY.

Christian IX, King of Denmark, is the son of Wilhelm,

Duke of Schleswig-Holstein,Sonderborg and Gliicksborg. He
was born April 8th, in the year 1818. When a poor prince he
married Princess Louise, daughter of the Duke of Hessen-
96 HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE.

Cassel — and yet you can hear from high and low the old story,
which is like Andersen’s fairy tales, about the young princesses,
Alexandria and Dagmar, sewing their own gowns and helping
their —
mother in the house the two fairy daughters of Denmark
who some day should be, one the popular Princess of Wales,
with the double crown as Queen of England and Empress of
India waiting for her graceful head the other empress of the ;

vast Russias, the mild, loving light in the life of the great Czar.
But in their early childhood days it was nothing unusual to
see the whole family — father, mother and children — together in
one carriage; and it is said that the king, who then lived in
Copenhagen as officer in the army, was obliged to give lessons
in drawing to earn enough for the necessities of life. On a
trip through Germany, the princely officer, his wife and three
daughters met a gypsy, who begged permission to read the
young daughters’ destiny in the palms of their hands. None
objected; she predicted that the Princess Alexandra, now mar-
ried to the Prince of Wales, was destined to wear
in the future
a double crown that Dagmar, now Empress of Russia, should
;

be the head of a great empire and Thyra would get the title
;

of queen, but no kingdom. As it is known, the last princess is

married to the Duke of Cumberland, by right but on account —
of the iron hand of the German Empire, only by name the —
King of Hanover. The princesses were laughing, without the
slightest idea that every word would prove to be the truth. Of
course it was for them as castles built in the air. There was no
luxury, no splendor, in the house of the poor officer, no great
receptions of emperors and kings, hut it was a home, a home as
happy as but few in the whole of Europe. And still now
yes, that is the best proof — once a year, every summer, the
world’s eyes arc turned to Fredensborg, the Danish king’s
country residence. There they gather together —with nearly
as little space as once in the small carriage —daughters and sons,
with their husbands and wives, nearly the whole royalty of
 HYPNOTIC CLAIRVOYANCE. 97

Europe, with children and grandchildren, and pass their days

in sunshine and happiness with the father-in-law and the mother-

in-law of nearly the whole of Europe.

—
The gypsy prediction has proved to be true everybody
knows it is true.

/
 CHAPTER VII.

CRYSTAL VISIONS.
MARVELLOUS EXPERIMENTS PRODUCED BY LOOKING INTO A
TUMBLER OF WATER AND A PLAIN CRYSTAL.
Mr. F. W. H. Myers says in December number of Psychical
Research 1S92 “I will add a few detached cases of crystal
,
:

vision for which the authority seems good. In the first case
the seer, now married to an Englishman, is known to me, and
the witnesses, Colonel Wickham and his wife, Princess di
Christofaro, (whose acquaintance I made in consequence of
their publication of the following incidents in Right) have
assured me that the following incidents, although now the only
ones which can be clearly remembered, were paralleled by sev-
during the time of Ruth’s possession of the power
eral others
which seems now to have left her. She has never been in any
way a professional clairvoyant, and is, so far as I can judge, a
trustworthy person. The value of the following case, however,
does not depend upon her trustworthiness, but on the recollec-
tion retained by Colonel Wickham and his wife of incidents,
which, even if we suppose errors of memory as to details, were
of a very definite type.
Early in the spring of the year 1SS5, I was
Colaba living at
with my husband, a major of the Royal artillery. Colaba is
tbe Royal artillery station, and is situated about two miles from
Bornbay. For some little time I had been studying Gregory’s
Magnetism. The subject possessing a peculiar fascination for
me, I had experimented occasionally, with varying success, on
the different servants (Indian for the most part) of my estab-
 CRYSTAL VISIONS. 99

lishment. Over one girl, a half-caste, my children’s nurse, I

possessed great influence, and used frequently to magnetize a
tumbler of water, so that by making her look therein I might
learn what my friends at a distance were doing.
This girl was no ignorant native, but a well-educated young
woman, and write, who spoke English nearly as
able to read
well as I do myself, having been educated in the Protestant
training school at Belgaum. Many things which this girl told
me, I have since discovered to have actually occurred others I ;

have never yet been able to verify.

One day, the morning Lord Reay was expected to arrive in
Bombay, the Royal artillery (of which my husband was then
in command) was, together with the other European troops
quartered at Calaba, ordered to line the approach to the landing
place at the Apollo Bunder, all officers having to appear in full

regimentals. W e were still sitting at breakfast when my hus-

band uniform and place it
called to his orderly to get out his
ready for him to put on The man soon returned, and with a
bewildered air, stammered, as he salaamed before his master:
“Sahib, me no can find the dress pouch-belt.” “Don’t talk
nonsense, you must be as blind as a bat,” ejaculated the major,
as, rising impatiently from his seat, he walked into the dressing
room. Soon, his voice, raised in angry exclamation, burst on
my ears. From what I heard I gathered that the dress pouch
belt was be found, and further that my enraged
really not to
husband was accusing each and all of his servants of having
appropriated it. Piteous cries of, “Not me, sahib, me good
man, me not tief,’’ filled the air. The jabbering, yelling and
hooting was perfectly deafening. My
husband returned to the
breakfast room. “Now then,” he said, “here is a brilliant
opportunity of testing the verity of Ruth’s clairvoyance. Get
her up here and ask her to find my pouch-belt.” I called Ruth,
who appeared pale and trembling, half imagining we suspected
her of the theft. When I explained to her what I required of
IOO CRYSTAL VISIONS.

her she at first begged

he excused, declaring that her fellow
to
servants would never forgive her should the thief be discovered
through her instrumentality. I quieted her fears by promising
her that should she see the face of the thief in the tumbler she
need only reveal the fact to me; that I would not tell the sahib,
but would speak to the pilferer of the belt myself, and on his
restoring the missing article would condone the theft, not letting
my husband know who had purloined the belt.

Filling a tumbler with water, I hand under

placed my left

it, and made passes with my right over it. I then bade Ruth

taste it. “ It is bitter enough, I think,” she said. “ If mine

sahib pleases to mesmerize me, I think I can see now.” Per-
haps it may he as well to mention here that Ruth always de-
clared the mesmerized water had a bitter flavor after being oper-
ated on. I have frequently mesmerized one tumbler of water and

placed another, similar in appearance in every respect, beside it.

I have then called Ruth and asked her which was the mesmer-
ized and which was the untouched water. She would taste
both and each time invariably detected the difference. Strange
to say, also, when I at one time purchased a powerful magnet
(thinking that perhaps it would prove a more powerful mag-
netizer than my own hand), Ruth declined to look into the wa-
ter so magnetized, declaring that she saw flames in it, and that
they leapt up as if they wanted to scorch her face! It was of no
use my trying to deceive her ;
she invariably knew which was
the “condemned tumbler” (as she called it).
Having made this lengthy, though somewhat necessary di-
gression, I will now proceed with my story. We left Ruth
just ready to look in the tumbler. She bent her head over it,
and a silence of a few seconds’ duration ensued. “ Can you see
anything, Ruth?” at last I said. “No! mine sahib, nothing.”
“ Look for the thief,” 1 commanded firmly, making fresh
passes over her head and the back of her neck, but all to no
purpose. Ruth persisted that she saw nothing. I began to
 CRYSTAL VISIONS. IOI

think that she was an impostor, and had humbugged me sys-

tematically throughout.
Suddenly an idea struck me. We would try another way.
“Ruth,” I said, “ look for sahib the day, he last wore the dress
pouch-belt.” Then, “I see sahib,” said the girl
Silence again.
dreamily. “He is dressing, he puts on his uniform, now the
pouch-belt. Ah! he has left the room.” “Follow him,” I said
firmly. “ Sahib is getting on his horse he is riding away.”
;

“ Don’t leave him a moment,” I cried. “Ah! but he goes so

fast. I am tired,” gasped the girl breathlessly. “ Go on,” I
said. “ Sahib is with the other sahibs, and there are many sol-
diers and people. It is a grand Tomasha; some great person

is going away. They all stand near the water.” “Then rest,”
I said, “ but don’t take your eyes off sahib.” She was silent
for a brief space, then said, “ Sahib has gone into a big house
by the water. He goes into a dressing room. He changes his
clothes, all his regimentals are put in his tin case, but the pouch-
belt is left out. It is hanging on a peg in the dressing room of
the house by the sea.”
“The Yacht Club!” cried my husband. “Patilla” (to his or-
derly), “send some one at once and see if the belt has been
left there.”

Patilla salaamed and retired, followed by the rest of the

servants.

“I wonder,” mused my husband, “if I really left it at the

Yacht Club after all? The last day I wore it was when Lord
Ripon left for England.”
“ We shall soon see,” said I, triumphantly. “I, for one,
have no doubt whatever that the belt would be found there.”
In as short a time as was compatible with the distance to be
traversed the messenger returned. The rush of many feet and
the jabbering of many voices convinced me before I saw him
that his quest had been a successful one.
102 CRYSTAL VISIONS.

He ran panting up the stairs, the belt held high above his
head. He
had found it as Ruth had seen it in the house by the —
sea, hanging on a peg in a dressing room of the Yacht club.
Ruth could have had no idea where the belt was left. She
had been with me a short time, and entered my service long
after Lord Ripon’s departure from Bombav. In the spring of
the same year I was much interested in a polo tournament about
to be held at Meerut. A then great friend of mine was to take
part in this, and as he was addicted to fading off occasionall}',
though in reality a splendid rider and player, I was feeling
rather anxious on his account. I again called Ruth to my

assistance. We shut ourselves up in my room and I mesmer-

ized the water as before, Ruth, however, requesting me to place
a piece of brown paper under the tumbler of water, declaring
she could see more plainly when that was beneath it. She
placed her hands around the glass to exclude the light.
“Go to Meerut,” I said, steadily.
After impatiently waiting for about ten minutes, Ruth said:
“ 1 am there.”
“ Find Sahib ,” I said, mentioning the name of my
friend.
“ I dark man, dressed in blue and white; he has a
see a tall,

light black mustache, and is thin, with large, fierce eyes.”

“ F ollow him and see how he gets on.”
“ He gets on all right, but the other side is winning. Ah!”
she cried out, piteously, “a gentleman has been bitten by a horse
in the leg. He is in great pain.”
“ Not my friend ? ” I inquired anxiously.
“No! Not Mem Sahib’s friend; this is a fair gentleman,
red faced, with very light hair.”
“Ask his name,” I said, fixing my eyes intently on her, and
exerting my will power to its uttermost.
“ I can’t how can I ” she said doubtfully.
;
?

“ Do as I bid you,” I replied firmly.

 CRYSTAL VISIONS. IO3

“ I will ask himself,” she said, “if you can make me visible
to him.”
I tried with all my might; all tono use.
“ Stop! I hear his name; it is Captain ”

I almost jumped out of my chair with delight. My friend,

I thought, she might have recognized from his photograph; hut
this other man she had never seen, never heard me mention.
Indeed, I had never even thought of him since I left the up-
country station in which my husband’s battery and his regiment
had previously been quartered.
I don’t remember now which side it was that eventually
won the tournament, fully five years having elapsed since that
time; but this do remember, however. When my husband
I

returned in the evening, I asked him if he had any news of the

polo tournament. “No,” he said, “we shall not hear until to-
morrow.”
“ I can give you some news, though,” I said. “ Ruth asserts
that Captain ,
of the Seventeenth Lancers, has been bitten
in the leg — is all right, though ;
but from what Ruth saw I
fancy our friends were losing.” husband laughed. “We My
shall see to-morrow if Ruth is again right,” he said.
He told the officers of the Royal artillery mess of my last
“tumbler-telegram,” as they called them, and I believe much
merriment was excited at my gullibility. Let those laugh who
win, though. The telegrams the next day proved Ruth’s story
to be perfectly correct in every particular.
Soon after this a friend of my husband’s came to see us.
This gentleman was the cantonment magistrate at Assizurgh.
My husband was telling him about Ruth and her strange pow-
ers, when he asked me if I had any objection to his testing
them, to the end that he might recover some valuable property
he had lost.
“ I must tell you, however,” he said to me, “ that I am an
utter skeptic; and it will require strong proof to convince me.”
IO4 CRYSTAL VISIONS.

I felt rather offended, for if was

the girl a humbug, was a I

dupe or worse. I sent for Ruth, who was as indignant as my-

self. At she distinctly refused to do the sahib’s bidding,
first

but I impressed it upon her that the credit of both of us was at

stake,on which she at length unwillingly consented. The usual
preliminaries having been gone through, he questioned her
through me, as follows: —
“Go to Assizurgh and describe my
bedroom in it.”
This she did ;
correctly, too, as he at once acknowledged.
•
“Now tell me what I lost?”
“ I see a box, not a large box. It is a tin one ;
it contains
money and a roll of papers.”
“Right you are,” exclaimed the astonished Major. “ Now,
tell me where that box is now ?
”
“ It is in a small room. Shall I open it?”
“Yes and tell me what
;
is in it.”
She paused a little.
“ Only papers, Sahib, the money is gone.”
Describe the man who took it.”

“He is not there; the room is empty.”

“Look for him.”
“ He is in Sahib’s room. He is a little, dark man, with a
pleasant face; his dress is white; he has a scarlet cammerbund,
and a scarlet and gold turban. He has a scar on his left hand.”
“ My butler, by jingo ! The very man I suspected, too,”
said the Major.
* * * * *
A few days afterwards, when Major had returned
to Assizurgh, he wrote to me and told me he had found the
box, as described, in his servant’s house, or, rather, cabin, but
that no papers remained in it. It was empty. This was the
thing that was not correct in Ruth’s statement.
concluded she saw the box before the papers were re-
I

moved from it. I often found that she did not seem to have
 CRYSTAL VISIONS. I0 5

much control over time, as regards past events, though she

would decribe the actual occurrence rightly enough.
At another time I lost a piece of pale, pink satin embroid-
eied with silver. It could be found nowhere. I was unwilling

to believe that either of my servants had taken it, for they were
devoted to me, and had one and all been in my service a long
time, with the exception of my Dirzee (a native tailor). I

could not suspecthim of having taken it, as he never, by any

chance, as far as I was aware of, had access to my rooms.
However, through Ruth he was detected as the thief, and re-
turned the missing though he spread the report that I
article,

was a witch afterwards, on hearing how the theft had been dis-
covered.
In this case, as will be observed, the visions are of the retro-
cognitive type. Of the same class is the incident that follows,
which I quote from a recent article in the Contemporary Review ,

called “ Trace,” signed with the pseudonym of “ I. M. Soames.”

Its writer, as I am allowed to state, is Major Schreiber, a retired
officer, known
me. to
We arranged an afternoon for our experiments on the
crystal, and after tea was over we set to work. My wife was
placed in a very comfortable chair, and the lights were turned
—
down not out, by any means, but so as not to dazzle the eye,
while at the same time everything was distinctly visible in the
room. I put her to sleep and gave her the crystal. The effect
was instantaneous. She commenced speaking at once, and said :

“ Oh, what lovely flowers, and what a perfume ” And !

she began to draw her breath through her nose, as if inhaling

the scent of flowers. I asked her then where she was. She
said:
“ I am in the most lovely garden I have ever seen. It
is not in England. I am standing in a broad pathway on one ;

side is a hedge of white azaleas, and on the other pink. They

are about six or seven feet high between these hedges and the
;

path there are broad borders, in which are pi inted these

 io6 CRYSTAL VISIONS.

sweet-smelling flowers. There are beautiful trees all about the

garden, such as have never seen before, and at the end of the
I

path is a little black and gold house, with such a funny little
man sitting outside.”

This dream I ordered her to remember when she awoke, and

there is a sequel to it that 1 will relate further on.
She resumed “ I can see now a small shop at the junction
:

of two streets, and a door opening on each street. In the

middle of the shop is a glass case, like those one sees in a jew-
eler’s. There is a tall man, very much like a Jew, with a long
black beard. He is bargaining with another man.”
“What is the other man like?” I asked.
‘•He is about the middle height, and has gray hair and mus-
know him. I have seen him, but I can
tache, a plain face. I
not tell you his name. The funny little man has come down
from the garden, and is sitting outside. He seems verv much
interested in what is going on in the shop.”
Then followed a few more details that I do not remember.
I then asked
“ Can you describe the situation of the town in which the
”
shop is ?

“ The town is a seaport, standing on a large bay. The coast

seems nearly to join at the mouth of the harbor. On the land
side it is backed by mountains covered nearly to the summits
with the most luxuriant vegetation.”
Then came a pause, and she continued: “I am on board
ship. The man I recognized is here too. Oh, such a dreadful
storm ;
the ship is rolling about most fearfully. I cannot go
on. I must go and lie down. I feel so ill.”

My symptoms of sea-sickness, and as

wife exhibited all the
I feared a full realization of the malady might follow, I woke

her up, thinking we had obtained sufficient information for what

we wanted.
 CRYSTAL VISIONS. 107

The member who had brought the crystal

of the society
took it back next day to the owner, who was the man with the
gray hair and mustache, and gave him the information we had
obtained the evening before. He told our friend the name of
the town and, although he would not own up to the truth of
;

the story, it was easy to see that the information we had ob-
tained was true in every detail. People of his sort are very
unsatisfactory to deal with.
The curious sequel that I alluded to lies in the fact that my
wife and myself were one day, some months afterwards, going
through one of the big museums in London. I was looking at a
case of curiosities, and my wife was some little way from me,
when I heard her exclaim :

“I have been here. I know the place quite well. That is

where the little man was sitting, and there is the little black
and gold house.”
“What nonsense are you talking?” I said. “That is im-
possible.”
But then I remembered the experiment with the crystal, and
upon going up to see what my wife was looking at, I found it
was a model of the garden in the town where our gray-haired
friend had owned to having obtained the crystal.
Enough, perhaps, has now been said to suggest to the reader
that this crystal vision, which has long been regarded as a
mere superstition, may in reality be used with profit as an em-
pirical method of educing from the subliminal self a number of
pictures —
very unequal, indeed, in value —
but of which some,
at least, appear to imply a telepathic or clairvoyant extension of
ordinary knowledge.
 CHAPTER VIII.

HAGNETS AND OD.

MINERAL AND PERSONAL MAGNETISM AS METHODS OF CURE.

“ Nature hears but one kind of questions they are —
experiments. Her answers are phenomena.”
The Greeks in olden time called the magnet stone Miy^t thaot,

in short MAyi^s. Correctly translated MAy^s is the magic fluid

stone. The word Miy^? consists of two Phoenician
words
"i rae (
mag-naz.) The first one is recognized over the whole
Orient as referring to a pontifex, a priest, a magus, a man who
possesses great powers and knowledge and from that descends
;

the Greek and Latin words MAyos, magus, a magician, and /ieya S ,

magnus (great).
The second word “o (naz) is a root word, which in He-
brew and Arabic expresses all that is fluid, flowing, waving.
From this comes the Greek Ndos, genius, knowledge, soul. The
word magnetism expresses, therefore, the magic power of the
soul. But when Mesmer gave this name to the phenomena
which he produced with his patients, he did not know anything
of the old Greek theory upon this subject. The phenomena
that Mesmer produced had a strange likeness to the magnetic
phenomena and this led him to choose this explanation ;
and he
did not think of the deeper meaning, which makes this word so
appropriate for sleep.

The power of the lodestone to attract iron was known even

in the olden time. On this account the people called it the
“living stone.” Its powers were not considered as limited to
iron ;
but people ascribed to it a great influence on the human
10S
 MAGNETS AND OD. IO9

body. One of the old Rabbis relates that the vapor from this
stone placed on glowing coals, and inhaled, renders anybody
unconscious; and he claimed that it was in high favor with
thieves and robbers on account of its intoxicating qualities. It

was credited, also, with great influence upon the feelings and
sentiments, as it could create esteem and courage, and was of
utility in maintaining friendship with absent friends. It was

therefore manufactured into amulets which were considered very

BUNCH OK MAGNET RODS, FOR PASSES OVER THE BODY

AFTER MESMER’S MODEL.
precious. The old magicians and scholars attributed to it an-
other power — the one of exalting the imagination and sum-
moning fantastic vision — especially when the amulet was orna-
mented with a figure of symbolic character. But for one cer-
tain power the lodestone was held in the highest esteem it was
;

believed that, under certain conditions, it would create love and

;

for this special qualification it was utilized as a necessary addi-

I IO MAGNETS AND OD.

tion in love potions. At

same time the lover could carry a
the
magnet-amulet on which was engraved a picture of Venus.
This would make him altogether irresistible. But the stone
was not excellent alone as a means of creating love; for by its
aid, unfaithfulness in love could be discovered. The French
poet, Marbodacus, living before the twelfth century, made the
magnet the subject of one of his most brilliant poems. He ex-
presses himself in this way “ If you wish to be certain of
:

your wife’s faithfulness, place the magnet-stone at her head

while she is sleeping. She will then, if faithful to you, kindly
open her arms to embrace you but if not, she will commence
;

to tremble as in great anguish and forced by the might of the

''

stone, she reveals the errings secretly committed.' 1

The national magnet’' s well known quality to draw iron

toward itself and retain it as we see in the olden
was known
time; and even then it was the object of earnest but fruitless
admiration. The name originates from magnet first being found
near the city of Magnetia in Asia Minor. The first use that
was made power was its employment in glass
of the magnet’s
melting works; but aside from this limited use the ancients for
a long time simply admired and wondered at the power of the
magnet, without thinking of its further practical employment.
After having discovered that a piece of having been
steel after
in connection with a natural magnet became itself magnetic
and had the quality, when hung up in the room, of always occu-
—
pying a certain position that of north and south it was then —
decided to employ the magnet on sea and overland journeys to
ascertain the quarters of the globe. was not alone the above
It

mentioned powers of the magnet that in olden time was the

reason for it being considered a valuable object; but its influ-
ence on the human body also made it a valuable remedy in the
medical science. W e often find in old works the magnet men-
tioned as a remedy; and it has as such stood in especial favor
among the people of India, Egypt, Arabia, Palestine and China.
 MAGNETS AND OD. I I I

A number of diseases were cured through its power, and it was

especially valued as a styptic and a quieter of the nerves. The
first of these qualities were ascribed to the magnet’s mineral con-

nections, while the other was attributed to the special proper-

ties contained in the magnet. It was only in the last century

when electricity was approved of as a remedy in the medical

science, and when the relationship was established between the
and magnetic powers, that attention was again drawn
electric
toward the magnet; and scientists again began to study its
direct effect on the human body. The old authors’ accounts
were again brought to the surface and consulted, and it was
found that passes or only a continual contact with the magnet
—
was used with successful results in different diseases especially
neuralgia, rheumatism and headache. In the following manner
the Italian Petrus Borelli (1656) writes: “Treatment by mag-
netism secures both men and women from a number of diseases
that medicine is unable to cure.” The celebrated Paracelsus
used the same method to accomplish wonderful cures which he
performed all over Europe. Magnets used for passes have the
usual form of a horse shoe, and are as a rule constructed of
three different plates and are evened up near the poles, or they
are formed of rods, single or in bundles. The smoother each
single surface of the plate is ground and fitted, the better
the magnet will keep and the more powerful is the effect.
Glocenius, Burgrave, Iielinotius, Robert Fludd, Kircher and
Maxwell believed magnet they could recognize the
that in the
properties of that universal principle by which minds addicted
to generalization thought that all natural phenomena might be
explained. John Ioptest Van Plelmont was an eminent physi-
cian who lived between 1577 and 1644. lie discovered the
laudanum of Paracelsus, the spirit of hartshorn and the volatile
salts, and to him we owe all the first knowledge of the elastic

aeriform fluids, to which he gave the name of gas, which they

still retain. Van Helmont’s explanation of magnetism is as
I 12 MAGNETS AND OD.

follows :
“ Magnetism is that occult influence which bodies exert
over each other in presence of each other and also at a distance,

whether by attraction or repulsion.” The medium he desig-

nates, “Magnab Magnum.”
We know that it is healthy to live in an atmosphere filled

with the restorative emanations given out by bodies young and

full of vigor. We see in the third book of Kings that David
lay with comely damsels to warm him and to give him a
little strength. According to Galen and others, Greek doctors
had long recognized in the treatment of sundry consumptions,
the advantage of making the patients take nourishment from
the breast of young, healthy nurses; and experience had taught
them that “ the effect is not the same when the milk is given
after being caught in a vessel.” Cappivaccius saved the heir
of a great house in Italy fallen into marasmus, by making him
lie betwixt two vigorous ycung girls. F orestus tells how a
young Pole was cured of marasmus by spending the days and
nights with a nurse of twenty years; and the effect of the
remedy was as prompt as it was successful. Finally, to bring
this subject to an end, Boerhaave used to tell his disciples of
having seen a German prince cured by this means, employed in
the same way which had succeeded so well for Cappivaccius.
There is not a housewife but knows that it is not good for a
child to sleep with an aged person, though the latter enjoy
perfect health.
Remember what Shakespeare says:
Crabbed age and youth
Cannot live together:
Youth is full of pleasance,
Age is full of care;
Youth like summer morn,
Age like winter weather;
Youth like summer brave,
Age like winter bare.
In other times there existed in the mountains of Auverene a
custom that may well be mentioned. When any traveler arrived
 MAGNETS ANP OD. 1*3

at a hostelry, feeble, sickly or benumbed by cold, they asked him

if he wished a warmed or brasiered bed ;
naturally his answer
would be: “I want a good warm bed.” When about to get
into the bed he would be much surprised to see a chubby,
hearty, well-complexioned fellow leave it, enveloped from head
to foot in a clean linen shirt. The next morning our man
would be sure to inquire if it was the custom to give one a bed
in which another had slept. “ Sir, you asked that your bed
should be warm, and we warmed it for you. If you had wished
it brasiered we would have heated it with a brasier.”

“What difference is there between these two methods?”

“O, sir, much difference, the bed warmed by a young, strong,
healthy person is far more restorative and strengthening.”
Let us remember what Hipocrates says: “Certain wise
physicians even among the ancients were aware how beneficial
'•to the blood ’ it is to make slight frictions with the hands over

the body. It is believed by many experienced doctors that the

heat which oozes out of the hand, on being applied to the sick,
,

is highly salutary and soothing. The remedy has been found

to be applicable to sudden as well as to habitual pains, and
various species of debility, being both renovating and strength-
ening in its effects. It has often appeared, while I have thus
been soothing my patients, as if there were a singular property
in my hands to pull and draw away from the affected parts

aches and divers impurities, by laying my hand upon the place,

and by extending my fingers toward it. Thus it is known to
some of the learned that health may be imparted by
to the sick

and by contact, as some diseases

certain gestures, may be com-
municated from one to another.”
“When we observe,” says Hufeland, “the effect produced
hy placing newly- killed animals on paralyzed members, and live
animals on parts of the body that are suffering pain, it does
seem that this therapeutic method ought not to be spurned.”
 1
14 MAGNETS AND OI>.

For advancing this method of healing, Anton Mesmer

and Dr. Gessman, both of Vienna, deserve mention. Mesmer
discovered the so-called animal magnetism, but before he pub-
licly brought forward the theory concerned, he, with the assist-

ance of artificial magnetism, gave treatment according to a pecul-

iar system. Later on DoctorsDe xvoble, La Fontaine, Nuzer,

La Lour, Bolten, Du Jardin, Hensius, Hemman, De
Harsce, D’Aymier, and dd la Condaminc used Mesmer’s meth-
ods and established the benefits of magnetic treatment. The
 MAGNETS AND OD. “5
public announcements by De Noble caused the Royal Society of
Medical Science, in France, to direct D’Audry and Maudnyt to
commence investigations and studies regarding treatment by
magnetism. The two gentlemen mentioned returned a
artificial

verdict greatly in favor of the magnetic power as a method of

cure. For method of treatment has
the last fifteen years this
been the cause of great sensation and advancement in Europe,
especially in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and the Scandi-
navian countries and it is applied by many prominent physi-
cians.
Another interesting method of treating diseases, which is

often applied in the Orient, is the use of the so-called “ Egyp-

tian Magic Mirror.” This mirror is a well-polished steel plate,
with an engraving of two and two triangles in which
circles

there are inscriptions of cabalistic words. With the elbow

resting in the lap, the patient takes hold of the mirror with the
left hand, constantly gazing at the center of the triangle. After

a lapse of a few minutes the healer performs manipulations

from the head of the patient down to his feet, his hands espe-
cially resting at the afflicted part of the body. It is particu-
larly interesting to notice that patients who secure this method
of treatment, will often during this obtain a special power of clair-
voyance, so that they become able to penetrate the mystery and
obscurity of the future and predict concerning its happiness
and occurrences. At the same time they can describe what goes
on at places distant and completely unknown to the patient. In
this last case mediumistic persons will especially succeed. The
patient will not go to sleep, but will remain fully awake during
the entire treatment, and the phenomena spoken of has a direct
relation to hypnotism, which assists in the development of his
ability aided by the manipulations ,and the constant gazing at
the magic mirror.
“ But the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. * * * To another
the gifts of healing.” — /. Cor. 12: 9.
I 1 MAGNETS AND OD.

THE ART OF MANIPULATIONS AND PASSES BY THE HANDS

ON THE DISEASED PART OF THE BODY, AND
THE CURE OF DISEASES.
have applied the hand with great success, in hundreds of
I

cases, and in that manner have cured patients of their disease

when all other methods had been employed without deriving any
benefit —
especially in all nervous diseases. It is absolutely

necessary for the magnetist to have warm and perfectly dry

hands. hands are damp, and not warm, he will not be
If the
able to affect the diseased parts. Treatment will not alone be
very unpleasant for the patient, but it will be without any heal-
ing, quieting results. For the magnetist to be able to remove
pain, and affect the nerve system and circulation of the blood
in a beneficial above mentioned, be
way, the hands should, as
dry and fairly warm. The operator also should be mentally
clear and self-poised. It is also required of the magnetist to be
tranquil and determined in appearance and proceedings, concen-
 MAGNETS AND OD. 1X7

whole mind and will-power on what he undertakes,

trating his
and consequently he should be fully possessed of the one thought
— that of helping the patient during the treatment. It is of
course required of him to have studied and acquainted himself
with the method of healing. This method of cure is very old,
and was often used in the Eastern countries. Scripture men-
tions on several occasions treatment by passes. Valentine
Greatrakes, an aristocratic Irish officer, and Gassner, formerly a
monk, have made themselves quite prominent in Europe by
similar cures, as has also Dr. Phil. Baron von Reichenbach.
Baron Reichenbach, the eminent German scientist and phy-
sician, by a vast series of experiments, proved the existence of a
fine spiritual emanation from all objects, especially from human
beings, and he called it “ Odic Force .” Has it not occurred to
physicians that would be well for them to look into these
it

subtle forces, and see if some better understanding of the incul-

catory system cannot be arrived at, in order that they may
achieve more success? The “ mechanism of the circulation,”
says Dr. Buchanan, “is sufficiently understood, but our mechan-
ical knowledge of the circulations, derived from Harvey and his
successors, does not give us the law of the distribution of the
blood. The knowledge of the channels and hydraulic appa-
ratus, without that of the forces which preside over the circula-
tion and distribution of the blood, is comparatively a meagre
specimen of the knowledge.”
If that be true which Shakespeare has affirmed
“ One touch of nature makes the -whole -world kin ,” —
the influence of the human hand must be universally acknowl-
edged.
It has a language of its own, it can appeal from man to man,
it can bless, and it The most ancient belief connects
can cure.
it with authority and power. The holding up of Moses’ hands
gave victory to the Israelites. “ And it came to pass, when
Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed, and when he let
nS MAGNETS AND OD.

down his hands Amalek prevailed.” Gifts of healing, not less

than of power, belong to the hand by prescriptive right. If the
potency of the royal touch in curing the king’s evil be but a
superstition, let us remember that it took its origin from a holy
source. Christ and his disciples laid their hands upon the sick,
and they were healed. The miracles of our Lord were remark-
ably accompanied by actions of the hands, as if they were in

some manner connected with that external means. In restoring

sight and hearing, he touched the eyes and ears of the afflicted

ORIENTAL MANIPULATION— AFTER THE GATH.

persons. Even the imparting of the gift of the holy spirit fol-
lowed the imposition of hands and this external sign of a
;

spiritual agency is still retained in the church. Who that has

undergone or witnessed the beautiful rite of confirmation, but
has felt its power. The eye and the hand, then, appear to be fitting
instruments for transmitting potential and remedial agencies.
If we seek for such a general instance of the influence of one
human being on another as may seem like that mutual loss and
 MAGNETS AND CD. Il 9

gain and interchange of vital force, which is the principal won-

der in mesmerism, we have only to look at the effects produced
when young people sleep with old. Since the days of King
David it has been known that the latter are strengthened at the
expense of the former. Some painful instances of this have
fallen under my own observation. Rev. Chauncy Hare Town-
shend, A.M., relates a case in which the future well being of a
person very dear to him was compromised. I was acquainted
with an infirm old lady, who was so aware of the benefit that
she derived from sleeping with young people, that, with a sort
of horrid vampirism, she always obliged her maids to share her
bed, thus successively destroying the health of several attend-
ants. Even among animals it has been found that the young
cannot be too closely associated with the old without suffering
detriment. Young horses standing in a stable with old ones
become less healthy.
The celebrated German physiologist, Hufeland, has remarked
the longevity of school masters, and he attributes it to their liv-
ing so constantly amidst the healthy emanations of young persons.
I have performed a great number
in the last fourteen years
of cures by this method, and generally the patient had been
given up by physicians. Several of the most prominent scien-
tific periodicals in Europe have in most flattering terms reported

a number of my successful treatments, some of which were per-

formed in connection with prominent physicians.
I desire to remark, in passing, that my observation, as well

as my experience, would indicate that this treatment is especially

successful in nervous and muscular ailments; for in these depart-
ments of pathology, I have attained, and have known of others
attaining, the most remarkable results.
MENTAL ELECTRICITY, ALSO CALLED NERVE ETHER OR LIFE
ELECTRO-DYNAMISM.
We proceed simply from the fact that a certain force or vi-

tality is contained in the nervous system, which is usually called

120 MAGNETS AND OD.

vital force or nerve-power. If this force or power is present in

sufficient quantity, the individual may be considered healthy
but when this force is disturbed, by either external or internal
influences, the individual becomes sick. We may reasonably
presume that all, or at least nearly all, diseases are due to im-
paired nerve function. A cure, therefore, is secured when a
proper equilibrium in the nervous system has been regained.
This may be accomplished by the skillful application of the so-
called magnetism. As an example it has been demonstrated

JAPANESE MAGNETIC HEALER.

that this treatment has cured pathological swellings, due to con-
gestion ;
these conditions are invariably caused by a lack of
nerve energy. Strange to say the vital force of the magnetizer
is transmitted to the patient. By this treatment many unfortu-
nate sufferers have been cured of paralysis in its various forms,
and have thus been enabled to walk, after years of complete help-
lessness. New vigor has been infused into those who have be-
come debilitated and prostrated from long continued disease. It
will almost invariably alleviate the most intense physical suffer-
 MAGNETS AND OD. X 2 I

ing — when even the deadly morphine has failed. Unfortu-

nately all patients cannot be cured through the influence of
magnetism some are not susceptible to its benign influence.
;

Only fiom five to ten however, may be placed in this

per cent.,
unfortunate class. In order to test an individual’s susceptibility
successive strokes or passes are made over his arm. If the sub-
ject, after a few of these passes, experiences heat, cold or ting-
ling in the arm, he may be considered susceptible. As regards
the effect of magnetic treatment, whether the subject or patiexxt
is a believer or not in the efficacy of the treatment, all that is

required of him is that he endeavor to place himself in a quiet

and peaceful mind during the treatment; for thereby a
state of
transmission of the invisible, but still well known, vital force
from the healthy individual to the sick takes places. To dem-
onstrate the reality of magnetism, a simple experiment will
suffice. The successful magnetizer places his hands over two
glasses filled with water. In the space of five minutes a decided
difference in the taste of the water contained in the glass over
which the left hand has been held from that over which the
right hand has been held, will be distinctly observed by anyone
of fair sensitiveness. Strangely enough, the water through which
the magnetic current has passed from the left hand will be luke-
warm and have a disagreeable taste whereas that acted upon
;

by the right hand will be fresh and sparkling. This difference

is due to the fact that the right and left hands are opposite mag-

netic poles — the one positive, the other negative. The mag-
netic life-force which in this manner is transferred to the water
can also be transferred to the body of another individual.
Fortunately this can occur through clothing, glass; yes,
even walls, as it also may be transmitted at a distance of a yard.
It travels through media with a velocity greater than that of

heat, and second only to electricity. This matter, or fluid, is

even visible to the naked eye. This, which certainly must be
regarded as the strangest and most occult phenomenon, may be
122 MAGNETS AND OD.

demonstrated in the following manner : An individual, together

with the -magnetizer, are enclosed in a completely darkened
room where absolutely nothing is discernible. They remain
there about two hours, and if the magnetizer now gently rubs
the patient’s finger tips a dim light will be seen surrounding the
magnetizer’s fingers. The magnetism in the human body is at
certain parts or points positive, at others negative ;
thus the
palma (inner) surface and the dorsal (outer) surface of the
hands are opposite. Similarly the two sides of each of the fin-
srers. This must be borne in mind when g-ivincr magnetic
treatment, as the positive parts of the magnetizer’s hand and

THE GOOD SAMARITAN, POURING WINE AND OIL ON THE

WOUNDS WITH MANIPULATIONS.
fingers must be brought in contact with negative parts of
patient, and vice versa. The human race will from now on be
placed in a more favorable position, inasmuch as it is now in
possession of this great and comparatively new method of cure,
which, in spite of its grand and almost unlimited possibilities, is
still so simple that one may with ease practice it on others. It

is my earnest conviction that all are not able or constituted to

jDractice this curative method upon others. Many are in the
possession of the power to magnetize without being sufficiently
experienced in the practice thereof ;
and the patients, therefore,
 MAGNETS AND OD. 123

frequently do not receive any benefit. That which is absolutely

requisite to he a successful magnetizer is to be in the possession
of a healthy body and spiritual power, combined with a pure
and active desire to do good. The action of magnetism is in
many cases almost miraculous. It is applicable to nearly all

diseases to which flesh is heir; but especially to those which

originate in the nervous system, and not associated with great
organic lesions. Its beneficial action is manifested by a marked
increase of physical vigor. The despondent and the melancholy

DR. ALBERT REIBMAYr’s METHOD VIENNA.

regain the hopefulness and cheerfulness of youth ;

thus restor-
ing a perfect equilibrium in both mind and body. The force
acts upon organized beings, but especially upon man. The
all

action resembles the magnetism of the metals, in that it has both

repelling and attractive properties and it manifests itself in
;

different manners upon the various bodies upon which it is

caused to act. Nervous prostration (neurasthenia) appears in

many forms, but principally three. The first is characterized
I2 4 MAGNETS AND OD.

by a lack of appreciation of the ordinary irritations of the sen-

sory nerve filaments (anaesthesia) ;
second, by a lack of reflex
nerve action and the third by an abnormally increased sensi-
;

tiveness (hyperasthesia) —-in which case an ordinary irritation of

the peripheral nerves brings about a decidedly strong impression.
The time best adapted for treating patients, according to
this method, is in the forenoon —as the patient is not only
at this time most susceptible to the influence, but the magnetizer
is at this time of the day in possession of his best strength
and bodily energy —or evening, when everything is qniet and
invites to rest, is also a good time for magnetic treatment ;
in
short, the time when the patient is in a peaceful and passive
state ofmind is favorable. It is but justifiable to consider
magnetism as the first and most active remedy for the cure of
disease in general.
Nothing like this inspires us, or is in such a direct harmony
with the soul of mankind. Magnificent, wonderful, nay, even
miraculous, indeed, are the possibilities of this great remedy,
blessing and boon to mankind. One thing must not be disre-
garded, namely, that it must be applied by a competent and ex-
perienced expert. Let us say with Woi-dsworth:
“To every form of being is assigned
An acting principle, however removed
From sense and observations it subsists
In all things, inall natures, in the stars

Of azure heaven, the unending clouds,

In flower and tree, in every pebly stone
That paves the brooks, the stationary rocks,
The moving waters and the invisible air.”
 CHAPTER IX.

HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS.

A QUEER METHOD BY WHICH TO MAGNETIZE SERPENTS,

EMPLOYED WITH GREAT SUCCESS BY THE
MOJOWEE AND APACHE INDIANS.

The Indians have many interesting secrets by which they

tame animals. When the serpents become too audacious for
the Indians and they wish to scare them away from their camps,
they employ the following method They dig a pit in the
:

ground about four yards deep and twenty yards in circumfer-

ence with steep, smooth walls. The Indian men, women and
children now mount their horses. At a given signal every one
takes his position in a circle with the pit as a center. With wild
yells they start a strange war dance. They gallop around on
their horses, continually diminishing the circle, while they use
branches to beat the dry grass and leaves in order to scare the
serpents from their hiding places. As they approach the pit
the circle grows smaller, and the serpents are all, one by one,
hurried down in the grave. In this way, the Indians can in a
very short time rid themselves of these disastrous tormentors.
When the Indians deem it time, they descend from their
horses, and place a step-ladder in a corner of the pit. Four
Indians approach the grave, armed not with weapons, but with
their instruments. First an Indian descends carrying in his
hand a big piece of bark manufactured in the shape of a fan.
He is followed by the second, who gives some lamentingly
I2 5
126 HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS.

strange tune on his own naturally shaped flute. The third

Indian plays on his one-stringed instrument the same moan-
ing, melancholy melody. The fourth hammers with great
activity on a home-made drum. The first Indian with the fan
uses that as a music -director, his tact-stick giving the time of
the music. When they reach the bottom of the pit, the fright-
ened serpents rush away, while the Indians march around in
the grave, continually diminishing the circle. The serpents
creep steadily together ;
and at every movement of the fan they
hide themselves among each other in a charmed way. When
it is impossible for the serpents to creep closer together and
they are gathered in a heap in the center, the Indian carrying
the fan stops and catches up one of the poisonous serpents and
holds it up. It does not harm him at all, for it is completely
charmed. He now places one serpent after another around his
body. They listen with interest to the peculiar music and seem
to be very anxious about the fan ;
as he only needs to move it

when he wishes the serpent to change position, and at the same

time fix it sharply with his eyes, the serpent moves or keeps his
place quietly according to his wishes. These Indians are pe-
culiar individuals. At an accident which occurred on the Atlantic
& R. R. several of this tribe were fatally hurt. An old
Pacific
Indian had a leg amputated. He did not wish to be put in an
unconscious state and directed that his wife should sit in fi'ontof
him and stare at him continually. As soon as the operation was
commenced she began wildly to lament, crying bitterly, the
tears flowing incessantly down her cheeks, while the physician
calmly proceeded with the operation. The Indian in question
laid very quietly and calmly, and seemed to enjoy her suf-
fering with great delight, as if he had nothing to do with it at
all. Upon inquiry he declared, after the operation was success-
fully finished, that he did not notice the slightest degree of
pain — his wife had apparently taken it all.
 .HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS. I2 7

HYPNOTIZED SNAKES RATTLERS AND COPPERHEADS MAG-

NETIZED OR FASCINATED BY MUSIC A TEXAS
SNAKE CHARMER HE DOESN’T LIKE WORK
AND PREFERS TO PLAY WITH
RATTLESNAKES.*
There is in this country a young man who, as a snake
charmer, has perhaps no equal on the habitable globe, writes a
Gainesville (Tex.) correspondent of the Globe- Democrat. His
name isFrank Kerr, about thirty-two years of age, who,
aside from his marvelous power over reptiles, is distinguished
chiefly by his aversion to any kind of work. His wonderful
power over the most venomous reptiles a power which it is —
his delight to use constantly —
has long been the wonder of
everyone hereabouts. It is his custom to walk proudly up the
streets with the heads of three or four snakes hanging out of
his pockets, and
neck decorated with a big rattler or cop-
his
perhead. It is related, and well verified, that sleep to him is

almost an impossibility if he has not several snakes in his bed ;

and it is seldom, indeed, that he misses much sleep. He de-

lights to fondle a big rattler before a crowd of wonder-stricken
spectators, compelling it to put its head in his mouth, and
“capping the climax,” by making it protrude its forked tongue
to meet his own. This feat is about his only source of revenue.
Last March he went to Ardmore, a small town in the In-
dian Territory, a few miles north of here, hoping to make
some money by giving public exhibitions of his snake feats.
He left here with two snakes, a copperhead and a rattlesnake,
but the rattler died en route. Not wishing to perform with
one snake, he took his flute, the work of his own handicraft,
and started for the woods in quest of the reptiles. To the tune
of his own weird music, like Jack the Piper, he marched along.

*1 have, as the contents of this book show, taken into consideration what belongs to
hypnotism and fascination. I therefore present this chapter which, I think, will interest
the reader.
I 2b HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS.

He returned to town in about three hours with thirteen snakes

of different species crawling after him. Selecting a few from
among them, he exhibited his feats to wondering and liberal
crowds.

CHARMING WISELY FRANK KERR AND HIS SNAKES.

This story has been told so often and abundantly verified
that no one now questions it. He has a preference for the cop-
 HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS. 129

perhead, but, as he expresses it, he “loves them all,” and fre-

quently caresses a littleharmless green snake as tenderly as he
does the big rattlers. He says he loses a great many, and ban-
ishes some when their affection for tym seems to grow cold.
Animals have been frequently fascinated for purposes of
experiment, and a universal rigidity of the muscles produced
to such an extent as to cause them to resemble pieces of statu-
ary, so that the animal could be taken up and its whole weight
supported by one foot, and this state produced and continued
at pleasure (John B. Newman). Mr. Bruce, the great African
traveler, distinctly states, from minute personal observation,
that all the blacks of the kingdom of Sennaar, whether F unze
or Nuba, are perfectly armed by nature against the bite of
either scorpion or viper. They take the horned serpents in
theirhands at all times, put them into their bosoms, and throw
them at one another, as children do apples or balls during ;

which sport the serpents are seldom irritated to bite, and when
they do bite, no mischief ensues from the wound. The influ-
ence exerted upon them is so great that they are scarcely ever
able to attempt any resistance even when eaten up alive, as
Bruce assures us he has seen them, from tail to head, like a
carrot. He also positively affirms that they constantly sicken
the moment they are laid hold of, and are sometimes so ex-
hausted by this invisible power or fascination, as to perish as
effectually, though not quickly as if struck by lightning.
as
“ I constantly observed,” says he, “ that, however lively the
viper was upon being seized by any of the barbarians,
before,
he seemed as if taken by sickness and feebleness, frequently
shut his eyes and never turned his mouth toward the arm of
,

the person that held him.”

This power is often used by man to disarm the fury of the
most enraged quadrupeds. This is peculiarly seen at times in
the case of watch-dogs, over whom house-breakers have found
out the secret of exercising so seductive and quieting a power as
i3° HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS.

to keep them profound silence while the burglary is com-

in a

mitted. Lindecrantz of Sweden tells us that the natives of

Lapland and Dalarne are in possession of this secret generally,
insomuch that they can instantly disarm the most ferocious
dog, and oblige him to fly from them, with all his usual
signs of fear, such as dropping the tail and becoming suddenly
silent.

Grooms are sometimes found possessed of a similar power

over horses. Mr. Townsend gives a striking anecdote to this
effect in his account of James Sullivan. The man an awk- —
—
ward, ignorant rustic of the lowest class was by profession a
horse-breaker, and generally nick-named the “whisperer,” from
its being vulgarly suj^posed that he obtained his influence over
unruly horses by whisjoering to them. The actual secret of his
fascinating power, it is very likely, was unknown to himself for
it died with him, his son, who was in the same occupation,
knowing nothing of it. It was well known to everyone, that
however unbroken or vicious a horse or even a mule might be
when brought to him, in the short space of half an hour he
became altogether passive under his influence, and was not only
entirely gentle and tractable, but in a very considerable degree
continued so, though somewhat more submissive to himself than
to others. There was a little mystery in his plan, but unques-
tionably no deceit. When sent for to tame an unruly horse, he
ordered the stable door to be shut upon himself and the animal
alone, and not to be opened until a given signal. This singular
intercourse usually lasted for about half an hour; no bustle was
heard, or violence seemingly had recourse to, but when the
door was opened, on the proper sign being given, the horse was
always seen lying down, and the fascinator by his side, playing
with him familiarly as a child with a puppy. Mr. Townsend
once saw his skill tried on a horse that could never be brought
to stand for a smith to shoe him. The day after Sullivan’s half
hour lecture, he went, not without some incredulity, to the
 HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS *
3*

ITIl!,

MOORISH

HORSE

FASCINATOR

HYPNOTIZING

THE

HORSE.
1
32 HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS.

smith’s shop with many other curious spectators, who were eve
witnesses of the complete success of his art. This, too, had
been a troop horse, and it was supposed, not without reason,
that after regimental discipline had failed, no other would be
found availing. He
observed the animal seemed afraid when-
ever Sullivan either spoke to, or looked at him. In common
cases, the mysterious preparation of a private interview was not
necessary, the animal becoming tame at once.

FASCINATED BY SNAKES.

I remember — says John B. Newman, M. D., — reading,

some time since, of a man walking out in his garden who acci-
dentally saw a snake in the bushes, and, observing the eyes gleam
in a peculiar manner, watched it closely, but soon found himself
unable to draw his own eyes off. The snake, it appeared to him,
soon began to increase immensely in size, and assume in rapid
succession a mixture of brilliant colors. He grew dizzy, and
would have fallen in the direction of the snake, to which he
felt himself irresistibly impelled, had not his wife come up, and
throwing her arms around him dispelled the charm, thus saving
him from certain destruction. There are too many of these
stories to mention a tithe of them so I will conclude with but
;

a few more that are very generally known. Two men in Mary-
land were walking together, when one found fault with his
companion because he stopped to look at something by the road-
side. Perceiving he did not heed him, he returned to draw
him along, when he perceived the other’s eyes were fixed upon
a rattlesnake, which had its head raised and eyes glaring at
him. The poor fellow was leaning towards the snake, and cry-
ing piteously in a feeble tone, “ He will bite me he will bite !

me!” “Sure enough he will,” said his friend, “if you do not
run off. What are you staying here for?” Finding him dumb
to all entreaties, he struck down the snake with a limb of a tree,
and pulled his companion violently away. The man whose life
 AN

EGYPTIAN

SNAKE

CHARMER.
i34 HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS.

was thus providentially saved, found himself very sick for some
hours after his enchantment.
Professor Silliman mentions, that in June, 1823, he crossed
the Hudson at Catskill in company with a friend, and was pro-
ceeding in a carriage on the road along the river. The road
was very narrow, with the water on one side, and a steep bank
covered by bushes on the other. His attention at that place
was arrested by observing the number of small birds, of differ-
ent species, flying across the road and then back again, and
turning and wheeling in manifold gyrations and with much
chirping, yet making no progress from the particular place over
which they His
fluttered. own and his friend’s curiosity was
much excited, but was soon satisfied by observing a blacksnake,
of considerable size, partly coiled and partly erect from the
ground, with the appearance of great animation, his eyes brilliant
and his tongue rapidly and incessantly brandishing. This rep-
tile they perceived to be the cause and center of the wild mo-
tions of the birds. The excitement, however, ceased as soon as
the snake, alarmed at the approach of the carriage, retired into
the bushes. The birds did not escape, but alighting upon the
neighboring branches, probably awaited the reappearance of
their cruel tormentor and enemy.
I have read of a man residing in Pennsylvania who, return-

ing from a ride in warm weather, espied a blackbird, and a large

blacksnake viewing the bird. The latter was describing circles',
gradually growing smaller around the snake, and uttering cries
The bird had almost reached the jaws of its ene-
of distress.
my, when the man with his whip drove off the snake, and the
bird changed his note to one of joy.
A gentleman himself told me that while traveling one dav,
by the side of a creek, he saw a ground-squirrel running to and
fro between the creek and a great tree a few yards distant.
The squirrel’s hair looked very rough, which showed he was
much frightened and his returns being shorter and shorter,
;
 HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS. x
35

my friend stopped to observe the cause, and soon discovered the

head and neck of a rattlesnake pointing directly at the squirrel
through a hole in the great tree, which was hollow. The

BRAZILIAN TURTLE CHARMER,

gave over running, and laid himself quietly
squirrel at length
down with his head close to the snake’s. The snake then
opened his mouth wide and took in the squirrel’s head, when a
136 HYPNOTISM AND ANIMALS.

cut of the whip across his neck caused him todraw in his head,
which action, of course, released the squirrel, which quickly ran
into the creek.
Turtles may very easily be charmed by the use of slow ,
mo-
notonous music . — There are in Brazil several well-known turtle

charmers, who make it a specialty by the use of their art to

catch all the turtles they want. The charmer uses his instru-
ment, often same time imitating with his voice various
at the
animal calls, and the result comes in about fifteen to twenty
minutes. If any turtles are in the vicinity they will come first
one, two, then a whole herd, grouping themselves around the
charmer, listening to his music with great attention. The
charmer has throw the nets over the turtles.
assistants to The
nets are fastened to the ground by heavy weights and the turtles
are caught. Nearly all animals may be brought under influ-
ence, but the proceedings are different.
The experiment of Father Kircher, in 1646, with the hen
which lay motionless on the ground when a long chalk-line was
drawn from her bill, has often been repeated. To the same
class of phenomena belong all kinds of charming by the eves
or fascination —
as when the snake charmer by his eye tames
serpents, or when snakes paralyze frogs and other small ani-
mals. The art of Rarey, the famous horse-tamer, appears to
have consisted principally in hypnotic manipulations. Hypno-
tism and fascination play a very great role in taming wild ani-
mals, much more important than people generally believe es- ;

pecially when they are used with the proper manipulations.

How many true cases are reported in “Descriptions of Trav-
els” when a man in utmost danger of death, with destroyed or
poor weapons, has had only his will-force and the power of his
eyes to thank for saving a life that seemed lost.
 CHAPTER X.

HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.
BY GEORGE LUTKEN, M. D.
As near as I remember, it was in October of last year, that I
took the liberty of producing for the Illustrated Family Journal ,

an article on the wonders of hypnotic phenomena which of late

years has been the subject of investigation, especially by French
physicians, and an interest in which has begun to reach up to us.
I wrote several articles about the conclusions to which the for-
eign investigators had come; but I could only treat the subject
with the reservation that a contributor should take before he has
seen such phenomena himself. I did not try to hide that which
I considered rather doubtful in my articles as to these altogether
unexplainable phenomena. During the nine or ten months that
have passed since I wrote the above mentioned articles, I have
with industry studied a great deal of the important literature
that treats on this subject. I have also had an opportunity to

investigate these phenomena closer, both on the sick and healthy.

I have seen several extraordinary and wonderfully successful
results of hypnotic cures of sick people , where the disease was
caused by a nervous debilitation or other nervous weakness. To
,

an interested public I am convinced that a description of the

hypnotic phenomena, such as I with my own eyes have
seen, will be of great and will also interest the
interest,
Journals enormous circle of readers, and by that means a large
audience can become closer acquainted with the subject. It will
be well, however, to caution those interested not to give them-
selves up to the first hypnotist who comes along. Hypnotism
misused is quite a dangerous thing for the community.
i37
*3 y HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

We should endeavor to investigate hypnotism at a nearer

distance, and also take every precaution not to be humbugged
by the hypnotist or hypnotizer, but also with our own eyes
because we must remember that we cannot easily deceive our-
selves. With regard to my own investigations, which I will
relate, will say that the experiments have been performed at my

own home, and I have each time taken care that beside my
family, there has been one or more gentlemen present whom I
could depend upon, so that at all times I have had trustworthy
witnesses. There have been present at these experiments, col-
leagues, lawyers and men in other avocations, who of course
were interested in the subject, but who regarded it with the
greatest coolness, and without having preconceived ideas about it.
The hypnotist who with the utfnost cou?’tesy and complete
,

disinterestedness caused the different conditions I wished is

, ,

Mr. Carl Sextus a young Dane who has resided in eastern

, ,

countries, where he acquired his peculiar knowledge, and made

hypnotism a profession. He has in different countries of north-
ern Europe and America, and also in this country, given a
number of seances. He has for the past year or so resided here
in Copenhagen. I have been acquainted with Mr. Sextus for

about six months, and I was greatly pleased to find in him a

professional hypnotist, whohas nothing of the charlatan about
him. He has at every opportunity shown the liveliest interest
that the medical profession in this country should also take hold
of the yet obscure hypnotic question. I am thankful to him
for the never failing readiness with which he has placed him-
self at my disposal. It has often pained me, that because
of the obscure nature of the subject, I have been obliged
to show suspicion, which often wounded him, but this was
necessary, if I obtained a clear insight in the matter, and be able
to describe what I had heard and seen in such a manner that
doubters may be convinced. For the physician, the object of
such investigation will undoubtedly be to find in hypnotism a
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. »39

remedy for that vast number of diseases originating from an

abnormal brain and nerve activity, and against which the weap-
ons we procure from the arsenal of the apothecary are without
effect. As the doctor, before he applies a new remedy on a
patient, first tries it on a healthy person therefore the hypnotic
;

phenomenon should be tried on a healthy person before produc-

ing it on a patient.
I believe that I have already mentioned that I would not

treat of hypnotic cures in this article. What I am going to

relate is the unvarnished statement about experiments per-
formed under the strictest conditions in my own home upon
ladies and gentlemen who had already shown themselves to be
particularly susceptible to hypnotic influence, and who were in
possession of good health. All of these individuals assured
me that they had no unpleasant feelings whatever, either during
or after being hypnotized. As they have always, with the
greatest pleasure and readiness, been at my service for these ex-
periments, I owe them my most sincere thanks. The suscepti-
bility is developed considerably by repeated attempts, for that
reason, if to investigate the phenomenon, it is better to select
individuals who have been hypnotized before. At public
seances there are always a number of young people who desire
to try the experiment, and among these you will always find
some who are particularly susceptible. I had the opportunity
to witness several exhibitions given by Mr. Sextus, before sev-
eral private societies, and I observed that it was quite easy to
select good subjects, who, as I have already observed, have with
pleasure placed themselves at my disposal. I thought it neces-

sary to make the above remarks, but will now go on and give
the account of the original attempts, and will go into particu-
lars and explanations in regard to the nature of the hypnotic
conditions.
The first attempts at my house were with subjects of post-
hypnotic experiment. It is understood that the hypnotist,
140 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

while the subject is still under influence, commands him at a

certain time after he is awakened to perform some certain act.
At a small party on the second day of March this year, in a
private family in Copenhagen, at which Mr. Sextus was pres-
ent, he was asked to perform some hypnotic experiments. On
this occasion a gentleman who had been hypnotized several
times previously was sent for. After he had been put to sleep
the suggestion was made, that on the next Saturday, March 5th
at 8 o’clock p. m., he was to leave his home on Nerrebro Gade
and go to my residence on Store Kongens Gade after having ;

asked for me and spoken to me, he was to perform a number

of insignificant actions in an exact order as stated, after which
he was to fall into a deep sleep, from which only Mr. Sextus could
awaken him. As this gentleman, in a previous similar experi-
ment, had caused quite a sensation on the street by his unsteadv
walk and peculiar appearance, it was also suggested to him that
he walk perfectly erect and straight on the sidewalk take good ;

care not to push against any of the passers by, and to have a
perfectly normal appearance.
I was informed by Mr. Sextus the next day of the experi-

ment, and according to agreement, Mr. Sextus and a small

number of others, and among them a physician, arrived at my
house the Saturday evening mentioned, 30 p. m.
at To
7 :

avoid any unnecessary sensations and interference with the sub-

ject and the exjaeriment, I had given the servants orders to
leave the doors unlocked, and to allow the man to pass in un-
disturbed when he came, which would be between S and 8 : 30
o’clock. I learned later that the subject was an iron moulder,
whose name was L. N., twenty-three years old, married, had
two children, and was a sober and industrious man. He
had been hypnotized five or six times before by Mr. Sextus.
He had never been at my house before.
At 8: 25 the door bell rang; my son opened the door, and
without hesitation the young man stepped into my private of-
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. 1
41

fice, which had been vacated by all, with the exception of my

colleague and myself. The others remained in an adjoining
room, from which, through an open door, they could observe
everything that was going on. Mr. Sextus had stepped into a
side room so that he would not be seen by L. N. The hypno-
tized man, who held himself rather stiff, and spoke with a cer-
tain dull accent, repeated exactly what had been told him, and
performed the different acts in exact order. He stared at me
without any expression in his eyes, and after he had accom-
plished what had been told him to do, he fell into a deep and
unconscious sleep, from which he could not be awakened by
any of us, by either speaking to him or touching him. Mr.
Sextus placed the index finger and the middle finger of his
right hand in front of the subject’s wide open eyes, who fol-
lowed the hypnotist into the next room. There were now sev-
eral experiments performed, to convince us that the subject was
completely insensible to any pain. I placed under his right
arm a mark an inch long with a red hot knitting needle with- ,

out any motion or sign that he felt it. I put a strong needle
through his hand, so that it projected a quarter of an inch on
the other side during which (he being commanded) sat with a
,

happy and smiling expression on his face.

In the same manner as before the hypnotist brought the sub-
ject back to my office, where he was seated in an easy chair.
By investigation it was found that the pupils of his eyes — not-
withstanding the strong light —were considerably dilated, but
by bringing a lighted candle close to the eyes, the pupils slightly
contracted. A trial with a very strong electric battery proved
that he was only slightly susceptible to electric influence ; the
handles even fell from his grasp while the effect upon us was
,

so strong that we could not let go when we held them.

Mr. Sextus now awoke the sleeper by a sharp shout. He
opened his eyes and gazed about with a dazed look, evidently
surprised at finding himself in a strange house, surrounded by
142 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

a party of almost entire strangers. I then asked him several

questions which he answered quickly and satisfactorily. He
declared that he felt splendid, and apparently had not the
slightest idea ofhaving undergone any painful operation.
I shall not go into fuller description of those more or less

ordinary experiments concerning suggestions, which were all

successful, but only give a few which astonished me greatly at
the time. have had the opportunity to witness since, experi-
I

ments which were even much more astonishing.

Mr. Sextus, at a previous time, had assured me that he, by
merely making a pass with his hand, could transfer his power
of controlling a person to another, who was altogether unac-
quainted with the art. I remembered
and expressed a wish
this

to be put en rapport with L. N., during his sleep. This was

immediately done, and he, when he was asleep before had not
paid the slightest attention to what I had said or done, now fol-
lowed me in the same way he had Mr. Sextus, following my
commands, even to repeating with extraordinary exactness a
number of Greek sentences of Odysian which I said one bv one.
,

At the same time, after Mr. Sextus’ instructions, I tapped him

lightly on the crown of his head with my two fingers. I was
instructed to remove the tapping from that part of his head, and
was informed that the hypnotized would no longer obey me,
but as soon as I tapped him as before, the influence returned.
I saw Mr. Sextus scrape along the floor with his foot in front

of the subject, and from that instant my influence over him

was gone.
While L. N. was in one of the rooms having some supper,
and I was present with him alone, I heard a single clap of hands
from one of the rooms, and at the same instant the subject fell
asleep again. The hypnotist, at? a distance, had in this manner
put him to sleep. The reader will later on get still more
astonishing proof of this power, exercised at a distance and per-
fectly noiseless. If we had not seen it ourselves, and taken
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. *43

care to exclude all chance of being cheated, I will honestly

admit that I would have concluded the whole of it was a humbug.
I will not dwell any longer in explaining the experiments
with L. N., only to add that my porter told me that the subject
came to the house at the above mentioned time, without the
porter noticing anything peculiar about him. He first turned
where there is a separate door to one of the apart-
to the right,
ments, where he stood a moment shaking the door knob. He
then observed the door-plate, discovered his mistake, and then
went to the proper door.
I will call attention to post-hypnotic experiments, by which
the subject, after a shorter or longer period, is compelled to per-
form acts that may be entirely against his nature. A French
physician, Professor Beaunis, has lately given an account of an
order that was exactly executed a full year after the suggestion
had been given. In this manner a rascal could influence another
person to commit a crime, while it would be very difficult to
discover the originator. The poor instrument on coming out of
the hypnotic sleep, would not have the slightest idea of what
he had done. On the other hand we learned through our experi-
ments that hypnotized individuals are utterly insensible to pain.
Physicians can perhaps have in that condition a splendid nar-
cotic for operations, where for some reason they cannot use
chloroform, ether, etc.

In the first part of June I had the opportunity to see a young

lady perform a post-hypnotic experiment, which was rather
complicated. She was told to leave her home in a carriage, be
driven to a certain place down town, where
she had never been
before, there to select a particular person out a room of which
therewas a number, and where good many people passed in
a
and out, say some exact words to that person, and then fall

asleep and to remain in that condition until Mr. Sextus, who

was to come later, awakened her. On this occasion there was
several experiments similar to those related by the French
H4 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

physician, which, being successful, I had a great desire to try

them at my own house with the same subject, where I could
investigate them more closely. The subject, Miss H., was, I
judge, about twenty-two years old, employed as a cashier in a
down-town store. She had previously been hypnotized by Mr.
Sextus four or five times. She is small of stature, but well de-
veloped, a light brunette, blue-gray eyes, and had from her own
statement never suffered from any serious illness.
On the 1 6th of June, at 8 o’clock, p. m., Miss H. came will-
ingly to my house according to my request. Mr. Sextus was
already there in company with a few others who had been in-
vited. The young lady was ushered into the parlor, where
she was soon engaged in conversation with those present.
Pretending it to be necessary, I went with Mr. Sextus into my
room, where we agreed that he should place himself where the
subject could not see him and begin to hypnotize her, when I,
by a slight coughing, should give the signal. 1 had not, in or-
der to make the experiment more convincing, imparted our agree-
ment to any of the others. I was sure the subject could not be
influenced by seeing or hearing the hypnotist. During the
lively conversation that was going on I gave the signal, and as I
did so the subject turned her head toward the absent Mr. Sextus,
at the same time taking on an absent-minded expression.
I asked her if anything was the matter, to which she replied in

a low voice that nothing was the matter. Her eyes became set,
and a moment after, as the hypnotist made a short motion in
the air with his outstretched hand, she arose from the chair and
with slow, dragging stej^s went towards Mr. Sextus in the ad-
joining room. He was closely watched by me all the time , and
had not moved from the spot nor made any noise whatever.
,

The two fingers before her eyes, led

hypnotist, by placing
her back to the room from which she had come and placed her
in her chair. During this sleep she received an order to in
five minutes after waking, go into the next room to the piano,
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. H5
and from a number of books to select a certain volume, and, in
a kneeling position, hand it to me, and in a certain tone of voice
to repeat some exact words. The subject was awakened by a
slow fanning, when she had not the slightest recollection of what
had happened, but continued the conversation. Exactly five min-
utes after her eyes took on a staring expression, she arose as if
obeying some unavoidable impulse, and executed the order
precisely. She was again awakened while still in the kneeling
position and was evidently disturbed and rather angry over the
situation.
Miss H. now partook of some refreshments, and while the
young lady was in the act of eating a piece of cake, I gave Mr.
Sextus, who sat a few yards behind her, a signal by a slight
wink. He made a noiseless motion with his hand and she
instantly turned her head and Jeel asleep. During this there
was several suggestions made to her. She was walking in a
garden picking flowers, one by one, and placing them together
in an imaginary bouquet in her left hand. It was suggested

that one of them was held very tight, she therefore pulled it out
with a quick jerk. She was told to enjoy the odor of the
flowers, and with evident pleasure she smelled her bouquet.
The hypnotist sneezed, and at the same time told her it smelled
very strong. She immediately sneezed several times in succes-
sion until she was stopped by a motion of his hand. She was
told that she was out in a boat and would be sea- sick. No
sooner said, than the usual symptoms of a faint feeling and diz-
ziness showed themselves, and I am positive that she would
have become quite sea-sick, if the impression had not been
removed by the hypnotist. I will not continue to relate the
different suggestions that were made to her, but pass over to a
new attempt, which was the cause of several of a similar nature,
and which greatly astonished me.
The reader will remember that the experiments began by
Miss H. being hypnotized at a distance. I wished to try if it
146 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

could also be done from behind a closed door. Unobserved by

the subject, who during her waking intervals was busily con-
versing with the others, I 'went -with Air. Sextus into 7ny room
cmd closed the door. We compared our watches, and it was
agreed after a certain number of minutes he would attempt to
hypnotize the young lady while locked in my room. I now
returned to the other room and at the exact time agreed upon
, ,

in the act of answering a question of one of the gentlemen, the

subject stopped short. The others were wholly u?iaware of
what was to happen. She dropped her head as usual in a deep
sleep got up and went towards the closed door which she
, ,

opened and then went toward Dr. Sextus who stood in the cen-
,

ter of the room with his hand outstretched toward the door.
During this hypnose it was suggested to her that the next
morning before going down town to work, she should write a
letter to me, the contents of which had been dictated in the sug-
gestion, and it was to be signed “Gaston.” This name was
pronounced with a certain dashing accent. I mention this
because the signature in the letter, which reached me through
the mail in due time, was written with a flourishing- swing
which undoubtedly resulted from the suggestion which she had
received while asleep. If the young lady should read this
account, she will then for the first time be aware of having
written me such a letter; that is a peculiar part of the hypnotic
conditions, that the subject has no recollection of having received
a suggestion or having performed it.

What caused most wonder at this experiment was hypno-

tizing at a distance. Although had heard of such experi-
I

ments before, I always considered such communications as con-

scious or unconscious stories, as we would naturally consider it
as an agreed upon deception. Although I had done all in my
power to prevent any communication between the hypnotist and
the subject, and the witnesses present, in spite of all their vigi-
lance, had not been able to discover that any communication
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. *47

had taken place between the parties concerned by any ordinary

means of expression. However, I wished to investigate the
matter closer and take still further precautions.
On Shoemaker Sch., according to my re-
the 23rd of June,
quest, came to my house. He was about twenty years of age,
born in Sweden, of medium 'height, pretty well built, brown,
curly hair, light brown eyes, and a pale complexion. He de-
clared never to have suffered from any sickness, and had pre-
viously been hypnotized several times; he thinks five or six
times by Mr. Sextus. Before he arrived Mr. Sextus and a few
of my particular friends had already made their appearance. I

explained to Mr. Sextus not to let the subject know by any

noise that he was present and to remain in a room which was
some distance from my office. When Shoemaker Sch. came, well
knowing that the object of his coming was to execute some hyp-
notic experiments, I told him I was afraid of some misunder-
standing occurring, as Mr. Sextus had not yet arrived. How-
ever, I asked him to wait a while and see if the missing one
would not come. I began a conversation with him in my of-
fice. Mr. Sextus and my friends were in the next room ob-
serving the strictest silence. The hypnotist could hear the
signal agreed upon for beginning the experiment, which was a
light scratching with my on the door, as I stood with my
nails
back against it. The instant I gave the signal the subject
drew a deep breath, fell back in the chair with upturned eyes
and slept. We now made several experiments during his sleep
which were only of consequence to the medical profession and
which for that reason I will pass. I will, however, relate one
particular. His pulse was counted and found to be 120 beats
per minute. I made the request that they should go down to

eighty within two minutes. The hypnotist gave him the sug-
gestion that his heart should beat slower and easier until it
reached eighty beats to a minute. When the two minutes had
elapsed his pulse was eighty-two, almost what was desired.
148 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

This phenomenon was of extraordinary importance from a

scientific standpoint, as we see that the nervous system’s activity
during the hypnosis can be modified and that the hypnotist
acquires a certain power over life’s involuntary operations,
which, during a normal condition, is During the
impossible.
whole experiment the pupils of the eyes of the subject were
also considerably dilated, even if we allowed him to look
straight at the light. The moment he awakened they con-
tracted to their normal size. The subject now had some lunch
in my dining-room, while the rest, together with Mr. Sextus, had
gone into my office, which is separated from the dining room
by a large sitting room. The dining-room is so situated that
the door of my office cannot be seen when sitting at the dining
table,while from the sitting room you have a view of both
apartments. In a whisper I requested Mr. Sextus from his
present position to try his influence over the subject, who was
in the dining-room. Just then Mr. Sextus lifted his arm
the subjectdropped his hand and fell asleep. I asked Mr. Sex-
tus to wake him from the same place. The subject immediately
regained consciousness, heaved a deep sigh and continued his
meal without apparently having any knowledge of the inter-
mediate episode. He was brought once more under influence
and I desired to, be put en rapport with him, so as to give him a
suggestion myself. I told him his right arm was sore, which
could be cured by putting on a Spanish fly; I took a piece of
paper, covered with gum-arabic, which I pasted on his arm,
telling him it was a Spanish fly, which would draw a blister,
and on the following evening at 8 30 o’clock, in a perfectly
:

normal condition, come to my house to be examined. Mr. Sex-

tus told me at the time that he did not think that I had sriven
the suggestion with sufficient distinctness, and that the result
would not perhaps be satisfactory. He said that he had never
tried the experiment himself. I performed it after a French

physician’s account.
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. >49

On the 24th of June Mr. Sextus was at my house, and

shortly before the subject arrived, I requested him to remain
several rooms away from my room.
reception When the sub-
ject had made his appearance Mr. Sextus should accompanied
, ,

by some of the gentlemen go down the kitchen stairs to the

,

back gate which is about ninety feet from the main building
, ,

and one hundred and thirty-five feet from where the subject
was to sit. One of the gentlemen was to take up a position by
a window facing the yard, and by waving a handkerchief, give
the signal for Mr. Sextus to commence operations. I will ad-

mit that at the time I felt rather ashamed of making such an

attempt, which seemed to me sheer nonsense, and at the same time
an impossibility. I went in to the subject who, during our con-
versation, suddenly fell asleep. I went to the gentleman who

was to give the signal and told him the subject was asleep, and
he informed me that he had just given the signal. This won-
derful experiment had then been successful. I wondered if
some secret connection had not taken and made up my
place,
mind to try another experiment, to still further sharpen my
measure of precaution, which I will mention later.
Before hypnotizing at a distance took place, I had a long
conversation with the subject who, I found, had misunderstood
the suggestion given him by me the evening before. He told
me that he had a pain in the right arm, at the exact spot where I
had pasted the paper, and during the night he got up and bathed
it in cold water. He had, of course, washed the paper off. He
asked me if I did not think a Spanish fly that would draw a blister
would help him. “ What makes you think so,” I asked. “I don’t
know,” said he, “but just thought so.” “Have you ever used
a Spanish fly?” I again asked. “No,” he answered. “How
then do you know,” said I, “ that it draws a blister? ” “ I don’t
know, but just thought so,” he replied. “ V ery well,” I answered,
“ queer enough, you have struck the right remedy. I will now
put a Spanish fly on your arm, and the pain will immediately
r
5o
HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

disappear.” I cut a piece of gummed paper into a strip

about two inches long and one inch and a half wide, which I
pasted on his arm and put a bandage around it. It was at this

point that the above-mentioned signal was given, and Mr. Sex-
tus now came into the room to the sleeper. At my request the
hypnotist now, with a sharp, almost threatening voice, gave the
following suggestions :
“ The Spanish fly you have on your
arm must remain there undisturbed. It will, without causing
you any pain, draw a large blister. To-morrow evening at 9
o’clock you must come here to the Doctor’s office, show him the
blister, and inform him that your arm is well.” The commands
were repeated several times, sharp and distinct, and he also re-
quired the subject to repeat the suggestions word for word.
Mr. Sextus, ending in a very commanding voice, said “ I want
happen.”
this to
According to my desire, those present went into another
room while I remained alone with the subject, whom I asked Mr.
Sextus to slowly awaken from the other room, the door of
which was closed. I seated myself opposite the subject, ready
to resume the conversation where had been interrupted. /
it

saw him gasp for breath three times in succession and then grad- ,

ually wake up. I spoke to him and he answered me as if noth-

ing had interrupted us. I will only remark that the witnesses
in the other room stated that M
r. Sextus had awakened the subject

by making three passes to the side, which corresponded to the

three gasps. Shoemaker Sch. was now dismissed without any
idea that Mr. Sextus had been present.
The subject arrived the 25th of June, five minutes after the
appointed Without being asked, he told me that the
time.
pain in his arm bad disappeared, and that the plaster (gummed
paper) had come loose during the night, that he had replaced
it, and in order to keep it there had tied a thread around it.
On investigation it was fowid that a blister filed with water,
,

had formed, the exact size of the paper, such as we see after a
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. •
5 1

quick drawing plaster has been applied. The surrounding

skin , as is tisually the case, was not red, caused by the extra
current of blood, but perfectly white. The paper, perhaps on
account of perspiration, had lost all its gum. On closer exami-
nation, it was found that the blister was exactly the same
formed as
after a Spanish fly. The subject had experienced no pain from
the experiment he had hardly even noticed the blister.
;

I will try one more experiment that was performed the same

evening. I handed the subject a letter telling him that Mr.

Sextus had left it for him. He opened the envelope and imme-
diately fell asleep. The letter contained only the one word,
“sleep.” He had never before seen Mr. Sextus’ hand-writing,
and I am therefore convinced that it was the circumstance of
telling him who it was from that caused him to be influenced.
On the other hand, I do not doubt that having seen the hand-
writing of Mr. Sextus, it would only be necessary to hold it
before his eyes to bring him under hypnotic influence, without
mentioning Mr. Sextus’ name.
I was anxious to try one more experiment of hypnotizing at

a distance, under such guarantee that any unbeliever could be

convinced. It was done in the following manner on the 7th
of June.
I had invited a very esteemed but skeptic colleague r also a lead-
ing police inspector, to come to my
house on the day mentioned
a little before 9 o’clock p. m. The above mentioned Shoemaker
Sch., as we have seen was very susceptible to hypnotic influence.
I had per letter asked him to be at my house at
9 o’clock. I
told the gentlemen what the experiment was grounded upon,
and did not try to hide that it seemed in a sense superstitious,
but that from the experiments already jierformed I considered I
had good cause for going still further.
I asked them to set the exact time, when Mr. Sextus, from his

apartments in Ny Ostergade, should begin to hypnotize this man

in my room on St. Kongensgade, near the Marble Head church.
*
52 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

The distance in a straight line measured on a map is 2,790 feet.

The gentlemen willingly, even with a smile on their faces, con-
sented to my proposal. A
was written to Mr. Sextus,
letter

which was taken to him at his home by my son, whose watch

had been set with ours. Mr. Sextus was requested in the let-
ter, at exactly fifteen minutes after nine, (the time having been
set by my friends) by my son’s watch, to commence hypnotiz-
ing Shoemaker Sch., who was sitting in a chair in my room.
The subject was placed with his face to the light, so that the
two gentlemen who were conversing with him could watch him
closely. I had given him a cigar which he seemed very much

to enjoy. fust when the hands of our watches had reached the
set time his face assumed a disturbed expression.
,
He did not
answer us rubbed his forehead with one hand, tried to brace
,

himself up and cottie out of the stupor. He tried to put his

cigar in his mouth but his hands dropped down and he fell
,

into a deep sleep.

The long distance made this experiment still more unex-
plainable. Mr. Sextus soon arrived, together with my and
son,
was himself rather astonished over the result. He had never
before attempted to hypnotize at nearly so great a distance.
There was a number which I
of other experiments tried with
will not tire the reader. [ —
Front the Ilhistrated Family fournal ,

Copenhagen Denmark fuly 31, and August 7, i88y

, , .

TESTIMONIAL.

On Wednesday evening, March 2, 1SS7, Carl Sextus, the

celebrated hypnotist, according to previous arrangement, ap-
peared at the residence of the undersigned H. F. Jensen, where
a limited number of friends were gathered. We had an anima-
ted and interesting conversation in regard to hypnotic phenom-
ena, which Professor Sextus produces with great ease with
susceptible hypnotic individuals. Professor Sextus perfonned
several experiments during the evening, but it is the intention
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. 1
53

to confirm only the truth of the following :wasA subject

placed in hypnotic sleep, during which he was commanded by
Mr. Sextus, on the following March 5, at 8
Saturday,
o’clock p. m., to leave his home in Norrebro Gade and walk
directly to the residence of Dr. Lutken, at 67 Kongengade
where, after ringing the bell, he should ask for Dr.
street,
Lutken, introducing himself as the hypnotist, Carl Sextus, who
was coming to hypnotize the doctor. According to directions,
and on the day mentioned, the subject was to be shown into the
doctor’s drawing room, where a small party woidd be assembled
to perform the suggested manifestations; thereafter to crow
like a cock, swing his arms in the air and fall into a deep hyp-
notic sleep, from which he could be awakened by Professor
Sextus only, who for the occasion is to be present. The sub-
ject was instructed to keep on the sidewalk, and to carefully
avoid interference with the crowd and although sleeping, to
;

bear the evidence of being awake in a perfectly normal condi-

tion. To ascertain whether these instructions were followed
according to the suggestions given by Mr. Sextus, a committee
consisting of Messrs. S. Petersen and R. Jensen, was appointed
to follow and watch the subject.

J. L. W. V. Jensen, C. E., Copenhagen Telephone Co.

G. M. R. Levinsen, Principal Royal Zoological Museum.
Julius Nielsen, Postmaster Royal Mail.
Sophus Petersen, Actor, Royal Opera.
Harald F. Jensen, Vice President Copenhagen Tel. Co.
Wm. Jensen, Bookkeeper Danish Sugar Refining Co.
Martin Creutz, Lieutenant.
Viggo Blythman, Banker.
Frederiksberg, March 2, 1SS7.

We, the undersigned, certify that the subject according to

the instructions given him, left his home Saturday evening at 8
o’clock, and went to the residence of Dr. Lutken, and on the
J
54 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

way he conducted himself exactly in accordance with the orders

given. The undersigned, separated by a short distance, fol-
lowed the subject from his home to destination, 67 St. Kongengade.

J. L. W. V. Jensen, C.Copenhagen Telephone Co.

E.,
Sophus Petersen, Actor, Royal Opera.
Martin Creutz, Lieutenant.
Viggo Blythman, Banker.
Copenhagen, March 6, 18S7.

Herman Schwartz, M. D., in The Illustrated Family Jour-

nal Copenhagen, Nov. 25, 1887, says:
,

“ During the past six months Mr. Carl Sextus, of whom

Dr. George Lutken recently spoke with so much praise, has
been conducting a considerable number of hypnotic cures in this
city in co-operation with, and under the direction of a promi-
nent physician.
Lutken has recently described a number of hypnotic
“ Dr.
experiments conducted by him and Mr. Sextus, and as I have
had occasion, together with the editor of this journal, Mr. Al-
ler, to witness a number of expei-iments differing from those

described by Dr. Lutken, I have thought it might not be unin-

teresting to give our readers some new evidences of Mr. Sextus’
rare powers as a hypnotist.
“On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1S87, I called on Mr. Aller in his
on Blaagaardsgade, to arrange the details for the experi-
office

ments which were to be made a few hours later. I will not

deny that it was with a great deal of doubt of obtaining a posi-
went trying Mr. Sextus’ ability as a hypnotist;
tive result that I
for I had made up my mind to select a distance greatly in ac-
cess of any that Mr. Sextus had heretofore overcome. After
Mr. Aller and I had completed our arrangements in regard to
the experiment, we sent for Mr. Sextus. Mr. Sextus had no
idea of the arrangements I had made with Mr. Aller, but when
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. I
55

he learned that a new experiment in hypnotism was to be tried

he showed himself ready and willing, as usual, to do whatever
we required. He was given a sealed letter, and was directed to
take the next train for Lyngby, distant about eleven English
miles from the place where we were; to proceed to the tele-
phone station at that place, deliver the letter to the telephone
director,and then await further developments. The letter,
which Mr. Sextus delivered, merely requested that the gentle-
man addressed should be present with Mr. Sextus as a witness;
and that he carry on the conversation through the telephone,
which was communication with Mr. Aller’s on Blaa-
in direct
gaardsgade. In the meantime a messenger was sent to journey-
man Shoemaker Sell., whom Mr. Sextus had previously utilized
for similar — if not so far-reaching — experiments. He arrived
at 3:45 p. M., entirely ignorant of what was about to take
place. Mr. Aller him into
led the room where the experiment
was to be made, and where I then was. There was no intro-
dution, and I at once began a conversation with him, and asked
him why he had come, and he replied that he did not know, but
that he had received a letter from Mr. Aller requesting him to
come at a certain time, and that was why he had come. I gave him
a cigar, told him to sit down and placed myself opposite to
;

him keeping him constantly engaged in conversation. I told

;

him that I was one of Mr. Aller’s assistants, and that we ex-
pected Mr. Sextus at 5 o’clock to try some experiments in hyp-
notism in which he (Sch.) and I were to take part as subjects. I
told him that we had received word that Mr. Sextus could not
come until an hour later than he had expected.
“ It was now
4 o’clock. Mr. Aller (who had in the meantime
ascertained, through the telephone in his office, that Mr. Sex-
tus was at the telephone station together with the director and
his daughter) now came in and notified me by a sign that every-
thing was ready for the trial. It is a matter of course that our
watches were set exactly alike.
 J
56
HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

“ At four minutes after four Mr. Aller notified Mr. Sextus

through the telephone to begin. To prevent misunderstanding
I would here remark that the telephone room was on the Jirst
floor, while the subject was in a room situated on the fourth
floor / so that all possibility of the subject being able to hear the
conversation carried on over the telephone was excluded.
“ A
few seconds later Mr. Sextus had received the order and
executed making a pass in
it, the air in the direction of Copen-
hagen. At the same instant the subject, who up to that time
had been freely conversing with me and smoking his cigar,
became impatient. He no longer replied when spoken to he ;

rocked his body backward and forward his face took on a ;

stiff, absent-minded expression; and his breathing became

rapid and irregular. This state lasted two minutes. He then
became quiet. His breathing became I'egular; he drew a deep
breath, and he was now in a deep hypnotic sleep.
“We now telephoned to Mr. Sextus and told him to allow
the subject to sleep five minutes, and to awaken him at exactlv
nine minutes past 4 o’clock. To was obeyed
be brief the order
, ;

and at exactly five minutes after the subject fell asleep he drew
a deep breath opened his eyes, looked around a momc 7it with a
,

puzzled expression, and then immediately continued the con-

versation as if nothing had happened. I handed him a match

to light his cigar, which had gone out. He thanked me, and
lighted the cigar, remarking, apologetically, that he was not
accustomed to smoking, and that it was probably on that ac-
count had gone out.
that the cigar To avoid unnecessarv
repetition, I shall simply state that this trial was made twice
—
more within an hour both times with the same satisfactory re-
sult. I would observe that during his sleep the subject’s pulse

was between 120 and 130; whereas, while he was awake it

was eighty. In conclusion, I will say that the man went home
at having been told that we had received word
5 o’clock,
from Mr. Sextus that it would be impossible for him to come at
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. l
57

the appointed hour. He left without having the slightest idea

that he had been hypnotized, and after cheerfully consenting
to come to Mr. Aller’s private residence the same evening at 7
o’clock, when Mr. Sextus would undertake a few more experi-
ments. Before I proceed to describe the experiments at that
time I will mention a little incident which occurred in one of
the intervals between the above experiments, and which, though
seemingly insignificant, led to a very interesting experiment
later on. As we were walking about the room, during one of
these intervals, the subject stopped at a table and picked up a
photograph of Mr. Sextus and examined it. When zve asked
him if he would care to own it he said he would rather have
,

one of himself. We replaced it on the table, and during the

evening Mr. Aller suggested an experiment based on this inci-
dent.
“That evening I had occasion to see the experiments which I
shall now describe, at Mr. Aller’s private residence, where a
select party of and gentlemen, specially invited, had
ladies
gathered. Mr. Sextus did only what he was requested to do.
One of the gentlemen present, a Mr. L., who had not been
present at the long distance experiments of the afternoon, ex-
pressed a desire to see a similar experiment, and as he was
somewhat skeptical he did not state at what time he would ex-
pect the experiment to be made. He requested Mr. Sextus to
put Sch., into the cataleptic state. Mr. Sextus at once
made a pass in the air, and the subject fell into hypnotic sleep^
and on Mr. Sextus’ suggestion at once became perfectly rigid
from head to foot.
“ The guests gathered around the subject and Mr. Z,., who ,

had proposed the experiment requested Mr. Aller to set his

,

watch exactly with his and to note the instant the subject would
,

awake. Then, with a slight smile on his lips, and without saying
another word, he took Mr. Sextus by the arm and led him out
of the room and out of the house, down the street about a block,
i5» HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

around the corner into another street, where he walked up and

down with Mr. Sextus. Suddenly he stood still, looked at his
watch and said to the hypnotist awaken him ! Sextus made his
,

pass in the air. The two gentlemen returned to the house,

where they found the guests speaking with the subject, who
had suddenly awakened and continued his conversation without
the least idea of having been put to sleep.
‘On comparison it was shown that Mr. Auer’s watch showed
that exactly twelve minutes had elapsed fro7n the time the two
gentlemen left the house until the subject awoke , and Mr. L.
had to admit that exactly that length of time had passed whe7i
he told Mr. Sextus to awaken hi?n.
“ Now another experiment. While the guests were grouped
about the room listening to Mr. Aller, who was playing the
organ, it occurred to me to have Sch., who stood by
the organ greatly enjoying the music, hypnotized for a moment.
I sat on the sofa with Mr. Sextus and Mr. Aller’s daughter

and I asked Mr. Sextus if he could hypnotize him without

speaking to him or drawing his attention in any way. Sch.
stood at the organ with his back to us. Sextus sat
half turned away, and I watched them both. Suddenly about
half a minute after I had made my request, I saw Sch.
getting uneasy / his face assumed a rigid abse7it expressio7i
,

and he was just about to fall asleep when I said to Mr. Sextus ,
,

‘ awaken him ,’ which he did with a si77iple 77iotion of his ha7id.

Nobody but the young lady, Mr. Sextus and I, had any idea of
what had happened.
“ I will now relate the experiment which was suggested by
the desire expressed by the subject in the afternoon, to have a
portrait. Mr. Aller cut a number of slips of paper the size of
an ordinary photograph. On one of these he placed a mark
invisible to any one who was not initiated. Mr. Sch. was now
hypnotized, and Mr. Sextus requested to give him the sugges-
tion that on the particular piece of paper, which we had marked,
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. *59

he would find an excellent portrait of himself and that he could

;

always, whether hypnotized or awake, be able to find it amongst

the other similar pieces, and to distinctly see his portrait. He
looked over the slips and stopped at the one we had marked,
and said that was his photograph. This was repeated several
times, with the same result, for he always picked out the same
slip. He was then awakened, and the conversation went on as
though nothing had happened. After some time I approached
Sch., and asked him if he remembered that in the
afternoon he had expressed a wish to possess a picture of him-
self. When he replied that he did, I handed him the slips of
paper and told him that on one of them was his photograph.
He evidently thought I was making fun of him, and he was
half offended, pushing the slips aside; and for some time it was
impossible to make him look at them again. Finally, after we
had earnestly asked him to look them over, he did so, still
unwillingly and carelessly, as though it was a very poor joke.
Suddenly he became more attentive his careless expression
;

gave way to a look of great surprise, and he said, as he picked

out the marked slip Why, that is ?tiy photograph ; but how
:
‘

did that happen We explained to him that after Mr. Aller

heard him express the wish to possess his own portrait, he had
taken an instantaneous photograph of him while he stood talk-
ing to me, without his knowledge. This explanation satisfied
him, and with evident pleasure he put the supposed photo into
his breast-pocket. Later during the evening he was always
willing to show photograph to anyone who wished to see
his
it. Once, while he was showing it to a gentleman, it was
remarked that the portrait was somewhat dim, and he replied
that that was no wonder, for it was rather dark when it was
taken.
“ In order that he should not make himself ridiculous before
others by exhibiting a blank piece of paper as his photograph,
he was again hypnotized, and it was suggested to him that he
i6o HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

must never show the photograph to anyone. He was awakened,

and a short time after I asked him to let me see his photograph
again, but he was completely changed in manner. He only
replied that it was of no use as I had already seen it. He
refused to show it to anyone, even to Mr. Sextus. When he
was again hypnotized it was suggested that he forget all about
the photograph, which he did.
“ Before I close I will relate a few more experiments, which
show the power Mr. Sextus exercises over his subjects. Mr.
Sch., was hypnotized, and then I and several others present, tried
to make the subject obey us, but in vain then Mr. Sextus
;

made a pass in the air, and from that moment the subject obeyed
me. In this manner Mr. Sextus could put the subject in rap-
port with anyone of the persons present, and transfer his power
over the subject to such persons but he was also able at any
;

time to take back the influence over the subject to himself.

Thus it was remarkable to see how when the subject was fol-
,

lowing the person to whom the power had been transferred

Air. Sextus could draw the subject toward him with his ,

outstretched arm, even when the subject had his back turned ,

and even though Air. Sextus and the subject were in differe?it
rooms.
“ It was also interesting to observehow blindly the subject
obeyed when Mr. Sextus commanded him to exactly
imitate
every movement made by Mr. Aller, to whom Mr. Sextus
transferred the power over him. Mr. Aller placed himself behind
the subject if he walked backwards, the subject walked back-
;

wards. If Mr. Aller moved an arm or a leg, so did the sub-

ject. If Air. Aller made a grimace the subject imitated it ex-
actly, and this, be it remembered, when the back of the subject
was turned to Air. Aller, and this gentleman made his move-
ments without the slightest noise.
“ The subject, in the cataleptic state, was stretched on the
floor. By passing his hand in the air above the subject, Mr.
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. l6l

Sextus caused the body to form a bow, convex side upwards,

so that only his head and his heels rested on the floor. At
another time during the sleep I h.eld my hand under his nose.
Mr. Sextus told him it was a bottle of ammonia, and he at
once drew back his head with an expression of pain. Then I
held a bottle containing ammonia to his nose Mr. Sextus told;

him it was odor of rose, and he hailed it with every sign of de-
light. Again Mr. Sextus suggested to him that the index finger
of his right hand was entirely devoid of feeling, whereas the
middle finger of the same hand would be very painful, as it
would be cut. I then passed a needle through the index fin-
ger any number of times without causing the subject to pay the
slightest attention to it, merely touched the
while as soon as I
middle finger with a piece of paper he drew his hand from me
with every evidence of pain.
Hoping that I have not tired the reader, I will now make
clear the stand I have taken in regard to hypnotism.
“ I am thoroughly convinced that in a physician’s hands
hypnotism will often prove an invaluable remedial agency, but
at the same time I have received the impression that it was not
every physician who should hypnotize, as a great deal of ex-
perience is required, which the practice of the average physi-
cian prevents him from acquiring. Therefore, it is my idea,
that ifhypnotism is to accomplish a great deal, physicians
should study and practice it as a specialty, undertaking the cure
of those diseases which are amenable to its influence for their
colleagues who do not hypnotize.”

HYPNOTISM AND THE MEANING AND USE THEREOF, BY

VIGGO BENDZ, M. D.

I began my hypnotism and the phenom-

theoretic studies in
ena connected with it a little over one year ago. According to
information received from other places, it was clear to me, that
here rested something so mysterious that we would be tempted
 I 62 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

to call it charlatanism. However much it looked like that, it

still contained a kernel, which if used with care and in the right
place and manner, would afford physicians wonderful assistance
in certain cases, especially where in spite of drugs and remedies
so far tried, allwere weaponless towards the relief of the suf-
fering it was their problem to cure, or at least alleviate. I con-
cluded that the inmost character of this kernel was dependent
upon the mental influence concentrated on the proper cords by
the sick, whose mental condition the physician had penetrated.
I was not long in discovering that, which every physician soon

learns, the effect he can have on his patients, especially on ner-

vous patients, by his personal appearance and authority let ;

that, however, be as great as it may, there will always be cases

enough where he will come to a stop, on account of the patient’s
conscious or unconscious resistance and doubt. was here I It

intended to see the territory where hypnotism would be of val-

uable assistance — of course its domain is limited. It could be
used, for instance, in cases of disturbed blood circulation, in ner-
vous diseases that had so far defied all other known remedies
and methods. In a well directed mental or moral treatment in
using hypnotism, we abolish the resistance that makes the pa-
tient in a waking condition unsusceptible for a general influence.
During the hypnose, we are able to impress the hypnotized with
all imaginable representations. We see a young girl feels her-

self unpleasantly influenced, by smelling a bottle that contains

only water, when the hypnotist tells her it isammonia. Re-
versing the experiment, another lady is told by the hypnotist
that a bottle which ammonia, is lovely ottar of
really contains
roses, which she inhales with evident delight and pleasure. On
another occasion two young ladies are seen kneeling, and be-
lieve they see the heavens open and all the angels visible. The
hypnotist then impresses the young lady with the belief that all
of her muscles are as rigid as steel, and in consequence of which
her muscles become strained to a very high degree they are ;
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. 163

stiff, which condition can be easily withdrawn by the hypno-

tist.

It is also possible, in many cases, to cause a more satisfac-

tory frame of mind, repel feelings of pain, arouse confidence of

power in the muscles and movements of the limbs, not only
while the hypnose lasts, but also after, and by repeating the treat-
ment several times, with sufficient intervals to give the patient
confidence in himself, is what is required for a number
exactly
of nervous diseases, something which can in very few cases be
obtained through energetic mental influence without hypnotizing.
The communications from foreign countries, as well as from
this country, about hypnotic cures performed by Mr. C. Sextus,
can only tend to strengthen my opinion in regard to hypno-
tism’s actual worth in cases to which it is adapted.
It follows as a matter of course, that where hypnotism can
be used as a method of cure, in each special case it should
be decided by a man who
examine the patient’s
can
physical and mental condition, and who is thoroughly acquainted
with hypnotism, not only through books, but through expe-
rience. He ought before practicing its use to have watched its
effect on several persons of different constitutions and tempera-
ments. He should necessarily have witnessed and understood
the different conditions that are shown through the different
ways in which hypnose is introduced.
As my interest in the science increased, I gradually ac-
quainted myself with it. My personal experience was limited
to a performance given by C. Hansen, the well-known Danish
hypnotist, a number of years ago in the People’s Theatre in Co-
penhagen, where I was present as a prejudiced spectator. I
concluded to seek out Mr. Carl Sextus, whose good will toward
physicians was well known to me. Possibly through him I
thought might be able to see something that would enable
I

me to use hypnotism in my jsractice. However, if I never used

it at all it would always interest me scientifically. That I pursued
164 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

this course I have never had any occasion to regret. I believed

I had reasons, and expected to be operated on by a practiced con-
jurer, but after seeing the man and speaking with him on many
occasions I found myself pleasantly surprised. There was
nothing at all theatrical or deceptive about him. He took
hold of the matter earnestly and seriously, and I found he had
unbounded faith in his chosen profession. He does not look
upon hypnotism as a supernatural power belonging solely to
him. He was willing on all occasions to sift the phenomena
with me, explaining what he could, and at the same time admit-
ting that many of the phenomena were beyond his explana-
tion.

At a great sacrifice of his time, he showed me a series of the

usual experiments, which are now -
familial to those
, who inves-
tigate such matters. He also allowed me to perform different
experiments. These phenomena are can interesting to all who
witness them and
at close range,
especially interesting to a phy-
sician, when there are a number of subjects and he is able to
compare their susceptibleness ; noting how the hypnose is easily
produced on one in a certain way, while a different method is
used on another ;
how it effects the pupil of the eye, the pulse

and the breath while one is susceptible to suggestions, in the

;

other it would be almost impossible to awaken intelligent action.

The cataleptic condition is easily produced in one, while other
subjects may not be so affected and last but not least interest-
;
—
—
ing how they are awakened by different methods according to
their individual condition.
All that Mr. Sextus has shown me and other well known
physicians, who have
always been present as witnesses, has
transpired without the least theatrical effect, and there has been
so much left for us to decide and do, that all suspicion of “hum-
bug” disappeared. It was not only as the practiced hypnotist
that we knew Mr. Sextus ;
but we have had many non-hyp-
notic meetings and interviews with him, and we have thus
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. ,6 5

acquired an insight into his amiable personality. When the

conversation has turned on social life and humanity, he has
shown a wonderful comprehension and reflection, surprising in
a man of twenty-eight years of age, even though, like Mr. Sex-
tus, he has experienced many changes during his life abroad
and such as fall to the lot of very few.
I have carefully examined and questioned those persons

hypnotized by Mr. Sextus for me, in regard to their health

before and after the experiments, especially if they found them-
selves nervous, or in any way unpleasantly influenced after the
different trials of hypnotizing, but I have not yet received an
answer in the affirmative.
There can be none more willing to admit than I that we
cannot be too careful in our conclusions, and must also guard
against untimely and over-hypnotizing by incompetents, which
would bring danger to nervous systems and mental conditions.
We stand opposite a remedy, which like all very powerful
remedies, can be used to advantage and can also be misused.
I cannot conclude these lines without describing a few of

the trials made by Mr. Sextus, as well as some of the experi-

ments he allowed me to perform. I will first mention experi-
ments jierformed at a distance, which, to the physician, for the
—
time being is of the least consequence but these offer much of
interest, especially because at the unspoken command the sub-
ject at a distance obeys, but will not attempt an explanation of
this phenomena. Mr. Sextus performed such an experiment
for me at a distance of several hundred yards from my resi-
dence, where myself and the subject remained. I have also

had an opportunity to do something similar with a subject

whom Mr. Sextus transferred to my control, under circum-
stances where he could not possibly play any part, as my wife,
in a distant room, wrote the time for the hypnose to commence
and conclude, and brought the orders to me without trusting
them to anyone else. The conferring of the power of the
 1 66 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

hypnotist to another is a phenomenon which certainly awakens

great interest, but of which I can see no explanation. When
Mr. Sextus has given the control of a subject to another he re-
tains the power by which he can bring the subject under his own
control at any time. Mr. Sextus commanded a subject while
under hypnose that at a certain time after being awakened he
should take a neck-tie pin from one of those present. The sub-
ject positively refused to obey and declared: “ You have said ,

Mr Sextus, that I should not commit a theft either sleeping

. ,

or waking and I will not do it .”

,
A few weeks earlier Mr.
Sextus had hypnotized the same man at my house, and while
in hypnotic sleep he was told to steal a watch from a gentle-
man present, but Mr. Sextus remarked that he should not steal it
with the intention of keeping it, but only to show the gentle-
man how carelessly he wore his gold watch and chain. The
subject seemed unwilling to do this and refused. Later on the
suggestion was repeated, and the subject was informed that the
gentleman understood the whole thing was a joke, and on
promising to give the watch back, he immediately placed him-
self in the vicinity of the gentleman and stole the watch with a

certain slyness. The suggestion was made that the experiment

was not in any case to be repeated even as a joke
in the future,
5

that he was never to do anything of the kind under any cir-

cumstance, but to continue to be what he always had been an —
honest man.
Mr. Sextus asserts positively, in regard to hypnotizing of
the sick and the influence we thereby secure over them, that
when the cure is complete the treatment can be concluded by
suggesting that in the future the patient will not be able to be
hypnotized in any way, no matter what method may be used,
nor who tries— unless he on account of sickness should wish it,
and by that means the hypnotist’s power over him is broken.
I had an opportunity to ascertain the truth of the above in

the case of a lady who had been repeatedly hypnotized by her

 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. 1
67

husband. She was very susceptible to hypnotic influence, but

through suggestion I made it impossible for her to be hypno-
tized. In the above rests great comfort, both for the sick and the
hypnotists, who wish to see hypnotism used as a method of cure.

VIGGO BENDZ, M. D.
Sten Blichers Vej No. 5, Frederiksberg, Copenha-
gen, Denmark, October 21, 18SS.

EXTRACT FROM STOCKHOLM DAGBLADET, JAN. 20, 1885.

“After being present at Mr. Sextus’ seance on the 17th, the

subscribers feel justified in calling the attention of the public to
the wonderful experiments which we witnessed, and to begin
with we would distinctly state, neither imagination nor humbug
were elements of this exhibition. These experiments not only
deserve the interest of the masses, but much more are worthy
of the attention of investigators, as they serve to enlighten us in
regard to powers of nature which are as yet almost wholly
unknown.
“Anton Nystrom, M. D.
“ C. F. Klemming, Royal Chief Librarian.”

MEDICAL WEEKLY, COPENHAGEN, JULY 2, 1887.

“A Case of Chronic Morphinism treated by Means of
Hypnotism.
“ In various French journals had read of cases of mor-
I

phinism which had been cured by means of hypnotism, and as

I once more determined to free myself from my terrible habit,

I grasped this idea as a drowning man clutches a straw. To

thoroughly investigate the matter I placed myself in communi-
cation with Mr. Carl Sextus, the hypnotist, whose method of
handling patients I considered more rational and effective than
that of any of the hypnotists with whom I had previously come
in contact.
1 68 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

“ I succeeded in inducing Mr. Sextus to remain in my home,

and every day was put into a hypnotic sleep for about an
I

hour, after which I felt greatly strengthened and refreshed.

At this time I was using about no centigrams or 18 grains —
daily, divided in four doses, which were administered by an-
other, so that I did not have the syringe and solution in my
possession.
“ On the sixth day I forgot to ask for an injection, and from
that moment I appreciated the health-bringing influence of hyp-
notic and by availing myself of it. The amount of
sleep
morphine used was in one month reduced from no centigrams
to six centigrams, without bringing on any of the symptoms
which usually follow abstinence, although I attended to my
practice and lived as usual in other respects.
“ During this entire period I
was constantly in the best pos-
sible humor, sleeping all night from 10:30 to 6, after being
hypnotized in bed. I would only add, that every time I slept
it was suggested to me that I would feel well and be able con-

stantly to reduce the quantity of morphine consumed.

“J. P. G. Johansen, M. D.”

“ At the request of the author of the above statement, I de-

sire toadd that from Dr. C. A. Hansen, M. D., in Nysted, who
also has treated the author, and who has closely followed the
history of the case, I have received a statement agreeing exactly
with the above in every detail.

“V. Budde, M. D., Editor Medical Weekly .”

DANISH CONSULATE,
259 MILWAUKEE AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILL.
EMIL DREIER, CONSUL.
OTTO A. DREIER, VICE CONSUL.
I hereby certify that the four Danish doctors
,
Dr. V. ,

Bendz Dr. A. Lutkin Dr. II.

, ,
Schwartz and Dr. J. P.
Johansen who have signed certificates endorsing
,
the hypnotic
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. 169

treatment of Mr. C. Sextus, are regular physicians, graduates

of the University of Cope?ihagen, Denmark, and also certify,
that the recommendations are genuine.
EMIL DREIER,
Consul of Denmark.

Chicago, III., Nov. 14, i88g.

Chicago, Nov. 16, i88q.

Mr. Carl Sextus has been rec-
It is hereby certified, that
ommended by Anton Nystrom, M. D., and C. F. Klemming
Librarian of the Royal Library at Stockholm, Sweden, and is
favorably mentioned by B. Meyer, M. D., and A. Doe M. D ,

frotn the University of Christiania, Norzvay, all of whom have

been present at seances held by Mr. Sextus.
PETER SVANOE,
Swedish and Norwegian Vice- Consul.

48 Michigan avenue.

ROYAL DANISH CONSULATE,

CHICAGO.
OTTO A. DREIER, ACTING CONSUL,
209 FREMONT STREET.
This will certify that I knozv the bearer, Mr. Carl Sextus,
to be the well-known and accomplished hypnotist, native of the

Kingdom of Denmark, zuho, some years ago, in connection with

some of the leading physicians and scientific men of Denmark
performed many marvelous cures and gave many astonishing
exhibitions of his skill —which cannot be called in question —as
well in Norway and Sweden as in Denmark.
OTTO A. DREIER,
Kgl. Dansk Vice-Consul,
p. t. Consul.

Chicago, 111., Feb. 20, 1893.

 170 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

THE MYSTERIOUS SOUL-POWER OR WILL-POWER; ALSO CALLED

TELEPATHY OR MENTAL TELEGRAPHY.
Often people ask : “Is there any power in the mind to pro-
duce a result by simply willing it?”
Yes; everyone has force or will-power, more or less; but
very few understand how to use it.
“ Can human magnetism or will-power act at a distance?”
Certainly. The magnetic aura, or nerve ether, has a great
sphere of action, as one, by its help, can operate at incredible di-
stances — especially when the operator has been in rapport with
a sensitive person. The distances are so considerable that it

seems as if no limit can be stated. In such cases of magnetizing

or mental telegraphy at long distance the message, or the magnetic
aura, is transported by the aid of the will and the sympathy.
This peculiar power or will passing from the telegrapher or
operator can frequently be applied with success upon persons, who
besides being specially sensitive, willingly give themselves up to
the operator, particularly upon persons who have been operated
upon before.
Magnetism seems to be the special agent of will-power ;
and
it belongs to the body, while the will isThere are
of the soul.
various electric currents which travel through the earth; and
whatever emanates from the mina (and mind is the creator of
all things) falls in with its like and journeys on doing its

work.
In the matter of personal magnetism a current can be con-
veyed for miles when the two persons have previously been
in rapport and then when a current has been established the
;

positive can send it along to the negative by the mind power or

will, which is superior to material force. My own experiments
in hypnotizing at a distance, and other hypnotists’ experiments
in the same line, under the same or similar circumstances, will
prove this.
#
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. 171

“ There human telegraphy,” says O. Isychismo (Lisbon.)

is a
“ There has been reserved for human magnetism, perhaps, one of
the greatest triumphs in modern discoveries, that is to say, the
superseding of the electric telegraph for the transmission of
thought to a distance. Numerous already are the cases in which
magnetizers operate upon persons magnetized at enormous dis-
tances, and oblige them to do what is required of them, by men-
tal action, just as effectually as if they dictated to them by

spoken words.”
In Spain there is a group called the “Spiritual Telephonic
Net.” One section of it is at Mahon (on the island of Minorca),
and the other at Barcelona (on the coast of the mainland, about
140 miles distant), and the expectations are that what Allan
Kardec predicted in his “Book of Mediums,” will be realized.

TELEPATHY.
In presenting to my readers the portrait of Professor Robert
A. Campbell, acknowledge my indebtedness to him
I desire to
for this excellent article on Telepathy, and also for much prac-
tical assistance in putting this work through the press. Pro-
fessor Campbell is an earnest, indefatigable and practical inves-
tigator who has devoted the best portion of a persistently indus-
trious life to the study of humanity; or as he himself puts it:
“ My studies are altogether concerning man’s origin, nature,
improvement and destiny with especial reference to the theo-
;

retical and practical means of man’s betterment— physically,

—
mentally and morally here and now.”
There is probably no one who has given telepathy a more
critical, exhaustive and practical study than Professor Camp-

bell ; and he kindly furnishes the following as his conclusions in

regard to the subject
“Telepathy is comparatively a new word at least in the—
sense in which it is now frequently used. By telepathy in this
paper I mean the influence which one person, by his will or
173 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

mental suggestion and without any material media of communi-

may exei't over another at a distance.
cation,
“The French Academy of Medicine appointed a committee
on mesmerism to make a thorough examination of the subject.
This committee gave the subject their careful attention for a
period of five years, and made an exhaustive report in 1S31.
The fifteenth section of that report was as follows
“ c
When a person has once put another into what is called a
magnetic sleep, he need not always have recourse to passes or
personal contact to magnetize the subject again. The look of
the magnetizer, his will even, without the look, may exert the
same influence upon the subject. This influence is also at times
effective when the subject is entirely ignorant of the will of the
operator, and even when they are at a considerable distance
apart, in different rooms with closed doors between them.’
“ The absolute truth of this statement has been abundantly
verified time and again by scores of the most careful and relia-
ble operators. Still it is no uncommon thing to hear seemingly

intelligent and honest gentlemen —

even those who claim to be
scientists and students —
sneeringly denounce mesmerism as a
fraud or delusion, and superciliously allude to mesmeric opera-
tors and subjects as being either charlatans or fools, or a mix-
ture of both. It is enough here to say that no one who has

fairly examined the subject has any doubt about the truth of the
above statement, made more than sixty years since to the F rench
Academy of Medicine.
“ Mesmerists that — is those who believe in a specific vital
emanating from the operator, passing to the
entity or influence,
subject and acting upon the subject —
offer no solution, or even
suggestive solution of this influence of the operator’s will, at a
distance from the subject, when the latter is ignorant of the
operator’s intent. The hypnotists — that is those who claim
that the operator simply uses mechanical means to induce trance

—which they assert is a purely subjective proceeding — are

 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. 173

equally unable to offer any plausible explanation of the admitted

facts as above stated.
“ Those who follow Sunderland and his theory of sugges-
tion— that is that the operator simply calls up in the mind of
the subject the idea of being controlled, and then suggests the
idea of certain thoughts and the consequent acts — call this telep-

athic influence suggestion at a distance ; but they offer no

explanation as to how or why this suggestion is made effective.
“ F. W. H. Myers, the great London psychologist and secre-
tary of the London Society for Psychical Research, says in an
essay on this subject, read before that learned and well
known society, and published in number ten of their jiroceed-
ings of October, 1SS6:
“ In my own view, no complete solution of the problem
‘
is

possible. We are entirely ignorant of the nature of the force

which may be supposed to be operated in the production of
telepathic phenomena —
to impel or facilitate the passage of
thought or sensations from one mind to another without the
intervention of the recognized organs of sense.’
“Now, seems very discouraging to one who desires a
this
solution to this wonderful problem. Of course, there are scores
and hundreds of self-assertively wise ojDerators who have given
this vast field of investigation a passing attention, who e can
make the whole thing as clear as mud ’ by their complete and
complex theories; but no man of learning, who has given the
matter serious study and extended examination, pretends to
offer more than a merely suggestive and unsatisfactory expla-
nation.
“ But we can admit the facts, and duplicate the phenomena
without knowing the reason, the essential cause, or the special
force that is involved in this class of results. must have aWe
greater array of facts, and a broader experience which shall
employ more and different operators, as well as a wider range
of subjects, before we need expect to understand thoroughly
 i
74 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

the modes of these operations —-much less the special force em-
ployed.
“To illustrate: Very few people in this community will
question the fact that messages are sent from one city to another
by means of telegraph. How many of those who read such
messages or receive them are familiar with the material neces-
sities of the telegraph line and the telegraph office? How many
are familiar with the mode of transmitting a communica-
tion over the wires? How few ever realize that thoughts are
never transmitted by telegraph? The operator need not, and in
fact does not usually take any note of the thoughts in the mes-
sage. He simply translates the letters of the communication
into dots and dashes. He simply opens and closes the current,
that is, he presses on the key a certain time to suggest a
dash to the operator at the other end of the line, and half as
long to suggest a dot. He removes his pressure from the key
a certain time between the dots and dashes that suggest a letter,
for a longer time between the combinations that suggest a
word, and for a still longer time between the end of one sen-
tence and the beginning of the next. So thoughts are not
—
transmitted by telegraph only mechanical impulses. Nor, is
it at all necessary that the expert operator understand the
theory — or any theory — of The jnodc of operation is
electricity.
all he needs to know to be an operator. More than this, it is
not necessary for any one to understand the nature of electricity
in order to successfully build and operate a telegraph line or —
any other electrical apparatus. All that needs to be known is
the mode and conditions of its operation.
“ In fact no one knows the essential force or nature of elec-
tricity, but only some of its conditions of action, and some of its

effects. The theory that electricity is a Jluid that passes along

the conductors one way, or both ways, simultaneously, is affirmed
and denied by equally honest and equally intelligent men, who
have abundant practical experience in the laboratory and in the
industrial application of this unknown force.
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. >75

“ The undulatory or vibratory theory of impact from one

atom or molecule, to its next neighbor, along the line of the con-
ductor from operator to receiver, is equally asserted and denied
as the fluidic theory.
“But this lack of knowledge as to the real nature , and as to
the essential method of electricity, does not, in the least degree,
suggest that we should deny the phenomena of electricity; or
that we may repudiate the mechanical conditions and practical
methods.
“ Now if we accept the facts of electrical phenomena, and util-

and mechanisms, without knowing all

ize their practical results
the reasons for these special appliances —
except that they have
been found effective —
why should we deny the facts of telepa-
thy? And why should we demand a satisfactory and full the-
ory and explanation of the newer and higher, while we accept
and use the lower and older without any such satisfactory solu-
tion ?

“ How many centuries since the clasp of the hands have intu-
itivelybound lovers in the bonds of affection? How long since
a glance from one pair of eyes meeting recognition in another
pair of eyes have aroused a latent affection to bless two lives?
How long since the impulsive meeting of masculine and femi-
nine lips have aroused hitherto unknown passion, devotion and
bliss? How often the jieculiar accent of a word — often used
before — has revealed and aroused an enthusiastic confidence?
How often a gesture of the hand, a glance of the eye, a blush-
ing or paling of the cheek, have established or utterly destroyed
thebond between two hearts? How often even the marks of a
pen on a sheet of paper have blessed or blighted the fondest
hopes?
“ And who has denied these occult effects ? And \yho has
explained how or why such things result from such causes?
“ But more than all these, how often the face of a dear one
in a vision, or a dream —but still more real in the waiting and con-
 17 6 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

scious life — has appeared to announce the love, the welfare, or,
—
mayhap, the death of the body and thus the spiritual birth of —
the loved one? Nay, how often the feeling of the impalpable
and unvisual presence of such a friend has set at rest the anxiety
or aroused the apprehension of the sensitive?
“ How many phenomena because they
question these last
never experienced them; not knowing that on the same ground
the unloving may question pure affection and the blind also
;

question light ;
and the deaf question music, and the leper ques-
tion touch?

“And who among the blessed and favored throng, who

from sweet experience, or anguishing know the truth
revelation,
of these spiritual companionships; or who among those who
believe in them without such illuminated testimony; and who,
I ask, has offered any mechanical or material or reasonable ex-
planation of these heavenly experiences?
“ Telepathy , as it is now called, is simply the name for such
experiences as the above, which are now becoming more com-
— —
mon that is more general than formerly.
“The higher attainments of the exceptional few any age,
in
is only the jirophecy of what will, in some succeeding age, be
the general attainment of the fairly average human being.
“ The verbal suggestion of the operator on the sensitive
subject has long been acknowledged. The sclf-S7iggcstion of
the subject is nearly as well acknowledged. How this operates
is still an unsolved mystery. Why some can effectually suggest
and others cannot; why some will be influenced by the sugges-
tion and others not, is plausibly explained by a dominant or
weak will, a sensitive or non-sensitive organization, all of which
are convenient terms for artistically veiling our real ignorance.
''•Mental suggestion by the operator on the subject when in
each other’s presence, is freely acknowledged by all who have
given the subject careful attention.
 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES. !77

“That some operators who are successful in verbal sugges-

tion are not so in merely mental suggestion, or that some sub-
jects are more readily responsive to such mental suggestion, no
more impairs the facts of its occurrence than the parallel facts,
that some are better subjects and some are better operators than
others.
“ And the fact that purely mental suggestion has any influence
whatever, takes the matter out of the domain of mechanism and
outside of the ordinary channels of sensual communication, and
into the realm of mind acting on mind by means ,
other than
those recognized by the sensualist or the materialist.
“Those who deny the fact of such mental suggestion —the
operator and subject being in each other’s visual presence, or
near each other but not looking at each other, or neither look-
ing at the other —cannot be convinced by anything I can say
they simply need to examine the subject. Then if such deniers
have any faith in human and integrity they may be
intelligence
convinced. If they have no faith in any experience which they
cannot duplicate, then the probability is they cannot be satisfied.
“Now operators are not all equally effective, and are not
always equally so. The same is true of subjects. The simple
facts, however, are that some operators can and do influence
some subjects at a distance and this is not explained on any
;

known sensual basis. As soon as this is admitted, then the

question of distance —a yard or a rod, a furlong or a mile, a
mile or a thousand miles, is not a question of theory, but of fact.
“ And the facts are that persons who are not operator and
subject, in any such sense as those names are used in mesmeric
and hypnotic connections, can and do, at will, communicate
intelligently with each other telepathically.
“ Now, saying that they can at any time, and un-
this is not
der all circumstances, communicate; nor that their communica-
tions are fulland entirely satisfactory. They do, however, at
pre-arranged times, convey and receive consciously well-defined,
178 HYPNOTIC MISCELLANIES.

intelligent and useful communications. There are, too, certain

persons — not a great many, however —who can, whenever it is

desired, call certain other persons’ attention, telepathically.

This is frequently done.
“ Now, all this is not abnormal, in the sense of being con-
trary to health, intelligence or purity. It may be called super-
normal, in the sense of being unusual. abnormal or un-
It is

natural only in the same sense that the ripe, mellow, toothsome
apple is abnormal or unnatural as compared with the seedling
or crab-apple. Telepathy may have an imperfect and uncertain
illustration —by way of exception — in a nervous, hysterical or
sickly super-sensitive ;
but fairly reliable and fairly satisfactory
be experienced only by one who is in bound-
results in this line can
ing health, organically and functionally, in mental harmony and
intellectual clearness, and in the line of practical good will, and
the consequent state of moral improvement.
“ The subject of telepathy, which properly embraces all
methods of thought transference which does not mainly employ
the usual mechanical means and the usual appeal to the senses,
is comparatively a new study which promises great rewards to

the patient and successful student.

“I simply desire" in closing to say that those who deny the
possibility or fact of such phenomena as those referred to above
are in good company with those who attempt to explain
the phenomena by using such cheap and undefined terms as un-
conscious cerebration, coincidence, muscle'reading, hallucination,
insanity, deception, dreams, delusion, imaginative projection,
sympathetic ideal-realization, etc. It is just as scientific
and consistent to apply these terms to the phenomena of chem-
istry, steam and electricity as to those of telepathy.”
 CHAPTER XI.

NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

This interesting and perplexing condition, known from the
olden times, into which numerous people of all ages, but gener-
ally young persons during seemingly normal sleep, are trans-
ferred (often without themselves ever being aware of it), is,

even to-day, an unsolved riddle. We have no certain informa-

tion which throws any satisfactory light upon the source and
appearance of this mystic state. I was myself for a couple of
years, during my boyhood, frequently under somnambulistic
influence. I have been since this condition ceased to appear

with me, an earnest and constant investigator of this phenome-

non. I have studied, not only my own case, but everything I

could find having connection with this matter. It was in the

commencement of my twelfth year that I experienced the first

symptoms of this condition. Afterwards it returned frequently,
though with monthly intervals. According to the statement
rendered by my nearest relatives, the somnambulistic state into
which I went, appeared in the following way Immediately after
:

my going to bed (as usual by io) I fell into a very sound and
deep sleep, during which I would remain in the same position and
perfectly quiet. From one to two hours it was only with dif-
ficulty that the sound of my breathing could be detected. Then
all of a sudden my calm and restful ajopearance would be dis-

turbed. I started to turn about in the bed, from one side to

—
another, and I began to murmur at first some ^indistinguishable
sentences. Then I grew more eager and excited. I spoke
louder, until at last every word could be clearly understood.
By this time generally I would slowly raise my head from the
179
l8o NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING

A SLEEP-WALKER.
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. l8l

pillow, until I sat up in the bed. Thus I would remain seated

for a few minutes, looking around me with the eyelids partially
closed, half bewildered, half surprised. Then, suddenly, as the
result of some firmly taken decision, I jumped out of bed and
without awaking kept myself at the very place a few moments
as if recollecting or planning something, which as soon as ac-
cepted I transferred into action. In general, the first thing I

undertook was to remove an easy-chair which usually was

placed in a corner of the sleeping room. In a very slow but
careful manner wheeled it across the floor toward an oak
I
writing table at which my school books were placed. When
this was done I, with a certain dignity, took a seat in the chair,
and, opening my books, commenced eagerly and interestingly
to peruse all my lessons for the next school day. After having
spent half an hour to an hour in this way I replaced the
chair in its former position and went to bed. The next day I
had not the slightest recollection of my nightly undertakings.
Usually a night lamp was burning in the sleeping room, yield-
ing a little light for my reading; but occasionally when the
lamp was not there and the room then was involved in com-
plete darkness, I read, apparently, with as much ease as in the
light. My brother, who was sleeping in the same room, was
often awakened by the noise that I caused, and observed that
my eyes were either closed tight or, what was more fre-
quently the case, half opened. It is of interest to remark how
greatly developed was my intellectual ability during the sleep,
which I will state in the following example :

At had a great desire to create admiration among

the school I

my school-mates by writing poetry, in accomplishment of which I

earnestly admit that I failed entirely. The outcome of my great
endeavors was always unmistakably poor. The rhymes, at which
I arrived only through great patience and persistence, were mean-
ingless — the whole poem being absurd when finished. Here is

where the point comes in. I have, during my somnambulistic

182 natural somnambulism or sleep-walking.

condition produced poetry which, as far as concerns thought,

style, rhyme and elegance, can be termed comparatively good
poetry, even exposed to the critic of our modern time. I have
often while asleep surprised those present by repeating English
or French sentences, which languages I at the time spoken of
did not study. The solution of the riddle is this: One night I
had with remarkable exactness repeated a lesson which had
given my brother a good deal of trouble to master, and as I had
heard him go over this during the day time, I promptly repeated
it during my unconscious state. I did this not only with gram-

matical correctness, but with a true imitation of my brother’s

voice and attitudes. As a matter of fact, I generally recited
some fragments without connection but in this special case I
;

certainly must have followed his preparatory exercises with a

great attention, as I had not only with perfection acquired my
brother’s way of pronounciation, but accompanied my repetition
of the lesson with a certain attitude of the left hand which was
identical with a characteristic movement of his hand whenever
speaking or reciting. This caused my brother so much amuse-
ment that he by loudly applauding forced me to wake. At
other times I sprang out of bed so quickly that striking the
floor hard with my feet caused me to awake. Hence my usual
work was not performed, and in a kind of surprise I crawled
once more into bed, resuming in a short while my natural sleep.
Even during my natural sleep I often spoke and readily
answered all questions directed to me, especially when the per-
son with whom I was speaking did not address me too loudly,
and closely followed the direction of my thoughts.
If he in some way attempted to change the subject of con-
versation I would wake. Another interesting occurence was
this : One night my brother woke up during a very clamorous
speech of mine, in which I with threatening gestures declared
that I was going to give two of my school-mates a regular
licking, because they had hurt my partiality of good feeling
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 183

and kindness toward animals. Not only had they teased our
dog and thrown stones at it, but furthermore plundered a bird’s
nest, which I had preserved for a long time with the utmost
care. I have always had an extreme fondness for animals, ^and

never could bear to see anybody commit the slightest cruelty

upon them without reproaching the abuser for his ill conduct,
and in some cases giving him a severe bodily punishment to
revenge my little friend. Evidently I had the previous day
been irritated to see my fondness for this dog offended by the
boys. I therefore vowed, on the occasion, to treat them accord-
ing to their behavior as soon as the opportunity appeared.
This intention of mine had occupied my last thought immedi-
ately before going to bed. My brother, who is a couple of years
my senior, spoke to me, and yielding as usual to my ideas, he
inquired if it was not possible this time to forgive those boys,
if they earnestly promised to do penance and be good in the
future. “No,” I replied eagerly, “this is not the first time
these things have occurred and I am bound in this case to give
them a square beating that may serve others as a warning
example.”
My parents had without success applied several means by
which to avert my nightly wanderings. Among other curious
methods, they put a big tub with cold water beside my bed, so
that when arising in my sonambulistic state I should jump into
the water, and in this way be cured of my habit. But with
great disappointment my parents saw me move down to the
lower end of my bed and very carefully avoid stepping into
the tub. This attempt proved altogether fruitless. The means
from which I derived my cure was very remarkable. The
main thing was that my brother as soon as I, during my sleep,
became unrestful and commenced to speak loudly, acceded to
all my promptly and correctly answered all his
ideas until I
questions. Then he in a cunning way managed to change the
conversation into the direction of reminding me of my j^romise,
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

A SLEEP-WALKER CAREFULLY AVOIDING THE WATER-TUB

PLACED AT HIS BEDSIDE.
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 185

the day previous, according to which I was determined to com-

pletely abandon my sleep walking. He emphasized that I, in

this special case, would have to show great will power and
energy. I promised and remained that night quietly sleep-
this,

ing in my bed. This method was continued during several

successive nights with wonderful success. I remained in bed

undisturbed. At the same time I drank every night a cup of

elder tea, which is noted to have calming influence on the sleep.
This advice was given to my parents by an old quack very
widely known for the wonderful cures he performed. He further-
more informed them that a talk with the sleeper in such case
was necessary, and that if this, on account of unwillingness on
the part of the sleeper, was not to be obtained, it was easily pro-
duced by a slight pressure on the toe of the sleeper’s left foot
by the operator’s first and second finger of the left hand. This
was duly affirmed, as my brother successfully tried the experi-
ment on me several times during the period of my recovery
from the somnambulistic condition.
I have myself merely for curiosity during my practice ap-

plied this experiment, always with the permission of the party

concerned. A very remarkable incident which I will not for-
get to narrate is this : I was often seen standing asleep at the
window, eagerly staring at the moon with a fixed interest,
while I was in complete darkness with the shades all down. I
was frequently observed standing motionless for a long time in
the center of the room, with the head bent slightly backward as
if beholding something —or with a close attention seeking a cer-
tain object. It was proved later on that it was the moon which
influenced me to a certain degree a least ;
that I meant to see
the moon is evident, although I was myself unconscious of the
fact as well as ignorant of its position at the time of my observa-
tion, for my eyes were always fixed in this direction of the
firmament. In connection with this I will state that somnam-
bulism usually appeared during the season of full-moon. I
186 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

have thus briefly spoken of my boyhood experience as a som-

nambulist, of which, in later years, I have found no sign of re-
turning. I have done this, of course, with reservation and
omittance of details from which no special interest could be
derived.
During my fifteen years of practice as a hypnotist, I have
succeeded in completely curing several hundred individuals from
this, peculiar mental condition. The method of my treatment
has been to produce artificial somnambulism — so-called “hyp-
notism ” — and by the aid of suggestion, cause the natural som-
nambulism to disappear. It isnot my intention — on occa- this
tion — any further on the question, as I have in a
to proceed
preceding chapter on “hypnotism, somnambulism and sugges-
tion” clearly expressed my views concerning this matter.
That same old quack, who rendered the above mentioned
advice, showed himself to be considerably ahead of his time, as
he had an excellent understanding of the theory of “ suggestion.”

THE DIFFERENT STATES OF SOMNAMBULISM AND THE

PHENOMENA IN RELATION THERETO.
As the reader will notice, we have several specimens of
somnambulists among which to distinguish. I will name first
the artificial somnambulists (hypnotized individuals). Fersons,
who according to their own will, through the hypnotizer’s opera-
tion are thrown into this peculiar condition, we call artificial

somnambulists. The natural or spontaneous somnambulist is

one who, without himself knowing it, and even against desire,
is at times in a somnambulistic condition, by an influence un-

known to us. Within this class of natural somnambulists come

moon-sick, sleep-walkers and sleep-talkers ;
these last are not as
rare as is generally believed, because nearly all children of both
sexes are during the period of sexual development found to be
more or less somnambulistic. It is often in the season of full
moon observed how people being in perfect health, suddenly
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 187

during sleep, have arisen, spoken, sung or cried. They go out

of bed and walk about the room, and the next morning when
awake, they are completely ignorant of what has passed during
the night. As we can regard somnambulism as a higher and
stronger form of the hypnotic state, it seems strange that the
highest degree of somnambulism is the waking sleep, with this
kind of somnambulists appears immediately, while the develop-
ment through artificial hypnotizing, without exception leads from
the lower degrees upward, reaching at last the waking sleep.
We can only explain these phenomena through this circumstance,
that spontaneous somnambulism very seldom appears with in-
dividuals when they are awake but always at times when
;

these are under influence of the normal sleep, and therefore the
above named lower degrees of the hypnotic sleep or condition
on account of the normal sleep do not manifest themselves in
such a way that they can be made subjects for observation.
For the evidence and correctness of this conjecture may be
proven by addressing the sleepers in a low voice or by a fixed
gaze when they will come into a state of clairvoyance, if they
are in some degree disposed to somnambulism. Many such
people cannot at all endure this direct gazing, but attempt in
many ways to avoid it by turning the face away while the sleep
is continued uninterrupted. very frequently the case that
It is

they after awakening will have a recollection of some dreams,

during which a person stepped up to the bedside looking inten-
sively at them or speaking with them. A
recollection like this
will never present itself after thenormal sleep, neither will it
do so after the higher states of somnambulism, but result after
that condition only, which the lowest degree of hypnosis pro-
duces on the individual. The exact influence that causes the
development of somnambulism has never been thoroughly veri-
fied, but we have good reason to believe that the moon plays an

active part. At least several generally acknowledged facts speak

to this effect, and it is certain that most cases of spontaneous
l88 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING,

DREAMING ABOUT THE MOON

 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 1S9

somnambulism appear during full moon, and that sleepwalkers

even if they be present in an absolutely dark room, where not
the slightest moonlight could visit them, always seem to be
quite sure of the position of the moon, as they constantly turn
their faces toward this, and finally, that such persons always
seek to avoid everything that prevents them staring at the moon,
and appear anxious to shorten the distance between it and them-
selves by ascending houses, towers, etc., and remaining there
until the moon commences to go down. On account of this
we can draw the conclusion that there is between the moon
and the natural somnambulistic individual some relation be it —
that the constant gaze at the moon to which especially young
people are devoted, particularly women, has a kind of a hypno-
tizing influence as has the eyes of the hypnotizer or the shining
crystal-prism applied at hypnotic experiments. While younger
I have often heard at my home in Denmark, a joke referring to
the ladies sitting at the open window before going to bed, to
look at the moon — that they need not trouble themselves as the
moon had no male population.
Our beloved Longfellow associates the moon with senti-
ment, sleep and dreams, as follows:
Moon of the summer night!
Far down yon western steep
Sink, sink in silver light!
She sleeps, my lady sleeps!
Sleeps
Dreams of the summer night
Tell her her lover keeps
Watch while in slumbers light
She sleeps, my lady sleeps!
Sleeps!
It is well known that particular positions of the moon in
respect to the earth, are accompanied with marked effects ujoon
somnambulists, cataleptics, and persons disposed to insanity (W.
Fishbough); and it has from time immemorial been believed
190 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

STATE

SOMNAMBULISTIC

YPNOTIZED

AUTO-II

IN

WITCHES

SUPPOSED
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. I9I

have also a decided influence upon

that certain lunar jaositions
the vegetable and animal kingdoms. During eclipses of the
sun, when the moon has been directly between that luminary
and the earth, hungry animals have been observed to suddenly
cease eating and become apparently sad and dejected ; and when

IN ECSTACY BELIEVING THEMSELVES FLYING THROUGH THE

AIR ON BROOMSTICKS AND HAVING COMMUNI-
CATIONS WITH SATAN.
eclipses have been total, birds have sometimes been known to
fall dead from their perches. Now, neither of these effects can
be supposed to result from any modification of the force of
gravitation as owing to the relative positions in such cases of
192 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

the earth, moon and sun. But if we suppose, as above, that the
earth and moon are enveloped in a common “odic” sphere of a
nervoid and semi-vital character, and that in this change in its

polar relations and consequent qualities of influence upon living

organisms, with every change of relative position of the earth,
moon and sun, we have ail easy solution of the phenomena in
question. The supposition of such a change of influence would
seem to be countenanced by the results of Reichenbach’s
experiments.

I DIO- SOMNAMBULISM.

The witches of the middle ages, whom we must regard as

entirely idio-somnambulistic persons, anointed their bodies
with different kinds of salves, which contained narcotic elements;
and they were by the alcoloid influence on the blood, or by phy-
sical actions, thrown into a somnambulistic hypnotic condition.

To Auto-Somnambulism belongs much that is usually called

and diabolism and the Voudooism of the Africans,
evil spells ;

Kanakas and Southern negroes must be largely dependent

upon earnest, though unrecognized self-suggestions, induced by
mysterious rites and frenzied excitation.
Goethe needs only this explanation to be fully understood in
the following from F aust

Chorus of Witches:
The stubble is yellow, the corn is green,
Now to the Brocken the witches go,
The nightly multitude here may be seen
Gathering, wizard and witch, below.
Sir Urian is sitting aloft in the air;
Hey over stock! and hej over stone! r

’Twixt witches and incubi, what shall be done?

Tell it who dare! tell it who dare!

A voice:

Upon a sow-swine, whose farrows were nine,

Old Baubo rideth alone.
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 1
93

Chorus
Honor her to whom honor is due:
Old Mother Baubo, honor to you!
An able sow, with old Baubo upon her,
Is worthy and worthy of honor!
of glory,
The legion of witches is coming behind,
Dark’ning the night, and outspeeding the wind.
A voice:
Which way comest thou?
A voice:

Over Ilsenstein.
The owl was awake in the white moonshine:
I saw her at rest in her downy nest,
And she stared at me with her broad, bright eye.

Voices:

And you may now as well take your course on to hell.

Since you ride by so fast on the headlong blast.

A voice:

She dropped poison upon me as I passed.

Here are the wounds
Chorus of -witches:

Come away! come along!

The way is wide, the way is long,
But what is bedlam throng?
that for a
Stick with the prong, and scratch with the broom;
The child in the cradle lies strangled at home,
And the mother is clapping her hands.
194 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING,

Semi-chorus -wizards I
We glide in
Like snails, when the women are all away;
And from a house once given over to sin
Women has a thousand steps to stray.

Semi-chorus II
A thousand steps must a woman take,
When a man but a single spring will make.

Voices above :

Come with us, come with us, from Felunsee.

Voices below :
With what joy would we fly through the upper sky!
We are washed, we are ’nointed, stark naked are we;
But our toil and our pain are forever in vain.

Both choruses:
The^wind is still, the stars are fled,
The melancholy moon is dead ,

The magic notes, like spark on spark,

Drizzle, whistling through the dark.
Come away
Voices below :

Stay, O, stay!

Voices above :

Out of the crannies of the rocks

Who calls?

Voice below :
O, let me join your flocks!
I three hundred vears have striven
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. *95

To catch your skirt and mount to heaven

With company akin to me!
Both choruses :
Some on a ram and some on a prong,
On poles and on broomsticks, we flutter along;
Forlorn is the wight who can rise not to-night.

A half--witch below :
I have been tripping this many an hour;
Are the others already so far before?
No quiet at home, and no peace abroad!
And less, methinks, is found by the road.
Chorus of witches :
Come onward away! anoint thee, anoint!
A witch, to be strong, must anoint — anoint,
Then every bough will be boatenough,
With a rag for a sail we can sweep through the sky.

Who flies not to-night, when means he to fly?

Both choruses:
We cling to the skirt, and we
on the ground;
strike
Witch-legions thicken around and around;
- Wizard-swarms cover the heath all over.
[They descend.]

When we traceback to the olden times, and

history
draw the remains from the past ages out of their obscurity, we
encounter several things, which for the sake of their curiosity,
put Egypt, Lybia, Greece and ancient Rome into consterna-
tion, and likewise has arrested the attention of later centuries.

In this way has been established among the public as eternal

truths which, with a sacred esteem, regarded oracles sages of —
a Delphian Apollo —
a dodonish Jupiter, a Trophonius from
Boeotia and different other sibyllis. Pythia sitting on a tripod
outside the Delphian cavern was driven into an agitated ec-
stasy by the mephitic vapors arising from the tripod. This
was but a plain magnetic condition created by the priests (who
were well versed in the medical profession), either by inhalation
 19 6 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

of vapors or incenses, by certain manipulations

performed by
the priests, or by bodily exercises in connection with several
drugs for internal use, so-called charmed potions, or by rubbing
the body with narcotic salves. The ecstasy produced in this way
had different aspects. Sometimes the person was very weak,
almost unconscious, at other times very noisy, and acted with
the greatest vehemence. During this last condition the priest-
ess rushed in a circle around the fuming tripod, her mouth
foaming, tearing her hair and flesh, showing in all her attitudes
insanity and rage.

THE ORACLE IN THE DELPHIAN CAVERN. THE DIFFERENT

PREPARATIONS USED PARTLY FROM AN ANCIENT AUTHOR.
Great preparations were made for giving mysteriousness to
the oracle, and for commanding the respect paid to it. Among
other circumstances relating to the sacrifices that were offered,
we may observe that the priestess herself fasted three days, and
before she ascended the tripod she bathed herself in the foun-
tain of Castalia. She drank water from that fountain and
chewed laurel leaves gathered near it.She was led into the
sanctuary by the priests, who placed her upon the tripod. As soon
as she began to be agitated by the divine exhalations, her hair
stood on end, her aspect became wild and ghostly, her mouth
began to foam, and her whole body was suddenly seized with
violent tremblings. In this condition she attempted to escape
from the prophets, who detained her by force, while her shrieks
and howlings made the whole cavern resound, and filled the
bystanders with sacred horror. At length, unable to resist the
impulse of the god, she surrendered herself to him, and at cer-
tain intervals uttered from the bottom of her stomach some
unconnected words, which the prophets arranged in order, and
—
put in form of verse giving them a connection which they had
not when they were delivered by the priestess. “ The oracle
being pronounced, she was taken off the tripod, and conducted
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.
1 97

PYTHIA, THE DELPHIAN ORACLE, SEATED ON THE

TRIPOD
OVER THE SACRED CAVERN.
I98 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

back to her cell, where she continued several days to recover

herself from her conflict.”
Such effects were in those times considered necessary, par-
ticularly so in the case of the priestess. It was of the greatest
importance to give a mysterious appearance to the oracle, for
the purpose of commanding feeling and respect from the “by-
standers with sacred horror.”

NITROUS OXIDE THE EFFECTS OF ITS INHALATION.

Coretus who it is said first discovered nitrous oxide’s effects
upon goats speaks thus Prompted by curiosity he also ap-
:

proached the mouth of the cavern, and found himself seized

with a like fit of madness “ skipping, dancing, foretelling
things to come.” But as we have no evidence upon which we
can depend, this skipping, etc., being natural to goats and not
agreeing with its effects upon the priestess, we may think of it

as we would of all other things that have been said about it, of
which the following is a specimen “This place,” speaking of
:

the cavern, “ was treated with a singular veneration, and it was

soon covered with a kind of chapel, which Pausanius tells us
was originally made of laurel boughs, and resembled a large
hut. This, says the Phalian tradition, was surrounded by one
of wax, and raised by the bees.”

THE DIFFERENT STATES OR DEGREES OF SOMNAMBULISM

IN CONNECTION WITH THOSE OF THE NATURAL SLEEP.
So far my investigations have shown that we can with the
same authority divide these in the following way: Human life
undergoes a process of development and falls into three chief
periods before it reaches its degree of culmination; and we ob-
serve in the awake condition of man a gradually ascending
development from morning until noon, and later toward even-
ing a descending, resulting at last in sleep. In the same way
the nightly condition has a gradual development of a similar
character. One and the same typical law rules not only the
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 1
99

development of human life in general, but also rules man’s con-

dition when awake and the nightly state of the somnambulist.
From the special degrees I will name the following :

The animal — The somnambulism entering and

degree. act-
ing on the animal system.
The sensitive degree. — Somnambulism entering and acting
on the sensitive system.
The culmination of somnambulism —complete night condi-
— The deepest sleep about midnight.
tion.
The — The change from night day condition.
crisis into
The final fart of somnambulism — awaking.
The vegetative system. — The phenomena are noted upon
entrance of the day condition.
Complete day condition—awaking.
I11 order to return to the different kinds of somnambulism
I will state, that besides spontaneous somnambulism ,
idio-
somnambulism and artificial somnambulism I have observed ,

another class of somnambulists, namely hysteric and epileptic

:

somnambulists who, during certain periods, from one or an-

,

other bodily or spiritual cause, came under the influence of nat-

ural somnambulism. It is not only in the night-time during the
natural sleep that these individuals relapse into this condition ;

but even in the day-time they may be met in somnambulistic

states, in which they may continue days, weeks, months -even —
years — without giving their associates the least suspicion thereof.
Ihave heard and read much of such strange cases. I have
even met with a few, which I have studied with the greatest in-
terest. It is remarkable that in general it is persons with dark

complexion and a rich growth of hair, but with little beard, and
people of pule and fair complexion, with the pupils of the eyes
very dilated, who come under this condition. We can be con-
vinced as to their condition by holding a lighted match close to
the eyes of these persons ;
we will then, as in certain degrees
of the hypnosis, note only a slight contraction of the pupil.
200 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

These somnambulists usually sleep with open eyes, resting on

their hack and they snore much. This often leaves a disa-
;

greeable impression upon the stranger who happens to witness

it for the first time. The pupils are unnaturally dilated, and the
wide open. No winking or nervous drawing together,
eyelids
or movements of the eyelids, betray that the person is alive.
The expression of the eye is that of the death-stare. Like the
somnambulistic attacks of these last somnambulists their actions
during the sleep are uncalculable. We
must recollect that we
have to do here with a special suffering; and in many cases we
must consider severely attacked hysterics and epileptics as a
mild form of insanity. We also know how honestly and ami-
ably they will naturally act; and that they at other times are so
—
unexpectedly irritable and distrustful and also easilv influenced,
or exhibit even stranger character. Unfortunately when they fall
in line with bad associates, they have no power of resistance.

Just as uncalculable as they are when awake, so they are during

the somnambulistic condition. As a rule dreams in the night-
time are of those objects on which thought is most bent during
the day. If persons during sleep speak loudly, we may be sure
it is of matters which, during the daytime, puzzled their minds.

If a person is a sleep-walker, he performs while asleep actions

similar to those which occupies him in the daytime. We can,
therefore, with perfect right, in general, pi-oceed from this fact,
that a person who during sleep makes an assault on somebody’s
life, thereby signifies and reveals the secret thoughts of his day-
life. This is generally the case with apparently strong and
healthy persons as far as the body and soul are concerned, whom
we do not suspect as suffering from advancing insanity, hys-
teria or epilepsy. With persons suffering from these mental
disorders we could very soon, during their sleep, become aware
of things which would stamp them very badly, if we believed
everything said or done by them during their sleep, to be a sig-
nification of their true character. Such sufferers could by no
NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 201

SOMNAMBULIST PLAYING WHILE ASLEEP

202 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

means be held responsible for their actions whether in awake or

sleeping condition. We all know about the silly ideas they are
yielding to ;
they are easily scared, even when dreaming ;
they
become confused ;
their thoughts are deranged ;
they scream
aloud during their sleep, and believe themselves attacked by
wild beasts or horrible monsters. Contrary to this, the normal
sleep-walker goes about carefully, in pleasant dreams and
seems to throw an air of scientific interest into the task he per-
forms. During this condition his intellect and sense is consider-
ably increased while on the contrary it is removed to a far
;

lower step with the other kind of somnambulists during the nor-
mal sleep. It is, therefore, natural that a person who has com-
mitted some bad action during his sleep, can not be altogether
excused as he has, what numerous observations clearly show,
only brought into action that which occupied his mind the pre-
vious day. The individual whose thoughts and conduct are
conscienciously in conformity with the laws of society will not
act against these laws while asleep. On the contrary, that per-
son who only thinks of crime or revenge, will reveal during his
sleep all his evil inclinations, which he, in awake condition, was
forced to keep back — considering the surroundings. (In the
same way will the drunkard, in almost every case, during his
intoxication, show his real character; his cautiousness is aban-
doned.) If a person commits a crime while asleep and the rec-
ord of his past life causes suspicion, then it seems to me we can
in most cases consider this crime a natural result of his bad char-
acter, and we may be so much more at liberty in doing so as it
is committed without any restraining power or influence. Be-
ing far from considering these actions resulting from fantastic
ravings, I will place them among the most independent in hu-
man life. I am viewing somnambulism as it is in general, a
higher, ennobling condition, with a refinement of feeling and
character. The composer creates better music while asleep.
The good person is through all his actions equally good, even
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 203

better, while asleep than he is when awake. This is particularly

proven by what we know has been accomplished by men of
prominence during their sleep. As I have formerly remarked
these cases do not refer to the hypnotic or epileptic somnambu-
list or others, whose mental balance is disturbed, whether this

be due to the suffering of periodical insanity with hallucinations

or to the ghastly nightmare.

SOMNAMBULIST — A JUDGE TRIES A CASE WHILE ASLEEP.

To illustrate these conclusions of mine I will give the fol-
,

lowing examples
It has frequently happened that studious men have done
really hard mental work while asleep. A
stanza of excellent
verse is in print which John Herschell is said to have com-
Sir
posed while asleep, and to have remembered when he awoke.
Goethe often set down on paper the day thoughts and ideas
204 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

which had presented themselves him during the preceding

to
night. A gentleman one night dreamt that he was playing an
entirely new game of cards with three friends. When he
awoke, the structure and rules of the new game, as created in
the dream, came one by one into his memory, and he found
them so ingenious that he afterwards frequently played the game.
A case is cited where a gentleman in his sleep composed an ode
in six stanzas, and set it to music. Tartini, the celebrated
Italian vocalist, composed the “ Devil’s Sonata,” in a dream.
Lord Thurlow, when a youth at college, found himself one
evening unable to finish a piece of Latin composition which he
had undertaken. Lie went to bed full of the subject, fell asleep,
finished his composition in a dream, remembered it next morn-
ing, and was complimented on the felicitous form which it
presented. A remarkable case is given by Weinholt. A musi-
cal student was in the habit of rising in the middle of the night,
and going to the piano, would arrange his music and sit down
and play correctly the piece before him. As showing the acute
intelligence which existed in him during this sleeping state,
some of his fellow students one night watched him, and sud-
denly turned the music iqoside down. The sleeper, however,
detected it, quietly restored the sheet to its proper position, and
went on playing. On another occasion, one of the strings of
the instrument being out of tune, the discordant note so jarred
upon he stopped playing, took down the
his sensibilities that
front of the piano and tuned the offending string before con-
tinuing his practice. Another student was accustomed to trans-
late passages from Italian into F rench during his sleep. He
used a dictionary and was most assiduous and correct in his
search after the words needed. Touching the sense of sight,
which is brought into play during such sleep efforts, a remark-
able case is recorded of a young lady, who would rise from her
bed and write intelligently and legibly in complete darkness.
The most curious feature in connection with her efforts, was
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 205

that if the least light was admitted into her room, she was
unable to continue. A ray from the moon, passing in at her
window, was sufficient to disturb her. She could only continue
as long as she was enveloped in perfect darkness. Not content
with doing their duty throughout the day, and when they are
awake, there seems to be some people who are not satisfied
unless they keep themselves employed while they are asleep.
Not infrequently individuals have projected and carried to a
successful issue, projects which they were quite incapable of
attempting when awake. No
doubt because they couldn’t even
if they wished to, dream of doing them unless asleep.

THE INFLUENCE OF MUSIC ON THE SOMNAMBULIST. AS A PROOF

OF THIS I WILL STATE A VERY INTERESTING EXPERIMENT.

In the first place I will remind the reader of the great influ-
ence of music on every human being. If we hear the resonant
ball music, we will naturally undertake certain movements in
close connection with the character and tempo of the piece
played. Similarly the military band, when playing a national
air, will animate and enrapture the people. In the same way
will the funeral march relax the muscles, make the walk slower
and the expression sad, while not to forget it depresses the tem-
per. Recollecting this, I undertook during my stay in Alexan-
dria(Egypt) seven years ago, an experiment with a natural
somnambulist (sleep-walker). I was remaining about a month
with a French family, Lamont by name; and it was with a son
of the family that I carried out the following experiment: The
person mentioned was not directly a sleep-walker, as he re-
mained in bed throughout the entire night, but his sleep
was restless,during which he always spoke. As I am a
little musical, I had from several instruments selected an excel-

lent mouth organ with very soft and melodious tones, on which,
during the twilight hours, I would play some fragments of a
noted composition, or at other times, simply fantasy pro luctions,
20 6 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

when I felt inspired to do so. It was very late on a very sultry

summer evening, when, after playing for about an hour on the
veranda, I left it to retire. I had not the slightest desire for
sleep, so I took up a book to read awhile; but I was immedi-
ately interrupted young man loudly snore in the
by hearing the
room adjoining mine. Still holding in my hand my
little mouth organ, an idea inspired me. I walked into the

room where he was sleeping, and after having placed myself

languidly in a chair, I commeneed in a soft and faint way to
play my instrument. After a lapse of some minutes I observed
that he raised himself up in bed. He listened to my music with
apparently great attention, and kept his body motionless. Even
the usual snoring ceased and he drew his breath very faintly.
;

In order to make a directly recognized impression, I played

almost inaudibly, and as the music grew weaker and weaker he
still more attentively bent himself toward me. Suddenly I

ceased playing ;
he was still sitting upright in the bed. After a
short time he leaned himself quietly back and continued his
sleep. Soon after this his usual snoring could again be distin-
guished. The next day at the dinner table I narrated the oc-
currence, which caused great amusement. My next experi-
ment took place a week later, on a clear summer night about
12 o’clock, with the same effect as above stated, though I noted
some new and very interesting observations which I will relate:
It was especially interesting to notice the different expres-

sions of his face according to the variety of the tunes. While

I played “Tycho Brahes’ Fai'ewell to Denmark,” (the world’s

famous Danish astronomer) his aspect was a very serious one

but when I changed it to “The Last Rose of Summer,” his
face was beaming with delight. His eyes were continually half
opened, and I noticed a nervous motion of the eyelids such as
we find in hypnotized individuals. He would wake if I sud-
denly approached his face with mv instrument and changed to

*
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 207

anew tune, or when I played false, though in this case only

when it was done with a certain force.
The above mentioned experiment I have since tried upon
several other persons, and in the majority of cases with success.
At other times I have failed, either partly or perfectly.

OTHER EXPERIMENTS.
Another interesting experiment is to take a lighted candle
in your left hand, and hold it as high as your face. Take posi-
tion a few steps from the bed and somewhat bent forward, have
your eyes and thoughts directed at the sleeper. Clench your
right hand tightly, and concentrate your thought to the effect
that the sleeper shall leave his bed and follow you. This will
occur if he is in some degree subject to somnambulistic influ-
ences. The person will first become restless, try to lift his head
from the pillow, and finally he will sit up in bed. If the opera-
tor slowly moves from the bed, the sleeper will follow him,
walking with him till he stops. You must carefully consider
the direction you go so that no tables, chairs or any kind of
furniture, are in the way of the sleeper, as otherwise he is very
likely to stumble against some of them. It is of interest to
notice the difference between this and the natural somnambu-
lists who are spontaneously sleep-walkers. The latter will, as
we know, seem be very careful and see or feel everything in
to
their path, and in this way avoid collision with any obstacle
they meet; while the former kind of somnambulists are like
the hypnotized mediums who stumble against anything
will
in their way, if the oj^erator does not take proper care to pre-
vent it. Of course this experiment is not to be commenced
until the sleeper has been resting a couple of hours. No light
should be in the room previous to this operation, during which
you must proceed as quietly as possible. As soon as the sleeper
begins to move, you must retire a little from the bed, steadily
holding the candle in your outstretched left hand, while you
208 natural somnambulism or sleep-walking.

slowly draw yourself backward you will signalize by motions

of your head and right hand that the person is to follow you,
The thought must all the time be concentrated upon the success
of the experiment. The reader will bear in mind that he re-
mains at the very same spot while experimenting, and avoid the
least noise ;
furthermore, he must not gaze too sharply at the
sleeping person, when the experiment is about to succeed, as he
might easily awake
consequence of the continued staring.
in
The operator must, as a rule, look at the whole person or in the
direction of his breast, while he slowly retreats from the bed.
This experiment furnishes material for a line of still more re-
markable exjDeriments. That the operator’s mind, concentration
and eye power has a great influence on the sensitive sleeper, is
a well known fact. The reader knows surely, of the common
experiment by which one can force a person, walking or sitting
in front of him, to turn around and look at him, by simply star-
ing at the person’s neck for a few minutes. While a mere
youth this caused me great amusement. Often when walking
with my friends at the crowded thoroughfares of Copenhagen,
I offered to bet them that within a given time I would make a

certain party walking ahead of us to turn around. Who has

not at the theater seen a night scene in which a burglar breaks
in ;
how he in great fear will shyly look at the sleeping occu-
pants, and then suddenly as if frightened, will withdraw his
glance to look at everything else but the sleepers. The cause
is that the burglar fears that by his look he may awaken them,
while the noise he will probably make in carrying out his inten-
tions does not so much bother him, because his instinct more
than his judgment tells him that he at any risk, must not gaze
too often at the sleepers. In this way it is represented by a
clever actor who is real and true in the conception of his role,
and in every detail seeks to come up to that special, part of the
play in which he appears. This is not only represented at the
theater; we see it also in real life upon the great stage of
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 2O9

human life. We all know that a play to gain the proper effect
must be a true and correct cojoy of nature.

THE INSTINCT OF THE SOMNAMBULIST.

The natural somnambulist will almost always see or antici-
pate a danger, and as if by instinct avoid it. If the natural som-
nambulist walks while asleep in dangerous places or on dizzy
heights, he will generally return unhurt from his wanderings
if not suddenly awakened by some alarm or voice. In the city
of Hamburg, about ten years ago, there occurred a very sensa-
tional case, the details of which I will narrate. Upon a moon-
light summer night as a gentleman hurried along the streets
towards his home, he saw a person, apparently very thinly
dressed, walking from one roof to another of the four-story
buildings. He called the attention of some young merry fel-
lows to what he saw; and in connection with them called very
loudly to the person in order to attract his attention to the threat-
ening danger to which he was exposed. By a wild roar in
which they all united the person awakened, became dizzy and
lost his balance. For a moment it looked as if death should in-

evitably be the lot of the unfortunate one, and the party on the
street understood how inconsiderately they had acted. But for-
— who understands the fate or the invisible
tunately hands of
providence — the person fainted and remained upon the sloping
roof where a caught his clothing. The combined efforts of
nail
those present with the help of the occupants of the house at
last succeeded in bringing the sleep-walker into a place of safety.

It was a young woman, who, disregarding the defects of her

dress,had undertaken this night wandering. By a closer ex-
- amination it was found that her right arm was broken thanks —
to the heedlessness of her apparent helpers. As we may un-
derstand, not this young woman only, but generally the greater
number of somnambulists, would escape unhurt from their
nightly wanderings in dangerous places if no heedless specta-
 210 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

tors, by erroneous acting, as yelling or screaming, caused the

sleepers to awaken too suddenly.
In the other case, the catastrophe will undoubtedly present
itselfand the unfortunate will meet sure death, unless it hap-
pens as in the above case, that providence interferes for a more
fortunate result. Of course it is not the idea in such perilous
cases to leave the somnambulist walking from one dangerous
place to another. In such cases we must by a sensible and well
considered method, in a quiet self-possessed manner, try to re-
move the sleeper from the threatening danger. This will
always result in success for that person who with good will at-

tempts to perform his duty towards his fellow men whenever

they are in danger.

SOMNAMBULISM AND ITS PECULIARITIES.

We are entitled to the admission that the moon plays an in-

fluential role on the somnambulist. Why otherwise should he
ascend the most perilous walls or scaffolds, if it is not with the
intention of getting up as high as possible, to look at the moon.
These somnambulists are as a rule women —
rarely men who —
never, while awake, would have strength enough to ascend such
dangerous places, and who never before have attempted any-
thing of the kind, or even for a moment stopped to consider the
possibility of such an undertaking. This shows clearly that the
claim made by several celebrated physicans that somnambulists
could not ascend places or perform work which had not previ-
ously occupied their minds is altogether an erroneous one. They
state, as a proof, that during sleep it is the spine that directs us
and does our thinking, and as a result, while we are asleep,
fancy occupies itself with such things as we have .previously
thought of while awake furthermore, that the spine is the dom-
;

inating control during our sleep, which guides us in an auto-

matic way to perform such actions as we in daytime have
received an impression of through our chief director, the brain.
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 21 I

This all sounds very plausible, but it can only be accepted in

very few cases. Such an one-sided, unreliable theory can not
be in harmony with somnambulism in general.
Somnambulism with all its varieties presents itself differ-
ently. It is all dependent upon the class to which the person

(the sleep-walker) belongs; and to the mental or bodily causes

prevailing.
I will mention here the remarkable somnambulistic perform-
ance of a Detroit young lady. “ One of the most remarkable
exhibitions of somnambulism ever given in this city took place
about one o’clock Saturday morning, near the corner of High
and Sixth Free Press. “ The princi-
streets,” says the Detroit
pal actor in the serio-comic drama was an eighteen-year old Miss,
named Annie Barton, and she was first discovered by C. W.
Hedges. He was on his way home, when his attention was at-
tracted by a queer-looking object seated on the top of a grape-
vine arbor just over the fence. Stopping, Mr. Hedges looked
at the figure until he saw it move. Then he spoke to it; but
received no answer. At Captain C. C. Stark-
this juncture
weather, of the Turnbull Avenue Police Station, came along
on Sixth street on his way home. He was stopped by Mr.
Hedges, who pointed out the queer figure, and they were not
long in doubt as to the nature of the apparition. ‘It’s a woman !’

said Captain Starkweather, and she must be asleep,’ contin-

‘

ued Mr. Hedges. Arriving at that conclusion the men opened

the gate, and, walking to the arbor, called the sleeping girl, but
received no reply. Captain Starkweather began climbing up
the arbor, at which the girl started on a lively run, and going
the whole length of the arbor roof, made a jump — clearing a
space of about eight feet — alighting
on the roof of a wood-
shed. This maneuver astonished men, who awakened Mr.
Tompson and his family, and told them that there was a sleep-
walker upon their wood-shed. Soon Mr. Tompson, his wife
and son joined Mr. Hedges and the Captain in the chase.
212 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

What was their surprise to findMiss Barton had clambered

from the shed to the wing, and thence to the apex of the roof
of the main building, where she stood leaning against the chim-
ney. Finally a ladder was procured, and young Tompson
climbed to the side of the roof, but getting there found it so
covered with snow and ice that it was impossible for him to
reach the girl. So down he came, and the ladder was carried
to the front of the house, when it was put in position, with one
end against the roof-peak. This time Captain Starkweather
took off his boots and climbed up. The girl stood quietly until
he was within a few feet of her, when she ran toward the wing,
and sliding went from one roof to the other thence she jumped
;

back to the grape-arbor, and before any of the men could get
to her, she jumped to the ground and dashing through a back
;

gate, ran up High street. The chase was then continued to

the Crawford Street Park, where she was captured. Then it
was found that she was completely dressed, with the exception
of a hat and shawl, and that during all of her hazardous mid-
night ramble she had not received the slighest injury. She was
taken to the Turnbull Avenue Police Station until her relatives,
being notified, put in their appearance and took her in charge.
Her friends say this is the second occasion of the kind in which
Miss Barton has taken part.”

THE STRANGE EFFECTS OF SPONTANEOUS SOMNAMBULISM

ON PECULIAR INDIVIDUALS.
Spontaneous somnambulism happens very often — much
more frequently than is generally supposed. A person awakens
in the morning, and he is, in his thoughts and, in fact, in all
respects, an entirely different person than his normal self as he —
went to sleep the night before. Let us admit that the person,
from the normal sleep, little by little, goes over into the som-
nambulistic state. Pie awakes in the morning at the usual time
without leaving the somnambulistic state. His thoughts will
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 213

then only occupy him with those suggestions or ideas he re-

ceived in the dreaming condition the night before. Besides
going from the normal sleep over into the somnambulistic con-
dition a person may also, while in the normal awake state, go
over into this peculiar state of spontaneous somnambulism — even
in the midst of the day. We have often heard of such cases,
in which a person temporarily goes into the somnambulistic
state and as suddenly imagines himself to be an entirely differ-
ent person, and consequently he acts and thinks as another per-
son. How often do we hear of persons who suddenly, without
any reasonable cause, leave their homes or business. They
disappear, for a longer or shorter time, from their circle of daily
acquaintances, and later on someone finds them somewhere in
the same city, or in an entirely strange place, wandering about
aimlessly, seemingly without any purposes or ideas what to do.
They appear awake, but they arc confused and unable to ex-
plain what they have done while absent. I will state only a few
examples. Some time ago a well-known, honest, highly esteemed
government officer disappeared, and a couple of weeks later he
was found employed as a waiter in a fifth-class restaurant, situ-
ated in an obscure part of the city. Another case A very :

well-known and highly esteemed minister suddenly disappeared

from his congregation and family. He was accidentally found
many miles away, where he had opened a store buying and —
selling second-hand clothes. He dealt with the persistence of
an expert, like an experienced business man in this line. He
went under another name, lived quietly and secluded from all

other human beings, except in the line of business. As a busi-

ness man he was just as honest and respectable as he was as a
minister, but without having the slightest idea of having occu-
pied such a position. By a couj:>le of weeks’ careful treatment he
recovered, little by little, from his slumber (somnambulism)
and became again the old jovial minister.
214 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

There no doubt that many of those persons whom we

is

believe to be insane —
instead of being brought into an institu-
tion for insanity —
could be easily cured of their erroneous
imaginations by simply using hypnotic treatment for we know ;

that natural somnambulism disappears under artificial somnam-

bulism.
A have observed, and which I think is of great impor-
fact I
tance, is that those somnambulists who come under the influence
of this condition in day time, never appear to be sleep-walkers at
night; and if it happens they will only perform very slight,
insignificant things as they never expose themselves to any
danger. We have apparently only a few examples of this pecu-
liar condition but they are nevertheless, in minds more numer-
;

ous than it is supposed. We find people who after going

through some disease, unnoticeably yielding to somnolent con-
ditions without their associates having the slightest knowledge
thereof. I will here briefly state an example of these peculiar

cases of spontaneous somnambulism occurring in day time with

one of these formerly mentioned strongty hysteric or epileptic
persons, born with a morbid tendency towards this remarkable
condition. We read frequently of judges falling asleep during
the hearing of a case, but for a prisoner to be slumbering peace-
fully during the whole of his trial, is probably an unprecedented
occurrence. This curious spectacle was witnessed recently in
the Tenth police court, Paris, where a man named Emil David
was charged with illegally personating a barrister, and with
common swindling. After giving his name in answer to the
magistrate, the defendant ceased to reply to the questions put to
him, and his counsel explained to the court that David was fast
asleep, though his e)f es were wide open. The magistrate was
of course rather suspicious of such an explanation and in order
to prove that his client was not shamming, Maitre Ranaud
placed his hands before the prisoner’s eyes, and drawing them
slowly back, caused him to rise and leap over the barrier which
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 215

separated the dock from the court. He was led back to his seat
but was found quite imposible to awaken him. The trial,
it

however, was proceeded with, and Maitre Ranaud in David’s

defense, explained that he was a highly hysterical, hypnotic
subject, and that at times he would remain for long periods in
what is known ambulatory” stage of the
as the “automatic
disease or spontaneous somnambulism. This means that the
patient, although in a state of complete somnolence, acts like an
ordinary individual, and can travel, carry on a conversation or
play cards without any one suspecting that he is asleep. On
waking, however, he is entirely unconscious of what he has
done while in that condition. This David on one occasion,
traveled from Paris to Troyes without being conscious of doing
so, and on recovering his senses discovered that he had lost his
overcoat with a sum of money in one of the pockets. He had
no recollection as to where he had left the garment, but some
months later, on telling the story to a surgeon at the Hotel
Dieu, the latter artificially threw David into a state of hyp-
notic sleep, during which he explained the position and the
number of the room in a hotel at Troyes where he had left the
coat. The landlord was communicated with and the story
found to be perfectly correct. The hearing of the case was
terminated some time before David could be awakened and the
passing of the sentence was delayed for two hours, as the court
did not wish to condem a sleeping man. Finally, when he re-
covered his senses, the prisoner was informed that on account
of his extraordinary temperament his offense would be visited
only with a penalty of one month’s imprisonment.
There are persons who are thrown into somnambulistic condi-
tion while asleep by one or another unknown causes, and who
still maintain this condition even after being, seemingly, awake in

the morning. They leave home and enter upon the day’s business
or occupation, and they seem to fill their different places satis-
factory, but they never show any special ability or intelligence.
21 6 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

They are what we in daily talk would term and habitual

dull
beyond this they have no interest. (The reader must not here
be mistaken as to the difference between these sickly somnam-
bulists and the natural somnambulist, who while the condition
lasts shows a greater intellectual power than he is known to
possess awake. We
must therefore arrange the sickly som-
nambulist under some such classification as hysterics and
epileptics, etc.) We find people who perform all the functions
of life, live, work, eat and drink, tend to all their daily duties
without they themselves or their companions ever understand-
ing the unition hereof. Such people will by some sudden vio-
lent shock, sensation, disease or other equal causes rapidly extri-
cate themselves from this condition which has held them captive.
We see mail-carriers who travel a certain route ever}' day,
mechanically stop to look in the same dull way whether they
have a letter for Mr. Brown or Mr. Peterson, deliver this if

found, walk as their duty may call to the next house —and so on
continually. These persons are not always able to recollect
what they have done half an hour before, for instance, an occa-
sional conversation, a parcel or letter delivered at a certain
simply because it is not directly their duty to remem-
place, etc.,
ber such things and it is outside of their mechanical daily duty.
,

They have taught themselves the recollective power merely for

the sake of existence. They any dan-
will mechanically avoid
ger on the public thoroughfares or crossings but they pay no
attention to details. As an example I will state how a mail-
carrier often collides with by-passing people, where the thick-
ness of the crowd or any particular hurry on the part of
the mail-carrier is not the cause. At the moment of the
collision he looks up with a kind of dumb, absent expression
on his face, making an excuse and walks on proceeding with
his occupation in the old state of apathy. I could state num-
bers of other examples if space permitted. The reader may
suggest that the person spoken of has been lost in his own
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 217

thoughts, occupied merely by his duty, perhaps trying to solve

some scientific problem. No, — this is, so far as the mail-carrier
and his duty is concerned, hardly acceptable. If a deep thinker
who really performs wonderful work with his brain is at times
apt to relapse into a state of dreamy reveries it will appear to
be periodical and, under such conditions, only when the
moment demands his full attention. With the other persons
mentioned this condition is without these or similar reasons —
always present year after year, often half a lifetime until some —
sudden change throws them out of the remarkable half-dreamy
existence and restores them to that absolute normal state of
awakened life in which they were found before the interference
of the condition spoken of.
A very interesting case of auto-somnambulism, or self-hyp-
notizing, occurred eleven years ago to a photographer in New-
castle,England, of which I was an eye-witness. One day I
was visiting the photographer in his atelier when a working-
man with wife and two children came in to sit for a picture of
the whole family. As the family expressed their willingness I
remained. After being placed in their respective positions and
asked to look at a certain point, the photographer proceeded
with his work. At the time of which I speak the photogra-
pher was not provided with the excellent apparatus of the pres-
ent day. Persons who desired a picture often sat several min-
utes in the same position looking in a certain direction. To sit

like that always very tiresome, and it frequently happened

is

that it had a peculiar hypnotic effect upon the sitter, as is illus-

trated by the following. The first sitting was not a success,
and when the second was taken to his satisfaction he said to the
family: “ You are through ;
you can leave your seats.” The
whole family arose except the husband, who remained in his
position without moving. The jahotographer again told him in
a louder voice that he was through, but he remained still as
motionless as before. The photographer slapped him on the
2 I S NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

shoulder and, looking right in his face, told him in a loud voice
that he was through. The man’s face flushed, and he jumped
from his chair as from a slumber. He was now fully awakened.
The party left the atelier and I asked the j)hotographer if he
had seen cases like this before. He
answered me: “Yes, very
often; but it seemsto me that in general it happens with people
who are not used to being photographed, and to those whose
movements are lazy and drowsy. No doubt it is people who
mean to exactly follow my instructions that are affected in this
way.”
I have seen people employed in a factory or in the field,

sleepy fishermen, and others in this remarkable condition. With

the striking examples that I have studied I could easily fill a
book. At the east and west coast of Denmark there are scat-
tered a number of villages which are, with only a few excep-
tions, inhabited by fishermen. I have here seen many interest-

ing cases. These people are easily influenced by the melan-

choly aspect of the Danish heaths, the monotonous roaring of
the sea, and the breaking of the waves against the stones of the
beach and their occupation, taught when in boyhood, calling
;

for their strict attention day after day, leaves no time for mental
activity or development. How often have I while a boy sat
down at the seashore as children like and, with great interest,
watched the endless waves, listening to the roar of the gale
and then, with a certain anxiety, have seen the fishermen of the
village go into their boats and gradually disappear from my
view. Always I heard the same monotonous melodies, the
same sorrowful songs, nearly all of which had a religious ten-
dency, describing unfortunate love, or those evil spii-its that
dwell in the ocean watching with greedy covetousness for the
victims of the sea when it These people, notwithstand-
rages.
ing their daily duty with repairing boats and nets, their nightly
excursions on the sea, the repetition of their melancholy songs
— appear to he living-dead, performing all absolutely necessary
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 219

functions and actions — always in a certain somnambulistic

mentally sleeping condition. Such people are frequently met
with on the coast of Scotland and other places in Europe.
They are at the same time known to be seers and clairvoyants,
of which they have often given satisfactory proofs. This is
analogical with the person who in bed during a somnambulistic
condition has similar visions also with the artificial somnam-
;

bulist, the hypnotic individual who, during this condition, some-

times shows a similar clairvoyant ability. These and similar
conditions are worthy a closer study and observation. It is of

great disadvantage to modern science that these cases have not

been taken up by some advanced scientist who could give it a
close investigation;
but perhaps this, too, will find its remedy
some day in the future. Among others I find the natural sleep
worthy a real study, as we, in fact, know nothing of it, and I
consider it an interesting condition. An experiment which I
find of much value to observe, and to which most people pay
no attention, is self-suggestion. Numerous people are able to
fix the hour at which they wish to awake in the morning and

to awaken at exactly the time appointed. Furthermore it is of

interest to observe our dreams during the so-called normal sleep,
among which the plurality surely are due to an overfilled
stomach, bad digestion, and similar causes. Other dreams may
—
appear completely independent of these reasons dreams that
really have come to pass at a later time, dreams of things that
had occurred already, dreams of approaching danger, dreams
in which the sleeping individual beheld deceased persons or liv-
ing friends that were hundreds of miles from the dreamer.
This is often, as we know, the case with the other kind of
dreamers namely, the somnambulistic sleep-walkers, who, with
;

their eyes wide open, either lying in bed or walking around the
floor, believe themselves engaged in conversation with deceased
or absent friends. Homer has, in different works, several times
treated this interesting subject in a way that shows the deep
•320 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

familiarity andknowledge this great spirit possessed in regard

to somnambulism and dream life. Even the ancient philosoph-
ical authors of Greece, Hippocrates and Aristoteles, have paid
somnambulism a certain attention in a still higher degree than
we find it discussed by some of our modern scientists.
Hippocrates wrote have known many persons during
:
“ I

sleep moaning and calling out, and others rising up,

. . .

fleeing out of doors and afterward becoming well and rational

as before —
although they may be pale and weak.”
Aristoteles said :
“ Some are moved while they sleep and
perform many things which pertain to wakefulness, though not
without a certain phantasm and a certain sense for a dream is ;

often in a certain manner a sensible perception.” Altogether

there were in ancient times those who paid great attention to
these things, not merely among the masses, but the great poets
sought among these phenomena objects for some of their most
wonderful poems. From the abundance I cite Homer in the
following poem
Hush’d by the murmurs of a rolling deep,
Achilles sinks in the soft arm of sleep.
When, lo!the shade, before his closing eyes,
Of sad Patroclus rose. He saw him rise
In the same robe he living wore. He came
In stature, voice, and pleasant look the same.
The form familiar hover’d o’er his head.
And sleeps Achilles (thus the phantom said),
Sleeps my Achilles, his Patroclus dead?
Living, I seem’d his dearest, tenderest care,
But now forgot, I wander in the air,
Let my pale corse the rites of burial know,
And give me entrance in the realms below.
And is it thou? (he answers). To my sight
Once more returnest thou from realms of night?
O more than brother! Think each office paid,
Whate’er can rest a disembodied shade;
But grant one last embrace, unhappy boy!
Afford at least that melancholy joy.
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 2 21

He said, and with his longing arms essay’d

In vain to grasp the visionary shade;
Like a thin smoke he sees the spirit fly,
And hears a feeble, lamentable cry.
Confused he wakes, amazement breaks the bands
Of golden sleep, and starting from the sands
Pensive he muses with uplifted hands:

’Tis true, tis certain;man, though dead, retains

Part of himself, the immortal mind remains;
The form subsists without the body’s aid
Aerial semblance, and an empty shade!
This night my friend, so late in battle lost,
Stood at my side, a pensive, plaintive ghost;
Even now familiar, as in life, he came
Alas! how different! yet how like the same!

SLEEP-WALKING.
BY D. HACK TUKE, M. D., LL. D., LONDON.
One of my correspondents sends me a remarkable instance
of a girl learning her lessons in her sleep. came How this

about I must briefly state. Her father, who had held a good
position as a country gentleman, died in debt. The mother
was in great distress, and having given up her country house,
sent her daughters to a day school, telling them that they must
profit to the uttermost by the teaching, which she could so ill
afford to give them. They were much impressed with their
mother’s words, and set to work industriously. They took their
school books up to bed with them, intending to learn the lessons
set them. In the morning when they awoke, one of the daugh-
ters found, when awake and applying her mind to her les-
fully
sons, that she had learnt them already. Now, this happened
morning after morning, and the mother puzzled herself over
the mystery in vain. One night, however, she happened to be
visiting, and did not return home till very late. The moon was
shining brightly on the window of the room where the daugh-
222 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

ter slept, and she descried her daughter’s form. She went
quietly upstairs, and entering the room, found her daughter
seated at the window in her night-dress only and sound asleep.
Her lesson hook, which was in her hand, was the subject of her
earnest but unconscious study. The mystery was solved. She
was trying to obey her mother’s desire “to profit to the utter-
termost” by the instruction given her.
I confess that I received this remarkable statement with

some hesitation in the fii'st instance.* At the same time it is

not more extraordinary than working out a problem in Euclid,
as in the following instance. The process of committing to
memory is, indeed, not so high a mental deed as this. A school
teacher, now had conducted a geometry class among the
living,
boys for some months, and gave them, as an examination exer-
cise, to prove the 47th problem of Euclid, Book I., taking

nothing but the axioms and postulatis as granted. Many tried

it, but only one succeeded in the contest. For some time he
was baffled with one stage of the proof, and retired to bed with
his mind full of difficulty. Late that night the teacher, in go-
ing round the bed room before retiring to rest, found this boy
kneeling on his bed, with his face to the wall, and pointing
from spot to spot, as if following a proof in a figure on a black-
board. He was so absorbed in his occupation that he neither
noticed the light of the candle nor answered when addressed by
name in short, he was asleep. He was not disturbed, but was
;

left still proving his problem.

Next morning, before he left his bed room, the teacher said
to him “ Well, John, have you finished your proof?”
: His
reply was “Yes, I have; I dreamt it, and remembered my
:

dream this morning, and got out of bed as soon as I could see
and wrote it out at the window.”
*1 have met recently with a passage in Abercrombie’s Intellectual Powers in which
,

he says: “ There are many instances on record of persons composing during the shite of
somnambulism; as of boys rising in their sleep and finishing their tasks which they had
left incomplete.” (P. 239.)
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 223

A barrister sleep-walker writes On one occasion I came

:
“
clown stairs in my night-dress to warn my family not to drink
the beer, as I had seen a crow fall into it when it was brewing.
This was, of course, only a dream, as no such thing had really
occurred.” He adds “ Very vivid dreams are always associa-
:

ted with sleep-walking, in my case. I always dream, when I

sleep, if only for a moment, and always did so. I compose

poems and solve problems in my dreams, and feel great delight

and satisfaction in so doing; but when I awake I find the poems
often without any meaning, and the solutions of problems are
trash and false. I have also words and sentences of horror in my

dreams which are nonsense. Moreover, I often wake with an

impression of the enormous size of the furniture of my bedroom.”
Lord Culpepper’s brother, famous as a sleep-walker, and
whose portrait, by Sir Peter Lely, is given in Lodge’s Histor-
ical Portraits was indicted at the Old Bailey, in 1686, for shoot-
,

ing one of the guards and his horse. The defense set up was
somnambulism, and he was acquitted, after his counsel had
called in his favor nearly fifty witnesses to bear testimony to the
marvelous exploits he performed during sleep. See Macnish’s
Philosophy of Sleep.
Dr. Yellowlees writes to me: “I know an individual who,
when a boy, was found one night standing up in bed and fu-
riously shaking the bedjDOst. The explanation was that he had
been reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and believed, in his dream,
that he had got hold of Legree When a student he was
!

amazed one morning to find that he had the fire-irons beside him
in bed, and could only explain it by remembering that he had
dreamed that robbers were going to break into the house, and
that he had intended to confront them with the poker. Substi-
tute for the bedpost a child in the bed or room, and clearly this
might have easily become a criminal case.”
Furthermore D. Hack Tuke says “ One of : my correspon-
dents, a schoolmaster for forty years, informs me that he has
224 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

from time to time met with cases of sleep-walking among his

boys, and that he can not recall a single instance in which he
has failed to effect a cure. He thinks he owed the idea to some
observations in Upham’s Mental Philosophy. He thus writes:
Shortly before the sleep-walker’s usual time of going to bed, I

callhim to one side and say in a serious tone: ‘Henry, I find

you were out of bed, and making a disturbance in your room,
last night.’ ‘ Sir,’ he replies, ‘ I was asleep ;
I know nothing
about it !
’
Then I say, ‘ I will say nothing more about it on
this occasion, but such a thing must not occur again.’ 4
But, sir,

I could not help it. I was asleep.’ Well,’ I respond, you

4 4

hear what I say. I would not advise you to let it occur again.’
The boy leaves me, possibly with the feeling that he
some- is

what hardly dealt with, but with an established motive for

checking the tendency to somnambulism, a motive which
doubtless will continue to actuate him, even in sleep.”
A
lad of eight, very fond of his rocking-horse, got up in
his sleep, went into the nursery and mounted it. The motion
of the ride awoke him, and he was astonished to find himself
thus engaged.
One boy who is more intelligent than the others, told
Dr. Beach, that another boy got out of the bed one night and
offered to fight, and that the boy’s eyes were open. He pulled
this boy back to bed, and asked him next morning what he

wanted to fight him for, and the lad replied that he had nightmare.
A
girl, about twelve years old, walked in her sleep, the only

occasion, as she believes, in her life. She was at the time at

school, and had a cpiarrel with a schoolfellow on the previous
day. She arose from her bed in her sleep, whether or not after
a dream is not known, and proceeded to the bed of the other
girl, and then violently pulled her hair. The assaulted girl
called out lustily, when assistance arrived, and the unconscious
assaulter was discovered to be in a state of somnambulism. On
awaking she knew nothing whatever of what had happened.
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 225

Dr. Ireland, in reply to my inquiries, has sent me only one

case, and that was in a most intelligent imbecile who was sub-
ject to severe epileptic fits. He had dyschoramatopsia, being
quite unable to distinguish colors. He could speak freely on
ordinary subjects. One evening hei walked up stairs in a state

of somnambulism, and went to the fight bed. One day in the

school, he suddenly ceased attending to what was going on, then
left his seat and walked about, regardless of the remarks of the

other boys, and what was said to him. When he awoke he

was quite oblivious of what he had done. He also walked in
his sleep in the night, but awoke so quickly that Dr. Ireland was
unable to see him in time.
Yet what did the celebrated Foderi say as to the criminal
responsibility of somnambulists? He pronounced them to be
curable. “ It seems to me,” he writes, “ that a man who has
committed a bad action during sleep is not wholly inexcusable,
since in accordance with most observations, he is only execut-
ing the plans which occupied his mind when awake. He, in
short, whose conduct is always in relation to his social duties,
does not belie his character when he is alone with his soul. He
on the contrary, who only thinks of crimes, deceit and ven-
geance, displays during sleep the recesses of his depraved inclin-
ation which external circumstances had restrained when awake.
If such a man then commits a crime, and he is a suspicious
character, one is seems to me, in considering this
justified, it

crime as a natural consequence of the immoral character of his

ideas and one should judge this action as all the more free, in
that it has been committed without any constraint or particular
influence. Far from considering these acts insane, I regard
them as the most voluntary that can be witnessed in human
nature.”
Macario records a case of sleep-walking in an old woman
of eighty-one.
226 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.
I

SLEEP-WALKING.
BY JAMES ESDAILE, M. D.,CIVIL ASSISTANT SURGEON,
H. C. S., BENGAL, INDIA.

Sometimes one or more senses remain active after the others

have gone -to rest; the wants of the waking organ are trans-
mitted to the sensorium, and are followed by an effort of the
the will to gratify them. The sleeper rises and performs the
actions necessary to satisfy his desires ; eye-sight to a small ex-
tent, usually assists ;
if not, hearing and touch come to his aid,
and guide him with singular accuracy in known localities. I
may here give an illustration from my own experience, of the
preternatural acuteness of hearing, developed to aid the som-
nambulist in getting out of his troubles. In my youth I was
an eager sportsman, by flood and field, and one night after a
fatiguing day’s sport, I found myself in the middle of the room
and very cold, but could not possibly contrive to get back to bed
again. My waking impression was made by the ticking of
last

my watch under the pillow, and this recollection came to revive

me from my difficulties. After the most mature reflection, it oc-
curred to me that if I could only detect my watch by its ticking
I should also find my bed. Acting upon this happy idea, I
hunted my watch by ear, till I actually found it and got into
bed again, as the reward of sound reasoning and perseverance.
I may also here notice a similar instance which occurred to
my brother, a clergyman in Scotland. I give it in his own
words : London, after a tedious and dangerous voy-
“ Returning to
age from the continent, I retired to bed shortly after reaching my
hotel. I had taken possession of a spacious apartment, in which
were two beds, of which only one was occupied. I soon fell
asleep, as I thought, but in a short time I left my bed, and wan-
dered about in the greatest perplexity, under the idea that I was
on board the foreign steamer, which I recently left.
still I

went from berth to berth, as I conceived, beseeching all

 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 22 *]

to show me my own berth. At last came in contact with

I

the empty bed, and creeping over it, got in between it and the
wall. I was long in getting out of this new dilemma, and re-

suming my applications to the numerous sleepers by whom I

fancied myself surrounded. I remember well one part of the

affair, which filled me with the greatest trepidation. I came

up to a small table, on which I distinctly heard a watch ticking.

The idea came into my head that should the owner awake and
find me in such a suspicious proximity to his watch, he would
denounce me spoke long and eloquently, rebuking
as a thief. I

the base suspicion, but the sleeper remaining unmoved, I passed

about in despair. I came to the door, but having locked it, it
did not yield to my attempt at opening, but on coming to the
window I drew up the blind, and was still more bewildered on
seeing the mighty mass of London spread out before me. The
light of the moon, however, striking on the watch was at last
the means of restoring me my senses. It sud-
to the full use of
denly occurred to me watch
that the was my own. I instantly
seized it and forthwith was wide awake. I was in the middle

of the room and in a cold sweat. A considerable time must

have elapsed during the occurrences above described, and the
curious thing is that my eyes were wide open the whole time.
I spoke only French and that with the greatest volubility.”

i
SLEEP-WALKING.
BY WINHART, THE WELL-KNOWN GERMAN PHYSICIAN
AND SCIENTIST.

The sleep-walker, when otherwise healthy, falls at a parti-

cular period into a common sleep, which cannot be distinguished
from the natural state of repose. After a longer or shorter
time, he rises from his couch and walks about the room some- —
times about the house. Pie frequently goes out into the open
228 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

air, walks upon known and unknown paths as quickly and with
as much activity and confidence as in his waking state avoids ;

all obstacles which may stand, or have been designedly placed

in his route, and makes his way along rugged paths, and climbs
dangerous heights which he would never think of attempt-
ing when awake. He reads printed and written joapers, writes
as well and correctly as in his waking state, and performs mam-
other operations requiring light and the natural use of the eyes.
All those actions, however, are performed by the somnambulist
in complete darkness as well as when awake, and generallv with
his eyes firmly closed. When the period of his somnambulism
has elapsed, he returns to his bed, back again into his nat-
falls

ural sleep, awakes at his natural hour, and in most instances,

knows nothing of what he has done in his sleep-walking state.
At the same time, there are very few persons who exhibit all
of these phenomena, or even the greater number of them. For
the most part, they only wander about without any other pecu-
liar manifestations and the instances in which several of the
;

phenomena in question are exhibited are rare.

A very
remarkable case from the “Breslau Medical Collec-
tions.” It relates to a rope-maker who was frequently over-

taken by sleep, even in the day time and in the midst of his
usual occupations. While he sometimes re-com-
in this state,
menced doing all that he had been engaged in doing the previous
part of the day ;
at other times he would continue the work in
which he happened to be engaged at the commencement of the
paroxysm, and finished his business with as great ease and suc-
cess as when awake. When the fit overtook him in traveling-,
O 1

he proceeded on his journey with the same facility, and almost

faster than when awake, without missing the road or stumbling
over anything. In this manner he repeatedly went from Nur-
emberg to Weimar. Upon one of these occasions he came into
a narrow lane where there lay some timber. He passed over it

regularly without injury, and with equal dexterity he avoided

 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 229

the horses and carriages that way. At another

came in his
time he Avas overtaken by sleep just as he was about to set out
for Weimar on horseback. He rode through the river lime,
allowed his horse to drink, and drew up his legs to prevent
them getting wet, then passed through several streets, crossed
the market place, which was at that time full of people, carts
and booths, and arrived in safety at the home of an acquaint-
ance, when he awoke. These and many similar acts requiring
the use of the eyes, he performed in darkness as well as by day-
light. His eyes, however, were firmly closed and he could not
see when they were forced open and stimulated by light brought
near them. His other senses appeared to be equally dormant
as were his eyes. He could not smell the most volatile spirit.
He felt nothing when pinched, pricked or struck. He heard
nothing when called by his name, or even when a pistol was
discharged close beside him.
There is another case, somewhat older, observed and circum-
stantially reported by a trustworthy physician, Dr. Knoll, which
equally deserves our attention. The subject of his observation
was a young man, a gardener, who became somnambulous, and
while in that state performed many extraordinary operations.
He generally fell asleep about 8 o’clock in the evening and then
began to utter devotional sentences and prayers. Afterwards
he went out of the house, clambered over a high wooden parti-
tion and a still higher Avail, uninjured, passed through several
streets and returned. At another time he climbed up to the
roof of the house and rode astride upon the ridge, as if upon
horseback, clambered about for some time upon the roof, and at
length descended in safety. With a view to prevent accidents,
he was locked up in a room and watched. When he became
somnambulous, at the usual time, he began to perform all sorts
of operations with his clothes and the furniture of the room. He
climbed up to the window sill, and from thence to a stone
Avhich was much higher and at some distance, and rode upon
 230 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

the latter as upon a horse. The height of the stone, the dis-
if

tance from the window, and its small breadth, were such that
a person awake would scarcely have ventured to attempt these
operations. After descending from the stone, he knocked a
large table about hither and thither, and finding it was likely to
fall on him, he very dexterously contrived to evade it. He
gathered together all the clothes he could find in the room,
mixed them together, then separated them carefully and hung
them up, each article in its proper place. The old stockings
and shoes he endeavored to arrange in pairs, according to their
shape and color, as if he actually saw them. He then laid hold
of a needle, which he had stuck in the wall some weeks before,
and sewed his small-clothes. Besides these, he performed a
variety of other operations, all requiring the light and the use of
the eyes, with which it would appear, he was enabled to
dispense.
Furthermore, I may refer to the case observed by the Arch-
bishop of Bordeaux, and reported in the great French Ency-
.
clopedia. It is the young ecclesiastic, in the same
case of a
seminary with the Archbishop, who was in the habit of get-
ting up during the night in a state of somnambulism, of going
to hisroom, taking pen, ink, and paper, and composing and
writing sermons. When he had finished one page of the paper
on which he was writing, he would read over what he had
written and correct it. Upon one occasion he had made use of
the expression “ ce divin In reading over the passage
enfant.''''

he changed the adjective “divin” into “ adorable.” Perceiving,

however, that the pronoun “ ce” could not stand before the word
“adorable,” he added to the former the letter “ t.” In order to
ascertain whether the somnambulist made really any use of his
eyes, the Archbishop held a piece of pasteboard under his chin
to prevent him from seeing the paper on which he was writing,
but he continued to write on without appearing to be incom-
moded in the slightest degree.
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 23I

The paper on which he was writing was taken away, but

the somnambulist immediately perceived the change. He wrote
pieces of music wiiile in this state, and in the same manner with
his eyes closed. The words were placed under the musical
notes. It happened upon one occasion that the words were
written in too large a character, and did not stand precisely un-
der the corresponding notes. He soon perceived the error,
blotted out the part, and wrote it over again with great exact-
ness.
hope that these examples, to which I might add a great
I

many others, will be sufficient to show that the somnambulist,

during this extraordinary state, is enabled, apparently without
the use of his eyes, to receive impressions equally well, or, at
with the same consequences
least, to his perceptive faculty as
when awake.

SLEEP-WALKING.
FREAK OF A SOMNAMBULIST HE GETS HIS KNIFE AND
STARTS TO DISSECT HIS ROOMMATE WHILE ASLEEP.
A somnambulist sometimes does queer things, and here is
one of the queerest things a somnambulist ever did Mr. Roe :

Edwards, a traveling salesman for Moor, Marsh & Co., is as

well known through south and southwest Georgia as any gen-
tleman on the road, says the Atlanta Constitution. For years
he traveled for Seisel & Hech, of Macon, and during that time
it was a crime for any man in that section of the state to wear

a hat not sold by Mr. Edwards. But now {people will begin to
wonder whether Mr. Edwards was awake or asleep when he
sold those hats. Among Mr. Edward’s many acquaintances is
Mr. Will Johnson, who is known from Atlanta to Richmond
as a traveling salesman for J. W. & E. C. Atkins. It was Mr.

Johnson who discovered that Mr. Edwards was a somnambu-

list. The discovery was a startling revelation to both gentle-
232 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING.

men. Aday or two ago Mr. Edwards casually met on the

street an old friend from Webster county, who is now attending
lectures at the Atlanta Medical college. Mr. Edward’s friend
was none other than William Terry, a bright and promising
young man. The meeting was an agreeable surprise to both
gentlemen, and as they separated Mr. Edwards said :

“ Terry, we haven’t met since I sold a big bill of hats in your

town, and I want to talk with you. Suppose you come and
pass the night with me?”
Mr. Terry, who will soon be a •full-fledged doctor, accepted
the invitation, and that evening met Mr. Johnson. The next
morning, as Mr. Terry was leaving, he said:
“ Roe, I have been talking to you about the science of med-
icine. Have you ever been in a dissecting-room?”
“No, I haven’t,” answered the drummer.
“Would you like to see one?”
“You bet I would.”
“ Then if you’ll meet me at 1 o’clock I’ll see that you get a
chance to go through a room full of dead bodies all under the
knife.”
Mr. Edwards asked Mr. Perry to call at the store for him,
and at the appointed time the medical student was there. The
two friends went and through the lecture rooms,
to the college
and then into the dissecting room. As they entered the door
Mr. Perry turned to his friend with a smile, saying :

“Now, Roe, don’t faint, or I’ll have j ou for my first pa-

r

tient.”
“That threat is sufficient,” said Mr. Edwards, “to prevent
the weakest woman from fainting.”
The interior of the dissecting room did not seem to affect
Mr. Edwards, except to There were fifty 01-
interest him.
sixty students in the room, who were working upon a dozen
subjects with the knife. The drummer looked at the work
carefully and commented upon it.
 NATURAL SOMNAMBULISM OR SLEEP-WALKING. 233

That night Mr. Edwards, with his friend Mr. Johnson,

went to De Give’s. “ Around the World in Eighty Days” was
on the boards, and was interesting to Mr. Johnson, but Mr.
Edwards wore an abstracted air during the performance. As
the two gentlemen were walking home Mr. Johnson said :

“How did you enjoy the show, Roe?”

“I did not enjoy it much,” answered Mr. Edwards, “for I
could not get that blamed dissecting room off my mind ten
minutes. The more I think about it the more vivid those sub-
jects appear to me. The first thing I thought of when the
duelists started to fight was if they would both be killed they
would be fine subjects for dissecting. When the sutler was
rescued and the priest shot, I thought that the medical institute
would like to get hold of him, and again, where all the Indians
were killed I would think if that college could secure their
bodies they would have subjects enough to last them some time,
and it was just that way throughout the entire play.”
After reaching home the two gentlemen retired. They oc-
cupied the same room, and in a short time they were both
asleep and dreaming. Mr. Edwards’ dreams, however, carried
him back to the dissecting room, and, thinking he was a doctor,
he began glancing at his knife. In his overcoat pocket Mr.
Edwards carried a pair of gloves. In the dissecting room he
observed that students used gloves, and, arising, he secured the
gloves and drew them on. Then his dream went on.
'
But the dream was fast approaching reality. Just why
Mr. Edwards’ mind in his dream turned to a scientific
explanation of the ear cannnot be told, but After put-
it did.
ting on his gloves and securing his knife, he approached the
bed upon which his friend, Mr. Johnson was asleep. As he
walked up to the bed his mind appeared to be saying :

“ Oh, here’s that dissecting table and here’s the subject.”

Then he reached down, Mr. Johnson’s ear
and, catching
with one hand, held the knife up with the other. He began
 234 natural somnambulism or sleep-walking.

hunting for the part which distinguished sound, thinking to

himself
“ I’ll see why people are deaf.”
The knife-blade touched the ear and Mr. Johnson awoke
with a jump. He then threw his hand to his head as he arose,
and drew it away covered with blood. At the same time he
observed Mr. Edwards standing beside his bed, knife in hand
His eyes were wide open, but there was a peculiar gaze in them.
“What in the name of God is the matter?” asked Mr.
Johnson.
“I am going to dissect this body,” said Mr. Edwards in an
even tone.
Mr. Johnson sprang from his bed, and, grabbing his
friend by the shoulders, exclaimed
“Edwards! Edwards! What’s the matter?”
Mr. Edwards did not move, and in an instant Mr. Johnson
realized that his friend was in a somnambulistic state. Gather-
ing him by the shoulders again, Mr. Johnson gave Mr. Edwards
a shake.
“Oh!” said Mr. Edwards, pleasantly, “boys, this corpse
has come to.”
Mr. Johnson continued to shake his bedfellow, and finally
succeeded in awaking him. The situation was a painful one to
Mr. Edwards, and, turning his knife over to his friend, he said:
“Take this, and I’ll tie myself to the bed.”
He then tied his feet to the bed with his suspenders, but
could not sleep again.
 CHAPTER XII.

INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

HYPNOTISM INTRODUCED INTO WELL-KNOWN CHICAGO

RESIDENCES IT IS NOW APPRECIATED AND UNDERSTOOD
NOT MERELY AS A MEANS OF ENTERTAINMENT ;

BUT IT IS ALSO RECOGNIZED AND RECOMMENDED

AS A METHOD BY WHICH NUMEROUS
DISEASES ARE CURED.

I.

My first private seance in Chicago took place at the resi-

dence of Mr. Robert Lindblom, the noted Board of Trade ope-
rator who is widely known as a man of liberal ideas, progres-
sive thought, and one who takes a great interest in everything
new in the field of economics, science and art. Shortly after
my arrival in Chicago I was introduced
gentleman, and
to this
later I received a very courteous invitation to spend the even-
ing with his family. The hearty reception from Mr. Lindblom
and his family in their hospitable home, soon put me in the best
disposition, and the cordial amiability of all present gave perfect
condition. This culminated when Mr. Lindblom ordered in the
champagne, and, lifting his glass during an elegant speech,
hade me welcome to the “land of the free,” while extending his
wishes for my future success and prosperity.
My hospitable host endeavored to keep hypnotism out of the
conversation (in order to oblige me as a guest), butwas all in
it

vain, for the inquisitiveness of those present gradually became

more pressing. The result was that I was asked to perform a
235
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 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 3 37

few hypnotic experiments. To secure the necessary subject

proved rather difficult for the ladies were afraid, and the gen-
;

tlemen simply would not submit themselves. The interest in

the matter was not diminished but everyone would be a spec-
;

tator, and no one cared to be the subject.

—
At last we found a trial subject an elderly, well known
gentleman, Captain S., a friend of the family, who consented to
submit himself to my proceedings. Captain S. was a little past
sixty years, and had been an artillery captain in the N orthern army
during the late war. His health was not good, as he had a
poor appetite and suffered from insomnia and attacks of melan-
cholia. Dr. Pratt and Dr. Johnson, well-known Chicago
physicians, both of whom had frequently treated the captain,
were present and they asked him repeatedly to yield to
;

the trial. I was of course willing, although I stated that a

young person would have been preferable, especially in con-

sideration of the captain’s hesitation. Those present grouped
themselves at a safe distance from my dreaded proximity, and
anxiously awaited the result. I asked the captain to take a seat

in a comfortable chair; to give himself up entirely to my influ-

ence, to be utterly passive for about ten minutes and to remain
in the position in which I first placed him. Mr. Lorenzo Fager-
steen took his place at the piano and played masterly Chopin’s
mourning march, which soon brought about the real hypnotic
mood; even the good-humored captain was seemingly impressed
and influenced by the music. During the music, I Seized the
occasion to perform my manipulations. After a lapse of about
five minutes the captain’s head dropped upon his chest, and loud
snoring announced that he had entered upon a deep hypnotic
sleep. The party now formed a circle around me and the sub-
ject. Commencing, I outstretched the captain’s left arm, made
a few passes from his forehead down to his finger tips, thereby
making it impossible for him to lower his arm. With arm
his
outstretched on a level with the shoulder, the captam made
23 s INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

every effort to force it down, but in vain. The cataleptic con-

dition ceased instantly iqion a couple of manipulations. By a
slight touch of his forehead I made it impossible for him to
answer my questions likewise
;
by a few passes I prevented him
from closing or opening his eyelids according to my wishes. In
spite of all his efforts he was not able to leave his seat. The

quick beating of his heart I made normal simply by placing my

right hand over on his forehead, at the same
his heart, the left
time suggesting the heart to beat slower and slower until it
finally would be normal. Several other experiments were then
presented, but the most interesting was the last suggestion
 INTRODUCTION' OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 2 39

given awakening. I suggested to him

to the captain before his
that he in the future should retire every evening at io o’clock,
when no necsssary business prevented him doing so that he ;

should enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep, wake up in the morn-

ing at 7 o’clock and feel himself hearty and strengthened. The
suggestion was repeated a couple of times in order to deepen
the effect. Furthermore, I suggested to him that a few minutes
aftef being awake, he should approach his old friend Mr. Lind-
blom, heartily shake hands with him, and tell him that the cap-
tain was feeling exceptionally well. This was all accomplished
in every detail — after the cessation of The
the hypnotic sleep.
captain’s wife also being present, was somewhat anxious when
her husband submitted himself to the experiment, because she
believed hypnotism to be dangerous to him —either it would in-

jure his system, or that possibly he could not be released again

from the condition. She was folly relieved when she saw her
husband in the happiest of moods, feeling even better than he
did before the hypnotization. With regard to my suggestions
concerning humor, sleep and appetite, they brought the best
all

result. Mr. Pfeiffer, representative for the Chicago Tribune ,

who was also present, had asked me to perform the post-hyp-

notic experiment, as to what the captain should do after being
awake. When was performed in close con-
the experiment
formity with the order given, Mr. Pfeiffer was seemingly very
much pleased. Mr. Pfeiffer declared that he had been highly
interested in my experiments, and that they had far surpassed
his expectations.

II.

My next seance was at the home of the well-known

merchant, Fritz Frantzen. Among those present were
B. Meyer, M. A. Doe, M. D., Louis Pio, editor, C. F.
D.,
Bryhn, editor. In the course of the evening two persons were
put into the hypnotic sleep, one of these being Miss P., a rela-
240 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

tive of Mrs. F. Frantzen. With her I performed a line of gen-

eral experiments, one of which was that, through my sugges-
tions, she for about fifteen minutes believed herself to be the
famous Diva Adelina Patti, from whbse repertoire she gave
several numbers in such a remarkably attractive and fascinating
manner that, even with her splendid voice, she could not repeat
when awake. The was a young man, twenty-one
other subject
years of age, employed with Mr. Frantzen. My first attempt

DRAWING THE SUBJECT BACKWARDS.

with him failed upon repeating it I brought him completely
;

under control. During his hypnotic condition he enjoyed for

about half an hour the happy belief that he was first Napo-
leon the first, then the president of the United States. While
this happy inspiration lasted he diverted us with speeches, either
as Napoleon speaking to his soldiers or as the president in
the council of his cabinet officers. The young lady, who often
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 24I

sufferedfrom headache and who, before the hypnotic action,

complained thereof, when awaked from the hypnotic condition,
declared herself completely relieved.

III.
My third hypnotic seance in Chicago was with the late
Colonel John C. Bundy, editor of the Religio-Philosofihical
Journal. This seance was of a more serious nature, as it
was for the purpose of curing a sufferer. Mr. Bundy and his
•

wife both took a living interest in hypnotism and I am glad to

state that I have passed several enjoyable evenings in this com-
fortable home, where our conversation mostly concerned hyp-
notism and related phenomena. An interesting proof of the
curative powers of hypnotism can be found in the following :

When Mr. Bunjy’s servant was very sick, suffering from

fever and rheumatism, I was sent for one forenoon about 10
o’clock in ofder to aid him through hypnotism. As soon as I
entered his bedroom I took a stand at the head end of his bed
and asked him to look steadily at my eyes. After a lapse of
four minutes he was entirely under my influence. I then placed
his limbs in different positions, which he was unable to change.
This proved the presence of the cataleptic condition. Sugges-
tion was then given him that he inside of a couple of hours
should feel much better, desire to rise from bed, eat a good
meal and proceed with his work as usual. At 2 o’clock p. m.
he left his bed lively and happy and soon ate his dinner with
good appetite. At 4 p. m. he was able to perform his usual
work, being in such good humor that he was singing and
whistling at it.

I V.
My fourth seance in Chicago took place at the residence of
Mrs. Papin, 2926 Michigan ave., a lady well known in Chicago
society. The interest of my experiments in this centered in a
young man, twenty-two years of age, who was then first
242 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

brought into hypnotic condition, and with whom I performed a

number of different and very interesting experiments. The
young man, who was of a bashful disposition, maintained, during
the entire hypnose, exactly the same appearance. Before his
hypnotization the ladies served refreshments, and he was asked
whether he liked tropical fruits, and he answered “Yes.”
During the hypnose I presented him with a couple of raw po-
tatoes declaring them to be newly imported oranges from Mes-
sina, at the same time asking him to forego all formality and
eat all he desired. The taste and delight for fruit which he en-
joyed in anormal condition was not diminished duringthe hypnotic
state. It was my intention to let him have only a couple of

bites of the potatoes but before I was able to stop him he had
;

with greedy rapidity swallowed more than half of one of them.

The look of arrogance and satisfaction he gave us while like a
gourmand he enjoyed the imagined tropical fruit was altogether
comical. An emperor at his table could not act with more
splendor and the delight he showed in drinking Lake Michigan
water for champagne was evident as the effects from a real in-
toxication did not fail in presenting themselves.
A young lady who had formerly been hypnotized was now
brought under influence. performed with her a line of inter-
I
esting experiments. Among other things she gave us in an
interesting and entertaining way remarkable answers to several
inquiries directed to her —
answers that would be worthy of an
oracle. She was in a clairvoyant condition. One of the first
experiments I performed with her was to give her the idea that
she was in a garden picking flowers. I suggested that a cer-
tain flower would produce sneezing when she smelled of it, and
it jiroved to be the case. By
suggesting to her that she was out
on the lake sailing in stormy and tempestuous weather, all the
symptoms of a beginning sea-sickness appeared and she was
awakened. Another young lady (a relation to the family) was
hypnotized. It took me seven and one-half minutes to produce
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 2 43

a complete hypnose. Different experiments of interest were

then presented, of which mention that after being placed
I will

on a certain spot she had no ability to move; and she could not,
in spite of all her efforts, open her clenched hands. It is of

special interest to remark that the lad}', during the hypnose,

INHALES WATER AND BELIEVES IT IS AMMONIA,

seemed to be also in the clairvoyant state ;
for I noticed that
she made several movements which I thought of suggesting to
her, and this, although her eyes during the sleep were perfectly
closed, with her back turned on me, she repeated, with close
exactness, my different attitudes and expressions, the different
244 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

moods expressed in my face. As the family was very anxious

concerning her during the hypnose, I, in accordance with their
wishes, caused her to awake after these experiments. After
being awakened she declared that she felt remarkably well.

V.

My fifth seance was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs.

Babut, the well-known French family, No. 274 La Salle ave-
nue. Like most F rench people they showed a living interest in
hypnotism (we know that France is the motherland of hypno-
tism), and I had the pleasure here of demonstrating several of
those wonders l-eached only by the aid of hypnotism. In this
hospitable home I had the opportunity of experimenting for
once, in the real sense of the word, to a cosmopolitan attend-
ance, as there were present two American attorneys, an English
judge, a French physician, an Italian, a Russian, an Austrian,
and a Dane. Mr. P., a young bookkeeper, was first hypno-
tized. After having performed a few of the more introductory
experiments one of the guests asked me whether it was possible
to make the subject, who was an American born in Philadel-
phia, believe that he was really a native of France, and in true
accordance herewith get the bearing, manners, and appearance
of a real Parisian gentleman. By the aid of suggestions this
was successfully done, and he soon thought himself an officer
and then believed himself speaking for the ladies at a dinner
party. At other moments he imagined that he was strolling
along the gay boulevards of modern Paris. Mr. P. was then
given the suggestion for a shorter time that he was a Paris bal-
let-master, and when he then commenced, at nry order, to whirl
around in the most daring ballet attitudes, which all had an ap-
pearance of grace and elegance, he seemed evidently so highly
interested in his new dignity that it was only at the expense of
much time and continued efforts that he was led back to reality
— once more to be the serious and amiable bookkeeper.
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 2 45

A young lady, Miss M., a delicate blonde, with blue eyes and
a pale complexion, was then hypnotized, and was the subject in
a number of interesting experiments following each other
quickly. It was suggested to her that she saw the heavens

THE SUBJECT DANCES “TA-RA-RA-BOM-DE-Ay” WITH HIS

SWEETHEART.
open, and kneeling down, with outstretched arms, she beheld
with a reverent gaze, the fancied clouds and listened with ex-
treme delight to the angelic music that was suggested. She re-
mained in this position for about ten or twelve minutes without
246 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

the least trembling of her arms to betray any exhaustion what-

ever on the contrary, she seemed with true delight to enjoy
;

her vision. Different other suggestions were then given her

HYPNOTIZING BY PASSES ONLY, WITHOUT TOUCHING THE

SUBJECT.
and the result was, in every case, excellent. She proved to be
a brilliant subject. The last suggestion, according to which she
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 247

was to wake up at a certain time, was also successful. Another

young lady, Miss C. C., 19 years old, with a lively temper, very
dark eyes and hair, was then hypnotized. The young lady was
French, and a relative of one of the families present. The
hypnose was in this case very rapidly produced. By the aid of
the fascination method I commanded her suddenly to close her
eyelids tight and sleep. Then I made a few passes and she was
completely under influence. After experimenting for a while I
suggested to her that she, at a certain time after being awake,
should suddenly arise from her seat, walk across the floor in the

THE SUBJECT CANNOT STRIKE.

direction of Mr. Krzisch, give him her hand saying, loudly and
distinctly, “ How do you do?” This all came to pass in accord-
ance with the instruction given, at exactly the time appointed,
although the young lady was not aware of the suggestion and
had not once looked at her watch.
During a second seance at the residence of Mr. R. Lind-
blom four persons were hypnotized. Mr. Lindblom who, as
24S INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

above stated, took a great interest in hypnotism, had in the

mean time taken a course with me in its theory and practice, and
on this occasion gave an illustration of his skill in several very
interesting and successful experiments.
My first subject was a young mechanic, with whom I had a
perfect success. A movement of my hand, and he could not

remember name. With my arm outstretched and my hand

his
clenched I asked him to aim well and hit it; but in spite of all
his efforts it was impossible for him to do so. By a slight
pressure on his forehead and a couple of manipulations from
head to feet he was altogether cataleptic—as stiff as a piece of
wood, so that when placed on top of two chairs, his neck rest-
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 249

ing on one and his heels on the other, he was completely rigid
and capable of bearing heavy weights. An intermission fol-
lowed, during which the servant served refreshments. I was
then asked to make an attempt with him. He consented, and
was successfully and quickly influenced. The next subject was
Mr. Lindblom’s coachman, with whom the former had already
experimented successfully. Before leaving we had still an-
other very interesting illustration. A young lady, Miss F., was
hypnotized. She whistled for us as a real virtuoso believing —
herself to be a young man. At the wish of Count Lovenhaupt,
the secretary of the Swedish Legation at Washington, I consented
to try an experiment in clairvoyance. This was done in the follow-
ing manner The gas was turned down, and a decanter filled with
:

water was placed in front of the subject at such a height as to

be on a level with her eyes. A lighted candle was put behind
the decanter with the flame at the center of it. The subject
was now asked to gaze at the water and relate to us what she
saw. A few minutes passed in silence, when suddenly the sub-
ject’s face became animated her lips began to move but her
;
—
words, if any, were inaudible. Upon asking her to speak
louder she increased her voice, and very lively scenes soon fol-

lowed. She described lovely valleys with the melodious chirp-

ing of birds — then dark and majestic mountains with dashing
rivers, and the stunted vegetation laid waste by sweeping winds.
Then was out in the fields caressing the horses or scolding
she
a big red cow which, as it seemed in her vision, had attacked a
large black dog of hers. After these descriptions of varied
scenery which aroused, by turns, gravity and merriment in the
audience, I placed my hand at the lady’s head and asked one of
those present to think of a certain object unknown to my sub-
ject and myself. In order to make the subject describe the ob-
ject thought of Mr. Lindblom concentrated his thoughts upon
a certain person of whose location he was at the time ignorant.
Mr. Lindblom asked me to inquire' of the subject as to this per-
2 5° INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

son’s whereabouts and his present occupation. The subject re-

mained silently looking into the water; then she commenced to
speak with great excitement giving a good description of a well-
known Boai'd of Trade member who was then seated atatard-
table, with other gentlemen, in a room of which she also gave
a very exact description. The gentleman mentioned seemed to
—
be in some kind of excitement having a little “ scrap” with his
comrades. Then she commenced to imitate the attitudes and
movements of this gentleman with such remarkable exactness
that there could be no doubt that she had found the person
thought of by Mr. Lindblom. The next day, on the Board,
Mr. Lindblom asked the gentleman mentioned as to where he
had been the previous evening and his occupation there. The
answer given proved in every detail the correctness of the sub-
ject’s statement.
I gave a seance at the Ashland club, corner Washington
boulevard and Wood street. As it was the visitors day,
the club-house was crowded, although it was a warm spring
evening. After the appearance of different artists and music
by the Tomaso mandolin orchestra, my seance was the next
number on the program. On account of the large audience the
space given me for the performance of my experiments, was
rather limited —
which was, of course, somewhat inconvenient.
I began experimenting with five members of the club. After
a lapse of ten minutes I had two gentlemen under influence.
— —
With the first a young man I had but a limited success. I
controlled him as to the opening and closing of his eyes; but
could not further influence him. I therefore dismissed him,
giving my full attention to the other — Mr. S., secretary of the
club, with whom
had excellent success. I now entered upon
I

a number of interesting experiments among which were the

following Placing the subject’s hands upon the palms of my
:

own, I told him would nail them to mine, so

that I that he, a
minute after coidd not withdraw them, regardless of all his
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 2 5i

attempts to do so. The minute passed, I asked him to try ;

but
in spite of all his struggling, covering his forehead with per-
spiration, was impossible. I now took a
it large bottle contain-
ing strong ammonia and suggesting to him that he had a severe
cold, and that in order to avoid catarrh he should inhale this
excellent, soothingand fragrant perfume. I put the bottle to
his nose. With his face beaming with delight, Mr. S. inhaled
the strong ammonia with eager desire to continue, for his eyes

IMITATING THE HYPNOTIST.

followed the direction of the bottle with the most living expres-
sion of disappointment when I removed it. I asked several

among the audience, to convincethem as to the contents of the

bottle —
by smelling it. The effect was that their eyes watered
and they started from their seats with various grimaces. Ask-
ing one of Mr. S.’s friends to put the palm of his hand up to the
subjects nose, I suggesting to Mr. S. that a famous physician
252 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

from Paris had him under treatment for his catarrh, and that it

was an absolute necessity for him to inhale some very strong

ammonia. commenced to inhale the fancied ammonia
Mr. S.
with the greatest aversion shown upon his face and when the ;

hand of his friend was jilaced still closer to his nose, he held out
his hand an averting manner, turning his head with a vivid
in
expression of resistance. The suggestion had resulted in pro-
ducing tears in his eyes, as well as convulsive contraction of the
facial muscles. Before Mr. S. was awakened I was asked to
give him a post-hypnotic order, by which we understand an order
to perform a certain action at a certain time after his waking.
Several members of the club asked me presently, to suggest to
Mr. S. that and a half minutes after being awoke
he, six
should sing a song. I asked whether Mr. S. was a singer and
received the answer, “No, not very much, for the simple reason
that he is completely lacking in voice.” I attempted to explain

how unnatural it would be to suggest Mr. S. to sing under such

—
circumstances that it was a fact that I could improve the fac-
ulty and talent of an individual in such case, but that it was
impossible where the necessary foundation of voice was lacking;
But the audience, humorous mood, insisted on the song. I
in a
at last yielded, giving Mr. S. the suggestion. I repeated the

instructions a couple of times and asked Mr. S. to distinctly

remember my wish, and about two minutes after I awakened
him several of his friends gathered around him, asking him all
kinds of questions as to how —
he felt if he didn’t have a head-
—
ache whether he was sure of being perfectly awake. To the
last inquiry he res23onded with a statement of his sincere convic-
tion thereof.
Meanwhile the minutes passed away and the time drew near
for the suggested song. Suddenly, while Mr. S. was engaged
in a lively conversation
with a couple of gentlemen, and the rest
of the audience was giving him very close attention, he inter-
rupted the conversation, gazed fixedly out upon space, made a
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 253

few motions as of a man whose coat is too tight, spread out his
legs, hemmed as if in the need of more air, made elegant passes
with his right hand as if he were the famous Mierzwinski him-
self, opened his mouth, made a quick step forward, shook his

head and hemmed again. Then he clasped with both hands

around his collar, trying to widen it out as if he was near being
strangled, exclaiming rapidly with a faltering voice :
“ Profes-
sor what have you done with me Get me out of this. I feel
?

just as if I am not myself any more.” Suddenly he hums

another tune and exclaims in utter despair “ I can’t sing.” A :

loud applause followed the confusion; and by a few manipu-

lations I soon released him from his embarassing situation when
he was first completely awake. Mr. S. afterwards told me
that he had never been in a more peculiar state than while he
was standing there amidst the eagerly waiting audience, feeling
within himself for the first time in his life a strong desire to
appear as a singer —being at tbe same time convinced of his
own inability. After about twenty minutes intermission, I hyp-
notized Miss VV. N., a young lady, with whom many experi-
ments showed my complete influence. One of special interest
was when I asked the young lady to speak upon a subject
which some one present might suggest. In the midst of the
lecture she suddenly exclaimed “ Look there what a large
:

beautiful cat by name, she pointed at one of

” and calling it

the gentlemen sitting near by. The gentleman was very much
surprised, and explained that just at that very moment, without
being able to give any special reason for it, he had been think-
ing of a cat called by the name mentioned, which was to be
found at his home down south. This gentleman was the son
of a well-known senator, and a transient visitor in Chicago.
I gave a very interesting seance at the residence of Mr.

Wright, president of the Chicago Theosophical Society, where

I had in every respect, a most enjoyable evening, and where I

had the pleasure of performing for Mr. Wright and his guests,
2 54 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

a number of successful hypnotic experiments. Before the arrival

of the parties invited, Mr. Wright and I had a long and inter-
esting conversation concerning the j:>rogress made in the mag-
netic treatment of different diseases — that is treatment in the
awake condition through passes not accomDanied by any sleep.

Late in the evening I had the satisfaction of practicallyproving

the correctness of my statement, as I had the opportunity of
treating a couple of those present, for nervous sufferings. Mr.
Wright himself had been very busy during the day and did not
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 3 55

feel altogether well in the early part of the evening. I asked

him to be seated as comfortable as possible, and at the same
time to make himself passive to my influence. Then by the aid
of a few magnetic passes, I caused the indisposition to disap-
pear. Mr. Wright, who is very sensitive, declared that during
the treatment he felt a soothing warm rush, like a current
through his entire body from head to foot, whenever I touched
him moved my hands along the
lightly or nerves. Mr. Wright
stated further, that he was able to perceive my magnetic atmos-
phere which was of a piquant sweetly odor, esjoed^hy strong
when my finger tips were moved downward through the air at
a distance of about an inch from his face. This declaration
from Mr. Wright interested me particularly, because many of
my patients have noticed and spoken of the same thing.
One of my seances took place at the editorial office of the
daily Skandinaven. In order to convince the editors that no
special preparations are necessary to produce the hypnose with
a susceptible individual, I requested a couple of the editors to
submit themselves to my But as they all wished to
influence.
be spectators, I was compelled to abandon the idea of getting
an editor asleep. A young printer, Mr. M., responded to my
request and submitted himself as a subject, on the conditions
that he was not to be kept under influence for a longer time
than that agreed upon, and that he should not be exhausted in
performing too many experiments. After a lapse of about
seven minutes he was completely hypnotized and I then per- ;

formed with him a number of interesting experiments, in regard

to which I quote from an article in the Skandinaven of the
next day the following :

Mr. Sextus proved hypnotic powers by a series of experiments

his
in the editorial office of the Skandinaven among which were the follow-
,

ing: A young man was brought into hypnotic sleep. A match was held
right up before his eyes, and as this did not produce contraction of the
pupil, it was decided that the sleep was not simulated. During this con-
dition it was suggested to the hypnotized person, that ten minutes after
256 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

being awake he would enter the office of the chief editor and shake
hands with him, at the same time shouting, “Hail and long life for the
Skandinaven Mr. M. was then awakened. He declared himself “all
right;” but after being seated for awhile he commenced to show some
agitation. When questioned in regard to this, he expressed a sincere
wish to see the chief editor, and upon entering the office of that gentle-
man, he did what he was told to do.

In a seance given Mr. W. T. Delihant, 240

at the residence of
East Indiana street, all the experiments were successful. At a
second seance at the same place, in accordance with a request
from Mr. D. who, besides being a successful business man is an
excellent amateur hypnotist, I performed the following experi-
ments: I made the subject turn his back on me so that he was
facing the wall (where there was no mirror) with his eyes
tightly closed. Then I placed a penholder with a pen between
my lips having my mind with a view of
closely concentrated
transferring the thought to my subject that he was performing
the same act and that he could also taste the ink. After two
minutes the subject commenced to spit continually and, when
questioned as to his reason for so doing, he answered that
he had the feeling of having a writing pen in his mouth which
tasted disagreeable from ink. I influenced the same subject so
that he expressed my thoughts.

XI.
gave a seance at the residence of Mrs. L. Mason, who is well
I

known in Chicago Theosophical circles and who takes a lively

interest in all occult phenomena. Among others present were
Mr. Henry C. O. Heineman, editor of the Chicago Press and ,

Colonel Louis Ayrne, now at the World’s Fair headquarters,

Mr. Koloman Ritter von Krzisch, Mr. Ed. F. Bideleux, Mr. Her-
mann Meyer, Mr. R. O. Wardwell and Mr. Charles Matthey.
I performed successfully several hypnotic experiments similar

to those already mentioned. As a last number on the program

of the evening Col. Ayme kindly gave us a surprising evidence
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 3 57

of his remarkable psy cometric power. I will especially men-

tion the following experiment: I my pocketbook a very
had in
rare and valuable coin which, shortly before my departure from
Denmark, was presented to me by a noted Danish landowner.

THE SUBJECT BELIEVES HIMSELF A NURSE, WITH A BABY

IN HIS ARMS.

The detailed circumstances under which this coin was presented

tome, as well as everything else connected with its history, I
had never related to anyone in this country. Col. Ayme placed
the coin in his hand, closed his fingers over it, and asked for a
25S INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

few minutes’ silence. Being seatedan easy position, with

in
his eyes closed, he described (inside of twelve minutes) the his-
tory of the coin to the least details; and he even pictured the
person from whom I had received it — his residence as well as
its location.
Mrs. Mason likewise surprised us the same evening with
some wonderful experiments in Psycometry.
XII.
gave a seance at the residence of Mr. R. J. Francis, editor
I

of The Progressive Thinker 40 Loomis street, where I met

,

a sympathetic assembly among whom were Dr. R. Greer, Sr.,

and Rufus H. Bartlett. I hypnotized two ladies and one gen-
tleman. With the ladies, Mrs. W. and Miss A. M., I performed
several interesting experiments; but as thesewere only a repe-
tition of previously mentioned experiments I will not weary the
reader in reviewing them here. With the gentleman, Mr. F.,
I performed an experiment of more noteworthy interest. I
was informed that he had a great devotion for music, and a
short time ago had purchased a violin; but that as yet he had
received only a few hours’ instruction. Upon my request a vi-
olin was brought, which I handed to the subject. I now sug-

gested to him that he was the world-famous Ole Bull, now ap-
pearing on the brilliantly-lighted stage with a select audience be-
fore him. I told him to play the “Last Rose of Summer,” but

with such a feeling and melodious harmony as only he, the

grand master of the violin, was capable of. Earlier in the even-
ing he had expressed to me his wish to learn especially to play
this melody. The reader must remember that, in his normal
condition at this time, he was unable to play the tune mentioned.
His face took on a serious expression, and, with great dignity,
he began to tune his instrument. Then he commenced to play
the “ Last Rose of Summer” with such pathos and excellence
in performance that an expert musician present declared it to be
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 2 59

wonderful, and the whole party of course shared this opinion.

Mr. Francis, at a later reviewed
date, my experiment in his
paper in terms very flattering to me.

XIII.
I gave a second seance same place when after an
at the ;

excellent musical prelude I hypnotized Mrs. H, Concerning

this entertainment I will simply quote as follows from the
Progressive Th inker :

After the music, Mr. Carl Sextus gave a proof of the wonderful
power of hypnotism. After some very amusing experiments, he
demonstrated how a hypnotic subject would act under a suggestion, and
that he keeps time after coming out of the hypnotic sleep.

XIV.
I gave a seance with Mr. and Mrs. Voorhees, 47 Campbell
Park, and out of six persons I hypnotized four ladies, with
whom, in the course of the evening, I performed all the exper-
iments which it is possible to produce through hypnotism. My
host and hostess were especially interested in the general suc-
cess of my experiments, which they had also formerly wit-
nessed.
XV., XVI., XVII.
I gave three seances in Room 33, Central Music Hall^
which was then a general meeting place for societies for Psy-
chical Research. As it would take up too much space to give
a full description of the three seances I simply quote from the
Chicago Tribune in regard to one of them under the heading :

—
“His Strange Powers Remarkable Feats of Prof. Sextus, the
Hypnotist,” the article runs :

A meeting of the Chicago Psychical Society was held last night in

Room 33, Central Music Hall, and thirty people witnessed the strange
performances of a young man and woman, who were successively hyp-
notized by Prof. C. Sextus. ...
In obedience to an order given a
lady, while in the hypnotic sleep, she arose exactly two minutes after
 f

260 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

she opened her eyes, as she had been told, hunted out a person in the
audience, who had been mentally suggested to her, and shook hands with
him — apologizing for her boldness.

XVIII.
During- a seance at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Koehler, 38
St. Johns Place, Mrs. A., a lady about forty-five years of age,
was brought into hypnotic sleep. The special feature in the
.

case was that this lady, during the sleep, suddenly began to
speak very loudly of different subjects of a purely personal
character. The interest increased as she soon talked with her
—
own natural voice, then more deep like a man; then more tim-
idly, as a boy of fourteen and finally in a more murmuring,
;

creaking way of expression. At every transition to a new voice

she changed bearing and expression of countenance. The dif-
were questions and answers directed
ferent talkings of the lady
to and and responded to by different persons whose voice and
manners she assumed. I was afterwards informed that the
man’s deep voice was a true imitation of her former husband’s.
The timid voice was that of an adopted son, and the creaking
voice belonged to a certain attorney. The lady mentioned had
a short time previously secured a divorce from her husband
and she was then engaged in a suit concerning some property
to which she claimed a just title.

gave a seance at the North Side Turner Hall for the

I

Swedish society, “ Vikingen,” in behalf of founding a Swedish

reading room. Besides my seance there was a lecture by Mr.
Robert Lindblom and a quartet song of the “Glee Club.” Be-
fore my seance I gave a brief outline of hypnotism and during ;

the evening I had the pleasure of producing a line of successful

experiments with several members of tlie society. With regard
to this seance I refer the reader to the Swedish American ,

which says, among other things, in a very kind review of my

experiments
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 26l

A number was Mr. Sextus’ seance. It was

of the greatest interest
successful as usual. Four persons were hypnotized and completely
under the control of the hypnotist. With these Mr. Sextus performed
the most remarkable experiments they kissed fancied ladies, rode wildly
;

on chairs, which they believed to be racing horses; they swam in an

imagined lake, and sang French songs, etc. One of the persons hyp-
notized was brought into the cataleptic condition. Of special interest
was it when the hj'pnotist loudly called out the name of a person down
among the audience, who had previously been hypnotized, and thereby
caused the hypnose to appear so that it was impossible for him to open
his eyes, etc.

gave seances at the residence of Mr. Lorenzo Fager-

I also

steen, Wentworth avenue; for the editors, Jacob Bonggren and

R. Lindstrand, at the office of the Swedish American 33 Clark ,

street and at numerous other places in Chicago.

;

PRESS CLUB OF CHICAGO,

133 CLARK STREET.
April 22nd, 1890.
Prof. Carl Sextus ,
City:
Dear Sir: As you kindly consented, we have arranged
for your appearance and cooperation at our fortnightly club
dinner next Saturday evening, April 26th. We sincerely trust
nothing will occur to prevent your being present on that
occasion.
Enclosed we hand you invitation as issued to members.
Yours very truly,

Charles Eugene Banks, Committee.

R. C. Jacobsen,

PRESS CLUB OF CHICAGO.

133 CLARK STREET.
April 19th, 1890.
Dear Sir: You are invited to attend the fortnightly house
dinner at the Club dining rooms, Saturday evening, April 26th,
at 5:15 o’clock.
262 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

The dinner will be supplemented by an exposition of hyp-

notism by Professor Carl Sextus. Major Jno. C. Bundy will
deliver a short dissertation on this interesting science. Subjects
for hypnotic experiment will be selected from the audience.
The
dinner will be equal to those heretofore provided by
the Steward, and will be under the same conditions.
you purpose attending you are requested to notify the
If
Steward before 6 o’clock p. m., Friday, April 25th. Otherwise
a seat at the table will not be guaranteed.

Charles Eugene Banks, 1

R. C. Jacobsen, > Committee.

Hill C. Smyth, \

PRESS CLUB OF CHICAGO,

133 CLARK STREET.
May 1st, 1S90.
Mr. Carl Sextus
Dear Sir: By order of the Board of Directors of the
Press Club of Chicago, I am instructed to extend to you its

cordial thanks for the interesting experiments you so kindly

made at its last house dinner.
J. R. Weddell, Secretary.

interesting cases present themselves daily at my

OFFICE PEOPLE WISH, NOT MERELY TREATMENT FOR
TROUBLESOME DISEASES, BUT ALSO APPLY IN ORDER
TO HAVE THEIR TALENTS DEVELOPED THROUGH
HYPNOTIC INFLUENCE GENERALLY VERY
EXCELLENT RESULTS ARE REACHED.
The Impossible is never to be found,
Except, perhaps — in the fool’s calendar.

Of interesting cases where hypnotism can be successfully

applied, I will state the following: Mr. Geo. L. Bliss, M. D.,
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 263

ofMaple Rapids, Mich., together with a colleague, last sum-

mer entered my office. Mr. B. wished to be hypnotized, as he
intended in the near future to deliver a series of lectures, and he
desired to have his oratorical powers developed through hyp-
notic suggestions. After a lapse of eight minutes I brought
him into a deep hypnose, during which I suggested to him that
he inside of two minutes would rise from the chair, and, with
inspiration, in clear expressive terms, deliver a lecture upon the
subject which I then named. At the same time I gave him
the idea that he was then appearing on the stage in Central
Music Hall before a large and brilliant audience. Mr. Bliss,
who was fifty-five years of age and strongly built, was in pos-
session of a very good voice, and without any mispronouncia-
tion, hut did not speak loud enough; besides this he expressed
himself rather slowly. On this occasion, however, he was an
accomplished public actor. Before awaking him I suggested to
him that the next time, under a repeated hypnose, he would
speak still more freely, and with still more inspiration.
The next day at the same time we had our second seance to
which, among others, I had invited Prof. R. A. Campbell, 200
North Clark street. The hypnose was produced inside of four
minutes, and after a few of the more common experiments I
suggested to him that he was at present in Michigan giving a
great lecture upon hypnotism. I gave him a few ideas that he

was to present, whereupon he arose and delivered his lecture

not only with great oratorical force, but with such a full voice
that the other occupants of the house, little by little, gathered at
the windows and doors in consternation at the thundering tones.
Even across the street the people enjoyed the free speech. I
will remark in passing that this was not only a clear and forci-
ble representation of the subject spoken of, but the philosophy
was correct and the diction elegant. I only regret thatwas I

not in possession of a phonograph, as the lecture was worth

publishing. Before I awakened Dr. B., I suggested to him that
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

in the future, whenever speaking to a larger audience, he would

speak as freely and with as much inspiration as on ihe present
occasion. This case is not at all a rare one. Mr. W. Howard,
a young Scotch engineer, came to my office in order to have his
speaking powers developed through hypnotism. The young
man, who had a large social acquaintance, was often invited out
and had, on such occasions, several times attempted to make a
speech, in which he utterly failed. The engineer, who other-
wise had a very fine voice, would begin to falter in a very tire-
some way even during common conversation or upon meeting
strangers, whose questions he could not answer satisfactorilv to
himself although he could form that answer clearly in his mind.
Mr. H. was, in the presence of several witnesses, hypnotized by
me. For the occasion I had an expert shorthand writer pres-
ent. I let him sleep uninterrupted for about fifteen minutes.
Then I commanded his full attention, suggesting to him that he
—
was now what he had wished to be an eminent speaker who
was able to treat fluently any desired subject. I now spoke a
number of Latin sentences whose sound, under other circum-
stances, the subject would have been unable to repeat but he ;

repeated them all correctly and without hesitation.

I next told him that he was a great speaker, and I placed

one finger on the top of his head, saying: “You are the Prince
of Wales now, speak! You are talking to your court!”
The subject now stood up, threw back his head, put his hand
on his chest, and began in a very commanding voice “ My dear,
:

honest subjects: It pleases me at this opportunity to see you

collected here about the throne in loyal respect for the King’s
legalpower, you gallant Lords and Knights. The country is in
danger that is why your King has summoned you here so that
;

together we can decide how we easiest can chase the enemy out
of the country ”

I interrupted him, saying: “Now you are an old parish

clerk in the country ! Speak !”
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 265

The subject immediately changed position, shrunk together

as if old, bent his head, folded his hands and commenced, with a
changed and shaking voice : “ When I speak to you, my dear
villagers, it is because I know that infidelity has spread itself

THE ORATOR.
amongst you, and that licentiousness increases day by day. The
young people need to be led and advised. I shall do my best
that you sinners may be brought into the right road. Therefore,
let me say to you a serious word: Believe in God, trust to the
Bible, and abandon all the devil’s work.”
266 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

Again I tapped the subject on the head and said: “Now you
are a young gentleman who at a festive entertainment speaks
to the ladies. Speak !”
The subject straightened himself into a gentlemanlike
and graceful position, at the same time speaking with a flu-
ency that was truly surprising: “Ladies and gentlemen:
Wherever I direct my gaze in this gathering it is caught by a
magnet that chains it — that is, the ladies — the pride of the fes-
tival, queens of the dance ;
strains of the music still sound in
our ears; the bosoms heave from the electricity of the
still

dance, just as our senses are infatuated with the ladies’ magnifi-
cent toilets in their radiant brightness. It is, therefore, no
wonder that we Perhaps we are still more so
are infatuated.
when we see the woman occupy herself in her home. I pre-
sume we all strive to obtain that ideal, but the ideal ceases to be
an ideal when it is reached and obtained. It is only the strug-
gle for it that gives substance to life.”
Ionce more tapped the subject on the head and said:
“ Now you are a nonsensical alderman, a grocer, who is going
to speak in the town council. Speak!”
-The subject put both hands in his pockets, assumed a tough
air and began: “Yes, gentlemen, what I wish to propose, is
zhat I may have a lamp-post put in front of my house. It is
very necessary. It is just like this, for instance: some time ago
my roomer came home, and he was —with
due respect to all

him— what will I call it,feeling a little gay? Well, you need
not laugh, gentlemen, for that is liable to happen to any of us.
But as I said, my roomer had quite an accident because there
was no gaslight.” I let the subject assume several other charac-
ters and then awakened him.

PECULIAR DOUBLE STATE DURING THE HYPNOTIC CONDITION.

Joseph Singer, a professor of music, came to my office and

requested me to hypnotize his son Walfried, whom he had
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 267

heretofore in vain attempted to get under hypnotic influence.

He had consulted several of the most noted hypnotists in
America in connection with well-know physicians, but without
result. The last he saw in regard to this case was the highly
esteemed C. G. Davis, M. D.,of this city. The reason why Mr.
Singer wished his son to be hypnotized was of a private charac-
ter which I will not mention here. Among other things that
Mr. Singer wished me to do by the aid of hypnotism, was to
suggest to his son (who had a natural talent for music) that he

FACE MUSCLES CATALEPTIC CANNOT CLOSE THEIR MOUTHS.

devote himself in the future, with more interest and industry to

his musical studies. After several seances we perceived an

evident effect of the hypnotic suggestions. He played now at

the certain fixed hours, and seemingly with far greater interest.
After a periodical hypnotization during several months, we
reached the desired result.
Concerning the Singer boy and his double state during the
hypnose, I will remark that this condition with hypnotized
individuals (hereby to be understood, persons who during the
268 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

sleep speak of themselves as an entirely different person)

appears but seldom. As soon as Walfried Singer was brought
he was subject to a great change in
into hypnotic condition,
every direction. The boy, who in his normal condition was
rather wild, became during the hypnotic sleep serious, and
acted exactly like a grown-up person, in manners, attitude and
ready answers. Among several curious things, I briefly men-
tion the following. To my question whether he had arisen at
the right time in the morning or given any attention to his play-
ing, hewould generally sit down in silence and listen to my
words for some time and then suddenly reply (as if he were
—
another person not Walfried) “O, yes, I notice you are
:

again speaking of this Singer boy. Yes, he is undoubtedly

rather wild. He ought to become straitened somewhat, he has
too much of a good time, that boy.” Or he would say some-
thing like this “Lazy fellow, that Singer boy. Rather irreg-
:

ular in everything he undertakes, and a little unreliable.” At

other times he would sit from ten to fifteen minutes talking: in
a whisper to himself as if philosophizing about the boy that he
had heard mentioned.
To my question whether he was acquainted with this bov
as he seemed to take some interest in him his eyes lightened —
up he raised his voice, and humming a couple of tunes, said
;
:

“ Certainly I know this Singer boy, as I have said before but ;

if you have a special desire to get a description of his appear-

ance, then listen : F or
age he is not very tall his face is
his ;

rotmdly shaped he is strongly developed better formed than

;
—
his father; he used to wear long hair which was very thick and
pretty —
it has been cut short now, to his great dissatisfaction.

But he has no idea, that boy, of what is best for him.” After
some few minutes reflection he continued in the following way:
“Yes, as I say, it may be of some good to a fellow to have his
hair cut short; but I cannot see why his hair must be an inch
long in front, when it is cut to a regular shave about the ears.
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 269

But let the boy and the father decide these things.” Then fol-
lowed an exact description of his apparel. He also remarked
that his nose was a little clumsy, the eyes rather beautiful, the
upper lip a little too large — but not to such an extent as to in-

terfere with his beauty. Finally he gave his weight, going

into the very details, naming pound, ounces and drachms, and
concluded in this way “ Taken altogether, he is good looking^
:

that boy; and he may have a future; but, as I said, he must be

kept strictly in reins. But, mark you well my words, only to a
certain extent shall he be kept strictly. He must not be forced ;

we must take into consideration that he is boy of

yet only a
eleven years; and how much can we expect, anyhow, of a
child at his age? He must be treated with reason, although
closely watched and kept on duty.”
The boy showed also, during the hypnose, a double condi-
tion, which is not only interesting, but at the same time rare.
A similar example is the French somnambulist, Leonice, de-
scribed by Liebault and Bernheim (Nancy) and others.
As a proof of Prof. Joseph Singer’s great interest in the
case and of his appreciation of the treatment given his son, I
take the liberty of quoting an extract from his article, which
appeared in the Progressive Thinker November 7, 1S91
,
:

Due to the kindness of the Progressive Thinker I am privileged to

,

refer to Mr. Sextus, the well-known Danish hypnotist. I do this with

double interest, as I am proud to acknowledge him as my personal
friend, and am still gladder to yield the tribute of my opinion of him as
a profound investigator and an exceedingly skillful practitioner of his
wonderful science. Mr. Sextus is too thoroughly honest to ever de-
scend to the trickery of the stage fakir. The “I don’t know” or “I
believe” carry more conviction to me than the dogmatic assumptions of
many spiritualists; for they reveal the genuine modesty and true under-
standing of a deep thinker. I have personal knowledge of some of his
remarkable experiments, and I am now watching the development of a
psychic transformation under his influence which, when it is perfected,
I will reveal to the readers of the Progressive Thinker. In the mean-
time I would advise all those whom
these lines will reach to test Mr.
Sextus’ wonderful hypnotic powers. Joseph Singer.
270 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

THE FACTS SHOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE CAN BE

HYPNOTIZED IF NOT IMMEDIATELY, BY THE FIRST AT-
TEMPT, THEY CAN ALWAYS BE MORE OR LESS INFLU-
ENCED BY REPEATED EXPERIMENTS AT LEAST
SIXTY PER CENT. CAN BE HYPNOTIZED IF THE
RIGHT METHOD IS EMPLOYED AND THE
PARTY CONCERNED IS WILLING YOUNG
AND VIGOROUS PEOPLE IN GEN-
ERAL ARE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE
TO HYPNOTISM.
The public has in general the idea that people who per-
form much brain work cannot be hypnotized. Such an idea is
erroneous the person who performs work that demands
;

much thinking can be hypnotized as easily as another who per-

forms physical labor, if he willingly submits himself to the ex-
periments and abandons disturbing thoughts.
Among cases which have presented themselves during my
practice in Chicago, apt to illustrate my expressions, I will
briefly notice a few. Theo. B. Thiele, the editor of Germania ,

appeared at my office, together with a friend of his, in order, as

he himself expressed it, “ to investigate the hypnotic phenomena
and their general results.” Mr. Thiele had read several
works iqoon hypnotism and tried repeatedly to be hypnotized
by a couple of traveling hypnotizers; but without success.
After a brief interval he requested me to bring him under hyp-
notic influence, although he seemed to be rather skeptical as to
its accomplishment but he pronounced himself willing to sub-
;

mit to my instructions. That he, as a gentleman, meant this

exactly, I understood by his manner and the good will he
showed for the desired result. The editor did not this time go
away disappointed, for fifteen minutes of earnest endeavor suc-
ceeded in getting him completely hypnotized.
It was not only his body, muscles and blood circulation that
I was able to influence, but I could also direct the course of his
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 271

thoughts, so as to produce any hallucination wished for by me

or by his friend then present. Before awakening Mr. T., I
suggested to him that at a certain time after awaking he should
say a few words upon hypnotism, at the same time giving his
friend his hand. Everything came to pass in close exactness
to the order given. Eight and a half minutes after being awak-
ened, Mr. T. raised to his feet, walked across the floor, shook
hands with his friend, and in his full voice expressed the ideas
suggested. Mr. T. and his friend left my office highly satisfied
with the seance. As I afterwards hypnotized Mr. T. a couple
of times, the hypnose was more easily as well as more rapidly
produced. Germania contained several interesting articles about
my experiments and methods of cure.
Mr. N., an elderly well-known reporter for the Chicago
Tribune was also hypnotized with great success at my office.
,

Mr. N. had for a long time been suffering from a painful rheu-
matism, and had unsuccessfully resorted to all the modern medi-
cines. Mr. N. was completely hypnotized at my first seance,
and I suggested to him then during the sleep, that he after being
awakened wovdd feel much better, be relieved from the rheu-
matic pain, and be able to walk home with natural ease. When
Mr. N., in company with a couple of friends, appeared at my
office it was only with the greatest difficulty that he was able
to move his limbs; after the hypnotization Mr. N. was once
more able to master his arms and legs, while the pain had dis-
appeared.
Mr. P. H., engaged with the Chicago Press who had never
,

been hypnotized before, was brought under influence by me at

the second experiment. Pie was suffering from nervous head-
ache and periodical neuralgia but after the treatments he de-
;

clared himself entirely relieved from his sufferings.

Mrs. D. A., a well-known Chicago physician, with an office
in the Masonic Temple, was brought into hypnose at my first
experiment. She was afterwards hypnotized a couple of times
2*]2 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

and after three treatments was restored to health from nervous

suffering.
Dr. T. N., a well-known homoeopathic physician, who was
periodically a sleep-walker, and had a nervous, faltering way of
speaking, was treated by me six times with excellent results.
He has abandoned his sleep-walking and enjoys now a com-
plete control over his voice.
A young Board of Trade man, who for a space of five years
had been devoted to the use of morphia, I cured inside of a
month by tri- weekly treatments.
A noted attorney from Omaha, who was in the habit of
smoking from fifteen to twenty cigars a day, was, after five
treatments, able to control his great desire for tobacco and of
—
;

late he smokes only three cigars a day sometimes even less.

For redsons of his own he did not wish to have the desire for
tobacco comjfietely abolished.
An elderly gentleman had been partially lame since 1862 ;

he could only with the greatest difficulty walk about in his room
with the aid of crutches. I succeeded in fifteen days daily treat-
ments in restoring his limbs to their normal use.
A young lady, twenty-one years of age, who suffered from
melancholia and who had tried all known remedies without
benefit, I cured in seven treatments, restoring her to a happier
mood of life.

In the same way

have cured numerous persons of painful
I

diseases, such as nervous deafness, weakness of mind, neuralgia,

had digestion, sleep-walking, etc. At different places in this
book I have mentioned the diseases which we are able to cure
by the aid ofj hypnotism, as well as the methods employed,
and will not enter any further upon this subject.

MANY PROMINENT MEN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ARE

DEEPLY INTERESTED IN HYPNOTIC PHENOMENA.
Among these I would mention lion. Lyman J.
esjiecially
Gage, president of the First National Bank of Chicago. Mr.
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 3 73

Gage, who is a man of rare amiability and courtesy, has, during

my stay in Chicago, shown me much kindly attention and hos-
pitality. In the library of Mr. Gage’s elegant North-side resi-

dence Ihave passed many interesting evenings, where our con-

versation always turned to hypnotic and occult phenomena.
Mr. Gage, who possesses hypnotic power and skill in no lim-
ited degree, has for a number of years studied everything con-
cerning hypnotism, and I have found in his library nearly every
work published on the subject. That a business man like Mr.
Gage, who has most of his time completely occupied with so
many different and complicated business transactions, still finds
ample time and opportunity for devotion to art and science, is
more than pleasing. In relation to experiments in mind-read-
ing, or thought-transference, so often discussed in our papers
and magazines of late, I take pleasure in stating that several
times, during my meetings with Mr. Gage, I have received the
most satisfactory proof of his remarkable ability in this line.
Mr. Gage has, in connection with his clear, keen sense, an un-
usually quick perception but this is not sufficient to account for
;

the results observed. Mr. Gage is sensitive to a high degree,

and he feels intuitively (if I may so express it) what people
wish, and he is very often able to name in advance exactly what
is desired by the party in question. As I am myself very sens-
itive I have personally, in Mr. Gage’s home, had the most un-
mistakable proofs of his ability. Mr. Gage has, whenever we
touched upon this subject, declared that this remarkable ability
has been of great usefulness and help to him in his position as
a banker.

EVEN INTHE NINETEENTH CENTURY WE FIND PEOPLE IN

CHICAGO WHO CONSIDER HYPNOTISM DEMONIACAL.
I deliveredsome time ago in the southwest part of Chicago
a public lecture upon hypnotism accompanied by experiments.
The audience was large, and my experiments were exceedingly
274 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

successful. Beyond doubt the people in that part of the city

entertained some queer ideas of hypnotism. After some parley
with the audience, about twenty young men appeared on the
platform in order to submit to my experiments. After being
seated I was greatly surprised to see a couple of fellows take
from their pockets some lemons which, in accordance with some
ceremonies to me unknown, they cut into pieces. With these
they carefully rubbed their temples, forehead, etc. ;
even their
poorly -blacked shoes did not miss this peculiar treatment. These
mystic experiments I learned later were supposed to be safe-
guards against my hypnotic influence. Another young gen-
tleman, who was seemingly well-built, had a prominence on his
chest which looked like a deformity. Later in the evening I
succeeded in bringing this gentleman, among hyp-
others, into
notic sleep, and I suggested to him that it was unbearably hot,
when he removed his coat There was much merri-
and vest.
ment in the audience when a couple of thick copper plates, some
roofing zinc, and a large horseshoe dropped to the floor with
resounding noise. This gentleman was evidently very well
prepared and as he now had once more regained his good fig-
;

ure I asked him to put on his clothes, and placed in his hands
the protecting amulets. I now exclaimed, loudly, “Awake!”
and the expression of his consternation when beholding in his
hands these things can better be imagined than described. This
genius was the famous ever-talking barber of the street, who
was generally called “ The Dramatic,” a name he acquired on
account of his continued but ever-failing efforts as a manager of
an amateur stage. I never learned whether some silly’- person
had given him this suggestion or if it was only a joke plaved
upon him; but the report was that the barber had been so highly
assured of his unsusceptibility that he lost a bet which he had
made with a tailor living across the street. That I was able,
during the hypnose, completely to check this barber’s incessant
talking created much astonishment throughout the entire neigh-
INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO 2 75
27 6 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

borhood. I am naturally very fond of children, but I discov-

ered to my great surprise that wherever I appeared on the street
the children hurried away, stopping their play, ceasing their
merry laughter, while they sought shelter in the doors and
alleys. A tall boy about ten years old, who had the courage to
stare at me in daring proximity, was taken into the house by his
anxious mother. Bohemian and Italian women crossed
Polish,
themselves solemnly whenever I passed them during my stay in
that locality. Later on I heard that I was used as a bug-a-boo
by the worthy mothers when the little children preferred to
;

cry evenings instead of sleeping, they were told to be quiet,

otherwise Sextus would be called. The suggestion to the
children, I am told, had an almost magic effect.

THE VISIBLE SYMPTOMS IN PARTIAL AND PERFECT HYPNOSE.

It is a fact that the subjects in the first degrees of the hyp-
nose are, in many directions, very sensitive, especially to a sud-
den noise or to a momentary strong light directed upon the
pupils of the eyes. In many cases the pupils are more dilated
than usual in others more contracted. But even with those
;

persons whose pupils are much dilated, it very often hap-

pens that we notice a contraction by approximation of a lighted
candle. The pupils, however, are not in general so easily influ-
enced as when the person is in the usual condition; and even
these people whose retina can be easily effected by sudden
strong light are at the same time in other directions insensible
to push, sting, pinch, etc. After being awakened they are often
entirely without recollection of the experiments performed during
the hypnotic condition. In the deepest hypnose, when the pupil
is almost insensible to the light and when we are able to affect
the pulse and temperature, the remembrance as to what was
going on during the sleep, has disappeared but as we know ;

the next hypnose will produce the remembrance as to what

occurred during the nrevious one while the subject in the inter-
;
 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO. 277

jacent awake remember anything. In other

condition does not
cases again the hypnose appears as if there was no unconscious-
ness whatever, and the subject seems to be in every particular
like one in a normal condition.
Concerning hypnotism, in general, I allow myself to give
the following advice : One should not allow himself to be hypno.
tized or treated by an operator whom
he has not confidence.
in
The hypnotist ought to be experienced and thoroughly under-
stand what he undertakes. Especially must the patient have a
little knowledge of the character and the principles of the hyp-

notizer before he yields to his treatment, and never forget to

have friends or acquaintances present during the hypnotization.
Concerning the power of hypnotization, the majority of people
can more or less influence each other but it may be said of this
;

power, as of many others, that some people have a greater apt-

ness than others tomake good hypnotists. Of the principal
conditions I will especially mark a healthy constitution, a strong
will in connection with power of concentrating it. It is of great

benefit also if the party concerned has received both theoretical

and practical training.
As a matter of fact, hypnotism then is not merely for pleas-
ure and entertainment, but, as formerly remarked, of great
value as a remedy for different diseases. The prejudice toward
hypnotism as a means of entertainment is too pronounced.
When the hypnotization is skillful, by an expert operator,
there is no danger whatever. It has been a necessity for me
and other pioneers in the field of hypnotism, at public and pri-

vate seances, to bring the great public into a closer contact with
this matter. In way we have gained more than people in
this

general apprehend because we have effected, through the

;

great public, a certain pressure on the medical profession, the

result of which has been that a great many celebrated physi-
cians, who had time and opportunity to devote themselves to
the study of hypnotism, thereby became convinced of the
278 INTRODUCTION OF HYPNOTISM IN CHICAGO.

great benefit that medical science derives therefrom. Further-

more, the masses, as well as the profession, have a right to he
informed of every discovery which appears in this field.
In this country, as well as in Europe, I have found physi-
cians who have shown practical interest in the matter. Among
others, in several highly esteemedEuropean scientific periodicals,
which in very flattering terms have spoken of my practice as a
hypnotist in the medical territory. I will name Ugebladet for
Lceger issued by the Danish Medical Association, with Dr. M.
,

D. V. Budde, Copenhagen, Denmark, as chief editor (Xo. 1-2,

January 2, 1887, and No. 34-35, December 3, 1887). In the
same way has the well-known scientific periodical, Hospital
Tidende Copenhagen, contained a long article upon “Hypno-
,

tism and Suggestion,” in which I was mentioned in a very flat-

tering way. The chief editor of this magazine is Dr. M. D. C.
Lange, professor at the University of Copenhagen, and well-
known throughout the entire civilized world. Others of the
editorial members are Dr. D. J. Bondesen, Dr. A. Friedenreich,
Dr. E. Ingerslev. That hypnotism was not forgotten after my
departure from Denmark is clearly proven by this article
which appeared in the magazine mentioned eight months there-
after. If, work, and in a way as entertaining
as I hojDe, in this
as I could make it, I have been able to arouse a deeper and
broader interest in this cause; and if hypnotism in the future
may be given the place and appreciation so justly its due, my
zeal is satisfied and my aim fulfilled. I11 conclusion, I will

allow myself to cite the following words of Victor Hugo :

The real is narrow

The possible . . . immense.
Public Press Comments.
 'HE press has always
been most kind to
me. Editors and re-
porters have ever looked
leniently upon my
shortcomings and they

w 3 a
-
;

have used good spec-

tacles when their atten-
tion has been given to
my merits. That my
readers may know how
my work is regarded and
valued by the newspaper world,
I herewith present a few ex-
tracts from the multitudinous per-
sonal notices of myself and my science which have recently
appeared in the public press.

Extract from a four column article in the Chicago Herald ,

January 26, 1890:

—
SECRETS OF HYPNOTISM SOME PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATIONS PROFESSOR —
CARL SEXTUS, OF CHICAGO, GIVES AN EXHIBITION OF HIS
STRANGE POWER — HISTORY OF A MYSTERIOUS BRANCH
—
OF SCIENCE CURING NERVOUS DISEASES.
In the window of a house on Wabash avenue, not far from the
Auditorium building, a little square, black sign with white letters peeps
out upon the passers-by and conveys the information that within is the
abode of “Carl Sextus, Hypnotist.” It is in this modest fashion that
hypnotism, perhaps the greatest discovery of science, makes its bow to
Chicago.
2S1
2§2 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

Carl Sextus is a small man with brown mustache a man who

a light —
would pass through a throng unnoticed, unless you caught sight of his
eye. If by chance your eye should meet his, you might not feel a trem-
bling in your limbs, but you certainly would say to yourself: “Here is a
remarkable man.” For his eye is one of those things which possess a
strange fascination for the beholder. As an organ of vision it perhaps
does not differ from others. It is brown in color and the pupil is large
and healthy looking. Thousands of men in Chicago have similar eyes.
But this eye has a mysterious power, which is felt by every one who is
fixed with it. This power the most learned physician would despair of
locating and describing, and it has no scientific name. Still, it exists.
It is the power that comes as the result of years of constant command.
It probably gleamed in the
eyes of Caesar and Napoleon.
But there is the difficulty. Na-
poleon swayed men’s bodies;
the hypnotist dominates men’s
minds. The subject obeyed
the commands of the emperor
because he knew that it was to
the interest of his peace and
happiness not to disobey him
who had power to kill or tor-
ture him; the subject obeys
Carl Sextus because he cannot
help it.
A few evenings ago Mr.
Sextus gave a private seance
FROM LETHARGY TO CATALEPSY. to w hich reporters from the
Herald were invited, among others. The room in which the ex-
periments took place did not differ from the ordinary parlor. In
one corner stood a piano, a marble-topped table occupied the center
of the apartment, and two or three indifferent paintings adorned the
walls. The guests were grouped around the sides of the room in
chairs. The seance began without preparation of any sort. As none
of those present were willing to be operated upon, the experiments
necessarily were confined to the person of one of Mr. Sextus’ patients,
a woman about twenty-one years of age. She was apparently of a san-
guine temperament, having a very fair complexion, light yellow hair and
pale blue eyes. She said that she had been hypnotized on several occa-
sions, and was a good subject. This assertion Mr. Sextus confirmed.
 PUBI.IC PRESS COMMENTS. 283

The subject, who was called Marie, placed herself in an easy chair and
assumed the most comfortable position. The operator then placed in
her hands a small metal button, painted black with the exception of the
center, which was of the color of silver. She was now requested to fix
her gaze upon the bright center of this disk, and to concentrate her
mind upon the idea of sleep. The operator stood in front of her, and
began, in a low tone of voice, to repeat Bernheim’s formula:
“Think of nothing but sleep. Your eyelids begin to feel heavy.
Your eyes are tired. They begin to wink, they are getting moist; you
cannot see distinctly. Your lids are closing, you cailnot open them
again. Your arms feel heavy, so do your legs. You cannot feel any-
thing. Your hands are mo-
tionless You see nothing.
You are going to sleep. Sleep!”
In five and one-half min-
utes the subject was found to
be asleep. Her eyes were
closed, she breathed heavily
and regularly —in short, all
the phenomena of sleep were
present.
“But,” objected one of the
spectators, “ she is not really
asleep. It is impossible that
she should go to sleep so
quickly. She is only simulat-
ing sleep.”
Mr. Sextus said nothing,
but quietly raised the subject’s
arm until it was stretched out
on a level with the shoulder. THE SOMNAMBULIC STATE.
“You cannot lower you arm,” he said to the subject; “it is immova-
ble.” The arm remained in the position in which the man had placed it.
“Now,” he added to the person who had spoken, “feel of her arm. You
will see that the muscles are rigid, tetanized. She cannot move it. It is
cataleptic.”
The objector examined the arm. The muscles were fixed and hard
and it was impossible to bend it without using such great force as might
break it. There was no doubt of the truth ofwhat the hypnotist had said.
“Lower you arm,” said the operator. The muscles relaxed, and the
arm fell to the side.
2§4 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

“A very sad thing has occurred,” the operator continued. “One of

you friends has just died.” Tears began to flow from Marie’s eyes. “It
is a mistake, a false report that has been brought me. You friend has
recovered and is now quite well.” The tears stopped instantly. In like
manner the subject was made to laugh and to sing. Various hallucina-
tion were produced and finally entire catalepsy. The subject was placed
on two chairs, which supported her heels and the back of her head, as
illustrated in an accompanying picture. The muscles of the body were
perfectly rigid, and even the
greatest pressure did not avail
to bend the frame. The hyp-
nosis was complete. After a
number of equally interesting
experiments, such as compel-
ling Marie to believe that am-
monia was cologne, and stick-
ing needles through her flesh
the operator said:
“In five minutes you will
awake and you will see all of
those who were present ex-
cept Mr. M. [designating one
of the reporters]. Three min-
v tes after you awake you will

take that vase which you see

on the mantel and hand it to
Mr. C.”
In exactly five minutes the
subject stretched herself,
yawned and awoke. She had
absolutely no recollection of
CATALEPTIC AND SOMNAMBULIC, what had passed, and even
denied that she had been asleep. In just three minutes she arose,
went to the mantel-piece, took down the vase and handed it to Mr. C.,
saying: “I think this is such a pretty vase, don’t you?” Thus she
attempted to find an excuse for the impulse she felt but could not ex-
plain. Presently she turned to Mr. Sextus and said: “Why, what has
become of Mr. M.? He was here a few minutes ago. Did he have to
go so soon?” At this time Mr. M. was in plain view not three feet
away. “Yes,” replied the operator, “he was called away.” Then, turn-
ing suddenly, he added: “Why, he did not go, after all. There he sits,”
 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS. 285

pointing to M. “Sure enough,” promptly said Marie; “but he was not

here a moment since. Where have you been, Mr. M.?”
On another occasion Mr. Sextus hypnotized two little girls, aged
respectively six and seven years. All that was required to put them
into the hypnotic state was to close their eyes and tell them they were
asleep. They were now what is known as the lethargic condition.
in
They answered questions and did whatever they were told to do. The
operator placed his hands on their heads and immediately they became
somnambulists. Now Sextus told them that the sky was open and that
they could see beautiful flowers, trees and fountains, and hear the sing-
ing of the birds. They looked up and saw and heard these things. It
was at this moment that the photograph from which the accompanying
illustration is made was taken. The expression in the faces of the
children is rapt and beautiful. The operator said to them: “The skies
have closed.” They no longer saw the flowers, and the music ceased for
them. On being awakened, they remembered nothing. The same little
girls were the next day cast into lethargy. Sextus opened their eyelids
and they remained open. They were now in the cataleptic stage of the
hypnotic condition. One of them was placed on two chairs, as in the
picture, and the other was made to assume a rigid position on the pros-
trate body of the first. Thus they remained immovable while the pho-
graph w'as being taken.
It is not possible here to give instances of diseases cured by hypnotism.
It is sufficient to say that all diseases of the nervous system yield readily
to the treatment by suggestion. Not the least important fact in connec-
tion with it is that drunkards and opium eaters are cured in a wonder-
fully short time. In insomnia it never fails. The time is not far distant
when the American medical profession compelled to take it up,
will be
though up to this time their lack of information has deprived them of
its benefits.

Extract from a three-column article in the Chicago Sunday

Press, November 22, 1891 :

—
HYPNOTIC INFLUENCES AN EVENING WITH DR. SEXTUS A CHILD — IS
MADE TO BELIEVE AMMONIA IS COLOGNE A WHOLE —
CLASS HYPNOTIZED — MADE TO CALL AT A
CERTAIN HOUSE NEXT DAY.
Picture a young man more than medium height; muscu-
of a trifle
lar, well-balanced figure; head well set, and with clean-cut, handsome
286 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

features; a high, wide sweep of intellectual forehead; dark-brown hair,

and eyes that can blaze with fire or be as soft and limpid as a girl’s.
That is Carl Sextus.
Dr. Sextus, who early made a study of the phenomenon of hypno-
tism, astonished the students and scientists of Europe with the display
of his powers. For the last two and a half years he has been a resident
of the United States, and for twelve months or more has lived in Chi-
cago, being now located at No. 179 La Salle avenue.
He has given several exhibitions of his powers in this city. One of
the most interesting, particularly in its after results, was at the home of
a North sider a few days ago.
There were twenty or more
people present. As a prelim-
inary proceeding, each person
who was willing to subject
himself to the hypnotic force
was given a circular disk of
polished zinc, with a center of
copper. The disks were pos-
sibly two inches in circumfer-
ence, and the candidates for
hypnosis, sixteen in number,
were told to hold them in the
palms of their hands and look
at them intently for ten min-
utes. Ten minutes is a long
time. In less than five, six
persons gave unmistakable
evidence of an abnormal
mental condition. Three
young men and a girl of per-
haps years were sent
14
THOUGHT IT SMELLED SWEETLY.
into hypnotic sleep, from
a
which they drifted into the somnambulistic state. The only experiment
of interest in which the girl was a participant consisted of a suggestion
by Dr. Sextus that a phial of ammonia contained perfumery. The bot-
tle was held beneath the girl’s nose, and as she became conscious of the
presence of the ammonia she expressed the liveliest gratification. Asa
matter of fact the fumes would almost cause a brazen image to shed
tears. At the request of the child’s parents she was relieved of the in-
fluence, and remained a spectator of the ensuing incidents.
 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS. 2S7

The three young men as subjects were all that a hypnotist could
wish. When
aroused from their lethargy they obeyed the slightest
suggestion of Dr. Sextus as if they were automata of which he held
the controlling strings.
After twenty minutes or more, during which the young men were
thrown into cataleptic conditions and made to act under all manner of
hallucinations, Dr. Sextus entered upon a series of supreme tests of his
art. To one and distinctly
of his subjects he said sharply Five min- :
“
piano and Die ”
utes after you awaken, go to the sing Lorelei,’ ‘

To the second he said: “While your friend is singing, steal his

handkerchief from his pocket
and hide it. Don’t let any one
see you do it.”

The third was informed

that precisely ten minutes
afterhe was awakened his
righthand would close with
cramp and he could not open
it. The suggestions w ere r
re-
peated to each three times, and
with a few passes of his hands
and a peremptory command
they w'ere aroused.
The conversation w as gen- r

eral for a time, several persons,

unobserved by the subjects,
holding w atches
r
Exactly at
the elapse of the five minutes
the musician, with a request
that he be pardoned for inter-
rupting the talk, walked
over to the piano and began
“ Ich weiss nicht was soli
A CATALEPTIC HAND.
es bedeuten” to his own accompaniment. Then the sneak-thief saun-
tered over and, backing up against his friend, scientifically “nipped ’’the
handkerchief according to direction, and, with affected unconcern,
strolled into an adjoining room and hid it. Meantime the third patient
was enjoying the situation. He had been told of the injunctions laid
upon his fellow subjects, but w as not informed that he was also under
r

orders. At the last second of the ten minutes an expression of intense

288 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

sufferingcame over his face, and he cried out that his hand had cramped
and he could not open it.
Dr. Sextus presently released the sufferer. None of the subjects
could give any connected statement of what they had done while in the
hypnotic state. They had felt a sensation of dizziness and a succession
of slight chills, after which the disks which they held had faded from
sight. Of subsequent events they had but confused recollections.
Again one of them was subjected to the hypnotic influence.
“ To-morrow at 2 o’clock,” said Dr, Sextus, “you will call at this

—
house, take a seat between two persons who were named and fall —
asleep. You can be awakened
only by these two men reach-
ing over you and shaking
hands.”
It may be said here that

the proceeding was exactly as

indicated. At the appointed
hour the young man, who had
never been at the house until
the night before, walked in
like a member of the family
and, speaking to the five or six
members of the last night’s
party, sat down between the
men as directed. All ordinary
methods, such as loud calls and
violent shakings, had no effect;
he slumbered on with remark-
able persistence. Then the
two to whom Dr. Sextus had
transferred the controlling
power clasped hands over the
BELIEVES HIMSELF A CRIPPLE.
sleeping man and
he at once
awoke. He was much surprised upon learning where he was. He had
no recollection of whtit had passed after i o’clock. About that time he
felt a slight dizziness, which was succeeded by an absence of conscious-
ness.
To return to the parlor experiments. Dr. Sextus’ culminating effort
was phenomenal. He created a physiological paradox. One of the subjects
was placed in a lethargic condition and his pulse and temperature was
taken. With his hand resting upon the young man’s head, Sextus 6aid:
 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS. 2S9

wish your temperature to fall and your pulsations increase.”

“ I

Within four minutes the pulse had increased in rapidity from 95 to 120
beats to the minute. An application of the thermometer showed that the
physical temperature had decreased 2.2 degrees, having fallen
from 98 to 96.S degrees. Then the action was reversed. The pulse was
lowered to 80 beats and the temperature sent to 101 degrees.
Then followed several experiments in which the power of the hyp-
notist to transfer the control of the subject to another person was
demonstrated.
The series was concluded by Dr. Sextus obliterating from the mem-
ory of one of the subjects all recollection of the events of the evening.
“You have had a pleasant evening,” said the hypnotist, “but beyond
remembering that fact, you will be unable to recall anything that has
transpired.” Although repeatedly questioned that night and on subse-
quent days, the subject could recall nothing; not even the place where
he spent the evening. A few days later Dr. Sextus gave an exhibition
of clairvoyance. A young lady was thrown into a somnambulistic state
and in this condition gave detailed accounts of the doings of absent per-
sons and descriptions of places she had never seen.
Some of her descriptions of places, particularly those wherewith any
of her auditors were familiar, were tolerably correct.
“I recognize three degrees or conditions in the hypnotic state,”
continued Dr. Sextus, “these are the lethargic, somnambulistic and
cataleptic. The lethargy is first produced, then either of the others at
will. Hypnotists whose instincts are purely commercial, claim that
they are able to cure all manner of diseases by the exercise of their
powers. Organic diseases cannot be cured by means of hypnotism. A
disordered tissue will not regenerate itself in obedience to command.
I might, for instance, make a crippled patient believe that his amputa-
ted arm had grown out again, but I could not make the new arm develop.
“With nervous maladies it is different. These succumb more readily
to hypnotism than to drugs. In the one case the cure is permanent, in
the latter the relief is often but temporary. In Sweden and in Den-
mark I had much success in treating victims of dipsomania, both in and
out of the hospitals. Old men and the youth of both sexes, that is per-
sons between the ages of sixteen and twenty years, I find, are the most
readily controlled. Out of every three or four persons who submit
themselves one subject is generally found. This is about the proportion
although in exhibitions among students in European schools I have
found as many as fifty subjects among sixty young men, with whom I
experimented. In America I have found that a great many people who
290 PUBI.IC PRESS COMMENTS.

apply for hypnotic treatment do so not from any necessity for it, but
because they have a craving for a new sensation.”
In Chicago Dr. Sextus has made one remarkable cure of the habit
of drinking, and that without the knowledge of the patient.
At one of his exhibitions there appeared a man of middle age. He
had been suffering from rheumatism in the region of the heart and his
physician prescribed port wine as a remedial agent. The malady dis-
appeared, but the love of wine remained. Dr. Sextus hypnotized or
— —
magnetized the man whatever you will and at the request of his
friends said
“If you attempt to drink wine or any liquor containing alcohol, it will
make you sick.”
The subject was then aroused and nothing him about the ex-
said to
periment, except that he had succumbed to the doctor’s personality.
The following morning as usual, a bottle of wine was set at his
plate. He poured out a glassful, but could not drink it. Since that
time he has had no desire for the wine which was before a daily neces-
sity, and when he has attempted to take a drink in a social way he has
been utterly unable to do so. Dr. Sextus attempts no explanation of
these phenomena. He simply says, “These are the facts.”

From Chicago Sunday Tribune February , 23, 1S90:

EXPERIMENTS IN HYPNOTISM CURIOUS SCENES AT THE HOME OF A
DANISH HYPNOTIST.
Some highly interesting experiments in hypnotism were made
before a select private party at No. 470 Wabash avenue one evening
last week by Carl Sextus, a Dane, who is trying to introduce hypnotism
as an aid to medical science in a manner in which it has been used for
some time in Europe, especially in France. The theory is simple.
While in the hypnotic state the patient is given a suggestion, which he
retains, unconsciously, after he awakes. The impression having been
made upon his nervous system by a strong will power, not his own, it
remains with him. Mr. Sextus had a man present named Andrew
Scott, a workingman, whom he was treating for nervousness. He
placed the patient in the hypnotic state and said to him: “A week
from to-day you will feel splendid. You will not be nervous at all any
more.” After repeating this several times he awakened the patient.
The extraordinary and hitherto unexplained strength of sugges-
tions given to a subject in the hypnotic state was illustrated by several
experiments. A man named Hans Jurgenson was told in the hypnotic
 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS. 29I

state to pick up a from a table and return

silver dollar it to its owner,
who had placed it there unseen by the subject.
The subject got up, picked up the coin, and returned it to the owner.
The subject did not know who the owner was, but Dr. Sextus, who con-
trolled him, did.
A Tribune reporter agreed on an experiment with a lawyer who
was present, none of the party being in the secret. An intelligent
young man, who is in the insurance business, was hypnotized and Dr.
Sextus placed him under the control of the lawyer, who gave his in-
structions. “Two minutes after you wake up,” he said to the subject,
“you will pick up a little roll of twine that lies on the table, unravel it,
and tie it to a baggage check which has the number 100 on it and is at
the other end of the room.” This check was in the reporter’s
pocket. After the subject awoke from the hypnotic state he
was engaged in conversation. Dr. Sextus did not know what in-
structions had been given. Exactly two minutes after he awoke
the subject rose from his seat, picked up the string, unraveled it, and,
after playing with it, walked across the room to where the reporter
stood. He commenced to handle some of the things on a bureau, look-
ing curiously at the reporter all the time. He was evidently nonplussed.
If he was to follow his inclination, he said, he would have to make free
with some of the things on the bureau. But he did not. He stood for a
while, until the lawyer called to him to turn around. When his back
was turned the reporter placed the check on the bureau. Shortly after
the subject turned around again. He saw the check and, without a
word, picked it up, tied the string to it, and returned to his seat, evi-
dentlymuch relieved.
The same subject when hypnotic state was told by Mr. Sextus
in the
that three and a half minutes after he awoke he would be unable to see the
Tribune reporter and would ask for him. The persons in the room
would tell him the reporter was sitting in the armchair next to the
lounge on which the subject sat, but they would be fooling him, for it
was a big dog on the After waking up, at the expiration of three
chair.
and a half minutes the subject, being then fully conscious, asked:
“What has become of the Tribune reporter? I was just talking to him
a second ago. I wanted to see him.” Some one pointed to the arm-
chair where the reporter was sitting. The subject looked at the chair
and said:“Doctor, when did you bring your dog down?” The reporter
rose from his chair and started toward the subject, who moved back as
if afraid and left the lounge. The reporter sat down on the lounge,
“Where did you come from?” asked the subject, recognizing him.
292 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

Sextus exhibited the usual hypnotic tests of stiffening the arms and
limbs of his subject, putting him in a cataleptic state, making one man
eat a potato for an apple and relishing it; and smell a bottle of ammonia
as if it was the most delicious perfume. By suggestion he caused his
subject to have a cramphand five minutes after awakening from
in his
the hypnotic state, the man
being then perfectly conscious and remem-
bering nothing of the suggestion given him when he was in the hvp-
notic condition.

Extract from a three-column article by Victor Debrimant in

the Progressive Thinker, June 11, 1S92 :

HYPNOTISM AND VITAL MAGNETISM FROM THE PRESENT POINT OF

—
VIEW ITS DEVELOPMENT AND ADVANTAGE ALSO A DESCRIPTION—
OF SOME VERY INTERESTING HYPNOTIC EXPERIMENTS.
Hypnotist Dr. Carl Sextus for the last couple of years has resided
here in Chicago, and with his hypnotic experiments and numerous suc-
cessful hypnotic cures, has created a well-deserved sensation, and is an
unusually successful hypnotist and healer. It is, nevertheless, to be
greatly regretted that such a wonderful gift of nature is not more highly
appreciated, or more generally known. The great number of dis-
eases where hypnotism, properly applied, would be of valuable assist-
ance, are too numerous to be mentioned here; but a brighter future is
near at hand, when hypnotism will be accepted as the universal remedy
for a vast number of diseases that mock the art of the physicians of
to-day, and all the so far known medicines from pharmacies.
The Chicago press, both the daily and Sunday papers, have lately
given more attention to the science of hypnotism, either describing
wonderful cures performed in Europe, or giving long articles relating in
flattering terms the wonderful power Dr. Sextus possesses.

I have been personally acquainted with Dr. Sextus for the past two
years, and in him found an unusually gifted and sincere gentleman —
man who with his whole mind, body and soul has devoted himself to
this science; and it must be admitted that it is to the benefit of suffering
humanity he devotes himself, and not, as is generally the custom with
a good cause, to exhibit it at public performances and concert halls.
No, when Mr. Sextus performs hypnotic experiments, it is only strictly
in private, for interested physicians, scientists and newspaper men, as
through that channel he is able to circulate knowledge concerning his art.
 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS. 2 93

From the Sunday Inter Ocean Chicago, January

, 19, 1S90:

—
CURING BY HYPNOTISM DECAY IS SUGGESTED FOR THE OLD-TIME
METHOD OF DOCTORING RHEUMATISM AND NERVOUS DISOR-
DERS QUICKLY BOW BEFORE THE HYPNOTIC INFLU-
—
ENCE IT IS THE PRINCIPLE OF SUGGESTION
THAT IS MADE AVAILABLE PRAC- —
TICAL HYPNOTISM.

Hypnotism is not a new thing.Under some form and varying names

it has been manifest and its phenomena marveled at in all times. But it
is only of late years that hypnotism has been differentiated from simi-

lar and cognate phenomena and force results.

The spirit of this century is keenly analytic and has a distinct ten-
dency toward classification. Hypnotism has thus been separated, par-
tially,from mesmerism and similar little understood phenomena. The
experiments of Charcot at the Salpetriere were conducted with great
care, but the great majority of the subjects for experiment were women,
and of these chiefly hysterical women or those in whom the nervous
system was either in an abnormal or very highly excited condition were
selected.
But while analytic, the nineteenth century is above all else utilita-
rian. Scarcely had Charcot and his scientific confreres formulated
some of the leading rules and phenomena and to a certain extent de-
fined the conditions of this extraordinary mental and nervous state, before
advanced students began to ask whether the hypnotic condition might
not be advantageously used in the treatment and cure of obscure and
difficult disease and infirmities. The peculiarity of the hypnotic con-
dition, or state, is that it makes the subject in that condition susceptible
to suggestions from the mind or will of the operator, these suggestions
completely overcoming the ordinary and normal sensations and ideas of
the subject. These superinduced sensations, or ideas, are more or less
affecting, or permanent and dependent on conditions as yet but little
known. Charcot thus suggested to various of his hypnotized subjects
that at certain definite times subsequent to their coming out of the hyp-
notic state they should perform certain definite acts, and these experi-
ments were extraordinarily successful. This is the indication that has
been followed in the attempt to use hypnotism as a remedial agent. Dr.
Carl Sextus has been practicing this method for a year past in this city;
and in a long interview the other day gave some highly interesting in-
formation about this strange, almost mysterious, curative agent.
2 94 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

According to Dr. Sextus, hypnotism is not a panacea for all ills; nor
in the limited class of cases in which its use is indicated is it uniformly
successful.
“Not every one can be hypnotized,” said the Doctor. “ All somnam-
bulists, and nearly highly nervous and hysterical people are very
all
easily hypnotized, but the strongest and least nervous hard-working
laborer may be hypnotized in a very short time, while out of a dozen
persons of apparently identical physical and nervous constitution not
more than two or three may be susceptible to hypnotic sleep; or, on the
other hand, they may all be thrown into the hypnotic state. The sus-
ceptibility depends largely on physical conditions not as yet well under-
stood, but a necessary preliminary is the inducing of a quiet, restful
state of the nervous system. My method of procedure when I have
several Subjects is to seat each in an easy attitude. I place in the palm
of the right hand a little zinc hemisphere painted black, in the center of
—
which is a polished copper point this for men; for women I often use a
light wooden hemisphere, black, with a faceted crystal in its center. The
right hand is curved across the body and the head slightly bent for-
ward, with the eyes steadily fixed upon the bright point. Absolute im-
mobility is urged, no twitching movements of the fingers or swallowing
movements of the throat permitted. Presently, in successful cases, the
right hand begins to waver, then there is a nervous tremor of the eye-
lids. Then I make certain passes and the hypnotic sleep supervenes.
“There are other methods, but they depend on these two conditions
mainly —
nervous and muscular immobility. Either of two conditions
may present itself, the lethargic or the cataleptic; and in no case can it

be foretold which of the two it will be. The former is the more com-
mon, however. All the muscles are relaxed, the arms fall to the sides,
the head droops forward or falls back, there is paleness and stertorous
breathing, and unless the hypnotizer interferes the subject would fall on
the floor. In the cataleptic condition the reverse obtains; the muscles
become and tense, until the body becomes rigid as a bar of iron.
stiffened
In such cases persistence in inducing the hypnotic state simply increases
this cataleptic condition, and there isnothing to be done but to bring the
subject out of the hypnotic sleep. In the lethargic sleep, however, tem-
porary catalepsy can be produced at the will of the hypnotizer, main-
tained as long as he sees fit, and then made to disappear. It ma} also be -

localized, so to speak, and some extraordinary results obtained. Thus, I

have brought the last joint of a finger and that one nearest the hand
into a sort of cataleptic condition, leaving the middle joint normal. If
now I tell — suggest to —my subject that the affected joints are insensible
 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS. 2 95

to pain, and that blood would not flow from a wound there inflicted, I
can thrust needles through the flesh of those joints without pain to the
subject, and no blood will flow, while the faintest prick of one of these
needles on the middle joint will be attended by the usual sensation of
pain and effusion of blood. Practically no trace of the wound remains
after the subject awakened, and no pain is felt, because I suggest to
is

him that he shall not feel any on awakening. This principle of sugges-
tion is what is available in hypnotism as a remedial agency. The dis-
eases in which hypnotism is most useful and available are the various
rheumatisms and rheumatic conditions, paralysis not dependent upon
spinal lesions, nervous affections of the bladder, chronic affections,
cephalalgic conditions, neuralgias, and so forth. It is particularly use-
ful in dipsomania and morphine and cocoaine cases. The method em-
ployed is practically the same in all cases. The hypnotic sleep once
induced, suggested to the patient that in place of the disturbed
it is

nervous condition a quiet, healthy state shall exist. During the sleep
this suggested healthy condition exists, and the suggestion that it shall
continue to so exist after coming out of the hypnotic state prevails.
“Let me give you some examples: Ordinary rheumatism is usually
easily cured, but no amount of suggestion will ever avail to remove
chalky deposits in the joints, if such have been formed. However, even
then skillful massage movements, with the added suggestion, will aid in
having even these occasionally absorbed. I had a case of a nervous
paralytic not long since who had used crutches for years and then pro-
gressed only by swinging his lower limbs bodily forward. I succeeded
in throwing him into the hypnotic state, and while in that condition
suggested to him that in five minutes he should stand up and walk
across the room to his mother. He did so. I then suggested that he
should thereafter persevere in this nervous state of ability to walk nat-
urally. That man left me with his crutches under his arm, but you
must recollect that in his case there was no organic injury of the spinal
marrow, and his inability to walk was founded on a false nervous condi-
tion which the hypnotic suggestion could overcome by restoring the
normal nervous state. In the case of confirmed drunkards, morphine
and cocaine consumers the rational^ of the treatment is similar. The
hypnotic sleep is induced and it is then suggested to the hypnotized sub-
ject that he abhor either drink or his favorite drug, as the case may be.
He actually does abhor it then. Then it is suggested that this abhor-
rence continue for some definite period. This is almost invariably suc-
cessful. At the termination of the period assigned the subject is again
thrown into hypnotic sleep and a longer period of abhorrence and ab-
296 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

stinence suggested. These periods are made longer and longer, the
system recovers its natural tone, and finally a complete cure results.
As you can see, we are in the infancy of the science. Its possibili-
“

ties immense for good where all else has failed.

are
“There are many charlatans and many who, with a little knowledge,
are yet ignorant of the force they employ but medicine passed through
;

this same stage, and the time will come when hypnotism, properly un-
derstood and properly applied, will prove, perhaps, the grandest curative
agency in the power of man to use —
in certain cases. The hypnotizer
is not a god, but a man, and his power is limited in well-defined bounds.”

Extract from a four-column article in The Germania

Monthly Magazine of Chicago March , 7, 1S90:
EXPERIMENTS IN HYPNOTISM.

Who has read of the wonderful power of the hypnotist without feel-
ing a desire to see this power exercised?
It is something mysterious and, being so, is extraordinarily attract-

ive. We
were, therefore, only too anxious to investigate when an op-
portunity presented itself. Shortly after the appearance of the last
issue of this paper we chanced to receive an introduction to Dr. Carl
Sextus, “ Hypnotist.” We had scarcely heard of the gentleman and his
successful experiments in the above named subject when we sought and
were successful in obtaining an interview with him. He is a Dane by
birth, and has been in this country only a short time. We soon came
to the conclusion that the doctor was a learned and, above all, a very
conscientious man and on leaving him we expressed a desire to see
;

some experiments in hypnotism should he desire to accommodate us

with an exhibition of his power over the minds of others.
We have since had the pleasure to be present at two private seances,
given at his rooms for the benefit of the press, which was represented
by the editor of Germania and reporters from the Chicago Herald and
Tribune.

Extract from the Rcligio- Philosophical Journal February ,

13, 1S92:
CURES EFFECTED BY HYPNOTISM.
. .The reference to Dr. A. A. Liebeault’s work was sug-
.

gested to me by some similar cures to those which he relates, made by

a young Danish hypnotist now in Chicago. Hypnotism in its remedial
 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS. 2 97

aspect is a matter of facts; so when they come directly under our eyei

they naturally arouse an intenser interest than those read about. I be-
lieve that epilepsy is considered beyond the means of our orthodox
medical schools; yet right before me I have such a case radically cured
by the mentioned hypnotist, Mr. Carl Sextus. Fortunately 1 personally
know Miss M. M., and can testify to the facts. For six years or more
was she a victim to this dreaded disease. Until her perfect restoration
(from early childhood) she was subject to the most frightful headaches,
sometimes coming on every other day, sometimes lasting for a week.
Over three years ago chance took her to one of Mr. Sextus’ hypnotic
exhibitions. In a few treatments she was cured; at least not having had
the slightest relapse to the present.
Another case is that of Mr. U. M., a man of 57, very deaf and
defective in the organs of speech. Besides this the right arm and leg
were partially paralyzed. In seven treatments he was healed medical —
treatment and massage both proving ineffectual.
Mrs. A. J., suffering from nervous diseases, and very rheumatic, was
perfectly cured in about six treatments.
It is unnecessary to multiply cases. I introduce him
simply desire to

to the readers of the ’Journal as a man thoroughly worthy

of their con-
fidence, both in his specialty and as a man. As to what extent he is as-
sisted by higher influences it is impossible for me to say but if thorough
;

honesty is a magnet for such powers, Mr. Sextus may be considered

well attended. His power does not lie alone in hypnotic treatment, but
is efficacious in the magnetic passes. A sledge-hammer is not necessary
to repair a watch —so the gentle but effective passes and manipulation
will suffice for lesser cases.

When, however, other means have and the patient is amenable

failed
to hypnotic influence, wonders can be expected which may be pro-
nounced little less than miraculous. To such I heartily recommend
Mr. Carl Sextus. Joseph Singer.

From the Progressive Thinker, January 28, 1S92:

DR. SEXTUS.

Dr. Sextus gave some very pleasing experiments in hypnotism at

the parlors of the Progressive Thinker a few evenings ago. They were
similar to those of which we made a full report a few weeks ago. He
has made many subjects in this city, and is doing a good work.
2gS PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

Extract from a four-column article in JSfordisk Folkeblad

Chicago, February 23, 1S90:
The editor of this paper has fresh in his mind all the wonderful ex-
periments that have so frequently been spoken of in the Scandinavian,
German, and American newspapers. It was with great interest he at-
tended a private seance. Prof. Sextus had invited about one hundred
ladies and gentlemen. He intended in this circle to show that he was
deserving of all that had been said and written about him.
Those invited seated themselves in the hall. Mr. Sextus requested
some of the young gentlemen present to come upon the platform and
allow him to try his power and influence of controlling them. Imme-
diately twelve young men stepped up and offered themselves, willing to
let Mr. Sextus experiment with them if they were susceptible. They
were each placed on a chair with their backs to the audience. A metal
button was placed in the palm of each of their right hands, with direc-
tions to look intently on the point in the center, to keep their attention
to it, and sit perfectly quiet. Then at a given signal from the hypno-
tist the orchestra played a very solemn melody.

Soon the hypnotist approached one of the young men, made some
slow passes from his head down the center of his back and down his
—
arms with bent, outspread fingers, letting them slowly pass over the
young man’s body. The hypnotist’s eyes, having a look of something
supernatural in them, were concentrated on the subject.
A painful stillness spread over the audience which awaited, with im-
patience, what was going to happen. The orchestra continued to play
the same melody. After about fifteen minutes’ work the hypnotist had
— —
succeeded five had gone to sleep and the hypnotist had found his
subjects.
The scenes that followed —
were beyond description so wonderful
did it seem to the audience. Thesubjects were perfectly powerless in
the hypnotist’s hands.
One was made to believe that it was raining very hard, and
the sleeping man very carefully turned his pants up at the bottom to
avoid getting them wet. The hypnotist then told him he had come to a
big sea; he immediately pulled off his coat and vest, threw himself upon
a table (that had been brought), and commenced to swim in the imag-
inary sea.. Several scenes were very comical, especially when Mr. Sex-
tus gave a subject a pillow, telling him it was a little child and that he
was its nurse. With a loving embrace the subject took the pillow and
unbuttoned his vest—intending to nurse it— at the same time shiging
 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS. 299

quite loudly, “ Ilush-a-bye, baby,” etc., to it. A chair was handed to one
of the subjects, the hypnotist telling him it was a very pretty young
lady, and requesting the sleeping youth to kiss her right on her mouth.
He kissed the back of the chair several times with a lover’s fondness;
then, lifting the chair up in his arms he began to waltz with his beloved,
taking good care to keep time to the music, which was changed to a
waltz for his benefit. In short, the subjects were powerless automata
in the hypnotist’s hands. The whole exhibition showed the sleepers
that, instead of lying quietly in their beds, dreaming, they themselves
performed the dreams in all their details. An act of sleep-walking fol-
lowed, but without the painful aspects that generally occur at such
scenes, and without any snoring sound whatever. It recalled to me
Madame Ristori’s loud snoring in the sleep-walking scene of “
Macbeth,”
and I consequently expected to hear something similar; but in that I
was mistaken. Instead of that the sleeping youths appeared to be per-
fectly happy, and they gave no signs whatever of anything unpleasant.
There was no indication of any nervous twitchings of their muscles;
their eyelids were lowered and a slight paleness prevailed. One thing
I took particular notice of was: The hypnotist raised one of the sub-
jects’ head up and, pointing to the ceiling, said: “See what beautiful
angels are up there in the skies! Listen! How lovely their music
sounds!” and the sleeping youth’s face took on a spiritual and clear ex-
pression; beseechingly he stretched both hands toward the imaginary
angels. Surely he had never seen, in his norrhal condition, a more
beautiful sight than this which the hypnotist now brought to his imag-
ination. W
e must admit that the scenes were truly wonderful; yet still
more wonderful experiments were performed later.
One arm was stretched out, the hypnotist made some
of the subject’s
passes along the muscles, and it became as rigid and stiff as a piece of
wood. Dr. Bockstrom, who was present, was now asked to hold a
lighted candle to the subject’s eyes. Dr. Bockstrom did as»he was re-
quested, without there being any twitching whatever or winking with
the eyelids, something that would be impossible for any person in a wak-
ing condition; thus we had undeniable proofs of actually having som-
—
nambulism before us and no fraud. The hypnotist now made it impos-
sible for one of the subjects to remember his own name. Whenever
Mr. Sextus stretched his hand toward the subject’s forehead his knowl-
edge of ever having had a name was completely gone; but, as soon as
the operator took his hand away, the subject could not only remember
his name but also write it down on paper.
 3 °° PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

Yet still more singular experiments were performed. Two subjects

were placed standing up with their backs to each other. Then by mak-
ing some magnetic passes down the subjects’ heads they were as if glued
together, and by no power from any of the audience could they take
their heads away; then the hypnotist said: “In five minutes, not be-
fore, you can each take your head away” (the time was set by one of the
audience). Watches were now brought out and the minutes counted.
During this time the hypnotist was standing and quietly conversing
with some of the gentlemen present, as unconcernedly as though he
had nothing at all to do with the subjects. In exactly five minutes’ time
the two young men were able to take their heads apart; both subjects
had, without knowing it, kept the time to the second. One subject was
commanded to imitate everything the hypnotist did. With tight closed
eyes, and unconscious, the subject stood with his back to the hypnotist
imitating every motion and grimace the latter made, even to the ex-
pressions of pleasure or anger, without there being any connection
whatever between the hypnotist and his subject. Yet another singular
experiment followed. Shortly before waking one of the subjects he
was commanded that, five minutes after awaking (the time again be-
ing set by one of the audience), he should tell the audience of having a
severe headache in his right knee. The hypnotist then waked him up.
Exactly five minutes afterward the subject said to Dr. Backstrom, who
was still upon the platform, that he (the subject) felt splendid, only he
had an awful headache in his right knee. This also was a proof of the
—
subjects’ obedience, even after being waked up the suggestions’ effects
only leaving them when the hypnotist’s orders were completed.
The wonderful experiments were thus closed. I could scarcely
have believed my own eyes if there had not been others present
(and amongst them a number of physicians of a very high standing)
to confirm these hypnotic and somnambulistic phenomena. Mr.
Sextus will also here in Chicago, as in other towns, after his
public seances, give hypnotic and magnetic treatments, the latter being
treatment by manipulations without the hypnotic sleep, by which Mr.
Sextus has cured a number of people. Mr. Carl Sextus is a young man
who devotes his life and soul to his art, and who never avoids any
trouble toshow the public the best and most available in the line of
study and work which he has adopted. I will not endeavor to explain
the dim and mysterious in the so-called animal magnetism for the rea-
son that the phenomena are too little understood, at present, even in
the most intellectual circles; still long articles about Mr. Sextus have
be en published in the bestand most prominent papers in England, R ussia,
 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS 301

France, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries, where he has often

appeared and made a great stir with his hypnotic experiments.

Extract from a two-column article in the Chicago Inter

Ocean ,
May 9, 18S9:
A subject was found whose body was strong and robust if his will
was not. The Professor made the heart of the subject beat fast or slow
at will, Dr. Anderson testing the pulse. The pulsations were made to
reach as high as 120 and as low as 66 to the minute. A bottle of am-
monia was placed at his nose. He was told that it was cologne, and he
inhaled the pungent odor with as much delight as if it were the odor of
sweet violets. Several men in the audience thought the bottle contained
something else besides ammonia. They put their noses to it, but with-
drew them as quickly as if they had been burned. The Professor then
made him smell of his own hand, telling him that it was a bottle of am-
monia, and the subject showed all the signs of having inhaled the burn-
ing fumes of that liquid. The Professor then caused the subject’s body
to become perfectly rigid. His heels were placed on one chair and his
head on another, with no support between them. Two men tried to
bend the rigid body of the man by pressure upon bis hips, but could
not do so.
Two women were willing to become subjects. One of them was very
slight and the other heavy. The former was made to pluck imaginary
flowers and inhale their imaginary odors, to see imaginary angels in an
imaginary heaven, and to catch an imaginary bird and smooth its
ruffled, imaginary feathers.
But the fleshy woman furnished the fun. The Professor made her be-
lieve she was a little school girl, and she jumped the rope with a juven-
ility that was true to life. She also gave a tea-party on the stage to im-
aginary guests, and acted the hostess with all the charm of one of
Chicago’s “ two hundred.”

Extract from Chicago Daily Herald February , 7, 1S90:

THOUGHT HE WAS PRESIDENT — A SINGULARLY INTERESTING EXHIBI-
TION OF A HYPNOTIST’S POWER.
A young butcher’s apprentice walked into the Herald's local
stalwart
room evening, inquired for the city editor, and announced himself
last
as President Harrison. There was a slight glitter to his eyes, but his
303 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

face was expressionless and the features almost rigid. Taking two car-
rots from his overcoat he handed one to his host and put the other,
small end foremost, between his lips just as a man would do with a
cigar. Taking a box of matches from his pocket, he lighted one and
proceeded to light his carrot. Almost immediately he relapsed into a
trance, still standing as he was before; and his left arm gradually rose
until it was at right angles and there remained. This condition lasted
for over five and one-half minutes. In the meantime there had gath-
ered about the hypnotic patient, for such the young man really was,
Professor Carl Sextus, the hypnotist; Robert Lindblom, the well-known
board of trade man; Iloward Henderson, C. W. Fullerton, the lawyer,
and Louis Pio, the Danish editor, and several others in the party who
had set out from the hypnotist’s house to follow the young butcher after
he had been hypnotized, and instructed to do exactly as he did.
At the expiration of five and a half minutes, which was the time
agreed on, the hypnotic trance state continued but the arm sank to the
side, the patient seemed less rigid in his muscles, and his pulse, which
had been thumping away at 124 beats to the minute, became more nor-
mal. The party accompanying the Professor was greatly interested in
what they believe to be the most interesting and the least cultivated of
all the branches of medical science and treatment.

Extract from a four-column article in the Progressive

Thinker ,
February 6, 1S92, by Louis Pio,' the well-known
Danish editor :

“Plere is a cup of coffee and a good cigar. When I awaken you,

drink the coffee, light the cigar and walk home through the streets.
Your legs will be all right hereafter, and you may dispense with your
crutches,” said Dr. Sextus.
It is a very common mistake to think that only nervous diseases can

be cured through hypnotism. Now, certainly, the nervous form a large

percentage of the human troubles in our time, but still the very nature
of the hypnotic power shows that it may be possible to influence a sick
person, even if his nerves are all right. If, as we have shown, the will
of the hypnotist is sufficient to retard or quicken the pulse, to prevent
or cause blisters, to cause pain to disappear and so on, it may also be
possible, by a suitably worded command, to stop a local inflammation or
the formation of a cancer; to cure indigestion; nay, even to conquer the
all-prevailing corn. Think of it, ladies and gentlemen!
 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS. • 303

As soon as the hypnotizer physician enough to know exactly what

is

ails the patient, he can give the suggestion to the independent organs of
the body and they will acknowledge his will as supreme and obey.
Where lies the limit, no one can tell; but it looks really as if much-
troubled humanity had found the “Universal Remedy;” and why not?
What is hypnotism in this relation but using nature’s own force to
re-establish the natural pulsations and functions of life through the
body ?
The only seemingly unnatural thing is that this absolute power over
the body of a man is not given to himself, but to another; but this state
of thingsmay, however, be changed by later discoveries. As it now
new cure method may bring hope and realization of hope to
stands, the
many poor invalids whom the physicians have given up as incurable, or
as marked victims of a near and painful death.

Extract from a four-column article in the Chicago Sunday

Herald August
, 17, 1S90:
HYPNOTISM.
This science being very thoroughly investigated in Europe by such
is

prominent Deleuze, Charcot, Beaunis, Bernheim, Barety,

scientists as
Preyer, Gessmann and others who are striving to apply it to the treat-
ment of nervous and mental diseases. It has been used for this purpose
with great success abroad by the well-known Professor Carl Sextus, now
of this city. He deserves more success than he has met with here, as
he is a thorough master of this science, and is particularly adapted for
its practice among those afflicted with above-mentioned complaints.
H. J. B.

Extract from the Daily S kandinaven, February 23, 18S9:

Carl Sextus, the hypnotist, delivered a public lecture upon Hyp-

notism, accompanied by experiments, at Aurora Turner Hall, on last
Wednesday evening. The seance was witnessed by a large
audience; and we venture to sc./ that no one went away dissatisfied.
Mr. Sextus received frequent and enthusiastic applause; and, finally,
he had to appear after the seance was over. Those present were
unanimous in the opinion that the seance was highly interesting in
conduct and extremely brilliant in effects.
3°4 PUBLIC PRESS COMMENTS.

Extract from a seven-column article in the Chicago Ulus-

treret Ugeblad February
, 28, 1889:
I had both heard and read a good deal about Mr. Sextus before I
met him, and I must confess that at the time I shook my head rather

mistrustingly when I was told of his singular performances in other

places. How surprised was I to find not a wizard, but a young man of
pleasant countenance, winning manner, fluent speech and modest
perhaps a little too modest— appearance. Personally, he inspired con-
fidence and sympathy; and there was in his smile something amiable,
which promised, upon better acquaintance with him, an opportunity of
getting nearer the secrets of his art. I therefore invited him to be my
guest, and, by a private seance, to convince myself and some other
infidels of the truth of his art, and he very willingly consented to my
proposal. Dr. Carl Sextus is of medium height, his figure is powerful
and well built, and signifies a strong constitution. His features are
regular, inclined to be a little dark, but very healthy; his hair is black
and his eyes are dark, intelligent and full of fire. His gaze has at times
— —
a piercing, sharp look caused by frequent strain but in the general
conversation it only denotes life and good nature.
The seance began. “Now you are a rooster,” and the subject
crowed as proudly as though he was calling all the chickens in the
morning. “Laugh! Sing! Smile!” were the commands, one after the
other; and they were immediately obeyed.
The intellect stands still. The mind gives itself up. We were con-
ducted to reward the hypnotist with what you might call a petrified
astonishment, that was pictured on our faces. The hypnotist’s power
—
cannot be described it must be witnessed.
“ That is a wonderful power you have,” was the general remark to
the hypnotist.
“Yes,” he replied, “so it is. I do not quite understand it myself. I
work, day by day, trying to unravel and get to the bottom of this secret,
of which it seems I have found the key. I am convinced that I have,
at least, crossed the threshold and discovered many new truths in this
hitherto much neglected realm of science.”

THE END.