Complete Hypnotism, Mesmerism, Mind-Reading and Spiritualism: How to Hypnotize: Being an Exhaustive and Practical System of Method, Application, and UseAlpheus, A.
History
Complete Hypnotism, Mesmerism, Mind-Reading and Spiritualism: How to Hypnotize: Being an Exhaustive and Practical System of Method, Application, and Use
Alpheus, A.
Hypnotism; Mesmerism; Spiritualism; Telepathy
When the doctor had completed his round and had manipulated all the
volunteers, some of those influenced were nodding, some were sound
asleep, while a few were wide awake and smiling at the rest. These
latter were dismissed as unlikely subjects.
When the stage had been cleared of all those who were not responsive,
the doctor passed around, and, snapping his finger at each individual,
awoke him. One of the subjects when questioned afterward as to what
sensation he experienced at the snapping of the fingers, replied that
it seemed to him as if something inside of his head responded, and with
this sensation he regained self-consciousness. (This is to be doubted.
As a rule, subjects in this stage of hypnotism do not feel any
sensation that they can remember, and do not become self-conscious.)
The class was now apparently wide awake, and did not differ in
appearance from their ordinary state. The doctor then took each one and
subjected him to a separate physical test, such as sealing the eyes,
fastening the hands, stiffening the fingers, arms, and legs, producing
partial catalepsy and causing stuttering and inability to speak. In
those possessing strong imaginations, he was able to produce
hallucinations, such as feeling mosquito bites, suffering from
toothache, finding the pockets filled and the hands covered with
molasses, changing identity, and many similar tests.
The doctor now asked each one to clasp his hands in front of him, and
when all had complied with the request, he repeated the phrase, “Think
your hands so fast that you can’t pull them apart. They are fast. You
cannot pull them apart. Try. You can’t.” The whole class made frantic
efforts to unclasp their hands, but were unable to do so. The doctor’s
explanation of this is, that what they were really doing was to force
their hands closer together, thus obeying the counter suggestion. That
they thought they were trying to unclasp their hands was evident from
their endeavors.
The moment he made them desist, by snapping his fingers, the spell was
broken. It was most astonishing to see that as each one awoke, he
seemed to be fully cognizant of the ridiculous position in which his
comrades were placed, and to enjoy their confusion and ludicrous
attitudes. The moment, however, he was commanded to do things equally
absurd, he obeyed. While, therefore, the class appeared to be free
agents, they are under hypnotic control.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account