HYPNOTISM AND SPORT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 553, 26 March 1913, Page 6

HYPNOTISM AND SPORT.

A curious experiment, in hypnotism, probably the first of its kind, was carried out at Guy's Hospital, London, a few weeks ago. The game of golf has, it appears, added a new complaint to the numerous ills which the flesh is heir to, to which the name "golfers' neurosis" has been given. The victim of the disease on whom this experiment was carried out, was an amateur golfer who, up to the time of his breakdown, was a "plus" player. Suddenly his old accuracy in hitting the ball deserted him, and he found himself absolutely incapable of even swinging a club, although in other respects he was in perfect physical condition. Nerve specialists diagnosed his case as caused by over-concep-tration and h consequent "strike" on the part of the harassed nerves. But no doctor was able to cure him, until someone thought of hypnotism, and the experiment was tried accordingly. It was carried out, says the Daily News, in a large hall at Guy's before an assembly of medical students and doctors. A well-known Harley street speciailst hypnotised the patient, and simply told him that be could hit a golf ball, and must go away and try. the patient did go, and when he arrived at his golf links surprised all by driving, without the leas! effort or hesitation, a long and accurate ball from the first tee —the first he had been able to drive for several months. Golf ie not the only sport, however, which renders the player liable to f orms of neurosis. A nsrve specialists of considerable experience tells of the case of a billiard player who, when he took a cue and attempted to strike the ball, found himself practically paralysed, though if he used a stick or umbrella as a cue he could move it with his. accustomed ease. Tennis players have been known to suffer from a similar complaint. "Golfers," this specialist says, "are notoriously nervy people— especially fairly good players. I knew a man — an average player — who one day developed into a veritable Braid or Vardon. He did marvellous things for a few holes and then all of a sudden he developed nerves. The muscles of his arms absolutely refused to work,and he could not hit the ball." Cricketers, footballers, hockey and polo players an other sportsmen, are also laible to this form of "nerves." There is a growing conviction among specialists that hypnotism is the only efficacious cure for these cases of neurosis, which are little likely to be influenced by ordinary medicines. "It is no use putting medicine into a man's stomach to make him think," is the pronouncement of one eminent London specialist, ' and you cannot teach anyone the multiplication table by giving him a powder."