Hypnotism.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7922, 11 September 1905, Page 3

Hypnotism.

FOR A DENTAL PATIENT. LADY'S TEETH EXTRACTED. The value of hypnotism as a curative agent, or as a substitute l'or chloroform, has been somewhat obscured by the unworthy use made of the art by showmen.

An interesting ,exhibition of its lit ility in the place of an anaesthetic was given at Melbourne recently by Mr E. Bonner, a resident of the city who has. within a comparatively short period, found that he possesses the hypnotic power of suggestion, or whatever one may choose to call the mysterious ami unexplained gift. He states that he employs liis power Solely for purposes of healing.and that, among others, he has cured a drunkard of 2D years' standing of his craving for alcohol, and .has very grqatly modified the paralysis with which a young uian has been afflicted almost from the time of his birth.

A small party, consisting of Mr Bonner, I>r. K. A. Graham, and one or two other observers, a young lady who huii to part with two of her teeth, und a representative of The Melbourne Herald assembled at the roomy of Mr W. Bowon May, dentist, Grand Hotel.

The patient seated herself in the operating chair, and the hypnotist gently placed his hands on her head.

"Now you are going* into a sound sleep. You are feeling very tired," said he, and the lady's appearance signified hj« r acquiescence in his words. "Put your hands on the arms of the chair," he continued. "Now you cannot move them. You are going sound asleep." The patient put her head back.and appeared to be fast asleep. " Now open your mouth wide." The patient obeyed, and, after a little more suggestion .of sound sleep by the hypnotist, she was ready !" ( >r the dentist.

The first tooth came out readily, ; but the,second was of the unyield- i order, being, as it afterwards prov- I ed, solidly embedded in the alveolar process. Ilowewr it came out. and. even in its defeat, was the very picture of an obstinate ami malignant toot h. "Wake up ! Wake up ! " said the hypnotist, and the young lady sat up, and looked around at the company. Making use of what he described as 'post-hypnotic suggestion. Mr Homier said. •"Your mouth will be all right ; ;ij won't pain you," j Immediately the patient was quite I well agnin. She rose up with a smile from the chair that usually inakes the boldest shudder, asked if both teeth were out. and joked about having them set in gold. When questioned afterwards. Mr Hoiiner said that he was without any theory of his own as to the power. All hi* was sure of was that lie "could do it."

"There js just <;nv absurd notion 1 hiil. I wish to correct," he said. "Novelists and play-writers have set goinqi tho idea tluil whi-n once a jhts«»ii has heen hypnotised lie or she can he made to do anything" the hypnotist .wishes, l.i'C<uiies enslaved, in tact. It is nonsvnse. Xn one ran lie hypnotised without willingly submitting to it. Alter that the power of the hypnotist is circumscribed with- 1 in narrow limits. Hul 1 really can givu the drunkard a distaste for whisky. Our man at my suggestion is ill whenever he smells whiskv. I can ctire vices. A furious tamper in a child should he allayed by hypno-> tism. All kinds of pain, too. ran he cased.'' , "What is the power itself ' " I "That I do not know. It is. and I have it ; and that is all I can tell \oU." !