HYPNOTISM AND HUMBUG.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3091, 7 May 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

HYPNOTISM AND HUMBUG.

" Hypnotism is humbug." says Dr. Ernest Hart. It is all a matter of alterin;? tho circulation of tho blood through the brain. This 11 ay bo done by fixing tho naze ou a particular object. " The condition is always ' subjective.' " 'J'hs suggestion that the will, or the. jjesfuro-, or the magnetic or vital fluid of tho operator is at ail r.cce.-sai-y for tho abolition of the consciousness and the abeyancc of the will of the suh jeet is pure quad-cry. Rut if the patient beiioves tho operator is able to produce tho effect, tlio effect will bo produced. Thus Dr. Mai t tells how a young lady believed ho was mesmerising her in spite of his assurances to the contrary and the matter bccamo so serious that she had to be removed from tho country house whore both were staying. Even then when slic saw him accidentally on tho platform of a railway-station, she went right away into a mesmeric sleep. But why does the patient obey the suggestions of tho " operator Because, says Dr. Hart sleep is induced wlulo tho idea of a particular person is in tho mind, and tho patient's will being abolished by tho withdrawal of blood from tho brain ho obeys any suggestion from that person automatically. But modern hypnotism mesmerism, animal magnetism, thoughreading, or thought transference, Dr Hart condemns as for the most part pnro charlatanry, to be placed on a level with the practices of tho magicians, "possession" by dovils,and their expulsion by exorcism, and tho healing of the king's evil by laying on of hands.