A most remarkable illustration of the power of self-hypnotism and the voluntary endurance of injury without pain was lately given during the author's clinic hour before the students and members of the faculty of the National Medical University. The subject was Hakim Abdel Sureddin, otherwise known as Mr. Franz Cerney. His object in presenting himself was to demonstrate beyond the possibility of a doubt his remarkable power to render himself insensible to pain. The tests to which he was subjected were severe in character and were convincing in results. Elsewhere in this book will be found illustrations taken from photographs made during Mr. Cerney's exhibitions, and especial attention is called to the placid countenance and the absence of all external evidence of pain.

An account of the tests made at the clinic will serve to show the degree to which this remarkable power may be exercised, and may aid in demonstrating the method by which it may be cultivated. Mr. Cerney brought with him a large case of instruments, consisting of a series of Jong needles and slender daggers with heavy handles, besides antiseptic solutions for thoroughly cleansing the instruments before their insertion. In every instance, before subjecting himself to tests, he desired to be informed as to the particular portion of the body to be experimented upon, so that he might easily render himself insensible, although it was not necessary to give him full particulars. In fact, it seemed to be merely a matter of convenience to him to know the locality to be tested, for when he was informed that tests were to be made without his knowing exactly where, he rendered himself just as insensible to pain, although seemingly with more effort.

When all was in readiness, Mr. Cerney removed his clothing to the waist and invited inspection of his body. The skin was remarkably soft and healthy looking, and pimples and blemishes were noticeably absent. There was nothing whatever to indicate anything unnatural, for a more perfect condition of the skin could not be desired. Here and there over the surface sharp-pointed needles were slightly and quickly thrust with instantaneous responsive signs of sensibility. There was positive evidence that no means had been resorted to for hardening the skin, and that there were no signs of disease of any kind. Manifestly, whatever unusual endurance he was about to exhibit must be entirely under his own control. When informed that tests were about to be made, Mr. Cerney drew himself up erect and resolutely, tightly closed his jaws, folded his arms, and assumed an expression of earnest thought. In a few minutes the surface of the body became rosy, and shortly afterward was covered with "goose pimples," which disappeared in a few moments, leaving the skin perfectly natural in appearance.

He was then ready for the experiments.

The mouth was opened and rinsed with antiseptic solution and a large needle shoved through the cheek from within outward, without the least evidence of pain and without a drop of blood being visible. The other cheek was then pierced in the same manner, with the exception that a small quantity of blood oozed out through the perforation. The power to control the loss of blood was voluntary, and was demonstrated during other experiments.

The tongue was protruded and perforated directly in the center by a very large needle. Not the least tremor was noticeable and no blood flowed. When the extreme sensitiveness of the tongue is considered, as well as the fact that it contains innumerable small blood vessels, this test becomes remarkable.

The arm was uplifted and a bystander was requested to pierce it with the longest and largest of the needles, without regard to any attempt to avoid nerves or blood vessels. The needle was plunged fearlessly through the flesh, completely penetrating the muscles. There was no sign of discomfort, and not a drop of blood was visible.

The subject next requested that the muscles of the chest should be pierced. He breathed heavily and slowly for several seconds, threw his chest forward, and assumed a peculiar expression, while the eyeballs seemed to protrude; the "goose flesh" appeared and disappeared, and he was ready for the test. A long, slender dagger was chosen and plunged into the muscles directly over the heart, and actually passed close to the ribs and made to protrude several inches from the point where it entered. No blood flowed, and no discomfort was shown.

Many tests of a similar character were made upon various parts of the body, with the same results. During each experiment the subject was perfectly conscious of all that was transpiring, and even entered into conversation and gave directions concerning the insertions of the needles. A trial was made to ascertain whether or not the anaesthesia was general or local, the test being to touch the front of the eyeball, as is done in ascertaining the degree of anaesthesia produced by chloroform or other anaesthetics before an operation. In this case the sensitiveness of the eye remained, thus showing that the anaesthesia produced was local, and directed at the will of the subject. All these experiments were of a very trying character, and occupied considerable time, at the expiration of which the subject was evidently greatly fatigued.

Hakim Abdel Sureddin (Mr. Franz Cerney) was born in Lahore, India, in 1865, his mother being a Bohemian and his father an East Indian. While a student in medicine he accidentally discovered his power to produce anaesthesia in his own body, and by practice developed it until he has reached the high degree of control which he is now able to manifest. The exhibition described was his first demonstration in America, although he has exhibited his remarkable powers before the heir apparent of Austria and other European nobility. He is at present having especially constructed a bed with iron spikes, which he proposes to have heated and upon which he will lie without the least discomfort. Mr. Cerney's neck is disfigured by several large scars which are the results of penetrations of the dagger over the region of the large blood vessels.

The wonderful power of self-anaesthesia which Mr. Cerney has so remarkably cultivated can doubtless be developed by a large majority of persons to a greater or less degree. It requires self-confidence and concentration of thought, together with a species of determination which can be better conceived than described.

This subject feels no pain and has no loss of blood from a five inch dagger being run through the chest muscles over the region of the heart.

This subject is completely fascinated and his eyes mentally glued to the end of the handle.