Truly we carry ever with us, in our own bodies, substances which, if not eliminated, may not only kill us, but may act upon some part of the brain and disorder its function and disturb its harmony, and then insanity with all of its hallucinations and illusions follows. This at present is the theory of the most scientific men of the day. Every nerve-cell, aye, every protoplasmic cell of the body, forms substances as a result of its living activity, which, if allowed to accumulate in or around it, at first interferes with and then finally destroys it. The brain forms by its own activity substances complex in their nature, which if allowed to accumulate within, at first disturb, and finally destroy its operations.

This much was necessary before I could make intelligible a rational application of hypnotism in this class of patients. Admitting, then, the physical theory of the causation of insanity to be mainly true, admitting that substances in the blood may poison the brain and disorder its functions, admitting that each cell of the brain develops substances which if not eliminated are poisonous to it, how can hypnotism be of value in treating this class of diseases? Can so intangible a thing as suggestion exercise an influence over the complex biological chemistry of the brain and body? Most certainly. Charcot, Luys, Liebault, Beruheim, Krafft-Ebing, and others, many of whom are acknowledged to be the best authorities in Europe, if not in the world, upon mental and nervous diseases, all testify and are in accord about a few of the following facts. First, hypnotism can, by soothing an over-excited brain, cause the blood supply in it to bo diminished, and rest follow delirium. Faculties unaccustomed to obey the will can be trained to obedience.

It is generally believed by most psycho-physiologists that different parts of the brain can act independently, and in this way produce a great many varieties or states of consciousness, hence the terms "subconscious," "dual-consciousness," and many other similar ones.

Now, when one part of the brain is acting abnormally it may be checked or inhibited by the other parts of the brain. Each cell of the brain has a certain degree of vitality which can be expended rapidly or slowly according to the circumstances. Suppose the brain by its ac-tivity to be evolving as the result of the destruction of its own cells, substances which act 9 as poisons and which interfere with or pervert its action. By quieting this activity, the blood circulating through the brain will have an opportunity of removing and disposing of the before-mentioned toxic (poisonous) products. Hence it follows that hypnotism may act as a great regulator of the brain and nervous metabolism.

The authorities quoted en masse practically agree that by concentrating the mind intensely upon any part of the body, various changes take place in that part, both in its sensation, in its blood-supply, and in its nutrition. Tell the hypnotic subject that a part of the body is freezing, and immediately the phenomena popularly termed "goose-flesh" appears. Apply a metal and tell him it is hot, and he not only believes that he is being burned, but, according to Bcruheim and others, actual blisters on the part will appear.* The part will grow red or pale at the command of the hypnotist.

The bowels too will move at a definite hour stated by the hypnotist when his patient is in the hypnotic state. The suggestions will act for 24 or 36 hours afterwards. Chemically inactive substances will nauseato and produce vomiting, and when ordered will intoxicate like whisky; and what is more pertinent to this chapter, hallucinations, illusions, and delusions, may be created, or in many cases destroyed, at the pleasure of the hypnotist. Hence it follows that no spiritual or magnetic theory is necessary to account for, or to give a reasonable explanation of, the curative effect of hypnotism.

*Note. - I personally have never seen a blister produced as the result of suggestion, but have witnessed the other phenomena described.

The terras nerve-force, vital fluid, etc., are perhaps as vague, at least we know as little about them as we do of animal magnetism and other allied terms.

It is true that hypnotism will cure some cases of insanity which are accompanied by hallucinations and illusions. It will relieve these same conditions when occurring among sane people as a result of some local or general slight disorder.

Agaiii I must urge upon my readers, whether they be medical men or laymen, the utter folly of relying upon hypnotism without attending to all other methods of hygiene and medicine which have been and are the glorious achievements of the best medical thought of this and other ages.

Enthusiasm, like scepticism, is a good thing. In this most fascinating study both should be held in check by a firm, strong judgment ever regulated by reason and experience.

Hypnotism, as has been said before, may be a palliative in some incurable cases, as well as hasten the recovery of those so fortunate as to be susceptible of entire relief. A clear comprehension of the whole subject by the intelligent classes would greatly diminish the amount of fanaticism which is so deleterious to a large number of individuals. Wo do not need miracles or revelations to explain phenomena which can be and are susceptible of explanation upon a hypothesis which is based upon experimentation.

I shall cite two cases widely different, illustrative of the utility and of the method of applying hypnotism, in cases of mental disorder.

Case 1. A German, Fifty-One Years Of Age

Case 1. A German, fifty-one years of age, male, habits temperate, family history bad. Mother insane, father alcoholic, father's father epileptic, grandmother on father's side tuberculous. One brother suffered with paranoia, and sister profoundly hysterical. One of his children was an imbecile, the other tubercular. The patient himself was of even temper, kindly, and was a baker by trade. He told me that whenever falling asleep he saw a white horse leaning over him, and that the horse pulled at the bedclothing with its teeth and awoke him. This condition of things had lasted for years, when one day he had a sensation as though some one were stealing upon him. Turning around quickly he saw the white horse reach out to bite him. He knew perfectly well that his condition was an hallucination, hut it made him feel very uncomfortable nevertheless. He subsequently began to hear voices, some speaking to him kindly, some harshly. His physician advised rest and change, but his demons followed everywhere. He never for one moment believed them to be real, and understood his condition thoroughly. He went as a voluntary patient to a private asylum in New York State, and remained there for three months.

Medicines were tried upon him, and everything known to the physicians in attendance was done for his relief. But he could not get rid of the hallucinations.

He consulted me in the spring of 1891. Was hypnotized at the eighth sitting. "Was hypnotized subsequently three times a week for eight weeks. The first hypnotization changed the nature of the hallucination, and after the third one his nervous system was much disturbed. He became hysterical, the most profoundly so of any one ever under my observation. One day his right arm would be paralyzed, in a day or two the paralysis would change into the left. For a week or ten days he would vomit everything he ate. Each manifestation was in turn immediately subdued by hypnotism, and at the end of eighteen weeks he presented no abnormality, and, as far as I know, not having heard from him for over a year, the hallucinations have not returned.

Second patient was a little girl of neurotic family history. She stated that playmates invisible to others haunted her night and day. Some of them were kindly, others teased her for her playthings, called her horrid names, while others spoke in a language she did not understand. The little one was pale, exceedingly irritable, and would hold conversations for hours at a time with the imaginary spectres. Remedies were given her for her bodily condition, and although it improved, the morbid fancies grew stronger. She was hypnotized at the first sitting, all hallucinations vanished at the third sitting, and she remained well for eight months, and then contracted pneumonia and died.

I have treated with hypnotism eight cases representing various forms of hallucinations. Five with complete success, one with partial success, and I experienced total failure with the other two. Authors vary widely in their results. Some, like myself, have had very good results, others fairly good. All believe in its value.

The subject has been exceedingly difficult to make clear without the use of technical terms. Hence, if the lay readers find it too complex and the profession too elementary, I shall ask them to realize, each in his way, my difficulties, and show all the indulgence that they can.