There are several methods which may be employed in putting a person into a hypnotic sleep. They all have as a foundation the tiring of some one of the sense organs. The most common way of operating is to place the subject in a comfortable position and hold a bright object like a silver lead pencil holder, a small coin, or something of this nature in front and a little above the eyes. Have him stare at the object steadily, until there is a perceptible drooping of the eyelids and dilation of the pupil. When the subject has reached this stage, tell him to go to sleep. Repeat the suggestion that he is going to sleep, many times, and sleep will frequently follow.

Sometimes a headache follows the induction of hypnosis by the staring method. For this reason many experimenters prefer to use a method which does not necessitate the prolonged strain upon the eyes. An example of this method may be given as follows:

Place the subject in a chair, with the head leaning back, as comfortably as possible. Ask him to look you intently in the eyes, as you stand in front of him. Move your hands slowly across his forehead from the middle to the outside, saying to him in a monotonous tone, "Your eyelids are getting heavy, and your eyes are becoming watery. Your eyelids are getting heavier and heavier and you cannot keep them open any longer. You are getting more and more sleepy, sleepy, sleepy. You are going to sleep, fast asleep, sleep, sleep." You will generally find this "talking sleep" and the smoothing of the forehead sufficient. When the eyes close, and the subject appears to be asleep, suggest to him, "Now you are asleep, your head is getting heavy; it will fall over to one side," slightly pressing the forehead on the side opposite to that toward which you wish it to fall. "Your head is getting heavier, heavier all the time. You cannot hold it up. You are fast asleep, sleep, sleep." If the head falls over, you may be reasonably sure that the subject is in a sleep in which he will accept many suggestions.

Nearly all persons can be hypnotized to some extent. A very large proportion can be put to sleep. But the number who can be made to follow suggestions while sleeping is very much smaller. When you are sure that the subject is asleep, you can suggest numerous illusions to him, but be careful not to suggest more than one at a time, and always remove the first suggestion before you give the second.

Flower's Method For Producing Sleep

Before giving a few instances of illusions created by suggestion, we will give another method for putting subjects to sleep. This method was suggested by Sydney Flower, the editor of "Suggestive Therapeutics," and in my own practice I have found it one of the most effective ways of producing hypnosis.

The essential thing about Dr. Flower's method is, that while the operator slowly counts, the subject should open and close his eyes, keeping time with the counting. Several modifications of this method have been used. Probably the simplest one is the following: Place the subject in as. comfortable position as possible, and standing in front of him, look into his eyes and have him look into yours. Tell him that you are going to count to him slowly, and that as you say each number you wish him to close his eyes, then to open them and be ready to close them again by the time you name the next number. For instance you slowly count, "One-two-three-four-five," etc. At each count, the subject closes his eyes and opens them before the next count. You will find, as you continue the counting, that the period during which the eyes remain open becomes shorter, and finally, instead of the eyes opening, there will probably be only a movement of the eyebrows.

Many subjects will go to sleep under this method by the time you have counted fifteen or twenty, and it is rarely necessary to count over one hundred. When you find the eyes have closed, and the subject does not seem to be able to open them, instead of continuing the counting, begin to say, (and be sure you don't change the rythm of your previous tones) "Sleepy, sleepy, - you are going to sleep, - fast, fast asleep, asleep, asleep."