Self-anaesthesia a natural power - Exhibited by animals - ' Common examples in human beings - Heroism of children - Daughter of Mr. French - Case of Earnest Gunther - Remarkable power of Hakim Abdel Sureddin - Clinical experiments.

The power to render the body or portions of it insensible to pain is probably possessed by all human beings, although as yet few have been able to develop it satisfactorily. It requires great concentration of thought and self-confidence, together with patient practice. In many of the lower animals this power seems to be exercised with the greatest ease, although whether it is under their self-control or simply a result of fright and consequent hypnosis, has not yet been definitely settled. Some animals fall into a stupor as soon as they are captured; for instance, the opossum will curl up as if in profound sleep or dead, when about to be taken; lobsters will sever portions of their bodies that have been caught in traps, and many other manifestations of a peculiar nature in this connection are, familiar to all, Some persons even go so far as to assert that as a rule animals do not suffer much pain when subjected to abuse or apparent tortures.

In human beings the endurance of pain differs greatly, and almost instinctively we realize that it is within our power to modify our sufferings. How often we use the expression, "Grin and bear it," or, "I shut my teeth and bore it like a hero," or "he bravely endured the operation without flniching." There are various directions given for lessening pain, such as, "Grit your teeth," "Think of something else," "Press your fingers in the ears," etc. All these things simply show that to a certain extent our powers are realized and often feebly taken advantage of when most needed. Surely it should become a matter of great interest to us to seek methods of developing this most beneficent attribute of our natures.

Occasionally we notice children displaying wonderful heroism under trying circumstances and becoming almost stoical during the infliction of punishment. The little seven-year-old daughter of Mr. French, of Pendleton, Indiana, was able to control herself in a remarkable manner. When punished or even rebuked for misdemeanors, she would instantly throw herself into a semi-unconscious state and assume a blank stare that sent a thrill of horror through her parents. She became such an adept in this that not the slightest reproof was ever administered to her for fear she would throw herself into a condition from which she could not be aroused, for at no time could her parents by any methods bring her out of her "spells."

The case of Earnest Gunther is worthy of special notice in this respect. At the age of six he fell under the control of a stepfather whose idea of training children was based upon the doctrine of "Spare the rod and spoil the child." Little Earnest was consequently severely punished upon the slightest pretexts. He seemed to realize that his cries and manifest sufferings gave his stepfather the greatest satisfaction, and secretly resolved to forbear all manifestations of pain during punishment. He would say, "You can whip me, but I won't cry." And cry he certainly did not, no matter how severely he was whipped. It was not long before his parents began to entertain feelings of awe concerning his power of endurance, which seemed to delight the boy. He soon became an expert in controlling his feelings, and before he was ten years old he was entertaining his playmates by thrusting needles through his fingers and ears without betraying any evidence of pain. He was examined by physicians, who were at first under the impression that his early severe punishments had injured his nervous system; but they soon became convinced that his endurance of pain was entirely a matter of self-control. Unexpectedly needles were thrust into his skin at various points, and always with evidence of as acute sensation as is experienced by others; but whenever he was aware of the intention to test him, he would "nerve himself up" and betray no feeling whatever during the test.

The boy was unable to explain his action beyond the remark, "I simply make myself so I can't feel it." His case is an instance of the undeveloped human power to voluntarily become insensible to pain.