'"A sad case of the evil influence that can be exerted by an unscrupulous hypnotist has lately startled the aristocratic suburb of Clifton, and while it serves well to illustrate the danger to society made possible by this latest fad, it also serves to explain many incidents that have led to the condemnation instead of the pity of its victims. About a month ago Clifton society missed the presence of one of its most popular leaders, whose name is withheld for obvious reasons. It was reported that she was visiting relatives in the east and would shortly return. Her husband, a prominent business man, and her relatives were the only ones who knew her absence to be due to her elopement with a well-known attorney. Her return the latter part of the week was brought about by her realization of the terrible mistake she had made and remorse for her act. It seems that the young attorney who wrought such havoc in her home had much leisure time on his hands, and employed it in studying the occult sciences, among which was the art of hypnotism, which he readily mastered.

Not content to practice it upon subjects hired for the purpose, he endeavored to bring his friends under his influence, and succeeded so remarkably well that he was soon making boasts of his power over the numerous ladies who favored him with the hospitality of their homes. The prominence and popularity of the parties concerned forbid the statement of particulars, but enough has been said to explain the fascination that led a wife and mother to desert husband and children and wreck her home and bring disgrace upon herself and family. That such havoc can be wrought by hypnotism, even in a single instance, demonstrates the dangers run by those who are introducing it into society as a fad and a means of amusement."

The columns of a daily newspaper necessarily contain much that is written by incompetent persons, but the influence of its articles is great. Such articles as are quoted above have had much to do in causing great misunderstanding concerning the powers and uses of hypnotism. It cannot be properly judged by the statements of those incompetent to explain its powers, and the rash and sensational statements of newspaper reporters should be taken for what they are worth, and not be given credit for scientific accuracy. The average reporter is no more competent to explain the subject of hypnotism than he is to explain the other branches of science.

It is, of course, possible, for a designing person, skilled in the art of hypnotism, to induced trained subjects to commit crimes for which they should not be held altogether accountable, but such instances are extremely rare, and are always associated with facts that explain them. It is no argument against hypnotism to assert or even to prove that it can be advantageously used for criminal purposes. The same arguments would apply equally well against the use of chloroform and other anaesthetics. These agents are constantly being employed for criminal purposes, and can exert their influences upon every one, while comparatively few can be hypnotized without repeated trials, and many not at all.

It requires absolute hypnotic control over a person to induce him to commit an act that is at entire variance with his wishes and sense of propriety or honor. This fact renders absurd the frequent pleas made by persons accused of a crime that they were under the influence of some one who must have hypnotized them. A drug clerk declared that a customer hypnotized him into selling a deadly poison which was used for criminal purposes. He claimed that he actually thought he was dispensing an innocent agent. Another drug clerk tried to excuse his dispensing of alcoholic liquors at retail by the statement that the parties to whom he sold it had for some time exercised a hypnotic control over him. Not infrequently persons guilty of larceny, assault and other misdemeanors are quick to lay the blame upon the hypnotic influence of others over them. It is safe to say that not in one instance out of ten thousands of these claims is there any foundation for them. Those who make them have heard or read the sensational side of hypnotism and are ready to shield themselves behind its mysteries.

It is strange that any attention whatever is paid to their claims, and there probably would not be were it not for the general clamor for the sensational in any form.

While it is true that there is no such thing as criminal hypnotism, yet it is necessary to realize the possibilities of crime in connection with the practice of this art. A base and criminal nature always seeks means of satisfying itself, and a person desirous of doing wrong will endeavor to learn methods that will aid him in so doing. All arts and sciences can be used for base purposes, and every innocent amusement can be utilized as a game of chance; yet the arts and sciences and popular amusements are encouraged everywhere. Knowledge cannot of itself debase anyone, but a mind already debased may use knowledge to the injury of others. The science of hypnotism is no exception to the rule, and the few who use it for disreputable purposes cannot detract from its great value to mankind in general. The more it is understood, the greater will become the benefits to be derived from it.

It is possible for a hypnotist to so completely gain control over his subject as to compel obedience to his demands of a criminal nature, or to cause submission to bodily harm. But. we are constantly placing our lives into the hands of others and relying upon their integrity for personal safety. The physician could easily cause the death of his patient without suspicion, the nurse could destroy the life of her charge, and in innumerable other cases crimes could be committed by those with whom we associate. It is our confidence in their integrity that causes us to think of no evil, although the opportunities for doing harm are ever present. In connection with hypnotism such opportunities are very infrequent, and need never occur.

Until the practice of hypnotism becomes more general and assumes its place among methods commonly employed for various purposes, it is advisable for the hypnotist to constantly guard against the pos-Stbilitv of false accusations. A third party should always be present and a subject should never be hypnotized without his personal consent or the consent of his friends. Never make a mystery of hypnotism and always let your relationship with the subject be above suspicion.