If "music hath charms to soothe the savage breast" it also has the power to soothe the minds of all subjected to its influence. A few soft, melodious tones repeated over and over again, in lullaby fashion, will greatly aid the production of hypnosis. Such sounds have been employed for centuries by the so-called "charmers" of animals and reptiles, and their employment by the modern hypnotist is of recognized advantage in many cases.

Loud and boisterous music or discordant sounds have a disturbing influence and will usually interfere with the inexperienced operator's success. A case is reported where a young woman was undergoing a surgical operation while under hypnotic influence, when suddenly a band of musicians began to play in the street and she was quickly awakened. Upon such an occurrence the operator should have presence of mind enough to say: "Listen to the music, it is beautiful," or make some similar statement. There are always premonitory signs of awakening, which give opportunity for action, and one of the important items in connection with hypnotism is to constantly watch the subject and recognize these signs and act promptly in the right manner to avoid untimely awakening. The signs of awakening are given elsewhere.

In hypnotizing young children, there is no aid so effective as lullaby music. This is naturally used by all mothers, savage and civilized, while rocking their babes to sleep.

The more monotonous the music, the more effective it will be, provided it is melodious and not discordant or harsh. It is the low, soft, simple melody, composed of a few notes, and repeated over and over again, that helps to induce hypnosis.

Expert hypnotists who desire to practice their art as a profession should provide themselves with every aid procurable, so as to enable themselves to hypnotize the largest number possible of the persons who present themselves. They should provide a proper room, as described, and become familiar with every known means of influence. A useful article for such a person is a music box of good manufacture. This can be set to some simple air, such as "Sweet Home," and placed in a chest or closet or muffled in some way, so that the sounds are extremely soft, like whisperings of music, repeated innumerable times. The soft notes of a flute, played by a third person in an adjoining room, is often advantageous, but the tones must be continued without interruption until complete hypnosis is produced. Otherwise the premature cessation of the sounds would be very liable to suddenly undo the partial influence obtained.

One of the most interesting sights connected with a hypnotic exhibition is to look upon a number of subjects to whom the operator has said some such words as these:

"Listen, there is beautiful music. Angels are singing and playing upon their harps."

There comes over the subjects an ecstasy that cannot be produced in any other way. Some will strike the most graceful attitudes of listening, and all will wear an expression of sweet content and rapture that will render the most homely face charming. It well illustrates the soothing influence of music upon the human mind and the possibilities that may come from its employment.

The suggestion of music should always be made to subjects being treated for melancholy or insanity in any form. It gives positive relief in every instance, and when often repeated, its benefits will prove permanent and sometimes effect a positive cure.