Hypnotism Forbidden
Certain she would say no naughty things, a young lady last week let an indiscreet young man demonstrate his hypnotic powers on her at a "psychology" party of Allegheny College (Meadville, Pa.) students. When the proud young Svengali suggested "Wake up!" she failed to respond. Not until 45 min. later did she rouse herself naturally. The incident frightened the experimental psychologists so thoroughly that Adelene Bowie, dean of women, noticed the commotion. Forthwith she strictly forbade any more such pranks.
Hypnotism has contributed so much to the knowledge of mental activity that all students of psychology must have a smattering of its mechanism. It is merely a deep sleep which a person can bring upon himself. Usually, however, the subject puts himself in a relaxed position and stares at some bright object above his head. The hypnotist, meanwhile, cajolingly suggests that he is sleepy. Bye & bye he falls asleep. In that sleep he will, like Trilby, do many of the things the hypnotist tells him to do. Sometimes the strain of a subject's attempts to obey the hypnotist are so psychically awesome, so physically real, as to upset the strongest observer. After he wakes a person may carry out hypnotic orders. But, experts generally agree, no one under hypnotic commands will do anything contrary to his physical abilities or against the grain of his character.
Popular opinion is otherwise. Only a hardy instructor of psychology dares demonstrate hypnotism in an undergraduate classroom. Undaunted youth, nonetheless, finds places to practice.
Medicine's best use for hypnotism as a therapeutic agent has been to untangle mental kinks. In peculiarly sensitive people it may ease pain and insomnia better than anything else. Some doctors have found it useful to cure stammering and seasickness. In France Dr. B. de Rachewsky treats hayfever by hypnotizing patients into a belief that pollen is no more contagious than warts.
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