Download PDF - Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology

34
HYPNO TISM
are incompatible, but at a certain stage, the transitions
from torpor of all the senses and cataleptiform rigidity
to the most exalted sensibility, and flaccidity of musclk,
may be effected almost with the celerity of thought, even
so slight a cause as a breath of air directed against the
part. If left at rest, it will speedily merge back again,
and thiis those unacquainted with such peculiarities will
be continually liable to think they discover discrepancies
which, however, only originate from their imperfect
knowledge of the subject; just as an unskilful manipulator
will be ready to suppose from his different results that
the observations of other chemists have been erroneous.
"The third point meriting especial attention is the condition
of the mind at different stages. As results from
opium, so also from hypnotism. At one stage it gives
.n extraordinary power of concentration of thought, or
disposition to rapt contemplation, whereas, at another stage
the discursive or imaginative faculties are excited into
full play, and thus the most expanded, bright and glowing
scenes and images are presented to the fervid imagination.
It must also be borne in mind that these opposite
mental conditions may glide into each other by the most
imperceptible degrees; or by the most abrupt transitions,
according to the modes of management, and thus consciousness
or unconsciousness, sound sleep, or somnambulism
will result, according as sensations or ideas .predominate.
It appears quite evident that whatever images or mental
emotions or thoughts have been excited in the mind during
the nervous sleep are generally liable to recur, or be
renovated or manifested wvhen the patient is again placed
under similar circumstances. -I am induced to adopt this
course from my anxiety to remove every possible source of