Hypnotism: Its History and Present Development (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Hypnotism: Its History and Present Development

This ancient classical dictum, which in our language might be translated, Investigate, but do not experiment, applies, with reference to the subject here treated, to both the physician and the public at large; yet, in such a manner, that, while the first part applies to both, the second is for the public alone.

Now that the old mystical and often misused animal magnetism has, under the modern name of hypnotism, entered upon a more scientific stage, and that prominent scientific men in France, Italy, Germany, and England, especially during the last decade, have commenced to separate the wheat from the chaff of this important subject, no educated person should be ignorant of it, and above all, no physician should pass it by, on account of prejudice.

Hence I have decided to try and give an easily comprehensible account of the development and present status of hypnotism, for the benefit of physicians as well as of lawyers and of the interested public; and as my personal experience in the matter is as yet too small, I have collected from the best and latest authorities such facts as to me seemed surest, most reliable, and most instructive. I have especially illustrated the dark sides of hypnotism, and the many injurious effects upon the physical and psychic life of man, which may result from the abuse of it: and I would strongly advise those who have not had a medical education, not to meddle with this agent so dangerous and so difficult to control.

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