PC-NRLF PHILOSOPHY OF WDIfVlDUAL GIFT OF The Great Psychological Crime The Destructive Principle of Nature In Individual Life Edited by FLORENCE HUNTLEY Author of "Harmonics of Evolution" and "The Dream Child" HARMONIC SERIES VOL. II FIFTEENTH EDITION CHICAGO, ILLS. INDO-AMERICAN BOOK CO. 5707 So. Blvd. 1915 ~BFf111 Copyright, 1902, By Florence Huntley. Published 1915 ADDRESSED TO THE PROGRESSIVE INTELLIGENCE OF THE AGE. ClK Great pspcbological Crime In three Pans Modern Hypnotism Spiritual Mediumship Retributive Justice PartT-moaernlfypnotUin CHAPTERS Psychological Crime I Page 7 New Definitions II " 8 Pertinent Admissions Ill " 11 What Is Hypnotism? IV ' 15 The Deadly Parallel V 23 Man and His Two Organisms VI " 88 Hypnotism and the Three Brains VII 43 Physiology and Pathology of Hypnotism VIII " 49 "Auto-Hypnotism" A Misnomer IX " 62 "Suggestion" A Lexicological Libel X " 68 Independent Suggestion A Fact XI " 72 Does Hypnotism Cure? XII " 77 A Violation of Natural Law ....XIII " 86 True Suggestion and Therapeutic Faith XIV 91 Post-Mortem Hypnotism XV " 107 What of the Hypnotist? XVI " 113 Pan TT-$piritual mediumsbip CHAPTERS A Risk and a Duty ', I 129 Other Definitions II " 132 Significant Admissions .Ill " 187 Facts Demonstrated IV " 143 Spiritual Mediumship Analyzed and Classified V *' 149 The Principle Involved VI " 161 'Automatic Physical Mediumship" Impossible VII " 178 CONTENTS Neither a "Gift" Nor a "Power" VIII Page 197 The Destructive Principle in Operation IX ' 205 Mediumship and Morality X " 221 Mediumship and Martyrdom XI " 283 Mediumship and "Affinity" XII " 261 Mediumship and Emotionalism XIII " 256 Mediums and Their Motives XIV " 270 Mediumship and Insanity XV 278 Part ITT-KetrHwrtpe Justice CHAPTERS The Genesis of "Hell" : i 285 The Way of Death H 287 In Perspective HI 301 Individual Immortality IV ' 810 On What It Depends V " 813 Self-Control, the Application VI " 327 The Line of Despair and the Powers of Darkness VII " 380 The Law of Spiritual Gravity VIII " 885 Admonitions and Suggestions .IX " 349 Supplemeit theories oT "tbe Wist men" The Genesis of Dogma, 391 Topics Facts and Theories. Differences and Distinctions. Transmigration? Metempsychosis. Transubstantiation. Reincarnation. The Missing Link. Evolution. Conditional Immortality. Inherent Immortality. Psychical Reinvestiture. The "Wages of Sin." The "Second Death." Individual Extinction. Editor's Postscript 40X C!K Great psychological Crime Parti Modern Hypnotism CHAPTER I. PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME. I. A Psychological Crime is a crime against the intelli j gent Soul or essential Entity of Man. 2. A Great Psychological Crime is such a crime against the intelligent Soul of Man as deprives it of any of the inalienable rights, privileges, benefits, powers or possibilities with which God or Nature has invested it. 3. THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME is that crime against the intelligent Soul or essential Entity of Man which constitutes the central theme of this volume, wherein it is de- fined, analyzed, illustrated and elucidated. 8 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME CHAPTER II. N~EW DEFINITIONS. A work of science or philosophy, to be of value, must be free from ambiguity, and of the utmost exactness in its ter- minology. No more difficult task is laid upon a writer than that he shall reach a satisfactory standard in either of these respects. The most that will here be attempted is to approach such a standard as closely as may be possible under all the cir- cumstances, and then rely upon the intelligence and good conscience of the reader to catch the real intent wherever the expression or the terminology may prove to be at fault. To accomplish the purpose of this work in the fullest measure possible it is necessary that the exact meaning of certain terms be specifically defined at the outset, as they are hereinafter to be employed and understood. This is espe- cially important, for the reason that through the indiscrimi- nate manner in which writers have hitherto employed them they have become involved in such ambiguity as to entirely destroy their scientific value. For the purpose of this work, therefore, special attention is called to the following definitions: HYPNOTIST. A person in the physical body who volun- tarily controls the will, voluntary powers and sensory organ- ism of another physically embodied person. It will be observed that this definition has reference to a certain relation existing between physically embodied persons only; that is, between human beings. Attention is called to this particular limitation, for the reason that upon it depends an important distinction between a "hypnotist" and a "con- trol," as the latter is defined in Part II of this volume. SUBJECT. A physically embodied person whose will, vol- untary powers and sensory organism are under the domina- tion and subject to the control of a hypnotist. HYPNOTISM. The process by and through which a hyp- notist obtains, holds and exercises control of the will, volun- NEW DEFINITIONS 9 tary powers and sensory organism of his subject. Also the psychic relation which exists between the two parties during the continuance of the hypnotic process. HYPNOTIC ''SUGGESTION." A "suggestion" so-called made by a hypnotist to his subject while the latter is under the hypnotic control of the former. INDEPENDENT SUGGESTION. A suggestion made by one person to another while both are in full and complete control of their own voluntary powers and rational faculties ; that is, while neither is under hypnotic control. In this case each person acts independently and of his own free will. TELEPATHIC SUGGESTION. Independent suggestion made by one person to another by mental processes alone, without the aid of the usual physical means of communication. As this term may be employed in contradistinction to the term hypnotic "suggestion," it is important to note that tel- epathic suggestion is independent, while hypnotic "suggestion" is not. MAGIC. The individual exercise and use of the natural powers of the body, spirit and soul in controlling and apply- ing the forces, activities and processes of Nature. WHITE MAGIC. The right individual exercise and use of the natural powers of the body, spirit and soul in controlling and applying the forces, activities and processes of Nature in such manner as to supplement and conform to Nature's Con- structive Principle. BLACK MAGIC. The wrong individual exercise and use of the natural powers of the body, spirit and soul in con- trolling and applying the forces, activities and processes of Nature in such manner as to supplement and conform to Nature's Destructive Principle. In the framing of these definitions no attempt has been made to conform to the specific limitations of any lexicog- rapher or author. There is a good and valid reason for this seeming repudiation of established authorities. It will be found in the following brief explanation : In the discussion and consideration of the particular sub- jects in which these terms are of specific importance, writers, 10 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME more especially of the modern schools, seem to have become confused. By reference to their writings it will be found that the same term is often employed to express either a diametrically opposite or a wholly different meaning. The remarkable extent to which this ambiguous use of terms has been carried in recent writings has done much to envelop the whole subject of psychological and metaphysical study and research in a dense cloud of mysticism. The present intent, therefore, is to take these particular words out from their environment of uncertainty and give to them specific and definite meanings for the purposes of this particular work. We are, therefore, not concerned with the objections or criticisms which may, and very likely will, be volunteered by other writers, nor does it appear either necessary or desirable to enter the field of controversy for the purpose of justifying the lexicology upon which these definitions are based. It is sufficient if the reader alone shall understand them. It is assumed that, whatever may be his individual views upon the various phases of the subject to be considered, he is nevertheless honest in his desire to under- stand the exact meaning and intent of the writer. In order that he may be successful in this undertaking, he is therefore asked, for the purposes of this particular work, to accept these definitions without qualification. PERTINENT ADMISSIONS 11 CHAPTER III. PERTINENT ADMISSIONS. A judge before whom a cause is to be tried at court is always pleased if opposing counsel will come together and submit to him what is known in law as an agreed statement of facts. This saves the time, labor and energy of the court and counsel which would otherwise be consumed in impan- eling a jury, examining witnesses, taking testimony, eliminat- ing from the record that which is irrelevant, immaterial and incompetent, and sifting out the facts which have a legitimate and proper bearing upon the subject matter of the case under consideration. This leaves nothing to be done but determine what is the law that covers the particular facts agreed upon. In the matter here to be adjudicated it is desirable, as far as may be possible, that the reader occupy the position of the court. Even though he may, perchance, be prejudiced in favor of or against one side or the other, this fact will not disqualify him, as it might in a trial at court. Indeed, the ethics to be observed in the present instance are so free from restrictions that he may, without offense or impropriety, act as judge and opposing counsel at the same time. In any event, it is here agreed in advance that whatever may be his present convictions or prejudices, no motion will be made for a change of venue nor appeal taken from his de- cision. It is fair to assume that his honesty and love of justice will prompt him to render his decision in strict con- formity with the law and the facts, and this is all that could be asked of the most open-minded and unbiased judge. In accordance with the foregoing suggestions the follow- ing admissions are offered as a part of the record upon which the questions hereinafter raised are to be tried and deter- mined. They are alleged by all hypnotists to be facts, and for the purpose of avoiding all unnecessary controversy concern- ing them it is preferred to here admit them as such. It then but remains to determine the law applicable to these par- ticular facts: 12 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME 1. It is admitted that hypnotism is a fact. 2. It is admitted that there are numerous methods or processes by means of which it is possible for a hypnotist to obtain control of the will, voluntary powers and sensory organism of his subject. 3. It is admitted that a hypnotist who thus has control of his subject can, under certain conditions, produce a very wide range of phenomena which are usually classified as hypnotic. 4. It is admitted that through the effects of hypnotism a subject may, for the time being, be made unconscious of physical pain. This fact is known and quite generally ac- knowledged. It has been often demonstrated in medical schools, colleges, clinics and hospitals throughout the country. 5. It is admitted that very painful surgical operations may be performed upon hypnotized subjects without conscious physical suffering. This has been demonstrated so often that it has come to be quite generally known and acknowledged. 6. It is admitted that by hypnotic "suggestion," so-called, a subject may be temporarily relieved from some physical disabilities, and that some habits of long standing may be thus temporarily overcome. 7. It is admitted that a very large percentage of men, women and children everywhere might, under favorable con- ditions therefor, be made subjects of hypnotic control. 8. It is admitted that a very large percentage of men, women and children would be able, with instruction and practice, to develop some degree of hypnotic power. 9. It is admitted that hypnotic power may be so used as to command wealth, luxury, notoriety and the subserv- iency of many people. This has been demonstrated all too often, and the demonstrations still continue. 10. It is admitted that the practice of hypnotism is a most fascinating diversion, and can be made to afford much interest and amusement to those who are without conscience, and those who are ignorant of the laws, principles, forces, activities and processes involved. - PERTINENT ADMISSIONS 13 11. It is admitted that the mischievous and destructive effects of hypnotic control do not generally manifest them- selves at once to the observer nor to the subject himself. 12. It is admitted that there are some hypnotists who are honest, and who would not knowingly and intentionally engage in any practice which does violence to a primary and fundamental law of individual life, growth and develop- ment. 13. It is admitted that much has been written by stu- dents, investigators, hypnotists and men of professional stand- ing, on the general subject of hypnotism, which is at variance with the position taken in this work. The impression made by these admissions will very largely depend upon the character of the intelligence to which they are submitted, the nature and scope of his personal experi- ences, and the measure, liberality and value of his educa- tional training. If he should chance to be a professional hypnotist, or a sympathetic student of hypnotism, or a mere believer in the merit of the hypnotic process, he might, perhaps, obtain the impression that his position is not only admitted, but also justified and approved. If so, he is asked to follow the sub- ject matter through to the end before he renders his final decision and judgment. If a lawyer, or any other person acquainted with the logi- cal determination of difficult problems, he cannot fail to see that these admissions furnish the only substantial basis upon which the errors, mistakes, fallacies and misconceptions of hypnotism may be successfully disclosed and corrected. Whoever the reader may be, by whatever scientific or philosophic convictions he may be influenced, he cannot fail to understand and appreciate the following facts, viz.: 1. There is no intention, desire nor disposition on the part of the writer to deny, ignore, evade or minimize any of the relevant and material facts which are in any manner pertinent to the subject under consideration. 2. That an honest and earnest effort will be made to deal with the subject in a fair and impartial manner, and U THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME with courteous consideration for the sensibilities of all those who may hold opinions, beliefs, convictions or prejudices at variance with the results hereinafter obtained. It is hoped that Part I of this volume will command the especial attention and thoughtful consideration of physicians and surgeons, hypnotists and hypnotic students and subjects, investigators and students of psychic phenomena, and all liberal minded and intelligent students and thinkers who are not bound by the subtle power of scientific bigotry, dogmat- ism, prejudice or personal interest. WHAT IS HYPNOTISM? 15 CHAPTER IV. WHAT Is HYPNOTISM? Hypnotism is the process by and through which one per- son called a hypnotist obtains, holds and exercises control of the will, voluntary powers and sensory organism of an- other person called a subject. It also includes the psychic relation which exists between the two persons during the continuance of the hypnotic process. It is well understood in advance that this definition will hardly meet the approval of every hypnotist or writer upon the subject, for reasons which will become more apparent as we proceed. In anticipation of the objections which are likely to be offered against it a clear analysis of its exact meaning will here be given. This is deemed advisable for the reason that it is of first importance to fix in mind the exact scope, as well as the expressed limitations of the definition, before proceeding to a consideration of the subject in chief. The definition involves the following propositions, viz.: 1. A hypnotist controls the Will (as well as the volun- tary powers and sensory organism) of his subject during the continuance of the hypnotic process. 2. Within the meaning of the definition hypnotism in- volves a relationship between at least two persons. 3. One of these persons is in a state of subjection to the Will of the other. Therefore one dominates or controls and the other is dominated or controlled. 4. The limitations of the definition entirely exclude what is commonly known as "Auto-Hypnotism," or "Self- Hypnotism." This particular subject will be considered in another chapter. It will be observed from the foregoing analysis of the definition that no attempt is here made to conform to any of the generally accepted theories of hypnotism heretofore pro- mulgated by our western writers and acknowledged authori- ties. The reader is entitled to know the reason for this seeming disregard of "authority" in a matter of such vital 16 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME importance. It is equally due the writer that he shall not be subject to the charge of discourtesy in the treatment of his theme. In view of all the interests involved, the following brief explanation would seem to be both pertinent and necessary: 1. "Hypnotism" is a word of comparatively modern ori- gin. It was first employed by Dr. Braid, an eminent English author and student of psychic phenomena. It seems to have been adopted by him for the express purpose of marking a distinction between his own theory and that of Mesmer, with whom he disagreed. Those who are familiar with the subject are already aware that Mesmer advocated what is commonly known as the "Magnetic" theory. He endeavored to establish as a scien- tific fact that magnetism is at the basis of all phenomena produced under the process which he invoked, and which afterwards came to be known as "Mesmerism." All his methods of operation, both in the matter of inducing the Mesmeric sleep and in the production of psychic phenomena, were made to conform to his theory of magnetism. Dr. Braid, however, discovered that the condition of arti- ficial sleep may be induced by simply causing the subject to gaze steadily at a bright object, without employing any of the magnetic methods of Mesmer. He therefore concluded that Mesmer was mistaken in assuming that magnetism is at the basis of the process, or, in fact, had anything to do with it. In order to give to his own theory a name which should properly distinguish it from the magnetic theory of Mesmer, he adopted the term "Hypnotism." From that time to the present the word has been in common use, and is now the word most generally employed by all the leading authorities. 2. Since the time of Dr. Braid, however, a flood of light has been thrown upon the subject by the investigations which have been carried on by eminent men of science in both this country and Europe. Many of the facts have been carefully classified in the hope of discovering a fundamental principle underlying all phenomena of a psychic nature. Quite independently, however, it has been known by the WHAT IS HYPNOTISM? 17 School of Natural Science for many centuries that all such phenomena, under whatever name designated, naturally divide themselves into two classes, upon what may be appropriately termed the principle of causation. The first of these two classes includes all such phenomena which are produced while the will of the subject is under control of an operator whom we will name, in accordance with the definition, a hypnotist. The second class is confined to those which occur inde- pendently of hypnotic control. The first class falls strictly within the meaning of the definition at the head of this chapter, while the second is entirely excluded. And this is the exact purpose of the defini- tion. The distinction is of the most vital importance. It goes to the very essence of the subject, and involves a principle which lies at the foundation of all ethics, as well as of life itself. The vital necessity for this distinction will be better under- stood and more fully appreciated when it is recalled that our modern writers and authorities generally seem to have over- looked it entirely, or noted it in such manner as to suggest its lack of importance. 3. The term "Hypnotism," by the indiscriminate manner in which it has been employed, has been made to include both classes of phenomena, as well as the various processes by and through which they are produced. This entire lack of scientific discrimination is more conspicuously noticeable in the writings of our modern western authorities. It must be apparent to every intelligent student whose attention is called to it that such a lack of discrimination is both unscientific and unfortunate. Indeed, the first prerequi- site of all progressive work in the field of exact science is a terminology free from ambiguity. Without this confusion and chaos are inevitable. A single illustration will be sufficient. Suppose, for in- stance, that instead of the words "positive" and "negative," with meanings exactly opposite, our scientists had employed 18 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME but the one word "positive," to express either meaning or both, what would have been the effect upon the science of our age? Or, suppose we employed to-day but a single term to signify "fact," "fiction," "truth," "falsehood" ; is there anyone who could possibly hold that such a substitution would be admissible ? Most assuredly not. Such a course would introduce into our language confusion, ambiguity and contradiction to such an extent as to make scientific expression an impossibility, and destroy the foundation upon which rests all our progress in both ethics and religion. The logic of the situation is beyond all question. The word "Hypnotism" cannot, with propriety, be employed to define two separate, distinct and radically unlike processes. Neither can it be made properly to cover two different classes of phenomena which are the results of wholly different causes. Any attempt to do so must necessarily result in still further intensifying the mysticism in which this subject has already become involved. The question then arises as to the propriety of using the word at all. That is to say, has it become so irrevocably in- volved in uncertainty and confusion as to destroy its avail- ability or usefulness as a scientific term in the future? This is indeed an important question. Any view we may take of it discovers difficulties in our way. We can scarcely hope to avoid them entirely. Our only alternative, therefore, is to overcome them as far as may be possible. In the accomplishment of this result two different methods of procedure suggest themselves, viz.: 1. With perfect consistency we might eliminate the word entirely, upon the theory that its past promiscuous and un- fortunate associations wholly unfit it for service in the future. In this event, however, it would then become neces- sary to invent or adopt other terms and give to them definite scientific meanings. This is never desirable so long as it is possible to avoid such a course. 2. On the other hand, we might continue to employ the WHAT IS HYPNOTISM? 19 term, but in so doing limit its meaning in such manner and to such extent as to divest it of all its present elements of ambiguity and give to it an exact and scientific significance. This latter method would appear to be the least objection- able, all things duly considered, and has therefore been adopted. The term will therefore be employed in this work and its meaning will be limited to the process and the rela- tion involved in the definition at the beginning of this chap- ter. It is therefore important that special note be taken of the limitations referred to. The value and importance of this suggestion will soon become apparent. It is a fact, with which every student who is at all familiar with the literature of the subject is acquainted, that the leading exponents of hypnotism are widely at variance upon almost every essential phase of the subject. They dis- agree in their methods of "inducing" the hypnotic state or condition. They differ widely in their theories as to the nature of the process in operation during the continuance of the hypnotic state. They are at variance as to the forces' employed in hypnotic processes. They cannot agree as to the nature of the relation which exists between the hypnotist and his subject during the continuance of the hypnotic state or condition. They contradict each other in their efforts to define the hypnotic process. And finally, they disagree as to the natural results of hypnotism upon the subject. Indeed, it would appear that they unanimously agree in but a single phase of the subject, namely, in ignoring the fundamental principle of individual life which underlies the entire problem. This statement of their inharmonious views and theories upon the basic principles of the subject is not made in the spirit of criticism. On the contrary, this general confusion and conflict of opinion is interpreted as a most healthful in- dication of future possibilities. It very strongly indicates the spirit of independence in which each investigator has ap- proached his subject, and the strength of purpose with which he has made his investigations. It indicates that each one has entered upon his task fearlessly, unfettered by profes- 20 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME sional ethics and free from the prejudices of conventional thought. It is to be accepted as a guaranty that each has studied such facts as he has been able to discover, and has drawn his independent conclusions from them. If his deduc- tions have been at variance with those of his fellows, he has declared them nevertheless and has done his best to maintain them. In the midst of this general disagreement and the spirit of controversy and criticism which it has developed, whoever shall venture to enter the arena must be prepared to receive or parry the blows and thrusts of many assailants. For, what- ever attitude he may assume, it is safe to predict that he will be compelled either to defend himself or retreat. And so it is anticipated that the hosts who have broken spears and javelins and lances over each other's heads in the battle royal which they have waged among themselves will declare an armistice for the express purpose of punish- ing anyone who may venture to invade the field or enter the lists from a new quarter. In other words, it is here anticipated that the definition of hypnotism at the beginning of this chapter will be re- sented by almost every professional hypnotist and writer upon the subject of hypnotism throughout the country who shall give this work the courtesy of a thoughtful reading. The limitations which have been set about the word, as it is there defined, raise a vital issue with many of the leading western authorities upon the subject. This issue is raised with full knowledge of its importance, and with the delib- erate purpose of pressing it to trial and final judgment before the bar of the reader's best intelligence. It is maintained by some of the leading authorities in our own country, as well as in Europe, that the relation between hypnotist and subject does not involve a question of either domination on the part of the hypnotist or subjection on the part of the subject. By these writers it is held that the will and voluntary powers of the subject are never, at any time, under control of the hypnotist. The direct question to be considered, therefore, is whether WHAT IS HYPNOTISM? 21 a hypnotist, under any circumstances, controls the will or voluntary powers of his subject. By reference back to the definition and to the analysis which follows thereafter, it will be observed that there is no uncertainty as to the position here taken. The purpose of the definition is, in truth, to raise this issue as directly as may be possible. For this reason it is here again declared without qualification that a hypnotist does control the will and voluntary powers of his subject during the continuance of the hypnotic relation established between them. It is at the same time admitted that this declaration raises a vital issue which goes to the very essence of the subject under consideration. The importance of the issue here defined is such that its presentation is reserved for another chapter. 22 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME CHAPTER V. THE DEADLY PARALLEL. Does a hypnotist control the will or voluntary powers of his subject during the continuance of the hypnotic relation? Upon the results of absolute, scientific demonstration it is again declared that he does. Moreover, in so far only as this is true does hypnotism exist at any time. In just so far as the will or voluntary power of the subject is dominated or controlled by the hypno- tist, in just that degree is the process invoked and the rela- tion established hypnotic in character. And conversely, in just so far as the will or voluntary power of an individual is under his own independent control, to that degree is he free from hypnotic control. As previously stated, the School of Natural Science has demonstrated the truth of the foregoing declarations in such manner as to leave not the least possible room for doubt or uncertainty. It would therefore be entirely admissible to rest the case upon their demonstration and throw the burden of proof upon whomsoever may desire to controvert it. This position is not only admissible, but would be equally desirable if it were not for the possibility, as well as the probability, that there may be interested parties who are not prepared to accept the authority of this School as sufficient or its demonstrations as scientifically conclusive. To such as these other evidence would be necessary. For the benefit of any who may, perchance, make such a demand, other evi- dence will be furnished of such a character as to meet the requirements of the most hostile opponent or incredulous skeptic. Under the law of evidence it is held that the "admissions of a party against his own interests" are to be regarded as evidence of the highest character. In practice such evidence is generally considered to be as nearly conclusive as any that can be adduced. For illustration : Suppose a party is on trial charged with THE DEADLY PARALLEL 23 the commission of some public offense. At the trial of the case he is placed on the witness stand and of his own voli- tion admits that the charge against him is true. In such case his free and voluntary admission is held to be evidence of the strongest possible character. This is precisely the character of evidence to be intro- duced upon the question here at issue. Various eminent hyp- notists all over the world have gone upon the witness stand in the trial of this question, and have there voluntarily offered their testimony to the world for what it is worth. They have testified from the standpoint of "parties in interest." They have been publicly accused of the serious offense of practicing a profession and invoking processes which in- volve the control of the will or voluntary powers of their sub- jects. If this accusation is sustained it means slavery of the most unhappy character. The human soul and human reason protest against slavery. Public conscience condemns it. Every moral sentiment or lofty emotion resents it. There- fore these men stand before the world charged with the offense of practicing an art which has for its purpose the enslavement of the souls of their fellow-men. But the crime of which they stand accused before the bar of public con- science is not that of mere physical slavery. It is the slavery of the human soul. It has been necessary for them to defend themselves. The only defense possible in a case of this nature is a general denial of the charge. This defense has been entered by them, and the issue is therefore squarely joined. They deny the charge. In other words, they plead "Not guilty." They allege by way of defense that the processes of hypnotism do not involve the control of the will or voluntary powers of the subject in the least degree. This is the only possible de- fense they could make without seriously jeopardizing their cause at the very outset. Unfortunately, however, for the position they have thus assumed, and with equally good fortune for the cause of truth, they have been compelled to make certain admissions in their testimony which are fatal to their entire cause. It 24: THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME is the purpose of this chapter to call attention to these fatal admissions. It is hoped and believed that this may be done in such manner as to avoid all offense to the sensibilities of those who in good faith have advocated the cause of hypno- tism. To do this the several witnesses will be allowed to tell their stories in their own way, and the reader will be asked to simply note the admissions as the case proceeds. The first witness called is John Duncan Quackenbos, M. D., Professor Emeritus of Columbia University, who is also one of the principal defendants on trial. Prof. Quack- enbos has for many years been considered one of the ablest exponents of hypnotism in all its varied phases in this coun- try. His reputation for both intelligence and honesty seems to be above suspicion. His writings are among the acknowl- edged authorities of our western world, and may be found in our leading public and private libraries. His prominent position as a public educator is one which entitles him to a respectful hearing. His experience covers many years of active practice and demonstration and has been of such a character as to enable him to speak with as much assurance as any defendant in the case. Indeed, his testimony may be regarded as that of an expert, from his point of view. It is due him, as well as his many students and friends all over the country, to state that the moral tone of his writ- ings is above reproach. No one can read his works without a feeling of respect for the man himself, as well as for the order of his intelligence. It is for this very reason, how- ever, that his public utterances upon this question are all the more dangerous. His testimony, here to be presented, is embodied in a work entitled ''Hypnotism in Mental and Moral Culture." This is his most recent work, and therefore represents his best knowledge and most mature judgment upon the question at issue. At page 268 he says : "Will-power has nothing to do with hypnotic suggestion, neither the will-power of the operator nor that of the subject. Paralysis of the will, which is the bete noire of the popular mind, is inconceivable. The mesmerizee (subject) is inspired or empowered, as the case may THE DEADLY PARALLEL 25 be, and works out his own salvation in his own objective life with- out conscious effort of any kind. . . . Above all, he is in no degree subject to another Will." This brief quotation from the concluding chapter of his book is sufficient to clearly define his position upon the par- ticular question here under consideration. It will be ob- served that he unqualifiedly holds that a hypnotist does not control the will or voluntary powers of his subject. It is for this reason that he is made a party defendant. For the same reason he is called as a witness in this case. But while he is on the witness stand we have the right, and it is not only our right but our duty as well, to carefully weigh and consider all the testimony he has offered. In this manner only shall we be able to do him full justice as "a party in interest." The opening sentence of his testimony is at page 3 of the same work and reads as follows: "Hypnotism, or hypnotic sleep, implies a mind condition in which the mental action and the will-power of a sensitive subject are under the control of an operator who has induced the state." Compare this, his definition of hypnotism, with his subse- quent declaration above quoted, that "will-power has nothing to do with hypnotic suggestion, neither the will-power of the operator nor that of the subject." Then lay it down by the side of his further declaration that "above all, he (the subject) is in no degree subject to another will." We are then led to ask what could possibly induce any man of intelligence to voluntarily place himself in so compromising and so equivocal a position before an enlightened and truth-loving public. The importance of these conflicting declarations entitles us to set them in parallel columns for the purpose of more careful analysis and more critical study. Here they are. Examine them carefully: Page 3. "Hypnotism, or hypnotic sleep, implies a mind condition in which the mental action and the will- power of a sensitive subject are under the control of an operator who has induced the state." Page 268. "Will-power has nothing to do with hypnotic suggestion, neither the will-power of the operator nor that of the subject. * * * Above all, he (the subject) is in no degree subject to another will." Again, we are constrained to ask what motive, or double 26 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME motive, could prompt any man of intelligence and moral perception to thus freely and voluntarily impeach, discredit and utterly destroy the value of his own testimony in a mat- ter of such importance to himself as well as to the world in general ? To one whose life and work have made the study of the human mind in all its activities, moods and motives a neces- sity, there is but one answer, namely a conflict between ac- knowledged truth and personal interest. This, however, does not necessarily imply deliberate dishonesty nor intentional deception, for the influence of personal interest is often so powerful in its effect upon the intelligence as entirely to ob- scure the application of the most exact and definite knowl- edge. When the author above quoted took his pen and proceeded to deliver his message to the world he was full of his subject. His long experience and study entitled him to feel that he had acquired something of value to his fellow-men. The spirit of truth and the honest desire to serve mankind prompted him to write. With no particular thought of himself, nor of the necessity for his subsequent vindication, justification or defense, but with a clear consciousness of the truth alone, based upon his own personal and repeated demonstrations, and an untroubled conscience, the first words he penned were these : "Hypnotism, or hypnotic sleep, implies a mind condition in which the mental action and the will-power of a sensitive subject are under the control of an operator who has induced the state." Upon the basis of this (his own definition of hypnotism), which is exact, explicit and true as far as it goes, he then proceeds for more than 250 pages to reiterate, elaborate, elu- cidate and expound the subject of hypnotism in a clear and forceful manner. But when he is almost ready to lay down his pen and say, "It is finished," his attention is called to the fact that the "popular mind" condemns the practice of hyp- notism on the ground that it involves a "paralysis of the will." His intelligence at once recognizes the fact that "paraly- THE DEADLY PARALLEL 27 sis of the will" is a most undesirable achievement. He is therefore compelled, as an honest and intelligent gentleman, to observe that the will and voluntary powers of every intelligent individual constitute the very foundation of his individual responsibility. He knows that individual responsibility is the very corner stone of the entire social and moral structure. It therefore occurs to him that any process, practice or profession which involves a paralysis of the will must be deemed a menace to the individual, and therefore in- imical to the highest interests of society and morals. He therefore feels that his profession and practice, as well as the processes and forces he employs, are under the ban of suspicion. For the time being he forgets the meaning of his definition and realizes only that it is incumbent upon him to defend himself and his profession from the accusing atti- tude of the "popular mind." He sees that there is but one method by which he can do this. That is by an unqualified denial of the justice of pop- ular sentiment and popular judgment. There is nothing left for him to do but reverse them. It is then that he declares with all the earnestness of an injured party that "Paralysis of the will, which is the bete noire of the popular mind, is inconceivable." It is then that personal interest overrides the power of acknowledged truth. For the time being his opening defini- tion and all his work based thereon pass from his memory and their meaning from his consciousness. With all his fac- ulties and powers awake and actively engaged in an effort to combat the "popular mind," he is, for the time being, utterly oblivious to the fact that by his own admissions he stands condemned. Then it is that he pens "The Deadly Parallel." Had he been content to rest his case upon its merit, he would have stood before the world a notable exception, and must then have challenged the admiration of all honest and intelligent men. To fully appreciate the overwhelming manner in which the testimony of this defendant must stand as his own most powerful accuser, it is necessary to read his book through 28 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME from beginning to end. A few brief quotations, however, will be sufficient to illustrate the complete manner in which he has "turned state's evidence" in the case at issue. At pages 5 and 6 he says: "It has long been known that a human being can be thrown into an artificial sleep, during which he sustains such a relation to an operator who has induced it that he is sensitive only to what the operator tells him he is sensitive to, and is wholly subject, so far as his mental operations and physical actions are concerned, to the volition of his hypnotist. A hypnotized person sees, hears, tastes, smells and feels what the operator says that he sees, hears, tastes, smells and feels and nothing else. For the time being his individuality is surrendered to the person who has hypnotized him." . Special attention is called to the admission herein con- tained to the effect that the subject "is wholly subject, so far as his mental operations and physical actions are con- cerned, to the volition of his hypnotist." In this connection also let it be remembered that "volition" is nothing more nor less than the "active Will." Then note the parallel : Page 5. "He is wholly subject, so far as his mental operations and phy- Page 268. "Above all, he is in no degree subject to another will." sical actions are concerned, to the volition of his hypnotist." Comment is unnecessary. Again, at page u, after a most vivid portrayal of the process by which he proceeds to obtain control of his sub- ject, he says: "And in a few moments a profound breath is taken, the lids close, . . . and I know that I have been given possession of that soul for such time as I may prescribe, to do with it what I will." Once more we are compelled to note the parallel : Page 268. "Above all, he is in no degree subject to another will." Page u. "I know that I have been given possession of that soul for such a time as I may prescribe to do with it what I will." And so we might proceed throughout his entire work, and upon almost every page produce cumulative evidence of the same general character. It is only when he finds it neces- sary to meet the accusing attitude of the "popular mind" that he turns from the logic of his own experiments and demonstrations. But the "Deadly Parallel" has done its work. THE DEADLY PARALLEL 29 Much more space and consideration have been given to the testimony of this witness than would otherwise have been done but for the following reasons : i. He is a conspicuous educator of acknowledged ability and a professor in one of the leading universities of the country. 2.. He is a modern writer of the Occidental school, whose interest in the subject under consideration has kept him before the public mind in a most conspicuous manner. 3. So far as known to the writer he is a man of clean moral life and excellent professional standing. 4. He stands as an acknowledged authority upon the subject of hypnotism among his western contemporaries. 5. His long experience as a professional man, together with his many years of active investigation and practice as a hypnotist entitle him to speak with as much assurance as any writer of his time who has written upon this subject. 6. His treatment of the subject under consideration is identical in all its essential features with that of other leading western authorities. 7. The fatal contradictions in which he has involved him- self in his efforts to justify the practice of hypnotism are of the same general nature as are those of every other authority who has denied that the will or voluntary power of the sub- ject is under control of his hypnotist. 8. He therefore stands as a typical defendant in this case, possessing the highest character and attainments, and for these reasons is in position to set up as strong a defense as can be made. With as much brevity as the importance of the subject will admit, the testimony of other authorities will now be pre- sented. From a work entitled "Eastern Manners," by Jameson, the following quotation concerning the effects of the "Evil Eye" as he has chosen to designate the hypnotic gaze is reproduced. He says : "The first effect of the malignant glance is to deprive the indi- viduals subject to it of the capability to exercise their will. They are 30 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME brought under the absolute control of the possessor of the 'Evil Eye.'" There can be no mistaking the meaning of this quotation. It stands as another unqualified admission of the fact that the hypnotist does control the will or voluntary powers of his subject. One of the most useful works of reference, perhaps, to be found, covering this subject, is entitled "Private Instruc- tions in the Science and Art of Organic Magnetism" by Miss Chandos Leigh Hunt, of London, England. This is also a comparatively recent publication. Its special value, in this connection, is in the fact that the author has supplied us with a literal reproduction of the separate and distinct methods or processes employed by some fifty or more of the leading hypnotists, from whose writings she quotes extensively. As plainly as words can be employed in the expression of intelligent ideas, these various authors have only described their differing methods of reaching the same result. But what is the result reached? It is nothing less than the sub- jection of the will or voluntary powers of the subject to the domination and control of the operator, whom we name the "hypnotist." In describing her own method of obtaining such control, she leads to the point at which the subject becomes unable to open his eyes, and then she says: "Being unable to open them by his volition" (which is only another way of saying that he no longer possesses the will or voluntary power to do so), "open his eyes, . . . making him fix his eyes upon yours, and draw him toward you by drawing-passes. He is now con- ti oiled, and you may proceed at once to the production of experimental phenomena." Note the expression, "He is now controlled," etc. There can be no possible mistake as to the meaning of these words. They state the fact in all its simplicity and truth. He is in- deed "controlled." A little further on, at page 31, she says: "When you are operating upon a subject, you must Will that he cannot open his eyes," etc. At page 32 she further says: "The Magnetic-Will must be employed. . . . You will then THE DEADLY PARALLEL 31 be able to draw him towards you, provided you fully express your Witt," etc. More than one hundred similar expressions may be found in her "Instructions," each of which clearly and unqualifiedly indicates but one fixed and definite purpose on the part of the hypnotist, and that is to obtain control of the will or voluntary powers of her subject. The process which she so cleverly describes merely discloses the several objective steps by which this one purpose is accomplished. Dr. Gregory says: "It is necessary to act with a cool, collected mind, and a firm Will, while the patient (subject) is perfectly passive," etc. It is also said of Dr. Darling: "A very large proportion is found, on examination, to be more or less subject to his Will. . . .In like manner he controls the Will, so that the subject is compelled to perform a certain act," etc. Professor Gregory says of Mr. Lewis: "He adds certain gestures and passes, all of which are most deeply imbued with that energetic concentration of the Will which I have never seen so strongly developed," etc. Captain James says: "It is recommended that the operator should concentrate his ener- gies, and earnestly Will" etc. Kluge says: "The Magnetist should make that pass with all the force and continuance of Will, as if pressing strongly upon the patient," etc. Baron Dupotet says: "To establish the art of magnetizing, all then consists in recog- nizing at first the properties (fixed and unalterable) of the Magnetic agent, then all these wherewith we can ourselves invest it by the imprint of our Will. "Directing a continuously fixed look upon a subject with pre- meditated intention, and after some minutes upon another person, it is possible to cause, by strong Will, the subject to become furious against that person. "It is by the immaterial power of the soul that all these faculties are brought into play; it is by this exorbitant Will that man possesses, that he can violently enter, by the energy of his Will, into the soul of another man, and install himself there. . . . The simple Will can profoundly overthrow the physical, intellectual and moral organ- ization of another man." The following definition of hypnotism may be found in Foster's Encyclopaedic Medical Dictionary: "An abnormal state into which some persons may be thrown ... by the exercise of another person's Will; characterized by 32 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME suspension of the Will and consequent obedience to the prompting of 'suggestions' from without." Dr. James R. Cocke, of our own country, in his recent work on the subject of hypnotism, at page 9, says: "Briefly, then, hypnotism may be induced by impressing profoundly the mentality through all the senses. The intellect, the reason, the Will, the emotions, are all children of the senses." Page 12: "I had one man tell me that he did it all for amusement, and that he was not in any way under my control, but I soon convinced him of his mistake by hypnotizing him one day and telling him that he had drunk a number of flies with his cup of coffee, for he im- mediately vomited his whole breakfast/* Page 13: "I have recently made a very curious experiment in order to de- termine whether a person paralysed by hypnotic suggestion would act in the same way as he would if he were paralyzed from organic dis- ease of the brain." Italics supplied by the author. Page 21 : "The hypnotized subject will become physically blind at the op- erator's Will." Page 35 : "The moralists who are careful of human dignity, and who are preoccupied with the thought of such great possibilities of danger, are in the right. They are right to condemn a practice which may rob a man of his free will without the possibility of resistance on his part; they would be a thousand times right if the remedy were not side by side with the evil." Particular attention is called to the admission that the practice of hypnotism is one "which may rob a man of his free will without the possibility of resistance on his part." This confesses all that has been claimed thus far. The con- cluding clause of the quotation which suggests that a remedy is "side by side with the evil," involves an assumption, pure and simple, which the following pages will fully demonstrate. Dr. Luys, of the Charity Hospital of Paris, in his Clinical Lectures, says: "You can not only oblige this defenseless being (hypnotized sub- ject), who is incapable of opposing the slightest resistance, to give from hand to hand anything you choose, but you can also make him sign a promise, draw up a bill of exchange, or any kind of agree- ment. You can make him write an holographic will (which accord- ing to the French law, would be valid), which he will hand over to you, and of which he will never know the existence. He is ready THE DEADLY PARALLEL 33 to fulfill the minutest legal formalities, and will do so with a calm, serene and natural manner, which would deceive the most expert law officers. The somnambulist will not hesitate either, you may be sure, to make a denunciation, or bear false witness. They are, I repeat, the passive instruments of your Will" Prof. De Lawrence, in his recent work on "Hypnotism," says: Page 77 : "There is a way in which a shrewd hypnotist can succeed in putting people under the influence who really do not care to be hypnotized." Page 78: "The author has, during his years of experience, discovered and successfully used a method by which he has succeeded in hypnotizing a great many people against their will, who had never been operated on before." Page 79: "You can then proceed by a few well chosen suggestions to put him dead asleep and induce somnambulism or trance in the regular way. He will ever afterwards be your subject if you understand your business in giving post-hypnotic suggestions." To the same general effect the testimony of other witnesses of equal professional standing might be continued indefinitely. The writer here asserts, without the least fear of contradic- tion, that there is not a single acknowledged authority on the subject of hypnotism but will furnish evidence of the same general tenor and effect as that here submitted. The reader is asked to specially note this statement. It is of the most vital importance for the reason that it makes every hypnotist a witness against hypnotism. An exhaustive research through the literature of the subject will establish the truth of the declaration here made and fully justify the posi- tion here taken. It now remains to close the case with the testimony of wit- nesses who are able to speak from a definite knowledge based upon absolute personal experiences which are above and be- yond the power of controversy. These witnesses are hyp- notic subjects in whose behalf this work is presented to the world. These are the most important of all the "parties in interest" and are therefore entitled to be heard. The first witness of this character is a colored boy of twenty years who was the unhappy and unwilling victim of 34 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME one of the leading professional hypnotists of this country whose name is familiar to almost every student of the subject. It is a fact with which every professional hypnotist is familiar, that the colored race is peculiarly susceptible to hyp- notic influence. Colored people, both men and women, make excellent subjects for experimental purposes. The young man whose experience is offered in evidence, lived in one of our southern cities. His first hypnotic experi- ence was at a public entertainment given by the hypnotist with whom he afterwards traveled. He was called to the platform from the audience for the purpose of experimenta- tion. He was assured that he would not be injured in any way and that the process was entirely harmless. After much persuasion, in which some of his friends joined, he finally consented to go upon the platform and submit to the test. He proved to be a most susceptible subject, and upon the second or third trial was completely hypnotized. Under the hypnotic spell he was made to furnish entertainment for his friends and proved a valuable acquisition to his hypnotist. A proposition was made to him the next day to travel and submit to hypnotic tests whenever required. He refused to go on any terms whatever. But he attended another enter- tainment, and was again hypnotized. After that day he was the helpless instrument of the man who had thus dethroned his will. When the hypnotist left the city the colored boy went with him. For the first few weeks he was kept under hypnotic control much of the time in order to overcome his lingering desire to return to his home and parents. For a period of two years he was the helpless instrument under the control of the relentless will of his hypnotist. At last his mind gave way under the strain and he became a raving maniac. In this condition he was carried to an asy- lum, and, so far as the writer knows, is still an inmate of that institution. The next witness is a young man of Swedish parentage, who was induced under similar circumstances to first submit himself to a public test. He fell an easy victim to hypnotic influences. In a similiar manner he was compelled to fol- THE DEADLY PARALLEL 35 low the fortunes of an unscrupulous hypnotist and submit himself to public tests whenever required. The writer chanced to attend one of the public entertain- ments at which this young man was subjected to the most cruel and inhuman treatment it has ever been his misfortune to witness. The next day, through an unexpected incident, the writer and the young man were brought together under conditions which made it possible to obtain the facts here narrated. The young man pleaded for help to break the spell which bound him as the helpless slave of an unscrupulous master. His story pictured each day as a living hell. Many times he tried to run away and conceal himself. He had even tried to commit suicide to escape the mental clutches of his tormentor. Every effort for liberty only bound the chains of hypnotic in- fluence more securely upon him. As he told the story his face blanched with fear and his body shook with suppressed agony. In his eyes was the look of the hunted deer. He seemed to realize that his very soul was slowly but surely being consumed by the strange power which had overwhelmed all his voluntary faculties and powers. He too became a mental wreck inside of eighteen months from the time of his first hypnotic subjection, and was abandoned by the man who had wrecked his life, but by mere chance was found by relatives and cared for by them. The third witness is a young and beautiful girl whose life was full of brightness and promise until the fateful day when she first submitted to the seductive charm of the hyp- notic trance. She was exhibited for three days upon the stage in her country town and then left home, friends and loved ones to follow the man who had overthrown her powers of resistance. Insanity and suicide ended the earthly career of this beautiful girl, and her murderer is still per- mitted to practice his black art upon others equally ignorant and equally innocent. These are but three of the many witnesses of this class whose testimony is unanswerable. Comment is unnecessary. These three speak for the multitudes. They do not theorize 36 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME nor speculate nor argue. They speak with absolute authority. There is none who dares dispute them. They testify from a personal experience. Their testimony is conclusive. What hypnotic control has done for these three it will do for as many more as submit to its influence under similar con- ditions. The fact that it has overthrown the will and volun- tary powers of but a single individual is sufficient to discredit the testimony of all the so-called "authorities" whose obser- vations and speculations have led them to declare that such results are impossible or "inconceivable." The reader is asked to note the fact that among all the authorities who have arrayed themselves upon the defense, not one is able to speak from the standpoint of exact and defi- nite knowledge. Their testimony invariably takes the form of argumentation or disputation. Not one is able to say, "I know." As a typical illustration, attention is called to the work of Thomson Jay Hudson, LL. D., entitled "The Law of Psychic Phenomena." This author devotes an entire chapter of twenty closely written pages to the subject of "Hypnotism and Crime." His purpose is to show, among other things, the "utter impossibility of victimizing virtue and innocence by means of hypnotism." He takes the position that it is impossible for a hypnotist to so far control the will of his subject as to compel him to do that which he knows, or conscientiously believes to be wrong. He then lays down a number of suppositions and with these suppositions as a premise proceeds to an elaborate argument in which he endeavors to sustain his position. His argument is ingenious and interesting, from the stand- point of mere speculation, but, after all, it is nothing but an argument. Moreover, it is an argument which is entirely an- swerable even from the basis of his own premises. Aside from this, however, it cannot stand in the face of facts dem- onstrated. Under the relentless logic of personal experience and personal demonstration it must yield to the immutable law of gravity and fall to the ground. Let it be remembered that the definite purpose of this THE DEADLY PARALLEL 37 chapter is to establish in the mind of the reader one funda- mental fact, and one only, namely that a hypnotist does control the will or voluntary powers of his subject during the continuance of the hypnotic relation. The establishment of this fact is here based upon three distinct and separate lines of direct evidence either of which, under all the rules for determining the value of testimony, would be deemed sufficient in law, even though it stood alone and unsupported. These three lines of evidence are as follows : 1. The absolutely positive, definite and uncontroverted testimony of the School of Natural Science, based upon the most exact, personal and scientific demonstration. 2. The voluntary, public admissions of hypnotists them- selves, whose profession, practice and personal interest have together impelled them to take the witness stand in their own defense. These admissions, upon examination, are found to be of the most positive and unqualified character, and coming as they do from the defendants on trial, must be regarded as evidence of the most conclusive character. 3. The evidence of hypnotic subjects whose ruined lives and shattered reason tell the story of the despotic master and his helpless victim, with a force and pathos which punct- ure every sophistry and silence all ridicule. By the authority and sanction of Natural Science, by the voluntary, public admissions of hypnotists themselves, by the wrecked lives and dethrono4 reason of hypnotic subjects, and finally, by the personal demonstrations and definite knowledge of the writer, it is declared as an indisputable and a demon- strable fact that a hypnotist does control the will and volun- tary powers, as well as the sensory organism of his subject during the continuance of the hypnotic relation. In like manner it is again declared that hypnotism is the process by and through which a hypnotist obtains, holds and exercises control of the will, voluntary powers and sensory organism of his subject, and only in s far as such control exists is the process hypnotic. 38 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME CHAPTER VI. MAN AND His Two ORGANISMS. No adequate conception of the true nature of hypnosis is possible until the threefold nature of man is understood and appreciated as a scientific proposition. This subject has been fully and carefully presented in "Harmonics of Evolution" (Volume I, of this series), chapter III, to which the reader is referred for full and complete data. The following extracts from that work are here reproduced as the basis of our pres- ent analysis. Vol. I, p. 39, et seq. : "Man is composed of body, spirit and soul. This means that man has a physical body and a spiritual body which are controlled and operated by the highest entity, the intelligent ego, the soul. The physical body is composed of physical matter. The particles which are coarse in texture move at a correspondingly low rate of vibratory action. The physical body is provided with physical sensory organs. Nature has conditioned these organs to receive and register the vibra- tions of physical matter only. These vibrations are registered upon the physical brain, through which instrument they become cog- nizant to the intelligent soul. By aid of these organs the intelligent ego or soul becomes cognizant of different external, physical objects, elements and conditions. The recognition by the ego of these exter- nal, physical objects, elements and conditions constitutes what we term physical sensation. Each of the physical organs of sensation receives and registers a different range of vibration. "Through the operation of these several physical organs, each one registering a different range of vibration, the intelligent ego is brought into conscious relations with a very wide range of vibratory activity of physical matter. "It must now be clear that the physical sensory organs are adapted to receive and register only the vibrations of physical matter. It must also be clear that they are adapted to receive only a limited range of physical vibrations. "The spiritual body of a man is composed of 'spiritual material.' That is, of matter much finer than the finest physical matter, and moving at a higher rate of vibration than the finest particles of physical matter moving at their highest possible rate. The spiritual body permeates the physical and constitutes the model upon which physical matter integrates. The spiritual body, like the physical, is provided with five sensory organs. They are adapted to receive and register vibrations of spiritual matter only; that is, of matter lying upon the same plane of vibratory action as the spiritual body itself. By the aid of these organs the intelligent ego becomes cognizant of different external, spiritual objects, elements and conditions. The MAN AND HIS TWO ORGANISMS 39 recognition by the ego of these objects, elements and conditions con- stitutes what we term spiritual sensation. Each one of the spiritual sensory organs receives and registers a different range of vibration. "By use of these spiritual organs, each registering a different range of vibratory activity upon the spiritual plane, the intelligence or soul is brought into conscious relation with a very wide range of vibrations of spiritual material. "These spiritual organs register the vibrations of spiritual material only. They are also limited in their capacity on the spiritual plane in a manner analogous to the limitations of the physical senses. "That which is important in this connection is the fact that the spiritual sensory organs do not register the vibrations of physical matter. "It now becomes possible to conceive of two planes of matter, life and intelligence, correlated yet separated by apparently impassable barriers. This knowledge explains how matter upon one plane is invisible and intangible to intelligence upon another. It explains how sound on one plane is silence on the other; how the light of one plane is darkness upon the other. "The earth man is, therefore, the inhabitant and operator of two distinct instruments for the uses of his intelligence. Each performs functions peculiar to its own plane of matter. Neither body is more than a mere vehicle for the uses of the operating ego. Both are important. Both are indispensable to the soul seeking knowledge of itself and its environment." In the light of this analysis it would appear that Paul knew what he was talking about when he declared to the Corin- thians in such exact and unqualified terms that: "There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." (I Cor., 15, 44.) It is also evident that Christ fully understood the rela- tion of these two bodies to the third and highest element in the triune nature of man when he asked the searching and vital question: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark, 8, 36.) From the foregoing analysis it will be understood that the physical body is but a coarser duplicate of the spiritual, and that each and every physical organ has its spiritual duplicate. There is a spiritual brain as well as a physical brain. There is a spiritual organ of sight as well as a physical one. There are spiritual organs of touch, taste, smell and hearing, just as there are physical organs of these several senses. In other words, for each separate physical organ of the brain there is a corresponding spiritual one. This being a scientific fact, 40 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME it will not be difficult to understand its natural corollary, which is, that under given conditions the intelligent soul which owns and operates these separate organisms may re- ceive impressions through either set of its sensory organs. But man in the physical body is generally so conditioned that his intelligence operates far more consciously through the physical organism than it does through the spiritual. Just why this is true is not so much a matter of importance at this time as the fact that it is one of the provisions of nature with which science must deal in its solution of the question here under consideration. It is also a fact that wherever this condition obtains the individual is concerned with and absorbed in the impressions which reach his consciousness from the physical world only. The action of the spiritual organism, however, is not entirely suspended, as might be inferred. It is merely obscured or covered up, as it were, by that condition of nature which fixes the attention upon the physical plane. But even in this condition the spiritual organism some- times conveys its impressions in a dim way to the con- sciousness of the individual, and when it does so we call them "intuitions." The following illustration may serve to present the facts and the principle more clearly to mind: Go into one of the large, steel manufacturing establish- ments of the country while the machinery is in full operation and there attempt to carry on a conversation with a person twenty feet distant from you. However much you may both exert yourselves you will be unable to hear a word he. says. The noise of the machinery and the general confusion of the factory will make it impossible. His voice is drowned in the general uproar and fails to make a sufficiently strong impres- sion upon your consciousness to be recognized with distinct- ness. You are too busily engaged with the various and con- flicting impressions made upon your consciousness by the thunder, clang and turmoil of the factory. But the sound of the voice is there, just the same. More than this, it even makes an impression upon your sensory or- MAN AND HIS TWO ORGANISMS 41 ganism. Why, then, do you not recognize the fact? It is only because your consciousness is so preoccupied with the more intense impressions of the louder noises of the fac- tory, for the time being, that you fail to distinguish the sound of the voice. In a somewhat analogous manner the average man seems to be shut out and away from all conscious touch with the spiritual world. But this is only a seeming condition, for it is not true in fact. He is merely so absorbed, for the time being, in the more intense impressions which reach his con- sciousness through the physical senses that the spiritual do not impress themselves upon him with sufficient relative force to be so identified or distinguished by him. Carrying the illustration still further, it is an interesting fact that a worker in the steel factory, in course of time, trains his sense of hearing to distinguish the sound of the human voice even in the midst of the din and blast of the factory which at first made such a thing impossible. The question naturally arises as to how he acquires this remark- able power. The answer is simple. It is necessary for him to communicate with his fellow workmen in some manner. The only adequate means of com- munication with which he is familiar is the sound of the hu- man voice. In the midst of the noise of the factory, therefore, he must still depend upon his sense of hearing and upon its ability to distinguish the sound of the human voice. He un- consciously begins a course of systematic training to accom- plish the desired result. He may be, and generally is, wholly ignorant of the law involved. But, "Necessity is the mother of invention," and without knowing it he begins to train his ear to the new condition of things. His attention is constantly fixed upon the thing to be ac- complished. His consciousness gradually responds. By the continued exercise of his conscious faculties and powers he slowly but surely learns to differentiate between the impres- sions which the various noises make upon his consciousness. In course of time and constant training his power of percep- tion is intensified until the human j/oice once more distinctly 42 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME registers its impressions, and to his trained consciousness stands out fully distinguishable from the general turmoil of his environment. He has simply developed his power of at- tention to the thing desired until his consciousness responds to the new demands thus made upon it. By a method which is somewhat analogous to this it is possible for anyone who possesses the necessary Intelligence, Courage and Perseverance and the right desire, together with the time, opportunity and proper instruction, to accus- tom his consciousness to take note of the impressions which are being constantly registered upon it through the spiritual sensory organs. (It may not be out of place to here suggest that the devel- opment of this subject, together with an exposition of the laws, principles and processes involved, is reserved for an- other volume of this series.) But while man is in touch with his fellow man upon the physical plane and with the plane of physical nature gener- ally, his attention is absorbed upon that plane. He does not feel the" necessity for employing other means or using other channels of communication. In most instances he does not even know that they exist. And so long as there is no abso- lute necessity for the development of the finer senses he con- tinues to be absorbed with those more familiar to him. Just so long as his attention is thus confined to a plane of exist- ence entirely below that of the spiritual his consciousness dis- tinguishes nothing higher than the plane of his attention. Other illustrations concerning the physically blind and deaf might be given which would carry the principle still further, but this is a digression which would distract atten- tion from the distinct subject now under consideration. HYPNOTISM AND THE THREE BRAINS 43 CHAPTER VII. HYPNOTISM AND THE THREE BRAINS. The threefold nature of man, body, spirit and soul, consti- tutes the fundamental fact from which it is possible to ob- tain a rational understanding of hypnotism in its physiological, pathological and psychological aspects. The physical brain is the primary physical organ of the Soul or essential Intelligence. It is the central organic in- strument by and through which the individual intelligence re- ceives impressions from the outside world of physical nature. It is also the physical instrument first employed by the in- telligent soul in communicating its impressions, ideas and thoughts to other intelligences. Whatever affects the intelligent faculties, capacities and powers of the soul from the purely physical plane is neces- sarily related to the central physical organ of the soul the physical brain. Any adequate understanding of the physiological action of hypnosis, therefore, calls for definite knowledge of the relation of the hypnotic process to the physical brain itself. This opens a broad subject of the most profound and absorbing interest. Its complete exposition would require a volume in itself. The purpose and limitations of this work, however, forbid more than a very brief outline of the subject, leaving the interested student to complete his purely physiological studies by an examination of the standard works upon that particular branch of the subject here under consideration. The outline here given will nevertheless be sufficient, it is hoped, to disclose some of the popular fallacies in which the subject of hypnotism has become involved. By the term brain, as here employed, is meant that part of the central nervous organism which is inclosed within the cavity of the human skull. This organ of the intelligence is divided into three distinct parts. For the purpose of this work these three distinct parts or general divisions consti- 44 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME tute three distinct and separate brains which, according to scientific nomenclature, are designated as follows : 1. Medulla Oblongata. This, to the uninstructed ob- server, would appear to be little more than the enlarged upper end of the spinal cord. It lies just inside the opening through which the spinal cord enters the skull at its base. It is some- what in the form of a pyramid, and is about one and one- fourth inches long by one inch broad at its broadest part, It is continuous with the spinal cord below, and seems to be nothing more than an extension of it. It is connected above with both the other brains by a bridge of nervous tissues, technically known as the Pons VaroliL 2. Cerebellum, or little brain. This brain occupies the lower back portion of the skull cavity, somewhat back of the Medulla. It is connected with the Medulla and also the upper brain by the bridge above named. 3. Cerebrum, or great brain. This brain entirely fills all the front and upper parts of the skull cavity and is known as the intellectual brain. It is connected below with both the other brains by the same bridge of nervous tissues above re- ferred to. Each of these three brains is divided into two parts, right and left. In the Cerebrum and Cerebellum these two halves are called hemispheres or lobes. For a full and complete de- scription and illustration of these organs, together with special information as to their anatomy and physiology, the reader is referred to any standard, modern work on these subjects. For the sake of easy reference the three brains will be hereinafter designated in the order above mentioned, as the primary, secondary and third brains, the Medulla being desig- nated as the primary, the Cerebellum as the secondary and the Cerebrum as the third brain. This sequence is adopted for the reason that it repre- sents the exact order in which Nature has evolved the animal brain. That is to say, the lowest forms of animal life, such for instance as the mollusk, have only the primary brain. This is found to be but an enlarged terminal section of a cen- HYPNOTISM AND THE THREE BRAINS 45 tral nerve cord. To this extent it is analogous to the central nerve organism of man minus the second and third brains. As might be anticipated, the intelligence manifested through such a brain is of the lowest type and the most limited in its scope and operation. It seems to be confined almost entirely to the one line of activity which has to do with the struggle for nutrition. Even here in this narrowly limited field of operation, it seems to be little more than a reflex of the purely physical demand for food. It seeks its nourishment with little more evidence of an individualized intelligence than is manifest in the sunflower when it turns its face to the sun- light. It seems to operate almost as an automatic instrument under the control of natural law, as if it were so impelled by the great Universal Intelligence which lies back of all life. Ascending the scale of animal life in the order of evolu- tionary development, the second brain is slowly evolved. In proportion as this fact is accomplished the individualizing of intelligence is evidenced. The range of its activity is en- larged. The number and nature of the animal demands in- crease and become more and more complex. But still the character of intelligence is such as to suggest that its opera- tions are much more nearly a mere reflex of the operation of natural law than the result of individual intelligence operating independently. Nature continues this process of brain evolution until the third, or intellectual brain, makes its appearance in higher forms of animal life. This third brain reaches its climax of development in the highest type of human life. While there are many species below the level of human life in which the third brain is present in varying degrees of development, yet in man it finds its highest proportional development. The nascent or slumbering intelligence of the lower animal becomes the wakeful, self-conscious, rational and voluntary power in man. These facts of physical science are of fundamental impor- tance to a clear understanding of what occurs when a human being is subjected to the blighting power of hypnotic control. They will be more fully considered in that connection. A 46 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME further study of the anatomy and physiology of the three hu- man brains would develop many other facts of interest and value, but the limitations of this work exclude a more ex- tended inquiry in this direction. The science of phrenology is based on the hypothesis that each faculty or capacity of the human mind manifests itself through a special organ of the brain. This is evidenced in so many different ways that it has come to be generally ac- cepted as a scientific fact. It is upon this basis that the dif- ferent sections of the human brain have been assigned to dif- ferent mental characteristics and activities. While it is con- ceded that phrenology is, as yet, very far from being an exact science, it is nevertheless an undoubted fact that, in a general sense, its groupings of the organs of the brain are correct. Surgery has in recent years demonstrated the correctness of the phrenological hypothesis. It has definitely traced the action of various organs of the body to certain specific areas in the cortex of the brain. It has even platted the surface of the brain in such manner as to show what portions are directly related in their action to the various organs of the body. Following this line of suggestion it is a fact which science has come to recognize, that those particular convolutions of the third brain through which we exercise our perceptive faculties and rational powers are located in the front portion of the upper brain cavity just above and back of the eyes. That is to say, the organs through which we perceive physical form, size, weight, color, locality, number, order, events, time, tune, language, causality and exercise the power of reason, all lie within a comparatively small space mainly above and just back of the eyes. These are the organs which give promi- nence and elevation to the forehead of man as compared with that of the animal. It is important to note the fact that through the action of these perceptive organs we come into intelligent and rational touch with the outside or objective world. Because of this these are also frequently, and very aptly, designated as the "objective faculties" of the mind. It is through these that Mr. Hudson's "Objective Mind" operates. Through these the HYPNOTISM AND THE THREE BRAINS 4T purely intellectual processes of the mind find expression. When we observe a physical object, note its form, size, weight and color, and then compare it with other objects with which we are familiar, and reason upon its probable composition, purpose and value, we are making use of our objective, per- ceptive, and rational faculties and powers through these or- gans. That portion of the skull cavity just above and back of these perceptive or objective organs of the mind is supposed to contain the particular convolutions of the brain through which the emotional nature of man mainly finds expression. Those convolutions of the brain which occupy the posterior portion of the third brain cavity are in some way related to the physical appetites, passions and desires. The chief function of the second or middle brain thus far specifically identified by physical science is that of co-ordinat- ing the motions of the physical body. By this is meant that process by and through which the entire body, as a single instrument, is brought under control of the individual will. For instance : In the process of walking many individual muscles are brought into action. The power of the will to so co-ordinate the action of all the different muscles as to direct the body, as a whole, in the desired manner, is referable to the second brain. Among the most important functions of the primary brain (the Medulla), thus far fully identified by physical science, attention is called to the following: 1. It acts as a conductor of both motor and sensory im- pressions from all parts of the body. 2. It constitutes a reflex center for numerous special nerves governing respiration, circulation, deglutition, the voice, etc. In view of that which follows, it is of special interest to recall the historic fact that among the ancients the primary brain, now known to science as the Medulla Oblongata, was believed to be the seat of the soul. A study of the physiology of hypnotism will disclose the interesting fact that this ancient belief was not wholly without foundation. 48 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME Although the foregoing is but a mere suggestion of the anatomy and physiology of the human brain, all too brief and incomplete, yet it may serve to furnish the foundation for a more definite understanding of the physiological action of the forces, activities and processes involved in the exercise of hypnotic control. PHYSIOLOGY OF HYPNOTISM 49 CHAPTER VIII. THE PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY OF HYPNOTISM. It is important to bear in mind that there are all shades and degrees of hypnosis, ranging from the lightest form of hypnotic influence through all the deepening stages to the most profound state of complete functional suspension of the phys- ical organism. In the incipient stages the subject appears to be almost entirely conscious of all that is transpiring about him on the physical plane. But as the state is intensified he gradually loses control of his independent faculties and capacities as well as his voluntary powers, and his impressions from the outside, physical world about him. In the deeper state of complete lethargy or catalepsy his consciousness is wholly out of touch with his physical sensory organism. In this condition he be- comes an automatic instrument under the control of the op- erator's will. What physiological transformation or psychic inversion has occurred to produce this abnormal condition ? Science has been able to demonstrate that the primary physiological action of the hypnotic process is registered upon the physical brain of the subject. Moreover, it operates upon the physical brain in the reverse order of its evolutionary de- velopment. That is to say, its first apparent effects are regis- tered upon the third or intellectual brain, its deeper effects upon the secondary brain and its final effects upon the primary brain, or Medulla Oblongata. More than this, it is also found that the process has its in- ception in the extreme front portion of the third brain in the region of the physical organs of perception. Thence, as the hypnotic state deepens, it sweeps backward through the third brain, downward through the second brain, and in its final stages is communicated to the primary brain. Every student of hypnotism is more or less familiar with the data bearing upon this phase of the subject, and will rec- 50 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME ognize their meaning and value as they are presented in this connection, as follows: 1. One of the most invariable manifestations which fol- low the inception of the hypnotic process is the inability of the subject to control the objective and perceptive faculties of the mind. His physical sensory organism becomes con- fused in its reports from the objective world of physical na- ture. The subject begins to receive mixed and imperfect im- pressions. But when these impressions are analyzed they are found to be a composite of those received through the physical sen- sory organs from his physical environment, and those which are produced by the mental impulses of the operator's will. To these are also often added the results of imagination. This clearly indicates that the hypnotic process interferes with the natural action of those organs of the physical brain through which the objective and perceptive faculties of the mind op- erate. 2. As the hypnotic condition is intensified those convolu- tions of the third brain which lie immediately above and back of the eyes pass into a state of complete anaesthesia, or tem- porary paralysis. As a natural result the voluntary percep- tion of the objective, physical world is destroyed. Conscious- ness is driven backward from the objective and rational plane. The will of the operator comes into partial control of the channels through which the consciousness of the subject is reached upon the spiritual plane. However remarkable this statement may appear to the un- initiated, it is nevertheless susceptible of scientific demonstra- tion. There are many collateral evidences of its truth with which every student of the subject is already familiar For illustration : When this stage of hypnosis has been at- tained the operator is able to produce many and various effects upon the consciousness of his subject by simple impulses of his will. In the language of no less an authority than Prof. John Duncan Quackenbos, of Columbia University, "He (the hypnotized subject) is sensitive only to what the operator tells him he is sensitive to, and is wholly subject, so far as PHYSIOLOGY OF HYPNOTISM 51 his mental operations and physical actions are concerned, to the volition of his hypnotist. He sees, hears, tastes, smells and feels what the operator says that he sees, hears, tastes, smells and feels and nothing else. For the time being, his individuality is surrendered to the person who has hypnotized him." The operator, for instance, wishes the subject to obtain the impression that he is giving him an apple to eat. Al- though the physical eyes of the subject are wide open and ap- parently looking straight at the object, instead of an apple the operator hands him a piece of wood, or a book, or substi- tutes any other object which happens to be handy. The sub- ject invariably accepts whatever is given him under the impres- sion that it is an apple, and unless restrained will proceed to eat it, or endeavor to do so, and will manifest every evidence of perfect satisfaction in the process. The physical sensory organs being in a state of anaesthesia, or temporary paralysis, convey no impression whatever to his consciousness. How, then, does he receive the impression of the apple, if not through the physical sensory organs? The answer is that it is projected upon his consciousness by the mental impulse of the hypnotist, through the spiritual sensory organs of the subject. In this condition the spiritual sensory organism of the subject is within the power and under the domination and control of the operator's will, and as an automatic instrument responds to its impulses. One phase of this experiment might appear, at first view, to contradict this statement. For instance, it will be observed that the operator speaks to the subject just as he would do if the subject were wide awake and in full possession of all his physical senses. He tells him in spoken words which anyone in the room might hear, that the object he presents to him is an apple. The subject also acts just as he might be expected to do if he had heard the spoken words through the medium of his physical sensory organs of hearing. The natural presumption, therefore, would be that he did so hear them. Such, however, is not the case wherever hypnosis has reached the stage here referred to. 52 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME A simple illustration will be sufficient to prove the accu- racy of this statement. Let the subject's physical ears be completely muffled in such manner as to entirely shut out all physical sound of the operator's voice. Repeat the experiment under these conditions and it will be found that the subject will hear just the same and will obtain exactly the same im- pression as before. Or, reverse the process. Instead of muffling the sub- ject's physical ears to shut off the physical sound of the opera- tor's voice, let a dozen or more of the spectators present (or a hundred for that matter) create all the noise and confusion possible. Let them carry this to a point where it is impossi- ble for anyone in the room to hear a word the operator says. Under these conditions repeat the experiment. It will be found that exactly the same results will obtain. The physical noise which would otherwise drown the operator's voice will have not the least effect upon the subject. He will seemingly hear every word the operator says and will implicitly obey his every command. Or, again : When the hypnotist has acquired complete con- trol of all the channels through which the consciousness of the subject is approached, he may convey the same impression without an audible word. In this case it is not even necessary for him to present to the subject a physical object of any kind. A simple impulse of the will is sufficient. Every one who is at all familiar with the processes of tel- epathy will understand how it is possible to convey an exact impression, or thought, or impulse of the will, to the con- sciousness of another quite independently of the physical senses. Independent telepathy, however, must not be con- fused with the hypnotic process, for it is no more related to hypnotism than it is to the ordinary process of telegraphy. It should be remembered that an impulse of the mind for- mulated in a thought is a wholly different thing from the words in which that thought is clothed. It requires the spoken words to convey an exact thought from one mind to another through the instrumentality of the physical auditory nerve. In like manner, it requires the printed letters and PHYSIOLOGY OF HYPNOTISM 53 words to convey the thought of a writer to the mind of his reader through the agency of the physical optic nerve. Al- though words are necessary in both instances, nevertheless, the words themselves do not constitute the thought in either case. They do not even constitute any part of the thought. In the first instance they are merely a combination of phys- ical sounds so arranged and modulated as to convey to the listener's consciousness through his physical sense of hearing the thought in the mind of the speaker. In the other they are only a set of physical signs so arranged as to convey the same thought from one mind to another through the phys- ical sense of sight. In both cases they are simply used as instruments or vehicles for carrying thoughts from one intel- ligence to another. Moreover, it is a scientific fact which anyone may demon- strate in course of time, under proper instruction, that the impulse of the human soul formulated into a definite thought is a force. This force, under proper conditions, may be im- pressed upon the consciousness of another intelligent soul without the aid of words either spoken, written or printed. This may be done without the use of the physical sensory or- gans at all. It may be accomplished through spiritual agencies exclusively. And the channels through which this may be accomplished are the spiritual sensory organs which are an- alogous to the physical sensory organs in both number and character, except that they operate upon a higher plane of refinement and vibratory activity. This is precisely what occurs in that stage of hypnosis above referred to. The physical sensory organism is, for the time being, completely paralyzed. It conveys no impressions whatever to the imprisoned consciousness of the subject. In this condition his spiritual sensory organism becomes a mere instrument under the control of the hypnotist's will. All the channels of ingress to the subject's consciousness, there- fore, are under control of the operator, who is, for the time being, an absolute censor, possessing unlimited authority and power. Complete fascination or enchantment of the sub- ject's consciousness is the result. He sees nothing, hears 54 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME nothing, feels nothing; is, in fact, conscious of nothing what- soever save the dominating presence and power of his hyp- notist's will. A careful study and analysis of this condition of the sub- ject and of the relation which his consciousness sustains to the will of the operator will reveal many of the seeming mys- teries of hypnotic control. For instance, the hypnotic subject in the deep lethargic condition is insensible to physical pain. In this condition the most painful surgical operations may be performed upon him without the least indication of physical suffering. What physiological action or condition is responsible for this startling result? The answer is, paralysis of the physical sensory organism, by means of which the channels of con- sciousness upon the physical plane are entirely cut off. The question has also been often asked by hypnotists them- selves, why it is that in this condition the subject invariably accepts without question every suggestion or impression com- ing to his consciousness from the mind of the hypnotist. Often the operator has been surprised to find that his unex- pressed thoughts and impulses have been indelibly impressed upon the consciousness of his subject. For instance, the author above quoted, at page 269 of his recent work on hyp- notism says: "I have often been startled by having patients tell me days after hypnotization of feelings and incentives to action of which I had said nothing, but which I knew to be in the background of my conscious- ness at the time of treatment." It is worth while to pause and contemplate for a moment what must have been the results had the impulses and in- centives to action "in the background" of the operator's con- sciousness at the time of treatment been of a vicious and immoral character. This phase of the subject will explain one of the most common fallacies of hypnotists who claim to have made many experiments which tend to show that a subject cannot be impelled by hypnotic processes to commit a crime. The experiments, when fully understood, prove the exact reverse of the claim they make. PHYSIOLOGY OF HYPNOTISM 65 For instance, the average experiment is something as follows : The subject is first hypnotized. He is then strongly impressed with the "suggestion" that a certain person in the audience has deeply wronged him and deserves to be killed. He is then given a knife and commanded to kill the person so designated. He proceeds to carry out the command. He even carries it to the point of stealthily approaching the vic- tim and raising the knife over him. But he will not strike the fatal blow. Why is this? Why does he stop at this critical point in the experiment? In the light of the facts above stated, the answer is simple. The subject is impelled by the real motive and intention in the mind of his hypnotist, and not by the spoken word of command. In this condition and relation words mean noth- ing to the subject, unless they convey the real intent of the soul that projects them. In fact, the subject does not hear the words of command at all. He receives only the conscious intent of his hypnotist. In other words, a hypnotist cannot possibly project a mur- derous intent or impulse unless he actually feels it. He can- not inspire his subject to commit a murder unless he has murder in his own soul. As the author above quoted very aptly expresses it, he cannot project the impulse of murder upon his subject unless there is "in the background" of his own consciousness the criminal impulse which inspires murder. In all the public so-called tests, such as the one above suggested, the hypnotist does not intend that his subject shall carry the experiment to the final act of murder. There is "in the background" of his consciousness all the time the pro- tecting reservation. The real intent in his soul is that the subject shall carry the experiment to the very point where he stops. He does not intend that he shall actually strike the fatal blow. He could not inspire such an act unless he were a murderer at heart and fully intended that his subject should execute the murderous design in his own soul. The subject is impelled by the real impulse in the soul of his hypnotist and not by the spoken words of command. 56 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME Let the operator once project the real murderous impulse upon the consciousness of his subject under the conditions named and murder will be the result in every instance. The rationale of these wonderful results is not difficult to understand in the light of the foregoing analysis. In his normal state man depends upon his physical senses to furnish him information as to his immediate physical environment. In most instances he has not yet come to know that he has a spiritual organism. It has never been called into action by him in such manner as to identify it to his consciousness as something apart from his physical. But as the physical sensory organism yields to the paralyzing effects of the hyp- notic process, the spiritual continues its activity to a certain extent independently of the physical. This is true even in the final stages of hypnosis. In this partial independence of the spiritual organism it takes the place of the physical, for the time being, in its relation to the consciousness of the subject. For the time, therefore, it is the only channel through which he receives impressions from without. Whatever he receives through this channel, therefore, is as much a verity to his consciousness as are the impressions which come to him through the physical sensory organs in his normal condition, and are accepted by him just as if they were of physical origin and reached him through the physical sensory organism. The impulses of the operator's will are as much a fact to him in this condition of complete subjectivity as are the ob- jects of Nature which impress the physical sensory organism in his natural, waking condition. Every thought of the oper- ator, every impulse of his will, is a thing, something which makes its impress upon the subject's consciousness as defi- nitely as do the tangible objects of Nature under other con- ditions. Its integrity is no more a matter of doubt to him in this state than is the sight of any physical object with the physical eyes in his normal, waking condition. In the state and condition here referred to the mind and will of the hypnotist take the place of the physical world in their relation to the consciousness of the subject. They, in truth, constitute the only world with which the subject is, f$r PHYSIOLOGY OF HYPNOTISM 67 the time being, in conscious touch. It is, therefore, not strange but perfectly natural that "he sees, hears, tastes, smells and feels what the operator says that he sees, hears, tastes, smells and feels and nothing else." The author just quoted unwittingly explains the reason for this when he further says that "for the time being his individuality is surrendered to the person who has hypnotized him." This is but another method of saying that the operator has obtained absolute control of all the active channels through which the conscious intelligence of the subject may be reached and impressed. These channels are, for the time being, the spiritual, sensory organs. The operator who con- trols these channels is in position to impress upon the con- sciousness of the subject whatever mental impulses he may desire. He is likewise in position to enforce the execution of his will through the same channels. During the continuance of this relation his mind and will are the sole governing factors in the conscious life of the sub- ject. The only impulses the subject has, for good or ill, while in this state are those which come to him from the will of his hypnotist. He can no more disobey the will of the oper- ator, during this relation, than he can disobey his own will in his normal condition. This follows from the fact that the only will he has during the continuance of the hypnotic rela- tion, at this particular stage, is the will of the hypnotist to whom "his individuality is surrendered." 3. The final stage of hypnosis to which reference need here be made is one seldom successfully produced by our western practitioners. It involves the complete suspension of physical animation. In this state every function of the physi- cal organism is wholly arrested. Even respiration ceases. Circulation stops. The body, in some instances, becomes cold and rigid. To every outward appearance physical death has actually occurred. In its physiological aspect complete functional suspension of the physical organism has occurred. In its downward sweep through the central nervous organism the hypnotic 58 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME process has at last overwhelmed the primary brain and the involuntary or reflex centers of nervous energy. In this con- dition the physical body is no longer an active part of the individual. Remarkable as this may all appear, those who have been reckless enough to carry their experiments to this point have been astonished to find that, notwithstanding this complete suspension of all functional activity of the physical organism, the subject is even more intently conscious of every thought, intention and mental impulse of the hypnotist than he is dur- ing any of the less profound states of hypnosis which pre- cede this condition. This has never been satisfactorily explained by the School of Physical Science. Indeed, it does not seem to be con- sistent with their purely materialistic view of the relation of mind to matter. To those, however, who understand the three-fold nature of man, consisting of physical body, spirit- ual body and intelligent soul, there is a scientific explanation. In proportion as the consciousness of the subject is acted upon through the physical organism, his attention is absorbed in the impressions made through those dominant channels, and correspondingly diverted from all other impressions. But as these physical organs are silenced and gradually paralyzed by the power of hypnosis the impulses which reach his con- sciousness through the spiritual sensory organism become more and more distinct to him. The relatively stronger of the two sets of impulses is the one which absorbs the attention so long as its dominance continues. When the final state of profound hypnosis above referred to has been attained the physical world is entirely cut off from the consciousness of the subject. All impressions from that source cease. In this condition, therefore, there is noth- ing to divert his attention from the impressions which now reach him through the spiritual sensory organism alone. But these channels of ingress to the imprisoned conscious- ness of the subject are under control of the hypnotist. He therefore commands the absolute and undivided attention Q* his subject. Hence it is that in exact proportion as this state PHYSIOLOGY OF HYPNOTISM 59 of hypnosis is attained the consciousness of the subject re- sponds to the will of the operator, and his attention becomes more and more completely riveted upon all that the hypnotist conveys to him. This will also explain why it is that the hypnotist can, by a simple command or impulse of the will, waken his sub- ject from even this profound condition of seeming physical death. His ability to thus waken his subject is at all times commensurate with the degree of control he is able to ex- ercise over him. If, perchance, in the condition above re- ferred to, some accident should occur to break the control of the hypnotist, the physical death of the subject would in- stantly follow. For, at this stage of hypnosis, the operator's will is the only power in existence that holds the two organ- isms together. In this state of complete functional suspension of the physical organism it is even possible for the operator to force a complete temporary separation of the two organisms, and by the power of his will alone unite them again. In such case he is able to send the temporarily liberated spiritual body and soul of his subject to distant points and there enforce implicit obedience to his commands within certain well de- fined limitations. He may thus obtain definite information concerning matters at a distance of which he is at the time entirely ignorant. Before passing to the consideration of another phase of the subject attention is here called to the interesting and significant fact that the three human brains correspond to the triune nature of man, body, spirit and soul. The action of hypnosis upon the three physical brains has a corresponding correlative effect upon the three sides of his triune nature. This phase of the subject will be more fully considered in subsequent chapters. From the foregoing exposition of the subject, the physi- ological action of hypnosis, in so far as it has been here con- sidered, may be very briefly summarized as follows: i. Hypnosis acts both directly and indirectly upon the central nervous organism, the three physical brains. 60 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME 2. Its action upon this central nervous organism produces anaesthesia and paralysis. 3. Its effects upon the central nervous organism are first registered upon that part of the third or intellectual brain through which the objective and perceptive faculties of the mind operate. 4. In its progressive action hypnosis proceeds from this point backward through the third brain, downward through the second brain, and finally through the primary brain, until all parts of the physical nervous organism are brought under its complete control. 5. Its impelling force is the will of the hypnotist. It will be observed that consideration of the subject has been strictly confined thus far to such physiological action of the hypnotic process as may become apparent to everyone who has either experienced its results or been in position to observe them. The more deeply scientific subject of the cellular action of hypnosis has been purposely omitted for the following rea- sons: 1. Its consideration leads directly into the field of tech- nical scientific treatment. 2. Such treatment of the subject at this time could ap- peal to none but those few scientists who happen to be directly interested in the technical study of psychic phenomena. It would, in all human probability, require a century, through this channel, to bring the matter to the attention of the great world of humanity that needs to know the simpler facts and principles for self-protection. 3. The purpose of this work is to reduce the subject to its simplest possible form. By so doing it is hoped to bring it within the easy comprehension as well as the personal in- terest of every man, woman and child who shall be able to read and understand the simplest expression of the English language. Professional hypnotism has progressed to the point where it has become a most serious menace to individuals and to society. In one form or another it now threatens almost every PHYSIOLOGY OF HYPNOTISM 61 home within the limits of our country. The dangers which lurk beneath the murky folds of its black mantle are many and threatening. They are fascinating and seductive. They present themselves in every charming disguise to mislead the innocent and deceive the thoughtful. It is hoped that this work, in its simplicity, directness and freedom from all technicality, may carry into many homes the needed warning, together with a practical under- standing of the principles and processes involved. THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME CHAPTER IX. "AUTO-HYPNOTISM" A MISNOMER. There is no such thing as "Auto-Hypnotism/' The term is a misnomer. "Auto" means "Self," and "Auto-Hypnotism," therefore, means, in its literal significa- tion, "Self-Hypnotism." This would convey the impression that it is possible for an individual to hypnotize himself. This, in fact, seems to be the impression which those who employ the term intend to convey. It is, at any rate, the impression which the term conveys to the world, and it is the impression the public in general has obtained. Self-Hypnotism, or "Auto-Hypnotism," however, is a scientific impossibility. Those who are responsible for injecting this term into the scientific nomenclature of the age undoubtedly felt them- selves justified in so doing. But this does not alter the fact that the term is an improper and misleading one, and is re- sponsible for having introduced into the scientific analysis of hypnotism a fiction pure and simple. It does not obliterate the further fact that this particular term has only served to add to the confusion already existing, and has wholly failed to advance the interests of science or education. There is no desire nor intention to deny, evade nor ignore any of the facts upon which the writers and authorities have come to feel themselves justified in employing the term. It is, indeed, a well-known fact which has been often demon- strated, long before this particular term was ever employed, that it is possible for an individual to throw himself into a condition of artificial sleep, somewhat analogous to somnam- bulism. It is this self-induced, artificial sleep that has been improperly designated "Auto-Hypnotism." This, however, is not hypnotism in any form. A simple illustration will be sufficient to make the proper distinction clearly apparent. For the purpose of this illus- tration, let it be supposed that A is the owner and possessor " AUTO-HYPNOTISM " A MISNOMER 63 of a magnificent jewel. Its value to him exceeds that of all his other material possessions combined. But it is his, and no matter what its intrinsic value may be, he therefore has the power, if not the right, to risk it or dispose of it as he will. He may even recklessly throw it away, and no one dares interfere. Following a whim of his nature, he determines to try an experiment with this jewel to determine, in his own mind, whether or not there are burglars in the neighborhood. It is a hazardous experiment, so far as his possession of the jewel is concerned, and one which few men in their right minds would indulge. But it possesses the merit of affording a very effectual and satisfactory test as to the question to be deter- mined. Before retiring for the night he takes this precious jewel from its safety-deposit vault, unwraps it and places it in a conspicuous place in the middle of the table. He then moves the table near the front door, where it will be the first object seen on entering. He unlocks the door, so that anyone who will may open it, and then retires to a distant part of the house and deliberately goes to sleep. But what is the meaning of this strange and abnormal pro- ceeding? Only this, that A has simply opened the way to a most easy and successful burglary, nothing more. He has prepared a most tempting situation which will surely induce the first unscrupulous individual who learns of it to enter his home and commit a crime against the laws of the land. But it is just possible that he may sleep soundly through- out the night and waken to find that his jewel remains undis- turbed. If so, he would seem to be justified in assuming that his premises have not been invaded by burglars during the night. At least, no burglary has thus far been committed. His property is still there. This, however, would appear to be the result of his good luck rather than that of his good sense. But he repeats the experiment the following night, and upon waking the next morning finds that his jewel is gone. During the night, while sleep has encompassed him and shut his consciousness away from the objective plane of the physi- 64 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME cal world, someone has entered his home and taken unlawful possession of his property. In other words, a crime has been committed. The name by which this particular crime is known to law is "Burglary." It will be observed that so long as no second party en- tered upon the scene the crime of burglary could not be com- mitted. That is to say, it is a moral, legal and scientific im- possibility for a man to commit this particular crime against himself. To accomplish the crime of burglary it is necessary- 1. That there be at least two parties to the transaction. 2. That one of these enter upon the premises of the other. 3. That the party so entering take unlawful possession of personal property which does not belong to him, or which belongs to the owner of the invaded premises. In like manner, the individual who throws himself into the artificial sleep which writers and authorities have erro- neously designated "Auto-Hypnotism" has done nothing more than create conditions which make hypnotism an easy pos- sibility. He may, perchance, put himself in this unnatural condi- tion and waken again without having come in touch with a hypnotist at all. In such case hypnosis, in its proper sense, does not occur. Why? Because no outside party has en- tered the domain of his individual life and taken possession of that which belongs to the occupant and rightful owner. That is to say, no intruder or trespasser has entered the temple of the soul and deprived the sleeper of his precious jewel the power of self-control. But let him repeat the foolish experiment often enough and the inviting conditions will sooner or later attract the attention of some passing hypnotist, who will thereupon enter and complete the process of hypnotism by taking possession and control of his will, voluntary powers and sensory or- ganism. Reverting once more to the definition of hypnotism, it will be observed that it involves elements and conditions which " AUTO-HYPNOTISM " A MISNOMER 65 are strangely and significantly analogous to those involved in the crime of burglary. That is to say: 1. There must be at least two parties to the transaction. 2. One of these must enter the temple of the other, as it were. 3. The one so entering must take unlawful possession of that which of right belongs to the other party. The interesting analogy between these two processes might, with value and propriety, be carried much further. But it is only intended at this point to suggest the one funda- mental fact, that they both involve the commission of a wrong by one person against another. Both, therefore, involve a violation of law, for which offense there are corresponding penalties which must be inflicted upon the culprit. The individual who thus throws himself into the artificial sleep above referred to invites thereby many results and con- ditions of which he is generally ignorant. Among others, he makes it easily possible for any one of the following results to obtain: 1. He may, unless interfered with, thus withdraw his consciousness from the objective plane of physical nature and in a perfectly conscious manner through the medium of his spiritual sensory organs see, hear and observe whatever may occur upon the spiritual plane within the range of spirit- ual vision, hearing and observation. His waking memory of all he has thus observed and experienced will be commen- surate with the extent to which his consciousness still occu- pies and continues to register through the third physical brain. If the objective faculties alone are asleep upon the physical plane, all that part of the third brain lying back of and above the organs of perception is awake and active, and the waking memory will be clear and distinct. 2. But he may go still further and withdraw all con- sciousness from the third physical brain. In this event he brings back to his waking consciousness no remembrance of what he may have seen, heard or observed through the me- dium of his spiritual sensory organs. To him it has been 66 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME but a sound and dreamless sleep, often followed by the most intense nervous headache. 3. In either of the above named conditions the door is wide open to the hypnotist, from either plane of life, who may chance to pass that way. If it be a physically embodied hypnotist, he may enter the domain of the sleeper's soul and take undisputed possession and control of the will, volun- tary powers and sensory organism of his subject, without the least possible resistance or opposition. In this event the sleeper becomes a hypnotic subject under the control of his hypno- tizer, and can be made to produce such phenomena as the operator would be able to "suggest" or command if he had obtained his control in the ordinary way. 4. But it should never be forgotten that there are physi- cally disembodied hypnotists as well as those yet in the physi- cal body. Those physically disembodied intelligences, com- monly known and designated as "spirits," represent all kinds and classes of individuals. The lower the type the more closely they approach the plane of the purely physical. This law of spiritual gravity will be fully developed in Part III of this volume. The ignorant and the vicious upon the spiritual side of life generally seek to attach themselves to earth's conditions as closely as may be possible. There are perfectly natural reasons for this desire, as well as for the efforts they put forth to ac- complish its realization. Such an one as this is ever watchful for an opportunity to fasten itself upon one who is yet in the physical body. The individual who enters into the artificial and abnormal sleep mistakenly named "Auto-Hypnosis" opens the door of his inmost life to these spiritual intelligences as well as to the hypnotist upon the physical plane. If his abnormal condition is observed and understood by an unscrupulous or ignorant intelligence on the spiritual side of life, such spiritual intelli- gence may, without the least difficulty, take possession and control of the sleeper's will, voluntary powers and sensory organism, precisely as the hypnotist might do from the physi- cal plane. " AUTO-HYPNOTISM " A MISNOMER 67 In this event the sleeper becomes a "trance medium," in the possession of a "spiritual control." 5. If such "control" refuse to release its victim, or if he should be unable to do so (which is quite possible among ignorant controls), the case is pronounced "insanity" by phy- sicians of the regular schools. In this event the "Auto-Hyp- notist" is sent to an asylum for the insane, where he is likely to remain until physical death comes to his release. The conditions which follow physical death under these circumstances will be fully considered in Part III of this volume. 68 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME CHAPTER X. "SUGGESTION" A LEXICOLOGICAL LIBEL. The term "Suggestion" has been so cruelly and unfairly dealt with in recent years that the spirit of fair play demands its immediate and unconditional vindication. According to the best lexicological authorities the word means : 1. To introduce indirectly to the thoughts. 2. To propose with diffidence or modesty. To hint. To intimate. 3. To seduce. To tempt, etc. This last definition is rare, and by some of the authori- ties is now considered obsolete. It is safe to say that in its most common acceptation the word is intended to mean "a deferential method of calling the attention of one person to the subject matter in the mind of another and inviting favorable consideration of the same." For some reason, quite inconceivable at this time, the word has become inseparably connected and associated in thought with the subject of hypnotism. By a sort of tacit agreement or understanding, as it were, among writers and students gen- erally, it has come to include almost, if not quite, all the means and methods by and through which a hypnotist im- presses his own thoughts, impulses, desires and will upon the consciousness of his subject. But it must be borne constantly in mind that in exact pro- portion to the depth or intensity of the hypnotic state the hypnotist controls the will, voluntary powers and sensory or- ganism of his subject. Under these conditions the subject, to the extent that hypnosis exists, is deprived of the power of independent choice, without which the word "Suggestion" is entirely meaningless to him. Indeed, every thought, every impression, every impulse of the will projected by a hypnotist upon the consciousness of his subject during the hypnotic relation has, just as far as the hypnotic process is able to carry it, the force and binding ^SUGGESTIONSA LEXICOLOGICAL LIBEL 69 effect of a definite and inviolable command. It is not pre- sented to the subject for his consideration as an independent, self-conscious and rational intelligence possessing discretion- ary powers. It is not submitted to the rational judgment of the subject at all. It is not offered upon the theory that it may possibly be rejected. On the other hand, it is forced upon him under conditions which, according to the laws of Nature, make its rejection an impossibility. And yet, notwithstanding all this, it is called "Sugges- tion" by learned men who are wise enough to instantly dis- cover many a less conspicuous error. It does not require a high degree of intelligence to under- stand that when one man fires a bullet into the brain of an- other he does not simply offer it as a "suggestion" to be taken under advisement and possibly returned with thanks. He projects it there to stay, regardless of the desires of the other party, because he has both the power and the will to do so. The law of Nature, bound up in the explosive power of the powder back of it, is inexorable. No matter if he ac- company the discharge of the weapon with the most polite and gracious "suggestion" possible, this cannot reduce the force of the charge, slacken the speed of the bullet, reduce its penetrating power, nor lessen its destructive effects. In other words, it cannot modify the results in the slightest degree. Under the conditions named he sets in motion a process by means of a power which, when once applied, produces an in- evitable result. It should not require the mind of a scientist to understand and appreciate the impropriety, as well as the absurdity, of calling this "Suggestion." And yet, in essence, the term "Suggestion" defines, with as much scientific exactness and literary acuteness, the process by which one man lodges a bullet in the brain of an- other by the use of a revolver, as it does the process by which a hypnotist lodges an impression in the consciousness of his subject by an impulse of his will. It is therefore just as fitting, proper and scientifically correct to assert that a man mav "suggest" a bullet into the brain of his fellow by the 70 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME aid of a gun as that a hypnotist employs "Suggestion" as any part of the process by and through which he impresses his thoughts, impulses, desires and will upon the consciousness of his subject. It would seem that the foregoing illustration should be sufficient to make clear the fact that the term "Suggestion" is but another fiction which has found its way into the literature of hypnotism in contravention of all the rules of lexicology and in direct opposition to the interests of science. The con- summate skill and subtlety with which the professional hypno- tist appropriates and plays upon this word has artfully suc- ceeded in blinding the eyes of the public to the noxious pro- cesses and destructive principles which lie back of it. To thus blacken the reputation of a good, wholesome and altogether useful word by purposely associating it with a process so completely at variance with its true spirit and in- tent is a character of libel which true science cannot afford to countenance nor encourage. There should be some legiti- mate method, it would seem, by which this worthy and esti- mable word might be rescued and restored at once to its original status of respectability and consistency. This, however, is a difficult undertaking. It is an equally hazardous one. Writers and students have become so familiar with the term in its relation to the hypnotic process that any attempt to introduce a substitute would be deemed an imperti- nence and an altogether unwarranted interference, even though one might easily be found possessing all the elements of ac- knowledged consistency and scientific exactness. For this and other reasons no effort will here be made to eliminate or supplant the term Hypnotic-"Suggestion." On the other hand, with a mental reservation and protest, it will be recognized and accepted as an unpleasant necessity for the present. Hypnotic-" Suggestion," for the purposes of this work, has therefore been defined as: "A suggestion made by a hypno- tist to his subject while the latter is under the hypnotic con- trol of the former." Let it be distinctly understood, however, that the word "SUGGESTION" A LEXICOLOGICAL LIBEL 71 "Suggestion" in this connection, and wherever else it may be connected with the hypnotic process, is always equivalent to "Irresistible Impulse," or "Imperative Command," in just so far as the hypnotic relation exists at the time and under the conditions referred to. It is anticipated, however, that as science becomes ac- quainted with the nature and effects of the hypnotic process the term "Command" will naturally supersede the term "Sug- gestion." And thus a terminology will ultimately be adopted which will convey to the world a definite and accurate under- standing of the difference between voluntary and involun- tary processes, between independent and subjective states of being, and between responsible and irresponsible conditions of individual intelligence. 72 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME CHAPTER XI. INDEPENDENT SUGGESTION A FACT. There is such a thing as true suggestion. There is a process which, by all the rules of both science and language, is justly entitled to that designation. This, however, is as different from Hypnotic-"Suggestion" as lib- erty is different from bondage, or as light is different from darkness, or as truth is different from falsehood. For the important purpose of distinguishing true sugges- tion from its counterfeit, Hypnotic-"Suggestion," the genu- ine has been designated as "Independent Suggestion." Independent Suggestion, accurately defined, may be said to be a suggestion made by one person to another while each is in full and undisputed control of all his independent, self- conscious and rational faculties, capacities and powers. That is to say, while neither is under hypnotic control. In this case each party acts independently of the other, and of his own free will and accord. It will therefore be observed that Independent Suggestion differs from Hypnotic-" Suggestion" in the following par- ticulars : i. That neither party is under hypnotic control. 2,. That each is in undisputed possession and control of all his own independent, self-conscious and rational facul- ties, capacities and powers. 3. That each applies his own individual intelligence to the subject matter under consideration and accepts the sug- gestion or rejects it, as the case may be, in accordance with his own independent judgment, and of his own free choice. 4. That each one is at all times individually responsible for having made his own decision as well as for the results of his own actions in accordance therewith. But men of science have come to know that there are at least two very different and distinct methods by which an In- dependent Suggestion may be conveyed by one person to another, viz.: INDEPENDENT SUGGESTION A FACT 73 1. By the usual means and channels of communication upon the purely physical plane, such as the voice, the facial expression, gesticulation, by written or printed words, signs, characters and symbols, as well as by telephone, telegraph and other mechanical means and methods. 2. By mental processes alone. For the purpose of indicating this important distinction and firmly fixing it in mind, the term "Telepathic Sugges- tion" has been employed. Telepathic Suggestion has already been defined as an In- dependent Suggestion conveyed by one person to another by mental processes alone, without the aid of the usual physical means of communication. The following illustrations may serve to make the neces- sary distinctions still more clearly and impressively apparent: 1. HYPNOTIO"SUGGESTION." Let it be supposed that A undertakes to convey a Hypnotic-"Suggestion" to B. In order to accomplish the de-sired result he must invoke a process and a power which will first paralyze B's physical sensory organism and deprive him of the power of individual self-control. Through this method A obtains complete con- trol of all the channels by and through which the conscious- ness of B may be impressed. In this relation A becomes absolute master, and B be- comes a helpless automatic instrument under the operation and control of his will. When this relation of operator and instrument has been fully established between them, A con- veys to B what hypnotists are pleased to designate as a "Sug- gestion," but which, under all the conditions and circum- stances, is, in the very nature of things, equivalent to an irre- sistible impulse or an imperative command. By the law of relationship thus established, B has no alternative but to obey just as far as the hypnotic process is invoked. And this is called Hypnotic-" Suggestion." 2. INDEPENDENT SUGGESTION. Suppose that A, who is friendly to B, discovers what he believes to be an excellent opportunity for B to make a safe and profitable investment. Moved by the impulse of friendship, he goes to B and care- 74 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME fully lays before him all the facts at his command bearing upon the subject, and then suggests that B follow up the inquiry and look into the matter for himself. A, having thus kindly and deferentially called B's atten- tion to the matter and invited his favorable consideration of the same, feels that his mission of friendship has been fully performed. He therefore goes his way and leaves B to in- vestigate the matter for himself and accept or reject his sug- gestion in accordance with the dictates of his own free and independent judgment. And this is Independent Suggestion, conveyed by the usual physical means of communication. 3. TELEPATHIC SUGGESTION. Let it be supposed that A desires to acquaint B with the fact that he is perplexed and needs B's counsel and assistance. A desires to communicate the fact to B telepathically. He therefore goes to fiis room, where everything is quiet and nothing is likely to divert his attention. He places himself in a position and condition of complete physical relaxation, and then intently fixes his mind on B, charging it all the while with the earnest desire that B call and see him at once. At the same instant B obtains the impression that A is in distress and desires to see him. He immediately responds to the impulse and accordingly calls on A. And this is Telepathic Suggestion. That is to say, it is Independent Suggestion by mental processes alone, without the aid of the usual physical means of communication. It will now be observed that the various processes involved in the foregoing illustrations mark a radical distinction be- tween what is known as Hypnotic-"Suggestion" and true, or Independent Suggestion. This distinction is of vital im- portance to a definite understanding of the real principle in- volved. The complete failure of modern writers and authorities to appreciate and carefully note this vital distinction is respon- sible for a very large percentage of the confusion and error which have crept into the recent literature of the subject, INDEPENDENT SUGGESTIONA FACT 75 and through this channel into the minds of students, investi- gators and the public in general. Constant association of the word "Suggestion" with the thought of hypnotism, with hypnotic processes and hypnotic experiments, has invested it with a meaning which, so far as the facts are concerned, is purely fictitious and wholly mis- leading. Whenever and wherever a hypnotist employs the term "Suggestion" the student is either led or permitted to infer that it means Hypnotic-"Suggestion." In fact, in the language of the hypnotist, the word has come to be but a synonym of hypnotism. But the distinction between this and Independent Sugges- tion is fundamental and must be kept constantly in mind. Otherwise the student will inevitably find himself in the midst of a bewildering maze of contradiction and inconsistency. This is more especially true in the department of Suggestive Therapeutics. In this fruitful field of interest and inquiry writers and authorities have either ignored the distinction entirely or have noted it in such manner as to convey the impression that it is of little or no importance. And yet it is safe to assert that in all the literature of hypnotism wherever the word "Suggestion" appears it should in the very largest number of instances be preceded by the word "Independent." For it is a fact which none but the professional hypnotist and the misinformed proselyte will deny, that the genuine therapeutic results of Suggestion which have been advertised to the world have been the results of Independent Suggestion and not those of Hypnotic-" Sugges- tion." Nevertheless, from the fact that those who have charged themselves with the task of reporting the results to the world fail to differentiate between the kinds of Suggestion em- ployed, the credulous inquirer is permitted and even encour- aged to attribute the gross results to the alleged or supposed magical power of hypnotism and Hypnotic-" Suggestion." Under these conditions it is not strange that in the name and under the guise of "Hypnotism" and Hypnotic-"Sugges- tion" a thousand beneficent results have been wrought which 76 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME are no more related to hypnotism, in fact, than they are to the Monroe Doctrine or the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. No more subtle error could be devised than that which is couched and concealed in the word "Suggestion" as it is em- ployed in connection with Hypnotism and the Hypnotic Pro- cess. Upon the basis of this most ingenious device and fas- cinating fiction even men of science have been misled, just as government experts have often been deceived, for the time being, by artfully designed and skillfully executed counter- feit currency. But just as there are infallible tests for discovering the most perfect counterfeit coins and currency, so there are un- erring and indisputable methods and means of determining counterfeit "Suggestion" from the genuine and true. In like manner there are equally unquestionable methods of deter- mining the exact results of Hypnotic-"Suggestion," as com- pared with those of Independent Suggestion. These are subjects which will command further attention. DOES HYPNOTISM CURE? 77 CHAPTER XII. DOES HYPNOTISM CURE? The chief claims which the advocates of hypnotism set up in justification of the hypnotic process are based upon its alleged value as a therapeutic agent. For instance, they claim : 1. That hypnosis may be employed as an anaesthetic in surgery. 2. That through the agency of Hypnotic-" Suggestion" diseases of various kinds may be cured. 3. That by means of the hypnotic process vicious habits may be overcome and evil tendencies counteracted. 4. It has even been claimed by some that through the beneficent action of Hypnotic-' 'Suggestion" mental and moral powers may be developed. As evidence in substantiation of these by no means in- significant claims, professional hypnotists throughout the country report a large number of cases such as the following: i. A sufferer from insomnia has taken treatment from the regular physician and has tried all sorts of remedies in vain. He finally appeals to the hypnotist, who undertakes the case. After a number of trials the patient is placed in the hypnotic trance. While in this state of complete hyp- notic control the operator "suggests" that the difficulty will soon pass away and that the patient will immediately begin to grow better. Before awakening him from the hypnotic sleep the hypnotist strongly impresses him with tlie further "suggestion" that he will sleep soundly all through the fol- lowing night, and will waken the next morning much re- freshed and invigorated. He is then wakened from the hyp- notic trance and permitted to go his way, with the injunction to report the following day. Cases of a similar nature are reported where a single treat- ment of this nature seems to have relieved the difficulty, for the time being. But if it should prove that a single Hypnotic subjection is not sufficient, the operation is repeated, with such variations as the particular operator may deem advisable, until 78 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME relief is either obtained or the case proves to be one which is beyond the range of the hypnotic process. 2. A clinical case is in course of preparation for the am- putation of a limb. The patient is placed upon the operating table. But instead of administering the usual physical anaes- thetics of ether and chloroform, a hypnotist is called in. He finally succeeds in placing the patient under complete hypnotic control and inducing the deep, lethargic, trance condition. While in this state the operation is successfully performed. After the surgeon has fully completed his work and everything is in readiness, the hypnotist gives the word of command and the patient wakens from the hypnotic trance without having been conscious of any physicial suffering whatsoever. There is not even the usual nausea which so often follows the ad- ministration of physical anaesthetics. 3. Through convivial associations an individual acquires the habit of drink. He yields to its seductive influence until the appetite becomes stronger than his desire to overcome it. Various antidotes and substitutes are tried, but without avail. Change of climate and association is suggested and tried with the same result. The habit still remains. It appears to be a hopeless case. But the hypnotist is at last called in. He em- ploys the hypnotic process. Under the influence of Hypnotic- ''Suggestion" he finally succeeds in overcoming the craving for drink. The patient goes his way, and it may be that both patient and hypnotist are under the impression that a "cure" has been effected. In each of these cases the hypnotist flatters himself that he has done a good work. He therefore feels himself entirely justified in recommending hypnotism and Hypnotic-" Sugges- tion" to all those who suffer from like conditions. The ob- jective facts alone, thus far observed, would appear to sus- tain his position. He therefore places himself upon the same ethical platform with the regularly schooled physician and challenges the world to successfully refute his claim. He calls our attention to the admitted fact that the regular physician and surgeon employ physical anaesthetics every day in a wide variety of cases and think nothing of so doing. Bv DOES HYPNOTISM CURE? 79 this process they also induce what is recognized as an arti- ficial sleep or trance condition, which, in many respects, re- sembles the condition of hypnotic trance. Physicians and surgeons justify themselves upon humani- tarian grounds, and we do not think of questioning their right nor their wisdom in so doing. To the superficial observer the results of the two methods are identical. He cannot under- stand why one of these methods should be commended and the other condemned. Nor can it be wondered at that the proposition is one which perplexes him. For indeed it is one which has perplexed the scientist and the metaphysician as well as the casual observer. In thus basing his justification and advocacy of hypno- tism upon its alleged value as a therapeutic agent, the hypno- tist has chosen the strongest possible ground upon which to support his claims, and therefore the strongest position in which to entrench himself. He is fortified behind a strong breastwork of objective facts and conditions which, to the average student, would seem to be impregnable. In order to give him the benefit of every possible doubt which his genius may be able to lodge in the minds of the innocent and the unsophisticated, and thus put into his hands every defensive weapon of which it is possible for him to avail himself, a number of sweeping admissions have already been made a part of this work. By these admissions it is intended to show that in so far as the purely physical facts reported are concerned, there is no material controversy. In other words, it is here intended to admit all the objective facts upon which the professional hypnotist attempts to justify the employment of the hypnotic process for therapeutic purposes. Having thus admitted the hypnotist's alleged basis of physical facts to be true, for the express purpose of avoiding unnecessary controversy over irrelevant and immaterial mat- ter, it only remains to be determined why his conclusions, based upon these alleged physical facts, are not equally true. If his conclusions are incorrect it is due to him as well as to the public in general that the error be pointed out and the 80 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME truth made plain. It is the purpose of this work to accom- plish this task, if it be possible. Referring again to the hypothetical cases above outlined, let it be assumed that the facts therein stated are the only facts which appear in each particular case. It is impossible for the average individual to doubt the objective evidences of his own physical senses. The results seem to speak for them- selves. Any attempt to discredit them would seem to be gratuitous as well as unwarranted and unjust. In the one case a surgical operation is successfully performed under hyp- notic anaesthesia without conscious physical suffering of any kind. In another the debilitated condition of the nervous organism indicated by insomnia is seemingly relieved. In the third a degrading habit is seemingly overcome and a de- structive appetite controlled. These being the specific objects sought to be acomplished, it would appear, from a surface view of the matter at least, that the remedy has proved itself entirely adequate and the process invoked both salutary and commendable. It is quite possible, and even probable, that the physical scientist of the conventional school would so declare. If these facts which thus appear upon the surface were, indeed, the only facts entitled to the consideration of the in- quirer, and the results which appear to the objective vision of the observer from the published reports were truly the only results thereby accomplished, it would then seem quite impossible to find a legitimate excuse for criticising the hyp- notist or protesting against the hypnotic process by and through which these seemingly beneficent results were accom- plished. In other words, if that which appears upon the sur- face reports of all these assumed "cures" embodied all the material facts to be considered, it would be difficult to imagine a good and sufficient reason why the hypnotist should not be commended for his work and the hypnotic process fully ap- proved upon its merits. But it has been strongly intimated that there are other facts than those which appear in the published reports of these experiments. If this be true, then it is manifestly un- DOES HYPNOTISM CURE? 81 fair to judge either the hypnotist or the hypnotic process solely upon the objective facts thus reported. No problem can be solved with absolute certainty until all the facts are taken into account. The true scientist never feels himself justified in drawing a final conclusion upon any subject under his consideration, and holding that conclusion to be scientific, until he is certain that all the facts are before him bearing upon that particular question. Even then he must be sure that he has given to each separate fact the full measure of value and importance to which it is entitled before he can hope to reach a just and accurate judgment. It is indeed true, as above suggested, that there are other material facts concerning hypnotism and the hypnotic process than those which come to the attention of the public, or that of the student through the voluntary and unverified reports of the professional hypnotist who, it will be admitted, has a personal interest to conserve thereby. Such of these addi- tional facts as have been gathered and classified in such man- ner as to be most readily understood, will be presented for consideration in the following order: i. It has been found by the School of Natural Science that out of each one hundred reported hypnotic "cures" at least sixty-three are in no sense whatever entitled to be so classified. The subsequent history of these cases discloses the startling fact that the hypnotic process has only suc- ceeded in hoodwinking the patient, and concealing the mani- festation of the disease from the objective vision for a brief period. In due course of time, however (in the majority of in- stances not exceeding eighteen months), the same disease has "returned" and made its presence fully manifest. It would seem that the most enthusiastic advocate of the subjective method of treatment, even, unless he be deliber- ately dishonest, would frankly admit that in al! such instances the hypnotic process is in no sense remedial or curative. The most extravagant claim that could be made for it, based upon its therapeutic value, would be to the effect that it is, per- haps, a temporary palliative. But it would scarcely be en- 82 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME titled to even that designation in the accepted meaning of the term as it is used by men of medical science in their refer- ence to disease. It might, however, very appropriately be considered a "palliative" in the sense that it is a "cover" or "cloak" under which to conceal the true condition of the patient from both himself and the world. 2,. Out of the same number of cases it is found that in twenty-four of the sixty-three the same disease "returns" in a more aggravated form than that in which it manifests itself prior to the hypnotic treatment. This fact would appear to strongly indicate that in all such cases the hypnotic process has acted as an anaesthetic pure and simple. The sum total of its results is disclosed in the fact that the patient has been made insensible to and un- conscious of his true condition for a time. In other words, he has been deceived or misled for a brief period, during which the disease has been permitted to continue its destruc- tive ravages under the protecting cover of hypnotism, without check or hindrance. There are many instances where an anaesthetic is desir- able, and upon broad, humanitarian grounds would be deemed entirely justifiable. But certainly this claim cannot be suc- cessfully maintained in the cases above referred to. The physician and the surgeon limit their use of physical anaes- thetics to the temporary relief of unendurable pain or suffer- ing. They at no time employ these agencies for the purpose of concealment or deception. It is also true that when the physician or the surgeon administers anaesthetics he accom- panies their use with remedial agencies intended to correct, restore and cure. He does not leave the disease to pursue its work of destruction unmolested. In the cases here referred to it must be apparent to every student who has followed the subject to this point that hypno- tism is only a fatal blind that deceives both the patient and the public, as well as the hypnotist himself, concerning the actual conditions. In all such cases as these it only furnishes disease a convenient cloak under which to complete its deadly work without likelihood of discovery or interruption until it DOES HYPNOTISM CURE? 83 is too late. Certainly this use of hypnotism cannot be justified upon any ground that appeals to human reason, nor upon any which conscience approves. 3. It is also found that in a considerable number of cases, outside of those included in the two classes above referred to, there are equally just grounds for questioning the therapeutic value of the hypnotic process. For illustration: It is found that other forms of disease than those for which the hypnotic treatment is given soon develop. A case of hysteria is "cured," only to develop epi- lepsy. A "cure" of stammering is effected, and soon there- after nervous twitching of the mouth and face develops. A patient is "cured" of the cocaine habit and immediately there- after develops cancer of the stomach. A case of rheumatism is "cured," and within a short time thereafter blood poison develops. It would seem that in all such cases the process is one of transformation only. The only change effected is in the form of the disease, and not in its substantial essence. There is certainly no ground here upon which to base a claim of therapeutic value. 4. In a certain number of the last named class of cases the transformation is clearly and unmistakably one of an in- jurious or detrimental character, and therefore destructive in its effects. 5. There is yet another class of cases not included in any of those above referred to. And here a wholly different ele- ment enters into the proposition. It is found, for instance, that insanity seems to be a natural sequel of the hypnotic process. The gravity of this statement is fully appreciated. It is not made lightly, nor without the most unqualified and conclusive evidence back of it. This subject has been studied quite independently of its relation to the subject of therapeutics. It is found that among hypnotic subjects of all classes, including those who become such for experimental purposes and for entertainment and amusement, as well as for the treatment of disease, a fraction over nine per cent, develop insanity in its various forms and 84 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME phases. For the sake of perfect fairness it is proper to state that a certain percentage of the cases of this character results from the practice of hypnotism for other than therapeutic purposes. The record, however, is especially significant and valuable from a therapeutic standpoint, in that it demonstrates beyond all question that hypnotism practiced without destructive in- tent is nevertheless destructive in its effects. This, perhaps, is as nearly a fair test of its therapeutic value as it is possible to apply upon the plane of its purely physical aspect. To obtain an adequate understanding of the percentage of insanity from this cause the following illustration may be of value: On the basis of nine per cent, the city of Chicago would furnish about 180,000 insane to be cared for i'f hypno- tism were practiced upon the entire community instead of our recognized systems of medicine. The city of New York would produce about 300,000, and the city of London about 450,000. The various forms of insanity which follow from this cause also furnish food for much serious reflection. But it is impossible to consider this phase of the subject at sufficient length, in this connection, to develop its specific value and importance. The significance of this phase of the subject will be more fully appreciated as the general theme is further developed. The foregoing are some of the additional facts of physi- cal nature which must be taken into account in arriving at a correct solution of the problem under consideration. There are yet other purely physical facts which might be added to strongly supplement the position taken in this work. But, viewing the subject now in the light of the facts already in evidence, it would appear that we are justly entitled, upon physical grounds alone, to ask the question in all seriousness, "Does hypnotism cure?" The data here furnished is such as to fall entirely within the limitations of physical science. They are therefore within DOES HYPNOTISM CURE? 85 the range of actual demonstration whenever physical science shall come to regard the subject as of sufficient importance to command its attention and consideration. Since the foregoing was written there comes to this country direct irom Berlin, Germany, under date of January 29, 1903, the following cable dispatch, which is especially significant and pertinent in this con- nection : "The commission of experts in mental diseases appointed by the Ministry of Education to investigate the healing value of hypnotism reports that it is essentially worthless. The commission, which is composed of Professor Mendel and Drs. Gock, Munter and Aschenoorn, was appointed during the faith-healing excitement here a year ago. The report declares hypnotism cannot produce organic changes nor cure epilepsy nor hysteria." 86 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME CHAPTER XIII. A VIOLATION OF NATURAL LAW. On the plane of physical nature there are certain addi- tional facts concerning the hypnotic process which the scien- tist, the physician, the professional hypnotist and the hyp- notic subject all alike recognize and admit. The value of these additional facts to the individual will depend very largely upon the particular relation in which they are considered. They are essential, however, and there- fore should not be overlooked nor ignored by those who are seriously endeavoring to reach a just conclusion as to the real nature and true meaning of hypnosis in all its different bearings. As briefly and concisely as may be possible a few of these supplementary facts will be presented for consideration in the following order: I. The advocates of hypnotism, of all grades and schools, find it necessary to admit that the hypnotic relation is "ab- normal." It is, in truth, recognized and admitted by all who have given the subject proper consideration to be a relation which Nature does not, of her own accord, establish or main- tain between individuals. It is therefore clearly a relation which Nature does not contemplate. In other words, it is a relation into which the individuals, of their own accord, enter without the sanction of Nature. It would seem that this of itself should be sufficient to con- demn its practice either as a therapeutic agent or for any other purpose. As evidence of the general recognition of this important fact by the established authorities, Webster defines the hyp- notic relation as one which is "characterized by unnatural or morbid sleep." According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Hypnotism may be regarded as a condition in which the part of the nervous apparatus associated with conscious perception is thrown out of gear." A VIOLATION OF NATURAL LAW 87 Foster's Encyclopaedic Medical Dictionary informs us that hypnotism is "an abnormal state," etc. Even Prof. John Duncan Quackenbos, of Columbia Uni- versity, admits that it is an "artificial sleep," etc. Indeed, it is equally true that every acknowledged author- ity in existence might be quoted in recognition of the funda- mental fact that hypnotism and the hypnotic relation are "abnormal" and "unnatural." The conclusion follows with irresistible logic that what- ever is found to be unnatural is necessarily without the sanc- tion or approval of Nature. That which is outside the sanc- tion and approval of Nature is necessarily hostile to Nature's purpose and therefore contrary to natural law. That is to say, it is contrary to Nature's Constructive Principle. Materia Medica, both prophylactic and therapeutic, is based upon its strict conformity to Nature's Constructive Principle. In its prophylactic aspect it is intended to supple- ment Nature in her constructive effort to preserve health and prevent disease. In its therapeutic branch the underlying purpose is to supplement Nature's Constructive Process in the restoration of health and the cure of disease. The true physician bases his entire success in the cure of disease upon his knowledge of natural law and his ability to conform thereto. His study of diagnostics is solely for the purpose of acquiring the ability to accurately distinguish be- tween the "normal" and the "abnormal." Having acquired this knowledge, his success in the practice of his profession is commensurate with his ability to eliminate the "abnormal" and restore the "normal." The basis of all his work, there- fore, is the operation of normal or natural constructive pro- cesses. It is, indeed, difficult to understand how it is possible to effect a cure upon any other principle. And yet the hypno- tist, by a process which he admits in advance to be "abnor- mal" or "unnatural," declares his ability to thereby produce a "normal" or "natural" condition or result. Expressed in a slightly different form, he would lead us to believe that by the application of a process which he ad- 88 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME mils to be destructive he is able to produce constructive re- sults. By a process which is admitted to be unhealthy he proposes to produce healthy results. Even if the facts were not all against him, his proposi- tion, stripped of its mysticism, is one which violates all the rules of logic and offends every principle of rational intelli- gence. 2. Another important fact is with equal unanimity ad- mitted by scientists, professional hypnotists and acknowl- edged authorities of all the different . schools, and is known by the hypnotic subject to be true beyond all possible ques- tion. It is this that Nature has erected certain barriers and safeguards around every individual intelligence which must be broken down or overcome before it is possible to suc- cessfully establish the hypnotic relation. This is evidenced : (a) By the fact that the hypnotist finds himself unable to hypnotize any and every person he meets. If there were no natural barriers between him and his victim he would be able to enter into the hypnotic relation with every person upon whom he desired to exercise his hypnotic pow- ers. This, however, is not the case. He finds that he is able to exercise his powers upon only such as prove to be suscep- tible. These are, generally speaking, those who are known as the relatively negative types. (b) It is evidenced by the further fact that the hypno- tist finds himself unable to hypnotize a subject the first time he tries, as a general rule. He finds that even among those who prove to be susceptible to his power, it requires much more time and vastly greater effort on his part the first at- tempt than it does the second. It requires more time and greater effort the second attempt than it does the third, and so on. In other words, at each succeeding repetition of the hyp- notic subjection the process becomes easier for the hypnotist. And in due time, if the process be repeated sufficiently often upon the same subject, a point is reached where all the bar- riers and safeguards which Nature has erected are overcome A VIOLATION OF NATURAL LAW 89 and swept away, and it requires but an impulse of the will to bring his subject under complete hypnotic subjection and control. In order that these scientific demonstrations may not be mistaken for the mere naked assertions of the writer, the fol- lowing quotation from the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. XV, p. 278, will be of special interest: "Certain persons are more readily hypnotized than others, and it has been observed that, once the condition has been successfully induced, it can be more easily induced a second time, a third time more easily than a second, and so on until the patient may be so pliant to the will of the operator that a fixed look, or a wave of the hand, may throw him at once into the condition. Such are the general facts," etc. It will be found that the authorities unanimously agree with the unqualified declarations of the writer just quoted. Further time and space will not be consumed, therefore, upon this particular proposition. It is important, however, to bear in mind the far-reaching significance of all this. It means that around every individualized intelligent soul Nature, or the great God of the Universe, has erected certain barriers and safeguards to protect him from the unscrupu- lous encroachments of all those who would otherwise tres- pass upon his individual rights. It also means that the hypno- tist, before he can practice his destructive art upon a fellow creature, must first batter down, overwhelm and destroy this natural fortress of the human soul which stands between him and his intended victim. 3. But there is a natural corollary of all this which is of still more vital importance, because it concerns the status of the subject himself, in whose behalf the best intelligence of the age is earnestly invoked. It is found that in exact proportion as the hypnotist gains ease and facility in the exercise of his power of control, his subject loses the power of resistance and the power of self- control. At the first sitting the subject finds that he is easily able to withstand the volitional assaults of the operator. It even becomes necessary for him to put himself in a negative or passive attitude of mind and body, and thus become a vol- 90 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME untary accessory or accomplice with the hypnotist in his ef- fort to obtain control. But the second time he finds that the operator does not seem to require his assistance or co-operation to the same extent. The subject falls into the hypnotic state without any particular effort on his own part. The third attempt he be- comes conscious of the fact that he not only enters into the hypnotic relation still more easily than before, but that his power of resistance to the hypnotic influence is being under- mined and destroyed. At the fourth experiment he is made to realize the horrible fact that his power of resistance is still more rapidly waning, and that with equal pace he is losing the power of self-control. This progressive condition continues, with each succeed- ing subjection, until a point is at last reached where all power of resistance is gone from him. In other words, it is but a matter of time when all the barriers and safeguards which Nature has so carefully and so wisely erected about his in- dividual intelligence as a fortress of defense against the vicious assaults of his fellow men have been overcome and destroyed. At this point he finds himself uncovered and alone in the presence of the enemy, without means of defense, a helpless victim in the power and under the control of a merciless con- queror. He is bound soul and body by an irresistible bond more relentless and powerful than the felon's shackles. He finds himself at last stripped of every valuable possession of the human soul, and powerless to control a single one of the primary faculties, capacities or powers of his being with which God or Nature originally invested him as an individ- ualized, intelligent entity. He has become but an automaton, a plaything, a bankrupt, a lost soul. He has entered upon THE WAY OF DEATH. TRUE SUGGESTION AND FAITH 91 CHAPTER XIV. TRUE SUGGESTION AND THERAPEUTIC FAITH. The influence of the mind upon the condition of the physi- cal body is one of the most patent, potent and unmistakable pathological and physiological facts of all Nature. So conspicuously obvious has this become in recent years that it is to-day the primary and fundamental factor in almost if not quite every system which has for its purpose the pre- vention or the cure of disease. Of such far-reaching and vital importance to humanity is the principle involved in this proposition that it would seem to be not only expedient but of special value to every individual to have it firmly fixed in memory. No more available method of accomplishing this desirable result presents itself than that of briefly identifying the prin- ciple as it exists and manifests itself in some of the leading systems with which the general public is more or less fa- miliar at the present time. For that purpose the following brief analyses are here presented for thoughtful considera- tion : 1. CURE BY PRAYER. Viewed from the standpoint of the patient, the attitude of mind in this case is that of asking a favor with full confidence that it will be granted. In the sense that Faith is the intuitive perception of that which both reason and conscience approve, the basis of this system is Faith. The act of prayer is but a means to an end. It is the active process by and through which therapeutic Faith, or curative Faith, or a healing Faith (whichever may be deemed the most appropriate name for it), is established in the mind and consciousness of the individual. Prayer is the means. Faith is the end. And it is true that in thousands of cases a cure is the result. 2. MIND CURE. This system is based upon the hypoth- esis that all diseased conditions of the physical body are but reflex conditions and results of abnormal mental states. 92 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME In this view of disease it will be readily understood that its cure is entirely dependent upon a restoration of the mind to its normal status or condition. Whatever means or methods may be employed to that end are supposed to restore the mind of the patient to its condition or state of normality. The patient is, 'in this case also, himself a working factor in the process of restoration. He is led to believe that the process invoked is having the desired effect and that his mental state is improving. He grows brighter, happier and more hopeful. Through the subtle alchemy of the soul his unbelief is slowly but surely transmuted into an abounding Faith. He learns to believe that he possesses the power within himself to eradicate dis- ease and establish the harmony of health. Through the mysterious power of this wonderful thera- peutic agent health is finally restored. And thus it is that many cures are wrought. It is not only useless but foolish to deny them. It is far better to frankly admit the fact and then seek to discover the scientific basis or principle upon which it is founded. 3. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE. This system is founded upon the negative proposition that there is no such thing as matter, coupled with the affirmation that mind is the only reality, or that "all is mind." From this basis it is logically held that disease is but a conception of the mind concerning matter which has no existence in fact. It therefore follows that dis- ease itself does not exist in reality. Being but a mental con- cept of a material untruth, its banishment from the mind is all that is necessary to a condition of perfect health. The patient is given these fundamental propositions from which to proceed. He is instructed as to the proper formulas by and through which to rid himself of all false mental con- cepts. He is taught first the formula of negation by which he is to persistently deny the existence of disease. Coupled with this, and as a supplementary process, he learns the for- mula of affirmation by which he is to bring the mind to a full acquiescence in the proposition that "all is good." He is instructed as to the necessity of keeping these fun- TRUE SUGGESTION AND FAITH 93 damental propositions constantly in mind and allowing noth- ing whatever to disturb his confidence in their literal truth. His mind thus becomes active in a process which ultimately brings him to believe in the truth of the formula. At last his Faith in the soundness of this strange logic is fully established. However remarkable and seemingly "un- scientific" may be the process by which this is accomplished, the result is nevertheless achieved. And in all sincerity and truth it can be said that his Faith hath made him whole. It is folly to deny it. It is equally foolish to try to ignore it. The evidences are too many to leave any just ground for doubt in the mind of the unprejudiced. It is a fact with which science must deal if it would discover the principle which underlies the process by which these wonderful results are accomplished. 4. MIRACLE CURES. It is a matter of common report that the Catholic Church has established certain mystic shrines where "miraculous" cures are wrought. Those who visit these shrines in the hope of relief are led to believe that each shrine is presided over by some saintly intelligence from on high who possesses not only the power but also the will to cure all those who approach in the spirit of humility, piety and unbounded Faith. The possibilities of the miraculous appeal to the human mind in proportion to its susceptibility to superstitious mys- ticism. The traditions of the church are filled with wonder- ful legends of miraculous interventions in behalf of those who unequivocally acknowledge its authority. Through the instrumentality of these mythological narra- tives the credulous and the superstitious are led to approach these sacred places with an unbounded Faith that God, or Christ, or the Blessed Virgin, or some saintly, spiritual po- tentate of the church will take pity on them and relieve them of all their infirmities. Their Faith being thus established, many are indeed and in truth cured, and go their way with praises and thanksgiving and exceeding great joy, fully con- vinced that a miracle has been wrought. 5. THE BREAD PILL. This is a system or method which, 94 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME perhaps, has to its credit a larger number of bona fide cures than any other mental or psychic process now employed in common practice. It is often resorted to by the most skilful and intelligent physicians of the regular schools. The re- sults are often truly marvelous. The process may be fully understood and appreciated from the following illustration of the manner in which the good-natured and intelligent coun- try doctor has often employed it, as follows: He is called to the bedside of a patient who is suffering, let us say, from nervous debility and insomnia. With a dignified bearing and professional air, he feels the pulse, looks at the tongue, inquires into the history of the case, and makes a careful and thorough examination and diagnosis of the case, although his professional eye discovers the true condition at the first glance. With a wise and knowing nod and an outward manner of perfect assurance and confidence in himself, he gravely in- forms the sufferer that he must have sleep and perfect relax- ation for a number of hours. The patient knows this even better than the physician does, and he therefore feels that the man of medicine understands his business. The first step in the process is thus nicely accomplished. His confidence has been gained. The physician, well knowing the superior value of natural sleep in all such instances, hesitates to administer a narcotic or soporific. But he makes believe that he has a perfectly harmless drug that is a never failing remedy in all such cases. He goes to the cupboard ostensibly for a spoon but while there he carefully prepares a good sized bread pill. He then informs his patient, with all the professional unction and emphasis necessary to carry absolute conviction with the statement, that in twenty minutes from the time it enters the stomach this wonderful drug will produce abso- lute physical and nervous relaxation and natural sleep for twelve hours thereafter, and that he will waken fully re- freshed and on the way to rapid and complete recovery. The innocent bolus of bread, charged with this therapeu- tic suggestion, is then administered to the credulous patient and with perfect fidelity to its trust, in twenty minutes it TRUE SUGGESTION AND FAITH 95 brings the promised relaxation and sleep. The wonderful drug has done its work. The good doctor gently steals away into the darkness of the night and reserves a knowing smile until he is out of sight. He pardons himself for this little deception and congratulates himself upon once more having demonstrated the wonderful and mysterious power of mind over matter. The secret of this formula also is Faith. Every move, every look, every lineament and expression of the physician has betrayed his comprehensive knowledge and understand- ing of the case and disclosed unlimited confidence in his abil- ity to effect a speedy cure. This all communicates itself to the mind and consciousness of the patient who, in this nervous condition, is intently sensitive to every detail that has a bear- ing upon the case. This is all rapidly transmuted into con- fidence and thence into Faith, first, in the physician, and next, in the magical power of his wonderful medicine to bring the desired relief. His "Faith is well founded," for it is the faith which bears upon its wings the healing balm of peace and life. This is but a single illustration. The same principle, however, is employed in an almost unlimited variety of ways by the intelligent physician. In thousands of instances the medical fraternity daily employ similar means and methods in all kinds of cases, with results which are often almost unbe- lievable by those who have not actually witnessed them. As previously suggested, hypnotists throughout the country have so played upon the word "Suggestion" as to convey the idea that the process above outlined is only one of the many forms of Hypnotic-"Suggestion." Even physicians them- selves have not always carefully distinguished between this method of suggestion and its counterfeit which is employed in the hypnotic process. The distinction, however, is funda- mental. The processes are in no way related and must not be confused. There are numerous other mental processes by which disease is treated and cures effected. It would seem unneces- sary to go into fuller details for the reason that those here 96 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME outlined are sufficient to develop the principle under considera- tion. A critical analysis of these five different systems or methods of curing disease cannot fail to establish the substan- tial and essential fact that in so far as the patient himself be- comes an active factor in the curative process the therapeutic agent employed is one and the same. The remedial power in each and every instance is Faith. Not only this, it is literally the same kind of Faith, namely, Faith of the patient himself that a cure will be effected. The widely divergent methods or formulas employed by the various schools and cults to accomplish the same result, are likely to confuse the mind of the student in the future as they have done in the past, concerning the real curative prin- ciple employed. But a careful analysis will disclose the fact that they all work to the same end, namely, the establishment of a therapeutic Faith in the mind of the patient. The only real differences are in the distinctive methods or processes by which this end is accomplished. A simple illustration will serve to bring the underlying principle more clearly into view: Let it be supposed, for instance, that the particular thing to be accomplished by a given individual is the lifting of a 2,000 pound stone from the earth a distance of three feet to its intended place upon the foundation wall of a building. The individual charged with the accomplishment of this task may succeed by any one of the following methods : 1. He may employ the services of ten men, each of whom can lift 200 pounds from the ground to the required height. By applying their hands directly to the burden and uniting their strength in a common effort they will thus be able to lift it into place. 2. By the aid of jack-screws he may be able to accom- plish the task alone in course of time. 3. Or, he may employ a derrick, and by the application of steam, gas, electricity, or horse power, he may perform the same task in half the time. In fact, he may, if he is a thoroughly skilled mechanic, ac- complish the same result by the application of something like TRUE SUGGESTION AND FAITH 97 720 different combinations of the six so-called "Mechanical Powers" the lever, the inclined plane, the wheel and axle, the screw, the pulley, and the wedge. If the casual observer, however, were asked to define the principle back of all these various processes, he would very likely be confused. If he were the skilled mechanic and fully acquainted with all the physical means and methods of ap- plying mechanical power he would very likely define the prin- ciple from the standpoint of pure mechanics. In this event he would name such of the six mechanical powers as might be employed in each particular method, and would insist that he had thus defined the principle involved. But in the final analysis there is an active, moving princi- ple back of all these which he has entirely overlooked, namely, the independent, self-conscious and rational volition of the man who utilizes these various processes and so applies them as to accomplish the desired result. All these various me- chanical processes and appliances are but so many different instruments, by means of which his intelligence is enabled to produce one and the same result. In like manner, the first method of cure above named, de- velops a therapeutic Faith by the lever of prayer. The second accomplishes the same result by the inclined plane of reason. The third employs the wheel of negation and the axle of af- firmation. The fourth resorts to the jack-screw of supersti- tion. The fifth relies upon the pulley of suggestion and the wedge of wisdom. But they all accomplish identically the same result, namely, the establishment of an abounding Faith. And this is the therapeutic principle involved, so far as the patient himself is an active factor in the curative process. As there are some 720 different combinations in which the known mechanical powers may be employed to produce a given result, so it would seem that there is an almost unlimited number of means and methods by which therapeutic Faith may be established in the minds of patients. This suggestion may, perhaps, be of value to those who have allowed them- selves to fall into the unfortunate error of assuming that 98 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME there is but one method of producing conditions which will cure disease. Inasmuch as one or more of the schools or systems above referred to, as well as numerous other metaphysical systems not here mentioned, profess to represent the Christ Science, or the particular method supposed by them to have been em- ployed by Christ in the cure of disease, it may not be deemed improper to offer a simple suggestion which would seem to have a special relevancy in this connection. It is reported, for instance, in the book of St. Luke (17, 12 to 19) that as Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem he was met by ten lepers, who lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." Jesus directed them to go and show themselves to the priests, and as they went they were cleansed. One of the number, a Samaritan, turned back, fell on his face at Jesus' feet and gave him thanks. Jesus told him to arise and go his way, and then said to him by way of explanation: "Thy faith hath made thee whole." In the book of St. Mark (6, 25 to 34) is also told the story of the woman who touched his garment and was instantly healed. When she, in like manner, fell down before him, he said to her in exactly the same words: "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole." Again we read (Mark, 10, 46 to 52) of the blind man who besought him that he might receive his sight. When he had been healed Jesus said to him also, in the same significant words: "Thy faith hath made thee whole." The suggestion which it is here desired to offer for con- sideration by all those who profess to employ Christ's method in the art of healing disease, is merely this: Can it be possible that Christ, knew what he was talking about when he made these several statements? If so, he either told the truth or a deliberate falsehood when he said to each one of these grateful souls: "Thy faith hath made thee whole." If he told a falsehood in these several in- stances, then his testimony must be held to be entirely unre- liable in all other respects, in which event we have no key TRUE SUGGESTION AND FAITH 99 whatever by which to unlock the mystery of this man's won- derful power over disease. On the other hand, if he really knew what he was talking about, and told the truth in each of these several instances, then it is clear that he has stated the facts in unmistakable terms. He said to each of these grateful beneficiaries : "Thy Faith hath made thee whole." If this is the statement of a truth, then Faith is the therapeutic agent by and through which all these particular cures were wrought. More than this, it was the Faith of the patient himself in every case, for he said: "Thy Faith," etc. According to the requirements of this simple method there seems to be nothing which lays upon suffering humanity the impossible burden of thinking matter out of existence as a prerequisite to physical health. It does not appear from the record of these cases that any of these sufferers denied the existence of matter. It does not appear that they even denied the existence of disease. It is not in evidence that they were compelled to affirm that "All is good." In fact, if the re- ports be true, it would seem that they failed to conform to any of the prescribed formulas which are deemed essential by cer- tain of our modern metaphysical healers who profess to prac- tice Christ's methods. And yet, they were cured. More- over, they were cured instantly. And in order that each might know the secret by which his marvelous cure was wrought, Christ said again and again : "Thy Faith hath made thee whole." In the light of all we know today concerning the cure of disease by suggestion, and in view of his own unequivocal statement, does it not seem possible that when the Master said : "Thy faith hath made thee whole," he crystallized into definite form a great fundamental principle which underlies all systems of metaphysical healing wherein the efforts of the patient himself are a potential factor? Such is indeed the case. It could not be stated more clearly. It cannot be expressed more simply. It will never be declared with greater scientific exactness. It is just pos- sible, however, that our modern method of expressing the 100 THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME same truth will bring it more definitely within the range of our scientific comprehension. With that thought in view, the following statement of the therapeutic principle here re- ferred to may have a possible value : The relation of the mind to the physical body is such that every mental state or condition has its reflex expression in the physical organism. Just why this is so is a proposition which might lead to endless discussion with fruitless results. But perhaps one of the best known and most frequently demonstrated facts of medical science is comprised in the state- ment that the state of the patient's mind is a potent factor which must be taken into account in the treatment and cure of disease of all kinds. The regular practitioner who is in daily and hourly touch with the suffering will fully understand the meaning of this proposition, for it embodies a fact with which he is compelled to deal in every case he is called to attend. He knows that fear, anger, worry, anxiety, sorrow, gloom, doubt, despair, unhappiness and excitement of every kind and degree, are destructive mental conditions which have a tendency to produce disease, and when so produced to aggra- vate and accelerate its destructive action upon the physical body. He likewise knows that courage, brightness, cheerfulness, freedom from care, with perseverance, determination, hope and Faith are all mighty factors to supplement Nature's Con- structive Principle in the restoration and conservation of health and life. And again, there are many specific diseases which are unquestionably due entirely to mental causes. Wherever this condition obtains it is entirely within the power of the pa- tient to heal himself by purely mental processes, if he but un- derstand the principle involved and the method of its appli- cation. In just so far as the mental state, condition or attitude of the patient is or may become a salutary factor at all in the therapeutic process, it is based upon three constituent mental elements, viz : i. The desire to be well. TRUE SUGGESTION AND FAITH. . _l