Hypnotism is Defined

1895

The Power All Depends Upon the Condition of the Patient's Mind

Dr. Parkhurst has got closer to the root of the whole matter of hypnotism than most of the scientists have. "It is remarkable," he says, "that we hear more about people being hypnotized into doing wrong than into behaving themselves." It is indeed! And because it is we get directly at what is known to be the meaning of hypnotism.

It is perfectly true that one man can hypnotize another into doing wrong without putting him wholly to sleep. When a pantata accepts a Wall street "tip" which on an investment of nothing at all gives him a return of a hundred thousand or so, he lays himself open to hypnotism. When an alderman stands up with his hands behind him and his fingers working he is waiting to be hypnotized. When an easy boss sends a man around to see a corporation he too, is demanding hypnotism. This is not a mere joke. It is the very latest and most accurate science.

Hypnotism is the result of suggestion. This is a world in which suggestion is everything. You suggest to a man that he ought to do something. He refuses. You promise him $2.50 and he becomes amenable to suggestion Your mind governs his. It does so because the hope of the $2.50 puts to sleep the part of his mind which resisted yours. So when a person allows himself to be hypnotized without $2.50 a part of his mind goes to sleep. The rest stays awake. But this rarely happens gratis. Generally people who allow themselves to be thus hypnotized by others expect some return, either in pleasure, in satisfaction or in money. This is true, everywhere. It is as true of women as of men. It is especially true at Albany. Dr. Parkhurst is not wrong if he has reached that conclusion. It is not hard to hypnotize a pantata when he is out for the stuff. But before he allows the hypnotizing to begin he must first see the stuff out!