DOCSLIB.ORG

Franz Anton Mesmer, an Your Throat Dry? Does It Tickle 10 Minutes to Half an Hour

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Franz Anton Mesmer, an Your Throat Dry? Does It Tickle 10 Minutes to Half an Hour Don't look up while you are After Mesmer retired, his orof telling people they are get- reading this. There may be methods, called " mesmerism," ting sleepy are helpful, but not someone there whose piercing continued to interest doctors. necessary. The point is to get eyes are waiting to catch your Then, in the 1840s, a Scottish the subject to relax, use his or attention, hypnotize you, de- physician and surgeon, James her imagination, pay close stroy your will power, and Braid, began experimenting on attention to what is said, and make you a slave. At least his friends with mesmerism. not fight the process. The rest that's what you might believe He coined the term hypnosis, is up to the subject and his or if you watch too many old and described it as a mixture her willingness to go along movies. The mystery that sur- of physiological and psycholog- with the suggestions. The rounds hypnosis is inevitable, ical mechanisms that involve trance itself need not involve since it can produce so many intense mental concentration the appearance of drowsiness. unusual phenomena. Natu- and the power of suggestion. Many hypnotized.subjects act rally, you have some questions drowsy because that is the about this unusual state of WHAT IS THE POWER OF way they think they are sup- consciousness, and we posed will try SUGGESTION? to behave.In most cases, to answer a few of them. however, the average person The power of suggestion often cannot tell whether a subject in- WHO DISCOVERED involves nothing more than is hypnotized-hypnotized quite HYPNOSIS? focusing your attention on dividuals can appear to be sensations you did not notice normal and alert. The actual The "father" of hypnosis was before. Do you feel thirsty? Is trance induction can take from Franz Anton Mesmer, an your throat dry? Does it tickle 10 minutes to half an hour. The eighteenth-century Austrian a little? Does it feel scratchy? deep trances used in psycho- doctor. He believed that he had If we keep making these sug- therapy often take many hours the power to heal with his gestions, you will eventually and many sessions to produce. hands and that a force he called notice things about your throat "animal magnetism" flowed that you hadn't paid attention patients. WHAT IS POSTHYPNOTIC from him to his Al- to before. SUGGESTION? though he had many successes, Hypnosis involves allow- other physicians accused him ing yourself to yield to another The hypnotist may tell the of practicing magic, and he person's suggestions. The hyp- subject that when the trance is was ordered to leave Austria. notic trance is not like sleep. over, he or she rvill remember He went to Paris, where he It is a state of intense focus on everything that has happened. continued his healing, but some aspect of reality. What Or the hypnotist can request there h'e was called an im- that aspect is depends on the that the subject remember poster and a fraud. In the end, suggestions of the hypnotist. nothing of the session. But he lost his practice and retired. most interesting of all, the He did not know his meth- that HOW IS HYPNOSIS DONE? hypnotist can suggest that the ods would later be developed subiect do thines after the by others into an important The usual methods of focusing trati.e without iemembering therapeutic technique. attention on a swinging watch that he or she was told to do Consciousness so. For instance, a woman may to you by the hypnotist.It is an nosis have been tried for years, be told to laugh whenever she altered state of consciousness but no one has succeeded. The hears the word "today." When that you willingly produce most that can occur is a deep- she does so, she is unable to with the hypnotist's guidance. ening of your belief that you explain why she laughs, but Some people can learn to have magic capacities. Again, she is also unable to keep from hypnotize themselves. Such you don't need hypnosis to doing so. Such posthYpnotic autohypnosls provides relaxa- achieve this end. suggestions are very helPful tion and self-discipline. This also be for individuals who are trying kind of self-control can WILL YOU DO SOMETHING to rid themselves of habits, achieved through various methods meditation. You IMMORAL WHILE such as overeating or smoking. of HYPNOTIZED? have probably already been hypnotized in one way. If you It depends on your morals, of YOU BE HYPNOT'ZED? CAN have ever been so caught up in course. Hypnosis won't make Probably. Most people can. But a television show or a book that you immoral or give you crimi- it is easier for some than for you didn't notice the rest of the nal tendencies. In cases where others. The difference seems to world around you-even peo- "hypnotic influence" is said to be a matter of personality and ple talking to you-then you have accounted for criminal the learning that takes place have experienced a form of acts, the hypnotist and the as you grow up. If you want to hypnosis. You concentrated so victim have been found to be be hypnotized and you feel that much on one aspect of reality deeply involved with each the hypnotist has mysterious that the rest of reality faded other. from your awareness. WHAT IS HYPNOSIS USED llflany CAN HYPNOSIS MAKE YOU FOR? A BETTER STUDENT? lr;rynotined, In recent times, hypnosis has You won't become an aca- been used extensively to relieve srrbJeats aet demic superstar, but for some pain. Hypnosis is used instead people hypnosis can be used of an anaesthetic for a number drowsy be- to produce a state of general of dental procedures, ranging relaxation that increases the from simple fillings to root eause th.at ability to learn. If you can use canal work. Hypnosis is also self-hypnosis to get yourself to being used to help with rnajor ls the way do your homework and study pain, such as the pain of child- regularly and carefully during birth and of terminal cancer they thtnk the semester, you won't need patients. tlrey a;r.e; to be hypnotized to relax for Psychiatrists use hypnosis exams. to try to get to thoughts and slrpp(Dsed to desires buried in the patient's unconscious mind. Hypnosis WILL HYPNOSIS GIVE YOU behave may be used to "age regress" MYSTIC POWERS? the patient-to take him or powers and can easily domi- Hypnosis won't let you see the her back to an earlier period in nate you, then it probably future, read people's thoughts, life and relive some key experi- won't be hard to hypnotize have ESP, or gain control over ences. Hypnosis has also been you. Remember, though, that others. Attempts to acquire used as a method for helping hypnosis is not something done mystical powers through hyp- people to get over phobias, ob- Psychology Today and Tomorrow state one brings uPon one- sessions, and other neurotic Arrto- self. EssentiallY, it is a state ;;;bi;;t, as well as to lose ol-ielaxation ihvolving in- iveight or to stop smoking' h1,1lnosis tense concentration on a rii*"t"t. The hYPnotized willinglY sur- REAL? piovides individual IS HYPNOSIS renders to the suggestions Not according to Theodore X' relaxation of the hYPnotist. gu.b"t. a bY Barber, PsYchologist self- 3. Hvpnosis is induced *ho studied hYPnosis,-believes and ;;H;i;s the subject and iitui ttt"." is n6 such Phenome- setting him or her to con- claims dlsclPllne u. hYPnosis'. He Eentra"te on a stimulus' The "o" no scientific suP- m.aY Itrai the.e"ii hYPn-osis hvpnotized individual o. reliable test for it' He evidence that .is and normal- are no ;r"ut t' orne's Procedure in- sJJ- "*lboints out that there drowsiness"t"tt of hYPnosis in asking several PeoPle to the l"io"" changes PhYsiologY are hYPlo- is a mYth. that occur wlth hYPnosis-no "of"". thai theY rate' or "."t""aiir"J. Ttt"" other irsychologists 4. A posthYpnotic suggestion changes in EEG, heart try to Further- exDerienced in hYPnosis-PeoPle is an instruction to behave t".tt measures' after the "itt"i G insists that an-Ything ;;ffiil" which, .theY in a certain way ;;;;, hYPnotized and over. The abilitY vou can do while hYPlo- are testing are liu"." is that f"t i"g' These kinds dePends ,i-r"a" .u., do in a wide- *ttriii tiJ i" U" ftvPtotized not have shown that in a Peo- if You are ProPerlY on orre'i-PersonalitY' - ^wuk""stut" "ftt"ai"t;;;#of situations, the hYP- ple can hYPnotize them- motivated.:---fttot" react consrs- who are convinced notized subjects ielves using autohyPnosls' in a waY different from that hvPnosis does Produce a i.en;ln 5. People under trypnosis ih; ;.y the fakers act' orne unioue itate of consciousness indi- have no mYstical Powers criti- iJt'irtlt these reactions do things theY tt^u" igttoted Barber's are character- u"a ao not researcher' itttt there ordinarilY do' ;ir;r. bne noted "ut" to the hYPnotic wiuldn't conducted a i*ilt o"."liar can use this state M;;i" orne, has' state that cannot be But theY r"ti". of exPeriments that t..rr"" to helP them concentrate ;;il feel Prbvide conclusive faked. ;;;hdgt theY do do-such as studYing. SUMMARY 6. HvPnosis is used to relieve The u"a it is also a tool The Phenomenon called grew out of the bf"iil", psYchotheraPY' T'.X ftoo"6tit th,at Jf M"t*"t in the Barber has suggested does not really s(Dn Ganrr(Dt "lfiuiti".eishteenth century' James hvpnosis for eiist, but the exPeriments il;"id is resPonsible indicate tellwhether " mesirterism" into of Martin Orne ;.ki"g hYPnotic is "hypnotism." there is a distinct a sulDieet state.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Platinum Programme for Hypnotherapy Manual
    Adam Eason School of Therapeutic Hypnosis Platinum Programme for Hypnotherapy Manual www.adam-eason.com Hello and welcome to this manual. Let me welcome you to this manual — this manual gives you all the handouts that are used in class for you to refer to. It also gives you scripts for group hypnosis sessions and exercises done in class on the videos that you do not get to witness in the video footage. Divided into each module, this manual is also going to give you some essential further reading and some exercises to further your skills. That is your introduction and warm welcome over with. Let’s roll our sleeves up and crack on, shall we? Contents Module One �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������p3 Module Two ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������p19 Module Three ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������p37 Module Four ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������p39 Module Five ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������p43 Module Six �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������p52
    [Show full text]
  • Suggestion and Autosuggestion
    SUGGESTION AND AUTOSUGGESTION A Psychological and Pedagogical Study Based upon the Investigations Made by the New Nancy School By - CHARLES BAUDOUIN Professor at the Jean Jacques Rousseau Institute and Occasional Professor at the University of Geneva Author of "Culture de la Force Morale," "Symbolisme ct Psychoanalyse," etc., etc. Translated from the French by EDEN and CEDAR PAUL NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 1921 Copyright, 1921 By DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY, Imo. Dedicated with grateful acknowledgments to EMILE COUE the steadfast Worker and Pioneer TRANSLATORS' PREFACE The dissociation of hypnotism, from mysticism and super stition was efficiently begun by two investigators, Alex andre Bertrand and James Braid. Bertrand (Traite du somnambtdisme, Paris, 1823 ; Du magnetisme animal en France, Paris, 1826) insisted especially upon the psychological determinants of the phenomena in ques tion. He maintained that what we now call the hypnotic state was brought about through the influence of the imagination of the patients acting upon themselves. Herein we have the germ of Cone's theory of autosug gestion as expounded in the following pages. Braid, on the other hand (various writings, from 1841 to his death in 1860), inclined at the outset rather to the physi ological explanation of what he was the first to term "hypnotism." It is interesting to note that Braid was a pioneer in the therapeutic use of reflective autosugges tion. He describes his own sufferings, in September, 1844, from a severe attack of muscular rheumatism, which had made it impossible for him to sleep for three successive nights. He then hypnotized himself in the presence of two friends.
    [Show full text]
  • 5. James Braid
    James Braid (I): Natural Philosopher, Structured Thinker, Gentleman Scientist, and Innovative Surgeon 1 Yeates, Lindsay B., James Braid (I): Natural Philosopher, Structured Thinker, Gentleman Scientist, and Innovative Surgeon, Australian Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy & Hypnosis, Volume 40, No.1, (Autumn 2018), pp.3-39. NOTE to the Reader (1) This is the first of two articles published in the “Autumn 2018” issue of the Journal (released in February 2019). Due to the material involved, the proposed set of four articles were subsequently expanded to six, and the remaining four articles were published in the “Spring 2018” issue of the Journal (released in December 2019). (2) The original paper’s content remains unchanged; and, for the reader’s convenience, the original paper’s pagination is indicated as {1}, etc. James Braid (I): Natural Philosopher, Structured Thinker, Gentleman Scientist, and Innovative Surgeon 2 {3} James Braid (I): Natural Philosopher, Structured Thinker, Gentleman Scientist, and Innovative Surgeon Lindsay B Yeates, PhD School of Humanities and Languages, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia Abstract James Braid (1795-1860), the natural philosopher, gentleman scientist, the inquisitive and sagacious, structured thinker, the safe, innovative, and efficacious surgeon—renowned for his personal character, range of surgical skills, and overall clinical excellence (especially in the treatment of dangerous and difficult forms of disease, and the correction of deformities such as club- foot, spinal curvature, knock knees, bandy legs, squint, etc.)—the early adopter (and advocate) of ether anaesthesia and, significantly, the originator of scientific hypnotism and the intentional use of structured suggestion has, to a large extent, been written out of history.
    [Show full text]
  • Magic, Witchcraft, Animal Magnetism, Hypnotism and Electro-Biology
    This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the information in books and make it universally accessible. https://books.google.com |G-NRLF ||||I|| * * B 51D * - 5 B E R K E L E Y LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA This is an authorized facsimile of the original book, and was produced in 1975 by microfilm-xerography by Xerox University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A. ♦ .MAGIC, WITCHCRAFT, ANIMAL MAGNETISM, HYPNOTISM, AND ELECTEO-BIOLOGT; BEING A DIGEST OF THE LATEST VIEWS OP THE AUTHOR ON THESE SUBJECTS. / JAMES BRAID, M.R.C.S. Emh., C.M.W.S., Ac. y, THIRD EDITION^ GREATLY ENLARGED, lL ~> XHBUCIXO OBSIETIIIOIH OH J. C. COLQUHOUN'S "HISTOBY OF MAGIC," Ao. 'uacoi run, amicus iocutu, iid mioii ahica niiru." LONDON: JOHN CHUBCHILL, PEINCES 8TBBET, SOHO. ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK, EDINBURGH. 1852. BFII3/ & 7 30 ft*. "SO MEN OF I1HJEPENDENT HABITS OF THOUOIIT CAJf BE DRIVES WTO BELIEF: THEIR BEASOX MUST BE AITEALED TO, ASD T1IEIR objections CALMLY vet." — Brit, and For. Hcd.'Chir. Sevica. PREFACE. In the first edition of these " Observations," I merely intended to shield myself against the more important points upon which I considered Mr. Colquhoun had misrepresented me. In the second edition I went more into detail, and quoted additional authorities in support of my theory of the nature, cause., and extent of hypnotic or mesmeric phenomena. In the third edition I have gone so much more into detail, as to furnish a periscope or vidimus of my views on all the moro important points of the hypnotic and mesmeric speculations.
    [Show full text]
  • An Introduction to the History of Hypnotism and Hypnotherapy
    An introduction to the history of hypnotism and hypnotherapy In this article I have sought to put together a potted history of hypnotism and hypnotherapy through the ages. The key events and people who played the most important roles in the discoveries and developments of what has become today’s hypnotherapy treatments are the main focus of this essay. I hope this may give interested people more of an insight and understanding into the world of Hypnotherapy The early days Primitive societies used hypnotic phenomena throughout the ages for spiritual beliefs. Tribal drama and rituals, e.g. dances have been a part of many societies around the globe. This rhythmic pattern greatly assisted the participants to make the transition into a trance like state. Shamanistic rituals have played a very large part in tribal cultures around the world and there are still many cultures today where shamanism is actively practised. Shamanism is also practised in the west and has gained some credibility in most notably the new age movement. In ancient tribal cultures the shaman was the most respected member of the tribe because it was believed that not only could he commune with the spirit world and receive direct sacred knowledge that other members of the tribal community were unable to receive, but it was also believed he had special curative magical powers that could not only produce magical healings and changes in state, but he could also guide the rest of the tribe into a hypnotic state where they could also commune with the spirit world and experience a different reality.
    [Show full text]
  • Yeates, Lindsay B., James Braid
    James Braid (VI): Exhuming the Authentic Braid—Priority, Prestige, Status, and Significance 1 Yeates, Lindsay B., James Braid (VI): Exhuming the Authentic Braid—Priority, Prestige, Status, and Significance, Australian Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy & Hypnosis, Volume 40, No.2, (Spring 2018), pp.168-218. NOTE to the Reader (1) This is the sixth of six interconnected articles—the first two were published in the Journal’s “Autumn 2018” issue (which, due to unavoidable delays, was not released until February 2019). (2) Due to the complexities of the source material involved, and the consequences of a number of unavoidable delays, the (originally proposed) set of four articles were subsequently expanded to six—the remaining four articles (including this one) were published in the “Spring 2018” issue of the Journal (which, again, due to unavoidable delays, was not released until late March 2020). (3) The entire set of six articles are part of a composite whole (i.e., rather than an associated set of six otherwise independent items). (4) From this, the reader is strongly advised to read each of the six articles in the sequence they have been presented. The articles were specifically written on the embedded assumption that each reader would dutifully do so (with the consequence that certain matters, theories, practices, and concepts are developed sequentially as the narrative proceeds). (5) The original paper’s content remains unchanged. For the reader’s convenience, the original paper’s pagination is indicated as {168}, etc. James Braid (VI):
    [Show full text]
  • Benefits of Hypnosis
    2400 Reading Road, Suite 139 912 Scott St, PO Box 122604 Cincinnati, OH 45202 Covington, KY 41011 Office 513-721-2910 / 877-361-4518 / 859-431-1077 www.MHAnkyswoh.org / www.GuideToFeelingBetter.org Benefits of Hypnosis A wonderful benefit of hypnosis is that you can be taught to use it alone, at will and without complicated procedures. This fact makes many benefits readily available throughout your lifetime. Hypnosis can be used to further any human endeavor. With hypnosis you can: Develop and express awareness and intuition. Feel worthwhile, self-confident and zestful. Gain a happier home life; become a better husband, wife, parent or friend. Acquire the ability to relax completely in any situation. Make better decisions. Improve concentration. Overcome procrastination. Increase the quality of your emotional expression. Reduce conflict and stress. Promote health and well-being. Regain your natural ability to sleep easily. Sell yourself, your ideas and your services with confidence and enthusiasm. Increase your income. Attract and maintain worthwhile friendships. Discover your negative mental patterns and how they affect you. Free yourself from hostility, resentment, fear of rejection. Select your goals in life; chart your course for their realization. Program your mind with positive mental concepts and success attitudes. Develop the ability to construct mental images easily. Hypnotic services are available in eight application areas. 1. Mental and emotional health 2. Physical health 3. Psychic and spiritual development
    [Show full text]
  • JAMES BKAID, SUHGJSON and HYPNOTIST. JAMES BKAID, The
    JAMES BKAID, SUHGJSON AND HYPNOTIST. BY DR. J. MILNE BBAMWELL. JAMES BKAID, the subject of this sketch, was bom at Bylaw House, in Fifesbire, about 1795. He studied at Edinburgh University and, after qualifying as a surgeon, Downloaded from practised for a short time in Scotland; then removed to Manchester, where he remained up to the time of his death. On November 13, 1841, Braid, for the first time, was by guest on January 9, 2015 present at a mesmeric seance, the operator being Lafontaine. At this time mesmeric phenomena were believed to be due either to some mysterious force or fluid, self-deception, or trickery. Braid held the latter theory and, on the first occasion, saw nothing to cause him to alter his views. At the next seance, six days later, he noticed that one subject was unable to open his eyes. Braid regarded this as a real phenomenon, and was anxious to discover its physiological cause; and the following evening, when the same case was again operated on, he believed he had done so. After making a series of experiments, chiefly on personal friends and relations, he expressed his conviction that the phenomena he had witnessed were purely subjective, and began almost immediately to place these views before the public, his first lecture being delivered on December 27, 1841. In 1842 Braid offered a paper on the subject of hypnotism to the Medical Section of the British Association. This was refused; whereupon he gave a Conversazione, at which many members of the Association were present, read his paper, and showed cases.
    [Show full text]
  • Yeates, Lindsay B., James Braid
    James Braid (IV): Braid’s Further Boundary-Work, and the Publication of Neurypnology 1 Yeates, Lindsay B., James Braid (IV): Braid’s Further Boundary-Work, and the Publication of Neurypnology, Australian Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy & Hypnosis, Volume 40, No.2, (Spring 2018), pp.58-111. NOTE to the Reader (1) This is the fourth of six interconnected articles—the first two were published in the Journal’s “Autumn 2018” issue (which, due to unavoidable delays, was not released until February 2019). (2) Due to the complexities of the source material involved, and the consequences of a number of unavoidable delays, the (originally proposed) set of four articles were subsequently expanded to six—the remaining four articles (including this one) were published in the “Spring 2018” issue of the Journal (which, again, due to unavoidable delays, was not released until late March 2020). (3) The entire set of six articles are part of a composite whole (i.e., rather than an associated set of six otherwise independent items). (4) From this, the reader is strongly advised to read each of the six articles in the sequence they have been presented. The articles were specifically written on the embedded assumption that each reader would dutifully do so (with the consequence that certain matters, theories, practices, and concepts are developed sequentially as the narrative proceeds). (5) The original paper’s content remains unchanged. For the reader’s convenience, the original paper’s pagination is indicated as {58}, etc. James Braid (IV): Braid’s Further
    [Show full text]
  • The Discovery of Flow Hypnosis by Isabelle Prevot-Stimec & Dan Short Introduction
    This is a prepublication draft and may not reflect everything published in the French version. The Discovery of Flow Hypnosis By Isabelle Prevot-Stimec & Dan Short Introduction "This is what the navigator feels when the wind whips his face, it is the feeling of a parent at the first smile of a child. Such experiences do not occur only when external conditions are favorable ... these great moments of life arise when the body and mind are used to their limits in a voluntary effort to achieve something that 'We can provoke'.” -- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, 2004 What is Flow? Flow is an altered state of consciousness characterized by complete immersion in a specific problem solving task, without the effort of typical conscious problem solving. Due in part to the good feelings that are associated with it, this phenomenon has become closely associated with the positive psychology movement, as first researched and elaborated by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Flow naturally occurs when there is a total immersion in a chosen activity with well-defined goals and motivation, for which the skills of the individual and the level of challenge of the activity are perfectly matched. The combination of these elements makes it possible to feel a "state of grace", a fluidity (often felt by athletes, but also during other activities), and a sensation of ease and automaticity. In this state of flow, a double temporal distortion occurs, with the individual having both the paradoxical impression that time is shorter, while at the same time feeling that he has more time to perform the actions he must do.
    [Show full text]
  • Hypnotism, Medicine and the Problem of the Suggestible Subject in Late Nineteenth-Century Britain
    Med. Hist. (2012), vol. 56(3), pp. 335–354. c The Author 2012. Published by Cambridge University Press 2012 doi:10.1017/mdh.2011.39 ‘Looking as Little Like Patients as Persons Well Could’: Hypnotism, Medicine and the Problem of the Suggestible Subject in Late Nineteenth-Century Britain TERI CHETTIAR∗ Department of History, Northwestern University, 1881 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208-2220, USA Abstract: During the late nineteenth century, many British physicians rigorously experimented with hypnosis as a therapeutic practice. Despite mounting evidence attesting to its wide-ranging therapeutic uses publicised in the 1880s and 1890s, medical hypnosis remained highly controversial. After a decade and a half of extensive medical discussion and debate surrounding the adoption of hypnosis by mainstream medical professionals – including a thorough inquiry organised by the British Medical Association – it was decisively excluded from serious medical consideration by 1900. This essay examines the complex question of why hypnosis was excluded from professional medical practice by the end of the nineteenth century. Objections to its medical adoption rarely took issue with its supposed effectiveness in producing genuine therapeutic and anaesthetic results. Instead, critics’ objections were centred upon a host of social and moral concerns regarding the patient’s state of suggestibility and weakened ‘will-power’ while under the physician’s hypnotic ‘spell’. The problematic question of precisely how far hypnotic ‘rapport’ and suggestibility might depart from the Victorian liberal ideal of rational individual autonomy lay at the heart of these concerns. As this essay demonstrates, the hypnotism debate was characterised by a tension between physicians’ attempts to balance their commitment to restore patients to health and pervasive middle-class concerns about the rapid and ongoing changes transforming British society at the turn of the century.
    [Show full text]
  • Some Important Historical Figures of Hypnosis
    Some Important Historical Figures of Hypnosis Franz Anton Mesmer Usually referred to as Anton Mesmer, he was the self proclaimed discoverer of Animal Magnetism. Mesmer abandoned healing magnets for hand passes (stroking), and vats magnetised with the Ethereal Fluid, that were filled with water and “certain substances” to produce energetic states often resulted in a healing catharsis. Contrary to common assumption, Franz Anton Mesmer was not a hypnotist; he was a magnetist and did not consider the trance state necessary or even a mechanism of Animal Magnetism. Armand-Marie-Jacques de Chastenet, Marquis de Puységur Born in 1751, Puysegur died in 1825. He was a French aristocrat from one of the most illustrious families of the French nobility; he is now remembered as one of the pre-scientific founders of hypnotism. Puységur learned about Mesmerism from his brother Antoine-Hyacinthe, the Count of Chastenet. One of his first and most important patients was Victor Race, a 23-year-old peasant in the employ of the Puységur family. Race was easily hypnotized by Puységur, but displayed a strange form of sleeping trance not before seen in the early history of Mesmerism. Puységur noted the similarity between this sleeping trance and natural sleep-walking or somnambulism, and he named it "artificial somnambulism". He became a highly successful hypnotist, to whom people came from all over France. In 1785, Puységur taught a course in animal magnetism to the local Masonic society, which he concluded with these words: I believe in the existence within myself of a power. From this belief derives my will to exert it.
    [Show full text]