MESMERISM, ODYLISM, TABLE-TURNING, ETC, 165 



I 



transition from the " biological " to the " mesmeric " state ; just as 

 there is a passage from tlie state of prol'ound reverie or " day-dream- 

 ing" to that of ordinary sleep. All its strange phenomena are 

 referable to one simple principle the possession of the mind by a 

 doininant idea, from which, however absurd it may be, the subject 

 cannot free himself by bringing it to the test of actual experience, 

 because the suspension of his self-directing power prevents him from 

 correcting his ideational state by comparing it with external realities; 

 this suspension being often as complete as it is in dreaming, so that, 

 though the senses are awake, they cannot be turned to account. But 

 it may exist in regard to one sense only, the impressions made on 

 others being truly represented to the mind. Thus I have seen in- 

 stances in which a " biologized " sultject could be made to believe him- 

 self to be tasting anything which the operator might assure him that 

 he looidd taste such as milk, coffee, wine, or porter when drinking 

 a glass of pure water, though he was instantly disabused by looking 

 at tlie liquid ; while another would see milk or coffee, wine or porter, 

 as he was directed, but would instantly set himself right when he 

 tasted the liquid. Nothing can be more amusing than to experiment 

 ujjon a subject who has no misgivings of this kind, but whose percep- 

 tions are altogether under the direction of the ideas impressed upon 

 him. Pie may be made to exhibit all the manifestations of delight 

 which would be called forth by the viands or liquors of which he may 

 be most fond, and these may be turned in a moment into expressions 

 of the strongest disgust, by simply giving the word which shall 

 (ideally) change it into something he detests. Or if, when he believes 

 himself to be drinking a cup of tea or coffee, he be made to believe 

 that it is very hot, nothing will induce him to take more than a sip 

 at a time; yet a moment afterward he will be ready to swallow the 

 whole in gulps, if assured that the liquid is quite cool. Tell him, 

 again, that his seat is growing hot under him, and that he Avill not be 

 able to remain long upon it, and he will fidget uneasily for some time, 

 and at last start up with all the indications of having found the heat 

 no longer bearable. While he is firmly grasping a stick in his hand, 

 let him be assured that it will burn him if he continue to hold it, or 

 that it is becoming so heavy that he can no longer sustain it, and 

 he will presently drop it with gestures conformable in each case to 

 the idea. 



It may, of course, be said that what I have presented to you as 

 real phenomena are only simulated ; and as there would be nothing 

 difficult in such simulation, the supposition is of course admissible. 

 But they are so perfectly conformable to the known principles of 

 Mental action, that there is no justification for the suspicion of deceit, 

 when they are presented by persons in whose good faith we have rea- 

 sonable grounds of confidence. For every one must be conscious of 

 occasional mistakes as to what he supposes himself to have seen or 



