720 FUNCTIONS OF THE CEREBRO-SPINAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



corrections were on the wrong points of the paper as regarded the actual 

 place of the writing, though on the right points as regarded its previous 

 place ; sometimes, however, he would take a fresh departure, by feeling for 

 the upper left-hand corner of the paper, and all his corrections were then 

 made in their right positions, notwithstanding the displacement of the pa- 

 per. So, again, when the attention of the somnambulist is fixed upon a 

 certain train of thought, whatever may be spoken in harmony with this is 

 heard and appreciated ; but what has no relation to it, or is in discordance 

 with it, is entirely disregarded. 



587. It is among the most curious of the numerous facts which Mr. Braid's 

 investigations upon artificial Somnambulism have brought to light, that the 

 suggestions derived from the "muscular sense" have a peculiar potency in 

 determining the current of thought. For if the face, body, or limbs be 

 brought into an attitude that is expressive of any particular emotion, or that 

 corresponds with that in which it would be placed for the performance of 

 any voluntary action, the corresponding mental state, that is, either an Emo- 

 tional condition affecting the general direction of the thoughts, or the Idea 

 of a particular action, is called up in respondence to it. Thus, if the hand 

 be placed upon the vertex, the Somnambulist will frequently, of his own 

 accord, draw his body up to its fullest height, and throw his head slightly 

 back ; his countenance then assumes an expression of the most lofty pride, 

 and the whole train of thought is obviously under the domination of this 

 feeling; as is manifested by the replies which the individual makes to inter- 

 rogatories, and by the tone and manner in which these are delivered. Where 

 the first action does not of itself call forth the rest, it is sufficient to straighten 

 the legs and spine, and to throw the head somewhat back, to arouse the 

 emotion, with its corresponding manifestation, in its full intensity. If, dur- 

 ing the most complete domination of this emotion, the head be bent forwards 

 and the body and limbs be gently flexed, the most profound humility then 

 takes place. So, again, if the angles of the mouth be gently separated from 

 one another, as in laughter, a hilarious disposition is immediately generated ; 

 and this may be made to give place to moroseness, by drawing the eyebrows 

 towards each other and downwards upon the nose, as in frowning. 1 So, again, 

 if the hand be raised above the head, and the fingers be flexed upon the 

 palm, the idea of climbing, swinging, or pulling at a rope is called up in 

 such as have been used to such kinds of exertion ; if, on the other hand, the 

 fingers be flexed when the arm is hanging down at the side, the idea sug- 

 gested is that of lifting a weight ; and if the same flexure be made when the 

 arm is advanced forwards in the position of striking a blow, the idea of 

 fighting is at once aroused, and the Somnambulist is very apt to put it into 

 immediate execution. 2 



1 The Author has not only repeatedly witnessed all these, effects, as produced by 

 Mr. Braid upon "hypnotized" subjects, of whom several had never been previously 

 in that condition, and had no idea whatever of what was expected from them ; but 

 he has been assured by a most intelligent medical friend, who has paid special atten- 

 tion to the psychological part of this inquiry, that having subjected himself to .Mr. 

 Braid's practice, and having been only partially thrown into the '' hypnotic " state 

 (in fact, " biologized "), he distinctly remembers everything that vva- done, and can 

 retrace the uncontrollable effect upon his emotional state, which was produced by this 

 management of his muscular apparatus. 



2 On one occasion on which the Author witnessed this result, a violent blow was 

 struck, which chanced to alight upon a second somnambulist within reach ; his com- 

 bativ en ess .being thereby excited, the two closed, and began to belabor one another 

 with such energy, that they were with difficulty separated. Although their passions 

 were at the moment so strongly excited, that even when separated they continued to 

 utter furious denunciations against each other, yet a little discreet manipulation of 

 their muscles soon calmed them and restored them to perfect good humor. 



