

By F. H. EDaEWORTH, M.B., B.Sc, B.A 



THOUGrH it is desirable to give an account of the 

 phenomena of the hypnotic state before entering upon 

 a discussion as to its nature, yet it may be well to begin 

 by a short definition, so as to give some general idea of the 

 subject. 



The hypnotic state, then, may be defined as a state of the 

 mind characterized by an increased susceptibility to sug- 

 gestions. By " suggestion " is to be understood any event 

 which produces a mental change by reason of the person 

 believing that it will do so. For instance, suppose various 

 persons be severally told, " There is a mouse behind you." 

 One person will at once totally disbelieve the statement ; 

 another will turn round, and, not seeing any mouse, then 

 disbelieve it ; a third will, not seeing any mouse, fancy he 

 does so, perhaps saying, '^ Did you see one ? " whilst a fourth 

 will say, " Yes, there it runs." 



In normal individuals, then, this tendency to believe any- 

 thing, independently of any logical connection between the 

 suggestion and the belief, varies to an enormous degree. 



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