366 HYPNOTISM. 



two extremes. The exact causes of these variations are 

 not fully known — tliongh it would appear that they are 

 dependent in some degree on the method by which hypnosis 

 has been produced, on the stage of hypnosis, and on the 

 individuality of the person. 



With suggestion, — Suggestions of movements, either im- 

 perative or inhibitory, may be given him. Imperative sugges- 

 tions of movements given in the earlier stages of hypnosis 

 cause some movements to be performed, and not others. 

 Thus it may be possible to make him close his eyes, but not 

 bend his arm. But if hypnosis be deep enough, an im- 

 perative suggestion will make the person perform any 

 voluntary movement, e.g. walk to the end of the room to 

 fetch anything ; and, finally, suggestions which are but barely 

 imperative succeed, so that the '' subject " obeys the slightest 

 gesture, provided that he understands it. The general rule 

 is, that we can first make him do acts which are usually 

 carried out reflexly {e.g. shutting the eyes), then acts which 

 are rarely, and f].nally acts which are usually, carried out 

 voluntarily. 



Imitated movements are merely a special case of these 

 imperative suggestions. If standing before a hypnotised 

 person I raise my arm, he does nothing ; if I do so, saying, 

 '' Put out your arm," the " subject " raises his ; if now, 

 without saying anything, I raise my arm, he does so too. 

 And with a little training, the " subject " readily becomes 

 a Spiegclbild of the hypnotiser. These imitated movements 

 are evidently the result of imperative suggestions perceived 

 through the visual sense. Similarly the ''subject" maybe 

 taught to repeat everything the hypnotiser says, whether 

 understood or not (Echolalie). 



" Suggestive catalepsy " may here be spoken of, as it is 

 a phenomenon closely allied to these imperative suggestions 



