SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HYPNOTISM. 515 



It is interesting to note ^ that cataleptic reflexes can be 

 produced in response to skin stimulation in unhypnotised 

 animals after the separation of the portions of the brain 

 above the cerebellum and spinal cord. 



A predominant characteristic of both these phases of 

 the hypnotic state is evidently the paralysis of volitional 

 power, and, as the state progresses, this is succeeded by a 

 remarkable augmentation of other nervous functions. If 

 the eyes have been opened then all the nervous-avenues for 

 the production of sense impressions are present and, in 

 response to peripheral sensory stimulation the nervous 

 mechanism may re-act as it does in the normal waking 

 state, but with two striking differences ; first, the actions 

 must follow the sensory impression, they cannot be modi- 

 fied by voluntary control, and any resulting movenient of the 

 subject is thus automatic ; secondly the sensory impressions 

 adequate to evoke the actions may be far more delicate than 

 those which, in the waking state, are necessary to produce 

 either specific consciousness or the appropriate volitional 

 movement which this consciousness ushers in. The subject 

 does what he is commanded to do ; for the nerve processes 

 aroused in ear and eye by the sound of the words, and the 

 gestures of the operator dominate the whole brain machinery 

 of the subject, and a throng of impulses pours out to the 

 appropriate muscles, without the subject being conscious of 

 any stage in the process. It may even happen that the 

 subject does actually remain conscious but impotent ; 

 powerless to modify the domineering activity of the nerve 

 mechanism ; his actions thus remain automatic although 

 consciousness is present. So, toe, in ordinary sleep we may 

 be conscious, for we may dream and often remember our 

 dreams when we wake, and yet we have been powerless to 

 control our actions or to modify the ideas called up by the 

 nerve processes. 



This stage, generally an unconscious one, has been 



termed the somnambulistic stage of hypnotism and is the 



most interesting for reasons which will appear later. There 



is however another stage which may be briefly referred to. 



1 Sherrington, Froc. Roy. Soc, 1897 ) Horsley, Froc. Roy. Soc, 1897. 



