524 SCIENCE PROGRESS. 



tending to approach one. another, thus diminishing" the 

 actual extent of the gap resistance. With opposite condi- 

 tions of prolonged inactivity they may tend to recede from 

 each other. Hence the repeated storming of the gaps by 

 nervous impulses would diminish the extent of the gaps 

 and thus facilitate passage across them, provided that such 

 repeated storming is not so persistent as to cause the dele- 

 terious changes which constitute fatigue. 



The result is that a nerve change of similar type to one 

 which has previously occurred finds its easiest path if it runs 

 along all the old lines ; every repetition thus sets up 

 further alterations in localities which are already the seat 

 of similar changes. If the physiological changes involved 

 in such transmission are transmuted into consciousness then 

 ideation follows, but even in the absence of any such trans- 

 mutation we must assume that a portion of the material 

 basis of the ideation occurs. Such material basis of the 

 idea, a given localised set of changes can obviously occur 

 whether consciousness is present or not, with its entire com- 

 plexus of discharging nerve impulses. Movements may thus 

 be evoked of precisely similar character to those determined 

 by volition, although both consciousness and volition are 

 absent. Indeed, the absence of consciousness and volition, 

 and the consequent exaltation of all other nervous activities 

 causes such movements to be produced with greater prompti- 

 tude and exactitude than would be the case if they were 

 present, for now ideas and movements are constrained to 

 follow a preceding set of the mental states. If consciousness 

 is present we are aware of this sequential characteristic and 

 we thus express it by the term "suggested". In the 

 hypnotic state, " suggestion " is used to denote the same state 

 of affairs, although both volition and consciousness are 

 absent. 



We are all aware that we fall an easy prey to such 

 suggestion. " As iron sharpeneth iron so a man's counte- 

 nance sharpeneth that of his friend." W^e are aware too that 

 this influence is greater in proportion as volitional control 

 and consciousness are in abeyance. How many of us, 

 when changing our clothes in the middle of the day, and 



