HYPNOTISM AND ITS PHENOMENA. 69 
follows a citation of cases where peripheral irritation induced epileptic 
attacks. No doubt these cases are facts, but I am inclined to the 
belief that most, if not all, of them can be explained on the anaemia 
theory. Let us select one example from many. He cites a case 
where disease of the supra-renal capsules induced epileptic attacks. 
Now, here it would seem as if we had present much the same sort of 
peripheral irritation of the nerves, which we have in ovarian hyper- 
aesthesia, &c. ; and each is followed by an attack or paroxysm, due, we 
have reason to believe, to the irritation to the ganglionic nervous 
system inducing contraction of the brain, capillaries, &c. But, to 
proceed, assuming that since the hypnotic state is induced principally 
in persons of natural or induced emotional tendencies, and that in 
such there is present more or less of a cerebro-spinal ataxia, 7. €., a 
temporary suppression of will power or cerebral force, we neces- 
sarily have present a condition of cerebral anaemia, or the very same 
physiological condition which Cappie, Durham, Jackson, Schiff, &c., 
agree, is present in normal sleep. 
Let us now refer to some of the conditions which exist in hypnotic 
individuals. You will remember the hypnotizing experiment used 
as a diagnostic aid in the case already referred to. The method, as 
remarked by Prof. Charcot, made use of for inducing the hypnotic 
state is for the most part immaterial, the subjective state of the 
patient being apparently the necessary condition. What, however, 
in most cases seems necessary is a fixity of gaze, or at least some impres- 
sion made upon the visual organs, which we may consider in the light 
ofanirritant. Thus the patient looking fixedly for a few seconds at a 
single point, placed a few inches in front, and a little above the level 
of the eyes, is seen to have the pupils first contract and then soon 
dilate, with this the eyelids are seen to droop, and the patient simul- 
taneously shows signs of muscular relaxation ; the head falls to one 
side or forward, stridulous breathing supervenes for a few moments, 
then the patient passes into a profound sleep. Other means, such as 
looking at a bright piece of silver, the Drummond light, or even 
closure of the eyelid with slight pressure on the eyeball, have all 
been used, producing the same results. We are now brought to the 
exceedingly difficult question of the physiological changes which 
have here taken place. To physiology, rather than pathology, must 
we look for our answer. First, then, we recognize the fact that the 
impression made by light or by pressure is made upon the retina, 
