PHRENOPATHY. 397 



What happens ? Any sensation that appeals, is met by this bril- 

 liant attention, and receives its diamond glare, being perceived with 

 a force of leisure of which our distracted life affords only the rudi- 

 ments. External influences are sensated, sympathized with, to an 

 extraordinary degree : harmonious music sways the body into graces 

 the most affecting; discords jar it as though they would tear it limb 

 from limb. Cold and heat are perceived with similar exaltation; so 

 also smells and touches. In short, the whole man appears to be 

 given to each perception. The body trembles like down with the 

 wafts of the atmosphere ; the world plays upon it as upon a spiritual 

 instrument finely attuned. 



This is the natural hypnotic state, but it may be modified arti- 

 ficially. The power of suggestions over the patient is excessive. 

 If you say, What animal is it ? the patient will tell you it is a lamb, 

 or a rabbit, or any other. Does he see it ? Yes. What animal 

 is it now ? putting depth and gloom into the tone of noiVj and 

 thereby suggesting a difference. "Oh," with a shudder, "it is a 

 wolf." What color is it? still glooming the phrase. "Black." 

 What color is it now ? giving the now a cheerful air. " Oh, a 

 beautiful blue" — spoken with the utmost delight. And so you 

 lead the subject through any dreams you please, by variation of 

 questions, and of inflections of the voice ; and he sees and feels all 

 as real. 



Another curious study is the influence of the patient's postures 

 on his mind in this state. Double his fist, and put up his arm, if 

 you dare, for you will have the strength of your ribs rudely tested. 

 Put him on his knees and clasp his hands, and the saints and devo- 

 tees of the artists will pale before the trueness of his devout act- 

 ings. Raise his head while in prayer, and his lips pour forth exult- 

 ing glorifications, as he sees heaven opened, and the Majesty of 

 God raising him to his place ; then in a moment depress the head, 

 and he is dust and ashes, an unworthy sinner, with the pit of hell 

 yawning at his feet. Or compress the forehead so as to wrinkle it 

 vertically, and this little attitude of gloom, glooms the whole mind, 

 and thorny-toothed clouds contract in from the very horizon ; and 

 what is remarkable, the smallest pinch and wrinkle, such as will lie 

 between your nipping nails, is sufficient nucleus to crystalize the 

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