400 HEALTH. 



always accompanies and aggravates physical disorders. "We have 

 a direct proof of the continuation of the mind through the body, in 

 the way in which suggestions directed to the mind respecting the 

 organs, operate upon the latter. By touching the abdomen over the 

 colon, and suggesting the effect, we can, in susceptible persons, pro- 

 duce the results of aperient medicines, and abolish constipation for 

 years. This order of facts has an important bearing upon the origin 

 as well as cure of disease, rendering it probable that a large num- 

 of ills come directly out of the patient's mind ; for if alteration of 

 fancy heals, this suggests that fancy first engenders, the complaint. 

 Viewed in this light, many physical changes of structure may be 

 regarded as organic insanities or spells, which only require the right 

 word from the physician to dissipate them j and although, if they 

 went on, they would kill by their virulence, yet they are curable 

 by a simple impression from without. Next to the self-control of 

 the patient, which is the top of the mortal medicines, we may justly 

 reckon this control of the doctor, who makes use of his own health 

 and knowledge to give faith in the moments when it can be received.* 



* Mr. Braid's process consists in fixing the eyes, or rather the attention, 

 which itself fixes the eyes. After the patient has gazed steadily for one or two 

 minutes, the lids are closed by the fingers of the operator, should they not pre- 

 viously close by themselves. This is to prevent straining, which might produce 

 headache, or cerebral disturbance. In case the sleep is not produced, Mr. B. 

 still keeps the attention awake by bending the patient's arm and setting it up- 

 right, and also by putting out the legs at right angles to the body. The effort 

 to maintain these positions energizes the will, and fixes the patient's mind upon 

 the operation. Where volition is weakened, this is sometimes an excellent 

 means of again bringing it into the organism. In cases of paralysis, patients 

 can frequently move in this state where they have no power in the ordinary one. 

 It is known that the emotions will move limbs that are palsied, although the will 

 has no effect upon them ; and that afterwards the will frequently retains the 

 powers thus conferred. In the hypnotic state, the operator can play upon the 

 emotions by a variety of suggestive means ; and in this way give power to im- 

 potent parts, and hand them over to the will. Mr. Braid's devices for these ends 

 stamp him as a man of inventive genius, and we are surprised that such a piece 

 of combined intellectual and scientific sagacity as hypnotism, has not placed him 

 long ago in the first rank of metropolitan physicians. 



The titles of Mr. Braid's works are as follow : — 



Neurypnology, or the Rationale of Nervous Sleep. London, 1843. 



The Power of the Mind over the Body. London, 1846. 



Observations on Trance, or Hitman Hybernation. London, 1850. 



