SELF-PRESERVATION AND THE MENTAL LIFE 159 



a slight, unemotional suggestion delivered in words 

 may act as powerfully as an extremely emotional 

 suggestion in the waking state. These suggestions 

 may take the form of acts to be carried out after 

 waking or during the sleeping state. There is no 

 doubt whatever that persons in the hypnotized state 

 can frequently be influenced to a line of conduct at 

 which they would rebel under ordinary conditions. 

 There are well-authenticated instances where a 

 drunkard has been suggested into a disgust for his 

 liquor, and where his will has been reenforced to 

 cope with temptation. Similar cases could be cited 

 in respect to multiple and various vicious habits. 

 The physiology of this influence cannot be analyzed 

 in precise and satisfactory terms. Apparently what 

 happens is that consciousness is so dissociated that 

 the suggestions of the hypnotizer take precedence 

 over other influences coming by way of the senses, 

 the patient's own volition being, for the time, in- 

 hibited. Under carefully restricted conditions it 

 seems entirely reasonable and moral to make use 

 of hypnotic suggestion to inhibit by the psychical 

 influence those injurious impulses which stand in the 

 way of healthful impulses. Children are commonly 

 susceptible in a remarkable degree to the example 

 and precept of their parents, and this fact gives a 

 powerful educational leverage based on sound respect 

 for authority. The sensitiveness and inexperience 

 of the growing child make the concentrated parental 

 influence peculiarly effective and impart to this in- 



