596 PSYCHOLOGY. 



explain the physiology of the hypnotic state must keep 

 account of the fact that so simple a thing as hearing the 

 word ' wake ! ' will end it. 



THEORIES ABOUT THE HYPNOTIC STATE. 



TJm intimate nature of the hypnotic condition, when once 

 induced, can hardly be said to be understood. Without 

 entering into details of controversy, one may say that three 

 main opinions have been held concerning it, which we may- 

 call respectively the theories of 



1. Animal magnetism ; 



2. of Neurosis ; and finally of 



3. Suggestion. 



According to the animal-magnetism theory there is a 

 direct passage of force from the oj)erator to the subject, 

 whereby the latter becomes the former's puppet. This- 

 theory is nowadays given uj) as regards all the ordinary 

 hypnotic phenomena', and is only held to by some persons 

 as an explanation of a few effects exceptionally met with. 



According to the neurosis-theory, the hypnotic state i& 

 a peculiar pathological condition into which certain pre- 

 disposed patients fall, and in which special physical agentf^ 

 have the power of provoking special symptoms, quite apart 

 from the subjects mentally expecting the effect. Professor 

 Charcot and his colleagues at the Salpetriere hospital admit 

 that this condition is rarely found in typical form. They call 

 it then le grand hypnotisme, and say that it accompanies the 

 disease hystero-epilepsy. If a patient subject to this sort 

 of hypnotism hear a sudden loud noise, or look at a bright 

 light unexpectedly, she falls into the cataleptic trance. Her 

 limbs and body offer no resistance to movements communi- 

 cated to them, but retain permanently the attitudes im- 

 pressed. The eyes are staring, there is insensibility to 

 pain, etc., etc. If the eyelids be forcibly closed, the cata- 

 leptic gives place to the lethargic condition, characterized 

 by apparent abolition of consciousness, and absolute mus- 

 cular relaxation except where the muscles are kneaded or 

 the tendons struck by the operator's hand, or certain nerve- 



