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, i. e., a 

 temporary suppression of will power or cerebral force, we neces- 

 sai'ily 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 

 of an irritant. 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, 



