to take part in the foolish show, while others with difficulty resist 

 the same impulse. 



Lastly, as an element in hypnotism, is the will of the operator. 

 Undoubtedly the best operators are persons of strong will and 

 great persistence. The influence of a strong will is felt con- 

 stantly in the daily walks of life, in all our intercourse with our 

 fellows. In the mesmerism of men, those whose minds are nat- 

 urally weak, or who have become enfeebled by disease, are the 

 ones most easily controlled. This has long been known, but re- 

 cently very satisfactorily exemplified by Charcot and his asso- 

 ciates in France at the Hospice Salpetriere (an institute for the 

 treatment of nervous diseases). In the Biological Society of 

 Washington, there is material for many good masters of mes- 

 merism, but I doubt if a single good subject can be found. 



I have now reviewed and classified all the elements entering 

 into the production of hypnotism, as fully as the time will allow. 



That a very large proportion of the phenomena exhibited, may 

 be referred to one or other of these divisions, I think is evident 



from the 



requisites which Heidenhain lays down as necessary 1 



the development of hypnotism i 



1. Undivided attention. Concentration of the attention by an 

 upward gaze at a bright object placed near the eyes. 



2. Willingness and desire on the pant of the subject. Persons 

 cannot be mesmerized against their knowledge and consent. 



3. Use of touches, passes, etc. (to stimulate the imagination). 



4. Direct command from the operator to sleep. 



In regard to the second of these — " willingness and desire on the 

 part of the subject " — much doubt has been expressed, and profes- 

 sional mesmerists are not willing to admit that consent is necessary. 

 The question is of special interest in consequence of its medico- 

 legal bearing, and the statement of Heidenhain is in accordance 

 with the views of experts who have given the subject study. 

 Many cases might be cited to prove the opposite, but an analysis 

 of them show that they " are events viewed unequally." 



Persons who have been frequently mesmerized acquire such a 

 frame of mind from habit and intuitive training that they may be 

 thrown into this condition merely by the power of the imagination. 

 Thus a mesmerist so influenced a lady, while in the adjoining 

 room, she being told that he was putting her to sleep. On 

 another occasion she was told that he was mesmerizing her from 



