1878.] 
A New Theory of Trance. 
77 
which are called cases of artificial somnambulism. In 
sleep-walking the cerebral activity, which during ordinary 
sleep is more or less lowered throughout the brain, is sud- 
denly concentrated in some limited region ; the cerebral 
equilibrium being spontaneously disturbed through the sub- 
jective adtion of dreams, the subject, under the dominion of 
this restricted region of the brain (the activity of the rest of 
the brain being suspended), runs or walks about like an 
automaton, with exaltation of the sense of touch often, and 
of the co-ordinating power, as is shown in their capacity 
for balancing in difficult and dangerous positions, and 
climbing on heights where in the normal state he would not 
venture. Other senses may be sealed entirely, as in other 
forms of trance. 
Under self-induced trance are comprised those cases 
where the subjeCt can bring himself into this state at will, 
either suddenly or gradually. Of such subjeds it may be 
said that they will to lose their wills ; or it would be nearer 
the truth to say that they voluntarily put themselves under 
influences where the involuntary life becomes supreme. 
All genuine trance preachers and speakers — and many of 
them are genuine — represent the self-induced variety. Dr. 
Beard states that he has studied the case of a famous trance 
preacher, who told him that when he began to go into this 
state the first symptom was only a thrill, or eleCtric shock 
through his arm ; then with more pradice the whole arm 
became convulsed, then the whole body, until in time 
exaltation of the faculties of imagination and of language 
were developed, and he became a most successful performer 
before audiences. 
In speaking of the terms often applied in spiritualistic 
circles to mediums as being “ fully developed,” or “partially 
developed,” or as “ developing,” Dr. Beard concedes that 
there is a basis of truth in such expressions, inasmuch as 
it oftentimes needs practice to acquire the habit of readily, 
and at will, entering the trance. Further, that some have 
a habit of falling into trance spontaneously at regular inter- 
vals, the same periodicity oftentimes occurring in this disease 
that has long been observed in neuralgia. 
Under emotional trance are included cases that are caused 
by the so-called mesmeric performances, or through the 
feelings of fear, wonder, reverence, and expectation, how- 
ever excited. The majority of the cases of trance come 
under this head ; for every one is endowed with these emo- 
tions, and in the greater part of the human race they are 
the controlling elements in character, and in the strongest 
