Chapter 15 - A Natural State

Then we may lay down the rule that hypnosis is a natural state and the depth thereof is governed by the natural nervous reaction of the subject to the degree of stimuli applied. This is true just as natural sleep is a natural state. The difference is in the states and in the procedures to bring about the two states. The procedure to induce hypnosis brings about a different degree of severance of nerve centers than does the procedure to induce sleep. The somnambulist while walking about in his sleep is in a state nearest to that of the hypnotized subject. It is not a state of hypnosis, however.

Hypnosis, being a natural state, there should be no fear of it. We have no fear of sleep. Why should we fear hypnotism? Ailing people will submit to the surgeon's knife, to a needle to deaden pain, to a gas mask to bring sleep for an operation; but mention hypnotism to these same people as a means of sleep or anaesthesia and they will be horrified, or become afraid. They submit to the knife to remove part of their bodies, even when they fear the results or know the results will be doubtful. They take medicine when they know the results may be doubtful or, possibly, disastrous. They will take drugs to kill pain, when as a result of taking them their sensibilities are numbed and recovery is slowed by the actions of the drugs. Even habits are the results of taking some drugs, leading to degradation of the person. Can this be truthfully said about hypnotism? It forms no habit. It deadens no sensibilities. Any shortcomings in the treatment can be remedied by suggestion. The patient can be placed in status quo and a new start made; a new trial given. Not so, when you have had part of your brains or nerves cut out to try an experiment which failed to work. I am not saying that surgery or narcotics are never necessary, but I am saying that a person should not accept those remedies when a better one is available and a doctor should not insist on using them when he knows a better remedy in the form of hypnotism is available; and at this late date every physician knows or ought to know about hypnotism. However, they should not expect it to be a cure-all; nor should they criticize it because it may not always succeed; any more than they should criticize surgery or medicine because such remedies do not always succeed. There is a place for surgery and medicine. There is definitely a place for hypnotism. That place is in the treatment of nervous and mental disorders; those bodily functions controlled by the autonomous nervous system. I have my serious doubts that any medicine can react upon the autonomic nervous system to effectuate a cure, or even give satisfactory relief of such nervous or mental disorders. Medicine is not a natural remedy here. Hypnotism is a natural process and affords a direct approach to the seat of the trouble. It should be accepted as such. The fact that a very few people are not susceptible to hypnotism should not be an excuse for denying such adequate and complete relief to those who are susceptible, which is about 95% of people.

Another hypnotist trying to break through the subject's trance. This is not possible unless subject is told by the original hypnotist that she can hear and obey him.

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