If any distinguished scientist or Doctor who can afford it wishes to
make a special study of hypnotism, which is still so imperfectly
understood, he may render a valuable service to humanity, and in
particular to the science of medicine. But if any ordinary physician
asked my advice about devoting attention to this pursuit. I would
emphatically tell him, "Leave it alone: you are not likely to derive
real benefit from it, and you are very likely to inspire your clients
with distrust of you when they see you deal with matters which have
deserved a bad name on account of the charlatanism and the superstitious
abuses usually connected with them." This is not my opinion alone, but
also that of distinguished writers on the subject.