The old terms, animal magnetism, clairvoyance and mesmerism, have
gradually come to be called hypnotism. They were used principally by
charlatans, and often for wrong purposes, and so came into disrepute.
It was supposed that the operator had some supernatural power.
Prof. Bernheim says hypnotism is produced by what he calls suggestion.
The operator says certain things, and the patient imagines them to be
true. During this time all the functions are normal, except the first
time, when there is usually more or less excitement. The proportion of
persons susceptible to hypnotism is placed at about 18 per cent. in
both sexes.
This has been used with considerable success in organic lesions,
hysteric, neuralgic and rheumatic affections. It is difficult to
produce when an operation is in view.
There is still considerable superstition and ignorance regarding
hypnotism, and it is yet a field for study. A professional hypnotist
is called an infidel, a crank and all such bad names. Its abuse has
brought it into disfavor. Every time it is used the patient becomes
more susceptible to its influence. Hypnotism should not be used in
dental practice until it has a better name and more is known about it,
but it would be quite in place at a clinic.
_Discussion_—DR. E. G. BETTY:—Dr. Dunn says hypnotism is a
physiological process, but that it may be successful, the mind must be
calm.
DR. D. R. JENNINGS:—Here is an article from a paper on hypnotism,
which I will read. The author holds that strong-willed persons become
self-hypnotized when they will do a thing. It becomes almost impossible
for them to break away from its influence. When the time comes, they do
it as though some blind force was controlling them.
DR. JENNINGS could see no difference between mesmerism and hypnotism.
Christian Science is another of the same kind and just as effective.
DR. H. A. SMITH:—Hypnotism should not yet be used in dental practice.
It is dangerous.
DR. W. H. WHITSLAR:—Hypnotism is a sleep and is not induced by
supernatural powers. The patient becomes afraid of the operator after
its use. The Russian and French governments have passed laws regulating
the practice of hypnotism.
It should not be used in the dental office at this time.
Dr. Callahan replied that the power of hypnotism was in the patient and
not the operator. The operator suggests and the patient imagines. Its
practice is dangerous and should be regulated by law.
Dr. F. Jacobs, of Newark, O., explained his method of making sections
of teeth for the microscope. After cutting from both sides to the
centre upon a coarse wheel, the thin section is placed upon a cork and
held against a fine wheel kept wet all the while. It is stained with
carmine ink or sassafras oil and mounted in balsam.