A remarkable and suggestive series of experiments performed with
portraits by hallucination is given in the book. These experiments
show, that if by suggestion a subject is made to see a portrait on a
sheet of card board which is exactly alike on both sides, the image
will always be seen on the same side, and, however it is presented,
the subject will always place the card with the surfaces and edges in
the exact positions they occupied at the moment of suggestion, in such
a manner that the image can neither be reversed nor inclined. If the
surfaces are reversed, the image is no longer seen; if the edges, it
is seen upside down. The subject is never caught in a mistake; the
changes may be made out of his sight, but the image is invariably seen
in accordance with the primitive conditions, although absolutely no
difference is to be detected by the normal vision between the two
blank surfaces.
One experiment brings out this fact clearly. On a white sheet of paper
is placed a card equally white; with a fine point, but without
touching the paper, the contour of the card is followed while the idea
of a line traced in black is suggested to the subject. The subject,
when awakened, is asked to fold the paper according to these imaginary
lines. He holds the paper at the distance at which it was at the
moment of suggestion, and folds it in the form of a rectangle exactly
superposable on the card.
A curious experiment in the same line has been often repeated by Prof.
Charcot. The subject is given the suggestion of a portrait on a white
card, which is then shuffled up with a dozen cards all alike. On
awakening, the subject is asked to run over the collection, without
being told the reason why it is wished. When he comes to the card on
which had been located the imaginary portrait, he at once perceives
it. One detail of these experiments is very significant. Supposing we
show the imaginary portrait at a distance of two yards from the
subject's eyes, the card appears white, whereas a real photograph
would appear gray. If it is gradually brought nearer, the imaginary
portrait at last appears, but it is necessary for it to be much nearer
than an ordinary photograph for the patient to recognize the subject.
By means of opera glasses we can make the patient recognize her
hallucination at a distance at which she could not perceive it with
the naked eye. In short, the imaginary object which figures in the
hallucination is perceived under the same conditions as if it were
real. Various other experiments are detailed in support of this
formula. The opera glasses only act as if they were focussed upon the
point of hallucination, and in the case of a short-sighted subject
they had to be altered to allow for the defect of vision. If the
patient looks through a prism the image is seen duplicated, although
the subject is absolutely ignorant of the properties of a prism, as
well as of the fact that the glass is a prism. A photograph of the
plain white card used when the photograph was suggested may be
substituted, and on being shown to the patient, the hallucinatory
image is seen just the same, even two years after the original
experiment, as was done in one case.
Some strange phenomena of polarity are related. The following
experiments by MM. Binet and Fere are given in illustration: "We give
a patient in somnambulism the common hallucination of a bird poised on
her finger. While she is caressing the imaginary bird she is awakened
and a magnet is brought near her head. After a few minutes she stops
short, raises her eyes and looks about in astonishment. The bird which
was on her finger has disappeared. She looks all over the ward and at
last finds it, for we hear her say, 'So you thought you would leave
me, little bird.' After a few minutes the bird again disappears anew,
but almost immediately reappears. The patient complains from time to
time of a pain in the head at a point corresponding to what has been
described in this book as the visual centre (some distance above and
slightly posterior to the ear)." The magnet also has the same effect
in suspending the real perception. One of the patients was shown a
Chinese gong and striker, and took fright on sight of the instrument.
When a blow was struck she instantly fell into catalepsy. She was
reawakened, and asked to look attentively at the gong; meanwhile,
without her knowledge, a small magnet was brought near her head. After
a minute the instrument had completely disappeared from her sight.
When it was struck with redoubled force, she only looked from side to
side with an air of slight astonishment.
* * * * *
The mysteries which puzzle these writers are made plain by
anthropology, and I have been presenting the explanation for over
forty years to my pupils. The sensibility to hypnotic phenomena is due
to the anterior portion of the middle lobe of the brain--to the
portion which is developed one inch behind the external angle of the
eye, by exciting which we bring on the somnolent condition. The
predominance of this region renders the person liable to the mesmeric
phenomena.
The hypnoscope proposed is quite unnecessary. The proper test of
magnetic susceptibility is either to excite the organ of somnolence
and observe if the eyes are disposed to close, or to pass your fingers
over the outstretched hand of the subject, within one or two inches,
and observe if he feels any impression. A distinct feeling of coolness
is sufficient proof of magnetic susceptibility.
Let those who wish to investigate the subject begin in accordance with
true science by testing the sensitiveness of the hand. If sensitive,
let the subject sit in a passive state, while you touch the somnolent
region on the temples, one inch horizontally behind the brow. In from
one to ten minutes the eyes will show a disposition to close, winking
repeatedly until a dreamy condition arises, with a tendency to a
conscious sleep. In this condition the susceptibility is extreme.
Experiments in psychometry may be tried with success; the organs of
the brain may be excited, and many interesting experiments may be made
by those who understand the brain, for intellectual purposes, or for
the promotion of health and cure of diseases.
The whole subject is thoroughly explained in the College of
Therapeutics, making thereby a perfect guidance to health, and to
progress in philosophy, and supplying the great lack in all systems of
education--self-knowledge and the sublime art of health, longevity,
and progress in Divine wisdom.