Hypnotism: Its History, Practice and Theory

 

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that excitation of the neighbouring element lowers its own excitability, while a condition of inhibition favours discharge of energy. This is the neurodynamic reaction. At the same time, according to Wundt, there is a vasomotor reaction, for the blood contents and functions of the organs stand in such a relationship to one another that increase of function produces increased flow of blood, decrease of function, depression of the blood flow. Wundt further argues that neurodynamic compensation favours vasomotor compensation and vice versa, and seeks in this way to explain the phenomena of hypnosis by viewing the chief symptoms from this standpoint. He then refers to the centre for apperception, which, hypothetically, he regards as the substratum of the process of apperception. He believes that we have here an essential difference between dreaming and hypnosis, though he does not ascribe absolute importance to this difference. Certain phenomena of inhibition of the processes of the will and the attention are common to both, also a tendency to increased excitability of the sensory centres leading to hallucinatory interpretation of sense-impressions. But there are distinguishing characteristics; attention is only partially altered by suggestion in hypnosis, but the inhibition of the will in sleep affects both apperceptive and motor processes. It is from this psychological difference that Wundt develops his physiological theory. In dreams those central regions which are associated with the process of apperception are more or less in a state of inhibition, and

THE THEORY OF HYPNOTISM. 277
nearly all the compensatory excitation is conducted to the sensory centres, but under certain circumstances in hypnosis a compensatory increase of irritability arises in the apperception-centre in opposition to the existing partial inhibition.
As I have already mentioned, Wundt has raised against my attempts at a psychological explanation, the objection that I have not answered the question why in hypnosis consciousness is not contracted. I have, however, put the questions which must be met by physiological answers (p. 268). The third question I put is this : What is the causal connection between this state and the methods which induce hypnosis and put an end to it? I do not find that this question is in any way answered by Wundt's physiological theory, and against Wundt's physiological explanation I must raise the same objection as he has raised against my psychological speculations. In addition to this, the centre of apperception as supposed by Wundt, is little more than a hypothetical assumption.
Vogt's theory is based on similar principles to Wundt's, but it contains a series of comprehensive and elucidatory ideas, especially that which he terms "constellation" By this Vogt understands the whole cerebral mechanism corresponding to a mental

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