Hypnotism: Its History, Practice and Theory |
||
|
is denied that hypnotism is of value in experimental psychology. At the same
time Wundt admits that, like dreaming and insanity, it is a proper object for
psychological observation ; but its value to the psychologist is not equal to
its high value to the physician. I may here briefly mention that considerable space is devoted to hypnotism in many philosophical works, and in such as deal with the history of civilization, but particularly in those treating of occultism and superstition. To the latter category belong the works of Lehmann and Hennig. The theologians have not been able to leave hypnotism alone altogether, although they sometimes attribute it to the agency of the devil. Among the authors who have dealt with hypnotism from the standpoint of the Church, I may name Franco, Meric, Finlay, Haas, and Cocconier, of whom the last named, though condemning hypnotism as a rule on moral grounds, justifies its use in a good cause. I may further mention that Rohnert, an Evangelical pastor, condemns hypnotism from the Christian standpoint even when it proves HISTORY OF HYPNOTISM. 27 an effective therapeutic agent, and Schutz describes it as illegal and objectionable on rational grounds. On the other hand, Ziegler would grant its use to physicians expert in hypnosis. The domain of suggestion, though not identical with hypnosis, is intimately and historically connected therewith. Formerly the two were studied together, but of recent years suggestion has been dealt with separately. It is a matter of common knowledge that treatment by suggestion has been developed from the therapeutical employment of hypnosis. I may here mention one of the larger treatises in which the important part played by suggestion in the causation and cure of disease is discussed—Les Phlnomenes de Suggestion et d'Auto-Suggestion (1903), by Lefevre, a Belgian army surgeon. Other inquirers also have investigated the domain of suggestion apart from medical considerations. The general significance of suggestion for social life as well as for art and science, has been treated in Die Psychologie der Suggestion (1892), by Schmidkunz, assisted by Gerster, a physician. Although the book betrays mystical tendencies, it is replete with valuable suggestions and historical references. In a small work entitled Personality-Suggestion, published in 1894, J. Mark Badwin called attention to the difference in the suggestive influence exerted by different persons on children. The educational value of suggestion in general has been discussed by T. Felix Thomas, in his book, La Suggestion, son R81e Bans PEdu,:ation, published in 1895; and the general |
|
|
More cool stuff from www.hypnosisschool.org: © 2012 |
||