CHAPTER VII. ARTIFICIAL SOMNAMBULISM OR HYPNOTISM.

Antiquity of the phenomena of hypnotism--Modern observations--Physical conditions favorable to the phenomena--Methods of inducing the hypnotic state--Duration of hypnotic sleep--Rudimentary states of hypnotism-- Investigations of the Society for Psychical Research-- Mind-reading--Physiological explanation of the process-- Charcot’s observations on artificial somnambulism-- Cataleptic variety of the hypnotic state--Lethargic variety--Somnambulic variety--Hypnotic clairvoyance-- Exalted sensibility of the brain in hypnotic states-- Susceptibility to suggestions from without--Phenomena of so-called spiritualism--Table-rapping--Planchette-- Therapeutical employment of hypnotism--Metaphysical healing. 212