Chapter X: Hypnotism and Crime

Platform Experiments misleading,--Their Utter Inutility as a
Test.--So-called "Tests" described and explained.--Sexual
Outrages impossible.--Auto-Suggestion protects the
Virtuous.--A Willing Subject necessary.--Demonstrative
Experiments.--Modern Authorities cited against Themselves.--Professor
Gregory's Views.--The Elevated Moral
Tone of Subjects when mesmerized.--Successful Suggestion
of Suicide impossible.--The Three Normal Functions of
the Subjective Mind.--Self-Preservation.--Propagation.--Preservation
of Offspring.--Instinctive Auto-Suggestion.--Indifference
on Near Approach of Death.--A Universal Law.--Illustrative
Incidents.--Suggestive Criminal Abortion
impossible.--Premonitions explained.--The Dæmon of
Socrates.--Clairaudience.--The Instinct of Death.--Hypnotism
in Jurisprudence.--Testimony valueless.--Vital
Secrets impossible to obtain.--Doctors must not monopolize
the Forces of Nature.--The Folly of Adverse Legislation 122

CHAPTER XI.

PSYCHO-THERAPEUTICS.

Historical Notes.--Mind Cure in Ancient Times.--Bible
Accounts.--Miracles of the Church.--Healing by the King's
Touch.--Views of Paracelsus and Pomponazzi.--Bernheim's
Experiments.--The Modern Schools.--Their Theories.--The
True Hypothesis applicable to All Systems.--Illustrations
of the Theory.--Producing a Blister by Suggestion.--Bloody
Stigmata.--Letters of Blood.--Objective Control of Subjective
Mind.--Subjective Control of Bodily Functions.--The
Necessary Mental Conditions.--The Precepts and
Example of Christ.--Subjective Faith alone required.--Discussion
of Various Systems.--Christian Science, etc.--General
Conclusions 144

CHAPTER XII.

PSYCHO-THERAPEUTICS (_continued_).

Methods classified in Two Divisions.--Mental and Oral
Suggestions.--Absent Treatment.--Christian Scientists handicapped
by Absurd Theories.--They claim too much.--The Use of Drugs.--Dangers
arising from too Radical Change.--Importance of Favorable Mental
Environment.--Mental Healing requires Mental Conditions.--Treatment
by Hypnotism.--Bernheim's Methods.--Illustrative Cases.--The
Practical Value of the System.--The Illogical Limitations
of the Theory.--Potency of Telepathic Suggestion.--Researches
of the Society for Psychical Research.--Mr. Gurney's Experiments.--They
demonstrate the Theory of Effluent Emanations.--Diagnosis by
Intuition.--Potency of Mesmerism.--Permanency of Cures.--Conditions
necessary.--The Example of Jesus.--Self-Healing by Auto-suggestion 161

CHAPTER XIII.

A NEW SYSTEM OF MENTAL THERAPEUTICS.

Telepathy the Normal Means of Communication between Subjective
Minds.--Perfect Passivity required for Therapeutic
Suggestions.--Natural Sleep the Most Perfect State of
Passivity.--Hypnotic Sleep and Natural Sleep identical.--Phenomena
of Dreams.--Subjective Mind controllable by
Suggestion during Natural Sleep.--Illustrative Incidents.--Passivity
a Necessity on the Part of the Operator.--The Subjective Mind can
be caused to convey Telepathic Messages during Sleep.--Illustrative
Experiments 176

CHAPTER XIV.

A NEW SYSTEM OF MENTAL THERAPEUTICS (_continued_).

Recapitulation of Propositions.--Natural Sleep the Best Condition
attainable both for Healer and Patient.--Demonstrative
Experiments.--Healing at a Distance of One Thousand
Miles.--Distance no Obstacle.--Space does not exist for
the Subjective Mind.--Objective Habits of Thought the
only Adverse Factor.--Diseases treated.--Strabismus
cured.--Mode of Operation.--Not a Good Money-making
Scheme.--It promotes the Health of the Healer.--A
Method of Universal Utility.--Self-Healing its most Important
Function.--The Power absolute.--Within the Reach
of All.--Method of Self-Healing.--The Patient's Credulity
not overtaxed.--The Example of Christ.--Material Remedies
not to be ignored.--Advice to Christian Scientists.--The
Control of Dreams.--Practical Conclusions 191

CHAPTER XV.

THE PHENOMENA OF SPIRITISM.

If a Man die, shall he live again?--The Problem not solved by
Spiritistic Phenomena.--The Phenomena admitted.--Their Supernatural
Origin denied.--Explained by the Hypothesis.--Subsidiary
Hypothesis.--An Intelligent Dynamic Force.--Its
Characteristics.--Limited by Medium's Intelligence.--It is
controlled by Suggestion.--Phenomena fail in Presence of
Scepticism.--Reasons.--Mediumistic Frauds.--The Primary Lesson
in Spiritistic Investigation.--Mediums not necessarily
dishonest.--Their Honest Belief in the Phenomena.--Suggestion
explains all.--Illustrations from Hypnotism.--Convincing Character
of Alleged Communications.--Telepathic Explanations.--General
Conclusions 205

CHAPTER XVI.

THE PHENOMENA OF SPIRITISM (_continued_).

Various Classes of Phenomena.--Clairvoyance.--Its Field not yet
clearly defined.--Telepathy invades its Ancient Domain.--Simple
Experiments in Telepathy.--Their Significance.--Telepathic Power
in Mediums.--Telepathic Visions.--A Typical Séance.--Wonderful
Exhibition of Telepathic Power.--An Affecting Interview of the
Sitter with Himself.--Deductions.--Visions of Inanimate Things as
well as of Deceased Persons.--Spirit of the Jack of
Clubs.--Subjective Memory.--Spirit Identity.--Allan Kardec's
Observations.--His Illogical Conclusions.--His Supreme
Test.--Telepathic Explanation.--Four Ways of explaining his Test
Case 219

CHAPTER XVII.

THE PHENOMENA OF SPIRITISM (_continued_).

Psychometry.--"The Souls of Things."--Professor Denton's
Experiments.--Wonderful Visions of the Ancient Environment of
Geological Specimens.--A Piece of Mortar from Cicero's
House.--Supposed Scientific Tests.--Explanation on Telepathic
Principles.--Experiments in Hypnotism compared.--Clairvoyance
and Telepathy.--Their Boundary Lines in
Transit.--Clairaudience.--Definitions of the Term.--Socrates
and his Dæmon.--Modern Instances.--Mental
Impressions.--Premonitions.--Their Unreliability.--Remarkable
Examples of Clairaudience.--A Lawyer's Experience.--Subject
to the Law of Suggestion.--Insanity sometimes results from
Ignorance of the Cause.--Practical Suggestions 238