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Hypnotism and Treatment by Suggestion

by J Milne Bramwell MB CM

London, Cassell, 1909

HYPNOTISM AND TREATMENT BY SUGGESTION

BY

J. MILNE BRAMWELL

M.B., C.M.

Author of “Hypnotism: its History. Practice and Theory, etc.

CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED

LONDON, NEW YORK, TORONTO AND MELBOURNE

MCMX

First Edition 1909

Reprinted 1910

PREFACE

It is not easy to do justice to such a wide subject as Hypnotism and Treatment by Suggestion in the limited space at my disposal, and my difficulties are increased by the conflicting opinions that still exist as to the real nature of the so-called hypnotic state. I have attempted, however, to deal-fully and clearly with all practical points, especially the methods of employing suggestion, the causes which influence suggestibility, and the class of cases suitable for this form of treatment. My aim throughout has been to give such practical information as might be really valuable to those who wish to employ “suggestion” in their practice.

Braid was the first to employ the term “hypnotism,” and did so at the commencement of his researches, when he believed the condition to be one of artificial sleep. Later, he proposed to abolish his entire terminology, as he recognised that the patients always retained consciousness, and were often obviously wide awake.

Most of us who treat by “suggestion” have long recognised that the condition differs widely from natural sleep, and that, as Bernheim has pointed out, “every stage of the so-called hypnotic condition is a conscious one.” Despite this, he and many others still employ the words “hypnotism,” “hypnotic,” “hypnosis,” etc., and it is impossible for me to avoid using the same terms. I have, however, endeavoured to make it quite clear in this little book that by those terms I only mean there has been induced by “suggestion “a condition of increased suggestibility, and that the various phenomena—surgical, medical, and experimental — have resulted from the suggestions made to the patient while he was in this condition of increased suggestibility.

Hypnotic theories are too numerous and conflicting to be dealt with here in detail, but I have given an outline sketch of the most important of them. This side of the subject is treated more fully in the second edition of my larger and earlier work, “Hypnotism: its History, Practice and Theory,” where will also be found an extensive list of references to British and foreign hypnotic literature, which would, I think, be useful to students wishing to extend their knowledge of the subject.

J. M. B. 33, WIMPOLE STREET, November, 1909.

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