HYPNOTISM

a term including everything relating to the induction of a state resembling sleep, called hypnosis. Such terms as mesmerism and animal magnetism are sometimes used to describe certain aspects of it, This state differs from sleep in an increased and extreme suggestibility of the individual, in a lo of sensitivene of the sense organs, in a tendency to anaesthesia, and in an in- -creased rapidity of the pulse and the respirations. Usually an individual awakened from hypnosis does not remember what has happened during the state, but the memory of this may be brought back by post-hypnotic suggestion. Somnambulism, or sleep-walking, is a state resembling hypnosis, which seems to be induced generally under the influence of mental excitement, and is hereditary in some persons. Hypnosis is induced usually by the subject fixing his eyes on some small object in such a position that there is slight muscular strain in gazing at it, and pa ively allowing the hypnotizer to ‘suggest to him the ideas of wearine of the limbs, heavine of the eyes, and sleep. Some hypnotizers pa the hands monotonously and slowly close to or over the face. Soon the eyes close, the ‘subject becomes drowsy, but instead of allowing him to pa into a natural sleep the hypnotizer, by speaking, etc., keeps in contact with him and thus maintains control. In this state the subject knows what is going on around him, but is only able to do what the hypnotizer allows or commands him, and he may pa into a deeper state. of hypnosis, resembling coma, in which he is more profoundly influenced than in the lighter stages. Under suggestion the subject may use limbs with much greater strength than ordinarily, while anaesthesia of a part of the body so deep that a surgical operation may be performed, may also be brought about by suggestion. Several theories regarding hypnosis have been propounded, but the explanation which seems to give most promise of solution of the problem, upon which research is still being made, is that hypnosis is the temporary blocking of the nervous links between the different systems of neutral dispositions (the conditions of the rise of ideas to consciousne ) of the brain, so that each idea works out its effects free from the interference or inhibition of antagonistic ideas, and thus is more effective than normally. _ In the United States and the Continent of Europe hypnotism has been employed to a considerabie extent in the treatment of disease. kauein, to burn), Rom. chamber containing heating apparatus. i strong bleaching agent formed by combinations of nitric acid (dilute) and bleaching powder. _H¥YPOCHONDRIASIS, nervous condition characterised by mental depre ion and delusions regarding the state of the health; the general health and appetite are usually quite good, but no persuasion as to the real condition is of any avail; in its most advanced form h. is a form of insanity. The treatment is general—change of air and scene, moderate exercise, and such interests as serve ibe turn the sufferer’s mind to other maters. an independent and incommunicable existence; used to mean person of the Trinity in early Christian controversies. stulos, a column,) architectural term for Hgyptian and cla ical buildings in which rows of columns support flat ceiling. longest side of a right angled triangle, which lies opposite the right angle. The middle point of the H. is the centre of the triangle’s circumscribed circle, and hence equidistant from the angles. The square described on the H. equals the sum of the squares on the other two sides. pledged), right given by Scot. law over effects of a debtor (Engl. lien.) j