Research source

CHAPTER IX Hypnotism in medicine—Anesthesia—Restoring the use of muscles—Hallucination—Bad habits

Date of account: Published 1903
Source: Complete Hypnotism, Mesmerism, Mind-Reading and Spiritualism How to Hypnotize: Being an Exhaustive and Practical System of Method, Application, and Use
Reference: Complete Hypnotism, Mesmerism, Mind-Reading and Spiritualism How to Hypnotize: Being an Exhaustive and Practical System of Method, Application, and Use · selected passage 64
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-24

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The following is Professor Delboeuf’s account of Dr

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The following is Professor Delboeuf’s account of Dr. Bernheim’s mode of suggestion at the hospital at Nancy. A robust old man of about seventy-five years of age, paralyzed by sciatica, which caused him intense pain, was brought in. “He could not put a foot to the ground without screaming with pain. ‘Lie down, my poor friend; I will soon relieve you.’ Dr. Bernheim says. ‘That is impossible, doctor.’ ‘You will see.’ ‘Yes, we shall see, but I tell you, we shall see nothing!’ On hearing this answer I thought suggestion will be of no use in this case. The old man looked sullen and stubborn. Strangely enough, he soon went off to sleep, fell into a state of catalepsy, and was insensible when pricked. But when Monsieur Bernheim said to him, ‘Now you can walk, he replied, ‘No, I cannot; you are telling me to do an impossible thing.’ Although Monsieur Bernheim failed in this instance, I could not but admire his skill. After using every means of persuasion, insinuation and coaxing, he suddenly took up an imperative tone, and in a sharp, abrupt voice that did not admit a refusal, said: ‘I tell you you can walk; get up.’ ‘Very well,’ replied the old follow; ‘I must if you insist upon it.’ And he got out of bed.

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