The condition of lethargy into which Sir M. Foster's patient fell is closely imitated by the completely inert state assumed by certain hypnotized persons, especially chronic epileptics. They become perfectly lethargic, insensible to pain, and deaf to the loudest noises. They are not susceptible to suggestion, and can be aroused from a state resembling coma only with considerable difficulty. Dr. Habgood showed me several such cases at Banstead Asylum, and I have seen the condition induced in one of my private patients, a confirmed epileptic. In consequence of the impossibility of establishing rapport with these patients, I imagine that hypnotism would fail to benefit them.*

Consciousness depends, then, on the activity of the senses, the conveyance of their impressions to the highest centres, and the association of these highest centres with each other. Anything which interferes with one or other of these conditions will weaken or destroy it in proportion to the amount of interference. In ordinary hypnosis we find the facts exactly bear out this theory; for sensory anaesthesia, deadening of the senses, benumbing of the faculties, and impairment of consciousness proceed part passu, and maintain a relative connection. But the coenthesis, or subjective consciousness, on which to a large extent depends the ego, or personality, is the last part of the organization to be affected. †

* Those subjects evidently hear and notice nothing; but there is another class of subjects whose conduct in the hypnotized state is exceptional. I have hypnotized three or four so-called ' mediums ' - not professional ones - and find they refuse to accept suggestions, even when profoundly hypnotized. On the contrary, one lady, Mrs. Hans Spoer, takes the upper hand, often dictating and suggesting our conduct to us. I imagine this is largely due to preconceived ideas and auto-suggestion; but it is a striking phenomenon, and would disconcert an inexperienced investigator.

† Individuality depends upon continuous memory. Several cases have been reported in the newspapers lately of men and women who

There is another factor in vivid consciousness. Not only must the afferent impulses from the senses and the internal organs be received by the highest centres, but the efferent impulses in response to them must be vigorous and of high tension. Vivid consciousness only exists when nervous impulses are sent through new or little-used channels, and automatism prevails when the passage of nerve energy is only through thoroughly organized tracts.

In ordinary hypnosis it is the well-worn channels which are traversed, and therefore the actions performed during this state will tend to be those habitual with the subject or at least in keeping with his character and temperament.

This point has an important bearing on the question of the employment of hypnotic suggestion for criminal purposes, and also on the possibility of using it in the reformation of bad characters. I think we may infer that hypnotism will rarely enable us to convert the hopelessly bad, but that it may be used to influence character by developing latent good and suppressing evil tendencies. It is possible, however, that by continued suggestion new channels may be formed, new tastes established, and old tracts inhibited, and eventually closed and abolished.

It is a natural corollary that when consciousness is weakened or abolished memory will be correspondingly vague and uncertain, or altogether wanting; for memory depends upon the vividness of impressions, and their arrangement and association.

Some opponents of hypnotism have nicknamed it ' teetotal intoxication'; but the analogy between it and the have been found by the police wandering about aimlessly and unable to give an account of themselves. There has been a complete lapse of memory, and consequent loss of individuality. In some cases the 'stream of consciousness' has resumed its equal flow, and the patient has recovered his identity. In other cases there is a complete hiatus; the past continues blotted out, and he has literally to begin life again. Most of these cases are allied to epilepsy, but they may be the result of concussion of the brain, as in that of the Rev. Mr. Hanna. Hypnotism would probably restore the memory of the past, as it did in the cases of double personality referred to on p. 103 et seq. effects of alcohol is not very apparent. The drunken man is to a certain extent receptive of suggestion, and it is easy to foist delusions upon him, which would be rejected were he sober. The effects of alcohol show themselves in a somewhat different order to those of hypnotism. In the former we have the nervous system involved in the inverse order of its evolution, and the first part to suffer is that concerned in the highest psychical processes - memory, will, judgment, etc.

In the lighter grades of hypnotism we do not find the psychical functions so much affected as those of motion and sensation; and it is common to meet with a patient who is quite unable to open his eyes, or put down his arm, if told he cannot, in perfect enjoyment of all the highest mental faculties. I have frequently tried to hypnotize intoxicated persons, but have never succeeded unless the patient had been previously hypnotized. On the other hand, chronic indulgence in alcohol seems to somewhat favour the hypnotic process.

Sir W. Gowers * has examined the subject of hypnotic catalepsy, and has published his views concerning it. He supposes that hypnotism induces such a change in the functional state of the brain that the lower cortical mechanism is cut off from the influence of the higher centres which subserve mental processes as well as exercise control over those below. The inhibition of the highest implies, as has been shown, the uncontrolled and exaggerated action of the lower or motor areas, for muscular relaxation or balance depend upon the equal functioning of the inhibitory or higher centres and the excitor or lower ones, in the same way as regular action of the heart depends upon the inhibition of the vagus balancing the excitation of the cardiac ganglia. The inhibition of the highest centres in hypnosis explains why the muscular movements and reflexes are exaggerated and at the same time unattended by consciousness. In the same way, the movements of a paralyzed limb, though they may be excessive, are not accompanied by psychical processes.

* Lancet, May 31, 1890.