Hypnotism, or, Animal magnetism : physiological observations / translated from the 4th German edition by L.C. Wooldridge.

  • Heidenhain, Rudolf, 1834-1897
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hypnotism, or, Animal magnetism : physiological observations / translated from the 4th German edition by L.C. Wooldridge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    various actions, he is able to recall them to mind. In the most complete forms of hypnotism, no remembrance whatever is retained. It can nevertheless be proved that, even during the most completely developed hypnosis, sensory perceptions take place ; but they are no longer converted into conscious ideas, and consequently are not retained by the memory. The reason for this depends undoubtedly upon the fact that the hypnotized individuals have lost the power of directing their attention to their sensations. We are taught by thousandfold experience in our every-day life that sensations pass the threshold of consciousness but incompletely when our atten- tion is not directed to them. When I sit at my work-table I do not take in the meaning of the words that are spoken near me. Although I really hear them, I form no definite idea of their meaning. That, under these conditions, sensation does really take place is proved by the fact that we can after- wards, by reflection, call to mind what has been said, supposing that no great interval has elapsed since the impression on the sense organ occurred. Similarly, a person deep in thought hears a clock strike, yet does not know the number of beats till, by subsequent reflection, he calls to mind the number. During free cerebral activity we are very liable to pay no attention to what we hear or see. On the other hand, the power we possess of