'Suggestion' in the treatment of disease / by Sir Henry Morris.

  • Morris, Henry, Sir, 1844-1926.
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: 'Suggestion' in the treatment of disease / by Sir Henry Morris. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    3/42 (page 1)
    SUGGESTION ” IN TEE TEEATMENT OF DISEASE. Although the theory of faith healing differs from the theory of Christian Science, and that again from the theories of mesmerism, hypnotism, and animal magnetism, there is one thing which is common to them all, namely, the power of “ suggestion.” And by suggestion is here meant the enforcing influence of an idea. Faith healing and Christian Science may be grouped under the term, “ religious suggestion.” Mesmerism, animal magnetism, etc., are now commonly spoken of as *' hypnotic suggestion.” All are included under “ mental healing.” In each of the methods of mental healing the curative effect seems to be brought about by the influence of some strong or vivid idea, of some subtle energy other than physical, upon the abnormal or morbid states of the body. To attempt to answer the question, “What is the psychological process by which this power or energy— ‘suggestion’—works the cure?” would require a considera- tion of the theories of “ unconscious mind,” of “ unconscious cerebration,” and of “ dual mind,” or in other words, the rela- tion of the conscious or objective side of the mind to the subjective or subconscious side. It must sufBice to say here that the most accredited theory at the present time as to the states of mind induced by hypnotic or religious suggestion is that the objective side is thrown into abeyance, whilst the subjective is brought into a condition which enables it to receive suggestions. The readiness with which the subjective mind can be reached varies greatly in different races of men and in different persons of the same race. The French, for [317/10]