ic or vital fluid of the operator are
necessary for the abolition of the consciousness and the abeyance of the
will of the subject. We now see that ideas arising in the mind of the
subject are sufficient to influence the circulation in the brain of the
person operated on, and such variations of the blood supply of the brain
as are adequate to produce sleep in the natural state, or artificial
slumber, either by total deprivation or by excessive increase or local
aberration in the quantity or quality of blood. In a like manner it is
possible to produce coma and prolonged insensibility by pressure of the
thumbs on the carotid; or hallucination, dreams and visions by drugs, or
by external stimulation of the nerves. Here again the consciousness may
be only partially affected, and the person in whom sleep, coma or
hallucination is produced, whether by physical means or by the influence
of suggestion, may remain subject to the will of others and incapable of
exercising his own volition."

In short, Dr. Hart's theory is that hypnotism comes from controlling the
blood supply of the brain, cutting off the supply from parts or
increasing it in other parts. This theory is borne out by the well-known
fact that some persons can blush or turn pale at will; that some people
always blush on the mention of certain things, or calling up certain
ideas. Certain other ideas will make them turn pale. Now, if certain
parts of the brain are made to blush or turn pale, there is no doubt
that hypnotism will follow, since blushing and turning pale are known to
be due to the opening and closing of the blood-vessels. We may say that
the subject is induced by some means to shut the blood out of certain
portions of the brain, and keep it out until he is told to let it in
again.

CHAPTER XII.

Telepathy and Clairvoyance.--Peculiar Power in Hypnotic
State.--Experiments.--"Phantasms of the Living" Explained by Telepathy

It has already been noticed that persons in the hypnotic state seem to
have certain of their senses greatly heightened in power. They can
remember, see and hear things that ordinary persons would be entirely
ignorant of. There is abundant evidence that a supersensory perception
is also developed, entirely beyond the most highly developed condition
of the ordinary senses, such as being able to tell clearly what some
other person is doing at a great distance. In view of the discovery of
the X or Roentgen ray, the ability to see thr