rash man who should try to explain it in a sentence or in a
paragraph. An entire book proves a very limited space for doing it.

CHAPTER I.

HOW TO HYPNOTIZE.

Dr. Cocke's Method--Dr. Flint's Method--The French Method at Paris--at
Nancy--The Hindoo Silent Method--How to Wake a Subject from Hypnotic
Sleep--Frauds of Public Hypnotic Entertainers.

First let us quote what is said of hypnotism in Foster's Encyclopedic
Medical Dictionary. The dictionary states the derivation of the word
from the Greek word meaning sleep, and gives as synonym "Braidism". This
definition follows: "An abnormal state into which some persons may be
thrown, either by a voluntary act of their own, such as gazing
continuously with fixed attention on some bright object held close to
the eyes, or by the exercise of another person's will; characterized by
suspension of the will and consequent obedience to the promptings of
suggestions from without. The activity of the organs of special sense,
except the eye, may be heightened, and the power of the muscles
increased. Complete insensibility to pain may be induced by hypnotism,
and it has been used as an anaesthetic. It is apt to be followed by a
severe headache of long continuance, and by various nervous
disturbances. On emerging from the hypnotic state, the person hypnotized
usually has no remembrance of what happened during its continuance, but
in many persons such remembrance may be induced by 'suggestion'. About
one person in three is susceptible to hypnotism, and those of the
hysterical or neurotic tendency (but rarely the insane) are the most
readily hypnotized."

First we will quote the directions for producing hypnotism given by Dr.
James R. Cocke, one of the most scientific experimenters in hypnotism in
America. His directions of are special value, since they are more
applicable to American subjects than the directions given by French
writers. Says Dr. Cocke:

"The hypnotic state can be produced in one of the following ways: First,
command the subject to close his eyes. Tell him his mind is a blank.
Command him to think of nothing. Leave him a few minutes; return and
tell him he cannot open his eyes. If he fails to do so, then begin to
make any suggestion which may be desired. This is the so-called mental
method of hypnotization.

"Secondly, give the subject a coin or other bright object. Tell him to
look steadfastly at it and not take his eyes away from it. Suggest that
his eyelids