Hypnotism and treatment by suggestion / by J. Milne Bramwell.

  • John Milne Bramwell
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Hypnotism and treatment by suggestion / by J. Milne Bramwell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    regarded him as a madman, the poor as their Providence, calling him “ the good father Li^beault.” In 1882, a patient, who had suffered from sciatica for six years, entered Professor Bernheim’s wards; he was dis- charged unrelieved six months later, consulted Liebeault and quickly recovered. Hearing this, Bernheim visited Liebeault’s clinic: at first he was sceptical, but soon his interest was excited; he multiplied his visits and became an eager pupil. In 1882, Bernheim began to hypnotise his hospital patients, his work being carefully watched from the physiological side by Professor Beaunis, from the legal side by Professor^ Liegeois. In a few years 10,000 cases were recorded, hypnosis being obtamed in 85 %. In 1884, Bernheim published “De la Suggestion,” and in June, 1886, “ La Therapeutique suggestive.” From that date Liebeault’s name became known, his book was bought, and doctors flocked from all countries to study the new therapeutic method; most were convinced of the genuine nature of hypnotism and began to study and practise it. OTHER CONTINENTAL WORKERS In 1878, while Liebeault’s work was ignored, Charcot and Charles Bichet asserted that the phenomena of hyp- notism were genuine. Charcot’s researches attracted attention in England, but his observations were not confirmed, and, if his experiments were quoted, it was only to discredit hypnotism. In Germany, about 1880, Heidenhain interested himself in hypnotism, but his influence was not lasting, and it is mainly owing to Forel that treatment by suggestion is widely spread there. Hypnotism now plays an important part in the medical practice of most European countries ; it is taught in university class-rooms, and has occupied a prominent place at medical congresses, especially at the International Congresses of Experimental Psychology.