may be classified as an altered state of consciousness, or a shift in one's consciousness
which can be subjectively and/or objectively distinguished from the mental processes that
generally exist in the waking state.
Paracelsus (1493-1541) was among the first to heal the sick with magnets. His emphasis was
on the magnetic flow of energy within what he called the astral body (a metaphysical body
that was an integral part of one's spirit that once put in balance would cause most
dis-eases to disappear). This view was shared by many. William Maxwell was a Scottish
physician who adhered to the magnetic healing theory but also embraced the concept that a
vital-universal spirit affected all human beings. Later in his work he also hypothesized
that imagination and suggestion influenced one's ability to heal. Maximillian Hell, a
Jesuit priest
and astronomer was the first to become famous for producing healings through the direct
application of metal plates to the body. Franz Anoton Mesmer was an Austrian physician who
hypothesized that good health depended on the balance of a universal fluid within the
body, which emanated from the stars and planets. He called this effect animal magnetism.
He began to make passes with magnets over the affected areas of the sick with astounding
results. As a result this healing method eventually brought him mass notoriety as a
great healer.
Marquis de Puysegur was a French military officer and a follower of Mesmer. He discovered
artificial somnambulism now known as hypnotic amnesia. Petetin was also a follower of Mesmer
and discovered the effect of hypnotic catalepsy after he magnetized the subject who was
unable to move any part of his body until told to do so. Barbarin was another follower of
Mesmer who magnetized without paraphernalia. However, in Sweden and Germany they were
called spiritualists because the cures were thought to be acts of God. Jose Custodio de Faria
was a Portuguese priest who gave demonstrations on what he referred to as lucid sleep. He
discovered that the subject must be willing to carry out suggestions which is still valid
today. Recamier was the first to conduct operations on patients who were somnambulistic
and under the Mesmeric state. This was the first recorded of hypnoanesthesia. Another
French physician Hippolyte Cloquet demonstrated a breast operation using Mesmerisn in front
of the French Academy of Medicine in 1829. Wheeler , at about the same time, performed
anasal polypectomy using Mesmerism in the United States.
James Braid, a Scottish physician, is known as the father of hypnosis, contended that the
degree of expectation increased one's susceptibility to suggestion. And, then there was Edgar Cayce,
who would put himself under, access the akashic records of each of his patients in order to read
their past lives, current condition mentally and physically and their future options. He would
then discuss his patients' problems as to cures suggested. At the time (1877-1945) he was not
taken seriously, except for his patients, but later his suggestions were found to work wonders.
There are others. Hypnosis was endorsed by the American Medical Association in 1958 as a valid therapeutic tool soon after the
British Medical Society endorsed it. It has been used to treat a wide
range of conditions including migraines, obesity, addictions, phobias, cancer,
low self-esteem and psychosomatic disorders. This therapy enables a patient to focus
on a desired goal (which many of us have problems with!).
More coming! In the meantime, click here for an interesting page about
What's in your Subconscious Mind!
Click here for other sites that may be of interest.
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