How to Produce the Mesmeric State

From a well-informed writer in the Popular Science Monthly-

 

"With one hand, a bright object, such as a faceted piece of glass, is held eight to twelve inches from the subject, so that there is a considerable convergence of the eyes, and rather above the level of the eyes, so that he is obliged to look upward.  The subject is told to look steadily at the piece of glass, and to keep his whole attention fixed upon it.

"This position is kept up for five or ten minutes during this time the pupils will probably dilate, considerably, when this is the case the free hand is moved slowly from the object towards the eyes.  If the subject is sensitive, the eyes will usually close with a vibratory motion.  In some cases the subject is then unable to open them, and the usual mesmeric phenomena can be obtained."

"If, when the operator brings his hand near the eyes of the subject, the subject instead of closing them follows the movements of the fingers, the whole proceeding is repeated.  When the subjects is inclined to pass into the cataleptic state, an indication of his condition may be obtained by gently raising his arm; if he is beginning to be mesmerized, the arm remains in the position in which it is placed.   If the arm falls, telling the subject to keep his arm extended while he is still gazing at the object.  And that is the whole of the process."

 

When in The Hypnotic State

When in his sleep-like condition the subject may be made to make movements as directed by the operator, and to act in accordance with ideas suggested to him.  "Thus he may eat a raw onion with gusto, apparently under the impression that it is an apple; he may make wry faces on drinking a glass of water when told that what he is taking is castor oil; he may ride on a chair or stool as in a horse race; he may fight with imaginary enemies or show tokens of affection to imaginary friends; in short, all kinds of actions, even of a ridiculous and degrading nature, may be done by the subject at the command of the operator."

 

How to Bring One Out of The Hypnotic State

To bring the person in the hypnotic state out of it again, it is only necessary to blow lightly on the face and say "Wake up!" If left to themselves subjects eventually return to the normal state sooner or later.