CHAPTER VI.

THE PRACTICE OF PSYCHO-THERAPY-Continued.

NON-ROUTINE SUGGESTIVE TREATMENT.

Thus far we have considered mainly a physician's routine treatment and have pointed out certain features of it peculiarly open to the adaptation of psychic impression. Now we will turn to more pronounced suggestion and offer certain modes of treatment, the effect of which has been repeatedly verified.

But before entering upon a detailed relation of these it will be well to refer again to some principles of treatment that deserve to be emphasized.

It has elsewhere been said that a suggestion, to be most effective, should be given with energy and impressiveness. This feature of treatment is all-important. I shall not attempt to do more than lay down general rules of procedure, indicating certain features of treatment that have given me good results

Darkness.

Mind readers claim they succeed better in their tests when blindfolded than when mov

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ing and reading with open eyes. The eyes of the clairvoyant are usually closed when she is "reading. Why? Because distracting sights are shut out by darkness. They would probably do better still with the sense of hearing dulled through muffling.

In concentrating the mind we seek to get as far away from the sense vibrations as possible. I often find myself closing my eyes when making a tactual examination of patients, and even when sitting alone in thought. In shutting the eyes we bar out much of the distracting world of physical phenomena and enter the realm of shadow, which we proceed to people according to our fancy.

In pursuance of this theory and to insure the banishment of all diverting sights, we may put the patient into a dark room, or we may insist on closed eyes.

With the avenues of vision in some such way shut off, the mind of the patient has less material upon which to operate and is more easily concentrated upon the suggestions that may be given.

The suggestions themselves can be most conveniently given by word of mouth, the utterance being slow and distinct, bearing to the sense of the patient an impression of sincerity and truth. Since the mind of one who is ill has less than the average amount of stability, attention is easily diverted. Accordingly it will be found advisable to occasionally recall the possibly wandering thought by sharp and forcible commands, like, "Listen," "Now hearken," "Notice what I say," etc. It is well to repeat a suggestion in the identical words, time and again, so that the ear may hold, and later reiterate to the subconsciousness, what the consciousness does not at the moment fully comprehend.

The suggestions are given much greater force also by a few introductory remarks in the way of preparation for what is to follow. Dilate, if you

please, on the wretchedness of present conditions and give positive assurance of the restoration to ensue. Explain briefly the manner of its coming, in relief of pain and an increasing sense of health stealing into every part. Health is to grow out of unwholesome conditions; light is to dispel darkness; faith is to supplant despondency; and the fruits of the Spirit of Life are to become manifest.

The character of the talk will be determined largely by the intelligence of the subject. The healer's success will depend in great measure on his ability to interpret his patient's character and to supply his peculiar needs.

While in the darkness, an affirmation may be fastened in the mind by turning focused rays of light upon a slate or chart, whereon, in plain letters, the affirmation appears. One can readily fancy the effect of this when the written or printed suggestion is tersely put.

FIGURE 14. Slate with Sample Suggestion.

Another method of impressing, well adapted to office practice, is the use of the graphophone.