Summary edit

Summary edit

THE FAMILY DOCTOR

CORRESPONDENCE

MR. TOOTH AND HYPNOTISM. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FAMILY DOCTOR. SIR,-The discussions on this subject have been more striking to me than they can have been to the bulk of your readers. J will tell you why. I am an old man now, and I recognise in Mr. Tooth's experiments t.he exact reproduction of those which were rife about fifty-four years ago, when I was going through the campaign with my friends Dr. Elliottson, Dr. Ashburner, and others. The discovery was brought over at that time by the Baron Dupotp.t from Paris, and was eagerly inquired into by Dr. Elliottson, who found suitable subjects in the two Okey girls at the University College Hospital. With those girls at his house in Conduit-street I witnessed the marvelous experiments by the doctor, extending over the general field, which were then familiar to inquirers. They were also largely published and commented upon in the Press at the time, and were duly stigmatised as fraud and imposture, not only by the Press, but by science. Meantime Dr. Elliottson pursued his inquiries at the hospital, and was hounded by the other professors there, and after some little time was requested to resign his position in the hospital. The only change between then and now was that what he was inquiring into was called mesmerism, and that it was too new a thing for respectable doctors to believe in. The consequence to him was that he lost the greater part of his large practice, and at last died in penury. Meanwhile, however, with his friend Dr. Ashburner he established the monthly journal called the "Zoist," and carried it on for eleven years, inquiring into and developing the subject in all its aspect~. In India mesmerism was largely practised, mainly as a means of performing operations upon persons in the mesmeric state. A special hospital was also established in London. at which wonderful cures were performed, and also operations upon patients in a painless state. The father of the present E1.rl Dunraven was a president for many years of this hospital. The uphill fight with science was, however, too hard for it, and it had to close its doors. Jt was called by the objectionable name of the mesmeric hospital, and that was enough to bear it down. This was all half a century ago. and it is satisfactory to know what a silent change can be brought about in half a century. Respectable old professors have fallen away and have left room for new facts and opinions, even if they savour of less material modes of cure than are as yet common in the profession. This curious change of front began, as I believe, within the last few years by getting in the quiet use of m ssa~e principally amongst patients of high degree. This is nearly allied to mesmerism, and has deepened into sor;ne of the higher phenomena. thus showing its origin and connection with hypnotism. All roads lead to Rome. The name of hypnotism. however, did not frighten the new race of doctors, and when I was in Sweden last year I found it was being largely practised in the hospitals and privately at Stockholm. I called on a very orthodox physician who had been to Stockholm to learn the new method, and in going out I saw in his drawing-room four patients fast asleep on reclining chain. He was applying ., the cure by suggestion," he said. They have got new names for it now hypnotism, psychical automatism, disturbances of sensation, psychical operations going on outside the primary consciousness, anything but the tabooed mesmerism; and so after fifty years the same old work is going on again, and without calling its professors either dupes or imp03tors. Truly the ways of science are "peculiar," but we ml1st be content to take them as they come. I wonder if, when the next new thing turns Ull, we cannot begin with it at the right end instead of the wrong one.-Your obedient servant, W. Charing Cross.

CORSET DISCIPLINE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FAMILY DOCTOR.

SIR -Referring to "J. G.'s" letter in this week's FAMILY DOCTOR headed "Corset Discipline." I should esteem it a favour if he would send me a detailed description, and a rough sketch, if possible, of his method and appliance for the training of the feet for the wearing of high heels. I may say I take quite an interest in the subject of high heels, and frequently wear ladies' high-heeled boots indoors: therefore should be pleased to have a further description of the method he refers to than is contained in his letter.-- I am. Sir, yours, &c., H. WILLS.

Oxford-street, London, W., Oct. 17, 1889.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FAMILY DOCTOR.

SIR--I think it a pity that the backboard should have so completely fallen into desuetude in this country as it has, for I think" Carl's " training of his daughters is quite the exception, and I do not know of any place of London where such a thing can be obtained. Perhaps" Carl " does, and could enlighten me, or would he lend me one of his for a day or two to have copied?

Abroad it still exists, as a young lady of my acquaintance, just returned from a first-class Belgian school tells me that a strong backboard was worn during class time by any girl who showed signs of round shoulders or stooping. Very strong and tightly-laced corsets were also the rule of the school, and they were drawn in an extra inch on Sundays, when they were allowed to receive Visitors.

And what is a little discomfort to the advantages of a nice upright carriage, with flat back and full developed chest and bust, so noticeable amongst girls whose figures have been properly trained ? I know that, although not one of the fair sex, and no longer in my teens, I would willingly submit to the discomfort of both corset and back board to be cured of my round shoulders and stooping habits, the cause of many a headache and indigestion, but it is not everyone who has the good fortune to have parents, or someone in loco parentis, with sufficient experience and good sense to look after these matters.-Yours truly,

"DUO-ET-VIGINTI."

-:0:- TAi, DoZum" i, ,p~DitJZZtI d8tJOt8tJ '0 ,.b.crib«r. .110 tJr' desirous of obtaining information on tJn" p,.tJc'ictJ~ .ubiec'. whether Domestic, Med~cal, Sanitary, or othe'l'",i.«. TlI« Editor suggests that Correspondents should e~p,.e •• 'h,ir tIJ'I,shes in as brief a manner as possible. AZl Letters should have the 'Word. 11 N OTB8 AB» Q17.BI •• " o. 'lIe envelope. QUESTIONS. A mother will be very grateful ~o the FAMILY DOCTOR if anyone can tell her of anything that ca.n be given to a. girl of fifteen years of age tor weaknesR of the bladder, to prevent her w~ttmg the bed at night. She has been under medical treatment, but has not received any benefit wha.tevpr.-" E, A. S ," Herne Hill. Can anyone give me the information as to how to render a mackintosh overcoat-alpaca inside and india rubber outwaterproof on the shoulders. where it lets the water in P It ought to be waterproof of itself, seeing that it is by a. first-rate maker. but it is not.-" S. Mixon." MARY YATES, HAMPSTEAD ROAD, N. W.-Could you tell me the number of above address? It appeared above a. letter in your columns (Sept. 7) a short time ago. but a. letter addressed there came back marked not known. Perhaps you could supply the number from the Directory. -"H. J. Cooke." . ANSWERS. MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WORK.-Before I give an answe to "Pat's" question as to his son's health declining in consequence of over-work, I should like him to ask himself these questions :-1. Does he sleep as well as usual? 2. Does he wake up with his usual zest for life and work? 3. Does he keep clear of mental depression to bis usual degree? 4:. Is there a good circulation of the blood as manifested by the average general warmth ,of the body .• and freedom from heat and pressure about- the head?' 5. Is there the usual ability to digest food without functional disturbance so that the normal weight of the body is maintained? If these conditions are ascertained, and allowance is made for the incidental diRturbances which ma.y come to (-'very man from change of~ environment or clim'ltic conditions, he will be enabled at once to 8ay whether he is holding his own or not. If he is not in a.ll the directions mentioned exhibiting average power and' capacity he is evidently overtaxing his mental or physical functions.

•• J. Wilson."-Tbere is no doubt that in most bruises arnica is a.n excellent application. It stimulates the circulation, and that is what is wanted in case of a bruise. In other words, it is a slight rubifacient, calling blood to the p",rt, and in this way relieving pain and inducing a. healing process. Though it can be used to advantage, I hardly ever use it in my pract ice, because water is so efficient if properly applied. In case of a bruise. hot water shl)uld alwaYR be used, not warm, but as hot 809 can be borne, applied by means of sponges or flannels wrung from hot water, so dry that they will not orip. It is the heat rather than the moisture which is valuable. Your correspondent" Welshman" can, I believe. get from Hatchard s, in Piccarilly, the letters on .• Corporal Puni~hment" published in the Times. together with. articles on the same subject from many newspapers .. The pamphlet costs Is., and was printed by order of Lord Meath.

Correspondents will in ever.'! case be answefJld as ew·ly as space and time 'will permit. It -is particularly requested that all communicalions may be distinctly written and concisely expressed, and 1ll,arked' "ADVICE GRATIS" over tlte add1'ess on tlte envelope. All communications should be addressed to the EDITOR of the FAMILY' DOCTOR, 286, Strand, London, W. C. Just published, Is., post free Is. Id.; cloth, Is. 6d., post, Is. 7d. T~~g Pu~!haabetIot~o tehaabetsi1rO~~hd~C:;ehaabet?o~, haabet:!~. and cure of nt'arly all the ills incidental to the human frame with advice to the healthy, rules for the sick. tables on digestion. &c. Also a treatise~ on Consumption. By Eminent Physicians. Carefully copied from the presoription book of a. London Chemist. Thirtl' years' experience. G. PURKESS. 286, Strand. London. W.O. 4.DVIO. .&&TI8.

By A PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON. N.B. - Communications ¥equirin/1 tJnlfU1~f"' In thia column must be marked, outside (18 direoted, (lbo". or th~'U ~,~ f\Qt be noticed,

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