“Of course you have read Hudson’s explanation of psychic phenomena?�
“Yes; his idea of subjective mind explains much of the before-unexplained, so-called spirit manifestations, at least to my satisfaction; but there is much more that I would like to understand. It will be some time, I imagine, before we shall equal the Hindoos in the knowledge of psychic forces. I confess, when I read of some of their performances, I am ready to believe it supernatural.�
“True, but think how much is no longer mysterious which, a few years ago, was deemed supernatural!�
“Yes, we are a progressive people. For one thing, Doctor, mental therapeutics has done much to prevent the mortality from drug-poisoning. Don’t you think so?�
“Ahem! Well, yes, perhaps it has. The great trouble is, when a person is given a glimmering of a great truth he immediately jumps at conclusions and carries the idea beyond the bounds of common sense. I am Rosicrucian enough to believe that nature has given an antidote to every ill human flesh is heir to, and that every leaf and flower that grows has its beneficent uses if we were wise enough to understand them. I don’t deny that the mind has much to do with the condition of the body, but I believe even mind influence has its limitations. Of course, nervous and hysterical people are most susceptible to it, and oftentimes diseases exist only in the mind.�
“What do you think of hypnotism as a factor in healing, Doctor?�
“Well, the French have been experimenting somewhat with that. It is even a more dangerous agent to use than electricity. Hypnotism may be dangerous even if self-imposed. For one thing, I believe it is enervating to the will, and a person controlled by the will of another may be evilly influenced. Again, what is insanity but the loss of control of the will over the subjective mind. Each time a person yields himself to the control of another or suffers himself to be put in the condition called trance, is he not approaching the borderland of insanity?�
“I suppose, generally speaking, a sound nervous organization is not susceptible to hypnotic influence.�
“Not as susceptible as the more frail, disturbed ones.�
“But, Doctor, it is a great thing to control delirium and render a subject insensible to pain, even during a surgical operation.�