Early Use of Animal Magnetism
The Marquis de Puysegur (1751-1825), a pupil of Mesmer's, used "animal magnetism" on a young peasant. He entered into a trance-like state while still being able to talk with Puysegur. He was also able to respond to suggestions Puyegur gave him. When the peasant returned to normal consciousness, he could remember nothing of what had just happened. Puysegur concluded that the will of the person as well as the operator's actions were important factors in the success or failure of the magnetism. Psychological influences were extremely important in the whole process.
The Birth of "Hypnosis"
The terms "hypnosis" and "hypnotism" were not coined until 1843 by James Braid (1795-1860), a Scottish surgeon working in Manchester. He discovered that some experimental subjects could go into a trance if they simply fixated their eyes on a bright object, like a silver watch. Believing that a neurophysiological connection was involved, he turned to hypnosis as a tool. He found hypnosis to be very useful in disorders where no organic origin to the problem could be identified (e.g. headaches, skin problems etc.). Further, he showed that a single stimulus (e.g. a word or an object) was enough to re-hypnotize his subjects.
Franz Anton Mesmer: The Father of Hypnosis
In the history of hypnosis, it was Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) who began formalized research into what we consider to be hypnosis today. He believed that there was a magnetic fluid in the air we breathe and that the body's nerves absorbed this fluid. He considered disease to be caused via a blockage of the circulation of this magnetic fluid. He began by using a magnet (later his hand), which was passed over the diseased body in an attempt to unblock the magnetic flow. When his hand passed over the infected area, (and later still, the eyes) it was believed to unblock the fluid by increasing its amount and flow. We get he term "animal magnetism" from this procedure, as well as what was to be referred to as Mesmerism.
Ancient Civilization and Hypnosis
Ancient civilizations were perhaps the first to practice hypnosis in group settings. Many rituals, such as mass chanting and meditation to a steady drum beat were parts of religious ceremonies. The continuation of these rhythms combined with the energy of the group placed its members in a sort of trance-state. The purpose of this was to rejuvenate or heal the members taking part in the ceremony. Essentially, there was healing of the mind through early hypnosis before any formalized medical practice came into being.
Clark L. Hull
By the 1920s, hypnosis became the focus of experimental investigation by psychologists like Clark L. Hull (1884-1952), who demystified hypnosis saying that it was essentially a normal part of human nature. We often go into trance-like states throughout the day but are unaware of it. For example, when we read a book or "zone out" when driving. According to Hull, the important factor was the subject's imagination, and some people were more responsive or "suggestible" than others to hypnosis.
Hypnotism in Dentistry
Hypondotia (hypnotism in dentistry) was begun in 1948 and has become wide spread. In fact, it may be one of the most interesting applications in the history of hypnosis. Its popularity led to the creation of The American Society of Psychosomatic Dentistry. The ASPD is an association of ethical dentists who are trained and certified to apply hypnotic techniques.
Hypnotism and Surgery
In 1845, a Scottish doctor, James Esdale, opened a hospital in Calcutta and began a famous serious of operations with no pain and almost no deaths. His practice was made up of rajahs with 100 prominent witnesses. In India, so many had been afraid of operations, they had lived with tumors sometimes as large as their bodies (up to 80 pounds). By the time he left, he had performed over 2000 operations.
Psychological Application of Hypnosis
Hippolyte Bernheim (1837-1919), a professor of medicine at the University of Nancy regarded hypnosis as a special form of sleeping where the subject's attention is focused upon the suggestions made by the hypnotist. He therefore emphasized the psychological nature of the process of hypnosis. This revelation was a significant one in the history of hypnosis. It shifted the view of hypnosis from its physical applications to one that concentrated on the inner workings of the mind as well.
Jean-Martin Charcot
Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893) was the head of the neurological clinic at the famous Saltpetiere in Paris. A leading neurologist of his day, Charcot used hypnosis to treat hysterics. From his work, he concluded that hypnosis was, in effect, an induced seizure. This was due to the fact that his hysteric patients showed epileptic-like symptoms when they were in a trance.
The Legitimization of Hypnosis as a Medical Practice
The British Medical Association gave support for the teaching of the therapeutic use of hypnosis in medicine in 1955. Three years later, the American Medical Association followed suit. Today, an International Society of Hypnosis coordinates and assesses standards and practices of professional hypnotists across the world. Hypnosis is currently used in several areas of health care as an adjunct to more conventional treatments. These include dentistry, general medicine, and psychology.