CONTENTS INTRODUCTION-History of hypnotism-Mesmer-Puysegur-Braid-What is hypnotism?-Theories of hypnotism: 1. Animal magnetism; 2. The Neurosis Theory; 3. Suggestion Theory CHAPTER I-How to Hypnotize-Dr. Cocke's method-Dr. Flint's method-The French method at Paris-At Nancy-The Hindoo silent method-How to wake a subject from hypnotic sleep-Frauds of public hypnotic entertainments. CHAPTER II-Amusing experiments-Hypnotizing on the stage-"You can't pull your hands apart!"-Post-hypnotic suggestion-The newsboy, the hunter, and the young man with the rag doll-A whip becomes hot iron-Courting a broom stick-The side-show CHAPTER III-The stages of hypnotism-Lethargy-Catalepsy-The somnambulistic stage-Fascination CHAPTER IV-How the subject feels under hypnotization-Dr. Cocke's experience-Effect of music-Dr. Alfred Warthin's experiments CHAPTER V-Self hypnotization-How it may be done-An experience-Accountable for children's crusade-Oriental prophets self- hypnotized CHAPTER VI-Simulation-Deception in hypnotism very common-Examples of Neuropathic deceit-Detecting simulation-Professional subjects-How Dr. Luys of the Charity Hospital at Paris was deceived-Impossibility of detecting deception in all cases-Confessions of a professional hypnotic subject CHAPTER VII-Criminal suggestion-Laboratory crimes-Dr. Cocke's experiments showing criminal suggestion is not possible-Dr. William James' theory-A bad man cannot be made good, why expect to make a good man bad? CHAPTER VIII-Dangers in being hypnotized Condemnation of public performances-A commonsense view-Evidence furnished by Lafontaine; by Dr. Courmelles; by Dr. Hart; by Dr. Cocke-No danger in hypnotism if rightly used by physicians or scientists CHAPTER IX-Hypnotism in medicine-Anesthesia-Restoring the use of muscles-Hallucination-Bad habits CHAPTER X-Hypnotism of animals-Snake charming CHAPTER XI-A scientific explanation of hypnotism-Dr. Hart's theory CHAPTER XII-Telepathy and Clairvoyance-Peculiar power in hypnotic state-Experiments-"Phantasms of the living" explained by telepathy CHAPTER XIII-The Confessions of a Medium-Spiritualistic phenomena explained on theory of telepathy-Interesting statement of Mrs. Piper, the famous medium of the Psychical Research Society