QUOTE-UNQUOTE
Course in the Science of Hypnotism – Axel Wayne Bacon
I was drawn to the 1960 edition of this 1945 book penned by Axel Wayne Bacon because of its superb cover typography. But I cannot decide whether this is a treasure trove of detail… or a mail-order-course scam..?
Bacon serves us “17 Practical Self-Study Lessons on Hypnotic Power – How to Develop it and How to Use it” in this 265-page book. But the lack of structure and discipline as to depth, breadth, altitude, and granularity leave me befuddled.
The book is published by Nelson-Hall Co, based in Chicago, and kicks off with a six-page, suspicion-arousing sales pitch for its self-taught book courses. Then we move into drearily detailed chapters on what hypnotism is, and, specifically, in following chapters, what it is according to James Braid, the Nancy School, Dr Liébault, and the Salpêtrière School.
“Most of the content is quoted from the original sources.” Which is why I’m wondering whether it’s just a hash of content to flog to keen students of hypnosis. I can’t find anything about the author via my cursory Google, which could arguably suggest he’s a hack rather than a hypnotist. Plus the depth and granularity of these chapters isn’t really justified.
That said, I can’t deny there’s all sorts of information in here I haven’t come across before. For instance, we learn about mesmerist Baron du Potet and his ‘magic mirror’ induction, “which convulsed so many people”. And Joseph-Pierre Durand, who built on Braid’s theory. And that the Hôpital de la Charitié and its Dr J Luys was a “connecting link” between Nancy and Salpêtrière.
We even get a tantalising reference to “Donatism”, previously referenced by J Louis Orton. All we learn is that this is to do with imitation while in a hypnotic state, and that this was “demonstrated … completely” by “professional hypnotizer, Donato”. The mystery remains!
In fact, there are so many names and things cited in this book that I might well revisit it – for instance, it lists many of the names associated with Nancy and Salpêtrière, which might form part of our big-picture-hypno-puzzle someday.
But this book is otherwise quite boring. And this is despite its bizarre collection of contents; after these deep-dives, we jump into telepathy and how to develop your powers in this regard. Then follow chapters on somnambulism, phenomena, and the applications, “wonders” and dangers of hypnotism.
Testament to the lack of structure and discipline is a whole chapter on Afley Leonel Brett – “[a] boy who can see straight through your clothes to your very bones”, who diagnosed various diseases and ailments that stumped physicians. It’s quite the segue from detailed how-tos from Braid & Co!
The best thing about this book is the illustrations – pending us understanding whether Bacon was ‘expertly’ interested in what he wrote about… or just arbitrarily filling up a mail-order course book…
