Reputation and safety of the operator - Welfare of the subject - Dangers of hypnotism no greater than ordinary - Little evil and great good - Compared with dangers of other branches of science - Exaggerated reports of harm - Presence of a third party - Accident to the operator - Danger reduced to a minimum - Rarely used unlawfully - Avoidance of sudden shock - Causes of danger - Weakness of the heart - Catalepsy - Physical Injury - Staring at the sun - Change from darkness to light - Fascination - Falls and other causes of injury - Contortions - Jumping - Violent exercise - Eating injurious articles - Suggestions of death - Post-hypnotic cautions - Suffocation - Hypnotizing the feeble-minded - Insanity and crime - Liability of exciting anger - Avoiding misunderstandings - Relief from suggestions.

Hypnotism must be practiced judiciously for the reputation and safety of the operator as well as for the welfare of the subject. The reckless employment of hypnotic influence is not without its danger, just as there is danger in the reckless employment of any other means. It is absurd to condemn the science of hypnotism simply because of the harmful influences and dangerous conditions made possible through its use. With just as much propriety could we condemn the use of fire for heating purposes because it might possibly destroy the house, or the use of bathing because the bather might drown in the water, or the eating of meat or fish on account of the danger of choking.

The harm resulting from hypnotism is infinitesimal compared with the good it has accomplished. In fact, no art ever practiced has so little evil to be responsible for, either through intent or accident. The history of the practice of medicine is strewn with the lives of thousands sacrificed through experimentation or ignorance. Chemical manipulations have wreaked destruction for ages and the acquisition of chemical knowledge has too frequently been prompted by a desire to use its mysteries for the perpetration of crime.

Occasionally we hear of hypnotism being used for evil purposes, but investigation of every such case reported would reveal the fact that nearly every one was a gross exaggeration or an entire fabrication promulgated for sensational effect. Very rarely there is a grain of truth in the reports and when there is such a desire for sensationalism in connection with hypnotism it is remarkable that more evil has not been laid at its door, especially as it would be difficult for the blunders of a hypnotist to be kept quiet.