Hypnotism does not corrupt morals - Sensational newpaper articles - Stole while hypnotized - Melancholy induced by a discarded suitor - Elopement due to hypnotic influence - Sensational reports - Trained criminals - Hypnotism an excuse - A drug clerk's error - Possibilities of crime - Possibility of bodily harm - Confidence in the operator. -

The claim that hypnotism is frequently used to produce criminals and to aid in the perpetuation of crime is based more upon the imagination than upon fact. It can no more corrupt the moral senses of those subjected to its influences than it can instill conscience, morality, and integrity into the human character.

The term "Criminal Hypnotism" is on a par with such evident misnomers as criminal astronomy, criminal chemistry, criminal mechanics, etc. These sciences do not produce the desire to commit crime, although they impart knowledge that an evil-minded person might readily use for such purposes. For instance, an astrologist who actually possessed an accurate knowledge of astronomy might so impress a credulous person as to make him believe that the relationship of the various planets to his life made it his inevitable destiny to commit a certain crime. Again, the knowledge of combining chemicals for the manufacture of dynamite and other dangerous explosives, or the preparation of deadly potions, might suggest their criminal use. But it is certain that unless there pre-existed a criminal tendency, these sciences would not create it, and to discourage their study on account of criminal possibilities would be execedinly narrow minded.

It can be positively asserted that a virtuous subject cannot be demoralized by ordinary hypnotic control. Suggestions repugnant to the subject's innate sense of morality and uprightness will either produce instant awakening or result in emphatic disobedience. The disposition of the subject cannot be altered by hypnosis.

Contrary to these facts are many sensational newspaper articles upon the relation of hynotism to crime. It seems to have been a favorite topic for the furtive brain and ready pen of the ordinary newspaper writer, who is anxious to satisfy the public craving for morbid exaggerations, rather than desirous of furnishing reliable information. The following clippings from daily newspapers are good examples of the perverted ideas of hypnotism conveyed to the public by these sensational newspaper writers: