Next to riveting the attention upon some object through the sense of sight, the use of sound is the most important aid in producing the condition of hypnosis. In fact, very few hypnotists are able to exert complete influence over a subject without in some manner employing this aid.

After the concentration of thought has been at least partially accomplished, then sound is most advantageous. But whatever sounds are made they should always be gentle and monotonous. Discordant sounds will interrupt a hypnotic seance, and intermittent sounds are equally undesirable.

Let us take for example the simplest and most frequent instance of the production of hypnosis - the mother putting her babe to sleep. How soft and soothing is her lullaby, sung in monotonous tones over and over again, with the desire that her babe shall sleep and perfect confidence in her own ability to make it do so.

Oriental magicians, who are expert hypnotists, invariable chant unintelligible words in monotonous tones while placing their subjects under control. Such chanting produces a most desirable drowsiness.

How often have we all been rendered drowsy by the sing-song tones of some public speaker or preacher, and how easy it is for us to go to sleep in church under the influences of such a voice and the otherwise quietude of the situation. With many it is impossible to keep awake under such circumstances. Some preachers, especially among the colored race, take advantage of this power of singsong preaching to render their listeners pliable to their suggestions without being able to explain how they exercise "such wonderful power." This is often exhibited in colored revival meetings. Persons have come together with the direct purpose of enjoying religious excitement. At first all is quiet expectancy, then the preacher commences his sing-song introduction to his exhortation and continues it until he realizes the receptive state of mind of his hearers, then he "waxes warm," and the sermon commences in earnest. Every word he utters is received just as he desires it to be received. When he makes an unusually good point and wants someone to shout "Amen," or "Glory hallelujah," there is always a response.

When he is repeating some pathetic narrative, men and women will groan, and when he expresses fervor, there will be shouts and clapping of hands, So completely are the listeners under control that often the wildest scenes of excitement follow and some assume the condition of catalepsy. Snake charmers nearly always employ monotonous music or chanting to aid them. It is well known that animals and birds can be thrown into states of ecstasy by repeating over and over again a series of musical sounds. Household dogs will remain undisturbed during the playing of an organ near them, but when a certain pitch of monotonous notes are played, they will instantly rise up and make most agonizing howls. Cats have been known to do the same things, and a donkey may sometimes be made to bray most unmercifully by tooting a horn monotonously in the stable.

After the subject's attention has been sufficiently attracted to secure concentration of thought, then it is the proper time to use the voice for the production of monotonous sounds with implied suggestions. By-looking at his eyes the passive condition of his mind can usually be ascertained. He does not appear wideawake, but has that peculiarly blank stare indicative of distraction from objects and scenes about him. When that expression is recognized, then commence to slowly and in a drawling tone of voice repeat some such sentences as the following:

"You are growing tired. Your eyelids are getting heavy, O, so heavy, you can hardly keep them open. Your eyes are tired, O, so tired, you can't see distinctly. Your head feels heavy. You want to nod. Let your head nod. Your arms are tired, O, so very tired, and so are your legs. They are heavy and you can scarcely move them. Your feet feel like lead. Your whole body is tired. You want to go to sleep. Go to sleep and sleep sound,"

Repeat continuously some such words as the above. Do not talk mechanically, but use such a tone of voice as to convey the impression that you, yourself, can scarcely keep awake. Entertain this feeling and you will be able to impart it to the subject.

To subjects who have studied hypnotism to some extent and are subjecting themselves to its influence for the sake of investigation, it will be better to use other language, although the same tone of voice and general manner should be maintained. For instance, say:

"Your mind is passive, your thoughts are ail gone. All you can think about is sleep. Your nerves arc quiet and now they are resting. Soon you will be asleep. You have no will power left. You will go to sleep in spite of everything. Sleep is coming."

Of course the intellectual capacity of the subject must always be taken into account, and language used that is suitable to their understanding. Ignorant persons are best influenced by mysterious methods and expressions. They can be overawed. On the other hand, subjects of average intelligence and education do not take kindly to attempts to impress the mysterious upon them. They resent it as a reflection upon their intelligence and feel that the operator does not understand them and therefore cannot hypnotize them. With those who are making a study of the subject, technical expressions are best. They can be led to take the greatest interest in the manoeuvers and methods of procedure and in this manner they will aid their own hypnosis.

In hypnotizing small children, the words conveying the idea of sleepiness can be advantageously sung in a drawling manner. With them, assuring words instead of emphatic statements should be made, and the idea should be conveyed to them that they are feeling good and that it will be very pleasant for them to go to sleep.