I now come to the symptomatology of hypnosis. In order to make as complete a survey as possible, and only for that reason, I must arrange the subject-matter under the headings of Physiology and Psychology. It must not be thought, however, that we have to do with a real division; of that there can be no question. For the bodily functions show a deviation from the normal purely as a consequence of changes in the psychical state. Just as a man paralyzed by fright cannot move in consequence of a mental shock, and not from any injury to his muscles, so people in a state of religious excitement have visions, not because their eyes are abnormal in visual function, but because they are in an abnormal mental state; thus in hypnosis the muscles,, the organs of sense, etc., are abnormal in function only because the mental state is altered. Only from this point of view is the division made in what follows. As we shall see later on, it is doubtful whether there exist in hypnosis any primary bodily abnormalities.

In consequence of the close tie which exists between the mental and bodily phenomena, it will not be surprising if, in discussing the latter, I am often obliged to refer to the former and vice versa; a thorough separation is not possible. In order not to destroy the inner unity for merely external considerations, I shall occasionally deviate from the purely tabular arrangement.

(1) Physiology

We will now pass to a discussion of the functions of the individual organs. The alterations which we find in hypnosis affect the voluntary and involuntary muscles, the organs of sense, common sensation, the secretions, metabolism, and in rare cases also the cell power of organization.

The voluntary muscles show the most frequent abnormalities, and suggestion1 exercises an extraordinary influence over their functions. When no ideas are aroused by suggestion during hypnosis, we find the greatest differences in the behaviour of the voluntary muscles, according to the method of hypnotiza-tion selected, and according to the character of the subject. Some are able to move with perfect freedom till the command of the experimenter inhibits some particular movement: many, on the contrary, look as if they were asleep from the commencement. In this case we see no movements, or very rare ones, which are slow and laboured. When we discuss the phenomena of suggestion, we shall see that this incapacity for movement cannot in certain cases be removed by the command of the hypnotist. Between these extreme cases there exist all sorts of transitional stages. It is all the same which of these characters has the preponderance; muscular activity can nearly always be influenced in a high degree by suggestion.

By means of it we can make movements impossible, or else induce movements.

I have already shown (page 34) how easily I can make the second subject's arm powerless to move simply by arousing in her the conviction that her arm is powerless. In just the same way the movements of the legs, trunk, larynx, etc., escape the subject's notice. "You cannot raise your arm; cannot put out your tongue." This suffices to make the forbidden movement impossible. In some cases the inability to move arises because the person cannot voluntarily contract his muscles, and his arm consequently hangs limp; while in other cases a contracture of the antagonistic muscles makes every attempt at a voluntary movement useless (Bleuler). In the same manner the leg will lose the power of motion at command. We have seen (page 34) in the second experiment how the power of speech can be taken away. And it is even possible to allow the muscles to contract for one particular purpose only. If we say to a hypnotic subject, "You can only say your own name; for the rest you are absolutely dumb," the desired effect will be produced. In the same way it is possible to prevent movements of the arm for any particular purpose. Thus we can make it impossible for a person to write, though he will be able to do any other kind of work.

The subject can sew, play the piano, etc., but all efforts to write are vain. As a rule, the movements only become possible when the experimenter gives permission. It is remarkable that in some persons one set of muscles is easier to influence by suggestion, and in others another set. We can make a person dumb by suggestion, while all the other muscles obey his will in spite of suggestion. Another, again, loses the power of moving his arms, while his speech remains unaffected.

1 For the sake of brevity I shall for the future use "suggestion" for "external suggestion" when the contrary is not expressly stated, and I shall treat cognate terms in a similar manner.

In just the same way as muscular movements are prevented by suggestion, so can movements be induced by it against, or without, the will of the subject. We have seen (page 35) how the subject in the third experiment knelt down, followed me, and so forth. I say to another person, "You are lifting your right arm to lay it on your head"; this happens at once. I would insist that it must be decided whether these movements take place without or against the will1 of the subject, as in the latter case an increase of sensibility is already demonstrated. I say, "Your left arm will now rise up in the air"; and the arm rises as if drawn up by a string, although the subject makes no voluntary movement; but neither does it occur to him to resist. The movements without the subject's will can often be distinguished from those against it by a certain steady ease. These last are nearly always characterized by strong muscular contractions and by trembling - evidences of antagonistic forces, the hetero-suggestion of the hypnotizer, and the will of the subject.

This shows how the hypnotized person fights against the suggestion to keep his arm in the air, and also gives a clue to the tremblings.

Just in the same way the hypnotic subject is obliged to cough, laugh, talk, jump, etc., at command.