Medical and Dental Hypnosis and it's Clinical Applications. John
Hartland. 1966. Balliere Tindall.

Review by Anthony Jacquin

Contents:
Fwd by Milton Erickson
Fwd by Eric E Wookey
Part 1: The History, Nature and Techniques of Hypnosis
Part 2: The theories and Phenomena of Hypnosis
Part 3: The Clinical Applications of Hypnosis

Fwd by Erickson
As Erickson states in his fwd this book is not one primarily based
upon men's ideas with special interpretations elaborately involved to
explain the work of others. Nor is it a survey on the current
literature on hypnosis. It is rather an earnest and sincere objective
account of one medical practitioners experience over 25 years using
hypnosis in his medical practice. It details the in a systematic and
orderly fashion the learnings he has derived from this clinical use of
hypnosis. Erickson states that he read the book with intense interest
and personal gain as well as personal satisfaction.

Fwd by Wookey

Wookey was an Honorary Consultant at Royal London Hospital as well as
pat President for the British Society of Medical and Dental Hypnosis.
He states that prior to 1940 most books on hypnosis tended to be
secretive and guarded about the actual techniques of induction and
instead were filled with speculative discussions of theory. He nots
that Hartlands book keeps no secrets from us, the language used is
simple and clear.

The book begins with an intro explaining that hypnosis is (by the time
of writing the book) a valid form of medical treatment. Despite this
it's possibilities are widely neglected. Given his scientific
credentials it is perhaps small wonder that he advises against giving
demonstrations of hypnosis to lay audiences because no matter how
scientifically it is done hypnosis and it's phenomena will always have
strong entertainment value and given that his profession wished to
distance itself from stage hypnosis, in fact deplored its use, he
believes that such demonstrations do it a disservice.

Part 1:

The Development of Hypnosis
He outlines that healing in a trance state is one of the oldest
medical arts and gives a short but interesting bit of history prior to
Mesmer. This includes mentions of the Temple of Aesculapius at
Epidaurus and the 'touching for the Kings's Evil'. He mentiones
Lourdes and also Paracelsus who in 1530 forumlated his theory
concerning the effect of the heavenly bodies upon mankind. From this
developed the further theory that not just heavenly bodies but man
could mutualy influence each other using magnetic powers. Although it
was another 200 years before mesmer developed his theory his initial
work was based on the theory of Paracelsus. He then gives a wonderful
account of Memers work including details of the 'elaborate apparatus'
and that his practice 'was attended with a ceremonial similar to that
employed at miraculous shrines'. He then brings the history into the
19th centruy explaining clearly the influence of Marquis De Puysegur,
LaFontaine and James Braid. Apparently Braid was taken to a
demonstration of magnetic experiments and was so incensed by it he
stormed on stage to expose it as a fake and was astonished to find the
trance was genuine. He then goes into some detail about the work of
Elliotson, Liebeault, Bernheim, Charcot, Breur and Freud.

The Nature of Hypnosis
Although he discusses various theories of hypnosis later in the book
for ease of undstanding he writes the book from the perspective of
what he calls 'suggestion theory'. He defines suggestion as a process
whereby an individual accepts a proposition put to him by another
without the slightest logical reason for doing so. He also defines it
as an idea which is presented to an individual for his uncritical
acceptance.

Suggestibility is the degree to which an individual is inclined
towards the uncritical acceptance of ideas and propositions. In other
words the extent to which that individual will react to ideas
presented without emplying his critical faculties.

His working definition of hypnosis is he suggests possibly incomplete
but adequate
Hypnosis is essentially a state of mind which is usually induced in
one person by another. It is a state of mind in which suggestions are
not only more readily accepted than in the waking state, but are also
acted upon much more powerfully than would be possible under normal
conditions. In other words hypnosis is accompanied by an increase in
suggestibility. The reason for this is in the hypnotised state the
power of criticism is either fully or partially suppressed. At this
point he introduces the concept of unconscious mind. He finishes the
chapter by comparing hypnosis to a controlled state of absent mindedness.

General Principles
Hartland outlines the conditions he believes are essential to
successful induction of the hypnotic state.
1. Motivation
2. Removal of doubts and fears
3. Fixation of attention
4. Limitation of the field of consciousness
5. Relaxation and limitation of voluntary movements
6. Monotony
7. Suppression of al ideas except the one upon which close attention
is to be concentrated

He explains how to set the ground work to ensure that the subject is
in the right mood and state to be hypnotised. He outlines three stages
of hypnosis Light, Medium and Deep (somnambulism).

Next we get into the meat of the book, clear and precise instructions
on how to induce hypnosis
Various methods of eye fixation are explained
1. Eye fixation with verbal suggestion
2. Progressive relaxation
3. Eye fixation with progr relaxation
4. Eye fixation with distraction
5. Direct eye gaze method
6. Ericksons hand levitation method
7. Ericksons confusional technique
8. Whitlows cartaroid artery pressure method (don;t try that at home)
9. The use of drugs s an adjunct to hypnosis (or that).

The next chapter deals with deepening the state by
1. Direct suggestion
2. By relation of depth to performance
3. By counting an dbreathing techniques
4. By the induction of graded responses
5. By visualisation
6. BY Vogt's fractionation method
7. By the dissociation method.

Hartland then outlines word for word his preferred approach that if
you have done the groundwork hardly ever fails to produce trance. This
is eye fixation by distraction, deepening by progressive relaxation,
the induction of graded responses and a counting and breathing technique.

Theories and Phenomena of Hypnosis
This really is the most fascinating section of the book. First he
explains nine theories of hypnosis
1. Charcots pathalogical theory
2. The physical theory
3. The modified sleep theory
4. The conditioned reflex theory
5. The dissociation theory
6. The suggestion theory
7. The role playing theory
8. The psycho analytic theory
9. Meares theory of atavistic regression

Then he gets into some great stuff about hypnotic phenomena that are
mostly related to the medical field including alterations to the
voluntary and involuntary muscles, organs and glands. He goes into
real detail and highlights some fascinating experiments regarding
alterations in the sense organs.

Chapter 13 is dedicated to somnambulism and the psychological
phenomena of hypnosis including illusions and hallucinations, memory,
age regression and more. He includes some 'super' sense demonstrations
including one classic on the ability to get someone to pick a playing
card, the face is noted and its reverse side shown to the deeply
hypnotised subject whose eyes are open (obviously). He is told that a
black cross will appear on it and that he will raise his hand as soon
as he sees it. He is told to study it carefully so that he will
recognise it easily. The card is then shuffled amongst 20 others and
asked to pick out the one with the 'cross' on it. The subject
according to Hartland can easily recognise the card.

Hartland then gives great detail about post hypnotic suggestion and
self hypnosis

The final large section of the book deals in detail with direct
instruction for dealing with a wide range of applications for hypnosis.

1. General conditions
2. Nocturnal Enuresis and asthma
3. Migraine and Insomnia
4. Speech disorders, tics and other nervous habits
5. Miscellanous Conditions
6. Menstrual Disorders, dermatological Conditions and the use Hypnosis
in Surgery
7. Hypnosis in obstetrics
8. Hypnotic Treatment of psychsomatic symptoms and psychological illness
9. Hypnosis in Analytical Psychotherapy
10. The uses of hypnosis in dental surgery
11. General observations on the hypnotic state its introduction,
deepening and utilization.

In short if you can put aside any hard fixed notions about hypnotic
theory then this book has much to offer. I have read tons of books on
hypnosis and consider this one of the best. The theory and history is
fascinating. The induction and deepening methods are varied and the
clinical applications are hugely impressive. Beyond that he cites many
little experiments and exercises that I had never come across before.
All in all a super read and instructional on hypnosis.

If you have any questions about any aspect of the above then feel free
to ask questions.

Anthony
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Anthony Jacquin
Hypnotist and Trainer
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