Advanced suggestion (neuroinduction) / by Haydn Brown.

  • Brown, Haydn, 1864-1936.
Date:
1921
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Advanced suggestion (neuroinduction) / by Haydn Brown. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    length of time she was exposed, I am quite satisfied as to what she intended. Indeed, the time may have been even longer than she admitted, for when asked whether it was for three hours she carelessly replied : “Two or three.” To her own amazement nothing hap¬ pened, excepting very great discomfort. She was pale, thin, badly nourished, and suffered from dyspepsia and insomnia, being, of course, deeply worried at the time. Before coming into my hands the same patient had opened the window of a nursing home many times with a view to casting herself out, but had been checked by revolting ideas as to the nature of the injuries she would sustain, and the ghastly appearance which her body would present, as well as by the state of distress which the circumstance would produce in her parents. Many sufferers have a strong desire to contract all sorts of dangerous illnesses, not caring in the least whether the issue might be fatal or no. Some will work themselves up into ecstasies over the beautiful clean water, “sweet and inviting,” and will visit a river or pond with a view to jumping in. Vanity very often corrects such impulses. Any sort of tentative behaviour may, as often as not, lead ultimately to the act being finally committed, unless some factor should enter to modify developments. The case of a man who had thought for months of placing himself on the railway line is interesting, because, by analysis, no reason could be found for this obsession. Supraconsciously he was greatly distressed that the idea should visit him—unusually so—and he