It may be here interesting to consider some of the states of mind into which a person may be brought by hypnotism.  When subject to the will of an operator the patient may believe anything—­that he is a mouse or a girl, drunk or inspired.  The same may result from self-hypnotism by artificial methods which appeal powerfully to the imagination.  According to Dr. JAMES R. COCKE many of his patients could induce this by looking at any bright object, a bed of coals, or at smooth running water.  It is, of course, to be understood that it is not merely by looking that hypnotism is induced.  There must be will or determinate thought; but when once brought about it is easily repeated.

“They have the ability,” writes Dr. COCKE, “to resist this state or bring it on at will.  Many of them describe beautiful scenes from Nature, or some mighty cathedral with its lofty dome, or the faces of imaginary beings.”  This writer’s own first experience of self-hypnotism was very remarkable.  He had been told by a hypnotizer to keep the number twenty-six in his mind.  He did so, and after hearing a ringing in his ears and then a strange roaring he felt that spirits were all round him—­music sounding and a sensation as of expanding.

But self-hypnotizing, by the simple easy process of trusting to ordinary sleep, is better adapted to action delayed, or states of mind.  These may be: 

A desire to be at peace or perfectly calm.  After a few repetitions it will be found that, though irritating accidents may countervene, the mind will recur more and more to calm.

To feel cheerful or merry.

To be in a brave, courageous, hearty or vigorous mood.

To work hard without feeling weary.  This I have fully tested with success, and especially mention it for the benefit of students.  All of my intimate friends can certify what I here assert.

To keep the faculty of quickness of perception alert, as, for instance, when going out to perceive more than usual in a crowd.  A botanist or mineralogist may awaken the faculty with the hope of observing or finding with success.

To be susceptible to beauty, as, for instance, when visiting a scene or gallery.  In such cases it means to derive Attention from Will.  The habitually trained Forethought or Attention is here a great aid to perception.

To read or study keenly and observantly.  This is a faculty which can be very much aided by forethought and self-suggestion.

To forgive and forget enemies and injuries.  Allied to it is the forgetting and ignoring of all things which annoy, vex, harrass, tease or worry us in any way whatever.  To expect perfect immunity in this respect from the unavoidable ills of life is absurd; but having paid great attention to the subject, and experimented largely on it, I cannot resist declaring that it seems to me in very truth that no remedy for earthly suffering was yet discovered