ABSTRACT
In the domain of hypnotism two broad fields of investigation are open and are assiduously cultivated; one is the field of therapeutics—the amelioration and cure of diseased conditions; the other is the field of psychology—the relation which hypnotism bears to mental action and the clues which it gives to strange and important phenomena which have long been misunderstood or else altogether ignored. In both of these fields much good work has already been done, while much still remains to be accomplished. But a third field is beginning to be opened up—still broader, and one which may yet prove of greater interest and utility than either of the others; it is the educational field—the influence which may be exerted by hypnotism upon the development and improvement of mind. How far it may be applicable the development of the normal intellect it is not necessary now to inquire—the needs in that direction are not imperative; but when one views the number of children brought into the world with imperfect mental organisations and vicious tendencies, and sees how little impression in general is made upon them by the ordinary and even the special processes of education, it is of interest to inquire if there are no other methods by which these deficiencies may in a measure be remedied and the vicious tendencies eradicated.
