HANDBOOK OF SUGGESTIVE THERAPEUTICS APPLIED HYPNOTISM PSYCHIC SCIENCE

Handbook of Suggestive Therapeutics Applied Hypnotism Psychic Science

HANDBOOK OF SUGGESTIVE THERAPEUTICS

APPLIED HYPNOTISM PSYCHIC SCIENCE

 

AMANUAL OF PRACTICAL PSYCHOTHERAPY, DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FORTHE PRACTITIONEROFMEDICINE, SURGERY, AND DENTISTRY

 

BY

 

HENRY S. MUNRO, M.D.

OMAHA, NEBRASKA

FOURTH EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED

ST. LOUIS

C. V. MOSBY COMPANY

1917

 

The sexual function of the natural instincts is the strongest of all the bodily appetites. It is a most important source of happiness and health, and its normal performance exercises the most Beneficent influence upon all other bodily and mental functions. The want of the gratification of the normal sexual instinct is a source of deep moral and mental suffering, lessens the love of life, and induces a sad and despondent existence.

  Women are frequently Observed who come out of a series Of prolonged emotional religious services weak, nervous, pale, and bedridden, who passively yield to the physical and psychical reaction Of such dissipations feeling that they have conscientiously performed their duty in “the Lord’s work. 

On one occasion, when explaining to a religious devotee the disastrous effect of an emotional sermon, telling her that I believed death itself had frequently been caused by such emotional preaching, she replied that “it would be a lovely way to die.” Her response reminded me of the answer given by a mentally decrepit old man seventy- six years of age, who, when told that if he was forced to satisfy the sexual requirements of a young woman twenty- six years of age, whom he was endeavoring to marry, for two weeks it would kill him, replied that if he could live with her for two weeks he would prefer to die rather than live twenty years without her. 

The manifestations of the sexual instinct exhibited by this woman in her religious emotion and by this man’s desire to gratify his animal passion are here strikingly ‘similar. 

Religious excitement encourages masturbation in both boys and girls. To excite the nervous system in one way encourages abnormal excitability in another. A young woman whose parents were religious enthusiasts, confessed that she had frequently been stirred by a religious service, and as a result masturbated and felt that she had done nothing wrong. The temporary relaxation following orgasm relieved the nervous tension induced by the emotional religious service, and she felt decidedly more comfortable.

The sexual instinct frequently manifests itself in emotional religious meetings by a nervous young woman becoming ardently interested in the religious welfare of some particular young man. A bride of two months became very much aroused by religious emotion, and, as she went forward to shake hands with the minister, her young husband rushed to her and before the entire assembly, kissed her passionately for a half dozen or more times The sexual instinct here manifested seemed to get beyond his control, but the unthinking audience considered this manifestation a beautiful exhibition of his Christian spirit.

In many instances a young woman has mistaken the religious exaltation for what in fact was nothing less than ungratified sexual desire. To what extent religious feelings depend upon physiological conditions has not yet been definitely ascertained. A physician on one occasion asked me in confidence why his wife had grown so indifferent to his approaches in the sexual relation. Upon questioning him, I found that she was an ardent supporter of a worn- out religious creed, around which her entire psychic life centered, and one which his scientific training had caused him to repudiate.

The psychic inharmony existing in his marital relation had robbed him of all happiness to be obtained from this source, and he, still endeavoring to be loyal to her, was despondent, unhappy, and miserable. Upon the discovery of a clandestine relation existing between a married man and a woman who was not his wife, I questioned him “How can a man of your esthetic development live ' that way ? His response was“ This woman loves me, but my wife don’t, and I’d sooner be dead than live a loveless life.” 

If sexual desire, the strongest bodily appetite—the highest function of health, love, and happiness—a necessary condition for life itself, is to be regarded as an evidence of sinfulness, and as the sign of the low and baser propensities in man, deserving only to be suppressed, stifled, and killed out in order that the divine and spiritual element, or what is regarded as the higher qualities belonging to human nature, may become manifested in our life and conduct, then we have conclusive evidence that the Creator made an unpardonable mistake, and should have consulted some of the antiquated theologians, who are responsible for much of the erroneous ideas concerning the “ baseness,” “ lowness, and “ sinfulness ” of this beautiful, psychic, and physical passion, which is the most conspicuous and most prominent characteristic in the lives of all of the world ’s greatest men and women, and, above all others, deserves to be exalted, and in its manifestations guided into lines that lift and ennoble mankind, and this guidance is true morality.

 

The sexual instinct, if properly guided, is capable of elevating and ennobling human character, promoting the development of the higher psychic qualities—generosity, magnanimity, reverence ,altruism, philanthropy, and a tenacious stand; for the right. But if the individual is left to obey the instincts inherent within his protoplasmic elements without judicious guidance, it may lead him to the lowest depths of depravity and jeopardize the happiness and success of the lives of others with whom his life is bound. It is the sexual instinct , which is the source of all that is pure and noble within the human race, and anything which hinders or arrests its normal development robs human character of all those virile qualities which are so highly esteemed. It is identical in every way With creative energy as manifested in all departments of human life and action.

 A vigorous sexual nature IS the logical accompaniment of a great intellect and a strong, healthy body. Without it there would never have been a Plato, an Aristotle, a Marcus Aurelius, a Darwin, a Huxley, a Tyndale, a Carlyle, an Emerson, a Goethe, a Shakespeare, a Milton, a Tennyson, an Edison, a Morse, a Stephenson, a Caesar, a Napoleon Bonaparte, a Payne, a Voltaire, a Hugo, a Webster, a Calhoun, a Clay, a Washington, a Grant, a Lee; a Buddha, a Confucius, a Jesus Christ, or any other one of the names of those who have possessed the high order of psychic and physical qualities of manhood to dare to get out of the beaten path of the common herd and give to humanity the highest expression and meaning of a life. 

These persons and thousands of like character,who have achieved special success in their respective“ departments of endeavor and become the world’s true benefactors, have been men who have been endowed with the strongest natural passions and feelings, and their special achievements indicate the channels into which this inherent power of psychic and physical manhood had by them been directed. With.out it, ambition would sleep, virtue would flee, pride would vanquish, and we would be as those who are emasculated—impotent,cowardly, and weak. Without it the individual is unfit for life’s battles, lacking In the distinctive qualities of sexual beauty, flabby in muscle, weak in mind, and minus the highest qualities of moral sense.

This guidance, as the result of the influence of environment, maybe for the good or harm of the individual. It may be acquired consciously or unconsciously . Who can determine at what age the impressions made upon the receptive tablets of the child ’s brain plasm are retained, by which ideas, propensities, and inclinations are conserved, to manifest themselves in the life and conduct of the individual later in life ?Contemporary psychologists are agreed that ideas are conserved by the neuron elements, forming psychophysiological complexes, or physiological centers, the functionating of which determines the individual ’s habits of thought and conduct in after-life. These groups of ideas are conserved by the neuron elements in such away as to form physiological centers, that carry with them ideas and bodily feelings as well, and these do not always functionate in such way as to conduce to the best interest of the individual. The result is the development of many manifestations of abnormal mental and bodily symptoms, commonly referred to as the functional psychoneuroses. The reason for this inharmony between man’s acquired habits of thinking and bodily functions, and those natural physiological processes with which we are born, is the result of false education. All education should be in harmony with the natural functions of the human body, and not antagonistic to them—as such antagonism will pervert them—if health, happiness, and contentment is to be maintained. This is natural morality, and any educational or religious influence contrary to the laws of nature—Such as cause the individual to condemn the body, and regard his normal sexual feelings as Sinful, as “ lust of the flesh ”—is responsible for many unhappy psycho-neurotic manifestations, resulting in divorce, suicide, insanity, and often in death. 

Such religious teaching is positively immoral and deserves to be condemned.We Should not regard our normal sexual feelings as something Sinful, low, vile, and lustful, as theological morality has taught.They are, on the contrary, indications of normal virility and belong to all normal, healthful, human beings, and are an indication of creative power that can be directed into lines of healthful, useful endeavor, as various as are the pursuits, pleasures, and avocations of mankind, and should at all times be under the dictation and guidance of reason and judgment.

We, are constructed on a double principle. Man has a dual nature, and contains within himself two forms of existence, intimately and mutually interwoven, which are respectively constantly influencing each other, and they should never be at war or out of harmony with each other 

269-270CHAPTER X IX .PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION—THEIR HEDATION TOHEALTH

From a psychological standpoint all religious services of all denominations are especially interesting. If we attend them to learn, we usually find our lesson between the lines. The psychic effect of the commingling of several hundred male and female voices, with sentiments of love expressed in song; with the martial spirit of soldiers battling in unison and marching as conquerors from victory to victory; amid music and beautiful flowers, fine clothes and suggestive mottoes, and mystical carvings; all these combine to have a significance but little appreciated by one in a thousand of the people of our times. 

They subtly and gently stimulate all the involuntary cells of the body, and temporarily lift the individual out of his self-conscious physical and psychical weaknesses, and, in general, when free from emotional excitement, prove to be an experience which, like other stimulations, reacts with benefit upon both mind and body. 

Suggestion is to be seen in all Such experiences from start to finish. The methods adopted by the clergyman of getting an rapport with the audience—the unconsciously induced condition of receptivityty by quartets composed of male and female voices, the reading responded to by the audience, followed by a female solo, all create a psychic condition which renders the individual forgetful of self and his surroundings. For the time being he is completely amenable to the suggestion given from the pulpit orator, who for from thirty to sixty minutes has the opportunity to create sense impressions and present ideas or suggestions that are beneficial or harmful, as the case may be.They are wholesome, beneficial, and helpful suggestions just in proportion as they are the reflection of a broad, well- educated,truth- loving mind or personality.

332PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION IN RELATION To HEALTH. 333

It has been my privilege to hear such men in all denominations, both Protestant and Catholic, Jew and Gentile, Mormon and Free Thinkers, as well as promulgators of Oriental philosophies and religions, containing much that is true, and useful, and good. Just in proportion as the people are becoming sufficiently well educated to comprehend in some degree the cosmic order of the universe and the laws of its evolution, and to appreciate the part played by heredity, environment, and education in determining the ideas and ideals which go to construct the religious beliefs of individuals, are they becoming more open to accept the contribution made by science to our moral and religious philosophy.                                            

The more enlightened element of all denominations now admits that science has in numerous instances unquestionably demonstrated that religious teachings have at times been wrong as to matters of fact. Be that as it may, man is a religious being, for he is by nature a truth seeker, and every one must either have a philosophy of his own in reference to the questions of life or be creed-fettered by some fixed religious dogma, which seeks to mold him according to prescribed ideals. At no time in the world ’s history were the rights of the individual so much appreciated as now. All religions are useful just in proportion as they contribute to the development of the individual in body and mind. As long as religion appeals to the intellect and renders the individual conscious of his privilege of being a thinking, reasoning,responsible entity, with the power to exercise choice as to what shall and what shall not enter his life ; as long as its promulgators inspire men and women with high ideals, and point to sane, rational,sensible rules of conduct, both for self-betterment and for the health of his fellow man as long as it teaches him self-appreciation and altruism, and its influence is for what is good, and true, and useful for human happiness, and health, and growth, the beneficial influence of religion for the evolution of the individual cannot be questioned.The sublime faith that carries with it a conviction that is unshaken, that brings peace,“eliminates fear, and makes life serene,or a reasonable philosophy that is entirely satisfactory to the in3 34 SUGGESTIVE THERAPEUTICS.di vidual in regard to his past evolution, present conduct, and futuredevelopment, is as essential to the life, health, and happiness ofa rational human being as is food, water, exercise, sleep, air, congenial associates,or other life essentials. It is here that the’mindtakes refuge in those problems that are forced upon the attentionof al l civilized races.Yet, when the emotions have been wrought upon and the indievi dual is led into that extremestate of monoideaismwhich existsin religious ecstasy with crying , shouting, or other manifestationsof joy or grief, pleasure or hope, and he or she longer underthe guidance and control of reason, it can but be regarded aspsychical prostitution pure and simple.

 

The psychical correlation between religious emotion and the animal passions is now recogni zed by all our ablest psychologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists. The erotic and religious feelings are so closely associated that the step from the emotional religious enthusiast to the sexual prostitute is but a very short one. As bearing upon this subject, Howard says “Religious emotion springs from the animating power of the sexual nature, and through the emotion thus aroused we deify and worship the inspirational source of our spiritual longings.”  Kraft-Ebing remarks “How powerfully sensuality expresses itself in the histories of religious fanatics, and in what revolting scenes, true orgies, the religious festivals of antiquity; no less than the meetings of certain sects in modern times, express themselves. Owing to the correspondence in many points between these two emotional states, it is clear that when they are very intense the one may take the place of the other, since every manifestation of one element of mental life also intensifies its associations.”

 

The reader is aware that the more enlightened leaders of all religions now openly oppose any form of emotional excitement in The vascular modifications that take place are felt in the form of arterial pulsations, heaviness, and a sense of choking,‘ all of which are usually ascribed to being “ the power of the holy spirit ”acting upon the individual. They all denote a state of tension of the organism and of concentration of effort. Such emotion is contagious. Mental states beget similar mental states in others who are so Situated as to receive sense impressions from those thus affected. 

The tension produced upon the nervous system and the physical reaction to such experiences for several days in succession leaves such individuals nervous and weak, with all bodily functions disturbed. Sleep is hindered, and they are often pale and indifferent to interest in all other things except religious matters. We all realize that this is nothing more than a condition of hysteria, but such hysteria is contagious, and when often repeated forms a habit, and such habits are positively injurious. TO be exposed to such influences interferes with the growth of both mind and body of children, and the habit of having One’s psychic life controlled and played upon by an emotional enthusiast, in the personality of an individual of the opposite Sex, is positively destructive to the essential conditions of a happy marriage relation. To educate an individual to be guided and controlled by emotion or passion in religious matters, and expect him to exercise reason and judgment in reference to other phases of his life’s conduct, would mean to teach him to act directly contrary to his religious teaching. 

 

PHILOSOPHY AN D RELIGION IN RELATION TO HEALTH.

The over expenditure of nervous energy from such emotional religious experiences and the habit of being psychically aroused by such experiences reduces the individual to a condition of mental and physical inertness. It is horrible to contemplate, but there are thousands of ardent female religious devotees whose psychic life is so dominated and controlled by their church executive or “spiritual adviser ” that their husbands find no more place in their higher nature than a dog finds comfort upon the grave of his buried master. This state of affairs reduces such marriage relations into nothing less than legalized prostitution. Whoever holds the attention of an individual, stirs his emotions, and directs his thoughts,governs his actions and controls his life both consciously and subconsciously; and when married women are so dominated and controlled, the higher social affiliations and more complete amalgamation of personalities between man and his wife are rendered impossible. Such marriages, then, are a fraud and a farce, and the result is unhappiness and nervousness, functional disorders and disease. Such practices might be excused in Old maids and widows who are safely beyond the danger of ever getting married and who have no ambition to attain in life, but no growing young man or woman, or wife or prospective mother ‘should be exposed to their pernicious influences. 

Adolescence, especially, should be kept free from an environment of religious fervor, which holds the constant attention of the individual and causes a useless expenditure of nervous energy to the neglect of the development of all other physical and mental attributes that should be cultivated by directing the person ’s life into the normal, healthful, useful lines of thought and action.The religious training of a great many individuals has but served to educate them into a psychoneurotic disease, which practically disqualifies them for the duties and responsibilities Of life. 

338 SUGGESTIVE THERAPEUTICS

To maintain a robust, vigorous state of health and physical welll being while adhering to such religious practices is an absolute impossibility. It is from this class of religious neurotics that Christian science largely draws its membership, and its dogma of negation and affirmation is only a suggestive means to drive back morbid states of consciousness produced by sense impressions made in times gone by and forgotten, and to replace these by conceptions,ideas, sense impressions, or suggestions that give rise to a new consciousness, to mental states that are  more pleasant, more hopeful, less emotional, more optimistic and cheerful, and these react favorably upon the body. With all its absurdity, Christian science is a stepping- stone, perhaps not an indispensable one, to the evolution and revision that is today taking place in the religious philosophies of the world. 

 

To the man who is broad enough, and generous enough, and wise enough to detect the kernel of psychological truth buried within its capsule of religious dogma, this cult serves as an illustration for an important lesson—namely, that the mind and the influence exerted upon it through religious worship plays an important role in the cause of disease and the maintenance of health. 

People are not to be blamed for their religious beliefs or habits of conduct in life. As a rule, they are creatures of circumstance, fettered by environment, unfortunate heredity, and deficient educational advantages.The clue to the ‘ situation was unconsciously admitted by a country clergyman in the South, who, in discussing the evolution that is taking place in religious ideals among the more enlightened centers of our country and the part that education exercises in shaping our religious beliefs, answered, “Yes, but we care nothing about such ideals and education down here.” And SO it is with every one in reference to his philosophic and religious convictions ; He instinctively feels that he is right from his viewpoint, and he is. His religion fills an essential need to his life, and he has as much right to it as he has to life itself . And so has the individual who has acquired a broader perspective the same right to reject the false, worn out, and useless, and to interpret the problems of life for himself .

We are still only half civilized. Ten million years ‘Of growth,evolution, and development will not have remedied all the consequences of the ignorance that exists today. Institutions, organizations, and religions are a necessity. When they do not interfere with individual liberty and expression, they are useful . The majority of people are incapable of thinking and reasoning for themselves. They have not as yet acquired strength of intellect and knowledge of the universe sufficient to give them the confidence to take their lives into their own hands. Every one should be environed by those conditions that maintain the highest standard of protoplasmic energy during the period of childhood and adolescence. The impressions that are made upon the brain through the senses from the cradle to the grave are the suggestions that constitute the education of an individual. Here those that are useful and good, or harmful and false, are alike recorded, to furnish foodstuff for the mind, which is manifested in thought and conduct. School training, after all, consists only in furnishing an environment in which certain suggestions, ideas, mental pictures , concepts,or impressions can be photographed on the rapidly developing cerebral cells. Here consciousness itself is evolved, habits are formed, and a new world is opened to view as a child ’s perceptive powers are strengthened and individuality begins to assert itself .