REPORT OF

I wish to state, for the satisfaction of those who do not yet have a practical knowledge of the subject, that I have seen no bad consequences whatsoever arise from persons being operated on when in the mesmeric trance mesmeric trance A state of induced sleep or hypnosis used in the 19th century as a form of anesthesia before the widespread use of ether or chloroform.. Cases have occurred in which no pain has been felt even after the operation; the wounds healing in a few days by first intention first intention A medical term referring to a wound healing where the edges are joined directly together, resulting in rapid recovery without complications or significant scarring.. In all other cases, I have seen no indications of any injury being done to the constitution constitution A person’s general state of health and physical strength.. On the contrary, it appears to me that the patient's health has been preserved, and that less physical disturbance has followed than under ordinary circumstances.

There has not been a single death among the cases operated on. In my early operations, I made use of the first sign of insensibility original: "fit of insensibility"; meaning unconsciousness or the inability to feel pain., not knowing whether I could bring the patient back to that state again at will.

But if the trance is not deep the first time, the surgeon may safely expect it to be deeper the next. When operating in public, it is wise to ensure success by inducing one or two preliminary trances. Flexibility of the limbs until they are moved, and their remaining rigid in any position we put them in, are typical characteristics of the trance. However, there are exceptions, and these are equally diagnostic original: "diagnostic"; meaning these signs are reliable indicators that the patient is truly in a trance. and can be depended upon. It sometimes happens that the limbs become rigid as they lie, and when bent, they always tend to return to a state of spasmodic extension A condition where the muscles cause the limbs to jerk or stretch out involuntarily.. At other times, there is a complete relaxation of the entire muscular system, and the limbs can be moved about like those of a person who has just died.

The eyes are usually closed, but the eyelids are sometimes seen slightly separated, or half-open and trembling; the eye is even occasionally wide open, fixed, and insensitive to light. On one occasion, after ordering a man to be put into a trance, I returned after two hours and was told by my assistant that the man was not affected. I went to see him and found him with half-open eyes, quivering eyelids, and trembling hands. I immediately said that he was ready and, without further testing his condition, performed a most severe operation upon him without him knowing anything about it.

I also wish to remark that I have seen no symptoms of blood pooling in the brain; the circulation during the trance is usually quite natural, like that of a sleeping person. My patients ap—