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In this book on Hypnosis and Self-Hypnosis the author has unfortunately failed to produce anything other than what has appeared in books of a like nature for many years. No serious attention is given to the theories of hypnosis and allied states as a result of investigations along psycho-analytic lines, and these are certainly worth the consideration of an investigator into the phenomena of hypnosis. When the author does refer to psycho-analysis in this connection his remarks are for the most part incorrect.
A view expressed in the preface (p. 8) arrests one's attention, as it contradicts the reviewer's experience. The author says, 'It will be shewn in this book that, contrary to common belief, sleep is quite unnecessary for the induction of hypnosis'. I have never heard it stated as a common belief that in order to induce hypnosis sleep is necessary.
On p. 175 the author states, 'In psycho-analysis a transference of affection takes place to the person of the physician; not so in hypnosis'. And on p. 176, 'I have never found in hypnosis such a transference take place'. Let us now turn to p. 93. I will quote what the author says about one of his patients. 'Another instance of spontaneous recovery is that of a drug-taker (morphia injections), who could not for a long time make up his mind to submit to treatment. When he ultimately came, he, too, made a good subject. On the second day he brought me all his stock of morphia and syringes, and he has never fallen back since, as confirmed by his wife, and acknowledged by himself in affectionate letters every New Year'. (Reviewer's italics.) What more convincing evidence is needed to shew that a transference took place to the physician (the author)? Yet, as I have mentioned above, the physician later on states he has never found this state of affairs in hypnosis.