Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
THE
Hypnotic Experiment
OF
Dr. Reeves
And other Stories
I.
The Hypnotic Experiment of Dr. Reeves.
Dr. Edward Reeves, the celebratedRheumatism Specialist,is not a favourite with the members ofhis profession. His methods of treatmentbeing unknown, coupled withhis refusal as yet to divulge them,have given his enemies and rivals achance to accuse him of charlatanism;but to the great rheumatic public hehas become a demi-god; and as longas our changeable climate continues tonurture this disease, his idiosyncrasieswill be overlooked by the multitudeswhom he relieves.
6In his genial moods, the doctortells many curious anecdotes, and howsome of his daring experiments weremade under rather romantic circumstances.One of the strangest ofthem can best be told in his ownlanguage:
“Some time ago, I had, among mypatients, a young man who interestedme from the first. He came to myprivate hospital for treatment of asevere form of rheumatism of theheart; he was attended by a youngerbrother, whose devotion struck meas remarkable, until I became betteracquainted with the invalid, anddiscovered how worthy he was ofit all. He seldom spoke of himself,except his one great desire to getrid of the subtle disease that overshadowedhis life, and he seemedanxious to aid me in every waywith the treatment Evidently wealthy,gifted, and just about eight-and-twenty,7it seemed almost impossible to believehis bright young life was constantlythreatened by the convulsive attackswhich had become more and morefrequent.
“Unlike most of my patients afflictedby the same trouble, he did not respondto the usual remedies; and Irealized that if his life were saved atall it must be by employing heroicmeasures. However, sure that thedisease was lessening its hold ingeneral, and only needed driving awayfrom a vital point, I awaited developments.
“Late one evening, as I was seatedin my study, puzzling my brain withsome questions of hypnotic influenceover patients at critical moments, mynight bell rang. I went to the doormyself, and found there the nurse ofmy young friend, who told me mypresence was desired at once, as themost alarming symptoms had reappeared.8Stepping back for my hat,my eyes fell upon the book o