An increased sensitiveness to touch has often been observed. The two points of a compass are used for measuring the least distance between them at which they may be felt as two separate points. In this way it has been found that the points can be distinguished at a less distance in hypnosis than in the normal state (Berger). I have made a series of experiments on this point and can confirm Berger's statements - at least, I found that suggestion caused a considerable increase of sensitiveness. Bramwell and Alcock, who experimented together, obtained similar results. For example, without suggestion the two points were distinguished on the hand at one inch1 distance; under the influence of suggestion the distance was reduced to a quarter of an inch. Without suggestion the distance on the left eyebrow was one inch; with suggestion, half an inch. I have also experimented on pathological subjects. In cases of locomotor ataxy, with profound anaesthesia, increased sensitiveness has been found when the patients were under the influence of suggestion; the state may continue some time post-hypnotically. In one case of locomotor ataxy, I found that, before hypnosis, the two points were distinguished at a distance of 6.1 cm.

During hypnosis the separate points were perceived at 4.9 cm. distance, and after waking, even at 4.1 cm. I have recently repeated the experiments, always with the same results. Loewenfeld protests that these experiments prove nothing, because variations of sensitiveness occur in cases of locomotor ataxy, without suggestion being called into play. This is a point which I have certainly not disputed, but it does not tell against the results of my experiments. For, if immediately after suggestion there is an increase of sensitiveness which was not demonstrable before, and which also disappears after the lapse of a certain amount of time, and if the same phenomenon is frequently observed in the same subject, then we are certainly justified in assuming that suggestion has exerted its influence in such a case.

1 1 inch = 2.54 cm.

The senses of pressure and temperature sometimes become much more delicate. The hypnotic recognizes things at a certain distance from the skin, and this simply by the increase and decrease of temperature (Braid). He walks about the room with bandaged eyes or in absolute darkness without striking against anything, because he recognizes objects by the resistance of the air and by the alteration of temperature (Braid, Poirault, Drzewiecki). D'Abundo produced enlargement of the field of vision by suggestion.

Bergson has described one of the most remarkable cases of increased power of vision. This particular case has been cited as a proof of supersensual thought-transference, but Bergson ascribes the result to hyperesthesia of the eye. In this case the hypnotic was able to read letters in a book which were 3 mm. high; but the reading was made possible by a reflected image of these letters in the cornea of the experimenter. According to calculation, the reflected image could only have been 0.1 mm. (1/250 inch) high. The same person was able without using the microscope, to see and draw the cells in a microscopical section, which were only 0.06 mm. in diameter. Sauvaire, after some not quite irreproachable experiments, supposed the existence of such a hyperesthesia of sight, that a hypnotic recognized non-transparent playing-cards by the rays of light passing through them. A case of Taguet's, in which an ordinary piece of cardboard was used as a mirror, is said to have shown quite as strong a hyperesthesia. All objects which were held so that the reflected rays from the card fell on the subject's eye were clearly recognized. A great increase of the sense of smell was also noticed in the case in question.

A visiting-card was torn into pieces, which pieces were professedly found purely by the sense of smell; pieces belonging to another card were rejected. The subject gave gloves, keys, and pieces of money to the persons to whom they belonged, guided only by smell. Hyperesthesia of smell has often been noted in other cases. Carpenter states that a hypnotic found the owner of a particular glove among sixty other persons. Sauvaire relates another such case, in which a hypnotic, after smelling the hands of eight persons, gave to each his own handkerchief, although every effort was made to lead him astray. Braid and the older mesmerists relate many such phenomena. Braid describes one case in which the subject on each occasion found the owner of some gloves among a number of other people; when his nose was stopped up the experiments failed. This delicacy of the different organs of sense, particularly of the sense of smell, is well known to be normal in many animals; in dogs, for example, which recognize their masters by scent.

Hypnotic experiments teach us that this keenness of scent can be attained by human beings in some circumstances.

I will take this opportunity of quoting an experiment which is often repeated and is wrongly considered as a proof of increased keenness of the senses. Let us take a pack of cards, which naturally must have backs of the same pattern, so that to all appearance one cannot be distinguished from the other. Let us choose a card - the ace of hearts, for example - hold it with its back to the subject and arouse by suggestion the idea of a particular photograph on it - his own, let us say. Let us shuffle the cards, including, of course, that with the supposed photograph on it, and request the hypnotic to find the photograph, without having allowed him to see the face of the cards. He will often find the right one, although the backs are all alike. The experiment can be repeated with visiting cards, or with sheets of paper, if the selected one is marked, unknown to the hypnotic This experiment makes a greater impression on the inexperienced than it is entitiled to; for most people are able to repeat the experiment Without hypnosis, and hyperesthesia is not generally a condition for its success. If the backs of these cards and papers are carefully examined, differences which may easily be discerned will be discovered. The experiment has no bearing on the question of simulation.