If This Be Magic

Right up until his death in 1815 opposition to his ideas came from every corner of mainstream medicine, yet over and over again Mesmer produced credible experiments with astounding results.

It can certainly be said that the science of mind has progressed considerably since the days of Franz Mesmer, however many of his theories are today considered the back-bone of some of our most basic hypnotic procedures.

In this book author and researcher Guy Lyon Playfair offers up the most in-depth history of hypnotism ever to be printed, alongside dozens of compelling articles and reports from medical journals all over the world.

Most doctors in England do not even consider hypnotism to be a viable treatment for their patients, this is something the author feels the need to put right. With an evidence based criticism of modern perceptions Playfair proposes that the entire attitude towards hypnotism needs an overhaul. Not just for the benefit of sick and dying people, but for the survival of the scientific method of determining reality that we say we hold so dear.

In chapter one Playfair details an impressive account from Queen Victoria hospital in East Grinstead in which Dr Albert A Mason had enormous success using hypnosis on a patient who was afflicted with ichthyosis, a rather nasty, incurable skin disease. As with most cases of hypnotic success, it proved difficult, in fact almost impossible to recreate the achievement under scientific conditions. This however certainly does not mean that hypnotism was not responsible for the patients increased good health as Playfair himself explains – hypnotism relies heavily on the confidence of the hypnotist.

At the time Mason’s hypnosis was effective he was incredibly confident that he could cure the patient using this technique. Over time much opposition formed and this began to erode his self-confidence, thus leaving further attempts by Mason on no less than eight other patients – unsuccessful.

Playfair reports many instances similar to this one throughout the first half of the book, and also presents a pretty watertight case for hypnosis at the very least assisting cancer patients.

As we delve deeper into the book we find that the subject of telepathy is tackled head-on. Never one to shy away from complex and misunderstood phenomena, Playfair explores the depths of telepathic understanding with the inquisitiveness of Sherlock Holmes – even sharing his own experiments with the Ganzfield, and detailing simple methods for creating visions that the reader can try for themselves, some very effective.