PART B: MODERN HISTORY

Section 1. Father Gassner

It is ironic that the modern history of hypnosis begins not with a physician but with a clergyman, a catholic priest who lived at Klosters. Father Gassner theorized, according to the beliefs of that day, patients who were ill were possessed by devils, which must be cast out, before the patient could again attain the state of good health. The good priest obtained church approval for his actions by stating that God was working through him to cast out devils that possessed his unfortunate patients.

Unlike some other men of his time, Father Gassner was not secretive with his methods, and frequently allowed physicians to observe him administer treatment. The physicians who were to observe were ushered into a room and seated much as in a theater and then the patient would be marched onto a stage in the center of the room to await the appearance of Father Gassner. Timing his entrance to make the most of the spectacle, Father Gassner would stride out onto the platform in a long solid black flowing cape, holding a "gold" crucifix high in the air before him. The patient had been told in advance that when Father Gassner touched him with the crucifix, he would promptly fall to the floor and remain there for further instructions. Gassner's patients were told to actually "die" while lying prostrate on the floor, and that during this period of "death", he would cast out the devils from their body and then restore them to normal life again. (This idea of rebirth permeates both hypnosis and religion even as far back as the earliest primitive forms). Again this has been discussed further in my book entitled, Religious Aspects of Hypnosis.

After the observer physician examined the patient, felt no pulse, heard no heart sounds, and pronounced him dead, then Father Gassner would order the demon to depart, and shortly thereafter the patient would revive and arise completely cured. Mesmer was said to have watched a number of performances by Father Gassner in the early 1770's and is responsible for introducing the phenomena to the medical profession.

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