Hypnosis: A Brief History crosses disciplinary boundaries toexplain current advances and controversies surrounding the use ofhypnosis through an exploration of the history of its development.* examines the social and cultural contexts of the theories,development, and practice of hypnosis* crosses disciplinary boundaries to explain current advances andcontroversies in hypnosis* explores shifting beliefs about the nature of hypnosis* investigates references to the apparent power of hypnosis overmemory and personal identity

Illustrations xPreface xiChapter 1 Trilby and Svengali 1The Hypnotic Relation 2The Nature of Hypnosis 6Assessing the Myths of Hypnosis 8From Trilby to Svengali 9Chapter 2 Animal Magnetism and Magnetic Sleep 12Origins of Animal Magnetism 13Magnetism and Exorcism 15Practicing Magnetism 17Magnetism Assailed 20Mesmerism Transformed 23From Animal Magnetism to Magnetic Sleep 24Chapter 3 Magnetism and Hypnosis 31Fluidism and Animism 32Mesmerism at University College Hospital 35Magnetism in Parlor and Sickroom 39Mesmeric Anesthesia 40Neurohypnology 43From Magnetism to Hypnosis 46Chapter 4 Body and Soul 54Mesmerism in the United States 55Phrenomagnetism and Electrobiology 57Mesmerism and Spiritualism 61Mesmerism and Swedenborgianism 63New Thought and Christian Science 66From Body to Soul 70Chapter 5 Salpêtrière and Nancy 76Hypnosis at the Salpêtrière 77The Nancy Approach to Hypnosis 81The Fall of Hypnosis 84Hypnosis outside the Mainstream 87From Salpêtrière to Nancy 92Chapter 6 Laboratory and Clinic 98Hypnosis Research in the Early Twentieth Century 99Hypnosis Research during the World Wars 103Psychological Healing in the Early Twentieth Century 106The Resurgence of Clinical Hypnosis 108The Rise of Popular Hypnosis 111From Laboratory to Clinic 113Chapter 7 State and Trait 120Neodissociation Theory 121Altered State Theories 123Non-State Theories 126Convergence in the State/Non-State Debate 130The Trait Debate 133From State to Trait 134Chapter 8 Memory and Identity 143Repression of Traumatic Memory 144Hypnosis and Memory 147Dissociation and Traumatic Memory 148Challenges to the Posttraumatic Model 150Hypnosis and Dissociation of Identity 152From Memory to Identity 156Chapter 9 Present and Future 166Medical Applications of Hypnosis 167Psychotherapeutic Applications of Hypnosis 169Unanswered Questions in the Trait Debate 173Unanswered Questions in the State Debate 177From the Present to the Future 178References 187Index 213