|
Charcot, Jean Martin
(1825–1893) French Neurologist.
At the same time Bernhiem and
Liebault were studying hypnotism in Nancy, Dr. James Martin Charcot
experimented with it in his clinic at Salpetriere. He was the first one
to identify and label the various levels of hypnotic depth.
Although one of the most advanced
neurologists of his day, Charcot made several mistakes when he
approached the new subject. Basically, he believed that hypnosis was a
phenomena that could best be studied with patients of hysteria - and
taught that hypnosis itself was a pathological state. In short, his view
was that physical action was the cause of hypnosis rather than
psychological suggestion, so his theories were in conflict with those of
Liebault and Bernheim. Two other beliefs he had were in the somatic
induction of hypnotic sleep by the touching of "hypnogenic zones," and
in the validity of Dr. Burcq's metaloscopy theory.
Even though Charcot's basic ideas
about hypnosis may have been incorrect, he made an important discovery
in recognizing and naming various depth levels of hypnosis.
In 1878, Charcot and his pupils at
the Academy proved these stages of hypnotic sleep by showing that the
hypnotized subject is capable of showing different symptoms and passing
different "tests" in each stage. This was the first attempt at a
scientific classification of trance phenomena, and it is fortunate for
the later history of hypnosis that Charcot adapted it. "It is reflected
in modern times in the famous Davis-Husband scale of hypnotic depths,
the frequently used LeCron-Bordeaux Scale, and so on.)
It was in Charcot's treatise, "On
the Distinct Nororaphy of the Different Phases of Sciences Comprised
Under the Name of Hypnotism," that the three widely-accepted depths of
hypnosis were first named and defined.
The names Charcot applied to the
stages, in order, are LETHARGY, CATALEPSY, and SOMNAMBULISM. Various
hypnotists use other scales composing four, five, seven, or more stages
of trance depth, but the three-step scale devised by Charcot continues
to be the most practical today.
Charcot became recognized
throughout the medical world for his contributions to the field of
neurology, and his acceptance of hypnotism caused many doctors of that
time to likewise accept it. His misconceptions were also unfortunately
accepted, causing some time lapse in discovering more of the truths
about hypnosis; still, another huge step forward had been taken. |
