The Evolution of Hypnotism

doi:10.1136/bmj.320.7240.1015

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David Healy, director

North Wales Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Bangor

Derek Forrest, Anthony Storr

Black Ace Books, £29.95, pp 383 ISBN 1872988377

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The story of hypnotism is a multilayered one, covering the birth of psychotherapy as well as considering the complex interactions between nature and nurture. It is also a political story. Many of the original mesmerists were signatories to the first declarations proclaiming the French revolution in 1789. Far from being surprising, this was almost to be expected in that mesmerism opened up the prospect …