A Brief Communication: The Discovery of Hypnosis – Braid’s Lost Manuscript
“
On Hypnotism” (1860)
DONALD ROBERTSON

Abstract: James Braid’s last manuscript on hypnotism, summarizing his mature
views and lost since his death, existed only in French and German
translations. The author discusses the history and importance of this document,
“On
Hypnotism” (1860), as well as his new English version, translated back from
the
French and German editions. Braid’s manuscript constitutes an important,
missing jigsaw piece in the early history of psychological therapy and helps to
explain the origin of hypnotherapy and correct certain historical
misconceptions that have developed concerning the meaning of the term
hypnotism. The
rediscovery of this text provides additional evidence that hypnotism originated
as
an explicitly empirical and “common sense” reaction against the
pseudo-scientific excesses of mesmerism. Although drawing heavily on excerpts
from his
previous writings, some of Braid’s observations and techniques may renew
interest among contemporary researchers and clinicians.
_IJCEH - International Journal Of Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis - April
2009 - English_ (http://www.ijceh.com/content/view/246/135/)

Yours Sincerely,

Donald Robertson
College Principal & Executive Director

Senior Clinician Hypnotherapist (NCH)
Registered Psychotherapist (UKCP)
Member of the European Register of Psychotherapists (ERP)
Fellow of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health (RSPH)


The UK College of Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy Ltd.
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