Symptom Removal: The Nineteenth Century Experience

Abstract

It has been said that traditional clinical hypnotists, essentially those practicing before 1900, made excessive use of symptom removal to the detriment of their patients. However, statements of this kind have never been documented. This article is based on a search of the relevant literature that examines the hypnotic methods and results of that era. One finding is that available clinical data support the claim that clinical hypnotists practicing before 1900 made considerable use of symptom removal. The data also indicate that they achieved substantial success without any detrimental effects. This information is considered relevant for the scientifically based practice of hypnosis.

Key Words:

• Traditional
• nineteenth century
• symptom removal
• Bernheim
• Liébeault