Introduction

Despite more than two centuries of having tacitly recognized its enormous potential utility, the phenomenon of hypnosis has always been commonly regarded with outright Fear and Loathing.

Questioning the Perception

How is it possible that something as beneficial to humanity as hypnosis ever came to be viewed in such a horrible manner?

Historical Perspective

I intend to show that the history of hypnotism provides us with the clue to this unfortunate legacy; and I''ve neither spared anyone''s feelings nor pulled any punches in this quest to reveal the shamefully appalling level of incompetence and ignorance that has characterized the (mis)use of this phenomenon since its discovery by Mesmer more than two hundred years ago.