Suggestive Therapeutics
Working from an old book on magnetism, Ambroise-Auguste Liébeault developed his own brand of hypnotic therapy. He argued that hypnotic sleep was identical to natural sleep, and that its state significantly amplified the efficacy of the suggestions offered to patients. He placed much emphasis on the importance of the relationship - the rapport - between hypnotiser and patient as facilitating the quality of suggestibility.
Liébeault's technique was to deliver a sequence of suggestions in a monotonous but penetrating a tone regarding subjects' health, digestion, circulation, coughing, etc. He had hundreds of cures.
Initially sceptical of Liébeault's theories, methods and clinical results, the French neurologist, Hippolyte Bernheim eventually joined Liébeault in 1882, and they conducted a clinic and further research together. In 20 years, they treated over 30,000 patients using suggestions under hypnosis.
Over time however Bernheim would make increasing use of suggestion in a waking state - suggestion à l'état de veille.
Other prominent members of the Nancy School were Henri-Etienne Beaunis and the legal expert Jules Liégeois.
Read more about this topic: Nancy School
Famous quotes containing the word suggestive:
“Many of the phenomena of Winter are suggestive of an inexpressible tenderness and fragile delicacy. We are accustomed to hear this king described as a rude and boisterous tyrant; but with the gentleness of a lover he adorns the tresses of Summer.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)