We think it well to state that this work was written in the environment of the Sâlpetrière. By this we not only mean that our descriptions apply to facts observed in that hospital, but also that our personal observations were made in accordance with the method inaugurated by M. Charcot, the chief of the school of the Sâlpetrière, that is, in accordance with the experimental method which is illustrated by clinical science. While relying on the observation of spontaneous facts, we have strengthened these facts by experiments.
It would at present be premature to write a didactic treatise on animal magnetism and hypnotism. This work only aims at giving an account of special researches which, notwithstanding their number and variety, will not justify general conclusions on the question. After receiving this warning, the reader will not be surprised
to meet with occasional breaches of continuity, which are, however, more apparent than real, and which are due to our resolution not to speak of experiments which we have not verified for ourselves. Completeness is good, but it is still better to assert nothing of which we are not assured.
B. AND F.