Hypnotism and Analogous States

Abstract

Among the many writings of Gilles de la Tourette, his book L’hypnotisme et les états analogues was the most successful, with two editions and translations in German and Italian. After brilliantly introducing the history of the discovery of this trance state, Gilles de la Tourette described the studies undertaken by the Salpêtrière School on hypnotism and its use for hysteria. Supporting his arguments with evidence, he claimed it was necessary to consider the practice of hypnosis as a medical therapy and to prohibit its uncontrolled use by non-physicians, notably healers and entertainers. A few of the clinical cases covered are analyzed parallel to the writings of other alienists at that time, such as Paul Sollier and Alfred Maury. Gilles de la Tourette’s hidden debt to Alexandre Cullere is at last brought to light.