Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 2189

ALFRED BINET (1857-1911) Le magnétisme animal. Félix Alcan 1887 [8] 283 [1] 4, 32 pp., illus., diagrs. 21.6 cm.

Binet, a native of Nice, France, played a major role in the development of experimental psychology in his country and developed the first standardized test of intelligence. He began his formal education at Paris in 1871. Originally planning on a law career, he changed his course in 1878 after having been influenced by Charcot's (see No. 1918 ff.) work in psychology and neurology at the Salpêtrière. Binet then pursued studies in the natural sciences and received a Doctor of Science degree from the Sorbonne. By the early 1890s he was associated with the Psychophysiological Laboratory at the Sorbonne and was its director from 1894 until his death in 1911. Féré began his medical studies at Rouen and completed them in 1882 at Paris. He interned in surgery but under the influence of Charcot changed to neuropathology. He was associated with the Salpêtrière and eventually became chief of the medical service at the Bicêtre. He published works on the anatomy of the nervous system, hysteria, and epilepsy, as well as various aspects of psychology. Here Binet and Féré have collaborated to write this important early study on their research into animal magnetism or hypnotism. The book opens with an extensive review of the history of hypnotism from the time of Mesmer to the authors' day. Their research was performed at the Salpêtriére and they provide many examples to support their findings. They identify and discuss three states of hypnotism--lethargy, catalepsy, and somnambulism--and present the ideas and experiences of other researchers as well. They also present their observations on the behavioral and physiological aspects of hypnotism in medicine and education. They close the book by recommending that a responsible and ethical approach be maintained by those using hypnotism.

See Related Record(s): 1918