My object in writing this book is to present an explanation of so-called occult phenomena concerning which credulity is still as busy as in the days of witchcraft. The producers of these phenomena have been exposed efficiently and often, but their supporters are as active as ever, and show a simple faith which is more convincing than any argument. Moreover, the producers themselves--mediums, clairvoyants, water-diviners, seers, or whatever they may be--are sometimes of such apparent honesty and simplicity that disbelief seems almost a sacrilege; therefore part of my aim is to show how a man believing firmly in his own honesty may yet practice elaborate trickery and deceit. "The few eminent scientists who have expressed their belief in spiritualism are mostly physicists, e.g. Crookes, Oliver Lodge and W. Barrett--men who have not made a life-study of physiology and nervous disorders, who are not familiar with the attainments and methods of conjurers and professional impostors, and are shielded in their laboratories and home life from close acquaintance with human deceit and cunning. Their familiarity with the transmission of waves of energy in dead material, and through space leads them to concepts which cannot justly be applied to living beings.

To the physiologist, who recognizes the majestic unity of natural phenomena, belief in telepathy and spiritualism appear a form of materialism as gross as the ju-ju superstition of the Benin native. "Nothing can excite greater contempt than the mean trivialities which are served as communications from that infinite, silent universe wherein the energy of individual life sinks on death. "The belief in spiritualism works grave harm on ignorant, credulous people of nervous temperament, and fills the pockets of rascally impostors. Its practice should then be as sternly suppressed by the law as any other fraud and imposture. Dr. Culpin, in his valuable and thoughtful treatment of this subject, shows, inter alia, how the medium requires no less to be protected from deception and ruin of his own soul than does his dupe." -Professor Leonard Hill CONTENTS PREFACE INTRODUCTION I. THE UNCONSCIOUS II.

COMPLEXES III. FORGETTING AND REPRESSION IV. DISSOCIATION V. WATER-DIVINING VI. SUGGESTION VII. HYPNOTISM VIII. DREAMS IX. HYSTERIA X.

EXPERIMENTS, DOMESTIC AND OTHER XI. ABOUT MEDIUMS XII. THE ACCOUNTS OF BELIEVERS XIII. THE EVOLUTION OF THE MEDIUM CONCLUSION.