Sir William Osler and medical hypnosis

The medical profession and general public are influenced by opinions and comments of persons of authority and reputation pertaining to areas of medical activity with which the latter are not necessarily directly involved. Sir William Osler did not participate in the development of medical hypnosis. Known, however, for many outstanding contributions as clinician, investigator, and teacher, he is generally recognized as the most famous physician of his time. In January 1901, a little more than four years before assuming his position as Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University, eventually honored with a baronetcy, and while still Professor of Medicine at The Johns Hopkins University, he addressed The Johns Hopkins Historical Club on “Medicine in the Nineteenth Century”. His presentation was published in the New York Sun (2 pp 219–262). The very end of his address dealt with “hypnotism”. His statements and observations on this theme merit attention and are of historical interest because of Osler's stature and the probable impact of his pronouncements. His claims will be evaluated in the context of the period in which he gave his address and the knowledge about medical hypnosis that has accumulated since then.