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RESURRECTION.
537
mena,' Hudson discusses the subject at great length, and shows the genuine nature of the phenomenon. On page 312 of the book last referred to he writes :
“One of the most clearly attested instances of the kind alluded to is the experiment of the fakir of Lahore, who, at the instance of Ranjit Singh, suffered himself to be buried alive in an air-tight vault for a period of six weeks. The case was thoroughly authenticated by Sir Claude Wade, the then British resident at the Court of Ludhiana. The fakir's nostrils and ears were first filled with wax; he was then placed in a linen bag, then deposited in a wooden box which was securely locked and the box was deposited in a brick vault which was carefully plastered up with mortar and sealed with the Raja's seal. A guard of British soldiers was then detailed to watch the vault day and night. At the end of the prescribed time the vault was opened in the presence of Sir Claude and Ranjit Singh, and the fakir was restored to consciousness."
We also learn from Dr. Drayton that Sir Monier Williams, at one time Professor of Sanskrit at Oxford, also testified to the accuracy of these details, and that Dr. McGregor, the then resident surgeon, also watched the case. “Every precaution was taken to prevent deception " (Human Magnetism, pages 59 and 60).
Sensations of pain are generally absent in trance, and the immunity from them becomes more marked when a suggestion to that effect is given by the person himself before entering that state, or, afterwards, by another, as in hypnotism. Says Prof. James in his 'Principles of Psychology,' at page 606 of the second volume :
"Real sensations may be abolished as well as false ones suggested. Legs and breasts may be amputated, children born, teeth extracted, in fact, the most painful experiences undergone, with no other anæsthetic than the hypnotizer's assurance that no pain shall be felt."
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