Roman Catholic priest holds the record for inducing the hypnotic state

Father Gassner was a Roman Catholic priest with parishes in southern Germany, and to this day probably holds the record for inducing the hypnotic state in the shortest possible time - seven seconds.

He amazed medical science, clergy and others by suddenly appearing before his congregation at Mass bearing an illuminated crucifix, and saying in Latin, the equivalent of "go to sleep." It was recorded that his congregation immediately slumped in their pews and into a deep somnambulistic trance. He then, it is reported, shouted positive affirmations for healing.

While there is some doubt that Mesmer's method actually induced the hypnotic state, there is no question about Father Gassner.

Surely, "faith healing" was also demonstrated by Fr. Gassner, as he recorded over ten thousand "cures" and was at all times careful to have witnesses present, either from the Bishop's office or someone prominent in law, medicine or civil administration.

He also made another startling contribution to both medicine and psychology when he performed one of the first recorded experiments of lowering the pulse, blood pressure and heart action of a patient by hypnotic suggestion.