W. T------, aged thirty-four, consulted me in March for rheumatism of the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and back. She was a rheumatic subject, and the present illness dated from two weeks previous, when she had been exposed to wet and cold. She had been unable since that time to dress or undress herself, and the least movement of the head or upper extremities caused pain. The muscles were tender to the touch, but there was no swelling or constitutional disturbance. She was advised to try hypnotism, and with some reluctance, as she said she did not believe in it, she consented. In less than a minute she slept profoundly, and while in the sleep the affected muscles were well rubbed, and the head turned in different directions. Within five minutes she was awakened and told to move her hand and arms freely. This she did without pain, but said there was some stiffness remaining. The stiffness continued until the following morning, when it disappeared and did not return. Faith had nothing to do with this result, for even after the relief was given the patient refused to believe it could be anything but temporary.

This patient appeared entirely unconscious of the conversation going on around her, and of external impressions generally, except such as were rendered apparent to her by my suggestions. She was insensible to pain, as shown by her perfect tranquillity when I moved her head, a movement she had previously been unable to endure. Her eyeballs were turned up, and the conjunctivae were nearly insensible to touch, but the pupils readily contracted to light. She took no notice of any sound except my voice, and did not appear to hear if anyone else addressed her unless I told her to answer. Her pulse and respiration were slightly slower than in the waking state, and her aspect generally resembled that of profound natural sleep. The knee-jerk was increased by paresis of the inhibitory centre, until I told her to control it, and then it became less than normal *

She was not susceptible to post-hypnotic suggestions regarding actions or conduct, nor to suggested hallucination or delusions of the senses.