I have occasionally seen subjects who complained of headache, vertigo, nausea and other similar symptoms after having been hypnotized, but these conditions were at a future hypnotic sitting easily remedied by suggestion.

A careful search of the literature has failed to show that any serious consequences have followed immediately upon the hypnotic state.

Krafft-Ebing publishes a careful study of a case in which hypnotism proved injurious, owing to the fact that the subject had teen severely strained by too frequent and too prolonged hypnosis.

For further particulars see "Hypnotism" by Krafft-Ebing.

Temporary disturbances of the different systems of the body have been noted. The question is often asked if one ever becomes hypnotized, and remains so for an indefinite period. I think not. I have recently heard of a case in Louisville, Ky., in which a young lady lay in a trance for several days and was subsequently buried, this condition being the result of an attempt which her lover had made to hypnotize her. I know nothing, however, of the authenticity of the story. It seems to me that the condition termed "catalepsy" might be produced when hypnotism was attempted if the hypnotized subject were intensely frightened at the time.

So-called hysterical sleep sometimes follows upon an attempt to induce the hypnotic state. Persons also pass by transition from the hypnotic state into this condition. See the works of Drs. Moll, Bernheim,and others. It is stated that 4 this hysterical sleep may be prevented by suggesting to the subject that he will hear music, or will see an imaginary game or a beautiful picture. This may succeed with some persons.

I have seen several states which might be loosely termed hysterical sleep, follow upon, or occur as the immediate consequence of, an attempt to hypnotize. In such patients, when they show these tendencies, I think suggestion without inducing the hypnotic state should be used, if they are in need of treatment, or other methods should be relied upon. Cases have been reported in which insanity followed the use of chloroform and ether. Probably these persons were of a badly balanced nervous temperament, and very likely insanity would follow as the result of any agent which made a profound impression upon them.

Certainly hypnotism should in such cases be used with the greatest possible care. If the physician can ascertain the fact that a patient is subject to temporary insanities, following severe fright or other similar conditions, due caution should be observed.

The terms somnambulism, hypnotism, catalepsy, I believe cover a great variety of mental states. The cataleptic trance or suspended animation might follow upon the hypnotic state, but I do not know that it ever has. It certainly is a danger to be thought of in the application of hypnotism, and is an argument against the rash use of this powerful agent.