One should inquire at times for previous emotional psychical traumata, which might act casually, especially when dealing with hysterical disturbances, if one follows the advice of Freud. However, this should be carried out with great caution and wariness, for one can easily do much more harm than good by being disregardfnl of tact and wise behavior in asking questions which could offend. Freud calls those earlier emotional conceptions, which are often sexual, and which continue hypoconsciously to influence the whole personality and to cause nervous disturbances, "strangulated emotions" (Eingektemmle Affekte). One should analyze them suggestively, and remove the emotion with which they are associated. Still, one should not construe a dogma from these individual phenomena, as Freud has done.

Psychotherapy is suggestive therapy, but is developed in markedly different ways, in accordance with the requirements of the cases. The usual verbal suggestion will mostly suffice to remove a simple headache. But if one is dealing with a disposition, one will, as a rule, find out all sorts of habits, inherited predispositions, frames of mind, etc., which are connected with the disposition; it then becomes the function of psychotherapy to regulate this.

It has become fashionable in the modern nerve sanatoria to of the metabolism, partly on suggestion, and partly on overfeeding, rest treatment, hydrotherapy, electricity, and the like. The action of these methods depends partly on the acceleration of the metabolism, partly on suggestion, and partly on overfeeding. They are for the most part very expensive, and can generally be replaced with advantage by cycling, walking tours, climbing expeditions into the mountains, bathing in the open (sea or river), and by sleep. In many cases, it is true, the compulsion of obeying methodically, and the feeling that one must be receiving something in return for one's money, do good in themselves. But the greatest disadvantage of these methods of treatment is that after they have terminated the old routine, with all its old harmful belongings, frequently begins again.

Psychiatry has learned to value occupation very highly, especially in connection with agriculture, as an important remedy in chronic insanity.

In 1894 I myself, together with the engineer, Mr. Groh-mann, recommended an occupation treatment for nervous patients, and P. J. Moebius has warmly supported this. Mr. Grohmann noticed in this respect that a combination of the suggestive therapy carried out by Dr. Ringier with his mechanical occupations was frequently of value for the patient,

Lastly, if one cannot succeed with ordinary verbal suggestion or with the extended psychotherapeutic influences, among which music, mental and bodily undertakings, etc., play a part, one will have to intermingle other forms of treatment, medicaments, massage, and the like, according to the case. For example, the Weir-Mitchell rest-overfeeding treatment, which can work excellently in true exhaustion of mind or body, may actually do a great deal of harm if it is applied blindly for all sorts of cases. Dubois, who formerly employed this treatment for all nervous patients, has converted himself to my views in this respect also, without even mentioning my name (loc. cit,).

I reported some interesting psychotherapeutical cases with explanations in the Zeitschrift fur Hypnotistmus of 1902 (vol. x). I propose mentioning these cases here.

My principal idea in planning this was the thought that it is not the muscular work in itself which acts curatively by diverting the brain from its pathological activities, but that it is chiefly the centrifugal concentration of the attention on the purposeful muscular innervation resulting in an occupation which is efficient, and which satisfies the mind. Muscular work which dulls the intellect, such as hygienic gymnastics, dumbbell exercises, or Indian clubs, etc., in the first place does not satisfy, and, above all, does not prevent the attention from finding its way into side channels. And, besides, this kind of useless exercise cannot be continued permanently as a calling. The beneficial action of useful occupation, especially agricultural work, for the insane has long been recognized.

But not every neuropathic patient is fitted for gardening, carpentry, or agriculture, and the pathology of the brain life is by no means exhausted by ordinary suggestions of good sleep, of appetite, and of normal functions, etc. Furthermore, one knows that genius and insanity are related. But even if it is known that many a genius has died of insanity, it is probably less well known to medical practitioners that many a genius, or at least talents, lie dormant behind the cloak of certain forms of hysteria and other psychopathic conditions - that these languish like a bird in a cage. It is generally not recognized that the usual stereotype treatment of the nerve doctors paralyzes the wings of the bird instead of freeing them. It is here, if anywhere, that a correct diagnosis is required, and that an individualizing treatment should be employed. Not every one who feels that he is a genius really is one. It requires the experience of the asylum doctor to discover the few who are not " in themselves failures" amongst the many brains which are suffering from delusions of exaltation and mental weakness, but which are possessed of a full share of exceptional talent, which has only been limited and paralyzed in its development by certain disturbances. But if one discovers such a buried treasure lying in obscurity in any one of the many nervous patients who seek help (including the insane or encephalopathic patients), it becomes an urgent duty to depart from the stereo-typo methods, and to give the eagle back his wings. Hypnosis and occupation with manual work can fulfill excellent services as auxiliary means here. But they do not form the principal factor. One must gain the full confidence of the patient by affection and intimately insinuating one's self into all sides of his mental life; one must sympathize with all his feelings, get him to relate the whole story of his life, live it all over again with him, and enter into the feelings of the patient. But one must naturally never lose sight of the sexual aspect, which differs so enormously according to the kind of person, and which may form an actual danger. I need scarcely mention that the doctor has to be on his guard in these cases, although this is a very important point. It must be understood that it is not sufficient to follow the usual stereotype medical control, which consists in paying attention to the discharge of semen, or coitus, and pregnancy; but it is necessary to take into consideration carefully all the higher regions of the intellect, mood, and will, which are more or less connected with the sexual sphere. When this has been carried out, one has to map out the proper definite aim in life for the patient, and start him on his way full of energy and confidence. One will often be surprised to see all the psycho-pathological disturbances disappear as if by magic, and to see an active, capable, distinguished, valuable person develop out of the unhappy, incapable, nervous patient. He frequently astonishes his colleagues by his capacity for work, and remains a true friend to the doctor who has treated him. Out of an unhappy man a happy one has arisen; out of a failure a talented one, or even a genius; out of a diseased person, a healthy man.