A. T------, aged thirty-five, electrician, came to me on February 1, 1889, complaining of sleeplessness. It seemed to date from a severe accident from the explosion of a torpedo three years before. He was a man of exceptional mental activity, and the want of sleep had induced much nervous depression and dyspepsia. At whatever time he went to bed he awoke at 3 a.m., and was unable to sleep again. He was readily hypnotized, and a slightly lethargic condition was induced. Suggestions were made that he would sleep well that night and would not awake at 3 a.m., but that if he did awake he would be able to sleep again. February 2, he reported that he had awoke the previous night at the usual hour, but had soon dropped off asleep again. The treatment was repeated. February 3, he had been awakened the previous night by a noise in the street about 4 a.m., but had fallen asleep again; on the 5th he reported having had two good nights. One repetition of the treatment completed the course, and since that time he has remained a good sleeper, getting an average of eight hours' sleep every night.

His general health has improved to a corresponding extent.

* This case and several of those following were published in the Lancet, August 24, 1889.

This case presents several points of interest. Though the patient was only affected to a slight degree by hypnotism, suggestion was successful in breaking a morbid habit of three years' growth in less than a week. Mr. T-----tells me he never lies down during the day, and that while lying down in my consulting-room he was completely conscious, but felt comfortable and disinclined to move. He was able to open his eyes, but they felt somewhat heavy, and he experienced reflex warmth in any part where I placed my hand and ' suggested ' it.