Very interesting conditions, in some respects resembling dreams, particularly somnambulism, are the so-called fugees, dream states, multiple personalities, in which persons lose their identities and for days, weeks, months, or longer, conduct themselves in a manner foreign to their usual selves. Sometimes the loss of identity is ushered in by a feeling as if a blow had been struck on the back of the head; this is quite typical of cases that are due to hysteria. Attacks may also result from injuries, drunkenness, epilepsy, poisons, mental shocks.

In the simple forms of dream states the person leaves home, forgetting entirely all facts concerning his or her previous identity. In a distant city the person may take up a new business under a different name, and, usually, conducts himself or herself in an honourable manner. Unfortunately, while in the dream state the person may marry, or make weighty business contracts, and when the true personality again manifests itself there is no knowledge of these actions, which naturally causes much confusion. While in the dream state all thoughts of home are suppressed; certain ideas hold consciousness, and in assuming a new name the individual acts honestly; he acts as he would be expected to act under the circumstances. As far as awareness goes, the person does not know that he or she bore another name, or that a different existence is being lived. Eventually, after a night's rest, a thought of home, or the reading of a newspaper containing an account of the disappearance the real personality is restored. The individual is then at a loss to explain how he or she came into the present location, or to account for the actions since leaving home. By special psychologic methods these lost memories may be restored.

Many interesting cases have been described. In the Bourne case, cited by James,1 a carpenter and itinerant preacher named Ansel Bourne of Greene, R. I., went to a bank in Providence, drew some money to pay for a lot of land, paid some bills, and got on a Pawtucket car. This was the last incident he remembered. His personality having undergone a change, he arrived in Norristown, Penna., rented a small shop, and carried on a confectionery and fruit business with credit, under the name of A. J. Brown. One morning - almost four months from his leaving Greene - he awoke with a fright, asked where he was, said he knew nothing about his keeping a shop, etc., and that the last thing he remembered was his drawing money out of a bank in Providence; that seemed only yesterday. He was thought to be insane, but communication with his relatives made everything right.

It is worthy of mention that the most complete descriptions of the complex types of multiple personality were first described by American authors. From ten to fifteen different personalities have been encountered in the same individual.

1 Op. cit., p. 391.