Mr. S------, aged fifty, a wealthy American gentleman, filling most important financial positions, was sent to Europe for treatment by Dr. Putnam, of Boston. He first went to Sir Francis Cruise, who laid a very good foundation by giving excellent advice and kindly sympathy; but as he was on the eve of going abroad, he sent him on to me for hypnotic treatment. Mr. S------proved a good subject, though he never lost consciousness. He stayed three months in England under treatment, and then returned to America. He comes to see me when in London, and reports himself as cured, and with no desire for alcohol. For over ten years he had never gone longer than three months without an attack, and the intervals were getting shorter. He used to begin with moderation, but in a few days would lose all self-control, and drink recklessly until reduced to helplessness by gastro-enteritis. Through that he would be nursed by his wife, and would go into the world again full of good resolutions and confidence, only to follow the same vicious circle in due course.

Mr. S------was exposed to very severe temptation on his voyage after leaving me, for his artificial teeth, upon which he was dependent, went wrong, and he was unable to eat solid food for several days. So strong is his aversion to alcohol and his fear of it, that, though a religious man, he abstains from Holy Communion on account of the sacramental wine. *