R. H------, an American, aged forty-three, Press agent, consulted me in June, 1889, for pains in the back, depression of spirits, languor, loss of appetite, constipation, muscular weakness, dull pain all over the head, but worse in the forehead and on stooping. He had worked very hard all his life at newspaper editing, and he looked at least ten years older than his age. Physical examination revealed no organic disease, but the heart's action was rapid and feeble, and he had some tenderness over the dorsal region of the spine.

He was easily hypnotized, and fell into the second stage. The treatment consisted in rubbing his spine, loins, and abdomen, and suggesting increase of strength, absence of pain, and regular action of the bowels every morning. The patient improved rapidly under treatment, and was able to return to America after twenty operations, quite set up and in good spirits.

This seems to me a typical case of breakdown in an overworked man of nervous temperament. I allowed him to remain in the hypnotic state an hour daily, and no doubt the rest was an important factor in the cure. He was unable to open his eyes, but could raise or depress the arms at will. *