575 A. The following account of experiments in the efficacy of charms appeared in the Journal S.P.R., vol. vi. p. 152: -

... The uncivilised Africans, among whom I have spent many years (sixteen), make large use of charms, worn on the person, in cases of illness. Missionaries and traders are at one that they occasionally derive great benefit from this "superstition."... I was curious to know whether any evidence could be obtained pointing to a probable cause for their effect.

In order to do this I imitated the African, but did my best to exclude the factor of faith. I prepared a " charm," consisting of a few hieroglyphics written on paper. This was wrapped up and sewn into a piece of tape, and tied firmly on the bare arm of the subject of the experiment. It was to be worn night and day for a few days, no time limit being given. I gave the subjects to understand that I was only asking them to assist in an experiment; that the charm was only paper with writing on it; that they were not to expect any improvement, but simply to tell me if such happened. If any faith element remained it was against my wish, and must be a quantity resisting all methods of expulsion, even in people of education. Now for the results in detail: (1) Myself, age forty-six. I have, all my life, been subject to some nervous trick or twitching of a muscle; sometimes of the face, the head, the shoulder, etc. This took the form of a peculiar snort from time to time, and I was aware that it must be unpleasant. I therefore tried earnestly to suppress it, but without effect. I wore a charm, and it immediately disappeared. Some few days after I found myself at it again, and found that the charm had slipped from where I could feel it to the elbow. On replacing it the annoyance ceased.

The same lapse occurred two or three times, but I always found the charm had slipped. After a few weeks I discontinued its use, and the bad habit has not recommenced.

Another case lately occurring to myself is the following: I have for the last two months been very weak and ill - slight valvular affection of the heart, on the occasion I mention accompanied by severe pain in the back and sides. I was visiting my sister, having a rest, but did not seem to improve. One night she tied me a charm on the left arm, and I passed a good night. The following morning a servant said "Good-morning" to me, but made no further remark. She went into the kitchen and said to the cook, "I can't think what has happened to Mr. Phillips; he looks quite well this morning. I never saw such a change in anybody!" And I felt well, though weak. I had no pain whatever, and for the first time in many months was not conscious that I had a heart. This freedom from pain has remained for about three weeks, up to the present time. I am hardly ever conscious of pain, but only of weakness, and I feel considerably better on that score.

The next case is Miss G., cook at the establishment of which my sister is matron - the "Convalescent Home," S.. Age, say fifty. The kitchen of the place is very hot - 90 to 100 degrees Fahr. every day. Miss G. is sadly overworked, being constantly on her feet in this temperature from 8 a.m to 8 p.m. What wonder that her health gave way and she became a martyr to sick headache! Scarcely ever a week passed but she had to remain in bed some portion of or all day. I gave her a charm some nine or ten weeks ago, and am not aware that she has been laid up since. She has told me, when visiting, that she has not been so, and that her headaches have been remarkably lessened, though, as she says, nothing will set her up so long as she has to work all day in that excessive temperature. She has actually given notice to leave, and intended to do so for a long time past.

Next case: Mrs. M., age fifty, complained that on trying to open her eyes in the night, or on awakening in the morning, she was obliged to push the eyelids up with her fingers. She seemed to lack the power of opening them. A charm acted "like a charm," and the annoyance ceased.

Miss B. M.. age, say twenty-five, complained of chronic cold in the head, remaining persistently for several months. I gave her a charm, and four days afterwards she told me the cold had quite gone. She said, half ashamed to confess her credulity, that she really thought the charm had cured her.

L. H., seventy-eight, chronic sufferer from rheumatism. I gave him a charm, which he, for convenience, wore loosely buttoned round his neck. No result. I told him that he had disobeyed orders, and must wear it round his arm, tightly enough to feel it.

I did not see him for some time, but he told me that, from whatever cause, he had been very free from pain, and had discontinued the charm. He then had a fatiguing journey in Holland, and on his return told me he was going to look for his charm, as he had had a recurrence of the pain. A week or so after he told me he was wearing it; had no pain; nothing but weakness from old age to trouble him.

M. H., age, say forty-two, rheumatic; is reported to me to be much the same.

M. L., age, say forty, troubled with chronic fits of sneezing, is reported entirely free.

Recent case: M.D., age, say fifty, has chronic bronchitis and difficulty of breathing. I gave her my charm to wear three days ago, and she says she is very much better.

J. M., age, say fifty-five, has suffered for fifteen years from locomotor ataxy; has insupportable pains, for which reason he often drinks a pint of whisky per day, without any sign of intoxication (so he says). I gave him a charm, which he only wore when the pains became violent - not to prevent their attack. He says the thing is a snare and a delusion; it has done him no good.

P. H., aged twenty-one; has four times had rheumatic fever; heart affected; no constitution. He was recovering from last attack, and I gave him a charm, which he immediately lost. He continues to improve.

These are the details of all the experiments I have made, except one of which I have had no report.... R. C. Phillips.

The Arts Club, Manchester, September 24th, 1893.

For a number of instances of the cure of warts by charms, see Journal S.P.R., vol. viii. pp. 7-10, 40, 96, 226, and vol. ix. pp. 100, 121, 225.