FOR THE RELIEF OF LABOR-PAINS. Hypnotism has been employed by a number for this purpose. It is a very uncertain agent in these cases unless the subject has been hypnotized before labor begins. This often requires considerable time and patience, and a few inhalations of chloroform answer the purpose much better.
After employing hypnosis on thirteen patients in labor, the conclusion reached that hypnotism, is an uncertain and in efficient anmsthetic, and produces a de cided diminution in the force of the uterine contractions. Auvard and Secheyron (Archives de Tocologie, Nos. 1, 2, 3, '88).
—I have employed hypnotism in the treatment of organic diseases only in a few instances, and then on the earnest solicitation of the patients or their friends. Nothing further was expected in the treatment of these cases by hypnotic suggestion than the relief of certain symptoms, such as pain and de spondency and the improvement of the organic functions. In some instances despondency has been replaced by hope, pain assuaged, if it was not acute; sleep induced, the bowels regulated, and appe tite and digestion improved. I must con fess that I have seen very few cases of organic disease in which more was ac complished by hypnotic suggestion than could have been attained by other and less troublesome means.
[I have inet with one case of cervieal pachymeningitis of several years' dura tion in which pain and sleeplessness have been relieved for a period of nearly three years, although the patient was hypno tized only six or seven times. J. T. ESK RIDGE.] The presence of the physician who inspires his patient with confidence and hope is a constant suggestion that health will be restored.
Hypnotism and suggestion are useless in organic cerebral and spinal disease. Danillo (St. Louis Med. and Surg. Jour., June, '89).
Out of 29 cases of organic disease of the nervous system, treated by hypnotic suggestion, only one cure was obtained, and that was doubtful. Pain and other symptoms may, however, be relieved. Van Reeterghcm and Eeden (Clin. de psycho - therapic suggestive. Compte rendu des resultats obtenus pendant la premiere periode bisannuelle, 92 pp., gr. 8, '89).
Case of tabes dorsalis treated by daily hypnotism for about three weeks. In addition to local anrestliesia and partial loss of sight, there were severe pains in the chest and back, obstinate constipa tion, inability to walk more than half a mile, loss of appetite, insomnia, and great mental depression. The patient was
hypnotized, and suggestions were made as to the bowels, digestion, sleep, and pains, the parts at the same time being gently rubbed. The following day the bowels were moved naturally for the first time in three months. After three weeks of treatment the patient's habits had greatly improved. The relief con tinued until the time of writing the re port (about four mouths), although the disease probably progressed. Tuckey (Lancet, Aug. 24, '89).
Case of a man suffering with an ad vanced stage of disseminated sclerosis of the cord was so benefited as to be en abled to leave the hospital. The diagno sis was verified, as the patient returned within a year and died of tuberculosis. Fontain and Sigaud (Lancet, Aug. 24, 'S9).
Case of infantile hemiplegia observed, in which improvement was produced after hypnotization for three mouths. The author believes that every person capable of displaying functional nerve disturbance may be successfully hyp notized, and his experience led him to consider hypnotic treatment for organic lesions unsuccessful. J. H. Whitham (Brit. Med. Jour., Feb. 2S, '91).
—G astro-in testinal disorders of a functional char acter may be temporarily and in some instances apparently permanently proved by hypnotic suggestion. At the suggestion of the operator the appetite increases and digestion improves.
[I have not undertaken to treat many of these cases by suggestion, and those that I have were mostly inmates of the County Hospital. The improvement in most instances was only temporary. When the loss of appetite and impaired digestion depended upon functional nerv ous states the effect of treatment was better. J. T. EstattooE.] It is easy by suggestion to cause the bowels to move at will, and often they will move at regularly suggested periods for days subsequently; but repeated sug gestion from time to time is necessary to prevent a return to a constipated habit. Hypnotism is of little value in breaking up a costive habit except in those cases in which the habit is of short duration and due simply to a neglect to obey the calls of nature.