Miss L------, aged thirty-two, consulted me in February, 1889. She had suffered more or less all her life from indigestion. She was very thin, and her complexion was yellow and spotted with papules of acne. She complained of constant pain over the epigastrium, which was tender on pressure, increased by food, and accompanied with 'sinking,' heartburn, and palpitation. Her circulation was deficient, and she had always cold hands and feet; there was frequent headache and neuralgia, generally in the frontal region. She slept badly at night, and was troubled with uncomfortable dreams. She felt languid and despondent, and had no aptitude for setting to any occupation. Her condition was becoming worse, and she had been under all sorts of medical treatment for her digestion since childhood. Her teeth were sufficiently good for mastication, the bowels were constipated, and the tongue was moist but furred. There were no symptoms pointing to disease of any organ, and it was evident the malady was purely functional.

She was hypnotized, and the second degree of hypnosis was induced. In this condition the stomach and abdomen were rubbed and warmth suggested. Comfortable sleep and improved appetite were promised, together with regular action of the bowels, and general increase of strength and energy. The patient was on very rigorous diet, and this was somewhat modified and enlarged. Improvement in her condition became visible after two or three days, and the treatment was repeated daily for ten days, and then at longer intervals for a month. At the end of that time she was better than she had ever been previously. She slept well, ate with fair appetite, and enjoyed life. The improvement has been maintained, and the morbid condition seems permanently cured.