HYPNOTISM. 597 



trunks are pressed upon. Then the muscles in question, 

 or those supplied by the same nerve-trunk enter into a more 

 or less steadfast tonic contraction. Charcot calls this symp- 

 tom by the name of neuro-muscular hyperexcitability. The 

 lethargic state may be primarily brought on by fixedly 

 looking at anything, or by pressure on the closed eyeballs. 

 Friction on the top of the head will make the patient pass 

 from either of the two preceding conditions into the som- 

 nambulic state, in which she is alert, talkative, and suscep- 

 tible to all the suggestions of the operator. Tlie somnambu- 

 lic state may also be induced primarily, by fixedly looking 

 at a small object. In this state the accurately limited 

 muscular contractions characteristic of lethargy do not 

 follow upon the above-described manipulations, but instead 

 of them there is a tendency to rigidity of entire regions of 

 the body, wdiicli may upon occasion develop into general 

 tetanus, and which is brought about by gently touching the 

 skin or blowing upon it. M. Charcot calls this by the 

 name of cutaneo-muscular hyperexcitability. 



Many other symptoms, supposed by their observers to 

 be independent of mental expectation, are described, of 

 which I only will mention the more interesting. Opening the 

 eyes of a patient in lethargy causes her to pass into catalepsy. 

 If one eye only be opened, the corresponding half of the body 

 becomes cataleptic, whilst the other half remains in leth- 

 argy. Similarly, rubbing one side of the head may result 

 in a patient becoming hemilethargic or hemicataleptic and 

 hemisomnambulic. The approach of a magnet (or certain 

 metals) to the skin causes these half-states (and many others) 

 to be transferred to the ojDposite sides. Automatic rejDetition 

 of every sound heard (' echolalia. ') is said to be produced by 

 pressure on the lower cervical vertebrae or on the epigas- 

 trium. Aphasia is brought about by rubbing the head over 

 the region of the speech-centre. Pressure behind the occiput 

 determines movements of imitation. Heideuhain describes a 

 number of curious automatic tendencies to movement, which 

 are brought about by stroking various portions of the ver- 

 tebral column. Certain other symptoms have been fre- 

 quently noticed, such as a flushed face and cold hands, 

 brilliant and congested eyes, dilated pupils. Dilated reti- 



