one of his sons. During the night which had preceded his return to England, he dreamed that he had been to see Mrs. Clarke, and that, contrary to custom, she was sleeping in the best bed room; and, as they walked to the place of embarkation, he communicated this dream to his son. On arriving at Liverpool, Mr. T. C. was prevailed upon to pass a night at his brother's house, while his son went forward to Maghull, to announce their safe arrival to his mother. When she saw him coming without his father, she fell into a paroxysm of grief, and could not without great difficulty be persuaded of her husband's safety. The cause of these misgivings was not a little remarkable. During the same night in which Mr. C. had dreamed his dream, she fancied she heard him ride up to the stable, bring his saddle and bridle into the house, and hang them up as usual. She then heard him ascend the stairs, enter the room in which she lay, which was indeed the best bed room, and walk round the bed. All this she assured her younger son, on rising in the morning, she had heard distinctly, affirming that she could not be deceived in thinking the footsteps those of his father, and expressing her fears that some misfortune had befallen him."

** The wife's brain accidentally dreamed, and influenced the husband's-Zoist.

XI. Great relief from Mesmerism during ordinary treatment in an affection of the Prostate Gland. By Mr. HENRY JACOB, 35, Surrey Street, Strand.

MR. J. Jones, of 129, Strand, my uncle, an aged man, 70 years of age, had been five weeks suffering so much from disease of the prostate gland that he had no sleep, and was in the most excruciating agony, although the strongest opiates were administered. He was attended by Mr. Fergusson, of King's College. A lady, to whom I mentioned the case, urged me to try mesmerism. But as I had no idea of what it was, she advised me to apply to Dr. Elliotson for instructions. He at once told me to make slow passes with one hand from opposite the forehead downwards. I immediately put his instructions in practice on Saturday evening, Dec. 5, 1846; for Mr. Jones eagerly accepted of my offer to mesmerise him. Although when I commenced he was in great pain, in about five minutes he fell into a sound sleep, and snored, but was apparently disturbed by any slight noise. He slept from twenty-five minutes to 11 until five minutes past 12an hour and a half. He then awoke, took food, relieved his bladder, and was in good spirits and much refreshed. At eighteen minutes past one I passed my hands again, and in

the course of four minutes he fell into a sound sleep, and snored, until a quarter-past two o'clock-fifty-three minutes. He again took refreshment, emptied his bladder without the aid of instruments, and at two and a half minutes past three I passed my hands again, and in three and a half minutes he fell into a sound sleep for two hours and twenty minutessleeping altogether nearly five hours. He stated that he felt considerably refreshed, did not seem to require so much nourishment, and, much to his delight, continued to pass his water freely and in a stream without pain.

Mr. Fergusson called to see him in the morning, and said, "Well, Mr. Jacobs, you have done more for him than I could ;" and was very much pleased, and desired me to say to Dr. Elliotson that he was very satisfied with the effects of the sleep, and requested me to repeat the mesmerism again on the following night. An opiate was given to Mr. Jones on Friday night, (the night before I first mesmerised him,) but without effect. He had not had so much rest in any one day or night before for five weeks.

I must not forget to add, that it was done without the least effort or fatigue to myself; and perhaps the effect may be considered the more curious, as it was necessary for a candle to be held full glare in the face of the patient while lying in bed, so that we could see each other's eyes.

In the morning, Mr. J. Jones expressed himself so wonderfully better, and that there seemed to be a new era in his existence.

On Sunday, Dec. 6th, I attempted again to put him at his request to sleep: but he did not continue to slumber long, and I left him about half-past two in the day asking for his dinner.

In the evening I passed my hand again, and in ten minutes he again fell asleep, but remained only ten minutes in that state. He did not sleep all night, but at seven o'clock in the morning he fell into a natural sleep for two hours, relieved his bladder, as he stated, beautifully, and seemed to all in the house, and really was, considerably improved in health.

Monday night, Dec. 7. Commenced passing at a quarter to 11; in eight minutes afterwards he was in a sound sleep. I placed my hands once or twice, extended, on his forehead: I then left. He slept till ten minutes past 12, awoke, relieved his bladder copiously, and took refreshment. The son of the patient tried to mesmerise him, and succeeded; but he slept for ten minutes only. He afterwards fell into a sound sleep from a quarter past two until a quarter before four o'clock;

shortly after that had several refreshing sleeps. I saw him at nine o'clock, when he told me he felt very comfortable, and, in his own words, "50 per cent. better." He states that he is confirmed in the idea that mesmerism has had a very beneficial effect on him in producing sleep.

Tuesday, Dec. 8. Mr. Jones continued improving, his complaint hardly troubling him. No sleep all day; thought that he could not get any sleep if I did not mesmerise him. He ate very heartily, and took two glasses of sherry with the consent of Mr. Fergusson. Mesmerised the patient again at eleven minutes past 11, and in about eight minutes afterwards he fell into a sound sleep, and slept one hour. I had left him previously; on my return in the morning I heard that he had passed a restless night, not any sleep, and expressed a wish that I should be sent for to mesmerise him. I called on him at nine in the morning, and found him in a slumber, which continued only for a few minutes.

Wednesday, Dec. 9. Mesmerised again at ten minutes past 10, morning, and he fell asleep again at half-past 10, but only for a few moments. I was compelled to leave him all day, during which time he slept but only in short interrupted slumbers, expressing a most urgent desire that I should remain with him all night; his complaint had entirely left him, and he passed his water better than he had done for years previously. After partaking of oysters, &c., at halfpast 12 this night, he got into his bed. (Mr. Jones was so certain of its power that he stated words can hardly convey his feelings of gratitude to Dr. Elliotson, and that he would write him a letter of thanks on his recovery.) I mesmerised him at fourteen minutes to one, Thursday morning, Dec. 10, and in ten minutes he slept until half-past two. He awoke, took his refreshment; he was mesmerised again at ten minutes past three, and slept until twenty minutes past four. He then awoke very refreshed, laughed, and was extremely jocose when I left him about a quarter to five to go to bed. I arose at nine, and found by his nurse that he had slept (without mesmerism) from half-past five to half-past seven-two hours, much refreshed and comfortable, and in excellent spirits. He observed that although he had not actually slept so long a time this night as he did on the first night I remained with him, still he felt more refreshed and invigorated. Previously to going to bed this night he placed his feet in hot water by the advice of Mr. Fergusson in the idea that it would allay his fever, the whole of the skin from his hand peeling off.

Thursday night, Dec. 11. All day comparatively well and improving, enjoying his food. Mesmerised him for twenty

five minutes, but he only slept one hour all night after, until about five, when he slept for about two hours. I find that unless I remain with him all night he gets very little sleep. I also notice that he sleeps sounder during the continuance of the passing of the hands. I find no difficulty in getting him sleep when I am with him and he once makes up his mind to it. I have never once failed, although frequently the sleeps are not of any duration.

Re

Friday night, Dec. 12. By appointment at 10, patient ready in bed waiting for me. At five minutes past 10 in a sound sleep. Mesmerised in less than four minutes. mained asleep a very short time (I having left the house). Slept from one, midnight, for about an hour and a half. Remained awake for an hour, and then slept for about an hour and a half. I saw him again this (Saturday) morning, Dec. 12, about 12, and mesmerised him again for about twenty miPatient states he feels a soothing sensation when his eyes are closed, although not asleep, if my hands are passing to and fro. Mr. Fergusson says he is wonderfully better. The patient finds the sleep very refreshing that succeeds the mesmeric sleep (that is to say, the natural rest).

Mr. Jones not inclined to be mesmerised early this night in consequence of being refreshed by sleep during the day, I left him at 11 o'clock, he having made up his mind to remain sitting in his chair until inclined for sleep without me.

Sunday, Dec. 13. Mr. Jones having passed so comfortable a night, and having slept without my assistance the previous night, declined to be mesmerised for the present. In the course of the day I saw the surgeon, Mr. Fergusson, who complimented me upon my success, assuring me that the sleep had been most beneficial and conducive to the recovery of Mr. Jones.

Sunday night. Slept for the first time without any nurse or person remaining up with him.

Monday morning. Saw Mr. Jones. Passed a delightful night, accompanied by pleasant dreams, as was the case generally when mesmerised. Grateful to Dr. Elliotson for his humanity and for his benevolence to him in instructing me on the means of affording him such wonderful relief.

Mr. Jones has never had an attack since, and is now in excellent health, walking six or seven miles a day.

XII. Advantage of Mesmerism while ordinary treatment is adopted. By Mr. ARMOUR. Communicated by Dr. Elliotson.

To Dr. Elliotson.

113, Wardour Street.

Sir,-You will perhaps remember that, on the day I gave you the particulars of my brother's complaint, (whose death I communicated to you,) I incidentally mentioned that I had begun to mesmerise my sister, who was lying ill of nervous fever and as your advice encouraged me to persevere with mesmerism, I think you will excuse me if I relate to you the effects produced; more especially as the medical man who had attended her was so much astonished at the result of the first mesmerisation, as to call upon you the next day.

On the 17th of September my youngest sister, a girl 18 years of age, of lively and engaging manners, dark complexion, and endowed with good moral and intellectual qualities, was taken ill from cold, which was thought to be occasioned by getting her feet wet a day or two previously. She had had some mental excitement a few weeks before. She felt worse the next day, and medical assistance was procured; the surgeon who had for some time attended the family was called, and pronounced her to be in strong nervous fever. She continued getting worse every hour, the treatment adopted did no good, and in three days she became delirious, constantly plucking at the bed-clothes, and screaming and talking so distressingly as to be painful to those attending upon her. She could obtain no sleep, no relief from her sufferings. Her head was shorn of all the back hair, she was leeched on the temples, and narcotics given to produce sleep; but all availed nothing. She continued in this state till the 28th September, a period of ten days, during the whole of which time she had not slept six hours. The medical man had done all for her he could; he told us that he had given her medicines for days as strong as he dared administer them: but not the slightest inclination to sleep or to remain quiet was manifested.

My parents were distressed at her condition, and they decided that I should attempt to mesmerise her, in the hope of obtaining sleep and quietude. Accordingly, on the 28th, I commenced making downward passes at half past one p.m., and in forty minutes I had the pleasure of sending her into a sound sleep, which lasted till half-past six, p.m.; and she awoke less delirious, and somewhat refreshed. Mesmerism thus accomplished what narcotic medicines had failed in doing, although taken for days. We were all astonished at the result.