In the sixteenth lecture, Professor Charcot narrates the history of an epidemic of hysteria occurring in a family which had devoted itself to the vagaries of modern spiritualism. It is very probable that many such instances of the grave forms of hysteria are to be ascribed to practices which tend to impress with awe the imagination of neurotic subjects. In the succeeding lecture the treatment of such cases is discussed, and the importance of isolation is insisted on. Statical electricity and cold baths are also recommended, but the bromides are, according to the author, of no service.

The principles consist in a careful investigation of each epileptic case and treatment, not general, but individual. Dr. Erlenmeyer makes the complaint, probably with justice, that cases of epilepsy are far too frequently treated in a rule-of-thumb manner, and scarcely at all investigated. He then proceeds to describe how a case should be examined (the details are somewhat alarming, it must be confessed), and subsequently describes the many varieties of epilepsy, including Jacksonian. On p. 13 we find one cause given which sounds theoretical, “commotio cerebri.” In the investigation of causes he insists that the history should be most carefully taken; and under the head of injury should include even a simple box on the ear! We would suggest that so careful a history will scarcely ever fail to discover some cause, right or wrong. A case of epilepsy cured by trepanning, which operation was done at the author's insistence, is included in the text of some remarks at the end of the brochure.