good. At times she would display a lack of willpower, and an element
of painful indecision; while at other times she showed exceptional
firmness. The slightest moral fatigue, any unexpected impression,
though of trifling importance, whether agreeable or otherwise,
reacted, although slowly and imperceptibly, upon her vaso-motor
nerves, and brought on convulsive attacks and a nervous swoon. Writes
Dr. Ochorowiez in his work on Mental Suggestion:

One day, or rather one night, her attack being over
(including a phase of delirium), the patient fell quietly
asleep. Awaking suddenly, and seeing us (one of her female
friends and myself) still near her, she begged us to go
away, and not to tire ourselves needlessly on her account.
She was so persistent that, fearing a nervous crisis, we
departed. I went slowly downstairs, for she resided on the
fourth story, and I paused several times to listen
attentively, troubled by an evil presentiment; for she had
wounded herself several times a few days before. I had
already reached the courtyard, when I paused again, asking
myself whether or not I ought to go away.

All at once her window opened with a slam, and I saw the
sick woman leaning out with a rapid motion. I rushed to the
spot where she might fall; and mechanically, without
attaching any great importance to the impulse, I
concentrated all my will in one great desire to oppose her
precipitation.

The patient was influenced, however, though already leaning
far out, and retreated slowly and spasmodically from the
window. The same movements were repeated five times in
succession, until the patient, seemingly fatigued, at last
remained motionless, her back leaning against the casement
of the window, which was still open.

She could not see me, as I was in the shadow far below, and
it was night. At that moment, her friend, Mademoiselle X.,
ran in, and caught madame in her arms. I heard them
struggling together, and hastened up the stairs to
mademoiselle's assistance. I found the invalid in a frenzy
of excitement. She did not recognize us, but mistook us for
robbers. I could only draw her away from the window by using
violence enough to throw her upon her knees. Several times
she tried to bite me; but after much trouble, I succeeded in
replacing the poor lady i