s about the
fakirs of India, which set any attempt at explanation on the basis of
our present scientific knowledge at defiance--that is, if we decline to
accept them as mere juggler's tricks. Hypnotism seems to be the only
explanation. It is a well known fact that both wild and domestic beasts
can be hypnotized and the success of some of the animal-tamers is due
to this fact. In hypnotism we see a probable explanation for the
faith-cures which have extended over many centuries, and have their
analogy in the supposed therapeutic powers of the Saints.

The medicolegal aspect of hypnotism may be called in to answer whether
crime may be committed at suggestion. Such examples have already been
before the public in the recent trial of the Parisian strangler,
Eyraud. It was claimed that his accomplice in the crime, Gabrielle
Bompard, had been hypnotized. Bernheim narrates a case of outrage
effected in the hypnotic condition, which was brought to light by a
trial in the South of France.

As to the therapeutic value of hypnotism, with the exception of some
minor benefits in hysteric cases and in insomnia, the authors must
confess that its use in Medicine seems very limited.

African sleep-sickness is a peculiar disorder, apparently infectious in
character, which occurs among the negroes of the western coast of
Africa. It has been transported to other regions but is endemic in
Africa. According to Dana it begins gradually with malaise and
headache. Soon there is drowsiness after meals which increases until
the patient is nearly all the time in a stupor. When awake he is dull
and apathetic. There is no fever; the temperature may be subnormal. The
pulse, too, is not rapid, the skin is dry, the tongue moist but coated,
the bowels regular. The eyes become congested and prominent. The
cervical glands enlarge. The disease ends in coma and death. Recovery
rarely occurs. Sometimes the disease is more violent, and toward the
end there are epileptic convulsions and muscular tremors. Autopsies
have revealed no pathologic changes.

Recently Forbes contributes an interesting paper on the sleeping
sickness of Africa. The disease may occur in either sex and at any age,
though it is most frequent from the twelfth to the twentieth years, and
in the male sex. It begins with enlargement of the cervical glands, and
drowsiness and sleep at unusual hours. At first the patient may be
aroused, but later sinks into a heavy stupor or coma. Death occu