It is not regarded by medical authorities as an agent of much therapeutic value, and is rarely employed; but it is doubtful, in view of the natural prejudice caused by the pretensions of charlatans, whether its merits have been fairly tested.

On the European Continent it has been successfully applied in a great variety of cases; and Bernheim has shown that minor nervous troubles, insomnia, migraines, drunkenness, lighter cases of rheumatism, sexual and digestive disorders, together with a host of smaller temporary causes of pain--corns, cricks in back and side, etc .-- may be cured or very materially alleviated by suggestions conveyed in the hypnotic state.

In many cases such cures are permanently effected with aid from no other remedies.

In a number of great city hospitals patients of recognised classes are at once hypnotized, and suggestions of cure made.

Liebeault, the founder of the Nancy school, has the credit of having first made use of hypnosis as a remedial agent.