This series of studies is published with the object of supplying, however inadequately, some information concerning the nature, diagnosis and treatment of war neuroses to those less fortunately placed than the staff of the hospital, and at the same time to make public the results of their scientific investigations. Sir William Osler states in an introductory note that from personal observation he can testify to the rapidity and permanence of the cures which are effected by relatively simple

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... ods. Contents: Studies on hysteria consisting of eight articles: (a) Pharyngeal anesthesia by Hurst and Symns. (b) Experimental observation on the signs and symptoms of malingering, hysteria and organic nervous diseases by Hurst. (c) Narrow and spiral fields of vision in hysteria, malingering and neurasthemia by Hurst and Symns. (d) The supposed association of hysterical anesthesia of the external ear with hysterical deafness by Hurst, Symns and Gainsborough. (e) A new group of hysterical "stigmata" by Hurst and Symns. (f) Hysterical Romberg's sign by Hurst and Wilkinson. (g) The rapid cure of hysterical symptoms in soldiers by Hurst and Symns. (h) War contractures\p=m-\localized tetanus, a reflex disorder of hysteria by Hurst. In the Studies on Hysteria the authors show very conclusively the action of suggestion in causing the particular objective signs and symptoms. The rapid cure of hysterical symptoms in soldiers is performed by methods of suggestion and persuasion carried out in an atmosphere of optimism and, of course, backed up by the absolute conviction of the physician that such conditions are practically immediately curable. Major Hurst states that he now rarely uses hypnotism and only infrequently resorts to the use of elec¬ trical currents. This has been, I believe, the experience of most men inter¬ ested in this line of work in military hospitals. In my personal experience I Downloaded From: http://archneurpsyc.jamanetwork.com/ by a University of Pennsylvania User on 06/20/2015