Case 78. (Hurst, March, 1917.)
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Southard, Elmer Ernest
An unwilling conscript developed numerous fits on board ship coming from Jersey, three days after enlisting. Fifty more developed during two days in hospital. He was sent to Netley.
On the hypothesis of hysteria or malingering, he was hypnotized. A fit was suggested to him, but did not come off. The Sister was informed in the patient’s hearing that the man was clearly shamming, as in all genuine cases a fit would occur after this treatment. A fit with marked opisthotonos immediately occurred. This fit immediately stopped when he was ordered to stop it and to wake up.
The man after waking promised to have no more fits.