EDITOR’S PREFACE.

...leeches original: ".eeches"; likely referring to the medical application of leeches to treat inflammation. I found her in pain from the inflammation, and also from a toothache, and she was complaining of an inability to sleep. In ten minutes, I put her into a mesmeric trance An early form of hypnosis used here for pain relief; this was at 9:00 p.m. She awoke at 2:00 a.m., feeling refreshed and hungry.

June 23rd—The change of weather has negatively affected my relative, Mrs. C. This evening, she had a dreadful cough, which prevented sleep and caused her much pain. I proceeded to mesmerize her in the usual way; the coughing fits original: "paroxysms" rendered the process more difficult than before. At last, I succeeded in calming the spasmodic motions of the chest original: "thorax" by placing my fingers on her throat and breathing continuously on the spot which appeared to be the source of the irritation that annoyed her. In half an hour, she was fast asleep; she slept for two hours and awoke refreshed. The cough had left her and has not returned as of this date (June 25th).

These are facts, and I record them for the benefit of those who are suffering. Let skeptics scoff and doctors talk of danger: I have relieved pain, and anyone who will honestly make the attempt may do the same.

—D. E. David Esdaile, the editor and brother of the author, James Esdaile