From the PREFACE. In the first edition of these "Observations," I merely intended to shield myself against the more important points upon which I considered Mr. Colquhoun had misrepresented me. In the second edition I went more into detail, and quoted additional authorities in support of my theory of the nature, cause., and extent of hypnotic or mesmeric phenomena. In the third edition I have gone so much more into detail, as to furnish a periscope or vidimus of my views on all the more important points of the hypnotic and mesmeric speculations. By this means, after perusal of a mesmeric manual, any intelligent person can easily compare the two systems, and determine for himself which he most approves of; and by this means, moreover, I am making up, in some measure, for the delay in the publication of another edition of my work on hypnotism, which has long been out of print, and so frequently called for. That call I hope shortly to be able to respond to, with such fullness of detail as the importance of the subject merits; more particularly as regards its practical application to the relief and cure of some forms of disease, of which numerous interesting examples will be adduced.