In view of the fact that the subject of this report possessed to a remarkable degree the power of control over his pathologic rhythm, the following instance of paroxysmal tachycardia in a young adult seemed to us of sufficient interest to report in some detail. It is greatly to be regretted that we had but a single opportunity to observe the individual for a few hours, as he left the city permanently the day after these observations were recorded.
Apart from the control of these ectopic rhythms occasionally seen following vagus stimulation either by direct pressure or reflexly as a result of various methods of clinical procedure, their voluntary control is seldom met with.
Although it is impossible in the present instance to determine with absolute exactness the means by which such voluntary inhibition is exercised, we have assumed that our use of the term "voluntary control" implies essentially the