The effects considered in the previous chapter can certainly be
considered psychosomatic in character. They are, however, of a rather
superficial nature, being mainly concerned with rather transitory func-
tional changes. Furthermore, these changes have been for the most
part rather specific, involving specific organs or neural paths, as well
as relatively well-localized receptors. It is possible, at least theoret-
ically, that repeated production of any of the above alterations of
functions would eventually lead to structural organic changes detect-
able at least at the histological level and having some degree of
permanency. There is little question that use and disuse of organs
lead to anatomical changes. Radical alterations of muscles result from
interference with their innervation. There is, however, another possible
group of suggested psychosomatic effects: those in which a single
suggestion would bring about definite alterations in tissue structure,
such changes being relatively lasting. In this group we might also
consider possible changes of a diffuse nature, not involving any specific
effectors.

The possibility of this sort of action as a result of suggestion is
indicated by the existence of various reports of hysterical stigmatiza-
tion. Though unquestionably many of these reports, if not all, contain
gross exaggerations, there is probably some basis for them. Jacobi
( 221 ) has reviewed a large number of them and appears to think they
were authentic. In this connection, Moody ( 316, 317 ) has reported
some interesting and rather spectacular instances of stigmatization
occurring during abreaction obtained in conjunction with the admin-
istration of pentothal. It is to be noted that in these cases no hypnosis
or suggestion was involved. Among the various somatizations ob-
served he lists rope marks, bruises, swelling, and petechial hemor-
rhages. Accumulating data on psychosomatic phenomena in general,
such as may be found in Dunbar's work ( 102 ), makes the above a
strong possibility. Moody cited in support of his findings reports by

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