The two main stories that concern us here are 'John Barrington Cowles' and the longer 'The Parasite'. Both tell of a form of mesmerism and of the taking over of a person's will.
' John Barrington Cowles' is a short story written early in Doyle's career and can be seen as a competent but apprentice work.It tells of a young man who falls under the spell of a beautiful but evil woman who eventually destroys him.
In the much stronger "The Parasite', a sceptical professor attends a lecture in which an aged cripple,Miss Penelosa demonstrates how she can control the mind and actions of other people. She binds the Professor to her will and forces him to break off his engagement to a young girl and promise himself to her instead. When he tries to break away,she forces him into actions foreign to his nature. Finally he is made to visit his fiancee and to attack her with acid. This could stand well with the best of Conan Doyle's stories.
'The Field Bazaar' ,is a Sherlock Holmes joke and 'His First Operation' an amusing little story of a lightweight nature.
The book ends with a essay with which Doyle gained his degree of MD. Totally unreadable,by the general public,it should be of interest to Doyle enthusiasts who need to be aware of all of Doyle's writings. ( )