This lecture, not previously published in English, was actually the work of Freud alone. After paying tribute to Charcot, he discusses the clinical and pathogenic characteristics of hysteria, demonstrating that 'common' hysteria (that not due to physical trauma) has the same pattern as traumatic hysteria (that due to physical trauma). 'Hysterical patients suffer from incompletely abreacted psychical traumas.' He explains the treatment of such cases as the re-experiencing of the psychic trauma in order to complete the emotional reaction to it, thus freeing the patient of the affect, hitherto 'strangulated', attached to the trauma.