Although there has been much interest in the treatment of the dying patient, little emphasis has been placed on the question of whether a human being can be unconsciously or preconsciously aware of his developing disease before its clinical manifestations. If the onset of a terminal illness makes itself known to an individual on such a level, then a broader rationale for the treatment of the dying patient may be developed. Nadelman presents several vignettes involving statements made by individuals shortly before their deaths from sudden unexpected cardiovascular collapse. Each statement seemed to anticipate the individual's actual demise with a psychic representation from the repressed penetrating consciousness for a moment. Anxiety dreams and dreams dealing with death in the manifest content are contrasted with the vignettes. The author concludes that even though a terminal illness may make itself known on an unconscious or preconscious level, it is best to let the dying patient lead the way in facing death, for to try to make this material conscious to the patient might cause needless suffering.