The actual cause of the condition is not known, but it has been established that there is always a big element of vasospasm. This spasm of the arteries causes a deficient supply of blood to the muscles, so that the patient is unable to walk for more than a few minutes without severe cramp-like pains in the legs. The deficient blood supply often leads to ulcers, and in severe cases amputation may be necessary. Patients who suffer from this complaint are nearly always heavy smokers, and it may be that the nicotine causes spasm by irritating the autonomic nerves which supply the arteries of the legs. Orthodox medical treatment can do little to relieve the condition.
Surgical treatment is aimed at cutting the nerves, and is sometimes successful.
It is well known that there is increased control over the autonomic nervous system under hypnosis, and it would seem well worth while to give such a simple method a fair trial before undertaking severe and possibly dangerous surgical operations. A patient, aged forty, was a typical case of this condition. He had already lost two fingers, and suffered from a huge ulcer on the left leg and another on the right foot which threatened to need amputation. He was an extremely heavy smoker. The patient came from a great distance for treatment, and on arrival was unable to stand or walk without great pain.