ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY AND DEPRESSION. II. SIGNIGICANCE OF ENDOGENOUS AND REACTIVE SYNDROMES

It is common practice to divide depression into two illnesses: reactive (or neurotic) and endogenous (or manic-depressive psychosis). This dichotomy is a source of extensive argument, and its value is controversial.

CHANGING PATTERNS OF MENTAL HOSPITAL DISCHARGES AND READMISSIONS IN THE PAST TWO DECADES

The discharge and readmission pattern for the non-organic psychoses (chiefly schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychoses) was studied for three-year periods: immediately before extensive use of modern therapies (1940-42), when electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) alone was extensively used (1950-52), and finally when tranquillizers had been added (1956-58). Patients were followed up for four years after either admission or discharge. The cohort method was used. With the use of ECT alone discharge took place at an earlier period after admission but was associated with a higher rate of readmission. With the addition of tranquillizers the improvement in rate of discharge continued for the whole four years after admission and the readmission rate was reduced to that seen in the first period. The rate of changing factors other than specific therapies is discussed.

BLOOD TYPES IN RELATION TO DEPRESSIONS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

The distribution of the ABO, A(1), D, E, C, and Kell blood types in relation to selected psychiatric diagnoses was studied in over 700 consecutive admissions to a provincial mental hospital. Predicted relationships based upon recent work in other laboratories were supported by consistent trends approaching statistical significance. In addition, blood group O was found to be significantly associated with involutional melancholia.