The opinion is sometimes expressed that patterns constructed by socially maladjusted individuals (e.g. in woodcarving, needlework, arrangement of flowers, etc.) are less symmetrical than those of the adequately adjusted. It is even held that the amount of asymmetry bears some relationship to the degree of maladjustment. Evidently, other factors besides maladjustment are involved in this question. The primary aim of the inquiry reported here was to investigate the effects of differences in sex, intelligence and level of social adjustment on the symmetrical construction of patterns. The technique employed for this purpose was akin to that of the mosaic test of Lowenfeld (1949) but of a more delimited character and with simplified material.

The prognosis as to life in cases of mongoloidism is universally recognized as being notoriously bad. It would appear that the majority die in infancy and that many of those surviving this period succumb during the second decade. A small proportion reach the third decade, and a still smaller one survive till middle age. Brousseau in 1928 stated that few mongols reach the age of maturity, and that no mongol had reached old age. She stated that the oldest case found in medical literature at that time was a mongoloid female aged 57 reported by Langdon Down. In 1937 Tredgold stated that Langdon Down had then in his training institution at Normansfield 16 mongols over 21 years of age. Three of these were between 40 and 50, two between 50 and 60 and one male aged 63.

The purpose of this paper is to report on a small series of cases treated with mysoline (5-phenyl-5-ethyl-hexahydropyrimidine-4:6-dione) and to contrast the results with those obtained with the established anticonvulsants phenobarbitone and soluble phenytoin.

In a previous article (Ewing and Mendenhall, 1953) we reported the results of an experimental investigation devised to test the effects of mephenesin on anxiety. Rigid controls were employed, involving the use of inert tablets for comparison purposes, as well as other safeguards to eliminate subjective factors on the part of the examiners. Using the Digit Span test-retest as an index of anxiety, it was found that no statistically significant diminution of anxiety was obtained with doses of up to 2.0 gm. mephenesin orally.