The detection of early or subclinical schizophrenia is a major psychiatric problem. Patients who are finally classified as schizophrenic often may not have been so considered on previous examination. In other words their true condition was not detected clinically in the first place.

Perphenazine is a phenothiazine derivative, recommended as a tranquillizer (Ayd, 1957; O'Reilly et al., 1957; Goldman, 1958; Preisig and Landman, 1958) and as an anti-emetic (Scurr and Robbie, 1958). The structural formula is 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-3-(2-chloro-10-phenothiazyl)-propyl-piperazine; it has also been called Fentazin and Trilafon. Its action is similar to chlorpromazine, but it is said to be 5 or 6 times as potent, the side-effects are less severe and the potentiating effect on barbiturates is minimal. Extra-pyramidal symptoms have occurred but no serious blood-disorders or jaundice have been reported. The recommended out-patient dosage is 6 to 16 mg. daily; doses of 24 to 64 mg. daily may be used with in-patients. Autonomic side-effects such as blurred vision and dry mouth are said not to occur below 40 mg. daily, hypotension not below 150 mg. daily. The purpose of this trial was to see if perphenazine improved the symptoms of out-patients with anxiety and depression, as compared with a placebo, and also to match it with a recognized and widely used sedative, sodium amylobarbitone, in order to note any difference in effect.