Attempts to find a function characteristic of schizophrenia which may be correlated with the electro-encephalogram have not been very fruitful. For example, in a group of 60 adult schizophrenics only a very slight positive correlation exists between the electrical activity of the brain and duration of illness (Rubin, unpublished observations). The same correlation obtains for duration of hospitalization. Although not systematically studied, there appears to be no correlation between the electro-encephalogram and diagnostic sub-type of schizophrenia.

IN all asylums and places where epileptics are taken care of many cases of this condition must occur annually, and the treatment of it must be of grave consideration in the care of these cases. The figures of Dr. Lord show us that in ten years in the Hanwell London County Asylum 26 per cent, of the deaths in epilepsy occurred in the “status,” and these figures are borne out by the returns of the Ewell Colony for Epileptics. Much has been written on the subject, both by British workers and by our Continental confréres, but it is scattered through the literature in isolated monographs, and of late years the interest in the subject seems to have lapsed. The present paper is written with the purpose of inducing someone, more competent than the author, to give us further light on this very interesting condition.

Electronarcosis (E.L.N.) is a state of unconsciousness brought about by the passage of an electric current through the forebrain. The current has a much lower milliamperage than that which is used in electro-convulsive therapy (E.C.T).

Feldman (1951) published a scale for predicting the response of patients to E.C.T. and insulin coma therapy. Using only Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profiles meeting stated requirements (at least one elevated scale, moderate F scale scores, etc.) he carried out an item analysis of the M.M.P.I. responses of 42 patients who had responded well to shock therapy and 42 patients who had remained unimproved (psychiatrists' ratings). He derived a 52-item scale, scored as an additional M.M.P.I. scale and labelled Ps, high scores indicating poor prognosis. This he cross-validated on a further 100 patients (categorized as recovered, improved or unimproved) and all categories were well discriminated by Ps scale scores.

Since my last report (in 1898) to this Journal no important changes have taken place in the care and treatment of the lunatics in this country.

In following up Dr. Manning's paper in the July number of this journal with these fugitive notes of a series of very pleasant and instructive visits, I would premise that the changes of three years have taken place since it was my fortune to spend a season in Australia—that most hospitable of countries. Victoria has lost Dr. Robertson, and Queensland Dr. Jaap—gaps not readily filled up in a remote and little-known service. Administrative changes in the progressive spirit of the Australian commonwealth have swept away faulty arrangements, but the struggle for improvement remains in able hands and with stout hearts.

The Annual Reports of the Commissioners in Lunacy possess a special interest to those who are engaged in the care and treatment of the insane, taking, as they do, a comprehensive survey of facts which can ordinarily be viewed only from a limited standpoint; and they have a general interest for the public, because these facts bear a distinct and an intimate relation to questions which materially affect the wellbeing and progress of society. At no period has this been more the case than at the close of a year, which has been marked by a concentration of public attention upon the seclusion and treatment of insane persons such as has not occurred since the passing of the Lunacy Acts towards the middle of the century. Moreover, the burden of insanity has been yearly increasing, and its fiscal relationships have assumed an importance which the diminished prosperity of the country has brought into more than ordinary prominence.