5
(2) Drugs, etc.—
(a) Malaria Therapy.—This was tried during the year under report on
six early cases of different types of dementia praecox and manic depressive
psychosis, but the results were not very encouraging. In two cases as much
as ten paroxysms were allowed and a slight temporary improvement took place
in the mental condition, but within a short period the symptoms returned.
(b) Hyoscine Hydrobromide.—Injections of byoscine hydrobromide were
extensively given in cases suffering from Parkinsonian and tremors type of
post encephalitis lethargica. Hyoscine worked wonders in these cases and
the speedy improvement took place in this most distressing condition. A full
report of these cases is being contributed in the Indian Medical Gazette.
(c) Epilepsy.— Professor L. J. J. Muskens, a Neurologist of International
fame, in his recently-published (1928) excellent book on " Epilepsy " has laid
special stress on the curative value of mercury iodide pills in inveterate
cases of epilepsy where other treatment had failed. During the year under
report five inveterate epileptics were selected for this treatment out of a popu-
lation of 63 epileptics from the hospital. The experiment was only commenced
in November last and it is too early to pronounce any opinion as to the
suitability or otherwise of the treatment. However, a full report of the
experiment will be published later.
(d) Dermatographia.—At a trial in a murder case of great medico-legal
importance at Los Angeles, California, an attempt was made to set up
a defence of insanity (dementia praecox) by the accused. During the trial
the diagnosis of dementia praecox was particularly based on dermatogra-
phia. This means that in a true case of dementia praecox a scratch mark
made on the patient's skin by a thumb nail will get very red and will stay
red for some hours. This sign was tried on 50 cases of dementia praecox
with clear skins and it was found that the scratch mark grew red and remained
so for four to five hours in some cases, and more than 24 in other. As a
control cases suffering from other mental diseases were tested but the scratch
marks faded away quickly. The experiment seems to prove that dermatogra-
phia is a reliable sign in the diagnosis of dementia praecox.
(e) Suggestion under Hypnosis.—A case of psycho-neurosis was given
a course of suggestion under hypnosis and a very great improvement took
place in the mental condition. The patient, a very intelligent lady and a
graduate of the Calcutta University, helped considerably in the treatment
and within two months she made so much improvement that the hospital
environment was considered unsuitable and she was kept in Ranchi as my
private case by her husband. A further course of suggestion under hypnosis
was given for a month at a rate of four sittings per week and the patient
recovered completely.
Two mild cases of insomnia were similarly treated by suggestion under
hypnosis with gratifying results.
(f) Glandular therapy.—This therapy was tried on a larger scale than
during previous years. The results although producing slight improvement in
few cases, were disappointing. Thyroid gland was found to be very useful
as "Activating agent" in acute melancholia and stuporous cases.
(g) Wasserman test.—205 blood specimens were sent to the Patholo-
gical Department of the Prince of Wales Medical College, Patna, for Wasser-
man Test and suitable treatment was adopted on receipt of the " Positive "
reports.
(h) Drugs.—Drugs like medinol, sulphonol, veronol, trionol, dial and
sodium luminol and bromides were tried in obstinate cases of insomnia. Out
of these, medinol, sodium luminol and bromide were found very satisfactory.
(3) Occupational Therapy.—Occupational therapy was carried out vigorous-
ly in all its branches during the year under report. Much improvement
and success have been achieved in this direction. Number of patients under-
going this therapy in one or the other of its branches is gradually increasing
as all patients, except old, infirm and acute cases, are employed. The industrial