THE CYCLIC FORMS OF DEMENTIA PRÆCOX

Abstract

In a paper read before the American Medico-Psychological Association in 1907,1 I drew attention to certain forms of dementia pr cox which had been described by De Sanctis, Dercum, and others, and I feared at the time that I might be accused of having a classifying mania. My friends have been too considerate to make this charge concerning me, but I may run some further risk with my present paper. Perhaps the statement of my belief that the dementia pnecox group is susceptible of much further division may be an excuse for the advocacy of another form. During the past winter in one of our staff conferences Dr. Cornell applied the term cyclic dementia pr ecox to the case then under discussion and this seemed to me to aptly describe certain cases which I had mentally grouped and I therefore have adopted it. So far as I know its use is original with Dr. Cornell. It will perhaps be best to first give abstracts of these cases in order that it may be clearly understood what is included by the term, and especially as I am fully aware that there may be some who will disagree with my diagnosis. The first two cases (Case i, No. 541, and Case 2, No. 547) which I wish to bring to your attention have so recently been reported by Dr. Barnes’ that I shall not give abstracts but will merely call attention to the fact that while for a number of years they were regarded as typically cases of folie circulaire, which I believe is generally included in the maniacal-depressive group, yet there has been a gradual change and the excitement has become less typically maniacal; there has been a less marked flight of ideas and in the woman evidences of stereotypy, while in the man the excitement