Somatic Causes Research Articles

Two studies of male sex impotence

It is our opinion that the problem of functional sexual disturbance in men is not yet sufficiently explored and that even a rough analysis of a large group of these patients may reveal new aspects of this subject. To characterize our material: 2,687 men were examined in the outpatient department of the Sexological Institute of Charles University in Prague, where the treatment is given free of charge. STUDY I. In the first study special attention is paid to the stage of the patient's sex life in which difficulty was experienced. The group consisted of 600 cases. All these patients were examined by the same examiner. A few patients in whom somatic causes were indicated, were excluded from the group as were patients whose mental condition was such that it prevented contact with them during examination. The relevant data are summarized in Table 1. Nearly one-third of the men (190 cases in Subgroup I and II) asked for sexological examination and help on account of difficulties at the beginning of their heterosexual life. The majority (410 cases, 68.5%) had difficulties in performing sexual intercourse after having already gone through a period of successful sexual relations. STUDY II.

CURRENT CONCEPTS OF PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA

Abstract Menstruation, a physiologic function, should be free of organic or psychic discomfort, but often it is not. As to somatic causes, much has been postulated, little proved. There is evidence that somatic dysmenorrhea is caused by action of progesterone upon the uterus. And there is indication also that the cause may lie in some abnormality of the cervix or abnormal effect upon it. Traditional association of menstruation with “illness,” “curse” and the like is indicative of the psychic roots of dysmenorrhea. It has been observed that there is striking parallel between dysmenorrhea in adulthood and psychological maladjustment in childhood. Cure of psychogenic dysmenorrhea may be difficult. Proper anticipation—emotional preparation of the girl from infancy on, then sound instruction in biologic fact—would seem to be a major means of prevention.

Educational Principles in Occupational Therapy

In the care and treatment of mental patients there has been great progress. In our fight against the disease, the psychosis, which disorganizes the higher mental functions, we have achieved numerous therapeutic successes. I need only mention malarial therapy in dementia paralytica, salvarsan and trypar-samide for cerebral syphilis, the treatment of the digestive organs in cases of toxæmic psychoses, the removal of focal infections in numerous cases of schizophrenic derangement, the somnifaine prolonged narcosis treatment in manic-depressive psychosis, non-specific stimulation in various other psychotic conditions. The great importance of underlying somatic causes and of a rational somatic therapy are fully recognized, and it remains the principal task of the psychiatrist to search for the causes of the psychoses and for the means of combating and preventing them.

PHYSIOLOGY OF CEREBRAL ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN AS A NEW SUBJECT OF PEDIATRIC INVESTIGATION

The present epoch of pediatrics is characterized by ever-growing interest in the psychic life of the normal and the pathologic child. The pediatrician of today is not only the healer and the preventer of disease, but also a good advisor in the complex problems of the behavior, mental hygiene and education of the child. It is well known how often psychic disorders evoke bodily diseases and, on the other hand, how often somatic causes produce disturbances of the psychic life, especially in the growing organism. Furthermore, some psychopathies manifest themselves at a tender age, and their initial symptoms, early diagnosis and prophylaxis represent a most important problem for pediatric investigation. Pediatricians, therefore, have a vital interest in the psychology and psychopathology of childhood. They have contributed much to the scientific progress of these domains of science and participated in the creation of the contemporary scientific teaching of education. During the