THE VALUE OF INSULIN TREATMENT IN UNDER-NOURISHED PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS
A. E. Bennett M. D.1, and
Elvin V. Semrad M. D.1
1 Omaha, Nebr.
Twenty-five psychiatric patients on high caloric diets receiving insulin therapy for malnutrition were compared with 25 cases not receiving insulin therapy; all other conditions being essentially equal. An average of .423 pounds per week excess gain was found in the cases that had received insulin treatment.
We believe that this form of treatment is a definite adjuvant in the handling of the psychiatric patient with undernutrition. This form of therapy makes the psychiatric nursing problem easier and tends to make the patient more accessible to receive other therapy and thus shortens convalescence. It should not be considered a specific therapeutic agent and the results obtained must be evaluated along with other operating therapeutic factors.
