A REVIEW OF THE RESULTS OF THE PHARMACOLOGICAL SHOCK THERAPY AND THE METRAZOL CONVULSIVE THERAPY IN NEW YORK STATE
Abstract
1. One thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven patients suffering from dementia præcox have been treated thus far with insulin hypoglycemia in the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene, and 1140 patients have been treated with metrazol.
2. The recovery and improvement rate in the cases of insulin treated cases is significantly in excess of the rate in the control group. Metrazol, on the other hand, produced even fewer recovered cases than found in cases not treated by any shock therapy.
3. Recent reports indicate that metrazol, besides being not especially effective, also produces serious complications, notably fractured spines. While it is effective if used in selected cases in combination with insulin it is a dangerous drug and should not be used indiscriminately.
4. A follow-up study of cases approximately one year after completion of treatment indicates that a significant proportion of the patients tend to retain their improved state.
5. The prognosis in insulin treatment depends largely on:
(a) Duration of the illness before treatment.
(b) Type of dementia præcox.
(c) Personality prior to the onset of the illness.
6. The adoption of the uniform application of treatment and a standardized method of recording will make possible more uniform success.
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