Spielman and his colleagues (1948) were initially responsible for demonstrating the anti-convulsant action of the acetylurea derivatives. However, it was not until several years later that comprehensive studies were carried out by Professor Frommel in Geneva (1953).

In earlier studies from this department (Robinson, 1955; McAdam and Robinson, 1956) it was shown that in senile and arteriosclerotic deterioration a correlation existed between the degree of deterioration assessed clinically and the amount of abnormal low frequency activity observed in the EEG. The relationship had for the first time been quantitatively demonstrated, but we had no precise knowledge of the EEG or clinical profiles presented by a group of “normal” old people. In our hospital patients, the amount of deterioration extended over a very wide range, from mild forgetfulness to severe dementia.

The Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome shows much variation in its clinical picture from case to case and the limits of this syndrome are indefinite. This clinical entity was first identified by J. Z. Laurence and R. C. Moon in 1866 and was more completely described by A. Biedl in 1922. In 1935, Cockayne, Krestin and Sorsby stated that some 30 isolated cases and 15 affected families were reported during the ten years from 1925 to 1935, and in 1939 Sorsby, Avery and Cockayne made a later review. In October, 1955, J. Todd described a case of Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome with paranoid psychosis in the American Journal of Mental Deficiency, and in 1950 R. A. Burn reviewed 82 cases giving the total number of reported cases as 260. Up to 1957 about 320 cases have been described in the world literature but even this number is likely to rise with the increased interest shown in this syndrome.

The earliest case of cutis verticis gyrata reported in the literature appears to have been that of Robert (1) in 1843. The following instances were observed by Auvert (2) in 1854 and subsequent cases were noted by Poggi (3) in 1884 and Lombroso (4) in 1890. In 1893, McDowall (5) and Cowan (6) recorded the first occurrence of this abnormal scalp development in association with a microcephalic mental defective, and since that case report several other authors such as Möller (7) in 1903 and Judassohn (8) in 1906, described similar instances. In 1907, Unna (9) presented three cases and coined the name cutis verticis gyrata. It is also known under additional terms such as “corrugated skin”, “bulldog scalp” and “pachydermie occipitale vorticillée”.

7044 is a new phenothiazine derivative which can be regarded, pharmacologically, as resembling chlorpromazine much more closely than it does promethazine. It is said to have the characteristic central properties of chlorptomazine more highly developed, and in addition anti-adrenaline properties with anti-histamine properties comparable to those of promethazine. On a theoretical basis it might have the clinical indications of chlorpromazine.

In spite of the enthusiasm with which schizophrenic patients have been treated by physical methods over the past twenty years, there is surprisingly little evidence enabling us to compare the results of one physical treatment with another, or the physical treatments themselves with the treatments they replaced. Some writers (Polonio and Slater, 1954; Rees, 1949) point out a significant improvement over the spontaneous recovery rate with the use of insulin, while others (Jensen, 1952) find no such improvement. Bourne (1953) and Notkin et al. (1939) go so far as to claim that any improvements of insulin-treated patients are due to the extra care and attention they receive, and the work of Ackner and his colleagues (1957) may support this conclusion. Linford Rees (1949) comparing electrical treatment with insulin concluded that electro-shock therapy was far less effective than deep insulin therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia—a conclusion in line with that of Finiefs (1948). On the other hand Impastato and Almansi found very little difference between E.C.T. and insulin treatment in this respect.

It is not only the directly observable therapeutic effects of treatment which will determine the value of that treatment—in many cases the accompanying side effects are equally, if not more important, depending upon their nature and severity.

MC4703 is a new phenothiazine derivative which contains a trifluoromethyl group and which was made available in the form of 10 mg. and 50 mg. tablets by E. R. Squibb & Sons for clinical evaluation as an ataractic or “tranquillizing” agent. The interesting results obtained with the drug justify the presentation of this brief, preliminary report, but a more detailed account of the investigation will be supplied in due course.

Phenothiazine derivatives have been widely employed in the management of schizophrenia over the past few years. Possibly the most commonly used has been chlorpromazine under its trade name “Largactil”.

Benda (1947) has reported values falling within the normal range for the serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase in mongolism. More recently however Sobel et al. (1956) have stated that, while the inorganic phosphate and phosphatase are normal, the serum calcium is low in mongolism. The data on which this report was based do not appear to have been published to date. Further information on this point therefore seemed desirable.

Among factors held to be causally related to suicide are: (i) social isolation (1); (ii) social degeneration (2); (iii) parental deprivation (3, 4, 5). If these factors are aetiologically related to suicide, they should present prominently in that minority of depressive patients who attempt suicide. On the other hand, these factors should be found less frequently in non-suicidal depressive patients. The hypothesis that a factor is causally related will not be supported if it is found to occur as frequently among non-suicidal depressive patients as among those showing both depression and suicidal behaviour.