PROGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

On the other hand, an extreme hyperidrosis which presents pathology in the opposite extreme is likewise generally accompanied by subnormal galvanic reactivity. This is probably accounted for by the fact of central or peripheral exhaustion, and by the fact that in this condition the sweat-gland activity has reached its extreme physiological limit. The majority of the pathological mental conditions are characterized by subnormal electrical reactions. Prideaux has stated that dements have the least galvanic response, conversion hysterics slightly greater, the anxiety hysterics somewhat more, and normal individuals the most. Odegaard has observed that there is the least reactivity in the organic and schizophrenic psychoses, while 'neurotic' subjects and the 'constitutionally subnormal' show more, and normals the largest effects. According to Westburgh, various mental conditions give galvanic responses in the order of increasing magnitude as follows: paretics, catatonics, non-catatonic dementia pracox patients, manic-depressives, and normal persons. The impression is gained that the reduction in general galvanic reactivity in various mental conditions is more closely related to the severity of the attack than to qualitative differentiation. The traditional classifications are probably of but limited value for this sort of study, and when used should be handled with caution. C. S. R.