Psychiatric Hospital Care: A Symposinm

One must comment on the universal statement that "Parnate" relieved pain. The drug is not an analgesic, and the explanation for this is not clear. Perhaps in their elevated moods they were able to bear pain more easily. Another interesting statement by a number of patients was that they appeared able to focus and read better-this was carefully checked and found not to occur in those who had optic atrophy. The explanation for this is not forthcoming. Again referring to the table, it will be noted that many patients on "Parnate" (26) gained a considerable amount of weight whilst taking the drug. With these! general comments I must now turn to the established deficits and the activities of daily living. In not one single case could I find evidence to indicate that the status of' the disease had been altered by the administration of "Parnate". There were many who claimed (and signed affidavits to the effect) that they were cu.red, but these were manifestly mistaken. Those who did show changes In their activities were obviously undergoing natural remissions of their disease, and as stated above, ten relapsed on treatment. Every patient examined had Irrefutable clinical evidence of widespread demyelination.