Anomalous reaction-times in a case of manic-depressive depression / by Shepherd Ivory Franz.

  • Franz, Shepherd Ivory, 1874-1933.
Date:
1904
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Anomalous reaction-times in a case of manic-depressive depression / by Shepherd Ivory Franz. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    which have been recorded by me. To begin with, it should be stated that I have observed in my subject actions similar to those of a general paralytic recorded by Smith, but the extra pressure of the reaction key before the reacting movement was not a constant phenomenon. However, great variability was noted in the experiments made at the Yale laboratory and also in those made by Smith. Assuming for the present Smith’s interpretation of the simple reaction increase, we need to account for the more normal character of the choice reaction. This may be explained, though rather weakly, perhaps, as an inability to concentrate on the four factors present in the choice experiments, two sounds and two movements. Thus, the scattering of the attention would prevent any increased muscular innervation in these tests, whereas on the other hand when only one sensory-motor set of things had to be considered, the concentration of the attention permitted, and, possibly, caused the intensification of the muscular contraction preceding the reaction movement. This explanation is not very satisfactory because it must consider these facts apart from others, which are of the same character, in this class of patients. A few of these facts are here given. It has been mentioned that these patients answer slowly {i. e., slow association reaction), but will say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ quickly (more rapid association reaction). These simple affirmative and negative answers are, how- ever, normally paths of very little resistance, although they are asso- ciative responses. To pin pricks there is often little or no response, but they are usually perceived and appreciated. It seems to me that in all these conditions we have to deal most probably with some sort of decrease in irritability of the body. Whether this lowered irritabil- ity be central or peripheral or general, I cannot at present say. The feelings of lassitude and of initiative inability are easily understood from this standpoint, and the so-called sensory complex, a condition in which the patient has a feeling of unreality, particularly of the body or its parts, is also intelligible. At present, more than this we cannot say. It is possible that fur- ther consideration of the other experiments made upon this subject and upon similarly retarded patients may bring to light new facts that will help toward a clearer understanding of the general subject of retarda- tion as well as of this particular condition.