THORAZINE AND SERPASIL TREATMENT OF PRIVATE NEUROPSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS

This paper reports the findings in the treatment of 300 nonhospitalized private psychiatric patients, 150 of whom were treated with Thorazine and 150 with Serpasil. Their illnesses were diagnosed acute and chronic psychoneuroses, schizophrenic reactions, manic-depressive reactions, senile psychoses, and character disorders. The technique of therapy, the therapeutic results, and the side- effects of these drugs are described. The psychophysiologic action of Thorazine and Serpasil as indicated by changes in the Funkenstein test pattern of patients treated with these drugs is discussed.

Thorazine and Serpasil are valuable additions to the therapeutic armamenterium of the private practicing psychiatrist. Properly utilized, these drugs can: (1) increase the number of patients who may be treated in the office; (2) shorten the period of hospitalization, or make hospitalization unnecessary, thereby reducing the admissions to our overcrowded state psychiatric hospitals; (3) replace or reduce the need for electroconvulsive therapy; and (4) reduce the cost of psychiatric care.