th a vivid form of life, namely, a love affair. Occasionally
she spoke of her imaginary lover "Harry." Another atypical feature was a
fair memory for the period when she was in stupor. She claimed to
remember much of her movements and this claim was substantiated by her
answers to questions after recovery.
CASE 10.--_Margaret C._ Age: 23. Single. Admitted to the
Psychiatric Institute November 13, 1913.
_F. H._ Heredity was absolutely denied. The mother is
living and made a natural impression. The father died at
65, nine months before patient's admission, of cardio-renal
disease. Two brothers and one sister died of acute
diseases. One sister died in childbirth. Three brothers and
one sister were said to be well.
_P. H._ The patient was bright and passed successfully
through high school. For seven years prior to the psychosis
she worked for the same company as clerk. She was described
as efficient, conscientious, systematic, though sometimes
upset by her work; as lively, talkative, cheerful, with
somewhat of a temper and easily hurt, also as quite
religious. She was more attached to her mother than to her
father, but still more to her older sister, whose death
precipitated her psychosis. She never had any love affair
and was said not to have cared for men. Two months before
admission, when her favorite sister was confined, the
patient was quite worried about her, but relieved when she
heard good news. A few hours later, however, the sister
died suddenly. When the patient learned of the sister's
death, she screamed, and screamed several times at the
funeral. She did not cry, said she could not. After this
she slept poorly, seemed nervous, went to church more, but
there was no other change. She continued to work and,
according to the employer, worked well.
Nine days before admission she would not get out of bed in
the morning, said little and refused food. A few days later
she was induced to take a walk, but she seemed to have no
interest in anything. When she talked at all it was about
her sister and of wanting to go to a convent. When asked
to do anything she said she would if it were God's will.
She did not menstruate after her sister's death. When
practically recovered, the patient attributed her break
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