In this article it is our desire to put together seven cases which presented as the most prominent symptom a more or less pronounced perplexity associated with distress, and we hope to demonstrate that these cases represent a definite reaction type.
The observations were made in part at the McLean Hospital, Waverley, Mass., by Dr. Hoch; but the greater part are cases which were studied at the Psychiatric Institute, the observations before 1910 having been made by Dr. Kirby, the later ones by Dr. Hoch or under his direction.
We shall first give a description of the cases. Since it is impossible for want of space to give them in full, we shall present abstracts, in the preparation of which great care has been taken so that a concise and yet complete picture of each case should be available.
CLINICAL MATERIAL
Case 1.—Caroline J., aged 45, single, was admitted to