The doctor diagnosed her case as involutional insanity, and thought that immediate arrangements were desirable for her entrance into an insane hospital as a voluntary patient. Mrs. B. did not remember her street number, and undoubtedly she would have been a "lost" patient if the social worker had not taken her home. Arrangements were made and carried out for a transfer to the insane hospital that same afternoon, and a children's agency agreed to assume supervision of the children during Mrs. B.'s absence. The help of a friendly landlady was also enlisted.
Within three months Mrs. B. was discharged from the insane hospital in excellent condition, with the understanding that she should report regularly at the clinic. Her improvement continues. She is at present earning good wages as a housekeeper and looks forward in the future to a little store and the re-establishment of a home for her children.
Another illustration of this type is Mr. D., a German forty-eight years old, who has been in the United States twenty years.
Mr. D. became known at the dispensary through his wife, who had been a patient. The man went on periodic "sprees" at this time, apparently because his work as an order clerk had occasioned considerable nervous strain. Temporary financial assistance and a new job outside of Boston, seemed to put the man on his feet again; and, with a happier home life, his wife's health improved.
In a short time, however, distinct symptoms of mental disorder began to manifest themselves. Mr. D. talked much to himself, and was haunted by doubt in everything that he did. If he put on his hat he was forced to step in front of the mirror several times to be sure that the hat was really on his head. After completing a piece of work, he returned many times to make sure that it was really done. Occasionally he remained at home in bed, because his fellow workmen, noting his peculiar actions, had laughed at him. Upon this basis a fear of meeting people grew up, and he shunned every one. Once or twice he approached his wife threateningly. The superintendent feared to keep him at the factory any longer, and discharged him. After a careful medical examination, the prognosis for the patient was not very favorable. A possible outcome was an active and incurable form of insanity. It seemed necessary, in order to have a reasonable hope of cure, that a radical change of life be made.