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Christchurch — Attendants : J. F. Cullen, W. C, Grigor, R. F. McKersey, G. W. Robinson, W. G. Smith, R. D. Underwood. Nurses : S. E. Cheals, *M. W. Ellwood, B. M. James, D. L. Simmonds, M., P. Walker. Templeton Farm— Nurse : L. E. Frame. -Seacliff — Nurses : G. M. Hill, *R. M. McGregor, K. H. McLeod, T. Burke. Appreciation It gives me pleasure to express my appreciation of the loyal service rendered to the Department by my medical colleagues, by Mr. Sinclair, Chief Clerk, and the members of Head Office staff during the year. Theo. G, Gray, Director-General.

AUCKLAND MENTAL HOSPITAL Dr. Buchanan reports I have the honour to present my annual report for the year ended 31st December, 1945. During the war years and up to this last year much clinical and constructive work has been carried out, in spite of the serious shortage of staff and the increasing demands on the Medical Officers' time for extra mural work. Included in this latter are the Auckland Hospital Clinic, more and more requests for examinations of prisoners awaiting sentence, examinations of prisoners serving sentences, Military Pension Boards, and the review of old military pensioners. Physical Treatments Electric Convulsive Therapy. —This method has almost entirely supplemented the use of cardiazol, only 34 patients being treated with this drug. The electric •convulsive therapy is quicker, safer, and not so frightening. During the year considerable use was made of it, and in all, 130 patients were so treated. The results in many cases have been dramatically successful, and, this being known, many demands have been made by relatives to have electric convulsive therapy applied to unsuitable and deteriorated patients. This, at first, was acceded to in some instances, And naturally such groups bring down the percentage of cures. For this reason I have been unable to arrive at accurate statistics. The most striking results, as found elsewhere, are obtained in depressive cases including one or two G.P.I.s where depression has been a factor retarding recovery .after malarial therapy. Malarial Therapy.—This has been applied in all cases of G.P.I. When malaria was temporarily unobtainable for one case, penicillin was substituted. No improvement in the mental state resulted until later on we were able to institute malarial therapy. Pentothal Narcosis.—An increasing number of cases have been examined under this drug, which has been found most useful jn eliciting suppressed material and so giving a lead in the treatment in psychoneurotics, hysterics, and schizophrenia. The results often shorten the time taken in investigation. Occupational Therapy.—This work has been steadily expanding since its inauguration, and now there are nine classes in operation, each suited to the requirements of the type of cases to be treated.

* Passed with distinction.

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