The last quarter century has seen many forward strides in the management of patients with mental disease. During this period modes of therapy have been available that are far superior to the old-time method of whirling patients on wheels or ducking them into cold water. Sedation produced by various chemical compounds marked one step, and this was followed by the development of insulin shock, pentylenetetrazol (Metrazol), electroconvulsive therapy, nikethamide (Coramine) combined with electroshock, hydrotherapy, rehabilitation, and many others. None of these measures has proved completely satisfactory, for in each there are inherent disadvantages and, often, danger. "Hangovers" follow heavy sedation, and the physician is wary of possible brain damage following insulin therapy or of fractures concurrent with convulsive treatment. While the use of curariform compounds will decrease practically to nil the incidence of fractures, one then may have to deal with a new side-effect, namely, respiratory embarrassment. Therefore, psychiatrists have