Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J L Reed.
The psychiatric status of 70 homeless women from two direct-access hostels in inner-London was assessed. Detailed sociodemographic, psychiatric and physical illness data were also collected, and where possible, verified from psychiatric and general hospital sources. Forty-five women met DSM-III-R criteria for schizophrenia, but few were in contact with the psychiatric services or in receipt of any treatment.
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This paper presents a review of the literature on the effects of maternal narcotic addictions upon the foetus and newborn infant. Six children born to 'registered' narcotic addicts were studied, and particular attention was paid to any signs of narcotic withdrawal that might occur after birth. Although all the mothers took heroin or methadone regularly up to the time of delivery, minor physical signs which might have been considered part of the withdrawal syndrome occurred in only one baby. The absence of major withdrawal signs found in this study contrasts with previous findings. The reasons for these differences are discussed, and the implications of these observations for the management of the pregnant narcotic addict and her newborn infant are considered.
The circadian rhythm of corticosteroid secretion was investigated in six heroin dependent subjects by measuring plasma corticosteroids at 09.00 hours and 24.00 hours. All results were within the normal range and it seems unlikely that chronic heroin dependence affects the hypothalamic control of corticosteroid secretion.
A study of 120 inpatients diagnosed as suffering from hysteria is presented and the validity of the diagnosis questioned. Clinical study showed that 13% showed only hysterical symptoms, 33% showed hysterical symptoms occuring with affective symptoms, 28% showed affective symptomatology only, and the remainder were either of other or uncertain diagnostic grouping. It is concluded that the 13% are suffering from a condition that can only be diagnosed as hysteria.