Catatonia : psychomotor akinesis and parakinetic hyperkinesia.

[Germany] : [Frankfurt University], [1925]

1 film reel (18 min.) : silent, black and white ; 16 mm

00:18:00

Title taken from Catalogue of films and videos in the British Medical Association Library, 1993.

Original cinefilm version has slightly shorter duration than digitised version.

Produced by Prof. Kleist, and Dr. Herz and Frankfurt University.

Segment 1. The basic attitude of immobility is introduced, and a male patient is shown sitting in a chair in a very fixed position. Intertitles explain his condition, and a doctor is shown pushing the patient's head backwards and forwards, showing its rigidity. The passivity of the patient's arms is demonstrated, as well as catalepsy of the arms and legs. A doctor raises the patient's limbs and they remain in a fixed position. The first case study is introduced. The patient's symptoms are described by the intertitles and he is seen standing upright, very still. Choreiform, reiterant movements of the fingers, are shown, as well as his facial tics. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:06:33:07 Length: 00:06:33:07

Segment 2. Case 1 continues. The patient has resistance in his eyelids, lower jaw and extensor muscles of his neck, and this is demonstrated by a doctor. The second case study is introduced, and intertitles describe his condition. The patient is seen standing up and sitting down. The parakinetic movements of his right arm and feet are shown, and a doctor provokes resistance by pushing the patient's head. Time start: 00:06:33:07 Time end: 00:12:38:09 Length: 00:06:05:02

Segment 3. Case 2 continues. The intertitles describe the patient has having psychomotoric dyskinesis, with dyskinesis accompanying ocular movements. The movements are more marked on his right side than the left. The third case study is introduced. This patient displays spontaneous behaviour whilst bathing. The patient is seen nude in a bathtub, rolling around. He too has parkinetic movements of arms and hands, as well as reiterant movements of rubbing and shaking. Time start: 00:12:38:09 Time end: 00:19:24:23 Length: 00:06:46:14

British Medical Association.