hree psychiatrists issued a medical bulletin here indicating that Earl K. Long suffered a "nervous breakdown" rather than a mental illness.
Issuing the statement were Dr. Robert Heath, professor and chairman of the department of psychiatry and neurology at the Tulane university medical
school; Dr. Charles Watkins, professor and chairman of the department of psychiatry and neurology at Louisiana State university medical school, and Dr. Victor Leif, instructor in sychiatry and medicine at Tune.
I Here is the text of their bul-letin:
'The diagnosis made, on commitment papers is not meant to be a definitive nor a final diagnosis because commitment in Louisiana can be for the purpose of observation to determine whether mental illness does exist. /■Not Final Diagnosis
"In this instance, the use of the term paranoid schizophrenia with manic symptoms on. the commitment papers \vas never meant to imply a final diagnosis.
"This is simply a very common cause for admission to
"As it is generally known, Gov. Long always has tended to be unusually active. And when faced with stressful situations, he has responded by increasing his activities. Cause Overloading
"Increased stress or over-activity superimposed upon a damaged nervous system— which has not completely healed—can cause an overloading.
"This tendency in behavior, coupled with even a mild stroke, resulted in a marked rundown state. "Overcompensation, in turn, tends to make the governor accelerate his activities to an even higher degree.
"In lay terminology, eliminating the additional complications of a stroke, this is commonly recognized as a nervous breakdown from overwork. Stroke Aftereffects
"The governor's recovery
mental institutions and when from a heart attack Feb.
in doubt, may be presented
, iS indicative of his re-
as the most likely diagnosis. . Cuperative powers. However,
"With the further period of observation and accumulation of additional medical data, we feel we are able to present the more specific analysis of the governor's condition.
"Neurological examination indicated the governor has recently suffered a small stroke or
his heart is still suffering from the aftereffects of that stroke.
"Should it fail under strain, as it has to a degree, there may be a temporary increase in mental symptoms, due to impaired circulation in the brain.
"Thus there is an additional need for a rest and avoidance "We have been unable to ] of physical and emotional determine exactly when this stress which may overburden occurred, since the stroke or the heart, thereby aggravat-strokes were sufficiently j ing nervous symptoms, small so as to produce no "At present, the governor is
immediate obvious or dramatic effect. No Incapacity
"The stroke did not cause any severe muscular incapacity, but residual abnormalities are apparent upon careful neurological examination.
"In the presence of such physical illness, it is not uncommon to have emotional symptoms. Frequently such symptoms appear as an exaggeration of the individual's \
usual mode of behavior.
"The behaviorial and emotional symptoms previously noted may have been due to the after-effects of the small stroke or strokes.
nothing that would indicate that the governor cannot | make another recovery.
"We agree with the gover- I nor that he is better men- j tally than physically."
Dr. Health read the bulletin at a news conference.
When he read the last sentence, "we agree with the governor that he is better mentally than physically, Dr. Heath said "You can guess-who added the last sentence. You can add another signature."
Long during the week end at his Winnfield farm had- repeatedly told newsmen he was "never insane an instant," and that he was in better shape mentally than physically.
