Reasoning (Psychiatry) and Resorbin

REASONING (Resonating), a tendency toward empty discourse. The most frequent and simple form of reasoning consists of proving and repeating hackneyed truths and self-evident propositions. Often, for the reasoner, the goal of the argument is pushed into the background by the desire to argue and prove at any cost. One form of reasoning is the tendency to prove clearly incorrect, predominantly abstract propositions by using superficial analogies and various sophistic tricks. As a result, while maintaining the outward appearance of correctness and consistency, reasoning arguments harbor the crudest errors in proof. The following violations of the laws of logic are considered the most frequent among reasoners: 1) petitio principii, i.e., the false acceptance as the basis of proof of that which is still doubtful; 2) a logical circle (circulus in demonstrando), when, for example, the first proposition is proven through the second, the second through the third, and the third through the first, which still requires proof; 3) the use of the same term in different places of the argument with different meanings while ignoring this difference (homonymia). Of course, many other deviations from the rules of logic are also encountered among reasoners. It must be thought that the nature of such deviations lies in the peculiarity of the reasoner's affective-emotional life. Old French psychiatrists considered reasoning the most important symptom of a special 'reasoning madness' (folie raisonnante), which they classified in the group of degenerative psychoses. Most cases previously categorized under this form are now attributed to schizophrenia, predominantly to its hebephrenic and paranoid forms. Reasoning is also characteristic of paranoid personalities, and the development of delusional thoughts in some forms of paranoid development is based on typical reasoning arguments. Elementary forms of reasoning are observed both in psychopaths of the schizoid or epileptoid type, and sometimes in people who are within the limits of the norm. RESORBIN (Resorbin), an ointment base, the original formula of which is kept secret by the AGFA firm; as a substitute for Resorbin, a mixture (emulsion) is proposed, consisting of an aqueous solution of gelatin (2.1 parts : 52.4 parts) with a melt of yellow wax (7 parts), lanolin (21 parts), and olive oil (17.5 parts). This ointment is prepared by emulsifying the solution (hydrosol) of gelatin in a melt of olive oil with lanolin and wax. Some 'substitute' Resorbin preparations contain soap. Emulsification is intended to make the ointment easily absorbed by the skin and to facilitate the introduction into it of medicaments soluble in both water and fats. Particularly high hopes were placed on gray mercury ointment prepared with Resorbin (Unguentum Hydrargyri cinereum cum Resorbino paratum). Being an emulsion, Resorbin also possesses a cooling and refreshing effect, similar to cold cream, but its application on hairy parts of the body is somewhat difficult due to its rather significant viscosity and stickiness. Resorbin represents an ointment base with limited stability: finely emulsified oil in the presence of water quickly turns rancid, and the presence of an aqueous solution of gelatin in the preparation makes this ointment base a nutrient medium for a number of microbes. All these considerations make it necessary to require freshly prepared Resorbin for ointments. Resorbin is used as a base for ointments, especially those containing substances intended for absorption by the skin. At the present time, it is preferred to use magistral formulas instead of Resorbin, containing emulsions with lanolin, water, and petrolatum as an easily absorbed base, for example, eucerin.