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This study assessed the effect of enabling a subject to hear himself salivate while trying to increase or decrease his salivary rate. Two groups of ten subjects were instructed to try to increase their salivary rate when a light to the left was lighted and decrease when a light to the right was lighted. Acetic acid was administered periodically to the right lateral margin of the tongue, and saliva was collected by a parotid capsule and measured by a liquid displacement sialometer. Ten subjects in the feedback group (F) received a 0.2 set, 1000-cps tone for each drop collected during a trial. Subjects in the no feedback group (NF) received no indication of their salivary rate. Three out of 10 F subjects were able to produce a significantly different (p < .OS) number of drops between increase and decrease periods, and the group as a whole achieved a significant difference between in-crease and decrease periods. No NF subject, nor the NF group as a whole produced a significant difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the diurnal pattern of salivary flow in normal and 20 female severe depressed patients. Changes in flow were studied throughout the day and night during the course of the illness to check the relationship of salivation to mood change and response to treatment. In depressed patients, the results showed significantly diminished flow throughout the 24 hours compared to the control group, and a complete reversal of normal diurnal rhythm. There was a gradual recovery in flow and return to normal rhythm during treatment with electro-convulsive therapy. The diagnostic value and other implications of the test are discussed.

The article presents a study which examines the comparative effects of intravenous and subcutaneous atropine in suppressing salivation. Researchers have taken saliva samples from patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy. The saliva samples were then measured by absorption on three dental rools left in the mouth for 2 minutes and weighed before and after insertion on a Towers precision balance. Results reveal that there exist no significant difference between the two methods of injection and that intravenous atropine is the premedication of choice before electroconvulsive therapy.