[Imbecile children visit geriatric patients. A possibility for clinical sociotherapy]

130 observation minutes of organized visits of imbecile girls in school age to geriatric patients accommodated for a long time (17 chronic schizophreniacs and 8 cerebro-organic patients) were analysed. Singing, ball and party games for children and dancing two by two to recorded music proved as suitable means of communication. This kind of contacts led to a social activation especially by schizophreniacs who had a lack of drive and seemed to be regressive, also caused an increase of drive and self-reliance by formerly timid, reserved girls. The staff was even relieved by the presence of the children, because these activated the geriatric patients. The arrangement can be realized without great effort in big psychiatric hospitals.