A consistent procedure was used in interviewing patients, and the information elicited was recorded in a standard format. Each patient was interviewed within 48 hours of admission. Prior to the completion of the interview schedule, a full descriptive history of each patient was taken, hospital notes scrutinized, and, if appropriate, any further sources of information sought. Documentation referring to earlier hospitalization was compiled from diverse sources, even as far back as 1929 in one case. Following the collection of clinical items, patients were asked to complete the self-rating scales in random order. Each item was completed for severity for the period covering the previous month, and over 70 clinical state items were recorded. No attempt at diagnostic categorization was made, the aim being to rate each item independently and diminish any "halo" effect. The in­terview and collection of clinical information lasted an average of 2 hours, ranging from 1 to 3 1/2 hours. At an interval of 1 year after the index episode information, an outcome was systematically collected, but is not reported here.

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