No.7885
Unlike schizophrenic psychosis, familiar to the clinician, delirium at its height shows no thematic consistency, no trend and no obsessional preoccupation with a single related set of delusional ideas, systematically connected in a persecutory or grandiose system. Instead there is a marked loosening of associations approaching randomness, muttered phrases, outbursts of profanity, scattered references and allusions to other times and places, brief periods of intense examination of trivial objects, facial expressions of perplexity or wonderment, chuckling amusement or tender concern, repetitious fingering of bedclothes or pajamas, sudden requests for information or personal articles (which are promptly forgotten) and so forth ad infinitum. When addressed the response is often courteous and noncommittal, such as 'Fine, Sir' in answer to the inquiry "How do you feel?.