This is a classic early 20th century psychiatric text translated from the German. Schneider (1887-1967) describes the psychopathology (abnormal experiences & judgments) of patients particularly those with demential praecox (later schizophrenia) and manic depressive insanity (now bipolar disorder). This text is rightly famous for its clarity, detail, and the author's description of "first rank" symptoms of schizophrenia. By the term first rank, Schneider meant to convey no particular importance other than the value of these symptoms in discriminating schizophrenia from melancholia and mania. Bleuler, for example, thought certain symptoms were primary while others were secondary characteristics of schizophrenia.