Hoch and Polatin discuss a group of 'borderline' patients, who show a clinical symptomatology considered psychoneurotic (they believe) by many psychiatrists. These patients do not deteriorate, have no delusions or hallucinations. They show in a more subtle form than in frank schizophrenia an autistic and dereistic approach to life and a widespread diffuse ambivalence. Many have short psychotic episodes or later become frankly schizophrenic. The suggestion is made that these patients be given a new classification, 'pseudoneurotic forms of schizophrenia'. One feels that the patients described do not fall into a uniform group and, since they are already commonly called borderline schizophrenics, early schizophrenics, schizoid personalities, etc., another classification would only further confuse the prevailing nosological nihilism.