A step-by-step analysis of Beck's and Hamilton's rating scales showed that both scales failed to differentiate adequately between moderate and severe depression measured by a global clinical assessment. Each item of the scales was tested for calibration, ascending monotonicity, and dispersion parallel to the clinical assessment. Twelve items of Beck's scale and six items of Hamilton's scale were found valid with respect to these criteria. Those items should be taken into account in future research for baseline ratings and for change ratings of depressive states quantitatively.

We have investigated Biegel's manic-state rating scale and found the interrater *liability high when the scale was administered both by nurses and psychiatrists. In our study of validation, we tested each item of the scale for calibration, ascending momtonicity and dispersion parallel to a global clinical assessment of the manic state. Six of the scale items were then found valid and those items differed from the valid items in studies of Biegel by including increased social contact. Like Biegel, we found a positive correlation between items concerned with depressed mood, indicating a fluctuation in the mood of manic patients during 8 hours of observation. Key-words:Manic state -Biegel's rating scale.The evaluation of the validity of rating scales involves many complex problems. t , Beck's salf-rating scale, and H d t m ' s objective rating scale. Acta psychkit. scan& 51, Biegel, A., & D . L. Murphy (1971): Assmshg clinical characteristics of d c state. Biegel, A., D. L. Murphy & W . Bunney (1971): Tha maniestate rating scale. Arch. gen. Petterson, U., B. Fyro & G . Sedvall (1973): A new scale fop the longitudinal tating of Siegel, S. (1956): Nm-parametric statistics. 16 1-170. Amm. J. Psychiat. 128, 688-694. Psychiat. 25, 256-262. manic states. Acta psychiat. scan& 49, 248-256.Per Bech, M.D.

We have investigated Biegel's manic-state rating scale and found the interrater reliability high when the scale was administered both by nurses and psychiatrists. In our study of validation, we tested each item of the scale for calibration, ascending monotonicity and dispersion parallel to a global clinical assessment of the manic state. Six of the scale items were then found valid and those items differed from the valid items in studies of Biegel by including increased social contact. Like Biegel, we found a positive correlation between items concerned with depressed mood, indicating a fluctuation in the mood of manic patients during 8 hours of observation.

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