A case of so-called Capgras' syndrome occurring in an elderly woman showing several degenerative conditions is presented as a basis for questioning the value of preserving this diagnostic term. It is pointed out that the concept of the changeling has ancient provenance in man's thought down the ages, and that its occurrence in psychosis does not justify its ascription as a syndrome. ‘Changeling’ or ‘imposture’ are terms which describe this kind of delusion usually occurring in underlying schizophrenic, affective and organic syndromes.
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