Psychological Disorders in Flying Personnel of the Royal Air Force
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H.M. stationery Umce. rnce
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This publication consists of a series of reports written mostly by Air Vice-Marshal Sir C. S. Symonds and Wing-Commander D. J. Williams, separately or together, with a few by Squadron-Leader D. D. Reid, together with critical evaluations by Professor A. Bradford Hill and Wing-Commander Williams on the reliability of psychiatric opinion. The wealth of material presented is enormous; the painstaking collection of evidence, and the judgment with which conclusions are drawn will ensure that it remains as a most valuable source of reference for aviation medicine for many years. Moreover, the dating of the various reports in itself provides an interesting review of the development of psychiatric interest and judgment in the course of the war (e.g. fear) which can be compared with the critical review of previous literature provided.
The corresponding disadvantage that there is some repetition and some tediousness in reading is perhaps inevitable. Nevertheless, there is an excellent index. While some of the sections are of rather limited interest, others, in particular the description of the early signs of breakdown and the report on the value of personality traits in assessing the likelihood of psychiatric disorders, contain valuable lessons for all.
While the objectivity of the findings is to be admired, it is in some ways disappointing that the writers have not given us an epilogue containing their own present opinion, however speculative, on the various topics referred to here and there. The effect of praise, of decorations, of cancellations of sorties, and the relations to other services, are all problems which will have to be met in any future service. R.F.T.
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