British Medical Bulletin
- Type:
Reviews
Vol. 6, No. 1-2, 1949, Mental Health. The British Council, Medical Department, 3 Hanover Street, London, W.l. 10s.
This issue of the British Medical Bulletin, as the introduction points, out, was intended for publication in connection with the International Congress on Mental Health, held in London in August, 1948. It is a comprehensive symposium on the latest discoveries in the field of mental health from contributors who are eminent in their own particular branch of this field. Dr J. R. Rees, a member of the Council of the N.A.M.H. contributes the first article on the International Congress. The other contributors are : Sir Frederick Bartlett, Sir Cyril Burt, Sir Norwood East, Dr Eysenck, Dr Michael Fordham, Dr Edward Glover, Dr Denis Hill, Dr Emanuel Miller, Mr. Cyril Penton, Dr Felix Post, Dr Derek Richter, Dr W. Clifford Scott and Dr P. E. Vernon. This list indicates the authoritative nature of the contributions. It is a rare thing to have both the right wing and the left wing viewpoints in mental health presented in one volume. ‘’ Ideas originally derived from the psychotherapy of the individual, have recently been applied to the psychology of groups, with implications for the management of human relations in their most general form.” This sentence from Dr Eliot Slater’s introduction indicates a viewpoint which would appeal to readers of this Journal. The application of mental health principles to the behaviour disorders of children are described well by Dr Emanuel Miller. All other age groups are also covered and an interesting article is contributed by Dr Felix Post on the mental aspects of senescence.
The different schools of psychoanalysis are explained by Dr Edward Glover and Dr Clifford Scott. The article on juvenile delinquency is very informative and indicates how much more has to be studied under this heading.
Mr. Cyril F. Penton contributes an article on the law relating to temporary treatment in mental hospitals. He states that the ” existing provisions for temporary treatment contained in Section 5 of the 1930 Act, have been found so complicated and difficult of operation, that they have had a deterrent effect upon those who contemplated availing themselves of them.” He goes on to suggest certain changes in the 1930 Act.
It is understood that another volume covering the Mental Health Services is shortly to be published, and this we await with interest. A.T.
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