Mental Nursing in Observation Wards

Author:

    1. Sclare, L.R.C.P.S.Edin.,

Medical Officer, Psychiatric Clinic, Glasgow. E. and S. Livingstone. 6/-.

” What can there be more fascinating to the intelligent man and woman to-day than the study of disorders of the mind? What can there be more thrilling than the power to grasp the inner meaning of a mental disorder, to know why the intricate mental machine has jumped the rails?what more exciting than to exercise knowledge and skill to raise it gently into position again and once more restore its functioning? ” These are the opening words of the preface to Dr Sclare’s book. He has succeeded in his endeavour to give the student nurse a brief and comprehensive insight into the nature of mental disorders. Part 1, Chapter 1 is devoted to the Signs of Mental Disorder. The typical illustrations in this and other chapters make interesting reading and will be invaluable to the nurse in helping her to distinguish between the normal and abnormal mind. The Causation of Insanity is described in Chapter 2 under the headings of inherited and acquired causes, while Chapter 3 contains the Classification of Mental Disorders.

Part 2 describes Functional Mental Disorders, and Organic Insanities, Toxic Mental Disorders and Mental Disorders Associated with Child Bearing and Dementia. There is a chapter on Mental Deficiency.

Normal Psychology, the Anatomy and Physiology of the Nervous System, the duties of Nurses in Mental Observation Wards and the Treatment of Patients are discussed in Part 3.

Although this book is written primarily for Nurses it will be useful to Social Workers and others who come in contact with early mental disorder. It will be a welcome addition to any Nurses’ Home Library. I. R. T.

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