Manual of Psychiatry and Mental Hygiene
- Author:
Aaron T. Rosanoff. Seventh edition,
1938. Pp. 1,024. 37/6 net. London, Chapman and Hall.
This, the seventh and latest edition of Rosanoff’s Manual of Psychiatry, is a worthy successor of this well-known and much-read textbook. In view of the author’s aims, maintained throughout successive editions, this is no light praise. In his own words the purpose of the book is the representation of material met with in the psychiatric clinic and the methods best fitted for dealing with it. These considerations in turn explain the many changes in the text. The noteworthy progress in psychiatry and allied fields since the appearance of the previous edition, some eleven years or so ago, has necessitated a considerable enlargement and much rearrangement of material. In connection with this new matter special mention may be made of the work on the relation of the various encephalides, of the avitaminoses and other nutritional disorders to the etiology and pathogenesis of many common neuro-psychiatric conditions. The improved methods of treating Syphilis, the recent findings in brain physiology, Pavlov’s laboratory investigations and findings, are other subjects which are detailed. The study of the inter-relation of social and economic factors and their connection with the development of the individual and vice versa, further illustrates the wide range of subjects which the manual covers.
Dr Rosanoff explicitly recognises that no individual working in this field can write a textbook upon the basis of his own experience alone. He has not hesitated, therefore, to incorporate important researches and views of other workers in their own words where this has conduced to clarity and vividness. In the field of psychotherapy, for example, though he himself stresses the importance of suggestion as a therapeutic factor, lie recognises the value of Freud’s work, and quotes from him at length. Otherwise, however, except for some words referring to Adler, he makes little reference to other workers in this field. It is to be hoped that a future edition will repair this omission. On the whole the author shows careful judgment: he has selected from his own researches and opinions on the grounds of relevancy. In addition the inclusion of abundant case material enables the reader to judge for himself as to the value of the theories presented and the views set forth. Individual thought and initiative everywhere receives encouragement. Altogether a helpful and useful book.
Hilda Weber.
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