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This is Your World
Vol. XXIII
BOOK REVIEWS
475
figures over the first half of the twentieth century in the United States as a whole. Here one sees that the mortality from tuberculosis decreased from 202 per 100,000 in 1900 to 23 in 1950. From nonpulmonary forms of the disease mortality dropped from 20 in 1900 to 2 in 1950. This is one of the finest accomplishments in history. After reading this volume one wonders if any questions concerning tuberculosis in New York City can be asked for which an answer is not available. This monograph is an outstanding contribution produced under the direction of Godias Drolet who, by reason of previous contributions, had already been designated as one of the world 's outstanding contributors in the campaign against tuberculosis. J. Arthur Myers. This is Your World. By Harry A. Wilmer, M.D., Ph.D. Charles C. Thomas, Publisher,
1952. Price $5.50.
"This is Your World" declares itself to be a book for the orientation of profes-
sional workers to the emotional problems of the chronically ill patient: tuberculosis and the individual. It is, indeed, that much and more in content and scope though written by one specialist for other specialists. No stereotyped presentation is found of old or common knowledge revamped for current distribution. The literary style is terse and clear without excess of minutiae so that an abundant amount of material is crystalized into a compact volume of 165 pages. Among the pictorial and artistic illustrations by the author himself, there are some magnificent conceptions and they are all ingenious and meaningful. The dialogues are sketchy, in a matter-of-fact way, but full of feeling and insight. It is to be noted that the 16 dialogues represent not only childhood conflict situations but also the child's neurosis as an index of family disturbance and as the prototype of the adult neurosis. Simple and strong are the portrayal of the doctor's heart and the frustrated bosom of the tuberculous individual. Notwithstanding group resemblances, different patients react differently to disease and procure from the experience varying stress and support in accordance with previous behavior patterns. As mentioned by Dr. Wilmer, group interview therapy does not aim to "treat" each patient but to relieve anxiety; and the leader of group therapy contributes, for the most part, moderation or restatement of the patients' verbalization. For that reason, one need not be a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct such group therapy. In that connection, the author has devised a series of appropriate records for introductory use in group sessions. The therapeutic techniques proposed and utilized are of paramount interest not only to certain patients and limited professional groups but also to special students and educators. The final chapter deals with Science and Psychiatry, pivotal in the author's work and convictions, and aims toward the achievement of better understanding between psychiatry and the other sciences, particularly the medical specialities. This chapter gives us the benefit of the editing acumen of Dr. Richard E. Scammon. Dr. Wilmer cogently refutes the shallow and impertinent thinking of some pro fessional colleagues in recent scientific publications. The author is also critical of the application of the results of animal experimentation to psychiatry. On this point, the reviewer dissents. It is true that lower animals do not have the complicated minds and socio-cultural environment to become neurotic or psychotic in the ways known to mankind yet it is well worthwhile to test in them the proposed causes or theories that allegedly produce psychogenic disorders in human beings. Basic principles of drive, motivation, learning and perception are not species specific, and certain differences should be expected when human and subhuman creatures are compared. Dr. Wilmer accurately points out that there is no specificity of personality profile or emotional conflicts leading to tuberculosis. He fails to recognize, however, that the more we conquer epidemic tuberculosis and materially reduce its
476
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIANS
Aprll,1953
prevalence and incidence, the more will personality, as a factor in clinical tuberculosis, be significant. It may seem paradoxical to state on one hand that there is no specificity of personality which leads to tuberculosis and then to state that personality is a significant component of clinical tuberculosis, bu t in point of fact, such is a tantallzlng and honest statement. "This is Your World" is recommended as an admirable contribution and beacon to illumine contemporary thinking and practice in the medical and psychological sciences, with particular reference to tuberculosis and the individual. There is no doubt that, after reading the book , many of the professional workers in the field will want to obtain the recordings. Many others, too, will profit therefrom. To those engaged in group psychotherapy, especially among tuberculous patients, the book and recordings will prove invaluable. P. J . Sparer. MEDICAL SOCIETY EXECUTIVES CONFERENCE
Mr. Murray Kornfeld, Executive Director of the American College of Chest Physicians, has been appointed Chairman of the Program Committee for National Associations and has arranged the following program to be presented before the Medical Society Executives Conference at the Belmont Plaza Hotel, New York City, June 1, 1953: "Modern Office Procedures for Maintenance of Membership Records," Charles E. Nyberg, Executive Assistant, American Academy of General Practice, Kansas City, Missouri. Discussor: T. H. Sutherland, M.D., Secretary-Treasurer, Aero Medical Association, Marion, Ohio . "Medical Society Group Insurance Plans for Health and Accident and for Malpractice," E. R. Loveland, Executive Secretary, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Discussor: William C. Stronach, Executive Secretary, American College of Radiology, Chicago, Illinois. "Organizing an Annual Meeting," Austin M. Davies, Executive Assistant, American Psychiatric Association, New York City. Discussor: Edward C. Holmblad, M.D., Managing Director, Industrial Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois. "What Is Your O.Q. (Organization Quotient)?" Tom A. Hendricks, Secretary, Council on Medical Service, American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois. Discussor : Leo Brown, Director, Public Relations, American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois.
..
.i'.
BOOK REVIEWS
475
figures over the first half of the twentieth century in the United States as a whole. Here one sees that the mortality from tuberculosis decreased from 202 per 100,000 in 1900 to 23 in 1950. From nonpulmonary forms of the disease mortality dropped from 20 in 1900 to 2 in 1950. This is one of the finest accomplishments in history. After reading this volume one wonders if any questions concerning tuberculosis in New York City can be asked for which an answer is not available. This monograph is an outstanding contribution produced under the direction of Godias Drolet who, by reason of previous contributions, had already been designated as one of the world 's outstanding contributors in the campaign against tuberculosis. J. Arthur Myers. This is Your World. By Harry A. Wilmer, M.D., Ph.D. Charles C. Thomas, Publisher,
1952. Price $5.50.
"This is Your World" declares itself to be a book for the orientation of profes-
sional workers to the emotional problems of the chronically ill patient: tuberculosis and the individual. It is, indeed, that much and more in content and scope though written by one specialist for other specialists. No stereotyped presentation is found of old or common knowledge revamped for current distribution. The literary style is terse and clear without excess of minutiae so that an abundant amount of material is crystalized into a compact volume of 165 pages. Among the pictorial and artistic illustrations by the author himself, there are some magnificent conceptions and they are all ingenious and meaningful. The dialogues are sketchy, in a matter-of-fact way, but full of feeling and insight. It is to be noted that the 16 dialogues represent not only childhood conflict situations but also the child's neurosis as an index of family disturbance and as the prototype of the adult neurosis. Simple and strong are the portrayal of the doctor's heart and the frustrated bosom of the tuberculous individual. Notwithstanding group resemblances, different patients react differently to disease and procure from the experience varying stress and support in accordance with previous behavior patterns. As mentioned by Dr. Wilmer, group interview therapy does not aim to "treat" each patient but to relieve anxiety; and the leader of group therapy contributes, for the most part, moderation or restatement of the patients' verbalization. For that reason, one need not be a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct such group therapy. In that connection, the author has devised a series of appropriate records for introductory use in group sessions. The therapeutic techniques proposed and utilized are of paramount interest not only to certain patients and limited professional groups but also to special students and educators. The final chapter deals with Science and Psychiatry, pivotal in the author's work and convictions, and aims toward the achievement of better understanding between psychiatry and the other sciences, particularly the medical specialities. This chapter gives us the benefit of the editing acumen of Dr. Richard E. Scammon. Dr. Wilmer cogently refutes the shallow and impertinent thinking of some pro fessional colleagues in recent scientific publications. The author is also critical of the application of the results of animal experimentation to psychiatry. On this point, the reviewer dissents. It is true that lower animals do not have the complicated minds and socio-cultural environment to become neurotic or psychotic in the ways known to mankind yet it is well worthwhile to test in them the proposed causes or theories that allegedly produce psychogenic disorders in human beings. Basic principles of drive, motivation, learning and perception are not species specific, and certain differences should be expected when human and subhuman creatures are compared. Dr. Wilmer accurately points out that there is no specificity of personality profile or emotional conflicts leading to tuberculosis. He fails to recognize, however, that the more we conquer epidemic tuberculosis and materially reduce its
476
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIANS
Aprll,1953
prevalence and incidence, the more will personality, as a factor in clinical tuberculosis, be significant. It may seem paradoxical to state on one hand that there is no specificity of personality which leads to tuberculosis and then to state that personality is a significant component of clinical tuberculosis, bu t in point of fact, such is a tantallzlng and honest statement. "This is Your World" is recommended as an admirable contribution and beacon to illumine contemporary thinking and practice in the medical and psychological sciences, with particular reference to tuberculosis and the individual. There is no doubt that, after reading the book , many of the professional workers in the field will want to obtain the recordings. Many others, too, will profit therefrom. To those engaged in group psychotherapy, especially among tuberculous patients, the book and recordings will prove invaluable. P. J . Sparer. MEDICAL SOCIETY EXECUTIVES CONFERENCE
Mr. Murray Kornfeld, Executive Director of the American College of Chest Physicians, has been appointed Chairman of the Program Committee for National Associations and has arranged the following program to be presented before the Medical Society Executives Conference at the Belmont Plaza Hotel, New York City, June 1, 1953: "Modern Office Procedures for Maintenance of Membership Records," Charles E. Nyberg, Executive Assistant, American Academy of General Practice, Kansas City, Missouri. Discussor: T. H. Sutherland, M.D., Secretary-Treasurer, Aero Medical Association, Marion, Ohio . "Medical Society Group Insurance Plans for Health and Accident and for Malpractice," E. R. Loveland, Executive Secretary, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Discussor: William C. Stronach, Executive Secretary, American College of Radiology, Chicago, Illinois. "Organizing an Annual Meeting," Austin M. Davies, Executive Assistant, American Psychiatric Association, New York City. Discussor: Edward C. Holmblad, M.D., Managing Director, Industrial Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois. "What Is Your O.Q. (Organization Quotient)?" Tom A. Hendricks, Secretary, Council on Medical Service, American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois. Discussor : Leo Brown, Director, Public Relations, American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois.
..
.i'.