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Art interpretation and art therapy, (psychiatry and art, Vol. 2)
410
Book reviews
Art Interpretation and Art Therapy, (Psychiatry and Art, Vol. 2). Edited by IRENEJAKAB. S. Karger, New York, 1969. Pp. XIV-258. $15.10. THIS volume contains the text of a number of papers presented at the ‘Vth International
Colloquium of Psychopathology of Expression’ held in 1968 in Los Angeles, and the communications range from the artistic productions of neurologically handicapped children to a general consideration of the influence of art on psychiatry; and psychiatry on art. As a means of communication, painting and drawing offer the psychiatrist an avenue to the patient’s feelings which he is often denied using a more conventional means of communication. The problem of the individual interpretation of artistic productions in what is, after all, a very subjective world is a stumbling block which it is hard to overcome and the reader gets the impression too often that it is almost impossible to be objective in this field of study. There is a curious feeling of deja vue--that one has read all this material before and that art interpretation and art therapy have only a certain limited part to play in the treatment and the handling of mental illness. However, the artistic productions of patients will continue to fascinate us no doubt, and those who are interested in the field will want to possess this book for themselves. DENIS LEIGH
FREDERICK LEES: The Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases Affecting the Nervous System.
I and II. Staples Press, 1969. pp. 982 + 84 illustrations.
Vols.
f16.
‘treatment’ in the title forewarns us that we are to find something rather rare in comprehensive neurological text books-an approach which is refreshingly practical and down to earth. The author writes didactically and without reference to the literature; he has aimed at a non-specialist audience, but nonetheless the result is a most informative and detailed work. Volume I is largely devoted to a discussion of symptoms and signs, with a firm accent on differential diagnosis. The author has made a series of valuable syntheses, not often to be found elsewhere in considering a vast range of presenting pictures-‘giddiness and dizziness’, ‘painful or tender muscles’, ‘disturbance of consciousness’, etc. Mental phenomena and psychiatric diagnoses are not overlooked. Volume II surveys individual diseases, with treatment happily taking a proper share of space. The ambitious design has drawbacks. The table of contents covers thirty-five pages, and the index sets the reader on many long journeys through the pages. Systematic study is, therefore, more rewarding than consultation for specific information. Neurology is brought alive, but unfortunately at a price which will probably mean that many will covet, but few will possess these attractive and excellent books. W. A. LLSHMAN THE WORD
J. W. LANCE: The Mechanism and Management of Headache. Butterwick, 1969. pp. 167. L2.5.0. THE AUTHOR states, in his preface, that ‘this book is designed for relatively easy armchair
reading’. In this he succeeds admirably. Numerous references from non-medical literature, anecdotes and illustrative case reports have resulted in the production of a book which entertains as much as it instructs. This is particularly commendable as the subject is probably one of the most difficult topics in neurology, overlapping so frequently into psychiatry. This is not a textbook on headache, but a sufficient number of recent references are given for easy access to more extensive and detailed literature. Some of the views expressed by the author are perhaps rather personal but this is appropriate in a monograph. Most neurologists are no longer enthusiastic about methysergide in the treatment of migraine, but the author justifies his own view of headache is reviewed in addition to by quoting an extensive experience. The neuropharmacology the more clinical aspects. As this book is so readable it will no doubt be of interest to the many who suffer from headache in addition to those who attempt to treat it. D. B. CALNE
Book reviews
Art Interpretation and Art Therapy, (Psychiatry and Art, Vol. 2). Edited by IRENEJAKAB. S. Karger, New York, 1969. Pp. XIV-258. $15.10. THIS volume contains the text of a number of papers presented at the ‘Vth International
Colloquium of Psychopathology of Expression’ held in 1968 in Los Angeles, and the communications range from the artistic productions of neurologically handicapped children to a general consideration of the influence of art on psychiatry; and psychiatry on art. As a means of communication, painting and drawing offer the psychiatrist an avenue to the patient’s feelings which he is often denied using a more conventional means of communication. The problem of the individual interpretation of artistic productions in what is, after all, a very subjective world is a stumbling block which it is hard to overcome and the reader gets the impression too often that it is almost impossible to be objective in this field of study. There is a curious feeling of deja vue--that one has read all this material before and that art interpretation and art therapy have only a certain limited part to play in the treatment and the handling of mental illness. However, the artistic productions of patients will continue to fascinate us no doubt, and those who are interested in the field will want to possess this book for themselves. DENIS LEIGH
FREDERICK LEES: The Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases Affecting the Nervous System.
I and II. Staples Press, 1969. pp. 982 + 84 illustrations.
Vols.
f16.
‘treatment’ in the title forewarns us that we are to find something rather rare in comprehensive neurological text books-an approach which is refreshingly practical and down to earth. The author writes didactically and without reference to the literature; he has aimed at a non-specialist audience, but nonetheless the result is a most informative and detailed work. Volume I is largely devoted to a discussion of symptoms and signs, with a firm accent on differential diagnosis. The author has made a series of valuable syntheses, not often to be found elsewhere in considering a vast range of presenting pictures-‘giddiness and dizziness’, ‘painful or tender muscles’, ‘disturbance of consciousness’, etc. Mental phenomena and psychiatric diagnoses are not overlooked. Volume II surveys individual diseases, with treatment happily taking a proper share of space. The ambitious design has drawbacks. The table of contents covers thirty-five pages, and the index sets the reader on many long journeys through the pages. Systematic study is, therefore, more rewarding than consultation for specific information. Neurology is brought alive, but unfortunately at a price which will probably mean that many will covet, but few will possess these attractive and excellent books. W. A. LLSHMAN THE WORD
J. W. LANCE: The Mechanism and Management of Headache. Butterwick, 1969. pp. 167. L2.5.0. THE AUTHOR states, in his preface, that ‘this book is designed for relatively easy armchair
reading’. In this he succeeds admirably. Numerous references from non-medical literature, anecdotes and illustrative case reports have resulted in the production of a book which entertains as much as it instructs. This is particularly commendable as the subject is probably one of the most difficult topics in neurology, overlapping so frequently into psychiatry. This is not a textbook on headache, but a sufficient number of recent references are given for easy access to more extensive and detailed literature. Some of the views expressed by the author are perhaps rather personal but this is appropriate in a monograph. Most neurologists are no longer enthusiastic about methysergide in the treatment of migraine, but the author justifies his own view of headache is reviewed in addition to by quoting an extensive experience. The neuropharmacology the more clinical aspects. As this book is so readable it will no doubt be of interest to the many who suffer from headache in addition to those who attempt to treat it. D. B. CALNE