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Foundations of experimental psychology
435
REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS
Walthard in his section on asepsis and antisepsis in obstetrics, discusses the relative merits of rectal and vaginal examinations in labor, and gives· the statement that maternal morbidity is six and one-half times as great following vaginal examination as when the course of labor has been followed by rectal examination. He also brings out other means and measures to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Doderlein 's contribution consists of an excellent and rather unusual chapter on the medicolegal aspects of obstetrics. Ottow in considering the therapeutics of labor strongly advises caution in the use of extracts of pituitary gland during labor; he discusses the dangers and limitations of this and similar drugs and the accidents resulting from their use. He has culled from the literature, also, adverse reports on two rather recently offered drugs, one a substitute for pituitary solutions and the other a substitute for ergot. A comparison of these reports with the advertising literature of the manufacturers is interesting. The teaching recommended is for the most part conservative, a modified Stroganoff technic for convulsive toxemia, cervical cesarean practically always where section is indicated, no fulsome praise for the Kielland forceps. The illustrations are the usual excellent German work, many are cuttings from motion picture films of actual deliveries, which permits a very exactly timed illustration for a corresponding point in the text. It is of interest to note that there are more illustrations adapted from De Lee's textbook than there are references to .~..>\.merican literature in the voluminous chapter bibliographies. -PhiUV F. Wfllimns.
In the Foundatimts of Experimwntal P8'1JChology,5 edited by Carl Murchison, we welcome a really living book dealing for the most part with actual pieces of research in an attempt to ''clean the debris from the intellectual decks of psychology.'' It is at the same time comprehensive and compact and the form leaves nothing to be desired. The outstanding note that is struck is one of modesty and the fullest realization of present-day limitations imposed by insufficient data and the complexity of the factors involved. This book should serve not only as a record of the present status of each of the specialties of experimental psychology, not only as a guide to the prospective investigator, but as a complete textbook including in its 900 pages a thoroughly adequate perspective of the whole subject. In addition it is a source of pleasure and stimulation to the student, young and old, in any field of scientific investigation, in that it delimits so cleanly the various logical possibilities and impossibilities of proof. The men cooperating in this well-rounded symposium form an illustrious roster of workers, each of whom, in turn, has to his credit a large zone of research influence. There are few if any fields of science in which the country can be more justly proud of its representation. The reviewer would like to call special attention to the clarity of T. H. Morgan's epitome of the present status of the role of Genetics concerning the glands of internal secretion. Morgan's entire article is a model of succinctness. W. J. Crozier's mathematical approach to the study of living organisms will prove of value to the advanced student. In his chapter on The Mechanisms of Reactions, Alexander Forbes has very well formularized an enormous amount of material. Among the chapters devoted to special sense organs, the one on the Nature of the Photoreceptor Process by Selig Hecht, is particularly stimulating. W. B. Cannon's chapter On Hunger and •Foundations of Experimental Psychology. University Press. Worcester, 1929.
Edited
by Cari
Murchison.
Ciark
436
AMERJCAN ,10FRNAL OF OBSTETHICS AND GYNECOLOGY
Thirst is briefer than it might have been; this was undoubtedly due to the fact that it was completed at extremely short notice. The section on the Neuro-humoral Basis of Emotional Heaetions ineludes a number of points of interest to clinical neurologists as well as some checks upon the more enthusiastic behaviorists. K. S. Lashley in his t1iscussion of the Nervous Mechanisms in Learning, emphasizes particularly the great necessity of accumulating far mon• data to supply the present lack. W. S. Hunter's description of the Experimentnl Studies of Learning again serves to indicate the difficulty nf the subject ratlwr than elarify the atmosphere. One would expect in snell a bibliography as is quotecl H somewhat greater emphasis on the evaluation of emotional factors in learning. One can only marvel that Arnold Gesell's snmmary On Infancy compacts his fascinating contribution in so narrow a space. This aJHl the subsequent chapters by R. Pintner and ·F. N. Freeman make cxcrllent, a uthoritativc reading (Hl the subject of mental tests. Ma.rk A. May had a most difficult task in his attempt to comJJlete the subject o11 the Adult in the Community in 50 pages. In this chapter as well ns in those by C. 'Wissler on Conflict With the Survival of Cultures and by ~. I. .!<'ran~ on the Abnormal Individual, there has been a shifting from genuine expcrimenbtl psychology to a plea for the utilization of experimental psychologic methocls. Here the reviewer regards their evaluations of the Freudian contribution really quite inadequate, and their bibliography uneven, if it be intended as a guide for the Rtudent. Franz's discussion of psychiatric problems, hyst0ria for justance, would be misleading for the novitiate and quite unsatisfying to the experienced observ~r. -}
--Julius E. Lackner. -Sydney S. Sclwchet. Voltz presents in his book, Die Strahlenbehan(Uung Jcr W c-iblicher(l, Gcnitall{a1·zi.nonte, Met'ho'<.lr:m u,nd Erge1mi.s.«e,7 a very complete and detailed analysis of 3,500 cases of carcinoma of the female genital tract treated solely with rays during tl1e past seventeen years :tt the Miinchen Universitiits-Frauenklinik. In his introductory note, Prof. A. Doderleiu favors the r!ly therapy of genital carcinoma and thinks it should replace the operative treatment. Voltz also includes in his book the methods and experiences of other large clinics, such as the Radium Hemmett in Stockholm and the Radium Institute of Paris. There is a report of several members of the Radiologic Commission, formed in 1928 to study the ray treatment of malignancy, especially of the female genital
tract. He gives a very detailed description of tho tcclmie and dosage used at the Miinehen Frauenklinik. The series are eight weeks apart. Usually two series suffice. esa Mate:rnidade,
Conselhos e
suggestoes para fnturas ntais.
Dr.
..Arnaldo
de
Moracs. Rio de Janeiro. Graphica Sauer, de Fred. H. Sauer. 1!130. 7 Die Stl'llhlenbehandlung der Weiblichen Genital-Karo:inome. Methoden und Ergebnisse. Prof. Dr. Friedrich Voltz, Leiter der Strahlena:btellung der Universlt!l.tsFrauenklln!k, MUnchen. 1930. Berlin, Urban and Schevarzenberg.
REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS
Walthard in his section on asepsis and antisepsis in obstetrics, discusses the relative merits of rectal and vaginal examinations in labor, and gives· the statement that maternal morbidity is six and one-half times as great following vaginal examination as when the course of labor has been followed by rectal examination. He also brings out other means and measures to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Doderlein 's contribution consists of an excellent and rather unusual chapter on the medicolegal aspects of obstetrics. Ottow in considering the therapeutics of labor strongly advises caution in the use of extracts of pituitary gland during labor; he discusses the dangers and limitations of this and similar drugs and the accidents resulting from their use. He has culled from the literature, also, adverse reports on two rather recently offered drugs, one a substitute for pituitary solutions and the other a substitute for ergot. A comparison of these reports with the advertising literature of the manufacturers is interesting. The teaching recommended is for the most part conservative, a modified Stroganoff technic for convulsive toxemia, cervical cesarean practically always where section is indicated, no fulsome praise for the Kielland forceps. The illustrations are the usual excellent German work, many are cuttings from motion picture films of actual deliveries, which permits a very exactly timed illustration for a corresponding point in the text. It is of interest to note that there are more illustrations adapted from De Lee's textbook than there are references to .~..>\.merican literature in the voluminous chapter bibliographies. -PhiUV F. Wfllimns.
In the Foundatimts of Experimwntal P8'1JChology,5 edited by Carl Murchison, we welcome a really living book dealing for the most part with actual pieces of research in an attempt to ''clean the debris from the intellectual decks of psychology.'' It is at the same time comprehensive and compact and the form leaves nothing to be desired. The outstanding note that is struck is one of modesty and the fullest realization of present-day limitations imposed by insufficient data and the complexity of the factors involved. This book should serve not only as a record of the present status of each of the specialties of experimental psychology, not only as a guide to the prospective investigator, but as a complete textbook including in its 900 pages a thoroughly adequate perspective of the whole subject. In addition it is a source of pleasure and stimulation to the student, young and old, in any field of scientific investigation, in that it delimits so cleanly the various logical possibilities and impossibilities of proof. The men cooperating in this well-rounded symposium form an illustrious roster of workers, each of whom, in turn, has to his credit a large zone of research influence. There are few if any fields of science in which the country can be more justly proud of its representation. The reviewer would like to call special attention to the clarity of T. H. Morgan's epitome of the present status of the role of Genetics concerning the glands of internal secretion. Morgan's entire article is a model of succinctness. W. J. Crozier's mathematical approach to the study of living organisms will prove of value to the advanced student. In his chapter on The Mechanisms of Reactions, Alexander Forbes has very well formularized an enormous amount of material. Among the chapters devoted to special sense organs, the one on the Nature of the Photoreceptor Process by Selig Hecht, is particularly stimulating. W. B. Cannon's chapter On Hunger and •Foundations of Experimental Psychology. University Press. Worcester, 1929.
Edited
by Cari
Murchison.
Ciark
436
AMERJCAN ,10FRNAL OF OBSTETHICS AND GYNECOLOGY
Thirst is briefer than it might have been; this was undoubtedly due to the fact that it was completed at extremely short notice. The section on the Neuro-humoral Basis of Emotional Heaetions ineludes a number of points of interest to clinical neurologists as well as some checks upon the more enthusiastic behaviorists. K. S. Lashley in his t1iscussion of the Nervous Mechanisms in Learning, emphasizes particularly the great necessity of accumulating far mon• data to supply the present lack. W. S. Hunter's description of the Experimentnl Studies of Learning again serves to indicate the difficulty nf the subject ratlwr than elarify the atmosphere. One would expect in snell a bibliography as is quotecl H somewhat greater emphasis on the evaluation of emotional factors in learning. One can only marvel that Arnold Gesell's snmmary On Infancy compacts his fascinating contribution in so narrow a space. This aJHl the subsequent chapters by R. Pintner and ·F. N. Freeman make cxcrllent, a uthoritativc reading (Hl the subject of mental tests. Ma.rk A. May had a most difficult task in his attempt to comJJlete the subject o11 the Adult in the Community in 50 pages. In this chapter as well ns in those by C. 'Wissler on Conflict With the Survival of Cultures and by ~. I. .!<'ran~ on the Abnormal Individual, there has been a shifting from genuine expcrimenbtl psychology to a plea for the utilization of experimental psychologic methocls. Here the reviewer regards their evaluations of the Freudian contribution really quite inadequate, and their bibliography uneven, if it be intended as a guide for the Rtudent. Franz's discussion of psychiatric problems, hyst0ria for justance, would be misleading for the novitiate and quite unsatisfying to the experienced observ~r. -}
--Julius E. Lackner. -Sydney S. Sclwchet. Voltz presents in his book, Die Strahlenbehan(Uung Jcr W c-iblicher(l, Gcnitall{a1·zi.nonte, Met'ho'<.lr:m u,nd Erge1mi.s.«e,7 a very complete and detailed analysis of 3,500 cases of carcinoma of the female genital tract treated solely with rays during tl1e past seventeen years :tt the Miinchen Universitiits-Frauenklinik. In his introductory note, Prof. A. Doderleiu favors the r!ly therapy of genital carcinoma and thinks it should replace the operative treatment. Voltz also includes in his book the methods and experiences of other large clinics, such as the Radium Hemmett in Stockholm and the Radium Institute of Paris. There is a report of several members of the Radiologic Commission, formed in 1928 to study the ray treatment of malignancy, especially of the female genital
tract. He gives a very detailed description of tho tcclmie and dosage used at the Miinehen Frauenklinik. The series are eight weeks apart. Usually two series suffice. esa Mate:rnidade,
Conselhos e
suggestoes para fnturas ntais.
Dr.
..Arnaldo
de
Moracs. Rio de Janeiro. Graphica Sauer, de Fred. H. Sauer. 1!130. 7 Die Stl'llhlenbehandlung der Weiblichen Genital-Karo:inome. Methoden und Ergebnisse. Prof. Dr. Friedrich Voltz, Leiter der Strahlena:btellung der Universlt!l.tsFrauenklln!k, MUnchen. 1930. Berlin, Urban and Schevarzenberg.