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Historical aspects of the neurosciences, A festschrift for Macdonald Critchley
Book Reviews
Historical Aspects of the Neurosciences, A Festschrift for Macdonald Critchley. E d i t e d by F. C l i f f o r d R o s e and W . F . B y n u m . 557 pp., ill., $58.00. N e w Y o r k : R a v e n Press, 1982.
Historical Aspects of the Neurosciences represents work by 50 individuals in connection with the initial meeting of the History of Neurosciences Group of the World Federation of Neurology. This meeting was held in London and honored the 80th year of Dr. Macdonald Critchley, Emeritus President of the World Federation of Neurology and one of the founders of the History of Neurosciences Group. Macdonald Critchley's career spans more than 50 years of advances in neurology. In addition to his 15 books, he has published 60 papers on aphasia, 16 on neuroophthalmology, 15 on developmental dyslexia, 12 on migraine, 10 on geriatric neurology, seven on epilepsy, six on sleep, six on body image, five on boxing, five on neurologic effects of electric shock and lightning, and four on epidemic encephalitis, as well as 66 papers on miscellaneous neurologic subjects. Critchley's festschrift properly emphasizes what might be termed a neo-Oslerian proposition: a knowledge of medical history may directly contribute to the acquisition of clinical competence. The five essays on neurophysiologic subjects (1. Neurology: the Electrical Root, by Schiller; 2. The Problem of Neuromuscular Action: Two 17th Century Dutchmen, by Brazier; 3. The Evolution of the Concepts of Peripheral Paralysis and Sensory Ataxia in the 19th Century, by Spillane; 4. The Development of the Concept of Supraspinal Control, by Steiner; and 5. History of Binocular Movements, by Bender and Shanzer) support this thesis. The seven essays on higher functions (1. The Seat of the Soul, by Bruyn; 2. The Relationship Between Soul and the Brain, by Peacock; 3. The Great Confrontation: The Meeting Between Broca and Jackson in 1868, by Joynt; 4. Sigmund Freud's Contribution to the Early History of Aphasiology, by Bay; 5. Some British Contributors to Cortical Localization, by Gibson; 6. American Pioneers on the Topic of Word Blindness, by Waites; and 7. The History of the Syndrome of Capgras, by Todd) emphasize the same theme. Four essays on paroxysmal disorders (1. The Medical Treatment of Epilepsy, by Melville; 2. The Neurology of Robert Bentley Todd, by Lyons; 3. History of Narcolepsy, by Parkes; and 4. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Migraine, by Wilkinson) add to the concept. The three articles on vascular disorders, two on spinal disorders, two on muscle diseases, three on neurosurgical aspects, four on other neurosciences, ten essays on the development of neurology in various countries, and four on miscellaneous topics, are all good reading. Neurosurgeons will particularly enjoy the Development of Concepts Concerning Cerebral Circulation, Historical Concepts of Spinal Cord Pathways Subserving Pain, Sir Victor Horsley: Father of Modern Neurological Surgery, The First Attempts at Removal of Brain Tumors, The Decline of Osteology and the Rise of Surgical Neurology in the Management of Head Injuries, The History of Neuroradiology, The Role of Neuropathology in the Neurosciences, Thudicum: The Founder of Neurochemistry, Some Notes on the History of
95
Neuroendocrinology, and Thomas Willis and the Foundations of British Neurology, among the other essays. Such a volume necessarily is selective and is not expected to provide a comprehensive history of the neurosciences. However, each of the authors provide scholarly and interesting essays on historical aspects of neuroscientific subjects of particular interest to them. Readers of Surgical Neurology (medical students, residents, neurologists, and neurosurgeons) will find Historical Aspects of the Neurosciences enriching and pleasurable reading. J O H N R. GREEN, M.D. Barrow Neurological Institute Phoenix, Arizona
Vascular Malformations and Fistulas of the Brain. S e m i n a r s In N e u r o l o g i c a l S u r g e r y Series. R o b e r t R. S m i t h , A r m i n F. H a e r e r , W i l l i a m F. Russell, e d i t o r s . 268 pp., $32.00. N e w Y o r k : R a v e n Press, 1982.
This book, devoted to the vascular anomalies (including fistulas) of the intracranial circulation, is divided into 15 chapters and a subject index, and represents another volume in the ongoing series entitled Seminars in Neurological Surgery. Nine of these chapters have been written by faculty members at the University of Mississippi Medical Center based on clinical material drawn from the same institution. Although the actual number of cases of arteriovenous malformations utilized in these reports from this institution are relatively small, the sections given over to their clinical presentation and management, neuroradiologic and neuropathologic manifestations are appropriate and contemporary. Perhaps the most significant chapters are those provided by guest consultants who have emphasized the collaborative efforts of neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists in utilizing emboli techniques in treating arteriovenous malformations and new balloon catheter (including detachable systems) methodology to obliterate vascular fistulas. Chapter 5, written by Dwight Parkinson and only two and a half pages in length, is a classic: here, in a few well chosen words, a highly experienced surgeon sets forth his surgical principles in operating on these difficult lesions. This book obviously was not conceived as the magnum opus in this challenging field; rather, it has attempted a brief update survey of the many facets that characterize intracranial vascular malformations. As a consequence, it can certainly be recommended to the neurosurgical and neurologic communities. ROBERT J. WHITE, M.D., Ph.D. Cleveland, Ohio
Historical Aspects of the Neurosciences, A Festschrift for Macdonald Critchley. E d i t e d by F. C l i f f o r d R o s e and W . F . B y n u m . 557 pp., ill., $58.00. N e w Y o r k : R a v e n Press, 1982.
Historical Aspects of the Neurosciences represents work by 50 individuals in connection with the initial meeting of the History of Neurosciences Group of the World Federation of Neurology. This meeting was held in London and honored the 80th year of Dr. Macdonald Critchley, Emeritus President of the World Federation of Neurology and one of the founders of the History of Neurosciences Group. Macdonald Critchley's career spans more than 50 years of advances in neurology. In addition to his 15 books, he has published 60 papers on aphasia, 16 on neuroophthalmology, 15 on developmental dyslexia, 12 on migraine, 10 on geriatric neurology, seven on epilepsy, six on sleep, six on body image, five on boxing, five on neurologic effects of electric shock and lightning, and four on epidemic encephalitis, as well as 66 papers on miscellaneous neurologic subjects. Critchley's festschrift properly emphasizes what might be termed a neo-Oslerian proposition: a knowledge of medical history may directly contribute to the acquisition of clinical competence. The five essays on neurophysiologic subjects (1. Neurology: the Electrical Root, by Schiller; 2. The Problem of Neuromuscular Action: Two 17th Century Dutchmen, by Brazier; 3. The Evolution of the Concepts of Peripheral Paralysis and Sensory Ataxia in the 19th Century, by Spillane; 4. The Development of the Concept of Supraspinal Control, by Steiner; and 5. History of Binocular Movements, by Bender and Shanzer) support this thesis. The seven essays on higher functions (1. The Seat of the Soul, by Bruyn; 2. The Relationship Between Soul and the Brain, by Peacock; 3. The Great Confrontation: The Meeting Between Broca and Jackson in 1868, by Joynt; 4. Sigmund Freud's Contribution to the Early History of Aphasiology, by Bay; 5. Some British Contributors to Cortical Localization, by Gibson; 6. American Pioneers on the Topic of Word Blindness, by Waites; and 7. The History of the Syndrome of Capgras, by Todd) emphasize the same theme. Four essays on paroxysmal disorders (1. The Medical Treatment of Epilepsy, by Melville; 2. The Neurology of Robert Bentley Todd, by Lyons; 3. History of Narcolepsy, by Parkes; and 4. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Migraine, by Wilkinson) add to the concept. The three articles on vascular disorders, two on spinal disorders, two on muscle diseases, three on neurosurgical aspects, four on other neurosciences, ten essays on the development of neurology in various countries, and four on miscellaneous topics, are all good reading. Neurosurgeons will particularly enjoy the Development of Concepts Concerning Cerebral Circulation, Historical Concepts of Spinal Cord Pathways Subserving Pain, Sir Victor Horsley: Father of Modern Neurological Surgery, The First Attempts at Removal of Brain Tumors, The Decline of Osteology and the Rise of Surgical Neurology in the Management of Head Injuries, The History of Neuroradiology, The Role of Neuropathology in the Neurosciences, Thudicum: The Founder of Neurochemistry, Some Notes on the History of
95
Neuroendocrinology, and Thomas Willis and the Foundations of British Neurology, among the other essays. Such a volume necessarily is selective and is not expected to provide a comprehensive history of the neurosciences. However, each of the authors provide scholarly and interesting essays on historical aspects of neuroscientific subjects of particular interest to them. Readers of Surgical Neurology (medical students, residents, neurologists, and neurosurgeons) will find Historical Aspects of the Neurosciences enriching and pleasurable reading. J O H N R. GREEN, M.D. Barrow Neurological Institute Phoenix, Arizona
Vascular Malformations and Fistulas of the Brain. S e m i n a r s In N e u r o l o g i c a l S u r g e r y Series. R o b e r t R. S m i t h , A r m i n F. H a e r e r , W i l l i a m F. Russell, e d i t o r s . 268 pp., $32.00. N e w Y o r k : R a v e n Press, 1982.
This book, devoted to the vascular anomalies (including fistulas) of the intracranial circulation, is divided into 15 chapters and a subject index, and represents another volume in the ongoing series entitled Seminars in Neurological Surgery. Nine of these chapters have been written by faculty members at the University of Mississippi Medical Center based on clinical material drawn from the same institution. Although the actual number of cases of arteriovenous malformations utilized in these reports from this institution are relatively small, the sections given over to their clinical presentation and management, neuroradiologic and neuropathologic manifestations are appropriate and contemporary. Perhaps the most significant chapters are those provided by guest consultants who have emphasized the collaborative efforts of neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists in utilizing emboli techniques in treating arteriovenous malformations and new balloon catheter (including detachable systems) methodology to obliterate vascular fistulas. Chapter 5, written by Dwight Parkinson and only two and a half pages in length, is a classic: here, in a few well chosen words, a highly experienced surgeon sets forth his surgical principles in operating on these difficult lesions. This book obviously was not conceived as the magnum opus in this challenging field; rather, it has attempted a brief update survey of the many facets that characterize intracranial vascular malformations. As a consequence, it can certainly be recommended to the neurosurgical and neurologic communities. ROBERT J. WHITE, M.D., Ph.D. Cleveland, Ohio