- Email: [email protected]
Hypnosis in Anesthesiology
298
PSYCHOSOMATICS
widening circles as each of these alters his reactions to others. Physicians should be prepared to relieve mental anguish as well as the physical symptoms which may accompany it and should strive to help those who come to them become happier and more effective people." This book lists ninety-six references which may be used for supplementary reading, and the volume is well indexed. This discussion can be most heartily recommended for any physician or surgeon who wishes a better understanding of psychosomatic interrelationships. It is clearly written, without technical verbiage. James L. McCartney, M.D.
Garden City, N. Y.
HYPNOSIS IN ANESTHESIOLOGY. By Milton J. Marmer, M.D. Springfield, III.: Ch.rlel C. Thom.l, 1959. 150 ,.gel. $6.95. Any book with "hypnosis" in the title is apt to attract the attention of only a restricted, albeit an increasing number of physicians. When the title is further qUalified by the words, "in anesthesiology," the field of interest may be even more limited. This is extremely unfortunate, since Dr. Marmer, the Chief of Anesthesiology at cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Los Angeles, California, has written an intensely practical manual which can be read with profit by any practising physician, whether he overtly practices hypnotherapy or not. Dr. Marmer's empathy and understanding is evident throughout, and his techniques for handling anxiety are pragmatically sound. He stresses the point that the use of deep hypnosis for surgery is not always practical; the induction of hypnoidal or light trance states as a preparation for anesthesia is extremely valuable, easy, consumes little time, and should be utilized as often as possible. "Ideal anesthesia combines hypnosis with reduced doses of chemical agents." This approach, helpful during surgery, enhances the comfort and confidence of the patient. Dr. Marmer describes in full his techniques for inducing hypnosis and gives case reports demonstrating its applications in varied situations. Any doctor who does minor or major surgery, anesthesia, or obstetrics, will find this book an
SEPTEMBER-OCToBER
extremely valuable addition to his library, whether or not he purports to use hypnosis. Frederick W. Goodrich, Jr., M.D.
New London, Conn.
MEDICAL TREATMENT OF MENTAL DISEASE. D. J. McC.rthy, M.D., .nd K. M. Corrin, M.D. Phil.delphi.: J. B. Lippincott Co., 1955, 653 p.gel. The theme of this book is the concept of a toxic or organic basis for a vast majority of mental diseases-that the mental patient is a medical problem rather than purely a psychological one. The authors review the evidence for the physical basis of psychiatry. The causes of mental disorders are considered to be multiple, inclusive of congenital, chemical, pathologic, physiologic and psychologic factors. Significant to this reviewer is the statement that "the psychiatrist should be an expert internist." Despite the predominantly organic orientation given to the various mental diseases discussed. there is nevertheless displayed a keen insight and knOWledge of psychodynamics. Psychotherapy is not neglected, but is seen as an adjuvant to good comprehensive medical treatment. Psychoanalysis is visualized as "probably destined for many changes . . . its greatest contribution to medicine will be the .large number of expert psychotherapists it will produce who will avoid the dogma and isolation of orthodox psychoanalysis to become fully trained clinical psychiatrists." The chapters on psychophysiological disorders are especially valuable, since their presentation inclUdes a discussion of both the physiological as well as the psychological factors involved. Multiple factors in the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of the various disorders are constantlyemphasized. This book is valuable to both the non-psychiatrist as well as the psychiatrist. To the former it will make psychiatry more intelligible and acceptable. To the latter, it will provide a better insight of the psychiatrist's broader role as a scientific physician. W.D.
PSYCHOSOMATICS
widening circles as each of these alters his reactions to others. Physicians should be prepared to relieve mental anguish as well as the physical symptoms which may accompany it and should strive to help those who come to them become happier and more effective people." This book lists ninety-six references which may be used for supplementary reading, and the volume is well indexed. This discussion can be most heartily recommended for any physician or surgeon who wishes a better understanding of psychosomatic interrelationships. It is clearly written, without technical verbiage. James L. McCartney, M.D.
Garden City, N. Y.
HYPNOSIS IN ANESTHESIOLOGY. By Milton J. Marmer, M.D. Springfield, III.: Ch.rlel C. Thom.l, 1959. 150 ,.gel. $6.95. Any book with "hypnosis" in the title is apt to attract the attention of only a restricted, albeit an increasing number of physicians. When the title is further qUalified by the words, "in anesthesiology," the field of interest may be even more limited. This is extremely unfortunate, since Dr. Marmer, the Chief of Anesthesiology at cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Los Angeles, California, has written an intensely practical manual which can be read with profit by any practising physician, whether he overtly practices hypnotherapy or not. Dr. Marmer's empathy and understanding is evident throughout, and his techniques for handling anxiety are pragmatically sound. He stresses the point that the use of deep hypnosis for surgery is not always practical; the induction of hypnoidal or light trance states as a preparation for anesthesia is extremely valuable, easy, consumes little time, and should be utilized as often as possible. "Ideal anesthesia combines hypnosis with reduced doses of chemical agents." This approach, helpful during surgery, enhances the comfort and confidence of the patient. Dr. Marmer describes in full his techniques for inducing hypnosis and gives case reports demonstrating its applications in varied situations. Any doctor who does minor or major surgery, anesthesia, or obstetrics, will find this book an
SEPTEMBER-OCToBER
extremely valuable addition to his library, whether or not he purports to use hypnosis. Frederick W. Goodrich, Jr., M.D.
New London, Conn.
MEDICAL TREATMENT OF MENTAL DISEASE. D. J. McC.rthy, M.D., .nd K. M. Corrin, M.D. Phil.delphi.: J. B. Lippincott Co., 1955, 653 p.gel. The theme of this book is the concept of a toxic or organic basis for a vast majority of mental diseases-that the mental patient is a medical problem rather than purely a psychological one. The authors review the evidence for the physical basis of psychiatry. The causes of mental disorders are considered to be multiple, inclusive of congenital, chemical, pathologic, physiologic and psychologic factors. Significant to this reviewer is the statement that "the psychiatrist should be an expert internist." Despite the predominantly organic orientation given to the various mental diseases discussed. there is nevertheless displayed a keen insight and knOWledge of psychodynamics. Psychotherapy is not neglected, but is seen as an adjuvant to good comprehensive medical treatment. Psychoanalysis is visualized as "probably destined for many changes . . . its greatest contribution to medicine will be the .large number of expert psychotherapists it will produce who will avoid the dogma and isolation of orthodox psychoanalysis to become fully trained clinical psychiatrists." The chapters on psychophysiological disorders are especially valuable, since their presentation inclUdes a discussion of both the physiological as well as the psychological factors involved. Multiple factors in the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of the various disorders are constantlyemphasized. This book is valuable to both the non-psychiatrist as well as the psychiatrist. To the former it will make psychiatry more intelligible and acceptable. To the latter, it will provide a better insight of the psychiatrist's broader role as a scientific physician. W.D.