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On The History of Medicine
PSYCHOSOMATICS ( Pribram ) , problems of cerebral interaction ( Gellhom) are described fully. Part 5 ( Behavioral Correlates) includes: The reticular activating system and perceptual integration (Donald B. Lindsley); the differential effects of selfstimulation (James Olds), food intake and hypothalamic stimulation (Orville A. Smith, Jr.) effects of hippocampal after-discharges (Paul D. MacLean), motivational-emotional factors and intracranial selfstimulation (Joseph V. Brady). Part 6 (Experiential Correlates) includes: psychologic effect of excitation in the limbic system, stimulation of the brain stem and basal ganglia in man, responses from the amygdala and activation of cortical functions. In the summary, Dr. Herbert H. Jasper stresses the importance of interaction between systems rather than the concept of functional localization, favoring a dynamic conception of brain mechanisms. Dr. Jasper points up the need for new concepts rather than new techniques, since many of the accepted dogmas have outlived their usefulness and are being replaced by dynamic concepts which describe each function in relation to interacting neuromal net works at all levels of the central nervous system. Dr. Karl H. Pribram, in his summary, notes that neural mechanisms are involved in the learning process ( engram formation) and in the formation of the conditional response. He reviews the work of Olds, Brady and Miller, dealing with localized reward systems, as well as the effects of limbic system lesions on the execution of the activities of feeding, fleeing, fighting and sex. In Dr. Neal Miller's summary, the evidence presented is reviewed for its implications for the theories of reinforcement. This book brings together evidence from many disciplines. It should serve as a reference book and guide for graduate students in the neurological sciences, seeking techniques, correlations and interrelationships. W.O.
IMMUNOASSAY OF HORMONES. Volume XIV, Ciba Foundation Colloquia on Endocrinology. Editors: G. E. W. Wolstenholme and M. P. Cameron. 419 pages. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1962. $10.75. This book presents the latest results of a new and fascinating technique for hormone assay. Approximately 25 years ago the field of antihormones received some prominence but fell into obscurity when there appeared to be little clinical application, nor could they demonstrate by the known immunologic procedures at the time any evidence of precipitin activity. However, in the past several years with the use of systems based upon modern serological methods, every one of the pituitary hormones can be identified and assayed in the blood. The techniques have involved immunization of animals with pituitary hormone extracts, then determination by immunologic procedures of the amount of hormone in the blood of a patient through serial dilutions. This technique has been used most widely for growth hormone and the gonadotropins. Luteinizing
190
hormone activity apparently reacts not only with the pituitary LH but also with the urine of pregnancy. The immunologic technique has also been used as a diagnostic test for pregnancy and will probably make its appearance on the market in the near future. The book is exceedingly well done and covers the field very widely. It offers a rapid method for determining pituitary activity in patients in whom an endocrinopathy might be suspected as well as a psychosomatic disturbance. The book is a "must" for the laboratory worker and clinical endocrinologist. HERBERT S. KUPPERMAN, M.D.
EXPLANATION OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR. By F. V. Smith. New York: Dover Publications, 1960. This author attempts to explore the causal factors to behavior and their ways of functioning in the explanation of human behavior. Striving for explanations, the author presents afresh and sympatheti. cally the Psychology of William McDougall, Gordon Allport's contemporaneity of motives, Kurt Lewin's topological and "field force" theories, a number of adherents of the Gestalt School, the Behaviorism of J. B. Watson, Clark L. Hull and E. C. Tolman. The author makes reference to Hebb's approach through neurological concepts and some features of the Freudian approach. This is one of those rare books published in the field of Systems of Psychology. The author is a faithful, objective and accurate reporter. The advanced student might feel that the presentations are somewhat over-abbreviated. Nevertheless, the book is scholarly and its author demonstrates a phenomenal knowledge of pertinent and relevant material in the field of science and philosophy in his attempts to find explanations of human behavior. BENJAMIN KOTKov, PH.D.
ON THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE. By Henry E. Sigerist, M.D. 313 pages. New York: MD Pub'lications, 1962. $6.75. Doctor Sigerist dedicated his life to the study of medical history. The 27 essays selected by him for inclusion in this book provide a clear view of his ideas, concepts and theories. The selected essays deal with great men and important events that have shaped the present and will affect the future of medicine and civilization. "The Physician's Profession Through the Ages," and "The Social History of Medicine" reflect the physician's role in an ever-changing society from the time of primitive medicine right up to the present. Hippocrates, Ambrose Pare, and Paracelsus all come to life under Sigerist's close scrutiny of their lives and contributions. The introduction of the water-closet by Sir John Harington, an innovation in private and public sanitation, is a lively and witty presentation. As stated in the introduction by Dr. Felix MartiIbanez, "No one will again be able to write of medical history uninfluenced by Sigerist's ideas."
W,D. Volume IV
IMMUNOASSAY OF HORMONES. Volume XIV, Ciba Foundation Colloquia on Endocrinology. Editors: G. E. W. Wolstenholme and M. P. Cameron. 419 pages. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1962. $10.75. This book presents the latest results of a new and fascinating technique for hormone assay. Approximately 25 years ago the field of antihormones received some prominence but fell into obscurity when there appeared to be little clinical application, nor could they demonstrate by the known immunologic procedures at the time any evidence of precipitin activity. However, in the past several years with the use of systems based upon modern serological methods, every one of the pituitary hormones can be identified and assayed in the blood. The techniques have involved immunization of animals with pituitary hormone extracts, then determination by immunologic procedures of the amount of hormone in the blood of a patient through serial dilutions. This technique has been used most widely for growth hormone and the gonadotropins. Luteinizing
190
hormone activity apparently reacts not only with the pituitary LH but also with the urine of pregnancy. The immunologic technique has also been used as a diagnostic test for pregnancy and will probably make its appearance on the market in the near future. The book is exceedingly well done and covers the field very widely. It offers a rapid method for determining pituitary activity in patients in whom an endocrinopathy might be suspected as well as a psychosomatic disturbance. The book is a "must" for the laboratory worker and clinical endocrinologist. HERBERT S. KUPPERMAN, M.D.
EXPLANATION OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR. By F. V. Smith. New York: Dover Publications, 1960. This author attempts to explore the causal factors to behavior and their ways of functioning in the explanation of human behavior. Striving for explanations, the author presents afresh and sympatheti. cally the Psychology of William McDougall, Gordon Allport's contemporaneity of motives, Kurt Lewin's topological and "field force" theories, a number of adherents of the Gestalt School, the Behaviorism of J. B. Watson, Clark L. Hull and E. C. Tolman. The author makes reference to Hebb's approach through neurological concepts and some features of the Freudian approach. This is one of those rare books published in the field of Systems of Psychology. The author is a faithful, objective and accurate reporter. The advanced student might feel that the presentations are somewhat over-abbreviated. Nevertheless, the book is scholarly and its author demonstrates a phenomenal knowledge of pertinent and relevant material in the field of science and philosophy in his attempts to find explanations of human behavior. BENJAMIN KOTKov, PH.D.
ON THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE. By Henry E. Sigerist, M.D. 313 pages. New York: MD Pub'lications, 1962. $6.75. Doctor Sigerist dedicated his life to the study of medical history. The 27 essays selected by him for inclusion in this book provide a clear view of his ideas, concepts and theories. The selected essays deal with great men and important events that have shaped the present and will affect the future of medicine and civilization. "The Physician's Profession Through the Ages," and "The Social History of Medicine" reflect the physician's role in an ever-changing society from the time of primitive medicine right up to the present. Hippocrates, Ambrose Pare, and Paracelsus all come to life under Sigerist's close scrutiny of their lives and contributions. The introduction of the water-closet by Sir John Harington, an innovation in private and public sanitation, is a lively and witty presentation. As stated in the introduction by Dr. Felix MartiIbanez, "No one will again be able to write of medical history uninfluenced by Sigerist's ideas."
W,D. Volume IV