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Psychosomatische medizin in ihren grundzügen
Journal of the neurolooical Sciences, 1975, 25:267 ~) Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands
267
Book Reviews
Monoamines, Noyaux Gris Centraux et Syndrome de Parkinson (Proceedings of the 4th Bel-Air Symposium, Geneva, 14--17 September, 1970), by J. DE AJURIAGUERRA AND G. GAUTHIER(Eds.), 585 pages, 153 illustrations, 68 tables, Georg et Cie, Geneva and Masson et Cie, Paris, 1971, F 150.00. This handsome and well-edited book records the proceedings of the 4th Bel-Air Symposium held in Geneva in 1970 which was devoted to basal ganglia monoamines and Parkinsonism. Presentations are sequentially devoted to biochemistry, neurophysiology, neuropathology, clinical and therapeutic problems with helpful session summaries. It is salutary to recall that the first symposium in this series held as recently as 1961 and which was also concerned with monoamines in the central nervous system failed to mention dopamine as a monoamine of potential clinical interest--none of the present participants required to be convinced of the significance and usefulness of Levodopa therapy. Despite the inevitable delays associated with the publication of symposium proceedings and the rapid cadence of research in this expanding branch of neurobiology, there is still a great deal to intrigue the general reader. Many concepts which were presented in a tentative and speculative manner have become in the course of a few years more certain and authoritative. Thus, it is fascinating to read of the
first fruits of fluorescent histochemical methods which have permitted the detailed mapping of central nonoamine neurone pathways. The correlation between changes in function of post-synaptic and pre-synaptic neurones and the development of the concept of feedback control of synaptic activity is another example. The interpretation of levodopainduced dyskinesias as manifestations of denervation hypersensitivity is yet another. While many of the contents of this book have now appeared in a variety of journals this collection of contributions represents a significant milestone in an exciting journey which has yet to be completed. Whatever doubts may have been expressed by some concerning the educational advanges of mammoth international scientific meetings, this highly successful symposium of forty-three distinguished contributors emphasises the unequivocal benefits that can accrue from small meetings of active research workers. G. M. STERN
Psychosomatische Mediz& in ihren Grundziigen, by T. F. HAU (Ed.), with contributions H. G. ARNDS, D. BECK, E. HAGEDORN, T. F. HAU, W. SCHWIDDER AND H. H. STUDT, 172 pages, l illustration, Hippokrates, Stuttgart, 1973, DM 16.00.
o f W . AHLBRECHT,
In his introduction to this small monograph on the basis of psychosomatic medicine, Professor Hau considers psychosomatic medicine as having a general as well as a more clearly circumscribed relation to general medicine. Whereas the former is concerned with the contribution of psychosocial factors to the aetiology, treatment and prevention of illness in general, the latter relates specifically to somatic manifestations of psychologically induced diseases and "functional illnesses". The book consists of a series of articles which, except for the last article, have been published previously. They have been selected, one must assume, in order to demonstrate how widely the psychosomatic approach can be applied and indeed stretched ! It is attempts such as these, which in the view of many, detract from rather than add to the
meaning and validity of the concept. It invariably leads to statements such as: "25 to 40~ of all practice, which has also enjoyed a rejuvenation be suffering from psychosomatic disorders". Its close link with psychoanalytic theory and practice, which also has enjoyed a rejuvenation in post-war Germany, is striking. One article on the "Examination for psychosomatic disturbances in outpatients" consists entirely of a formidable list of symptoms ranging from "typical psychosomatic illnesses" such as bronchial asthma and angina to perversions (not specified!). The chapter ends, appropriately enough, with a list of recognised clinics to which such patients can be referred! KURT SCHAPIRA
267
Book Reviews
Monoamines, Noyaux Gris Centraux et Syndrome de Parkinson (Proceedings of the 4th Bel-Air Symposium, Geneva, 14--17 September, 1970), by J. DE AJURIAGUERRA AND G. GAUTHIER(Eds.), 585 pages, 153 illustrations, 68 tables, Georg et Cie, Geneva and Masson et Cie, Paris, 1971, F 150.00. This handsome and well-edited book records the proceedings of the 4th Bel-Air Symposium held in Geneva in 1970 which was devoted to basal ganglia monoamines and Parkinsonism. Presentations are sequentially devoted to biochemistry, neurophysiology, neuropathology, clinical and therapeutic problems with helpful session summaries. It is salutary to recall that the first symposium in this series held as recently as 1961 and which was also concerned with monoamines in the central nervous system failed to mention dopamine as a monoamine of potential clinical interest--none of the present participants required to be convinced of the significance and usefulness of Levodopa therapy. Despite the inevitable delays associated with the publication of symposium proceedings and the rapid cadence of research in this expanding branch of neurobiology, there is still a great deal to intrigue the general reader. Many concepts which were presented in a tentative and speculative manner have become in the course of a few years more certain and authoritative. Thus, it is fascinating to read of the
first fruits of fluorescent histochemical methods which have permitted the detailed mapping of central nonoamine neurone pathways. The correlation between changes in function of post-synaptic and pre-synaptic neurones and the development of the concept of feedback control of synaptic activity is another example. The interpretation of levodopainduced dyskinesias as manifestations of denervation hypersensitivity is yet another. While many of the contents of this book have now appeared in a variety of journals this collection of contributions represents a significant milestone in an exciting journey which has yet to be completed. Whatever doubts may have been expressed by some concerning the educational advanges of mammoth international scientific meetings, this highly successful symposium of forty-three distinguished contributors emphasises the unequivocal benefits that can accrue from small meetings of active research workers. G. M. STERN
Psychosomatische Mediz& in ihren Grundziigen, by T. F. HAU (Ed.), with contributions H. G. ARNDS, D. BECK, E. HAGEDORN, T. F. HAU, W. SCHWIDDER AND H. H. STUDT, 172 pages, l illustration, Hippokrates, Stuttgart, 1973, DM 16.00.
o f W . AHLBRECHT,
In his introduction to this small monograph on the basis of psychosomatic medicine, Professor Hau considers psychosomatic medicine as having a general as well as a more clearly circumscribed relation to general medicine. Whereas the former is concerned with the contribution of psychosocial factors to the aetiology, treatment and prevention of illness in general, the latter relates specifically to somatic manifestations of psychologically induced diseases and "functional illnesses". The book consists of a series of articles which, except for the last article, have been published previously. They have been selected, one must assume, in order to demonstrate how widely the psychosomatic approach can be applied and indeed stretched ! It is attempts such as these, which in the view of many, detract from rather than add to the
meaning and validity of the concept. It invariably leads to statements such as: "25 to 40~ of all practice, which has also enjoyed a rejuvenation be suffering from psychosomatic disorders". Its close link with psychoanalytic theory and practice, which also has enjoyed a rejuvenation in post-war Germany, is striking. One article on the "Examination for psychosomatic disturbances in outpatients" consists entirely of a formidable list of symptoms ranging from "typical psychosomatic illnesses" such as bronchial asthma and angina to perversions (not specified!). The chapter ends, appropriately enough, with a list of recognised clinics to which such patients can be referred! KURT SCHAPIRA