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The subnormal mind
PUBLIC
HEALTH
OCTOBER
The Minor Medicine of General Practice. By L. V. SNOWMAN, M.A., M.B. (CAMB.), M.R.C.P. (LOND.), Physician, Eastern Dispensary ; Assistant Pa~diatriThe Subnormal Mind. By CYRIL BURT, M.A., D.SC. clan, Jewish Maternity Hospital. London: John (OXON.), Professor of Psychology, University of Bale, Sons & Danielsson, Ltd. 1986. pp. 104. London. London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford Price 2s. 6d. net. University Press. pp. 868. Price 10s. 6d. net. The statement is frequently made that the medical The chapters that make up this volume consist of the third series of lectures given under the terms practitioner newly qualified, though well fitted to deal of Mr. Charles Heath Clark's bequest to the University with the rarer and more important diseases, is likely of London. Certain portions have been slightly expanded to be at a loss when he encounters conditions more and the whole has been revised for publication. The minor in nature. The object of the author of this particular subjects discussed in the lectures comprise a booklet was to offer assistance in this latter connection, group of connected problems in social and psychologica I and he has suggested, therefore, as to what may be medicine--the problems of the subnormal mind. In done about the common cold, headache, minor skin the invitation extended to him, Professor Burt was disorders, about diet and what he describes as the asked to deal with that particular branch in which " minor fevers." The book should prove useful and his own work has chiefly lain, namely, the diagnosis that not only to the young practitioner. and treatment of school children who are mentally subnormal, this being a sphere of work which has lately Hints to Probationer Nurses in Mental Hospitals. By RICHARD EAGER, O.B.E., M.D. (ABERD.), Medical become of growing importance to teachers, medical Superintendent, Devon Mental Hospital ; Examiner officers, educational administrators, and all who are in Mental Nursing to the General Nursing Council. concerned for the future welfare of the community. London: H. K. Lewis & Co., Ltd. 1986. p p . In the lectures Professor Burt dealt most helpfully 222. Price 8s. 6d. net. with this important matter, and in the volume conWhen this book first appeared in a form described as a siderable prominence is given to the mentally deficient and the dull or backward. It is unnecessary to claim " pocket book," words of praise for it were found in this for the book that it is admirably written or to recommend ~ournal. There were others apparently who recognised it to members of the health service whether or not they its value also. Further editions were called for and, responding to the call, the author took the opportunity heard the lectures delivered. of revising and adding to the contents, until n o w - Johannes de Mirfeld. By SIR PERCIVAL HORTON- in its third edition--the volume is no longer a pocket SMITH HARTLEY, C.V.O., M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., Con- book merely but a handbook. Ultimately no doubt sulting Physician to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, it will become a text-book. In whatever form it appears, etc. ; and HAROLD RICHARD ALDRIDGE, M.A., however, it wilt retain the features that made for Assistant Keeper, Department of Manuscripts, excellence in the be.ginning and that earned comBritish Museum. London: Cambridge Univer- mendation from reviewers and appreciation from readers. sity Press. 1986. pp. 191. Price 15s. net. This work, dealing with the first writings of a medical EXPLOITATION OF THE DEAF.--From the number of nature known to be associated with an English hospital, will be welcomed by all interested in the historical side advertisements with regard to aids to hearing it is very of medicine and more particularly by those connected obvious that the market for such appliances and the with St. Bartholomew's Hospital. A great deal of profits to be made from their sale must be very large. careful research must have been involved. The first That some of them may be of use may be the case, part of the book deals with the life of Johannes de and that some may be worth the charge made for Mirfeld; the second contains translations of sections them is possible. To distinguish the useful from those of the Breviarium Bartholomei, a lengthy and purely that, in addition to being useless, may be harmful medical work; while the medical chapter of the is no easy matter, and the National Institute for the Florarium Bartholomei constitutes the third. Johannes Deaf, whose work for the protection of the unfortunate de Mirfetd had no medical training, but there appears victims of deafness is so notable, have issued a special to be no doubt that he dwelt in the Priory of St. booklet on the subject. The title of this brochure is Bartholomew and was associated with the hospital " Exploitation of the Deaf in the Sale of Aids to Hearsufficiently closely to lead him to compile a volume on ing," and it is the second of the publications of the medicine. Sir Percival Harfley and Mr. Aldridge have Institute specially designed for the information of the established that his writings contain nothing original but deaf. It may be obtained from the headquarters of the may be taken--and herein lie the chief interest and Institute, 105, Gower Street, London, W.C.1, price 3d. importance of the book--as giving a fairly accurate Index to PUBLIC HEALTH.--.The Index to Vol. X L I X picture of medical knowledge and practice as they existed at the end of the fourteenth century. The of Public Health is now being prepared, and will be sections translated in this volume have been well circulated to every member of the Society with the chosen and are worthy of attention, for however November issue of the journal. In former years it elementary much of what is presented may seem, has only been sent in reply to individual requests, but they were the genuinely accepted medical doctrines it is hoped that with its general circulation members on which practice in St. Bartholomew's and other will retain their journals for binding, which can be done through the Executive Secretary. hospitals was based some 500 years ago.
Book R e v i e w s
30
HEALTH
OCTOBER
The Minor Medicine of General Practice. By L. V. SNOWMAN, M.A., M.B. (CAMB.), M.R.C.P. (LOND.), Physician, Eastern Dispensary ; Assistant Pa~diatriThe Subnormal Mind. By CYRIL BURT, M.A., D.SC. clan, Jewish Maternity Hospital. London: John (OXON.), Professor of Psychology, University of Bale, Sons & Danielsson, Ltd. 1986. pp. 104. London. London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford Price 2s. 6d. net. University Press. pp. 868. Price 10s. 6d. net. The statement is frequently made that the medical The chapters that make up this volume consist of the third series of lectures given under the terms practitioner newly qualified, though well fitted to deal of Mr. Charles Heath Clark's bequest to the University with the rarer and more important diseases, is likely of London. Certain portions have been slightly expanded to be at a loss when he encounters conditions more and the whole has been revised for publication. The minor in nature. The object of the author of this particular subjects discussed in the lectures comprise a booklet was to offer assistance in this latter connection, group of connected problems in social and psychologica I and he has suggested, therefore, as to what may be medicine--the problems of the subnormal mind. In done about the common cold, headache, minor skin the invitation extended to him, Professor Burt was disorders, about diet and what he describes as the asked to deal with that particular branch in which " minor fevers." The book should prove useful and his own work has chiefly lain, namely, the diagnosis that not only to the young practitioner. and treatment of school children who are mentally subnormal, this being a sphere of work which has lately Hints to Probationer Nurses in Mental Hospitals. By RICHARD EAGER, O.B.E., M.D. (ABERD.), Medical become of growing importance to teachers, medical Superintendent, Devon Mental Hospital ; Examiner officers, educational administrators, and all who are in Mental Nursing to the General Nursing Council. concerned for the future welfare of the community. London: H. K. Lewis & Co., Ltd. 1986. p p . In the lectures Professor Burt dealt most helpfully 222. Price 8s. 6d. net. with this important matter, and in the volume conWhen this book first appeared in a form described as a siderable prominence is given to the mentally deficient and the dull or backward. It is unnecessary to claim " pocket book," words of praise for it were found in this for the book that it is admirably written or to recommend ~ournal. There were others apparently who recognised it to members of the health service whether or not they its value also. Further editions were called for and, responding to the call, the author took the opportunity heard the lectures delivered. of revising and adding to the contents, until n o w - Johannes de Mirfeld. By SIR PERCIVAL HORTON- in its third edition--the volume is no longer a pocket SMITH HARTLEY, C.V.O., M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., Con- book merely but a handbook. Ultimately no doubt sulting Physician to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, it will become a text-book. In whatever form it appears, etc. ; and HAROLD RICHARD ALDRIDGE, M.A., however, it wilt retain the features that made for Assistant Keeper, Department of Manuscripts, excellence in the be.ginning and that earned comBritish Museum. London: Cambridge Univer- mendation from reviewers and appreciation from readers. sity Press. 1986. pp. 191. Price 15s. net. This work, dealing with the first writings of a medical EXPLOITATION OF THE DEAF.--From the number of nature known to be associated with an English hospital, will be welcomed by all interested in the historical side advertisements with regard to aids to hearing it is very of medicine and more particularly by those connected obvious that the market for such appliances and the with St. Bartholomew's Hospital. A great deal of profits to be made from their sale must be very large. careful research must have been involved. The first That some of them may be of use may be the case, part of the book deals with the life of Johannes de and that some may be worth the charge made for Mirfeld; the second contains translations of sections them is possible. To distinguish the useful from those of the Breviarium Bartholomei, a lengthy and purely that, in addition to being useless, may be harmful medical work; while the medical chapter of the is no easy matter, and the National Institute for the Florarium Bartholomei constitutes the third. Johannes Deaf, whose work for the protection of the unfortunate de Mirfetd had no medical training, but there appears victims of deafness is so notable, have issued a special to be no doubt that he dwelt in the Priory of St. booklet on the subject. The title of this brochure is Bartholomew and was associated with the hospital " Exploitation of the Deaf in the Sale of Aids to Hearsufficiently closely to lead him to compile a volume on ing," and it is the second of the publications of the medicine. Sir Percival Harfley and Mr. Aldridge have Institute specially designed for the information of the established that his writings contain nothing original but deaf. It may be obtained from the headquarters of the may be taken--and herein lie the chief interest and Institute, 105, Gower Street, London, W.C.1, price 3d. importance of the book--as giving a fairly accurate Index to PUBLIC HEALTH.--.The Index to Vol. X L I X picture of medical knowledge and practice as they existed at the end of the fourteenth century. The of Public Health is now being prepared, and will be sections translated in this volume have been well circulated to every member of the Society with the chosen and are worthy of attention, for however November issue of the journal. In former years it elementary much of what is presented may seem, has only been sent in reply to individual requests, but they were the genuinely accepted medical doctrines it is hoped that with its general circulation members on which practice in St. Bartholomew's and other will retain their journals for binding, which can be done through the Executive Secretary. hospitals was based some 500 years ago.
Book R e v i e w s
30