The History of Psychiatry by Franz C. Alexander and Sheldon T. Selesnick (review)

BOOK REVIEWS The History ofPsychiatry. By Franz C. Alexander and Sheldon T. Selesnick. New York: Harper & Row, 1966. Pp. xvi-|-47i. $11.95. The position ofFranz Alexander in the history ofpsychiatry is secure. Aside from his many contributions to modern mental therapy, Dr. Alexander long cherished the desire to write a history ofpsychiatry, a wish ofwhich this reviewer has long been aware. To his intimate familiarity with the most dynamic period of psychiatric history in which heplayed so active a part, Alexander brought a brilliant mind and a sincere and profound interest in the humanities and the social sciences. The present volume is the posthumous fruit of that endeavor which was completed and prepared for publication by his collaborator , Dr. Selesnick. In view ofthe high expectancy aroused by these qualifications, the book is somewhat disappointing, largely because of historiographical faults. One has the impression that, instead ofa primary study ofthe original sources, particularly in the earlier chapters, the authors have relied on secondary venions. These, unfortunately, are not only wanting in accuracy, but some are actually erroneous and misleading. Confirmation ofthis suspicion is found in the bibliography in which such secondary authors are cited rather than the original ones. It would be impossible and pointless to cite all of the inaccuracies which have crept into this work because ofthis tendency. A few examples, however, might be mentioned to document this criticism: The interpretation of the ancient Dogmatist and Empiric sects in medicine reveals complete unfamiliarity with the philosophies ofthese sects and their medical proponents. In the discussion of the treatment ofthe mentally ill as advocated by Asclepiades, there is no indication that this author's works survived in fragmentary form only, and that all conclusions therefrom must be mere surmises. Furthermore , it must be emphasized that since Galen knew nothing of the circulation of the blood he could not possibly be blamed for not having "formulated the theory of why and how it circulated" (p. 44). One is disturbed by occasional demonstrations of unfamiliarity with basic medicohistorical usage, for example, referring to Vesalius' De Immani corporisfabrica as the De Fabrica in writing of the great Renaissance anatomist—a reference which would seem somewhat irrelevant because this purely anatomical treatise has no bearing on psychiatry. More disturbing than these are the frequent omissions ofreference to sources altogether. Such failures become particularly noticeable in chapters on Jean Luis Vives and on 495 "Magic and Anti-Witch-hunt," and in the discussion of the Anatomy of Melancholy, which is based largely on Bergan Evans' and George Mohr's derivative work rather than upon Burton's original. Despite these shortcomings, the book has much that is ofvalue. Its breadth ofconcept, pleasing style, and ambitious scope will prove of interest and value to its readers. Certain passages, such as the brilliant discussion of Cervantes and Don Quixote, is one example among many such nuggets. Ilza Veith San Francisco, California ECOLOGY LESSON ON WEST ROCK, NEW HAVEN A wild black oak branch Sprung from a slackened grip Drew a salt tear, bit a lip Engraved her cheek Two disparate eyes Swallowed Long Island Sound Awash on the intertidal zone The incoming tide shored them Shaken but solid Man in a new dimension Surveyed his land A winging blackbird in a flawless morning sky Natures mark of love R. W. Pease, Jr. 496 Book Reviews Perspectives in Biology and Medicine · Spring 1967 ...