Grundfragen Der Neurosenlehre, Aufbau Und Slnnbild Propaedeutik Einer Medi Zinischen Psychologie. (The Neuroses and Their Fundamental Problems, Construction and Symbolism. Introduction to a Medical Psychology). Professor J. H. Schultz  245 pp.  Georg. Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1955.

Much of contemporary psychiatric literature underestimates the complexity of the subject. More often than not its frame of reference is simple; it tends to be derived from physics, chemistry, pharmacology, surgery and other ancillary disciplines rather than from psychiatry, psychology or philosophy. Partial aspects usually are dealt with eagerly, whereas the so-called variables, which in their heterogeneity reflect the human situation, are avoided, overlooked or otherwise disposed of.

The present book is a refreshing and welcome exception. The author's previous work, “The Autogenous Training,” a very successful book which saw its eighth edition in 1953, dealt with a system of therapy through concentrated and active relaxation. In a subsequent volume, entitled “Bionomous Psychotherapy”, published in 1951, Professor Schultz took up fundamental issues, using what he calls the “bionomous approach.” The author frequently refers to this book in his present work.

Professor Schultz sets his sights high. Within the space of little more than 200 pages, he deals not only with the fundamental issues referred to in the title, but devotes more than half of the total space to a detailed discussion of typology. The book is a worthy attempt at dealing with an extremely difficult topic in a spirit of holism. The tool is the author's bionomous approach.

The bionomous concept, according to the author's definition (P. 113), “attempts to prove that all scientific-critical, psycho-therapeutic work deals with tasks which fully coincide with the essential characteristics of living as such, which is otherwise not definable.” Thus it has to do with the ultimate laws of life and is more basic than all medico-psychological theories. The author views them—for example, the libido theory—as imbedded in his own more fundamental concept. Thus, widely differing theories and frames of reference can be utilized without their having to collide with one another. Constitution, heredity and several schools of