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An author who sets out to write a book on a particular subject should above all make himself acquainted with the most recent literature on the subject, and although he may not agree with the views expressed therein should include them in his book. this condition is certainly not fulfilled in Dr. Magian's book. If he had written it twenty years ago it might have been accepted in the general run of such books, and then relegated to a forgotten corner of the library.
The book is written in a popular style and would be more suited to lay readers than medical men. The author's pretensions are good if only they had been carried out satisfactorily.
No book of this nature is complete in the light of our present knowledge unless it contains an exposition on the development of the sexual instinct, its manifestations from infancy to adult life, and the abnormalities to which it is liable. But in this work we find no reference to these points, yet the works of Freud and his followers have thrown an immense light on these problems. Without this knowledge no one can hope to understand and explain the various problems dealt with in this book. The psychical side of these problems has been left practically untouched by the author.
Many of the statements appearing in the book are quite at variance with what we now know of the sexual life of women, and some of the advice given is positively dangerous. Two examples taken at random will illustrate what we mean.
On p. 7 the author states, 'Homosexuality in women is rare, and when it does occur is usually due to mental disorders'.
On p. 110 the author states regarding the treatment of sexual perversions 'He (the practising physician) can at all events point out the dangers of the habit and purposely draw a lurid picture of the disasters which may follow if it be not at once discontinued'.1 Further comment on the passages is unnecessary.
If the following statement of the author were in any way correct the country would need a great incre