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The title of Dr. Somerville's book, 'Practical Psycho-Analysis', reminds us of a lecturer who a short while ago advertised a lecture on 'Psycho-Analysis'. After the lecture a psycho-analyst went up to the lecturer and asked him why he had advertised a lecture on 'Psycho-Analysis', as his lecture had practically nothing to do with psychoanalysis, and what little he had to say on the subject was incorrect and entirely misleading. He replied, 'I chose the title "Psycho-Analysis" because it draws so well'.
If Dr. Somerville had called his book 'Psychological Analysis applied to War Neurotics' and had left out all reference to psycho-analysis, at least in name, it might have been read with a certain amount of interest and perhaps edification. But when he calls the book 'Practical Psycho-Analysis' we fail to see the relevancy of the title.
The book indicates quite painstaking work in the elucidation of certain complexes and conflicts in war neurotics, and for this reason is to be commended. Nevertheless we cannot agree with many of his findings and explanations from psycho-analytical points of view.
It is to be regretted that medical men and others whose apparent knowledge of the theory and practice of psycho-analysis is exceedingly limited and frequently incorrect should choose to write on the subject. The multiplication of these kinds of books is certainly to be deprecated, for not only are they incorrect expositions of the subject, but they tend to bring the science into disrepute.