Mental Deficiency Practice: By F. C. Shrubsall, M.D., F.R.C.P., and A. C. Williams, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (University of London Press, 1932. Pp. 334. Price 12 s. 6 d. net.)

Both authors are medical officers of the London County Council, and the chief aim of their book is to give full information respecting the disposal of a case of mental deficiency. Accordingly we find that, while the first 160 pages constitute an ordinary text-book on the subject, with chapters on pathology, symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, the last 174 pages or the larger half of the work are devoted to methods of disposal, the legal basis, duties under local education authorities and those under local mental deficiency authorities, with no less than 49 pages of Schedule forms.

It might be supposed from this description that the book lacks interest for an ordinary student of mental deficiency, but this is far from being the case. The authors deal with their various topics in simple language clearly, lucidly and briefly but adequately, and their pointers to the opinions of other workers in the field lead the reader to a well-balanced view of the whole subject. Moreover, there is no padding.

We regret that macrocephaly is not even mentioned. We are aware that arguments have been advanced against the use of this word, but large-headed mentally defectives, who are not cases of hydrocephalus, are not uncommon and we feel that something ought to be said about this.

Again, while there is some mention of psychoneuroses and psychoses occurring among mentally defectives, the authors appear to have lost sight of the fact that mental deficiency is sometimes the secondary result of such maladies occurring in early childhood, as has been demonstrated by both Dr. Myers and Mrs. Klein, for it is definitely stated on p. 155 that 'defectives appear to be unprofitable subjects for psychotherapy'