Inside the Asylum: By John Vincent. (London: Allen and Unwin. Pp. 114. Price 6 s.)

In this little book, fluently written and easily read, the author gives an account of the development of his personality, his psychological problems and his difficulties in social and sexual relations. As far as one can judge from the case history given in this book, the writer essentially suffers from a character neurosis which should have been treated outside a mental hospital. The psycho-analyst will find nothing new or particularly interesting in this autobiographical history.

The value of this book lies in a different sphere. It gives an extremely truthful, and by no means exaggerated, description of how this patient tried in vain to secure treatment for his psychological difficulties. He describes doctors who said there was nothing wrong with him or gave him a 'bottle'; others who had no time to listen to him; an unqualified 'psychologist' who exploited his sufferings until he could pay no more; the atmosphere of a mental hospital, into which his despair finally drove him.

All this is a stirring challenge to the conscience of a society that does so little to provide treatment and facilities for research and prevention in the field of psychological medicine.