Psychology, the Nurse and the Patient: By Doris M. Oldum. (London: Nursing Mirror Ltd., 1952. Pp. 114. 7 s. 6 d.)

This book has been written for nurses, and claims to cover the ground, from the psychological aspect, of the preliminary State examination. It urges that the patient should be treated as a human being, and describes many ways in which he could be made happier and more comfortable through common sense and thoughtfulness. This is helpful, as in the nurse's training so much emphasis is laid on the treatment of disease without reference to the patient as a whole. On the other hand the book does not contribute much to the understanding of the patient. The nurse is told what sort of things to say to reassure him, and is encouraged not to feel angry or irritated with the demanding or difficult patient, or, if she cannot help such a reaction in herself, to hide it. What the author calls 'tender' patients (as opposed to those who are 'tough' and no trouble) she divides into anxiety-prone, obsessional, histrionic, and inadequate types, but she gives little insight either into the content of the anxiety of the patient who reacts badly to hospital, or into the underlying meaning of the hospital situation to all patients. His conscious worries about losing his job, being given the wrong treatment, or not getting better are discussed, but no mention is made of the deeper anxieties which can occur in the position of utter helplessness in which he may find himself. For example, when his body is taken possession of, cut open, and looked into, he can be afraid of his innermost secrets being found out, or of things that are valuable to him being taken away. Also his improperly functioning body can make him feel that he can only be a burden to others, and has lost his power to be protective, helpful, and creative. It would be of help to the nurse if she could be given some insight into the nature of her patient's anxieties and what he needs of her; then blind tolerance and reassurance could be replaced by a much more valuable understanding and genuine relationship with the pat