Prediction and Prevention of Reading Difficulties: By Margaret A. Stanger and Ellen K. Donohue. New York: Oxford University Press, 1937. 191 pp.

This book makes perplexing reading for the analyst who has had occasion to study difficulties of language in children or adults: it shows how the authors, following the theory suggested by Dr. S. T. Orton, have developed a method of enabling children to overcome completely difficulties in learning to read, and even the frequently accompanying symptom, stuttering. To accept the authors' belief in the validity of the theory as witnessed by their results would make the psychoanalytic approach to these problems superfluous.

Stanger and Donohue use as the theoretical basis of their work the concept of cerebral dominance. Quoting from Orton they state, '… one side of the brain is all important in the language process and the other side either useless or unused… a very small area of destruction in an appropriate area of the controlling or dominant hemisphere of the brain will give rise to extensive loss in speech or reading while an equal area of destruction in exactly the same part of the non-dominant or subjugate hemisphere will be followed by no language disorder whatsoever, and indeed will often give no recognizable symptoms. The concentration of the whole control of speech, reading and writing in one half of the brain bears an intimate relation to the development of unilateral manual skill in the individual.' Heredity seems to be the factor which determines which side will dominate. Consequently where the hereditary pattern is confused there is a corresponding confusion—lack of lateral dominance—and therefore retarded, often impeded development of the language functions.

Realizing the discouragement and the frequent emotional problems which develop in otherwise intelligent children who find