A Guide on Alcoholism for Social Workers: By Robert V. Seliger, M.D., in collaboration with Victoria Cranford. Baltimore: Alcoholism Publications, 1945. 94 pp.

This book consists chiefly of papers read by the author before various groups interested in the problem of alcoholism and the alcoholic. Like many volumes thus assembled, the book is repetitious and lacks continuity. Dr. Seliger defines alcoholism and describes the alcoholic. He enumerates the social, economic, political influences which he feels have caused maladjustments in those individuals who eventually seek escape in alcohol. Similarly, the factors essential for successful rehabilitation of the alcoholic are presented. An entire chapter is devoted to the Rorschach Analysis Technique as one means of determining the feasibility of therapy. The liquor test, composed of thirty-five questions to ascertain whether or not a person is an alcoholic, brings up many points which, if properly answered, would require a degree of individual insight which is exceedingly rare. There is also a list of thirty-five common-sense re-educational guides for the abnormal drinker. Just how the social worker can help the mentally sick alcoholic to accept to the extent of observing any of these 'common-sense guides', is not indicated. Since psychiatric treatment is not readily available for the great majority of these cases, suggestions along this line would not be amiss. An alcoholic diagnostic clinic for education, understanding, examination, diagnosis, placement, and treatment is strongly advocated.