Dr. Pfeffer has performed a valuable service in writing this monograph on alcoholism. Within the space of only ninety-eight pages he has covered the essentials of the subject with precision and clarity. Although not written primarily for psychoanalysts, the approach is psychoanalytic. Yet the author is careful to review the latest hypotheses about the etiology of the problem drinker. He briefly discusses cultural, hereditary, and constitutional factors, as well as metabolic and endocrine defects. He concludes, 'at present, however, psychological factors appear to be the most convincing'. He goes on to deal with the orientation to alcoholism as a disease and emphasizes that 'alcohol, through chemical, physiological, and psychological mechanisms, relieves psychic and physical pain'. Addiction may be the consequence.

Adequate chapters are devoted to the management of the medical complications, as well as the neurological and psychiatric consequences