The divine banquet of the brain and other essays : Macdonald Critchley: Raven Press, New York...
1
Perpnmon Prcs Ltd BOOK REVIEWS T. L. CREER: Asthma Therapy: A Behavioral Health Care System for Respiratory Disorders. Springer, New York (1979). x + 310 pp. 517.95. There are many behavioural aspects to the major chronic obstructive lung diseases (asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema) that have been both neglected and inappropriately handled by clinicians. Creer hocuses in this book upon the many ways in which current medical approaches may be substantially augmented by adopting a behavioural approach to these disorders. The first section of the book offers a useful review for the behavioural clinician of the respiratory diseases, entailing details of epidemiology, measurement, variability of symptomatology, personality correlates etc. The second section. however, appears designed for a different readership. It provides a beginner’s guide to behaviour modification and research methods useful to those new to such an approach. With the exception of specific skills to cope with, asthma attacks, the behavioural techniques (to deal with, i.e. anxiety. anger, marital problems etc.) are the same as those used for other clinical and chronic disorders. The book emphasizes how large the scope is for the clinician dealing with asthma or chronic bronchitis, if he adopts the practical role of training competent self-management, and concentrates upon rehabilitation. H. C. PHILIPS MACDONALD CRITCHLEY: The Divine Banquet of the Brain and Other Essays. Raven Press, New York (1979). viii + 267 pp. $19.50. Dr Macdonald Critchley is probably best known to readers of’ this journal for his pioneer work on develop- mental dyslexia. His first book on this subject appeared in 1964 and was immediately effective in drawing attention to the plight of backward readers and furthering their claim for remedial teaching The Dioine Banquet of the Brain makes little reference to dyslexia but, as is appropriate to this gastronomic quotation from William Harvey. covers a wide range of neurological titbits guaranteed to wet the appetite of anyone interested in the more recondite aspects of brain function and disease. The book contains several articles and reviews ranging widely from phrenology to autoscopy from tattooed ladies to famous neuroluetics. from idiots-savants to Napoleon III. Lest the impression might be gained of a magpie collection of clinical curiosities. it should be stressed that the book is based on carefully studied observations made by a consultant neurologist famous for his teaching and scientific work over the course of a professional life-time spent at the National Hospital. Queen Square, and at King’s College Hospital. To what extent do these essays reflect the man within the author? Among the numerous quotations cited by Dr Critchley is a most telling one from Oscar Wilde. “There are two kinds of artist: one brings answers, and the other questions, We have to know whether one belongs to those who answer or to those who question: for the kind which questions is never that which answers.” The impression is conveyed that the author may see himself as belonging to the questioning variety of artist. Artist he certainly is in his use of beautifully ornamental and colourful language. He gives pertinent advice to the medical student that he should master the French and German languages by sacrificing some of his social and sporting activities and attending evening classes, advice which will be received with dismay by most of today’s students. During his postgraduate years the medical man bent on a career in neurology should spend a period of time working abroad. in-France, the U.S.A. or preferably Germany. He should first train as a general physician who might later select psychology as one of his optional academic subjects, but need not be too concerned about the study of psychiatry. A number of brief pathographic accounts of well-known historical or literary figures form an important and interesting part of this book. The illnesses of Heinrich Heine, Alphonse Daudet, Jules de Goncourt and Guy de maupassanr, all suttermg from neurosyphilis. are related with a clinical detachment which perhaps does not do full justice to their tragic outcome. Elsewhere the author’s spontaneous compassion strengthens powerfully the plea for the social treatment of the patient with chronic aphasia. immured in an inner world and isolated from relatives and former friends. The foibles of Dr Critchley’s illustrious neurologist predecessors at King’s College Hospital are depicted with a delightful lightness of touch: their occasional fondness for alcohol. their meanness and vanity, are tempered with admiring accounts of their professional prowess Much of this book is light-hearted and anecdotal. described by the author as jeux d’esprit, yet revealing his immense scholarliness and erudition. Included, moreover, are works for which Dr Critchley is justly renowned in the spheres of language, perception and parietal lobe function. Among these the most thought-provoking are essays on body-image (or corporeal awareness as the author prefers to describe this concept). and on the evolution of man’s capacity for language. The Divine Banquet of the Brain is a treasure trove of profound philosophical thought and light entertainment, a pleasure to read and highly recommended. GERALD RUSSELL 269
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Transcript of The divine banquet of the brain and other essays : Macdonald Critchley: Raven Press, New York...
Perpnmon Prcs Ltd
BOOK REVIEWS
T. L. CREER: Asthma Therapy: A Behavioral Health Care System for Respiratory Disorders. Springer, New York (1979). x + 310 pp. 517.95.
There are many behavioural aspects to the major chronic obstructive lung diseases (asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema) that have been both neglected and inappropriately handled by clinicians. Creer hocuses in this book upon the many ways in which current medical approaches may be substantially augmented by adopting a behavioural approach to these disorders.
The first section of the book offers a useful review for the behavioural clinician of the respiratory diseases, entailing details of epidemiology, measurement, variability of symptomatology, personality correlates etc. The second section. however, appears designed for a different readership. It provides a beginner’s guide to behaviour modification and research methods useful to those new to such an approach.
With the exception of specific skills to cope with, asthma attacks, the behavioural techniques (to deal with, i.e. anxiety. anger, marital problems etc.) are the same as those used for other clinical and chronic disorders. The book emphasizes how large the scope is for the clinician dealing with asthma or chronic bronchitis, if he adopts the practical role of training competent self-management, and concentrates upon rehabilitation.
H. C. PHILIPS
MACDONALD CRITCHLEY: The Divine Banquet of the Brain and Other Essays. Raven Press, New York (1979). viii + 267 pp. $19.50. Dr Macdonald Critchley is probably best known to readers of’ this journal for his pioneer work on develop- mental dyslexia. His first book on this subject appeared in 1964 and was immediately effective in drawing attention to the plight of backward readers and furthering their claim for remedial teaching
The Dioine Banquet of the Brain makes little reference to dyslexia but, as is appropriate to this gastronomic quotation from William Harvey. covers a wide range of neurological titbits guaranteed to wet the appetite of anyone interested in the more recondite aspects of brain function and disease. The book contains several articles and reviews ranging widely from phrenology to autoscopy from tattooed ladies to famous neuroluetics. from idiots-savants to Napoleon III. Lest the impression might be gained of a magpie collection of clinical curiosities. it should be stressed that the book is based on carefully studied observations made by a consultant neurologist famous for his teaching and scientific work over the course of a professional life-time spent at the National Hospital. Queen Square, and at King’s College Hospital.
To what extent do these essays reflect the man within the author? Among the numerous quotations cited by Dr Critchley is a most telling one from Oscar Wilde.
“There are two kinds of artist: one brings answers, and the other questions, We have to know whether one belongs to those who answer or to those who question: for the kind which questions is never that which answers.”
The impression is conveyed that the author may see himself as belonging to the questioning variety of artist. Artist he certainly is in his use of beautifully ornamental and colourful language. He gives pertinent advice to the medical student that he should master the French and German languages by sacrificing some of his social and sporting activities and attending evening classes, advice which will be received with dismay by most of today’s students. During his postgraduate years the medical man bent on a career in neurology should spend a period of time working abroad. in-France, the U.S.A. or preferably Germany. He should first train as a general physician who might later select psychology as one of his optional academic subjects, but need not be too concerned about the study of psychiatry.
A number of brief pathographic accounts of well-known historical or literary figures form an important and interesting part of this book. The illnesses of Heinrich Heine, Alphonse Daudet, Jules de Goncourt and Guy de maupassanr, all suttermg from neurosyphilis. are related with a clinical detachment which perhaps does not do full justice to their tragic outcome. Elsewhere the author’s spontaneous compassion strengthens powerfully the plea for the social treatment of the patient with chronic aphasia. immured in an inner world and isolated from relatives and former friends.
The foibles of Dr Critchley’s illustrious neurologist predecessors at King’s College Hospital are depicted with a delightful lightness of touch: their occasional fondness for alcohol. their meanness and vanity, are tempered with admiring accounts of their professional prowess
Much of this book is light-hearted and anecdotal. described by the author as jeux d’esprit, yet revealing his immense scholarliness and erudition. Included, moreover, are works for which Dr Critchley is justly renowned in the spheres of language, perception and parietal lobe function. Among these the most thought-provoking are essays on body-image (or corporeal awareness as the author prefers to describe this concept). and on the evolution of man’s capacity for language. The Divine Banquet of the Brain is a treasure trove of profound philosophical thought and light entertainment, a pleasure to read and highly recommended.
GERALD RUSSELL
269
