98 BOOK REVIEWS

cepts and considering their potential application to their own. Inter-disciplinary dialogue should

be the prelude to collaborative work.

MARGOT JEFFERYS

Zur Neuroanatomie und Neuropathologie der Friihyetalzeit (Monographien aus dem Gesamt- gebiete der Neurologie und Psychiatric, No. 127), by H. SOLCrmR, 79 pages, 39 illustrations, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1968, DM. 39.--.

This account of changes occurring during the earlier stages of human brain development is based upon a full (semi-serial) section examina- tion of 65 specimens, of which 56 were from "spontaneous abortions", 2 from operation and 4 from therapeutic interruption of pregnancy. An appendix gives a full account of the maternal histories and gross changes in the foetal brains.

The complicated formation of the commissural and ventricular system is briefly reviewed as is that of the ehoroid plexus (in some detail). An unexpected and important finding is the great frequency of haemorrhages - either as overt

occurrences (61 cases showed old or fresh bleeding) or as evidenced by degenerated haemo- globin products in the choroid plexus (2 further cases). An analysis of the localisation of these haemorrhages is made and their possible signif- icance in later development considered. Hae- morrhagic infarcts, too, were not uncommon, but no obvious cause could be established, This slender volume (78 pages) makes a significant contribution to our knowledge of early foetal brain development which, as Professor H. Jacob says in a preface, is still "strictly limited".

Foetal size is given in crown-heel length as compared with the more usual crown-rump but Arey's (1949) Table enables age computations to be made.

This is a work for the neuropathologist and paediatrician who may find its material casts light on his problems.

E. J. FIELD

Mind as a Tissue, by C. Rtn, P (Ed.), x + 357, 117 illustrations, Hoeber Medical Division, New York, 1968, US $16.50.

This book reports the papers and edited discus- sions of the Fifth International Research Conference held at the Lankenau Hospital, Philadelphia, in November 1966 under the co- chairmanship of the editor and Dr. E. L. Bortz. The suggestive title was chosen to indicate that it was in line with previous conferences held at the same centre which had dealt with Bone, Fat, Muscle and Nerve as a Tissue; and to convey that the broad biological basis of behaviour was its subject. "Psychiatry has been overshadowed too long by an undue preoccupation with and overemphasis of the psychodynamic aspects of behavior. The contributors to this symposium have shown that the same basic biological principles and techniques which have so widely expanded our knowledge of the human body may ultimately present a more comprehensive understanding of the mind".

The book is divided into four parts repre- sentative of areas of particular interest and activity at the present time: neurophysiology,

psychopharmacology, biophysiological studies of the so-called psychoses, and biological aspects of psychiatry in general. From each the student will obtain valuable insight into how some of America's leading researchers (too numerous to mention individually) are thinking and working in these difficult fields and he will use his own critical faculty in assessing their worth and potential.

The volume as a whole fails to satisfy--such reports of conferences rarely do because the spoken word never comes across in print with its original flavour and the atmosphere of the meeting cannot be conveyed. However, much of it is stimulating and some of it controversial to say the least. If only it could have come out much more quickly and much more cheaply it would find the wide circle of readers in various fields allied to what are now known as the behavioural sciences, which it deserves. It is a worthy en- deavour along the hard road of instilling science and the scientific attitude into what remains the most empirical branch of medicine.

R. HUNTER

J. neurol. Sci., 1970, 11:95-98