Review of THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF BRITISH PSYCHIATRY, Vol. I-18TH AND 19TH CENTURY

Reviews the book, The Historical Development of British Psychiatry, Vol. I—18th and 19th Century by Denis leigh (see record 1963-01378-000). Dr. Leigh's account of the historical development of British psychiatry during the 1 8th and 1 9th centuries is a fascinating armchair companion which cannot fail to engage the reader who is interested in the historical roots of medical practice or the social patterns of earlier times. The book is unusual in its style, which would be more commonly encountered with the academic historian. The work consists essentially of source material with extensive notations from the original texts. Dr. Leigh leaves a convincing impression that he has presented a reasonable appraisal of the people who were important figures in British psychiatric medicine in the two centuries reviewed by the book, and of their works. The book is not one which can be covered in a single reading. It consists of a series of essays which provide diverting, interesting and informative reading appropriate for moments of literary indulgence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)