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The book is presented as an effort to clarify the doctor-patient relationship and attempts to present "principles of psychotherapy that can be used by most practitioners." The book falls short of its claims.
The best chapter is on "The Psychiatric Emergency," which is a workmanlike presentation of specific clinical situations with simple physicianly recommendations capable of execution by general practitioners. The chapter on "Psychopharmacology" is also well organized and summarizes much valuable information useful to both generalists and psychiatrists. A conservative approach is used, complications of drug therapy are stressed, and the effectiveness of the physician's attitude in influencing the response to drug therapy is adequately presented. All this conforms to clinical experience. The chapter on "Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders" is adequate on a textbook level and in keeping with the audience to which it is addressed. The section on "Supportive Therapy" is also commensurate with the capacities of a