The Mechanism of Thought, Imagery and Hallucination

THE MECHANISM OF THOUGHT, IMAGERY AND HALLUCINATION. By Joshua Rosett. Columbia University Press, 1939, pp. x + 289. $3. This contribution to the neurologic literature does not readily lend itself to detailed review. Dr. Rosett has attempted, in a thoughtful and closely reasoned argument, to define the physical basis of subjective behavior or experience in terms of the present knowledge of the physiology of the central nervous system. His exposition is presented not in essay form but after the fashion of a textbook. Each chapter is summarized and concluded with references to relevant literature. Conclusions are supported by striking clinical observations. A discussion such as this should be welcomed by all workers in the fields of neurophysiology, clinical neurology, and psychiatry. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the opinions of the author is relatively unimportant. The contribution of Rosett is unusual because it is clear, orderly, and logical. It is, therefore, an unusual contribution in a field in which, particularly on the clinical side, so much lazy thinking and vague theorizing prevail. PAUL W. PREU.