Christian Essays in Psychiatry

This is a symposium by ten authors who had formed a group with the original intention of providing a considered statement on psychiatry from a Christian standpoint. But as no book was found possible to write, which would combine the different standpoints and experiences represented, a series of unconnected essays was produced instead. While such a result may cause no surprise, and should not be regarded as an anticlimax, it is none the less a pity that there is no record of the discussions and of the attempts at reconciliation which must have taken place. One suspects that for the most part these essays represent their authors' views before the group met. There is little evidence of change. Certain essays, notably those by Dr. Stafford-Clarke and Dr. Pond, do however carry out the original intentions of providing a straightforward account of psychiatric problems : and Mrs. Lewis, in perhaps the most valuable essay in the book?on the develop-