Child-birth without Fear

that this formidable surgery, which although difficult at first until the operative routines and techniques are developed, has improved the prognosis for what had often been regarded as previously hopeless cases and on which the whole gamut of orthodox surgery such as antero lateral drainage, posterior spinal fusion had often already been carried out. Encouraged by the satisfactory results of such surgery on these more chronic lesions, we believe that the sooner the direct major assault on the lesion is made the better may be the prognosis for the patient and the shorter the period of hospitalisation required. The authors are to be commended again for writing a comprehensive review of present-day orthopxdic methods and tendencies in treatment of this diminishing although, as yet, potentially crippling disease of the skeleton. THE psychosomatic approach to childbirth has received considerable attention of late, especially in France and Russia and recently so-called natural childbirth was the subject of annotation in the British Medical Journal. In Britain and many other countries the late Dr. Grantly Dick-Read was well known for his writings on this aspect of midwifery. It is timely, therefore, that a revised and enlarged edition of this widely read book should appear. It was completed just before the author's death in June, 1959. In the fourth edition the author recapitulates his theory of natural childbirth based on the concept of a fear-tension-pain syndrome and he describes his methods to overcome fear. Discussion of this syndrome is preceded by a chapter on elementary anatomy and physiology. As the book is largely written for the benefit of the public, this chapter should lead the reader to a bctter understanding of the changes which occur in pregnancy and of the process of labour. One chapter is devoted to breast-feeding and rooming-in. Advantages of these procedures are fully discussed. For the mother who wishes to breast-feed the advice contained in this chapter should be of help. Unfortunately the number of women who show any interest in breast-feeding appears to be steadily diminishing. The important subject of diet during pregnancy is discussed at length. The necessity for an adequate intake of iron is emphasised. Perhaps the need to reduce salt intake during pregnancy could have been stressed a little more. Preparation for labour is discussed in another chapter. A series of exercises designed to promote complete relaxation are described in detail. The various exercises are well illustrated …