The Theory of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy. By Norah A. Haworth, M.A.(Cantab.), M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.M., and E. Mary Macdonald, Principal, Dorset House School of Occupational Therapy. Foreword by Sir Robert Stanton Woods, M.D., F.R.C.P. Baillifere, Tindall & Cox. 6s. This book is written by two experts who have happily combined their respective knowledge and experience?Dr. Haworth as a psychiatrist and Miss Macdonald as an experienced Occupational Therapist. The preliminary chapters give a summary of this form of treatment from very early times and also stress some important points in the rationale ?f more modern methods. It is indicated that lhe aim of Occupational Therapy is primarily *he restoration of function?in orthopaedic cases the function of joints and muscles, in mental 'Uness the disordered functions of mind. In the 'atter case this is done by helping the patient to resume contact with reality, by restoring selfconfidence and by developing lost initiative. In all cases, both mental and physical, the greatest benefit is obtained from the diversion of the patient's thought from his own disability into channels which are interesting and useful. Throughout the book it is made obvious that in order to give the treatment its full value there must be perfect co-operation between the trained therapist who directs the department and doctor, matron and nursing staff. Ideally, the doctor himself should be conversant with the various handicrafts and their application to. different forms of illness ; he is then in a position to send to the therapist a prescription for each patient, indicating in a general way the type of work required and the capacity of the patient. The nursing staff, too, should have special training in the theory and practice of the treatment. It is