Mental diseases: a public health problem

Mental diseases: a public health problem

In presenting a preliminary consideration of the subject of mental diseases as a public health problem the author is actuated by no other motive than that of stimulating the undertaking, at some future time, of a comprehensive investigation and survey of an important field which has never been systematically and adequately studied in the past. Under existing circumstances the facts necessary for an intelligent discussion of this question are unfortunately not obtainable. We have, as will be shown, practically no information whatever as to the incidence of mental diseases in the community. Hospital statistics are still in such a chaotic state that we are not even in a position to speak authoritatively of that part of the population which is entirely within our supervision and control in institutions. Before any progress can be hoped for we must at least have at our disposal accurate data relative to the patients within the walls of our hospitals. This presupposes a uniform scheme of statistical reports based upon some common viewpoint. Adequate preparations for this undertaking have been made by the American Psychiatric Association and the National Committee for Mental Hygiene. Every hospital for mental diseases in the country has been urged to cooperate in this movement. To show the necessity for more actively prosecuting this research has been one of the principal purposes of this book. In elaborating somewhat briefly the conception of the various psychoses generally accepted by American psychiatrists, and for that reason included in the classification adopted by the Association, every effort has been[10] made, as far as possible, to show the steps which have led up to present developments. The author has endeavored to confine himself to reflecting the views of others throughout and has used actual quotations from recognized authorities as far as was deemed advisable. In the discussion of the various psychoses frequent references will be noted to the description of the various clinical groups contained in the manual prepared by the Committee on Statistics for the American Psychiatric Association. As is shown in the manual, these definitions and explanatory notes were formulated by Dr. George H. Kirby. Special reference should be made to the important contributions to the literature of psychiatry of such well-known American writers as Meyer, Hoch, Kirby, White, Barrett, Campbell, Southard, Peterson, Diefendorf, Jelliffe, Paton, Salmon, Russell, Buckley, Rosanoff, Orton, Singer and many others. The work of Kraepelin, Bleuler, Nissl, Alzheimer, Freud, Jung, Stekel, Janet and others abroad has exercised an influence on the psychiatry of the day which must be recognized. We are very largely indebted to Pollock and to Furbush for the available information relating to the incidence of the various psychoses in this country. To the American Psychiatric, for many years the American Medico-Psychological, Association we owe an exhaustive historical review of the institutional care and treatment of mental diseases in the United States and Canada. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 54611
Author: May, James Vance
Release Date: Apr 26, 2017
Format: eBook
Language: English