Discoveries in Biological Psychiatry

Abstract

This book is certainly timely. Watson's account of his discovery ofThe Double Helixhad aroused widespread interest in the process of discovery. Ayd and Blackwell point out that there are many similar accounts in the literature. The accounts of discovery in biological psychiatry I found fascinating. At times it reads like a great adventure story, describing the inspiration, the overcoming of resistance, the battle for priority, and the final acclaim. The book is recommended for the young investigator and the tiring administrator alike. It covers such diverse subjects as the discovery of amphetamines, flurothyl (Indoklon), meprobamate, benzodiazepines, reserpine, butyrophenone, thioxanthenes, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, imipramine, chlorpromazine, and lithium. There are also exciting accounts by Blackwell of his discovery of the tyramine-induced hypertensive reaction to monoamine-oxidase inhibitors, by Elkes of the birth of psychopharmacology, by Hofmann of his discovery of synthetic and naturally occurring hallucinogens, and by Tracy Putnam of the

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