The Hypothalamus and Central Levels of Autonomic Function

The concepts of pulmonary anatomy and physiology, and the interpretations of the pathologic findings in pneumoconiosis are highly original. The stated intention of maintaining an unbiased outlook by omitting a careful study of the literature on the subject is also reflected in the meager bibliography. The annual publication of the Proceedings of the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disease is always an event of considerable importance to those interested in the nervous system. The present volume, the twentieth in this series, will undoubtedly remain the outstanding basic reference book on the hypothalamus for many years to come. The editorial board, composed is to be congratulated on the arrangement of the subject matter, the selection of authors, and the speed of publication. It is perhaps not inappropriate that this volume on the hypothalamus should be published at a time when a considerable portion of the world appears to be living close to the hypothalamic level. The volume is introduced by an historical resume by J. F. Fulton in which Friolich's original text, describing the adiposogenital syndrome, is reprinted. The following 319 pages are devoted to nine articles on the anatomy of the hypothalamus. This part is introduced by an excellent precis of preoptic, hypothalamic, and hypophysial terminology with atlas. This standardization of terminology, which is followed in all the individual articles, is particularly welcome to those who have attempted to correlate the diverse anatomic terminology used in the past. The anatomical section includes embryology, comparative anatomy, projection system, and angio-architecture of the hypothalamus. Part two is devoted to the physiology of the hypothalamus and covers 362 pages. The subjects of discussion include cardiovascular regulation, body temperature, water metabolism, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, the relation of the hypothalamus to anterior pituitary function, gastro-intestinal regulation, and sleep. The final section is a clinical symposium on the hypothalamus with discussion of hypothalamic changes in organic disease, personality and emotional disorders associated with hypothalamic lesions, disturbances of temperature regulation, and surgical and medical aspects of the hypothalamus. Each individual article throughout the volume contains an ample reference bibliog