Abstract

Critical Volume1985,in American Psychiatry by Richard Rosner, M.D.; and Plenum, the Law, New York,$39.50. chiatry and the law, while interesting, is of limited value. Bertram SlafFs chapter on adolescent cognitivc and emotional development is a fine discussion of clinical issues but makes almost rio mention of the legal relevance of these issues and thus leaves the reader wonderirig, “Why in this volume?” The chapter by Peter Guggenheim and Richard Gamise on the assessmerit of psychopathology in juvenile delinquents is to be commended for its practical, how-to approach and for stressing the need to focus on the court’s referral question. But it then fails akogether to identify the variety of questions the juvenile courts refer.Issues 2-edited307 pages,W.“TheLawrence questionFitch,J.D. askedas to who are to tellQuen’son violenceis evenphysician,by an incensedthe lawyers think they doctors how to practice, is based on a misunderstanding. The doctors know how to act; that is not the issue. The lawyers tell the doctors what actions are lawful, permissible in our society, consjstcnt with the fundamental principles of our nation; that is the vital issue.” Thus in the opening chapter of thesecond American volume of Critical Psychiatry and issues in the Law,less satisfying. Quen perpetuates the popular