JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
This book gives a full description of squint in all its aspects, beginning with the anatomy and ending with the reasons for unsatisfactory results in squint surgery.
Abstract
D.P.M. (Pp. x + 396. 25s.). London: Cassell. 1953. DR. PEARCE begins his book with a brief historical survey of the subject, showing that "the grave increase in Juvenile I)elinquency" has been a source of anxiety since the beginning of the nineteenth century. He ends his study by remarking that the real question is not so much one of deciding what the right preventive steps are, but whi they are not taken. Throughout the book, he stresses the fact that delinquency is only the presenting symptom-it is not in itself a disease-and that each juvenile delinquent must be studied as an individual. While no simple explanations can be accepted as adequate, the causes for the development of the delinquent character are divided into nine broad categories, which may each have manv sub-divisions. The clinical descriptions of these categories are given in not too technical language, and the many illustrative cases quoted are excellent, and serve to emphasise the individuality of each problem. The section on the Law and the Delinquent, and those on Treatment (including punishment) and Prevention are well-balanced, and show that the re-education of the young delinquent can be much more efficiently achieved through constructive methods than by mere repression and retribution. Dr. Pearce's book is comprehensive, and thouglh possibly too technical for the ordinary layman, wvill prove very valuable to those whose work brings them into contact with this vast problem. M. E. L.