Any contribution to medical psychology from M. Féré is likely to be of value, and this little book on the family treatment of the insane forms no exception. He belongs to the school which would treat the insane in the country with the advantage of being well occupied in farm labour or other ways. It is stated that the Conseil Général de la Seine has decided to place out in this way 400 inoffensive senile dements. With regard to this it is rather difficult to understand how this class of patients are suitable for this location, however desirable it may be to eliminate them from an ordinary asylum. Many references are made to England and Scotland by M. Féré. At present the family treatment of the insane may take the form of a colony annexed to an asylum; a free colony; or thirdly, as single patients. Of the first, Altscherbitz, near Leipsic, is a well-known example. Claremont (Oise), while carried on by the private enterprise of the brothers Labitte, has presented a successful instance of economy. The author especially mentions under this head the colony of Ilten, near Hanover, founded by Dr. Whrendorff.” The system of Ilten consists essentially in the extension of the surveillance of the establishment, to which the patients may be returned at the shortest notice, the doctor having his eye always upon them. They may besides receive there special care and treatment. This mode of treatment costs little, the maintenance of each patient amounting to 337.50 francs annually, without any building” (p. 19).
FAMILIES OF AFFINE RULED SURFACES: EXISTENCE OF CYLINDERS