Morel, F., Delgado, Golla, Handelsman, Alexander (1950) Congrès international de psychiatrie : Paris, 1950. Vol 1-5 in 1 bundle!
Rating: ♥♥♥ (Very good)
Very good paperback original cover. Shelf worn and gildede but has all pages and leaves present, no tears in paper or spine. Exlib.
This substantial five‑volume set, published in 1950, brings together the work of several major figures in mid‑20th‑century psychiatry and neurology: Morel, Delgado, Golla, Handelsman, and Alexander. Each volume addresses a different aspect of mental health, clinical psychiatry, neurological disorders, or psychophysiology, reflecting the rapidly expanding scientific landscape of the post‑war period.
The mid‑1900s marked a turning point in psychiatric research. Biological psychiatry gained momentum, electroencephalography (EEG) became a central diagnostic tool, and new theories of personality, trauma, and psychosomatic illness emerged. This multi‑author set captures that moment of transition, combining clinical observation with experimental approaches and early neurophysiological methods.
Across the five volumes, the authors explore topics such as:
- psychiatric classification and diagnostic practice
- neurological foundations of mental disorders
- early EEG research and brain‑behavior relationships
- psychosomatic medicine and personality theory
- therapeutic approaches including psychotherapy, somatic treatments, and rehabilitation
The collaboration between these authors is particularly noteworthy. José M. R. Delgado became famous for his pioneering work on electrical brain stimulation; C. S. Golla contributed significantly to EEG research; Franz Alexander was a leading figure in psychosomatic medicine; and Morel and Handelsman added important clinical and theoretical perspectives. Together, their work represents a broad and ambitious attempt to integrate psychiatry, neurology, and psychology at a time when the boundaries between these fields were being redefined.
For historians of psychiatry and neurology, this set offers a rich primary source documenting the scientific debates and clinical practices of the early post‑war era. It is also a valuable reference for collectors interested in the development of biological psychiatry, early brain research, and mid‑century mental health theory.
Collector’s Note
Complete multi‑volume sets from this period are increasingly difficult to find, especially in coherent condition across all volumes. This 1950 edition brings together influential authors whose work helped shape modern psychiatry, neurology, and psychosomatic medicine. A strong addition to any collection focused on 20th‑century mental health, brain research, or the history of psychiatric theory.
Keywords
- mid‑20th‑century psychiatry
- neurology and mental health
- José M. R. Delgado
- Franz Alexander psychosomatic medicine
- early EEG research
- biological psychiatry history
- psychiatric multi‑volume set
- 1950 mental health literature
