When this book was originally published in 1979, mental illness was a closed book to the general public. It is not surprising that in the climate of widespread ignorance, mental illness was a taboo subject. It was rarely mentioned in the media, useful information and professional help was hard to find and so it was not a topic for open discussion.

It is fascinating to keep this perspective in mind when reading this book. Dr J. F. J. Cade gives a lucid account of the false theories and beliefs, mistaken practices, the many discoveries and the advances in the field of mental illness up to that time. He presents an account of the first specific psychiatric treatment for bipolar disorder (at that time called manic depression), namely lithium salts but he refrains from mentioning that he made this momentous discovery himself.

There has been much progress in the 36 years since then. These days we are all aware of the frequency and significance of mental illnesses which have at last, well and truly, come out into the open.

Various aspects of mental illness are now drawn to our attention every day. Everyone has some familiarity and empathy with bipolar disorder and with schizophrenia. Information about these and other mental disorders is readily available and easily found in printed texts and on the internet. There are contact persons and focus groups within the community who are willing and able to help sufferers of mental illness and their families to recognize the nature of their problem and to assist them in finding professional help.

Psychiatry has come along way since this book was written and it is interesting to be told by this psychiatric pioneer where it has come from.