28 Jun 2005

The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat - by Oliver Sacks

I'm not sure about this book. It is supposed to be a series of pieces about specific cases, where patients have a brain disorder, written for the non-specialist. Although the author does spend a lot of time looking at the implications and meaning of his patients' conditions, he seems to be unable to stay away from medical jargon. I am challenged by phraseology like this: "Similar hyperosmia, sometimes paroxysmal, may occur in encephalitics on L-Dopa, and some patients with Tourette's syndrome." Having to look up 3-4 words just to get through once sentence is too much.

Although many of the stories were interesting, my concentration would lapse as the author rambled on about the higher significance of the patient's condition.

I didn't find it that hard to read, but I'm glad I got it finished and can move on.

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