Epidemiology of Mental Retardation, by Rick Heber, Ph.D. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas, 1970, 119 pp., $8.75

Abstract

Stedman's Medical Dictionary defines epidemiology as the science of epidemics and epidemic diseases, i.e., diseases attacking many people in a community simultaneously. Since mental retardation is not an epidemic disease, the reader may wonder what its epidemiology may be. On the cover one reads further: "Mental retardation is the science that crosses all specialities of medicine." Of course the author is well versed enough to define, subsequently, mental retardation as a "symptom." These then are two inaccuracies found on the cover of the booklet, although the benevolent reviewer stretches his imagination in order to recognize their true meaning.