Inscribed by the author to H.G. Wells, “in gratitude”, and dated “May 1941”.
“In this semi-popular book the author provides a vey readable account of the causes of the anxiety state, its physical and psychological concomitants, and the very grave danger of attempting to allay anxiety by the use of alcohol and other narcotic drugs. Since, in the author’s opinion, chronic alcoholism is nearly always an end result of the anxiety state, much space is devoted to this subject. There is a most spirited description of alcoholic types, some excellent advice on judicious drinking, a physiological explanation as to the action of alcohol and the value of vitamin B1, and finally a detailed and technical account of the apomorphine treatment. The author explains that this treatment is much more rational than other forms of shock therapy now in vogue, because apomorphine is a “back-brain centre” stimulant. Unfortunately it is observed that one glass of sherry or even a little trifle, taken in mistake for nun’s pudding may reactivate the craving.” (S. M. Coleman, review of Anxiety and Its Treatment, in Journal of Mental Science, Volume 88, Issue 370, January 1942, pp. 142).
Wells had reviewed Dent’s previous work, The Human Machine (1937), calling it “Fresh, original, sound, clear, compact and full”, and adding that “Such books sustain and clarify the mind”, which is likely why Dent sent Wells his new work along with his “gratitude”.
William S. Burroughs was successfully treated for his heroin addiction by Dent, becoming a tireless advocate for apomorphine as a treatment for addicts. Burroughs said the following of it: “At the time I took the apomorphine cure I had no claims to call myself a writer and my creativity was limited to filling a hypodermic. The entire body of work on which my current reputation is based was produced after the apomorphine treatment, and would never have been produced if I had not taken the cure and stayed off junk.”
Cloth a trifle discoloured, offsetting and foxing to endpapers, still a very good copy.
