ASK DF. STEINCROHN

Dr. Steincrohn, author of the column ""Stop Killing Yourself,"" promises that by reading this book ""you will discover all you need to know about how to stay alive--AND ENJOY IT."" What we have is 117 chapters of column length grouped into seven overlapping sections to tell us about ""Doctor-Patient Relationships,"" ""Habits--Good and Bad,"" ""Your Family,"" ""Your Nerves,"" ""Practical Tips On How to Adjust to Your Way of Life,"" etc. The topics are addressed, in the main, by putative letters from and conversations with patients. Viz., ""Frankly, Doctor, I'm tired of being treated as a child. You're always warning me that my bad ha bits will kill me."" Dr. Steincrohn's theory is that avoidance of doctors and non-compliance with their directives are due to adult rebellion at restrictions against which they were helpless when they were young. Tensions between parent and child--the cause of many maladies? The answer ""seems to be--love your child and he won't feel neglected."" Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar; and every person who complains of anxiety neurosis, who has scores of nervous symptoms, and who has a change in personality should have a six-hour glucose tolerance test. What does low blood sugar do or mean, what does a glucose tolerance test involve, why should it be done--Dr. Steincrohn doesn't tell us. There are altogether too many vague explanations and pat solutions for complex problems here.