Asclepius: A Collection and Interpretation of the Testimonies

Emma and Ludwig Edelstein have accomplished a difficult task in exemplary fashion with the publication of their "Asclepius." It is an experiment in scholarship and unique in its careful study of all references that pertain to the subject, as well as in the discriminating use of the source material in the construction of the second volume. The encyclopedic character of the work, the breadth of view everywhere in evidence is reminiscent of the prewar era of German scholarship and augurs well for the future enrichment of our own contributions in this direction. Even a casual reading of the second volume, which presents a well integrated summary of the facts and impressions gathered from the sources documented in the first, makes it apparent that the work will not only be useful in medical circles but of interest to the psychologist, the historian and the student of religion. The authors have treated