Daybreak

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In the 1950s, 60s and 70s, some novelists incorporated into their books detailed and realistic looks at various industries and operations—showing how things worked behind the scenes.  Arthur Hailey—the author of Airport, Hotel, and Wheels—was among the best known.

In the same vein, Dr. Frank G. Slaughter was a prolific author and a practicing physician who enjoyed sharing the inner workings of his profession.  Daybreak focuses on the operation of a state mental hospital during the mid-20^th century.  Specifically, it deals with the innovative practice of using drugs instead of surgery to help deal with the worst cases of mental illness.

The book includes a number of rather lengthy discussions among its characters about psychotherapy, surgical techniques, and the concept of drugs in lieu of surgery.  Although the discussions are dumbed down for the layman, they can still be a slog to get through.  You may find yourself searching the internet for the definition of terms, descriptions of medical procedures, and even images of surgical instruments.

Despite that, the book still has the elements of a good yarn—conflict, tragedy, politics, corruption, and of course, love interests.  At the end, there is even an ironic twist involving a missing EKG. 

Don’t let the medical discussions put you off.  If you enjoy a well-paced drama, coupled with a peek behind a profession’s curtain, you will enjoy Dr. Slaughter’s Daybreak.

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