[Correspondence between Winkler and Von Monakow. 2. Developments in psychiatry and neurology (1900-1930)]

In this second article Winkler's and Von Monakow's views on the evolution of psychiatry and neurology (1900-1930) are described. They discussed a number of scientific subjects in their correspondence, such as the localisation of functions in the central nervous system and in particular Von Monakow's concept of 'diaschisis'. This concept explained the phenomenon that symptoms during the acute phase of central nervous system disorders are more extensive and of a different nature than those during the chronic phase. The controversy between the neuron theory and the reticular theory was also discussed in the correspondence. One of the reasons for the correspondence and meetings was the plan to compile an atlas of the brain although due to the outbreak of World War I this did not come to fruition. Finally there was an extensive correspondence concerning the psychoanalytic movement within the psychiatry, of which Winkler and Von Monakow, as biologically orientated neuropsychiatrists, were highly critical. German language neuropsychiatry has had a considerable influence in the Netherlands and this is in part due to the relationship Winkler had with German neuropsychiatrists and Von Monakow in particular.