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The object of this paper is to demonstrate certain aspects of psychoanalysis as evinced by Freud's letter to Fliess of 1 January 1896, which occupies a key position in the development of psychoanalytic theory and clinical practice because it contains some of the fundamental themes of Freud's thought. These are the transference, which he describes as turning us into members of the «wild army»,1 the functioning of the psychical apparatus — which he had previously called the neuronal apparatus — and, lastly, the «psychosomatic» disorders connected with psycho-bisexuality in the mind-body relationship. These themes rest on three pillars of psychoanalysis: the therapeutic relationship, theory and clinical practice. I shall in addition show that the letter marks a point of transition from the neurological to the psychological conception of the neuro-psychical apparatus and that it draws attention to the central role of consciousness in that apparatus.
On reading the letter, one may note that it falls into three parts:
The first part illustrates the transference aspect, which is in fact a consistent thread running through the entire letter.
The second part, which is more theoretical in nature, sets out a number of «corrections» to the ideas put forward in the «Project for a scientific psychology» (Freud, 1895a).
The final part, devoted to clinical aspects, explores the mechanisms of migraine, which afflicted both of the two friends.
With regard to the first point, Freud declares his affection for Fliess and his need to show his gratitude for the example Fliess sets him by giving him the strength to trust his judgement: «How much I owe you» (Masson, 1985, p. 158). He basically