New York Psycho-Analytical Society

October 30, 1923. Dr. M. A. Meyer: The mental reaction to a venereal infection. The rôle of the castration complex as the central theme in the mental reaction was emphasized, and illustrated nicely through a dream of the patient's.

Dr. Adolph Stern: On the counter-transference, giving a hint as to its sources and forms of its manifestations, its similarity to the transference-phenomena on the part of the patient being indicated.

November 27, 1923. Dr. I. S. Wechsler: The nervousness of the Jew. An enquiry into racial psychology. This paper is an attempt to apply some of the psycho-analytic principles to the study of the neurotic character and the prevalence of neuroses among Jews. The first part deals with the more general, superficial or immediate causes which are rooted in the unfavourable social situations to which the Jew has been exposed for centuries. The second part takes up the question of racial, or rather, group psychology and the cultural or religious causes. Here it is pointed out that the Jewish religion and ethical concepts put their emphasis on realism. Idealism, in its psychological sense, is less strongly emphasized, that is, less than in other religions. Further, the Jew's sense of reality, fostered by his culture, has been markedly developed by the adverse factors to which he has always been exposed. He could not, therefore, find that escape in spiritual 'idealism' nor shift his conflicts to the same extent as others whose religion is less realistic and whose notions of heaven and hell are more deeply rooted. His religion permits less of vicarious neurosis. The Jew's individualism and gregariousness are both so extremely developed that they are additional causes of conflict. So also his ideal ego and real ego are equally strongly developed. His refusal to give up his identity and ability to survive testify to their existence. Neurosis is also looked upon as a by-product of racial development. Just as the in