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The writer of a book which is written to express in popular form some of the theories of a particular science as well as their effects should above all be exceedingly careful that his use of the terms of the science is quite in accord with their special meaning, and that his explanations are accurately based on the science. Unfortunately these two points cannot be said to be fulfilled in this book on 'Repressed Emotions'. The author has taken the science of psycho-analysis as the foundation of his book and of the views expressed in it, but in many instances throughout the book these latter do not agree with psycho-analytical theory, and his description of certain terms and processes are not the psycho-analytical ones. This defect is a serious one, for readers, especially those unacquainted with the psycho-analytical principles, will obtain quite erroneous views and ideas on the subject. Considering the author's supposed knowledge of psycho-analysis one would have thought he would have taken particular care when writing this book, but instead of doing so he exhibits a carelessness that is greatly to be regretted.
For instance, the title he has chosen for the book does not coincide with psycho-analytical views, for the psycho-analytical theory does not admit the 'repression of emotions'. The author seems to consider that ideas and emotions are one and the same thing, for on p. 8 he says, 'Repression is not suspension of forbidden ideas or1 emotions'. In the same paragraph he says, 'In the course of development of the individual, certain powerful components of the mental life, particularly referring to the sexual impulse, may undergo a repression'. Why 'may'? The author must know that certain components are repressed. When speaking of the forgetting of familiar words (pp. 12 and 13) he states that 'This emotional factor was repression'. It is to be supposed that he means the censorship. And further on he says 'the removal of a few repressions', again it is to