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This communication points out that although among war neurotics fear abreactions were by no means infrequent, the following case met with in private practice presented an unusual emotional disturbance. A young medical man in the course of treatment decided to have his basal metabolism tested, thinking that some glandular extract might prove beneficial in certain of his symptoms. During these operations he was very nervous. The face mask played an important part, and the words 'it is all up with me now' kept on recurring to him.
His next analysis took place about 36 hours after the investigations, and precipitated an intense abreaction of fear. Slight tremors increased till they shook the whole frame, the face and lips became blanched, the voice was one of piteous distress, and he was crying out for help, when under the guise of reassurance an attempt was made to take the pulse. It registered 52. This advance made him more confident. The colour began to return, and his hysterical weeping gave place to the long-drawn sobs of a child and gradually ceased. The abreaction lasted 2½ minutes. The patient then recounted that at six years of age he had been circumcised. He was carried down and placed on a table at an early hour of the morning and his face was covered by the anæsthetic mask. He felt scared. The last words he remembered thinking were 'it is all up with me now'. Having recalled his circumcision experiences, the patient left, smiling his thanks for the help he had received.
Author's Abstract.