New York Psycho-Analytical Society

October 26, 1926. This meeting was devoted to a discussion of Hemmung, Symptom und Angst. Consideration of the book was divided into three topics:

a. Dr. Stern presented a descriptive survey of the book, consisting of a detailed abstract that gave an excellent condensed account of the material of the text.

b. Dr. Oberndorf discussed the book with special reference to Freud's comments on Rank's theory of the birth trauma, anxiety and neurosogenesis.

c. Dr. Meyer read a critical appreciation of the book, taking up its general significance in psychopathology, its immediate origin, its spirit, its style, its relation to previous anxiety formulations, the implications of advances made in the book, the problems raised by the new orientation, and the book as an example of Freud's scientific method in general.

November 30, 1926. This meeting was devoted to a discussion of Freud's Die Frage der Laienanalyse. Dr. Brill read both a descriptive survey and a critical study of the book. He emphasized the remarkable delineation of the psycho-analytic method given in the book. He also reviewed the entire problem of lay analysis, as it has obtained in New York for the many years that he has been associated with the psycho-analytic movement here as its leader. His experiences with lay analysts were hardly of an encouraging nature. A lively discussion ensued, in which all present took part. Dr. Jelliffe also stated that he had found lay analysis not altogether satisfactory after having tried the matter out. A large majority of those present expressed themselves as being opposed to the practice of psycho-analysis for therapeutic purposes by laymen.

December, 1926. Owing to the meeting of the American Psycho-Analytical Association in New York City during this month, the usual December meeting of the New York Psycho-Analytical Society was omitted.

Monroe A. Meyer, Corresponding Secretary.