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This article, in addition to an interesting case report, is a contribution to the study of organ choice in expression of psychic conflict. Issue is taken with Alexander, who tends to the view that peptic ulcer is found in a specific type of personality. It is pointed out that the respiratory system as well as the alimentary system could assume the organic expression of the psychic conflict where the question of intake, retention or expulsion is concerned. On the other hand, a purely receptive organ, like the ear, would be likely to be disturbed psychologically in cases of repressed passivity; and a purely expellant organ such as the rectum would shew dysfunction where aggression has been repressed.
A case of asthma is reported where an emotional conflict centring about the patient's repressed desire for love from her mother led to asthmatic attacks. For a brief period the asthmatic attacks were replaced by emotional outbursts resembling manic attacks. Analysis revealed a conflict between aggressive masculine and passive feminine tendencies. Two psychic incidents are cited in postulating the patient's association of respiratory disorders with masculinity and thus aiding in the choice of respiratory expression.