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This paper reports a lecture given in Chicago before the Gynæcological Society, and discusses the psychical origins of a variety of disorders in women. The psycho-analytic method is described as the only one capable of elucidating the complicated psychological genesis of these maladies. In every case of neurosis which she investigated, the author ascertained the presence of functional disorders of the genital system. She raises three problems. The first, whether psycho-sexual disturbances are invariably accompanied by functional genital disorders, does not receive a definite answer, for want of more extensive experience. The author's material favours the view that an invariable connection of the kind exists, but further enlightenment will only follow when gynæcologists with a psycho-analytical training have turned their experience to account. The second question, whether psychical and genital disturbances may not ultimately be referred to a common causal factor in the individual constitution or internal secretions is discussed on lines which indicate that unequivocal relations certainly do not exist and that it is very often possible to demonstrate differences in the constitutional and psycho-sexual manifestations. The question of an invariable connection is to be found between certain types of reaction to sexual life and particular genital disturbances of a functional order is discussed in greatest detail.
The work is notable for a particularly lucid and intelligible exposition, the essential points are thrown into relief, while, as befits the purpose of the lecture, no attempt has been made to enter upon a detailed account of subtler psychological mechanisms.
The remarks concerning the significance for the genesis of frigidity of certain points of difference in the character of the masculine and feminine psyche are worthy of note.