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Proceeding from a very complete analysis of an obsession in a youth of sixteen, the author traverses a large part of the theory and practice of psycho-analysis. There are chapters on infantile sexuality, on the dreams in obsessional cases, the masturbation of puberty, etc. A considerable part of the work deals with early sado-masochism, descriptive accounts of the sado-masochistic behaviour and phantasies; these the author maintains play an important part in the obsessional mode of thought. He devotes considerable space to the genesis of sado-masochism in sexual development, but it cannot be said that any new light is thrown upon this question. Psycho-analysis is for Thenon the history of the libido alone (p. 47). The aggressive impulses, as such, do not seem to be considered fundamental to his conception of psycho-analysis.
The literature quoted is very extensive, shewing the author's wide and catholic reading. The book is only a contribution to the literature of the obsessional neurosis for the Spanish reader, but does not attempt to resolve any of the unsolved problems of the psycho-neuroses.