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Although it is now seventy five years since Freud's 'Three essays on the theory of infantile sexuality' was first published, the study of perversions is still beset by obscurities and challenges. In spite of some outstanding advances and contributions from research workers and clinicians all over the world, the majority of psychoanalysts on graduation have limited understanding of the psychopathology of, and experience in, treating perversions. Candidates in training are given little theoretical and clinical tuition in these conditions and as they begin to work as psychoanalysts are disinclined to take on perverts. In general, this is due to: (1) doubts as to the motivation for change; (2) the intricacy of the psychopathology; (3) the alleged technical difficulties in bringing the perversion into the psychoanalytic process so that full use can be made of the transference; (4) pessimism concerning the actual results from analytical therapy especially if the perversion is a long standing one. There are some truths and fallacies in all these arguments. At one time, I found it disconcerting that some colleagues would doubt that radical changes had taken place in patients who had moved from homosexuality to satisfactory heterosexual adjustments as a result of psychoanalysis. It is also not unusual to come across analysts who treat perverts using a technical and theoretical approach which is quite dated. Should they turn to the available textbooks for more up-to-date information, the contradictory views advanced by various writers can prove confusing and bewildering.
This collection of essays is beyond such criticism and is probably unique, not only because of the diversity of topics related to the perversions but also because they come from only one author. His research into carefully recorded observations gathered in the psychoanalytic laboratory, i.e. his consulting room, has enabled Masud Khan to isolate a phenomenon to be found in practically all perverts and