Editors' Introduction

In this issue we continue the discussion of current controversies. Our first section comprises a colloquium on the much debated topic of conversion from psychotherapy to psychoanalysis. Two clinical case reports are presented along with discussions. We have been fortunate enough to obtain follow-up material on both cases. These will further illustrate the problems involved in evaluating such conversions, as well as demonstrate the importance of follow-up for the evaluation of clinical case reports. Cases are usually selected as illustrative of points the therapist wishes to make, but only follow-up material, obtained at reasonable intervals, can test the theses drawn from the original clinical material. We are indebted to Drs. Margolis, Schwartz, and R for their work in this regard, and especially to Dr. Margolis for his efforts in collecting and organizing the material for publication.

Our second section is entitled “Infantile Wishes: Fulfilled and Unfulfilled.” Dr. Ernest Kafka in his Brill Lecture entitled “Illusion and Disillusion” poignantly discusses how difficult it is for patients in analysis (and by extension for all of us) to relinquish the expectation of pleasurable gratification from fulfillment of infantile daydreams. Dr. Felix Loeb, on the other hand, illustrates what might happen when an infantile sexual wish is fulfilled by parents—a problem also known as sexual abuse. Dr. Loeb's results might be surprising.

In the third section, two authors discuss what might be inferred from the first clinical impressions of the patient. Our International Editor, Dr. Abelin-Sas, offers concepts and techniques useful for making the most of the very first interview. Drs. Bradlow1 and Bender inquire into the usefulness of early dreams. Both papers are admittedly speculative, based as they are on a relative paucity of clinical data. However, both are thoughtfully composed, and it is this quality which has persuaded us to inaugurate a new department, “Clinical