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While in Europe during the summer of 1937 my wife and I were happily able to make an arrangement to visit Professor Freud. At the time he was convalescing from a mild intercurrent illness and, although not well enough to take up his usual work, he was somewhat restless at his confinement and eager for any diversion. The family was then living in the pleasant suburb of Grinzing.
Professor Freud was resting on the porch when we arrived. He looked, as he was, an old man and ill, but there was nothing in his manner or mental activity to justify this impression. He was cordial and alert; his steady and keen eye seemed to miss nothing; he spoke rapidly in excellent English. He found pleasure in the fact that his dog Luni, formerly owned by Helene Deutsch, paid friendly attention to Mrs. Peck and professed to see in this a contribution to international good feeling. He listened with complete attention to what he considered of interest, dismissing other matters somewhat brusquely.
The conversation, more or less guided by Anna Freud, became a discussion of psychoanalysis. His own position of authority and leadership Freud brushed aside as inconsequential. The essence of his comment was that in America medical application of psychoanalysis was the rule, and contributions to its structure were the exception. He used the term 'medical fixation' for the American scene, and regretted the alliance between psychiatry and psychoanalysis. He made frequent reference to the 'core of psychoanalysis' and expressed his belief that this core should be kept separate from other disciplines for a long time to come. He stated with deep conviction that 'psychoanalysis is a part of psychology and for its proper development, it should be kept free from biology, philosophy,—and also psychiatry'.
I expressed the opinion that everyone was in agreement