Dr. Menninger first discusses objections that have been made to the instinct theory, but points out that no other theory can account for the facts, mentioning especially the death instinct. He extends this theory to a consideration of prenatal life on the basis of an anthropological finding which indicates that the Mohave Indians in Arizona believe that there are certain unborn children who are especially destructive. After birth the same children show special destructiveness and in later life become Shamans (medicine men). The author states, 'It is as if the Mohave intuitively recognized or at least believed that healing was in part determined by "reaction formation" against overdevelopment or overstimulation of the death (destructive) instinct, an overdevelopment which according to their theory is evidenced by the future Shaman while still in the womb of his mother.'