Kahn and Freyhan cast doubt on prevalent assumptions concerning the psychosomatic aspects of peptic ulcer. Statistics do not justify the conclusion that this ailment is increasing in frequency; correspondingly, generalizations to the effect that 'our civilization breeds peptic ulcer' are unwarranted. The concept of a special type of personality disposed to this disorder fails to find positive confirmation. Few such patients have been intensively investigated. No attempt has been made to correlate so-called oral needs with the actual development of the ulcer. The occurrence of the malady among individuals of the most varied personalities is demonstrable, while typical 'ulcer personalities' fail to succumb to this illness. The authors conclude that 'we are confronted with a lack of distinction between established facts and impressions' and that there is 'an acute need for scientific restraint' in dealing with this subject.