Jelliffe's Postencephalitic Respiratory Disorders*

The multiform symptomatic expressions and results of the nervous and mental disorder known as epidemic encephalitis have stimulated an enormous amount of research and speculation in several fields of medicine. Numerous have been the attempts to solve its constitutional and microbian mysteries and from these endeavors many interesting points of view have evolved. The laws of the mind or of behavior are the laws of the body: the laws of structure and of function are unities, so it is with keen anticipation that we note the trend of thought here initiated by Jelliffe as another method of approach to this complex problem.

A most excellent feature of this monograph, and one which covers one-third of its pages is a comprehensive review to date of the local and foreign, general, and case report literature on respiratory complications of epidemic encephalitis. This has been sufficiently well done to afford a desirable source of reference for those planning a research attack upon any aspect of the disease.

The study has been presented in five parts: the historical résumé mentioned above, a report of two cases treated by psychoanalytic methods, consideration of phenomenological and pathological import, psychopathological problems, and finally questions of therapy.

The human organism is not a simple affair in the arrangement of its structures, functions, and integrations of energy systems; moreover, it is old and experienced with perhaps several billion years of evolution, growth and adjustment behind it. During this time there have been organized many unchangeable but some modifiable laws of behavior and the experiences of life bring certain stresses to bear upon and to determine to considerable extent what is known as the “personality.” The “personality” on its way through the life span passes through definite phases of “life energy” or “libido” expressions—some of which are the intrauterine, the organ erotic, the