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In these days of active and extensive literary production in all fields of scientific endeavor it is a pleasure to discover a work, by a recognized authority, written briefly yet covering the essential facts and theories of
one of these fields. Such a book has been written on mechanisms in the neuroses by Nunberg, who has presented his subject as it appears at the present time in such a way as to be of the utmost service for teaching purposes.
The first few chapters take up the subject of mental mechanisms in general with particular attention given to the topical dynamic conception of the neuroses, the conscious, unconscious and foreconscious systems, phantasy activities, regression and the various life impulses. The psychoanalytic conception of the libido, perversions, erogenous zones and infantile sexuality relationships are concisely described, as are also the oral, anal, sadistic and phallic phases of development. The several “complexes,” and the developmental disturbances in the sexual instincts, and particularly the relation of the destructive instincts to the components of libido organization are set forth in the order of their evolution.
A chapter is devoted to the special psychology of the Ego, and its connections with the Id. Such aspects as the perceptive functions of the Ego, the proofs of reality, the power of magic and feelings of omnipotence, and the various attempts at adaptation to a complex reality are outlined, and the Ego Ideal is described as it appears and functions in the various neuroses, psychoses, and in normal persons. The coordinating function of the Ego and the reaction formations in the expressions of disgust, shame and the feeling of guilt are clearly explained: the part dealing with the manifestations of the feeling of guilt is more extensive than most of the other sections. Clinical notes and parts of case histories are utilized as elucidations.
One chapter is given to the “true neuroses,” wherein emphasis is placed upon points of dem