Letter from Sándor Ferenczi to Sigmund Freud, October 30, 1912

Budapest, October 30, 1912
VII., Erzsébet-körút 54

Dear Professor,

I am writing in order to prevent renewed crossing of the correspondence1 and in order to tell you once again that I have been quite well now for three days. With the exception of slight and occasional reminders along the lymph vessels which run from the perineum to the thigh and to the inguinal glands, I am again quite well. An internist, my friend Dr. Lévy, has examined and reassured me. The surgeon (Docent Dr. Schächter)2 agrees with Dr. Lévy that it was a case of resorption phenomena; the source of the infection could have been the fissura ani (possibly a small abscess in the urethra).

The six weeks have taken their toll on me to a certain extent (especially since, as you know, I have also suffered psychically); I have lost some weight. I am otherwise quite well, however, and completely capable of accomplishment. On Sunday I went to Érsekuyvár3 on a matter pertaining to the court, and today I am opening the lecture season of the Free School with a lecture.4 —

I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart for energetically shaking off Stekel. A small but reliable squad will accomplish much more than the entire following of fools and ruthless egoists. The era of the strong hand will rebuff the doubters and spur on the convinced.

Greetings and thanks from

Ferenczi