Letter from Sándor Ferenczi to Sigmund Freud, August 14, 1916

Budapest, August 14, 1916

Dear Professor,

I am glad that in these difficult times you are at least able to live and work in friendly surroundings. What a pity that I can't witness the creation of your lectures. The beautiful times of Berchtesgaden1 won't return anymore.

My mornings go by monotonously: nothing but administrative work in the hospital. With regard to traumatic neurosis, I haven't gotten any further than what you have already said. Colleagues report brilliant successes by means of strong electrical currents. I have no desire to participate in this therapy; it goes against my grain just like hypnosis and suggestion.

Analyses afternoons from 2 to 6. These are, to be sure, going very well. My interest in the subtleties of technique has taken the place of my earlier bio-psychological interests.—After 8 o' clock in the evening I don't accomplish anything, however, spend the time until 11 o' clock freely, mostly with Frau G.

I have set aside the two weeks of vacation for the middle of September and will travel to wherever you happen to be at the time. September in Hungary can be very nice. If the Carpathians still belong to us, we could spend two magnificent weeks there in the good Grand Hotel (Tátrafüred or Tátralomnicz).

Dr. Lampl2 was kind enough to look me up on his way through from Bosnia to Vienna.—Rank just now writes me that he is coming to Budapest to the Danube Conference (beginning of September).3 I want to ask Sachs to firm up his promised visit to Budapest for the same days.

Kind regards,

Ferenczi