Letter from Ernest Jones to Sigmund Freud, February 14, 1910

14 February 1910
407 Brunswick Avenue
Toronto

Dear Professor Freud,

Just a line to thank you for your letter, which arrived just a day after I had written to you.

Your remarks about neurasthenia were very helpful. I am glad to hear you think the factor of psychical conflict also important in it, for I cannot help having that strong impression myself. I have seen excessive and long-continued masturbation (daily from 14-26) more than once without apparent harm in people who did not think it wrong (one, strange to say, was a clergyman). I was also glad to have my mind put at rest about the non-sexual Nervosität. As you say, there is always a basis of sexual inadequacy, and the other agents (stress of life) merely bring this out. The only remaining point I should like to ask (and I feel ashamed to bother you so much when you have so much to do) is about the time relation between cause and effect, i.e. how long can neurasthenic symptoms shew themselves after the cessation of masturbation. It is particularly in regard to therapy that this is important.

I was so glad you liked my ΨA article;1 it has been well received. I think it is good to take a high scientific attitude, and to rub in words like “profound”, “thorough”, “penetrating”!

I liked Brill's article in the Medical Record exceedingly, and find it the best thing he has done.2 He presented the theory excellently. He is at present very over-worked, like the rest of us.