You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
Burghölzli-Zürich, 23 October 1906
Dear Professor Freud,
By the same post I am taking the liberty of sending you another offprint containing some more researches on psychoanalysis.1 I don't
think you will find that the “sexual” standpoint I have adopted is too reserved. The critics will come down on it accordingly.
As you have noticed, it is possible that my reservations about your far-reaching views are due to lack of experience. But don't you think that a number of borderline phenomena might be considered more appropriately in terms of the other basic drive, hunger: for instance, eating, sucking (predominantly hunger), kissing (predominantly sexuality)? Two complexes existing at the same time are always bound to coalesce psychologically, so that one of them invariably contains constellated aspects of the other. Perhaps you mean no more than this; in that case I have misunderstood you and would be entirely of your opinion. Even so, however, one feels alarmed by the positivism of your presentation.
At the risk of boring you, I must abreact my most recent experience. I am currently treating an hysteric with your method. Difficult case, a 20-year-old Russian girl student, ill for 6 years.2
First trauma between the 3rd and 4th year. Saw her father spanking her older brother on the bare bottom. Powerful impression. Couldn't help thinking afterwards that she had defecated on her father's hand. From the 4th-7th year convulsive attempts to defecate on her own feet, in the following manner: she sat on the floor with one foot beneath her, pressed her heel against her anus and tried to defecate and at the same time to prevent defecation. Often retained the stool for 2 weeks in this way! Has no idea how she hit upon this peculiar business; says it was completely instinctive, and accompanied by blissfully shuddersome feelings. Later this phenomenon was superseded by vigorous masturbation.
I should be extremely grateful if you would tell me in a few words what you think of this sto