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Burghölzli-Zürich, 11 September 1907
Dear Professor Freud,
I got back from Amsterdam yesterday evening and am now in a better position to view my experiences at the Congress in the proper perspective. Before I try to describe the subsequent developments I want to thank you heartily for your letter, which came just at the right moment; it did me good to feel that I was fighting not only for an important discovery but for a great and honourable man as well. Whether the facts are recognized slowly or quickly, or are attacked or not, leaves me pretty cold; but pouring unadulterated sewage over everything that isn't approved of is disgusting. One thing that has filled me up to the neck at this Congress is a contempt bordering on nausea for the genus Homo sapiens.
As I told you, my lecture was, most unfortunately, broken off prematurely and the discussion took place only the following day, although there were no valid reasons for the postponement. The first to take the floor was Bezzola, to “protest” against you, against me, and against the sexual theory of hysteria (moral undertone!). An hour beforehand I had tried in a private conversation to come to a friendly understanding with him—impossible. He begrudges you your books and your income; it's enough to make one die of laughter or burst a blood vessel. Nothing but furious, insensate affect against you and me.
Then Alt1 of Uchtspringe proclaimed a reign of terror against you,