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The differentiation in the clinical setting of psycho-analysis between the manifestations of delusions and the reporting of primitive perceptions would seem to be an area of observation and description opened up by Bion's Theory of Thinking. By offering us a model that enables us to conceive of such a differentiation he has made possible our monitoring the phenomena of our consulting room for their realisations. The theory of alpha-function and beta-elements has already proved itself fruitful for clinical observation in the area of communication of meaningful messages versus communication-like missiles of meaningless stuff. In work with psychotic children it has helped us to recognise their response to bombardment with emotional experiences for which they have no capacity either of containment or thought. It also gives us a basis for distinguishing between immaturity and psychosis.
A report presented by Mme Eve Cohen at a seminar held in Paris in April 1982 throws some valuable light on the problem. Mme Cohen's material concerned her patient, Henri, aged twenty-six, who had had a breakdown while abroad after six years of aimless wanderings following upon his mother's departure from the family home to live with a lover with whom she had had a secret liaison for over ten years. Among his complaints at the time of hospitalisation there was none of the usual delusional ideas nor was his demeanour and mode of communication bizarre or unfriendly or secretive. On the contrary he was very open in describing the many phenomena of perception of himself and the world which troubled him and prevented him from maintaining any settled mode of life.
Henri, clearly, was a highly intelligent and sensitive young man and he settled with interest and cooperativeness into psycho-analytical treatment, working out a plan of living alternate periods with mother and father while working in the father's food shop. The central complaint involved colours which he either saw or “sent out” during