Page:The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis III 1922 1.djvu/128

 I20 REPORTS

On December 7, Dr. Culpin read notes on a case of severe and long-standing asthma related to remorse from adolescent mastur- bation and to fears of child-birth; any situation suggesting these emotions produced an attack. The trouble almost completely disappeared after a superficial analysis.

In another case attacks of respiratory disturbance apparently- dangerous to life and associated with complicated anxiety states were related to masturbation and conscious masochistic phantasies- Deeper analysis was followed by cessation of the physical symptoms and great relief of the anxiety.

Many points arising out of these cases were discussed by the members.

On December 21, Dr. Estelle Maude Cole read notes on 'The Abreaction of Fear in relation to Circumcision '. The notes referred to the case of a patient (medical man) who was undergoing psycho-analytic treatment, and who during this treatment had an endocrine investigation carried out on himself by another medical man, an ana:sdietic being administered for this purpose. On describing tliis to the analyst the patient developed violent agitation of the limbs and body, his skin became cold and clammy, the pulse fell to fifty-two, and he cried piteously in extreme distress. His condition appearing serious the analyst took his pulse; this act had the effect of controlling him. On his becoming quiet the memory immediately emerged of his terror when he was circum- cised at six years of age. This memory Dr. Cole pointed out was evidently related to a strong and prior castration complex. The interest in this case was the extremely severe abreaction.

Dr. Jago read a paper on 'Tuberculosis and Neurosis'. He pointed out that many cases are to be found with combined symptoms of anxiety neurosis and neurasthenia, but in which a direct sexual cause cannot be discovered. The same symptoms are present in the 'closed' type of tuberculosis. The symptoms can often be traced to their appearance after a period of physical stress or a debilitating illness, conditions which cause auto-intoxic- ation in tuberculosis. Treatment on similar lines to tuberculosis causes improvement in the symptoms.

Tubercle toxin has an excitant effect on the sexual centres, thereby leading to a physical (inner) increase of the libido. Social reasons may prevent the patient from gratifying the libido, and thus conflict results. The exhaustion following continued auto-