Page:The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis II 1921 1.djvu/79

 BLINDNESS AND CASTRATION

by

DOUGLAS BRYAN, London.

A patient who knew nothing about the relation between blind- ing and castration had fpr many years extreme horror over the idea of vitriol throwing, both as regards himself and other people. He had also difficulty in saying the word vitriol. He had the following dream. He was sitting in a dimly lighted room and his sister was opposite him. She said to him, "You cannot say vitriol". He said, "Yes I can". She said, "Say it then". He then said the word and the dream ended. When he had told me the dream he added, "And my sister then smiled at me in a mincing and emasculate manner". His chief fear as regards vitriol throwing was injury to his eyes. The association between castration and vitriol throwing is here evident.

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