Page:The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis II 1921 2.djvu/96

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252 REPORTS

Dr. Kempf of Washington, in discussing Dr. Brill's remarks, wished to take exception to excluding psychiatric cases from the group that may be favorably treated by psychoanalysis. He instanced a number of cases, some of the precox group, that had been thus treated. However, after describing the method of treat- ment he employed, it was pointed out by several of the members, especially Drs. Obemdorf and MacCurdy of New York, that the method could not be called psychoanalysis in the strict sense, but that it was suggestion, plus the application of psychoanalytical knowledge in the form of advice and direction.

Dr. Kempf also insisted on the physician maintaining the positive phase of the transference, as if that were wholly in the power of the analyst.

Dr. White, of Washington, also spoke for the application of psychoanalysis to the psychotic ; especially in institutions ; that the transference is different under such circumstances. Educational treatment was applicable.

Dr. Wholly, of Pittsburg, mentioned the limitations to analysis, along the lines previously noted.

Dr. Clark, of New York, gave it as his experience that dementia precox and retarded manics are unfavorable, because of the hered- itary factor, and of the fixation and the impoverishment of instincts. The transference is not lasting, and it may be too intense. The elated manic is not amenable, except in the remission. In tics, torticollis, cramps, the make-up is very infantile, transference is poor and free associations are scanty. In sexual inversion, success is poor.

Dr. Obemdorf stated that he has the greatest difficulty among those patients who fitted more or less into the narcissistic group, or here a manageable transference is difficult if not impossible to obtain.

Dr. MacCurdy gave his experience as corresponding to a great extent with that of Dr. Brill ; the patients represented such as lived a very colorless emotional life ; their symptoms also were colorless, the production during the analysis poor, very few, or such dreams as were a repetition of the daily life ; there is a lack of free associations, and the transference is poor. These patients fit into the group of neurasthenics. They all have a poor fund ol energy.

Dr. Stern of New York mentioned experiences similar to those of the other analysts, especially in cases that evidence the narcissistic

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