14 February 191O  4O7 Brunswick Avenue  Toronto

«IP0,0»Dear Professor Freud,

«IP4,0»Just a line to thank you for your letter, which arrived just a day after I had written to you.

«IP4,0»Your remarks about neurasthenia were very helpful.  I am glad to hear you think the factor of psychical conflict also important in it, for I cannot help having that strong impression myself.  I have seen excessive and long‑continued masturbation (daily from l4 ‑ 26) more than once without apparent harm in people who did not think it wrong (one, strange to say was a clergyman).  I was also glad to have my mind put at rest about the non‑sexual Nervosität.  As you say, there is always a basis of sexual inadequacy, and the other agents (stress of life) merely bring this out.  The only remaining point I should like to ask (and I feel ashamed to bother you so much when you have so much to do) is about the «MDUL»time«MDNM» relation between cause and effect, i.e. how long can neurasthenia symptoms shew themselves after the cessation of masturbation.  It is particularly in regard to therapy that this is important.

I was so glad you liked my |×A article;«FN1.××Jones (1909c).

» it has been well received.  I think it is good to take a high scientific attitude, and to rub in words like "profound", "thorough", "penetrating"!

I liked Brill's article in the «MDUL»Medical Record«MDNM» exceedingly, and find it the best thing he has done. «FN1.××Brill (1909b).

»  He presented the theory excellently.  He is at present very over‑worked, like the rest of us.

The men at the Verein must have enjoyed hearing about the Boston criticisms; they were certainly very comical.

Have you anything coming out in the next number of the «MDUL»Jahrbuch«MDNM»?  We are eagerly awaiting that, as well as the new edition of the «MDUL»Drei Abhandlungen«MDNM».  I hope the Congress will be a huge success, and am very sorry I cannot come to it.

Last week I read at the Detroit Society of Neurology a case that would interest you, a boy of l5 who after a slight accident developed symptoms of cerebral irritation (like after fracture of the skull) and was thought to have meningitis.  I saw him two months after, and he was a beautiful simulated foolishness and childishness (like Hamlet).  He spoke, behaved and felt like a boy of 4, and it proved to be determined by a strong mother complex (desire to be taken into her bed etc.).  He got quite well after |×A.  If I have time I will try to publish it.«FN1.××Jones (1910i).

»

With kindest regards  Yours ever  Ernest Jones.