ABSTRACT
The subject of the case history was a young man of twenty-seven, who presented himself for psychoanalytic treatment on account of psychical impotence. In the very first session he disclosed his great and oppressive secret, namely, that he was markedly homosexual. The patient’s first homosexual memories, too, dated from his school days. He recalled the fact that one day he had practised mutual masturbation with another boy at school. When he met his favourite type in the street, the patient remained quite indifferent and undisturbed; nor did they excite the activity of his phantasy. S. Freud’s recommendation that patients should live in abstinence during treatment is often very difficult to carry out, particularly if the patient is married. The girl apparently got enjoyment out of seducing the patient into some sort of forbidden activity and then denouncing him, so as to be present while his father beat him.
