The foundation of psychoanalysis. Using what they called the cathartic method, in which hysterical patients were made to describe the manifestations of their symptoms in detail, with or without hypnosis, Breuer and Freud were successful in providing the patients with temporary relief from symptoms. Breuer chose not to continue research on these patients. However, Freud, who had studied hypnosis with Charcot (No. 4995), as well as the psychotherapeutic methods of Liébault (Nos. 4994 & 4998) and Bernheim (No. 4995.1), used this work as the basis for development of the method of free association, and the essential psychoanalytic concepts of the unconscious, repression and transference. Abridged English translation, New York, 1909. First complete translation, London, Hogarth Press, 1956.