The early relationship between Sigmund Freud and Isidor Sadger: a dream (1897) and a letter (1902).

Proceeding from Wittels' comment that Isidor Sadger's essay "The miracle of the thinking protein" (1897a) was the day residue for Freud's dream of the norekdal style, I suggest that the dream was dreamt between February/April 1897 and autumn 1897. I go on to consider which of Sadger's publications on Ibsen could have been the second day residue for Freud's dream. Against the background of Freud and Sadger's relationship in the 1890s, I examine what it was about Sadger's essay that could have precipitated the dream. Flechsig's basic conception of the connection between brain and mind and Sadger's pre-analytical view of psychic phenomena are outlined. Furthermore, a previously unpublished letter from Freud to Sadger in 1902 is presented and its possible context discussed. I show that Sadger probably already began carrying out analyses in 1898 and that, of Freud's immediate circle in Vienna, he was either the first or the second doctor to begin analytical work. In addition Sadger already made references to Freud in his publications in 1897. In summary, Isidor Sadger was probably the only one of Freud's disciples for whom the following combination was true: he became interested in Freud's approach before 1900, carried out analyses before 1900, publicly spoke out for Freud before 1900, became a member of the Wednesday group and stayed in Freud's vicinity for a long time (until 1933).