. . .

The follow-up gave evidence of a change in the direction of heterosexuality in 9 cases out of 59 (roughly 1 in 6) about whom sufficient information on the sex life was available; but such change sometimes amounted to no more than one or two points on the Kinsey scale. There was no evidence, from our series, that psychotherapy had any obvious effect in any way, on points that could be tested.

. . .

Summary

The incidence of homosexuality (as defined) was 5% in males over 16 seen in private psychiatric practice. 100 cases were studied retrospectively and so far as possible by follow-up.

In round figures, 9 out of 10 indulged in homosexual acts with others. Many were highly promiscuous and the majority quite active, the practising group commit-ting at a conservative estimate an average of at least 10 (criminal) acts annually each.

There was no evidence that those who admitted to buggery differed from other practising homosexuals in social or economic success, stability or social worth, or that the continent group differed from practising homo-sexuals in these respects.

Only 49% of cases showed significant psychiatric ab-normalities; these were usually minimal.

Paedophiliacs (meaning by this those who were at-tracted to pre-pubertal boys) were found to constitute a distinct group and only two committed acts with both adult men and pre-pubertal boys. There was no evi-dence of those preferring adults subsequently seeking boys (the "rake's progress").

In 59 cases where relevant information was obtained in the follow-up, a change towards heterosexual prefer-ence was noted in 9, while 3 became more homosexual, and 47 were unchanged. Only 1 of 24 cases originally regarded as "100% homosexual" reported a change in the direction of heterosexuality.

Twenty-five patients treated psychotherapeutically derived no apparent benefit in terms of changed sexual preference or behaviour as compared with 25 (matched) patients not so treated.