istics. For example, Silvert commuted frequently between New York and Rangeley, not only
because he was still in treatment with Reich but because he wanted to be as close to Reich
as possible. He would carry tales of “bad” doings by other orgonomic workers, deeds often
distorted or exaggerated in Silvert’s retelling. At the same time, Reich was attracted to
Silvert’s energy, technical intelligence, and dedication. Unlike most orgonomic physicians,
Silvert was as interested in Reich’s scientific work as he was in his therapy. Also, unlike most
of the physicians, who were family men, Silvert lived alone, devoting most of his spare time
to orgonomy, and to helping Reich wherever and whenever the latter would permit him to
do so. (In turn, some of Silvert’s patients, particularly males, were devoted to him and speak
well of him to this day.) Where Reich’s medical associates were threatened by the possibili-
ty of an injunction, Silvert seemed to court such dangers, almost as a kind of exaggeration
of Reich’s intransigence.
Lois Wyvell, who knew both men well, believes—and I concur—that Reich was fas-
cinated by the challenge of understanding and treating Silvert’s destructiveness precisely at
a time when the problem of the emotional plague concerned Reich more than any other. If
he could help Silvert, Silvert could be a valuable colleague in fighting the plague—Reich
always liked (in his image) to put a reformed fox in charge of the chicken coop. If not, Reich
hoped he could channel Silvert’s gifts and recklessness toward ends of Reich’s choosing.
However, as we shall see, Silvert’s hostile “orgonomic” fanaticism may well have enhanced
Reich’s irrationality.
Returning to the February meeting, Reich participated in the discussion of alterna-
tive ways of dealing with the complaint, and began to lean toward appearing in court. As
Baker was later to write,
the discussion was going smoothly until Dr. Silvert, who was ... opposed
to Reich’s appearance in court, asked defiantly: “And what happens to the truth in
all this?”The lawyer replied: “It comes out of the embarrassment each side inflicts
on the other.” Reich became very angry, stopped the discussion, paced the floor
and accused those present oftrying to entangle him in court action.His appear-
ance in court was no longer considered^25.The operative word in this exchange was “embarrassment.” Clearly Reich, a proud
man,would not like to have mud thrown in his face. And at a trial there would be plenty of
it. “Have you a license to practice medicine? Yes or no, Doctor.” Like Freud before him,
Reich liked to give, but he deeply resented being “ordered” or “expected” to give. The fact
that after doing all that he had done, giving unstintingly of his gifts to science, he should
now be called into court and required to face “the embarrassment each side inflicts on the
other” was, in his view, unmitigated indecency.
Infuriated, Reich swung hard to the other side: he would not go to court. He then
decided on an unusual course ofaction,and one that was to prove very costly. Instead of
appearing in court, Reich opted for a written document entitled “Response.” This Response
28 : The FDA Injunction and Reich’s Responses: 1951-1955 391