At the turn of the century in Vienna there were four sensational cases of child murder dominating the head-lines. In this book the author explores the social implications of these murders and suggests that if Freud had taken them into account his intellectual development may have been different. Ranging through psychology, history and literature, he demonstrates that the cases sprang from the spirit of the times, and that it was that same spirit which eventually suppressed their significance. He concludes that child abuse has been prevalent throughout history, but only recognized as such from time to time.