Studies in the Psychology of Sex Volume V Part 13

[131]

For a study of the s.e.m.e.n and its const.i.tuents, see Florence, "Du Sperme," Archives d'Anthropologie Criminelle, 1895.

[132]

J. Hunter, Essays and Observations, vol. i, p. 189.

[133]

As regards one part of Australia, Walter Roth, Ethnological Studies Among the Queensland Aborigines, p. 174.

[134]

Sir H. H. Johnston, British Central Africa, p. 438.

[135]

Cap. VII, pp. 327-357, "De Spermaticis virilis usu Medico,"

[136]

W. L. Howard, "s.e.xual Perversion," Alienist and Neurologist, January, 1896.

[137]

Zentralblatt fur Gynakologie, 1894, No. 49.

[138]

E. Toff, "Uber Impragnierung," Zentralblatt fur Gynakologie, April, 1903. In a similar but somewhat more precise manner Dufougere has argued ("La Chlorose, ses rapports avec le marriage, son traitement par le liquide orchitique," These de Bordeaux, 1902) that s.e.m.e.n when absorbed by the v.a.g.i.n.a stimulates the secretion of the ovaries and thus exerts an influence over the blood in anaemia; in this way he seeks to explain why it is that coitus is the best treatment for chlorosis.

[139]

In this connection I may refer to an interesting and suggestive paper by Harry Campbell on "The Craving for Stimulants" (Lancet, October 21, 1899). No reference is made to coitus, but the author discusses stimulants as normal and beneficial products of the organism, and deals with the nature of the "physiological intoxication" they produce.

[140]

Spermin was first discovered in the sperm by Schreiner in 1878; it has also been found in the thyroid, ovaries and various other glands. "The spermin secreting and elaborating organs," Howard Kelly remarks (British Medical Journal, January 29, 1898), "may be called the apothecaries' of the body, secreting many important medicaments, much more active and more accurately representing its true wants than artificially administered drugs."

[141]

See, e.g., a summary of Buschan's comprehensive discussion of the subject of organotherapy (Eulenburg's Real-Encyclopaedie der Gesammten Heilkunde) in Journal of Mental Science, April, 1899, p. 355.

[142]

"Observations Upon the Acquirement of Secondary s.e.xual Characters, Indicating the Formation of an Internal Secretion by the t.e.s.t.i.c.l.es," Proceedings Royal Society, vol. lxxiii, p. 49.

[143]

See, e.g., the experiments of Cecca and Zappi, summarized in British Medical Journal, July 2, 1904.

IV.

The Apt.i.tude for Detumescence-Is There an Erotic Temperament?-The Available Standards of Comparison-Characteristics of the Castrated-Characteristics of p.u.b.erty-Characteristics of the State of Detumescence-Shortness of Stature-Development of the Secondary s.e.xual Characters-Deep Voice-Bright Eyes-Glandular Activity-Everted Lips-Pigmentation-Profuse Hair-Dubious Significance of Many of These Characters.

What, if any, are the indications which the body generally may furnish as to the individual's apt.i.tude and vigor for the o.r.g.a.s.m of detumescence? Is there an erotic temperament outwardly and visibly displayed? That is a question which has often occupied those who have sought to penetrate the more intimate mysteries of human nature, and since we are here concerned with human beings in their relationship to the process of detumescence, we cannot altogether pa.s.s over this question, difficult as it is to discuss it with precision.

The old physiognomists showed much confidence in dealing with the matter. Possibly they had more opportunities for observation than we have, since they often wrote in days when life was lived more nakedly than among ourselves, but their descriptions, while sometimes showing much insight, are inextricably mixed up with false science and superst.i.tion.

In the De Secretis Mulierum, wrongly attributed to Albertus Magnus, we find a chapter ent.i.tled "Signa mulieris calidae naturae et quae coit libenter," which may be summarized here. "The signs," we are told, "of a woman of warm temperament, and one who willingly cohabits are these: youth, an age of over 12, or younger, if she has been seduced, small, high b.r.e.a.s.t.s, full and hard, hair in the usual positions; she is bold of speech, with a delicate and high voice, haughty and even cruel of disposition, of good complexion, lean rather than stout, inclined to like drinking. Such a woman always desires coitus, and receives satisfaction in the act. The menstrual flow is not abundant nor always regular. If she becomes pregnant the milk is not abundant. Her perspiration is less odorous than that of the woman of opposite temperament; she is fond of singing, and of moving about, and delights in adornments if she has any."

Polemon, in his Sulla Physionomia, has given among the signs of libidinous impulse: knees turned inwards, abundance of hairs on the legs, squint, bright eyes, a high and strident voice, and in women length of leg below the knee. Aristotle had mentioned among the signs of wantonness: paleness, abundance of hair on the body, thick and black hair, hairs covering the temples, and thick eyelids.

In the seventeenth century Bouchet, in his Serees (Troisieme Seree), gave as the signs of virility which indicated that a man could have children: a great voice, a thick rough black beard, a large thick nose.

G. Tourdes (Art. "Aphrodisie," Dictionnaire Encyclopedique des Sciences Medicales) thus summarized the ancient beliefs on this subject: "The erotic temperament has been described as marked by a lean figure, white and well-ranged teeth, a developed hairy system, a characteristic voice, air, and expression, and even a special odor."

In approaching the question of the general physical indications of a special apt.i.tude to the manifestation of vigorous detumescence, the most obvious preliminary would seem to be a study of the castrated. If we know the special peculiarities of those who by removal of the s.e.xual glands at a very early age have been deprived of all ability to present the manifestations of detumescence, we shall probably be in possession of a type which is the reverse of that which we may expect in persons of a vigorously erotic temperament.

The most general characteristics of eunuchs would appear to be an unusual tendency to put on fat, a notably greater length of the legs, absence of hair in the s.e.xual and secondary s.e.xual regions, a less degree of pigmentation, as noted both in the castrated negro and the white man, a puerile larynx and puerile voice. In character they are usually described as gentle, conciliatory, and charitable.

There can be little doubt that castration in man tends to lead to lengthening of the legs (tibia and fibula) at p.u.b.erty, from delayed ossification of the epiphyses. The hands and feet are also frequently longer and sometimes the forearms. At the same time the bones are more slender. The pelvis also is narrower. The eunuchs of Cairo are said to be easily seen in a crowd from their tall stature. (Collineau, quoting Lortet, Revue Mensuelle de l'Ecole d'Anthropologie, May, 1896.) The castrated Skoptzy show increased stature, and, it seems, large ears, with decreased chest and head (L. Pittard, Revue Scientifique, June 20, 1903.) Fere shows that in most of these respects the eunuch resembles beardless and infantile subjects. ("Les Proportions des Membres et les Caracteres s.e.xuels," Journal de l'Anatomie et de la Physiologie, November-December, 1897.) Similar phenomena are found in animals generally. Sellheim, carefully investigating castrated horses, swine, oxen and fowls, found r.e.t.a.r.dation of ossification, long and slender extremities, long, broad, but low skull, relatively smaller pelvis and small thorax. ("Zur Lehre von den Sekundaren Geschlechtscharakteren," Beitrage zur Geburtshulfe und Gynakologie, 1898, summarized in Centralblatt fur Anthropologie, 1900, Heft IV.)

As regards the mental qualities and moral character of the castrated, Griffiths considers that there is an undue prejudice against eunuchs, and refers to Na.r.s.es, who was not only one of the first generals of the Roman Empire, but a man of highly estimable character. (Lancet, March 30, 1895.) Matignon, who has carefully studied Chinese eunuchs, points out that they occupy positions of much responsibility, and, though regarded in many respects as social outcasts, possess very excellent and amiable moral qualities (Archives Cliniques de Bordeaux, May, 1896.) In America Everett Flood finds that epileptics and feeble-minded boys are mentally and morally benefited by castration. ("Notes on the Castration of Idiot Children," American Journal of Psychology, January, 1899.) It is often forgotten that the physical and psychic qualities a.s.sociated with and largely dependent on the ability to experience the impulse of detumescence, while essential to the perfect man, involve many egoistic, aggressive and acquisitive characteristics which are of little intellectual value, and at the same time inimical to many moral virtues.

We have a further standard-positive this time rather than negative-to aid us in determining the erotic temperament: the phenomena of p.u.b.erty. The efflorescence of p.u.b.erty is essentially the manifestation of the ability to experience detumescence. It is therefore reasonable to suppose that the individuals in whom the special phenomena of p.u.b.erty develop most markedly are those in whom detumescence is likely to be most vigorous. If such is the case we should expect to find the erotic temperament marked by developed larynx and deep voice, a considerable degree of pigmentary development in hair and skin, and a marked tendency to hairiness; while in women there should be a p.r.o.nounced growth of the b.r.e.a.s.t.s and pelvis.[144]

There is yet another standard by which we may measure the individual's apt.i.tude for detumescence: the presence of those activities which are most prominently brought into play during the process of detumescence. The individual, that is to say, who is organically most apt to manifest the physiological activities which mainly make up the process of detumescence, is most likely to be of p.r.o.nounced erotic temperament.

"Erotic persons are of motor type," remark Vaschide and Vurpas, "and we may say generally that nearly all persons of motor type are erotic." The state of detumescence is one of motor and muscular energy and of great vascular activity, so that habitual energy of motor response and an active circulation may reasonably be taken to indicate an apt.i.tude for the manifestation of detumescence.

These three types may be said, therefore, to furnish us valuable though somewhat general indications. The individual who is farthest removed from the castrated type, who presents in fullest degree the characters which begin to emerge at the period of p.u.b.erty, and who reveals a physiological apt.i.tude for the vigorous manifestation of those activities which are called into action during detumescence, is most likely to be of erotic temperament. The most cautious description of the characteristics of this temperament given by modern scientific writers, unlike the more detailed and hazardous descriptions of the early physiognomists, will be found to be fairly true to the standards thus presented to us.

The man of s.e.xual type, according to Bierent (La p.u.b.erte, p. 148), is hairy, dark and deep-voiced.

"The men most liable to satyriasis," Bouchereau states (art. "Satyriasis," Dictionnaire Encyclopedique des Sciences Medicales), "are those with vigorous nervous system, developed muscles, abundant hair on body, dark complexion, and white teeth."

Mantegazza, in his Fisiologia del Piacere, thus describes the s.e.xual temperament: "Individuals of nervous temperament, those with fine and brown skins, rounded forms, large lips and very prominent larynx enjoy in general much more than those with opposite characteristics. A universal tradition," he adds, "describes as lascivious humpbacks, dwarfs, and in general persons of short stature and with long noses."

In a case of nymphomania in a young woman, described by Alibert (and quoted by Layc.o.c.k, Nervous Diseases of Women, p. 28) the hips, thighs and legs were remarkably plump, while the chest and arms were completely emaciated. In a somewhat similar case described by Marc in his De la Folie a peasant woman, who from an early age had experienced s.e.xual hyperaesthesia, so that she felt spasmodic voluptuous feelings at the sight of a man, and was thus the victim of solitary excesses and of spasmodic movements which she could not repress, the upper part of the body was very thin, the hips, legs and thighs highly developed.

In his work on Uterine and Ovarian Inflammation (1862, p. 37) Tilt observes: "The restless, bashful eye, and changing complexion, in presence of a person of the opposite s.e.x, and a nervous restlessness of body, ever on the move, turning and twisting on sofa or chair, are the best indications of s.e.xual temperament."

An extremely sensual little girl of 8, who was constantly masturbating when not watched, although brought up by nuns, was described by Busdraghi (Archivio di Psichiatria, fas. i, 1888, p. 53) as having chestnut hair, bright black eyes, an elevated nose, small mouth, pleasant round face, full colored cheeks, and plump and healthy aspect.

A highly intelligent young Italian woman with strong and somewhat perverted s.e.xual impulses is described as of attractive appearance, with olive complexion, small black almond-shaped eyes, dilated pupils, oblique thin eyebrows, very thick black hair, rather prominent cheek-bones, largely developed jaw, and with abundant down on lower part of cheeks and on upper lip. (Archivio di Psichiatria, 1899, fasc. v-vi.)

As the type of the sensual woman in word and act, led by her pa.s.sions to commit various s.e.xual offenses, Ottolenghi describes (Archivio di Psichiatria, vol. xii, fasc. v-vi, p. 496) a woman of 32 who attempted to kill her lover. The daughter of parents who were neurotic and themselves very erotic, she was a highly intelligent and vivacious woman, with a pleasing and open face, very thick dark chestnut hair, large cheek-bones, adipose b.u.t.tocks almost resembling those of a Hottentot, and very thick pubic hair. She was very fond of salt things. s.e.xual inclination began at the age of 7.

Adler and Moll remark, very truly, that, so far at least as women are concerned, s.e.xual anaesthesia or s.e.xual proclivity cannot be unfailingly read on the features. Every woman desires to please, and coquetry is the sign of a cold, rather than of an erotic temperament.[145] It may be added that a considerable degree of congenital s.e.xual anaesthesia by no means prevents a woman from being beautiful and attractive, though it must probably still always be said that, as Roubaud points out,[146] the woman of cold and intellectual temperament, the "femme de tete," however beautiful and skillful she may be, cannot compete in the struggle for love with the woman whose qualities are of the heart and of the emotions. But it seems sufficiently clear that the practical observations of skilled and experienced observers agree in attributing to persons of erotic type certain general characteristics which accord with those negative and positive standards we may frame on the basis of castration, of p.u.b.erty, and of detumescence. It may be worth while to note a few of these characteristics briefly.

The abnormal lengthening of the long bones at the age of p.u.b.erty in the castrated is, as we have seen, very p.r.o.nounced. There is little tendency to a.s.sociate length of limb with an erotic temperament, and a certain amount of data as well as of more vague opinion points in the opposite direction. The Arabs would appear to believe that it is short rather than tall people in whom the s.e.xual instinct is strongly developed, and we read in the Perfumed Garden: "Under all circ.u.mstances little women love coitus more and evince a stronger affection for the virile member than women of a large size." In his elaborate investigation of criminals Marro found that prost.i.tutes and women guilty of s.e.xual offenses, as also male s.e.xual offenders, tend to be short and thick set.[147] In European folk-lore the thick, bull neck is regarded as a sign of strong s.e.xuality.[148] Mantegazza refers to a strong s.e.xual temperament as being a.s.sociated with arrest or disorder of bony development, and Marro suggests that the proverbial salacity of rachitic individuals may be due to an increased activity of the s.e.xual organs.[149] It may be added that acromegaly, with its excessive bony growths, tends to be a.s.sociated with premature s.e.xual involution.

A further point which is frequently mentioned in the case of women is the development of the chief secondary s.e.xual regions: the pelvis and the b.r.e.a.s.t.s. It is, indeed, almost inevitable that there should be some degree of correlation between the apt.i.tude for bearing children and the apt.i.tude for experiencing detumescence. The reality of such a connection is not only evidenced by medical observations, but receives further testimony in popular beliefs. In Italy women with large b.u.t.tocks are considered wanton, and among the South Slavs they are regarded as especially fruitful.[150] Blumenbach a.s.serted that precocious venery will enlarge the b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and believed that he had found evidence of this among young London prost.i.tutes.[151]

The a.s.sociation of the apt.i.tude for detumescence with a tendency to a deep rather than to a high voice, both in men and women, has frequently been noted and has seldom been denied. The onset of p.u.b.erty always affects the voice; in general, Bierent states, the more ba.s.s the voice is the more marked is the development of the s.e.xual apparatus; "a very robust man, with very developed s.e.xual organs, and very dark and abundant hairy system, a man of strong p.u.b.erty in a word, is nearly always a ba.s.s."[152] The influence of s.e.xual excitement in deepening the voice is shown by the rules of s.e.xual hygiene prescribed to tenors, while a ba.s.s has less need to observe similar precautions. In women every phase of s.e.xual life-p.u.b.erty, menstruation, coitus, pregnancy-tends to affect the voice and always by giving it a deeper character. The deepening of the voice by s.e.xual intercourse was an ancient Greek observation, and Martial refers to a woman's good or bad singing as an index to her recent s.e.xual habits. Prost.i.tutes tend to have a deep voice. Venturi points out that married women preserve a fresh voice to a more advanced age than spinsters, this being due to the precocious senility in the latter of an unused function. Such a phenomenon indicates that the relationship of detumescence to the deepening of the voice is not quite simple. This is further indicated by the fact that in robust men abstinence still further deepens the voice (the monk of melodrama always has a ba.s.s voice), while excessive or precocious s.e.xual indulgence tends to be a.s.sociated with the same kind of puerile voice as is found in those persons in whom p.u.b.ertal development has not been carried very far, or who are of what Griffiths terms eunuchoid type. Idiot boys, who are often s.e.xually undeveloped, tend to have a high voice, while idiot girls (who often manifest marked s.e.xual proclivities) not infrequently have a deep voice.[153]

Bright dilated eyes are among the phenomena of detumescence, and are very frequently noted in persons of a p.r.o.nounced erotic temperament. This is, indeed, an ancient observation, and Burton says of people with a black, lively, and sparkling eye, "without question they are most amorous," drawing his ill.u.s.trations mostly from cla.s.sic literature.[154] Tardieu described the erotic woman as having bright eyes, and Heywood Smith states that the eyes of lascivious women resemble, though in a less degree, those of the insane.[155] s.e.xual excitement is one among many causes-intellectual excitement, pain, a loud noise, even any sensory irritation-which produce dilatation of the pupils and enlargement of the palpebral fissure, with some protrusion of the eyeball. The influence of the s.e.xual system upon the eye appears to be far less potent in men than in women.[156] s.e.xual desire is, however, by no means the only irritant within the s.e.xual sphere which may thus influence the eye; morbid irritations may produce the same effect. Milner Fothergill, in his book on Indigestion, vividly describes the appearance of the eyes sometimes seen in ovarian disorder: "The glittering flash which glances out from some female irides is the external indication of ovarian irritation, and 'the ovarian gleam' has features quite its own. The most marked instance which ever came under my notice was due to irritation in the ovaries, which had been forced down in front of the uterus and been fixed there by adhesions. Here there was little s.e.xual proclivity, but the eyes were very remarkable. They flashed and glittered unceasingly, and at times perfect lightning bolts shot from them. Usually there is a bright glittering sheen in them which contrasts with the dead look in the irides of s.e.xual excess or profuse uterine discharges."

The activity of the glandular secretions, and especially those of the skin, during detumescence, would lead us to expect that such secretory activity is an index to an apt.i.tude for detumescence. As a matter of fact it is occasionally, though not frequently, noted by medical observers. It is stated that the erotic temperament is characterized by a special odor.[157] The activity of the sweat-glands is seldom referred to by medical observers in describing persons of erotic temperament, although the descriptions of novelists not infrequently contain allusions to this point, and the literature of an earlier age shows that the tendency to perspiration, especially the moist hand, was regarded as a sure sign of a sensual temperament. "The moist-handed Madonna Imperia, a most rare and divine creature," remarks Lazarillo in Middleton's comedy Blurt, Master-Constable, to quote one of many allusions to this point in the Elizabethan drama.