Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 4: Sexual Selection In ManEllis, Havelock
Science
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 4: Sexual Selection In Man
Ellis, Havelock
Sex; Sex (Psychology)
An interesting example of a reflex influence from the nose
affecting the genital sphere has been brought forward by Dr. E.S.
Talbot, of Chicago: "A 56-year-old man was operated on
(September 1, 1903) for the removal of the left cartilage of the
septum of the nose owing to a previous traumatic fracture at the
sixteenth year. No pain was experienced until two years ago, when
a continual soreness occurred at the apical end of the fracture
during the winter months. The operation was decided upon fearing
more serious complications. The parts were cocainized. No pain
was experienced in the operation except at one point at the lower
posterior portion near the floor of the nose. A profound shock to
the general system followed. The reflex influence of the pain
upon the genital organs caused semen to flow continually for
three weeks. Treatment of general motor irritability with camphor
monobromate and conium, on consultation with Dr. Kiernan, checked
the flow. The discharge produced spinal neurasthenia. The legs
and feet felt heavy. Erythromelalgia caused uneasiness. The
patient walked with difficulty. The tired feeling in the feet and
limbs was quite noticeable four months after the operation,
although the pain had, to a great extent diminished." (Chicago
Academy of Medicine, January, 1904, and private letter.)
J.N. Mackenzie has brought together a great many original
observations, together with interesting quotations from old
medical literature, in his two papers: "The Pathological Nasal
Reflex" (_New York Medical Journal_, August 20, 1887) and "The
Physiological and Pathological Relations between the Nose and the
Sexual Apparatus of Man" (_Johns Hopkins Hospital Bulletin_,
January 1, 1898). A number of cases have also been brought
together from the literature by G. Endriss in his Inaugural
Dissertation, _Die bisherigen Beobachtungen von Physiologischen
und Pathologischen Beziehungen der oberen Luftwege zu den
Sexualorganen_, Teil. II, Würzburg, 1892.
The intimate association between the sexual centers and the olfactory
tract is well illustrated by the fact that this primitive and ancient
association tends to come to the surface in insanity. It is recognized by
many alienists that insanity of a sexual character is specially liable to
be associated with hallucinations of smell.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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