The Physiological Bases of Sex Impulse.
For a clear understanding of the natural mechanism by which a sexual impulse is originated, set in motion, and brought to its natural climax—ejaculation (emission of the seminal fluid)—it is necessary to explain briefly the nervous apparatus controlling this sexual function. The main nervous center directly controlling and setting in motion every successive step in the sexual act is located in the lumbar (loin) part of the spinal cord. This is the center of erection. This center can operate under certain circumstances spontaneously, without active control of the will or consciousness, but ordinarily it is under full and absolute control of the brain centers forming sexual ideas and impulses. The center of erection can be stimulated or excited either by impulses from the sexual brain center, which is by far the most frequent way of the two of forming sexual desire, or it can be stimulated by impulses from the genital organs. The most common causes producing erection thru impulses from the genital organs are: a mechanical friction or tickling of the genital organs (intentional, as in self-abuse, or accidental and spontaneous); irritative influences in various diseases of the genital organs; pressure on the nerves by the bladder distended with urine (particularly on awakening in the morning); the seminal vesicles overfilled with seminal fluid, or even the blood congestion caused by lying on the back. All these causes, with the exception of a deliberate masturbation (self-abuse), can produce an erection without active participation of the consciousness or will power: they belong to the realm of subconscious acts, but their intensity never grows sufficiently strong to bring about a natural resolution of the sexual reflex thru the ejaculation of the seminal fluid. The only exception is the sexual irritation produced by the seminal vesicles overdistended with secretion; in this case it comes to a resolution thru a “wet dream,” or night emission. The very fact that a healthy, normal man never has wet dreams in the daytime in a waking state conclusively shows that under normal circumstances a natural sexual feeling is never so intense or imperative as to consider it as a natural necessity, calling for gratification. The ordinary active state of mind and concentration of attention on the regular pursuits of life is sufficient to keep vague sexual impulses in the realm of the subconscious. It is only the active participation of mind and the concentration of attention on these impulses that brings them out on the surface of consciousness. Once this vague impulse or idea is perceived by the mind as a sexual idea or emotion, if the will power of the man is not strong enough to push it back again and to submerge the impulse in the realm of the subconscious, the imagination steps in and, by conjuring up various lascivious and sensual images and dreams, stimulates and fans up the flickering light of the original impulse into a mighty, all-devouring, irresistible flame of sexual passion, overpowering all reasoning and self-control of the man. Once it has yielded and has permitted the sexual subconscious impulse into the field of consciousness and attention, the mind becomes less resistent, more sensitive and susceptible to all sexual stimulation, the imagination runs riot, and every sensual impression is not only not resisted, but eagerly sought for. The slightest stimulating impression that leaves a man with normal acting mind perfectly indifferent and cold, or even evokes a feeling of disgust, such as vulgar, indecently-dressed women, suggestive stories, ribald songs, etc., sets such a man on fire and renders him a helpless slave to an animal passion.
And yet how easy it would have been to stem this tide of passion in the beginning, just with the slightest effort of will power, by not allowing these vague impulses to come into the realm of consciousness, and by concentrating the attention on some purposeful occupation or healthy pleasure.
Thus it can be readily seen that the sexual impulse can never spontaneously intrude itself into the consciousness of a man, and that the sexual desire grows in intensity and becomes overwhelming only with the active participation of the man’s mind and the connivance of his will power. This fact is of tremendous practical importance for the problem of sexual continence and its solution.
When the mind is clean, and the attention is purposefully occupied, all danger of temptation and sexual missteps is eliminated. The main center of the sexual desire lies in the brain and in the mind, and not in the body. No “natural physical necessity” will be felt if one has full control of his mind. A mere abstinence from the physical act of sexual intercourse does not make a man moral, nor is it physically healthy or worthy of his great effort of self-control. His mind is torn asunder by a constant internal struggle between wildly-running imagination and will power, his mental repose is disturbed, his mental or physical efficiency is impaired. There is only one rational, scientifically correct effective way to control a sexual instinct; that is, to control the body by controlling the mind first. The easiest and most certain manner of obtaining this control of the mind is by keeping the mind busy and engaged by active, purposeful, and healthy interests. These interests by themselves, as it were, automatically, will keep the attention and all the faculties of the mind engaged, and thus in a natural way, without any special effort, the sexual impulses will be kept in the realm of the subconscious, as inner vague feelings, not interfering with the man’s comfort and efficiency nor disturbing his mental repose.
These theoretical contentions are fully borne out by practical observations in regard to the influence of the mind on the sexual instinct.