ondition than I have been
for some years. (I assume that it is _not_ healthy for all one's
thoughts to be always occupied on sexual subjects.) The
conclusion I come to is that I can live a normal, healthy life,
devoting my thoughts to my work, and finding pleasure in
friendship, in my children, in reading, and in other sources of
amusement, as long as I can have occasional relations with a
young girl--i.e., about once a week. But if this outlet for my
sexual emotions is stopped sexual thoughts obsess my brain; I
become both useless and miserable.

"I have never regretted my marriage. Not only do I feel that life
without a wife and home and children would be miserable, but I
entertain feelings of great affection toward my wife. We are well
suited to one another; she is a woman of character and
intelligence; she looks after my home well, is a sensible and
devoted mother, and understands me. I have never met a woman I
would have sooner married. We have many tastes and likings in
common, and--what is not possible with most women--I can, as a
rule, speak to her about my feelings and find a listener who
understands.

"On the other hand, all passion and sentiment have died out. It
seems to me that this is inevitable. Perhaps it is a good thing
this should be so. If men and women remained in the state of
erotic excitement they are in when they marry, the business and
work of the world would go hang. Unfortunately, in my case this
very erotic excitement is the chief thing in life that appeals to
me!

"The factors that in my case have produced this death of passion
and sentiment are as follows:--

"1. Familiarity. When one is continually in the company of a
person all novelty dies out. In the case of husband and wife, the
husband sees his wife every day; at all times and seasons;
dressed, undressed; ill; good tempered, bad tempered. He sees her
wash and perform other functions; he sees her naked whenever he
likes; he can have intercourse with her whenever he feels
inclined. How can love (as I use the expression--i.e., sexual
passion) continue?

"2. Satiety. I am of a 'hot,' sensual disposition, inclined to
excess, as far as my health and nerves are concerned. The
appetite gets jaded.

"3. Absence of strong sexual reciprocity on the part of my wife.
I have ref