es strongly that of man, and considerably increases his
pleasure during coitus. There are, however, exceptions in the inverse
sense, in which coldness and disgust on the part of the woman excite
the passion of certain men, who have, however, no taste for libidinous
women. All degrees are found in this domain.

Active in the sexual act the man desires corresponding sentiments in
the woman. But, on the other hand, all want of natural reserve, and
delicate sentiment, and all cynical sexual provocation on the part of
a woman, produce in the normal man a repulsive effect. The normal
woman possesses an admirable instinct in these matters and knows how
to betray her feelings in a sufficiently fine and delicate manner, so
as not to hurt those of the man.

A phenomenon, which we shall meet with in Chapter VIII, under the name
of _psychic impotence_, shows the powerful and disturbing interference
of thoughts on the automatic action of instinctive sexual activity. A
momentary psychic impotence is not necessarily pathological. While
voluptuous sensations alternate during coitus with desire and
corresponding erotic representations, a sudden idea of the
ridiculousness of the situation, signs of pain or of bad temper in the
woman, the idea of impotence or of the real object of coitus; finally,
anything which acts as a contrast to the sensations and impulses of
coitus, may interrupt it, so that the voluptuous sensations and sexual
appetite disappear and erection subsides. Voluntary efforts are often
incapable of putting things right again. The charm is broken, and only
new images and new sentiments associated instinctively with the sexual
appetite can be reestablished, by making the subconscious state
preponderate over the reasoning consciousness.

=Influence of Modern Civilization. Pornography.=--Human sexuality has
been unfortunately perverted and in part grossly altered by
civilization, which has even developed it artificially in a
pathological sense. The point has been reached of considering as
normal, relations which are in reality absolutely abnormal. For
example, it is maintained that prostitution produces normal coitus in
man. How can this term be seriously employed in speaking of connection
with a prostitute who is absolutely indifferent to it, and who seeks
only to excite her clients artificially and to get their money,
without mentioning venereal diseases which she so often presents them
with! Forgetful of the natural aim