ded as types of the
normal wife, nor can they expect their husbands to abstain from all
coitus except that intended for procreation. On the other hand, the
wife should certainly be made acquainted with the nature of sexual
intercourse and its consequences before marriage. Further, before
engaging in a life-long union, a man and woman ought to explain to
each other their sexual feelings so as to avoid deception and
incompatibility later on.

Without having ever experienced a sexual orgasm, either by coitus or
by masturbation, a normal young girl, when she is sufficiently
instructed in sexual matters, may easily decide whether the idea of
coitus with a man for whom she feels affection is repugnant or
attractive to her. In the case of young men it is still easier.

A woman who had received a complete medical education and had remained
a virgin, but who was well-informed on sexual life, gave me very
precise information on this subject. For a long time the idea of
coitus with men was repugnant to her, till she made the acquaintance
of the one who gained her affections. Repugnance was then replaced by
desire. This case also gives a good example of the monogamous sexual
feeling of the normal woman.

In Chapter XVII we shall discuss the manner in which youth should be
initiated into the sexual question. Our present formality, combined
with general ignorance of girls on sexual matters, renders a mutual
understanding prior to definite betrothal generally impossible.
Moreover, there is a sort of hysterical and pathological love, the
product of the imagination, which is associated with sentimental words
and sighs as well as coquetry, but transformed into disgust or hatred
by the first coitus. Although more common in women this false love is
met with in hysterical men. Sometimes the illusion disappears while
there is yet time to break off the betrothal. Marriage by trial and
has been attempted by some, but with varied success.

For a number of reasons, both parties should be medically examined
before marriage. This precaution may reveal the presence of a narrow
pelvis or vaginismus in the woman, or aspermia, venereal disease,
etc., in the man.

When a woman will only support coitus with a view to procreation, she
would do well if she informed her _fiance_, who can then consider
whether he can submit to such restriction. If the wife will not allow
her husband a concubine it generally results in clandestine
extra-nuptial relati