highly developed mental and psychical qualities, it is a truly complex
experience in which body, mind and soul all take their part.

Physically its central fact is the ejaculation of the seminal fluid by
the male and its reception by the female, and this culmination with its
psychical concomitants is spoken of as the orgasm. Before coitus is
feasible, the organs designed for the purpose have to be brought into
an appropriate state for its consummation. The penis and the vulva are
alike furnished with erectile tissue. The penis has to be erected in
order to penetrate into the vagina, while the female organs add their
share in facilitating the act both by the erection of the tissue round
the vulva and by the outpouring of a lubricating secretion which bathes
all the parts. The mechanism of this is a nervous one, and its
originating cause while partly physical is chiefly mental, due to the
emotions aroused by love and courtship, and thus in every act of coitus
properly realized, an essential preliminary is an abbreviated
courtship. This initial stage has been described as the stage of
tumescence, and is succeeded by the introduction of the male organ into
the vagina. A motor nerve discharge follows which produces ejaculation
of the seminal fluid and is for the male the climax of the orgasm. The
female is, however, by no means passive; motor nerve discharges take
place leading to rhythmic contraction of the vagina, and she
experiences, or should experience, a similar orgasm to the male. The
climax is followed in both by a feeling of satisfaction and repose
which generally issues in refreshing sleep. It is to be noted, however,
that in the female the whole process is apt to be slower than in the
male. Her orgasm frequently coincides with the male, but often it comes
later. If this is not realized by her partner, and inconsiderate haste
be practiced, then, in place of satisfaction, a state of nervous
tension may remain, which is not only psychically deleterious, but, if