425 



reactioD-tiiiies of the psycljo-^alvftiiograni are shorter and much 

 more constant. 



These physiological reactions times, of which I mention only a 

 few, are considerably longei- than the psychological reaction times 

 to pain-stimuli which occur directly after the touch-stimuli. 



Thus, althougli emotion i.e. the psychical, is to be considered as 

 primary, it is nevertheless a fact that the expressional movements 

 largely influence the nature and the intensity of emotion. Intense 

 emotions become less vivid through strong expressional movements. 



Having a good cry and screaming lessens our grief, hysteric 

 affective conditions, which accompany weeping and screaming are 

 of short duration, the raptus melancholicus has soon spent itself. 

 Here we have to do with an inliibitory process of two co-existing 

 complexes of consciousness. The experience of the violent expressional 

 movements inhibits the emotion. 



This accounts for the custom among some uncivilised peoples of 

 dissipating grief by selfmutilation. Not only involuntary but also 

 voluntary expressional movements inhibit emotion. The intensity 

 of a sad mood is often lessened by assuming the attitude and the 

 countenance of cheerfulness. 



So far we have seen that conscious as well as unconscious 

 will-acts bear upon emotion in the same way. Conversely, we will 

 now discuss the way in which emotion affects the will-acts. 



Emotions exeit a great influence upon other complexes of con- 

 sciousness. They largely inhibit them, because attention clings to 

 them tenaciously. Regular thinking is impossible. Voluntary move- 

 ments are also inhibited. We don't get on with our work, all our 

 activities slacken, and in [)athological cases, such as melancholy, a 

 complete relapse may ultimately set in. Again, this does not apply 

 to voluntary movements only. Also the unconscious efïerent impulses 

 are subject to the same influence. Cannon^) showed that in cats, in 

 a state of emotion, the food remained in the stomach longer than 

 in that of normal cats. Similar inhibitory processes occur in man. 

 A melancholiac secretes less saliva and fewer tears. This can be 

 established ex |)eri men tally. 



F'urthermore a distinct decrease of motility of the stomach and 

 the intestine is demonstrable in man. When administering 0,1 I. K. 

 in the empty stomach according to Sahtj's ') prescription, iodine 

 will be found in the urine and in the saliva under normal condi- 

 tions after 15 minutes. According to Sahi.i I. K. is not resorbed 



1) Gannon: Bodily Changes in Pain, Hunger, Fear and Rage. 1918. 

 *) Sahli: Klinische UntersuchungsmeÜioden I, p. 564 u. p. 568. 



