FECUNDATION. 337 



The most important physiological point in this connec- 

 tion is with regard to the probable action of the internal or- 

 gans of the female during sexual excitement. We have al- 

 ready studied what has been described by Rouget as the 

 erectile tissue of the uterus and ovaries. Whether this be or 

 be not a true erectile tissue, seems to be rather a question of 

 definition. The blood-vessels certainly have an erectile ar- 

 rangement ; still, they are not enclosed by those distinct, 

 fibrous trabeculge which are observed in the penis. In the 

 body of the uterus and in the ovaries, the idea of erection 

 during sexual excitement rests simply upon anatomical de- 

 scriptions and artificial distention of the vessels after death, 

 and the parts cannot be investigated during life ; but it is 

 different with the neck of the uterus, as we shall see farther 

 on ; and, upon this point, we may refer to a very remarkable 

 paper, by Dr. Joseph R. Beck, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, which 

 has hardly received, in this country, the attention it deserves. 1 

 Dr. Beck's observations relate to the question, " How do the 

 spermatozoa enter the uterus ? " and, when we consider that it 

 has been positively demonstrated that spermatozoids find 

 their way to the surface of the ovaries, we can appreciate the 

 importance of any reliable observations with regard to the 

 action of the internal organs during coitus. 



August 11, 1872, Dr. Beck was called to see a lady, thirty- 

 two years of age, of nervous temperament, blonde, married 

 eight years, with one child, a son, living and seven years 

 old. She had an abortion six years before, and has suffered 

 from symptoms indicating uterine disease ever since. She 

 commenced to menstruate at fourteen. Examination with 

 the finger showed that the os uteri was just inside the vulva, 

 and Mclntosh's stem-pessary was introduced. TJie rest of 

 the history, as the observation is so remarkable, we quote 

 in full: 



" Calling at the residence of the patient next day, for the 



1 BECK, How do the Spermatozoa enter the Uterus ? Saint Lonis Medical and 

 fturffit'nl Journal, 1872, New Series, vol. ix., p. 449, et seq. 



