The state of sexual neurasthenia is in many respects analogous
to that of Graves' disease. In the sexual reflexes, summation leads
to a hyperexcitability by psychic and mechanical stimuli of a
specific type which is analogous to the hyperexcitability in Graves'
disease under trauma and fear; the explanation of both conditions
is based on the laws of the discharge of energy by phylogenetic
association and summation. It would be interesting to observe
the effect of interrupting the nerve impulses from the field of
the sexual receptors by injections of alcohol, or by other agencies,
so as to exclude the associational stimuli until the nervous
mechanism has again become restored to its normal condition.
Interpretation of Some of the Phenomena of Certain Diseases of the
Abdomen in Accordance with the Hypothesis of Phylogenetic Association
The law of phylogenetic association seems to explain many
of the phenomena of certain lesions in the abdominal cavity.
The nociceptors in the abdomen, like nociceptors elsewhere, have been
established as a result of some kind of injury to which during
vast periods of time this region has been frequently exposed.
On this premise, we should at once conclude that there are no
nociceptors for heat within the abdomen because, during countless years,
the intra-abdominal region never came into contact with heat.
That this inference is correct is shown by the fact that the
application of a thermocautery to the intestines when completing
a colostomy in a conscious patient is absolutely painless.
One would conclude also that there are no touch receptors in the
abdominal viscera, and therefore no sense of touch in the peritoneum.
Just as the larynx, the ear, the nose, the sole of the foot,
and the skin have all developed the specific type of nociceptors
which are adapted for their specific protective purposes, and which,
when adequately stimulated, respond in a specific manner in accordance
with the law of phylogenetic association, so, the abdominal viscera
have developed equally specific nociceptors as a protection against
specific nocuous influences. The principal harmful influences
to which the abdominal viscera have been exposed during vast periods
of time are deep tearing injuries by teeth and claws in the innumerable
struggles of our progenitors with each other and with their enemies
(Fig. 9); peritonitis caused by perforations of the intestinal
tract from ulcers, injuries, appendicitis, gall-stones, etc.;
and overdistention of the hollow viscera by various forms of obstruction.
Whatever may be the explanation, it is a fact that the type
of trauma which results from fighting corresponds closely with
that which causes the most shock in the experimental laboratory.
Division of the intestines with a sharp knife causes no pain,
but pulling on the mesentery elicits pain. Ligating the stump
of the appendix causes sharp, cramp-like pains. Sharp division
of the gall-bladder causes no pain, but distention, which is
the gall-bladder's most common pathologic state, produces pain.
Distention of the intestine causes great pain, but sharp cutting or burning
causes none. In the abdominal viscera, as in the superficial parts,
nociceptors have presumably been developed by specific harmful
influences and each nociceptor is open to stimulation only by a
stimulus of the particular type that produced it.
As a result of the excitation of nociceptors, with which pain
is associated, the routine functions, such as peristalsis, secretion,
and absorption are dispossessed from the control of their respective
nervous mechanisms, just as they are inhibited by fear. This hypothesis
explains the loss of weight, the lassitude, the indigestion,
the constipation, and the many alterations in the functions of the various
glands and organs of the digestive system in chronic appendicitis.
It readily explains also the extraordinary improvement in the digestive
functions and the general health which follows the removal
of an appendix which is so slightly altered physically that only
the clinical results could persuade one that this slight change could
be an adequate cause for such far-reaching and important symptoms.
This hypothesis explains certain gall-bladder phenomena likewise,--
indigestion, loss of weight, disturbed functions, etc.,--and it
may supply the explanation of the disturbance caused by an active
anal fissure, which is a potent noci-associator, and the consequent
disproportionate relief after the trivial operation for its cure.
Noci-association would well explain also the great functional disturbances
of the viscera which immediately follow abdominal operations.
Postoperative and traumatic neuroses are at once explained on
the ground of noci-association, the resulting strain from which,
upon the brain-cells, causes in them physical lesions.
If one were placed against a wall and were looking into the gun muzzles
of a squad of soldiers, and were told that there were nine chances
out of ten that he would not be killed outright when the volley
was fired, would it help him to be told that he must not be afraid?
Such an experience would be written indelibly on his brain.
This corresponds closely to the position in which some surgical patients
are placed. In railway wrecks, we can readily understand the striking
difference between the after-effects in the passengers who were conscious
at the time of the accident and those who were asleep or drunk.
In the latter the noci-perceptors and receptors were not aroused,
hence their immunity to the nervous shock. In the functional disturbances
of the pelvic organs, association and summation may play a large role.
On this hypothesis many cases of neurasthenia may well be explained.
From the behavior of the individual as a whole we may well conclude
that summation is but a scientific expression for "nagging."
Many other pathologic phenomena may be explained in a similar manner.
Thus we can understand the variations in the gastric analyses in a
timid patient alarmed over his condition and afraid of the hospital.
He is integrated by fear, and as fear takes precedence over all
other impulses, no organ functionates normally. For the same reason,
one sees animals in captivity pine away under the dominance of fear.
The exposure of a sensitive brain to the naked possibility of death from
a surgical operation may be compared to uncovering a photographic plate
in the bright sunlight to inspect it before putting it in the camera.
This principle explains, too, the physical influence of the physician
or surgeon, who, by his PERSONALITY, inspires, like a Kocher,
absolute confidence in his patient. The brain, through its power
of phylogenetic association, controls many processes that have wholly
escaped from the notice of the "practical man." It is in accordance
with the law of association that a flower, a word, a touch, a cool breeze,
or even the thought of a fishing rod or of a gun, is helpful.
On the contrary, all suggestions of despair or misfortune--
a corrugated brow, the gloomy silence of despair, or a doubtful word--
are equally depressing. In like manner, one could add many
illustrations of the symbolism that governs our daily lives.
Thus we see that through the laws of inheritance and noci-association,
we are able to read a new meaning into the clinical phenomena
of various diseases.
Observations on Patients whose Associational Centers are Dulled,
and on Diseases and Injuries of Regions not Endowed with Nociceptors
Reversing the order of our reasoning, let us now glance at the patient
who is unconscious and who, therefore, has lost much of the power
of association. His mouth is usually dry, the digestive processes
are at a low ebb, the aroma of food causes no secretion of saliva,
tickling the nose causes no sneezing; he catches no cold.
The laryngeal reflex is lost and food may be quietly inhaled;
the entire process of metabolism is low. The contrast between a man
whose associational centers are keen and a man in whom these centers
are dulled or lost is the contrast between life and death.
In accordance with the law of adaptation through natural selection,
phylogeny, and association, one would expect no pain in abscess
of the brain, in abscess of the liver, in pylephlebitis,
in infection of the hepatic vessels, in endocarditis.
This law explains why there are no nociceptors for cancer,
while there are active nociceptors for the acute infections.
It is because nature has no helpful response to offer against cancer,
while in certain of the acute pyogenic infections the nociceptors
force the beneficent physiologic rest.
Could we dispossess ourselves of the shackles of psychology,
forget its confusing nomenclature, and view the human brain,
as Sherrington has said, "as the organ of, and for the adaptation
of nervous reaction," many clinical phenomena would appear in
a clearer light.