Sex efficiency through exercises : special physical culture for women / by Th. H. van de Velde ; [photos, by E. Steinemann].

overcome and we must face facts and estimate their value. For—just as in numerous cases of masculine deficiency in erotic technique—here, too, the happiness of many homes is at stake. We modern persons of Western civilisation have achieved and attained much in various directions ; but, in respect to our most primitive and indispensable vital functions, we are bunglers for the most part. Almost everything which we regard as a matter of course, we do inadequately or in a harmful manner. We must learn, through years of physical evolution and education, how to eat wholesomely, how to masticate, choose and space our food. Similarly, we must learn how to stand upright and how to move well; otherwise our movements are awkward and ugly. Hardly anyone knows how to use his muscles to the best advantage ; how to achieve the maximum of result with the minimum of strain. We have to be taught the distinctive human attribute of speech. We do not even breathe correctly by instinct and reflex action ! At least we do not, as a rule, understand how to make the best use of our respiratory organs, any more than of our muscles. And the same is true of the proficiency of most human beings (of our age and clime)—in the act that gives life and celebrates love. Of course, just as most of us are able to breathe well enough to continue some form of conscious existence, the act of coitus is generally not so utterly bungled that its biological purpose of procreation cannot be fulfilled. Nevertheless, as I have pointed out,* desired parenthood may be promoted or in some cases attained, and unwanted increase prevented, or rendered unlikely by appropriate position and action in coitus. But, just as every breath we draw should be an " inspiration "—a draught of health and vigour and bien-etre—so also there is a biologically secondary but individually supreme function of communion, of mutual ecstasy and love in the bodily merging of those who truly love one another, which cannot be achieved, if technical details are neglected or bungled. • In Fertility and Sterility in Marriage." <6> See especially Chapter