the nose reflexly affect the genital sphere. To discuss these 

relationships would here be out of place, since specialists are not 

altogether in agreement concerning the matter. A few are inclined to 

regard the association as extremely intimate, so that each region is 

sensitive even to slight stimuli applied to the other region, while, on 

the other hand, many authorities ignore altogether the question of the 

relationship. It would appear, however, that there really is, in a 

considerable number of people at all events, a reflex connection of this 

kind. It has especially been noted that in many cases congestion of the 

nose precedes menstruation. 

Bleeding of the nose is specially apt to occur at puberty and during 

adolescence, while in women it may take the place of menstruation and is 

sometimes more apt to occur at the menstrual periods; disorders of the 

nose have also been found to be aggravated at these periods. It has even 

been possible to control bleeding of the nose, both in men and women, by 

applying ice to the sexual regions. In both men and women, again, cases 

have been recorded in which sexual excitement, whether of coitus or 

masturbation, has been followed by bleeding of the nose. In numerous cases 

it is followed by slight congestive conditions of the nasal passages and 

especially by sneezing. Various authors have referred to this phenomenon; 

I am acquainted with a lady in whom it is fairly constant.[41] Fere 

records the case of a lady, a nervous subject, who began to experience 

intense spontaneous sexual excitement shortly after marriage, accompanied 

by much secretion from the nose.[42] J.N. Mackenzie is acquainted with a 

number of such cases, and he considers that the popular expression 

"bride's cold" indicates that this effect of strong sexual excitement is 

widely recognized. 

The late Professor Hack, of Freiburg, in 1884, called general 

medical attention to the intimate connection between the nose and 

states of nervous hyperexcitability in various parts of the body, 

although such a connection had been recognized for many centuries 

in medical literature. While Hack and his disciples thus gave 

prominence to this association, they undoubtedly greatly 

exaggerated its importance and significance. (Sir Felix Semon, 

_British Medical Journal_, November 9, 1901.) Even many workers 

who have more recently further added to our knowledge have also, 

as sometimes happens with enthusiasts, unduly strained their own 

data. Starting from the fact that in women during menstruation 

examination of the nose reveals a degree of congestion not found 

during the rest of the month, Fliess (_Die Beziehungen zwischen 

Nase und Weiblichen Geschlechtsorganen_, 1897), with the help of 

a number of elaborate and prolonged observations, has reached 

conclusions which, while they seem to be hazardous at some 

points, have certainly contributed to build up our knowledge of