Upon
the cessation of the action, as related, the os suddenly closed,
the cervix again hardened itself, and the intense congestion was
dissipated." (J.R. Beck, "How do the Spermatozoa Enter the
Uterus?" _American Journal of Obstetrics_, 1874.) It would appear
that in the early part of this final process of detumescence the
action of the uterus is mainly one of contraction and ejaculation
of any mucus that may be contained; Dr. Paul Munde has described
"the gushing, almost in jets," of this mucus which he has
observed in an erotic woman under a rather long digital and
specular examination. (_American Journal of Obstetrics_, 1893.)
It is during the latter part of detumescence, it would seem, and
perhaps for a short time after the orgasm is over, that the
action of the uterus is mainly aspiratory.
While the active part played by the womb in detumescence can no longer be
questioned, it need not too hastily be assumed that the belief in the
active movements of the spermatozoa must therefore be denied. The vigorous
motility of the tadpole-like organisms is obvious to anyone who has ever
seen fresh semen under the microscope; and if it is correct, as Clifton
Edgar states, that the spermatozoa may retain their full activity in the
female organs for at least seventeen days, they have ample time to exert
their energies.
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