Note 19 — Chapter III · THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANISM

We have not referred to “psychical secretion.” If we smell some very savoury substance our “mouth waters,” that is, secretion of saliva occurs. If we even see some such substance the same secretion occurs. All this is clear and can be “explained” mechanistically: the stimulation of the olfactory or visual organs begins a kind of reflex process. But if we even think about some very savoury morsel saliva may be secreted. We must suppose now that our consciousness, something which has nothing to do, it must be noted, with energy-changes in the body, can react on the body. If we show a dog an attractive bone it will secrete saliva; if we show it again and again, the same thing occurs. But after certain such trials the dog will realise that he is being played with, and the exhibition of the bone no longer evokes a flow of secretion. Why is this? The whole process has now become more mysterious than ever.