Sucking

Definition and stakes

Portrait of Erasmus Darwin Erasmus Darwin,  Zoonomia; Or, the Laws of Organic Life…

“ In the action of sucking, the lips of the infant are closed around the nipple of its mother, till he has filled his stomach, and the pleasure occasioned by the stimulus of this grateful food succeeds. Then the sphincter of the mouth, fatigued by the continued action of sucking, is relaxed; and the antagonist muscles of the face gently acting, produce the smile of pleasure: as cannot but be seen by all who are conversant with children. ”
Source: Gutenberg

Portrait of Alfred de Musset Alfred de Musset,  Gamiani, or Two Passionate Nights (1908)

“ No, Fanny, it is quite impossible to feel such sensation and to spend as I spent then more than once in a lifetime.
What extraordinary nervous tension I How my pulses beat! What ardent feelings in all my body, in my blood and brain! I was burning, melting, and I still felt an eager, unsatisfied mouth sucking the essence of my life out of my pussy.
”
Source: Wikisource

William James,  The Principles of Psychology, Volume 2…

“ Of the movements called by him instinctive in the child, Professor Preyer gives a full account. Herr Schneider does the same; and as their descriptions agree with each other and with what other writers about infancy say, I will base my own very brief statement on theirs.
Sucking: almost perfect at birth; not coupled with any congenital tendency to seek the breast, this being a later acquisition. As we have seen, sucking is a transitory instinct.
Biting an object placed in the mouth, chewing and grinding the teeth; licking sugar; making characteristic grimaces over bitter and sweet tastes
”
Source: Gutenberg

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature