ABSTRACT
There are people who whenever they want to think something out tend to interrupt the particular movement in which they happen to be engaged (for instance walking) and to continue it only after completion of the intellectual act. Others again are incapable of carrying out an in any way complicated thought process while at rest, but must manifest active muscular movements throughout its duration. Of course on a closer examination one finds that the appearance in these cases of muscular energy being transformed quite simply into ‘psychic energy’ is deceptive. During reflection the inhibited thinker only suspends co-ordinated movements, but not the consumption of muscle innervation; on closer examination, indeed, one finds that during reflection the tonus of the (resting) musculature is always increased. Psycho-analysis could assist a great deal in clearing up these complicated relations between psychic activity and muscle innervation.
