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Undoubtedly the
most controversial topic associated with Watson is that of his personal
relationships with women. Noted Sherlockian authorities have credited him
with from one to five wives in an effort to reconcile discrepancies in the
Watsonian chronology, although Dorothy L. Sayers decried the attempt to
“provide Watson with as many wives as Henry VIII.” (Dorothy L. Sayers,
Unpopular Opinions. London: Victor Gollancz, Ltd., 1946) Likewise, Watson’s
“sad bereavement” that Holmes alludes to in EMPT has been variously
interpreted as one or more of the following: Mary Morstan’s death, the death
of their child, and Mary Morstan’s insanity.
I propose a totally different solution
to the confusion about Watson’s personal life — a solution which
resolves all of these difficulties,
yet could not be
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discussed openly in the
Victorian era. Even today, it is a somewhat sensitive topic. You see, Dr.
Watson was impotent or to use the phrase preferred by Bob Dole — he suffered
from ED — erectile dysfunction.
Admittedly
the cause of Watson’s problem is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps in passing from
the leg to the shoulder, that Jezail bullet hit an even more sensitive
portion of the doctor’s anatomy. Or perhaps while experiencing women in three
continents, the doctor received a lasting memento from one of them. I
personally feel the latter is the reason since in SIGN, Watson refers rather
ruefully to his “chequered career.”
But whatever
the cause of the doctor’s ailment, its existence is clear. The textual
references leave no room for doubt, although Watson, of course, was discreet
in alluding to his situation.
When
he first fell in love with Mary Morstan, his problem overwhelmed him. He
writes, “What was I, an army surgeon with a weak leg and a weaker banking
account, that I should dare to think of such things (i.e., marriage with
Morstan)?”
Clearly, it
was the weakness in what is sometimes referred to as “the middle leg” that
worried him — why would a mere limp be an impediment to marriage? Especially
since in the same case Watson tells Holmes that he can handle a “six mile
trudge.” Later on, in HOUN, he speaks of a “pleasant four mile walk.” Watson
is certainly not an invalid in the traditional sense of the word, although he
cannot rise to every occasion. It was not Watson’s fear of Morstan’s being an
heiress that initially restrained his impulse to propose. It was his
realization that he could not provide her with a normal sexual relationship
or children. Listen to his own words: “She little guessed the struggle within
my breast, or the effort of self-restraint which held me back... Yet there
were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection on my lips.”
Ostensibly those two thoughts were her being “weak and helpless” and
an heiress. Yet, there is nothing weak about Mary Morstan. Even Holmes speaks
positively about her strength and resourcefulness. Watson could not express
his real misgivings on the printed page — he could only hint at the problem
and mention his depressed state of mind.
At some point, he must have discussed
his disability with Mary and she reassured him — possibly during the visit to
Camberwell that lasted until the evening. Thus, when the treasure is lost,
the last barrier is gone and he proposes. Watson never wrote truer words than
when he said, “ Whoever had lost a treasure, I knew that night that I had
gained one.” Mary Morstan realized the doctor’s true worth and made her
decision accordingly.
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Holmes had, of course, deduced Watson’s problem. In fact, one reason
he encouraged the doctor to join him on cases was to prevent Watson from
lounging about Baker Street, drinking and brooding about his injury. However,
Holmes understandably has misgivings about the wisdom of Watson’s marrying.
Hence, his loud groan when Watson announces his marriage, and the comment “I
really cannot congratulate you.” Since he then goes on to praise Mary
Morstan, it is clear that he fears that Watson’s disability will make the
marriage an unhappy one.
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