(The abort portrait was given by the author to the translator.)
Psychopathia Sexualis
WITH ESPECIAL BKTEUNCI TO TH»
Antipathic Sexual Instinct
A MEDICO-FOREN6LC STUDY
BY
DR. R. v. KRAFFT-EBING
P. O. PROr. rtJB PSYCIIIATKIE UND NERVENKIIANKHEITEN AN DB* K. K. ONITRRSITAT
WIBN
ONLY AUTHORISED ENGLISH ADAPTATION OF THE TWELFTH
GERMAN EDITION
BY F. J. REBMAN
With Author's Portrait as Frontispiece
NEW YORK
REBMAN COMPANY
141 WEST 36rH STREET
All El«hta Reserved, Especially the Right 0* TranslatloB
Printed in America
PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
FEW people are conscious of the deep influence exerted by
sexual life upon the sentiment, thought and action of
man in his social relations to others. Schiller, in his
essay "Die Weltweisen," touches upon this subject in these
memorable words: "So long as philosophy keeps ^together
the structure of the Universe so long does it maintain
the world's machinery by hunger and love".
From the standpoint of the philosopher sexual life
takes a subordinate position.
Schopenhauer ("Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung,"
third edition, vol. ii., p. 586, etc.) considers it peculiar
that love has hitherto offered material to the poet only
and not also to the philosopher, the scant researches by
Plato, Rousseau and Kant always excepted.
Whatever Schopenhauer, and after him E. von Hart-
mann, the philosopher of the unknown, discuss about
sexual relationship, is so thoroughly incorrect and illogical
that, so far as science is concerned, empirical psychology
and the metaphysics of man's sexual existence are simply
virgin soil. Michelet's "L'amour" and Mantegazza's
"Physiology of Love" are merely clever causeries, and
cannot be considered in the light of scientific research.
The poet is the better psychologist, for he is swayed
rather by sentiment than by reason, and always treats his
subject in a partial fashion. He cannot discern deep
shadows, because he is dazed by the blazing light and
overcome by the benign heat of the subject Although
VI PBEFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
the "Physiology of Love" provides inexhaustible material
for the poetry of all ages and of all peoples, nevertheless
the poet will not discharge his arduous task adequately
without the active co-operation of natural philosophy and,
above all, that of medicine, a science which ever seeks to
trace all psychological manifestations t6 their anatomical
and physiological sources.
In these efforts medicine succeeds, perhaps, in forming
a connection between the pessimistic reflections of the
philosopher of the stamp of Schopenhauer and Hartmann,1
and the gay and naive creations of the pget.
It is not intended to build up in this book a system of
the psychology of sexual life, still from the close study of
psychopathology there arise most important psychological
facts which it behoves the scientist to notice.
The object of this treatise is merely to record the
various psychopathological manifestations of sexual life in
man and to reduce them to their lawful conditions. This
task is bj no means an easy one, and the author is well
aware of the fact that, despite his (varied) far-reaching
experience in psychiatry and criminal medicine, he is yet
unable to offer anything but an imperfected system.
The importance of the subject, however, demands
scientific research on account of its forensic bearing and
its deep influence upon the common weal. The medical
barrister only then finds out how sad the lack of our
knowledge is in the domain of sexuality when he is called
upon to express an opinion as to the responsibility of the
accused whose life, liberty and honour are at stake. He
then begins to appreciate the efforts that have been made
to bring light into darkness.
1llartmann's philosophical conception of love ("Philosophy of
the Unknown," Berlin, 18(59, p. 583) is: " Love causes more pain than
pleasure. Pleasure is only an illusion. Reason would demand the
avoidance of love were it not for that fatal sexual instinct. Hence it
would be better to be castrated." Schopenhauer expresses the same
vi«-w in his work: "Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung," third
edition, vol. ii. p. 586, etc.
PUEFACE TO TllK MUST EDITION. Til
Certain it is that so fur as sexual crimes are concerned
( -IT- -iieuus ideas prevail, unjust decisions arc given, ;in<l
the luw as well as public opinion are prima facie prejudiced
againM the <»llen<ler.
The scientific study of the psychopathology of sexual
life necessarily deals with the miseries of man and the
dark sides of his existence, the shadow of which contorts
the sublime image of the deity into horrid caricatures, and
leads astray a?stheticism and morality.
It is the sad privilege of medicine, and especially that
of psychiatry, to ever witness the weaknesses of human
nature and the reverse side of life.
The physician finds, perhaps, a (satisfaction) solace in
the fact that he may at times refer those manifestations
which offend against our ethical or aesthetical principles
to a diseased condition of the mind or the body. He can
save the honour of humanity in the forum of morality,
and the honour of the individual before the judge and his
fellow-men. It is from the search of truth that the exalted
duties and rights of medical science emanate.
The author adopts the saying of Tardieu ("Dcs at-
tentats aux moeurs") : "Aucune misere physique oil
morale, aucune plaie, quelque corrompue qu'clle soit, ne
doit effrayer celui qui s'est voue a la science de Thomme, et
le ministere sacre du medecin, en 1'obligeant a tout voir,
lui ]>ermet aussi de tout dire".
lie appeals to men engaged in serious study in the
domains of natural philosophy and medical jurisprudence.
A scientific title has been chosen, and technical terms
are used throughout the book in order to exclude the lay
reader. For the same reason certain portions are written
in Latin.
VIU
PREFACE TO THE TWELFTH EDITION.
THIS edition is entirely rewritten and considerably
enlarged. The (exceptionally) favourable criticisms which
have been accorded in professional circles to former edi-
tions are a guarantee that the book* exercises a beneficent
influence upon legislation and jurisprudence, and will as-
sist in removing erroneous ideas and superannuated laws.
Its commercial success is the best proof that large
numbers of unfortunate people find in its pages instruction
and relief in the frequently enigmatical manifestations of
sexual life. The hosts of letters that have reached the
author from all parts of the world substantiate this as-
sumption. Compassion and sympathy are strongly elicited
by the perusal of these letters, which are written chiefly
by men of refined thought and of high social and scientific
standing. They reveal sufferings of the soul in compari-
son to which all the other afflictions dealt out by Fate
appear as trifles.
May it continue to convey solace and social elevation
to its readers.
The number of technical terms has been increased,
and the Latin language is more frequently made use of
than in former editions.
May the same kind reception be accorded to this
edition which was enjoyed by its predecessors. That it
may prove of utility in the service of science, justice and
humanity is the wish of the
AUTHOR
GSAZ.
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
THE publishers sincerely trust that this translation from
the Twelfth German Edition of Psychopathia Sexualis
by Dr. R. v. Krafft-Ebing will be received with
favour by those for whom the book is written, and that ita
readers will derive that benefit which the author had in
view.
Preparing and sifting the material for the Twelfth
Edition of this work was the final task of the late author.
When he was attacked by the fatal illness which carried
him off, the manuscript was all ready for the printer.
Dr. Gugl and Dr. Stichl, pupils and for many years
collaborators of the author, were entrusted by the family
of the deceased with the revision of the proofs.
The sale of the book is rigidly restricted to the mem-
bers of the medical and legal professions.
Any communications intended for the translator should
be addressed to "Translator" (Krafft-Ebing), care of
Rebman Company, 1123 Broadway, New York.
THE PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS
PAD*
L FRAGMENTS OF A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY Of
SEXUAL LIFE I
Force of sexual instinct, 1 — Sexual instinct the basis of
ethical sentiments, 2 — Love as a passion, 2 — Historical
development of sexual life, 3 — Chastity, 3 — Christianity,
3 — Monogamy, 4 — Position of woman in Islam, 5 — Sen-
suality and morality, 5 — Cultural demoralisation of
sexual life, 5 — Episodes of the moral decay of nations, 6
— Development of sexual desire; puberty, 7 — Sensuality
and religious fanaticism, 7 — Relation between religious
and sexual domains, 8— Sensuality and art, 11 — Ideal-
isation of first love, 12 — True love, 12 — Sentimentality,
12 — Platonic love, 13— Love and Friendship, 13 — Differ-
ence between the love of the mnn and that of the woman,
14 — Celibacy, 15 — Adultery, 16 — Matrimony, 16 — Fond-
ness of dress, 16 — Facts of physiological fetichism, 17 —
Religious and erotic fetich ism, 18 — Hair, hand, foot of
the female as fetiches, 21 — Eye, smell, voice, psychical
qualities as fetich, 22.
H. PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTS a6
Puberty, 25 — Time limit of sexual life, 26 — Sexual instinct,
26— Localisation, 27 — Physiological development of
sexual life, 28 — Erections : Centre of erection, 28 — Sphere
of sexuality and olfaction, 32 — Flagellation as a stimu-
lant for sexual life, 34 — Sect of flagellants, 35 — " Flagel-
lum Salutis" of Paulini, 36 — " Erogenous " (hypersss-
thctic) zones, 38 — Control of sexual instinct, 40 —
Coitus, 40 — Ejaculation, 41.
ffl. ANTHROPOLOGICAL FACTS
Primary and secondary sexual characteristics, 42 — Psychical
characterintics, 42 — Differentiation of sexes, 42— rOyn«e-
comasty, 43 — Development of sexual type, 44 — Eunuchs,
46.
XI
XII CONTENTS
PACK
IV. GENEBAL PATHOLOGY (KEUBOLOGICAL AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL) 48
Frequency and importance of pathological manifestations, 48
— iScliedule ot Literature, 48 — Sexual neuroses, 49 — In-
fluences stimulating the erectile tissues, 49 — Paralysis of
the erectile tissues, 50 — Temporary impotence, 50 —
Neurosis of the nerve centres of ejaculation, 51 —
. Neuroses produced by cerebral causes, 62 — I'aradoxia,
i.e., sexual instinct outside the period of anatomical-
phyaiological processes, 65 — Sexual instinct in early
childhood, 55 — Sexual instinct reappearing in old age,
57 — Sexual perversions in seniles due to impotence or
dementia, 57 — Ana's thtivw acxualis, i.e., absence of sexual
instinct, 61 — congenital, 61 — acquired, 68 — Hyper-
assthesia, i.e., pathologically exaggerated sexual instinct,
69 — Conditions and manifestations of this anomaly, 70 —
Partfsthesia or perversion of the sexual instinct, 79 —
Perversion and perversity, 79 — Madism, an attempted ex-
planation of sadism, 80 — Sadistic lust murder, 88 — An-
thropophagy, 95 — Mutilation of corpses, 99 — Maltreat-
ment of women by cutting or flogging, etc., 105 — Defile-
ment of female persons, 113 — Symbolic sadism, i.e.,
brutal force employed against female persons, 118 —
Ideal sadism, 118 — Sadism practised on any other object,
121--Flogging of boys, 121 — Sadistic acts on animals, 125
— Sadism in woman, 129 — Kleist's " Penthesilea/' 130 —
Masochism, 131 — Essence and clinical manifestations of
masochism, 132 — Maltreatment and humiliation invited
for the purpose of sexual gratification, 134 — Passive
flagellation and its relations to masochism, 140 — Fre-
quency and practices of masochism, 149 — Symbolic maso-
chism, 159 — Ideal masochism, 161 — Jean Jacques Rous-
seau, 166 — Masochism in scientific and belletristical
literature, 169 — Latent masochism, 171 — Shoe and foot
fetichism, 171 — Koprolagnia, ISO-Masochism in woman,
195 — An attempted explanation of masochism, 200 —
Sexual bondage, 202 — Masochism and sadism, 213 —
Fetichism, definition of, 218 — Cases in which the fetich
is a part of the female body, 224 — Hand fetichism, 226
— Bodily defects as fetiches, 234 — Hair fetichism, 239 —
Hair despoilers. 241 — The fetich is a part of female
attire, 247 — Mania for (theft of) female handkerchiefs,
255 — Shoe fetichism, 260 — The fetich consists of some
special fabric, 268 — Fur, silk, velvet, gloves, roses, 274 —
/Beast fetichism, 281 — Antipathic sexual instinct, 282 —
Acquired sexual inversion in either sex, 286 — Neurotic
taint a condition of antipathic sexual instinct, 289 —
Grades of acquired perversion, 289 — Simple inversion of
sexual instinct, 289 — Eviration and dcfemination, 297
— Insanity among the Scythians, 302 — Mujerados, 303 —
Transition to metamorphosis sevualis, 304 — Metamor-
phosis sexualis paranoica, 328 — Congenital antipathic
sexuality, 335 — Various clinical forms thcroof, 336— -Gen-
eral symptoms, 339 — Attempted explanation of this
anomaly, 340 — Congenital antipathic sexuality in the
male, 350 — Psychical hernnnhroditism, 352 — Homo-
sexuality. 304 — Urmngs, ZM—Effeminatirm, 382 —
CONTENTS - XIII
Androgyny, 389— Congenital antipathic »c*ual\ty in tke
female. 395 — Complications of antipathic sexual instinct,
439 — Diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of sexual inver-
sion, 443.
IV. SPECIAL PATHOLOGY 445
The manifestations of pathological sexual life in the various
forms and conditions of mental disturbance, 462 — In-
hibition of psychical development, 462 — Acquired mental
debility, 466 — Dementia following psychosis or apoplexy,
466 — Or injuries to the head, 466 — Or lues cerebralit,
467 — Dementia paralytica, 468 — Epilepsy, 469 — Periodi-
cal dementia, 478 — Ptychopathia seantali* prriodica, 479
— Mania, 481 — Symptoms of sexual excitement in
maniacs, 481— -Satyriasis and nymphomania, 482 —
Chronic satyriaaia and nymphomania, 486 — Melancholia,
492 — Hysteria, 492 — Paranoia, 494.
V. PATHOLOGICAL SEXUAL LIFE BEFORE THE
CRIMINAL FOEUM 498
Sexual crimes endanger the common weal, 498 — On the in-
crease, 499 — Probable causes, 500 — Clinical researches,
501 — Sexual crimes not properly understood by the law
profession, 502 — Points for the proper judgment of sexual
crimes, 502 — Conditions for the cessation of responsi-
bility, 502 — Points for the paychopathological importance
of sexual crimes, 503 — tiexual crime* classified, 503 —
Exhibitionists, 604 — Frotteurt, 522— Defilers of statues,
525 — Rape and lust-murder, 526 — Bodily injury, viola-
tion of things, cruelty to animals caused by sadism,
633 — Masochism and sexual bondage, 539 — Bodily injury,
robbery, theft emanating from fetichism, 543 — Notes on
the question of responsibility in sexual offences caused
by delusions, 549 — Immorality with persons under the
age of fourteen, 552 — Non-psychopathological cases, 552 —
Psychopathological cases, 554 — Unnatural abuse, 561 —
Violation of animals, sodomy, bestiality, 561 — Zooerasty,
663 — Unnatural sexual relations with persons of the
same sex, pederasty, 571 — In relation to sexual inversion,
672 — Necessity to distinguish between pathological and
normal conditions of pederasty, 572 — Forensic opinion
on congenital sexual inversion nnd when pathologically
acquired, 573 — Letter from an timing, 574 — Reasons why
legal proceedings against homosexual acts should be
•topped, 578 — Cultivated pederasty (not pathological),
685 — Causes of the vice, 585 — Social life of pederasts,
687 — A woman-hater's ball in Berlin, 590 — Various cate-
gories of unle loving men, 593 — Pcrdicatio mulierum,
•S94 — Amor Irtbini*. 007 — Necrophilia, 611 — Incest, 612
— Violation of wards, C14.
INDEX 615
I. FRAGMENTS OF A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY
OF SEXUAL LIFE.
THE propagation of the human race is not left to mere
accident or the caprices of the individual, but is guaran-
teed by the hidden laws of nature which are enforced by
a mighty, irresistible impulse. Sensual enjoyment and
physical fitness are not the only conditions for the en-
forcement of these laws, but higher motives and aims,
such as the desire to continue the species or Ihe individu-
ality of mental and physical qualities beyond time and
space, exert a considerable influence. Man puts himself
at once on a level with the beast if he seeks to gratify
lust alone, but he elevates his superior position when by
curbing the animal desire he combines with the sexual
functions ideas of morality, of the sublime, and the beau-
tiful.
Placed upon this lofty pedestal he stands far above
nature and draws from inexhaustible sources material for
nobler enjoyments, for serious work and for the realisation
of ideal aims. Maudsley ("Deutsche Klinik," 1873, 2, 3)
justly claims that sexual feeling is the basis upon which
social advancement is developed.
Tf man were deprived of sexual distinction and the
nobler enjoyments arising therefrom, all poetry and prob-
ably all moral tendency would be eliminated from his life.
Sexual life no doubt is the one mighty factor in the
individual and social relations of man which disclose his
powers of activity, of acquiring property, of establishing a
homo, of awakening altruistic sentiments towards a person
of the opposite sex, and towards his own issue as well as
towards the whole human race.
1
2 PSYCIIOPATHIA 8EXDALIS.
Sexual feeling is really the root of all ethics, and no
doubt of cestheticism and religion.
The sublimest virtues, even the sacrifice of self, may
spring from sexual life, which, however, on account of its
sensual power, may easily degenerate into the lowest
passion and basest vice.
Love unbridled is a volcano that burns down and lays
waste all around it; it is an abyss that devours all —
honour, substance and health.
It is of great psychological interest to follow up the
gradual development of civilisation and the influence
exerted by sexual life upon habits and morality.1 The
gratification of the sexual instinct seems to be the primary
motive in man as well as in beast. Sexual intercourse is
done openly, and man and woman are not ashamed of
their nakedness. The savage races, e.g., Australasians,
Polynesians, Malays of the Philippines are still in this stage
(vide Ploss}. Woman is the common property of man,
the spoil of the strongest and mightiest, who chooses the
most winsome for his own, a sort of instinctive sexual
selection of the fittest.
Woman is a "chattel," an article of commerce, exchange
or gift, a vessel for sensual gratification, an implement for
toil. The presence of shame in the manifestations and
exercise of the sexual functions, and of modesty in the
mutual relations between the sexes are the foundations of
morality. Thence arises the desire to cover the nakedness
("and they saw that they were naked") and to perform
the act in private.
The development of this grade of civilisation is fur-
thered by the conditions of frigid climes which necessitate
the protection of the whole body against the cold. It is an
*Cf. Lombroso, " The Criminal " ; Westermarck, " The History of
Marriage "; Ploss, " Das Weib in der Natur- und VOlkerkunde," third
edition, vol. ii., p. 413-90. Joseph Miiller, " Das sexuelle Leben der
NaturvSlkur," 2 Aufl. 1902; derselbe, "Das sexuelle Leben der alten
Kulturvolker, 1902 (Leipzig, Grieben).
A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL LIFE.
anthropological fact that modesty can be traced to much
earlier periods among northern races.1
Another element which tends to promote the refined
development of sexual life is the fact that woman ceases
to be a "chattel". She becomes an individual being, and,
although socially still far below man, she gradually ac-
quires rights, independence of action, and the privilege to
bestow her favours where she inclines. She is wooed by
man. Traces of ethical sentiments pervade the rude sen-
sual appetite, idealisation begins and community of woman
ceases. The sexes are drawn to each other by mental and
physical merits and exchange favours of preference. In
this stage woman is conscious of the fact that her charms
belong only to the man of her choice. She seeks to hide
them from others. This forms the foundation of modesty,
chastity and sexual fidelity so long as love endures.
This development is hastened wherever nomadic habits
yield to the spirit of colonisation, where man establishes
a household. He feels the necessity for a companion in
life, a housewife in a settled home.
The Egyptians, the Israelites, and the Greeks reached
this level at early periods, so did the Teutonic races. Its
principal characteristics are high appreciation of virginity,
chastity, modesty and sexual fidelity in strong contrast
to the habits of other peoples where the host places the
personal charms of the wife at the disposal of the guest
The history of Japan furnishes a striking proof that
this high grade of civilisation is often the last stage of
moral development, for in that country to within twenty
years ago prostitution was not considered to impair in any
way the social status of the future wife.
Christianity raised the union of the sexes to a sublime
position by making woman socially the equal of man and
by elevating the bond of love to a moral and religious
'According to Wc«termarck, op. cit., it wag "not the feHinp of
shame which sn^ested the garment, but the garment engendered
shame. The desiro to make themselves more attractive originated
the habit among men and women to cover their nakedness."
4 PSYCIIOPATHIA SEXUAU8.
institution.1 Thence emanates the fact that the love of
man, if considered from the standpoint of advanced civili-
sation, can only be of a monogamic nature and must rest
upon a staple basis. Even though nature should claim
This assertion may be modified in so far that the symbolical and
sacramental character of matrimony was clearly defined only by the
Council of Trent, although the spirit of Christianity always tended
to raise woman from the inferior position which she occupied in pre-
vious centuries and in the Old Testament.
The tradition that woman was created from the rib of the sleep-
ing man (see Genesis) is one of the causes of delay in this direction,
for after the fall she is told " thy will shall be subject to man." Ac-
cording to the Old Testament, woman in responsible for the fall of
man, and this became the corner-stone of Christian teaching. Thus
the social position of woman had to be neglected, as it were, until
the spirit of Christianity had conquered tradition and scholastic
tenets.
It is a remarkable fact that the gospels (barring divorce, Matt,
xix. 9) contain not a word in favour of woman. The clemency shown
towards the adulteress and the penitent Magdalen do not affect the
position of woman in general. The epistles of St. Paul definitely in-
sist that no change can be permitted in the position of woman (2 Cor.
xi. 3-12; Eph. v. 22, "woman shall be subject to man," and 23,
" woman shall fear man ").
How much the fathers of the Church are prejudiced against
woman on account of Eve's part in the temptation may be easily
learned from Tertulllan, " Woman, thou shouldst ever go in mount-
ing and sackcloth, thy eyes filled with tears. Thou has brought
about the ruin of mankind." St. Jerome has aught but good to say
about woman. " Woman is the gate of the devil, the road of evil, th«
sting of the scorpion" ("De Cultu Fcminarum," i. 1).
Canon law declares: "Man only is created to the image of God,
not woman ; therefore woman shall serve him and be his handmaid ".
The Provincial Council of Macon (sixth century) seriously dis-
cussed the question whether woman had a soul at all.
These opinions of the Church had a sympathetic influence upon
the peoples who embraced Christianity. Among the converted Ger-
manic races the doicer value of woman fell considerably (J. FaU-~e,
" Die rittcrliche Gesellschaft," Berlin, 18G2, p. 49. Re the valuation
of the two sexes among the Jews, cf. 3 Moses, xxvii. 3-4).
Even polygamy, which is distinctly recognised in the Old Testa-
ment, (Dcut. xxi. l."j) is nowhere in the New Testament definitely
prohibited. In fact many Christian princes (e.g. the Merovingian
kings: Chlotar I., Charihort I., Pippin I. and other Prankish nobles)
indulged in polygamy without a protest being raised by the Church
at the time (Weinhold, "Die deutschen Fraucn itn Mittelalter," ii.,
p. 15 ; cf. Unger, " Marriage," etc., and Louis Bridel, " La Femme et
le Droit," Paris, 1884).
A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL LIFE. 5
merely the law of propagation, a community (family or
state) cannot subsist without the guarantee that the off-
spring thrive physically, morally and intellectually. From
the moment when woman was recognised the peer of man,
nli. -a monogamy became a law and was consolidated by
legal, religious and moral conditions, the Christian nations
obtained a mental and material superiority over the poly-
.;c races, and especially over Islam.
Mohammed strove to raise woman from the position of
the slave and mere handmaid of enjoyment, to a higher
x.cial and matrimonial grade; yet she remained still far
below man, who alone could obtain divorce, and that on
the easiest terms.
Above all things Islamism excludes woman from public
life and enterprise, and stifles her intellectual and moral
advancement. The Mohammedan woman is simply a
moans for sensual gratification and the propagation of
the species ; whilst in the sunny balm of Christian doctrine,
blossom forth her divine virtues and her qualities of house-
\\ifi-, companion and mother. What a contrast!
Compare the two religions and their standard of future
happiness. The Christian expects a heaven of spiritual
bliss absolutely free from carnal pleasure; the Mohamme-
<l.in an eternal harem, a paradise among lovely houris.
in spite of the aid which religion, law, education and
tlio moral code offer him, the Christian (to subdue- his
sensual inclination) often drags pure and chaste love from
its sublime pedestal and wallows in the quagmire of sen-
sual enjoyment and lust.
Life is a never-ceasing duel between the animal instinct
and morality. Only will-power and a strong character
can emancipate man from the meanness of his corrupt
nature, and teach him how to enjoy the pure pleasures of ,
love and pluck the noble fruits of earthly existence.
1 It is an open question whether the moral status of
mankind has undergone an improvement in our times.
No doubt society at large shows a greater veneer of
6 PSYOHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
modesty and virtue, and vice is not as flagrantly practised
as of yore.
The reader of Scherr ("Deutsche Culturgeschichte")
will gain the impression that our moral code is not so
gross as was that of the middle ages, even if only more re-
fined manners have taken the place of former coarseness.
In comparing the various stages of civilisation it be-
comes evident that, despite periodical relapses, public
morality has made steady progress, and that Christianity
is the chief factor in this advance.
We arc certainly far beyond sodomitic idolatry, the
public life, legislation and religious exercises of ancient
Greece, not to speak of the worship of Phallus and Priapus
in vogue among the Athenians and Babylonians, or the
Bacchanalian feasts of the Romans and the privileged posi-
tion held by the cburtesans of those days.
There are stagnant and fluctuating periods in this slow
progress, but they are only like the ebb- and flood-tide of
sexual life in the individual.
The episodes of moral decay always coincide with the
progression of effeminacy, lewdness and luxuriance of the
nations. These phenomena can only be ascribed to the
higher and more stringent demands which circumstances
make upon the nervous system. Exaggerated tension of
the nervous system stimulates sensuality, leads the indi-
vidual as well as the masses to excesses, and undermines
the very foundations of society, and the morality and pur-
ity of family life. The material and moral ruin of the com-
munity is readily brought about by debauchery, adultery
and luxury. Greece, the Roman Empire, and France
under Louis XIV. and XV., are striking examples of this
assertion. In such periods of civic and moral decline the
most monstrous excesses of sexual life may be observed,
which, however, can always be traced to psycho-patho-
logical or neuro-pathological conditions of the nation in-
volved.1
*Cf. Friedlander, " Sittengeschichte Rom8 " ; Wiedemeister, " Der
Casarenwahnsinn " ; Suetonius, MoreOAi, " Des aberrations du sens
g€n6sique ".
A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL LIFE. 7
Largo cities are hotbeds in which neuroses and low
morality are bred, vide the history of Babylon, Nineveh,
Rome and the mysteries of modern metropolitan life. It
is a remarkable fact that among savages and half-civi
races sexual intemperance is not observed (except among
the Aleutians and the Oriental and Nama-IIottentot
women who practise masturbation).1
The study of sexual life in the individual naturally
deals with its various phases, beginning with the stage of
puberty to the extinction of sexual feeling.
Mantegazza ("Physiology of Love") draws a beautiful
picture of the bodings and yearnings of awakening love, of
the mysterious sensations, foretastes and impulses that iill
the heart, long before the period of puberty has arrived.
Psychologically speaking, this is, perhaps, the most mo-
mentous epoch of life, for the wealth of ideas and senti-
ments engendered through it, forms the standard by which
psychic activity may be measured.
The advance of puberty develops the impulses of youth,
hftherto vague and undefined, into conscious realisation of
the sexual power. The psychological reactions of animal
passion manifest themselves in the irresistible desires of
intimacy, and the longing to bestow the strange affections
of nature upon others.
Religion and poetry frequently become the temporary
haven of rest, even after the period of storm and stress is
passed. Religious enthusiasm is more commonly met
with in the young than the old. The lives of the saints*
1 Friedreich (" Hdb. dei gerichtlichilrztlich, Praxis," 1843, i. p.
271) is of a different opinion, for according to him the Red Indians
of America are addicted to the practice of pederasty. Cf. also Lorn-
broso, p. 42, and Block, Beitriige zur Etiologie der Psychopathia
Sexualis, 2. Theil, 1903.
'•Cf. Fncdreich (" Gerichtl. Psychologic," p. 389) who quotes nu-
merous examples. For instance, lilankebin, the nun, was constantly
tormented by the thought of what could have become of that part of
Christ which was removed in circumcision.
Veronica Jiiliani, beatified by Pope Pius II., in memory of the
divino lamb, took a real lamb to bed with her, kissed it and suckled
it on her breasts.
8 P8YCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
are replete with remarkable records of temptations. The
religious feasts of the ancients often degenerated into
orgies, or into mystic cults of a voluptuous character.
Even the meetings of certain modern sects dissolve them-
selves simply into obscene practices.
On the contrary we find that the sexual instinct, when
disappointed and unappeased, frequently seeks and finds
a substitute in religion.
Even where psycho-pathological conditions are diag-
nosed beyond dispute, this relation between religious and
sexual feelings can easily be established. The cause of re-
ligious insanity is often to be found in sexual aberration.
In psychosis a motley mixture of religious and sexual delu-
sions is observable, viz., in female lunatics who imagine
that they are or will be the mother of God, and especially
in persons slaves to masturbation. The cruel, sensual acts
of chastisement, violation, emasculation and even crucifix-
ion perpetrated upon self by religious maniacs, bear out
this assertion.1
•
Any attempt to explain the psychological relations be-
tween religion and love must needs meet with difficulties,
for analogous instances are met with in great numbers.
Sexual inclinations and religious leanings (if consid-
ered as psychological factors), are composed of two ele-
ments.
Schleier mocker recognised the primary feeling of de-
St. Catharine of Genoa often burned with such intense inward
fire that in order to cool herself she would throw herself upon the
ground crying, " Love, love, I can endure it no longer ". At the same
time she felt a peculiar inclination to her confessor. One day lifting
his hand to her nose she noticed a peculiar odour which penetrated
to her heart " a heavenly perfume that would awaken the dead ".
St. Armelle and St. Elizabeth were troubled with a similar long-
ing for the Infant Jesus. The temptations of St. Anthony, of Padua,
nre known to the world. Of significance is an old Protestant prayer:
" Oh ! that I had found thee, bless'd Emanuel ; that thou wert with
me in my bed, to bring delight to body and soul. Come and be mine.
My heart shall be thy resting place."
1 Cf. Friedreich, " Diagnostik der psych. Krankheiten," p. 247
etc. ; Neumann, Lehrb. d. " Psychiatric," p. 80.
A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL LIFE.
* the paramount clfini-nt in religion, long before
modern anthropological and ethnographic research in the
domain of primitive causes, arrived at the same conclu-
sions.
The secondary and truly ethical element, i.e., the love
of God, enters the religious sentiment only when a higher
stage of culture is attained. At first, the double-faced,
now benevolent, now angry, chimeras of complicated
mythologies, take the place of the evil spirits, until they
in turn are dislodged by the benign form of the deity, the
giver of perpetual happiness, whether it be in the shape
of Jehovah as the author of all earthly blessings, or Allah
who bestows physical delight in Paradise, or Christ who
is gone before to prepare mansions of eternal light and
bliss, or Nirvana who reigns in the heaven of the Buddhist
The primary element of sexual preference is love, i.e.f
the expectation of unsurpassed pleasure. The secondary
element is the feeling of dependence, although it is in
reality the root from which spring alike, as the former
may be entirely absent. It certainly exists in a stronger
measure in woman, on account of her social position, and
the passive part which she takes in the act of procreation ;
but at times it is also found in men who are of a feminine
type.
Religion as well as sexual love is mystical and trans-
cendental. In sexual love the real object of the instinct,
i.e., propagation of the species, is not always present to
the mind during the act, and the impulse is much
stronger than could be justified by the gratification that
can possibly be derived from it. Religious love strives
for the possession of an object that is absolutely ideal,
and cannot be defined by experimental knowledge. Both/
are metaphysical processes which give unlimited scope to|
imagination.
They converge, however, in a similar indefinite focus ;
for the gratification of the sensual appetite promises a
boon which far surpasses all other conceivable pleasures,
and faith has in store a bliss that endures for ever.
10 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
In either condition the mind is conscious of the enor-
mous importance of the object to be obtained; thus im-
pulses often become irresistible and overcome all opposing
motives. But because neither of them can at times grasp
the real object of their existence they easily degenerate
into fanaticism, in which intensity of emotion overbalances
clearness and stability of reason. Expectation of un-
fathomed bliss is now coupled with reckless resignation
and unconditional submission.
Owing to this conformity it happens that under high
tension one dislodges the other, or that both make their
appearance together; for every violent upheaval in the
soul must necessarily sweep along its surroundings.
Nature, always the same, draws alike upon these two
spheres of conception, now forcing one then the other
into stronger activity, which degenerates even into acts of
cruelty either actively exercised, or passively endured.
In religious life this may assume the shape of self-
sacrifice or self-destruction, prompted by the idea that
the victim is necessary for the material sustenance of the
deity. The sacrifice is brought as a sign of reverence or
submission, as a tribute, as an atonement for sins com-
mitted, or as a price wherewith to purchase happiness.
If, however, the offering consists in self-punishment—
and that occurs in all religions! — it serves not only as a
symbol of submission, or an equivalent in the exchange
of present pain for future bliss, but everything that is
thought to come from the deity, all that is done in
obedience to divine mandates or to the honour of the
Godhead, is felt directly as pleasure. Thus religious
exuberance leads to ecstasy, a condition in which con-
sciousness is so preoccupied with feelings of mental
pleasure, that distress is stripped of its painful quality.
Exaggerated religious enthusiasm also finds pleasure
in the sacrifice of another person, when rapture combines
with sympathy.
Similar manifestations may be observed in sexual life,
A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY OF SSXUAL LIFE. 11
as will be shown later on under the headings of Sadism
and Masochism.
Thus the relations existing between religion, lust, and
cruelty,1 may be condensed into the formula: Religious '
and sexual hyperaesthesia at the acme of development
show the same volume of intensity and the same quality
of excitement, and may therefore under given circum-
stances interchange. Both will in certain pathological •*
states degenerate into cruelty.
Sexual influence is just as potent in the awakening of
a3sthetic sentiments. What other foundation is there for
the plastic art or poetry? From (sensual) love arises
that warmth of fancy which alone can inspire the creative
mind, and the fire of sensual feeling kindles and preserves
the glow and fervour of art.
This explains the sensual natures of great poets and
artists.
The world of fancy keeps pace with the development
* of sexual power. Whoever during that period cannot be
animated by the ideals of all that is great, noble and
beautiful remains a "Philistine" all his life. Even the
dolt tries his hand at poetry when in love.
On the borders of physiological reaction may be
observed those mysterious processes of maturing puberty,
which give origin to obscure yearnings and moods of
despondency and Weltschmerz, rendering life tedious, and
coupled with the impulse to inflict pain and sorrow upon
others (weak analogies of a psychological connection be-
tween lust and minify).
First love for ever trends in a romantic idealising
direct ion. Tt wraps the beloved object in the halo of
perfection. In its incipient stages it is of a platonic
character, and turns rather to forms of poetry and history.
'This may be observed in the actual life as well as in the fiction
and the plastic arts of degenerate eras. For instance, Bernini't carv-
ing, which represents St. Teresa " sinking in an hysterical faint upon
a marble cloud, whilst an amorous angel plunges the arrow (of divine
love) into her heart." — Liibke.
12 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
With the approach of puberty it runs the risk of trans-
ferring the idealising powers upon persons of the opposite
sex, even though mentally, physically and socially they be
of an inferior station. To this may easily be traced many
cases of misalliance, abduction, elopement and errors of
early youth, and those sad tragedies of passionate love that
are in conflict with the principles of morality or social
standing, and often terminate in murder, self-destruction,
and double suicide.
Purely sensual loye_is_never true and lasting, for which
reason first love is, as a rule, 6ut a passing infatuationL a
iting passion.
rue love is rooted in the recognition of the moral
/and mental qualities of the beloved person, and is equally
ready to share pleasures and sorrows and even to make
sacrifices. True love shrinks from no dangers or obstacles
in the struggle for the undisputed possession of the beloved.
Deeds of daring and heroism lie in its wake. But un-
less the moral foundation be solid it will lead to crime,
and jealousy often mars its beauty.
The love of the feeble-minded is based upon sentimen-
tality, and when unrequited results in suicide.
Sentimental love is likely to degenerate into a bur-
lesque, especially when the sensual element lacks force
(e.g. the Knight of Joggenburg, Don Quixote, and many
of the minstrels and troubadours of the middle ages).
This kind of love is nauseating and has a repulsive or
ludicrous effect on others, whilst true love and its mani-
festations command sympathy, respect, and even fear.
Love when weak is frequently turned away from its
real object into different channels, such as voluptuous
poetry, bizarre aesthetics, or religion. In the latter case
it readily falls a prey to mysticism, fanaticism, sectarian-
ism or religious mania. A smattering of all this can al-
ways be found in the immature love of early puberty. The
poetical effusions of that period of life are only then
•worthy of perusal when emanating from the pen of the
truly endowed genius.
A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY OP SEXUAL LIFE.
Ethical surroundings are necessary in order to clevato
love to its true and pure form, hut, notwithstanding.
sensuality will ever remain its principal basis.
Platonic love is a platitude, a misnomer for "kindred
spirits".
Since love implies the presence of sexual desire it can
only exist between persons of different sex capable of
sexual intercourse. When these conditions are wanting
or destroyed it is replaced by friendship.
The sexual functions of man exercise a very marked
influence upon the development and preservation of char-
acter. Manliness and self-reliance are not the qualities
which adorn the impotent onanist
GyurkoveMy ("Mannl. Impotenz," Wien, 1889) is
correct in his observation that virility establishes the ratio
of difference between old men and young, and that im-
potence impairs health, mental freshness, activity, self-
confidence and imagination. The damage stands in
proportion to the age of the subject and the extent of his
debauchery.
The sudden loss of the virile powers often produces
melancholia, or is the cause of suicide when life without
love is a mere blank.
In cases where the reaction is less pronounced, the
victim is morose, peevish, egotistical, jealous, narrow- 1
minded, cowardly, devoid of energy, self-respect and
honour.
The Skopzes for instance after castration rapidly de-
generate.
This matter will be further elucidated under the head-
ing of "Effeminatio" (v. ».).
In the sedate matron this condition is of minor psy-
chological importance, though it is noticeable. The
biological change affects her but little if her sexual career
has been successful, and loving children gladden the ma-
ternal heart The situation is different, however, where
14 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
sterility has denied that happiness, or where enforced
celibacy prevented the performance of the natural func-
tions.
These facts characterise strongly the differences that
prevail in the psychology of sexual life in man and
woman, and the dissimilarity of sexual feeling and desire
in both.
Man has beyond doubt the stronger sexual appetite of
the two. From the period of pubescence he is instinc-
tively drawn towards woman. His love is sensual, and
his choice is strongly prejudiced in favour of physical
attractions. A mighty impulse of nature makes him
aggressive and impetuous in his courtship. Yet the law
of nature does not wholly fill his psychic being. Having
won the prize, his love is temporarily eclipsed by other
vital and social interests.
Woman, however, if physically and mentally normal,
and properly educated, has but little sensual desire. If
it were otherwise, marriage and family life would be
empty words. As* yet the man who avoids women, and
the woman who seeks men are sheer anomalies.
Woman is wooed for her favour. She remains passive.
Her sexual organisation demands it, and the dictates of
good breeding come to her aid.
Nevertheless, sexual consciousness is stronger in
woman than in man. Her need of love is greater, it
is continual not periodical, but her love is more spiritual
than sensual. Man primarily loves woman as his wife,
and then as the mother of his children; the first place in
woman's heart belongs to the father of her child, the
second to him as husband. Woman is influenced in
her choice more by mental than by physical qualities.
As mother she divides her love between offspring and
husband. Sensuality is merged in the mother's love.
Thereafter the wife accepts marital intercourse not so
much as a sensual gratification than as a proof of her hus-
band's affection.
Woman loves with her whole soul. To woman love
A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL LIFE. 15
is life, to man it is the joy of lift-. Misfortune in love
bruises the heart of man; but it ruins the life of woman
and wrecks her happiness. It is really a psychological J
question worthy of consideration whether woman can truly/
love twice in her life. Woman's mind certainly inclines j
more to monogamy than that of man.
In t lie sexual demands of man's nature will be found
the motives of his weakness towards woman. He is
enslaved by her, and becomes more and more dependent
upon her as he grows weaker, and the more he yields to
sensuality. This accounts for the fact that in the periods
of decline and luxury sensuousness was the predominant
factor. Whence arises the social danger when courtesans
and their dependants rule the State and finally encompass
its ruin.
History shows that great (states) men have often been
the slaves of women in consequence of the neuropathic
conditions of their constitution.
It shows a masterly psychological knowledge of human'
nature that the Roman Catholic Church enjoins celibacy -.
upon its priests in order to emancipate them from sensu-
ality, and to concentrate their entire activity in the pursuit
of their calling. Nevertheless it is a pity that the celibate
state deprives the priest of the ennobling influence exer-
cised by love and marital life upon the character.
From the fact that by nature man plays the aggressive
role in sexual life, he is exposed to the danger of over-
stepping the limits set by law and morality.
The unfaithfulness of the wife, as compared with
that of the husband, is morally of much wider bearing,
and should always meet with severer punishment at the
hands of the law. The unfaithful wife not only dishon-
ours herself, but also her husband and her family, not to
speak of the possible uncertainty of paternity.
Natural instincts and social position are frequent
causes of disloyalty in man (the husband), whilst the
wife is surrounded by many protecting influences.
Sexual intercourse is of different import to the spinster
16 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
and to the bachelor. Society claims of the latter modesty,
but exacts of the former chastity as well. Modern civil-
isation concedes only to the wife that exalted position, in
which woman sexually furthers the moral interests of
society.
The ultimate aim, the ideal, of woman, even when she
is dragged in the mire of vice, ever is and will be marriage.
Woman, as Mantegazza properly observes, seeks not only
gratification of sensual desires, but also protection and
-,support for herself and her offspring. No matter how
sensual man may be, unless also thoroughly depraved, he
seeks for a consort only that woman whose chastity he
cannot doubt.
The emblem and ornament of woman aspiring to this
state, truly worthy of herself, is modesty, so beautifully
defined by Mantegazza as "one of the forms of physical
self-esteem."
To discuss here the evolution of this, the most graceful
of virtues in woman, is out of place, but most likely it is
an outgrowth of the gradual rise of civilisation.
A remarkable contrast may be found in the occasional
exposure of physical charms, conventionally sanctioned by
the world of fashion, in which even the most discreet
maiden will indulge when robed for the ball-room, theatre,
or similar social function. Although the reasons for such
a display are obvious, the modest woman is fortunately
no more conscious of them, than of the motives which
underlie periodical fashions that bring certain forms of
the body into undue prominence, to say nothing of corsets,
etc.
In all times, and among all races, the women are fond
of toilet and finery. In the animal kingdom nature has
distinguished the male with the greater beauty. Men
designate women as the beautiful sex, a gallantry which
clearly "arises from their sensual requirements. So long
as woman seeks only self-gratification in personal adorn-
ment, and so long as she remains unconscious of the psy-
chological reasons for thus making herself attractive, no
A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL LIFB 17
can be raised against it, but, \\ljcn done with
the fixed purpose to please men it degenerates into co-
quetry.
Under analogous circumstances man would make him-
self ridiculous.
Woman far surpasses man in the natural psychology
of love, partly because evolution and training have made
love her proper element, and partly because she is ani-
mated by more refined feelings (Mantegazza).
Even the best of breeding concedes to man that he
looks upon woman mainly as a means by which to satisfy
the cravings of his natural instinct, though it confines
him only to the woman of his choice. Thus civilisation
establishes a binding social contract which is called mar-
riage, and grants by legal statutes protection and support
to the wife and her issue.
It is important, and on account of certain pathological
manifestations (to be referred to later on) indispensable, to
examine into those psychological events which draw man
and woman into that close union which concentrates the
fulness of affection upon the beloved one only to the ex-
clusion of all other persons of the same sex.
If one could demonstrate design in the processes of
nature — adaptation cannot be denied them — then the fact
of fascination by one person of the opposite sex with in-
difference towards all others, as it occurs between true \
and happy lovers, would appear as a wonderful provision
to ensure monogamy for the promotion of its object.
The scientific observer finds in this loving bond of
hearts by no means simply a mystery of souls, but he can
refer it nearly always to certain physical or mental pecu-
liarities by which the attracting power is qualified.
Hence the words FETICH and FETICHISM. The word
fetich signifies an object, or parts or attributes of objects,
which by virtue of association to sentiment, personality, ori
absorbing ideas, exert a charm (the Portuguese "fetisao")
or at least produce a peculiar individual impression which
2
18 P8YCIIOPATIIIA 8EXUAX.IS.
is in no wise connected with the external appearance of
the sign, symbol or fetich.1 ^
The individual valuation of the fetich extending even
to unreasoning enthusiasm is dalled fetichism. This in-
teresting psychological phenomenon may be explained by
an empirical law of association, i.e., the relation existing
/ between the notion itself and the parts thereof which are
' essentially active in the production of pleasurable emotions.
It is most commonly found in religious and erotic spheres.
Religious fetichism finds its original motive in the delusion
that its object, i.e., the idol, is hot a mere symbol, but
possesses divine attributes, and ascribes to it peculiar
wonder-working (relics) or protective (amulets) virtues.
Erotic fetichism makes an idol of physical or mental
qualities of a person or even merely of objects used by
that person, etc., because they awaken mighty associations
with the beloved person, thus originating strong emotions
of sexual pleasure. Analogies with religious fetichism
are always discernible; for, in the latter, the most in-
significant objects (hair, nails, bones, etc.) become at
times fetiches which produce feelings of delight and even
ecstasy.
The germ of sexual love is probably to be found in the
individual charm (fetich) with which persons of opposite
sex sway each other.
The case is simple enough when the sight of a person
of the opposite sex occurs simultaneously with sexual
excitement, whereby the latter is intensified.
Emotional and optical impressions combine and are
so deeply embedded in the mind that a recurring sensation
awakens the visual memory and causes renewed sexual
excitement, even orgasm and pollution (often only in
dreams), in which case the physical appearance acts as
a fetich.
Binet, inter alia, contends that mere peculiarities,
lCf. Maa M tiller who derives the word fetich etymologically from
factitius, i. e., artificial, insignificant.
A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL LIFE. 19
whether physical or mental, may have the effect of the
fetich, if their perception coincides with sexual emotion.
Experience shows that chance controls in a large
measure this mental association, that the nature of the
fetich varies with the personality of the individual, thus
arousing the oddest sympathies or antipathies.
These physiological facts of fetichism often account
for the affections that suddenly arise between man and
woman, the preference of a certain person to all others
of the same sex. Since, the fetich assumes the form of
a distinctive mark it is clear that its effect can only be
of an individual character. Being accentuated by the
strongest feelings of pleasure, it follows, that existing
faults in the beloved are overlooked ("Love is blind") and
an infatuation is produced which appears incomprehensible
or silly to others. Thus it happens that the devoted
lover who worships and invests his lave with qualities
which in reality do not exist, is looked upon by others
simply as mad. Thus love exhibits itself now as a mere
passion, now as a pronounced psychical anomaly which
attains what seemed impossible, renders the ugly beautiful,
the profane sublime, and obliterates all consciousness of
existing duties towards others.
Tarde ("Archives de 1'Anthropologie Criminelle," vol.
v., No. 30) argues that the type of this fetich (ism) varies
with persons as well as with nations, but that the ideal
of beauty remains the same among civilised peoples of the
same era.
Binet has more thoroughly analysed and studied this
fetichism of love.
From it springs the particular choice for slender or
plump forms, for blondes or brunettes, for particular form
or colour of the eyes, tone of the voice, odour of the hair
or body (even artificial perfume), shape of the hand, foot
or ear, etc., which constitute the individual charm, the
first link in a complicated chairt of mental processes, all
f<>n verging in that one focus, love, i.e., the physical and
mental possession of the beloved.
20 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
This fact establishes the existence of physiological
fetichism.
Without showing a pathological condition the fetich
may exercise its power so long as its leading qualities
represent the integral parts, and so long as the love en-
gendered by it comprises the entire mental and physical
personality.
"Normal love appears to us as a symphony of tones
Max Dessoir (pseudonym Ludwig Brunn)1 in an article
"The Fetichism of Love," cleverly says :—
"Normal love appears to us as a symphony of tones
of all kinds. It is roused by the most varied agencies.
It is, so to speak, polytheistic. Fetichism recognises
only the tone-colour of a single instrument; it issues
forth from a single motive ; it is monotheistic."
Even moderate thought will carry the conviction that
the term real love (so often misused) can only apply
where the entire person of the beloved becomes the phy-
sical and mental object of veneration.
Of course, there is always a sensual element in love,
i.e., the desire to enjoy the full possession of the beloved
object, and, in union with it, to fulfil the laws of nature.
But where the body of the beloved person is made
the sole object of love, or if sexual pleasure only is sought
without regard to the communion of soul and mind, true
love does not exist. Neither is it found among the disciples
of Plato, who love the soul only and despise sexual en-
joyment. In the one case the body is the fetich, in the
other the soul, and love is fetichism.
Instances such as these represent simply transitions
to pathological fetichism.
This assumption is enhanced by another criterion of
true love, viz., the mental satisfaction derived from the
sexual act.2
'"Deutsches Montagsblatt," Berlin, 20, 8, 80.
* Magnan's " spinal ce"re"bral postgrieur " who finds gratification
•with any sort of woman, is only animated by lust. Meretricious love
that is purchased cannot be genuine ( Mantegaaea). Whoever coined
the adage : " Sublata lucerna nullum discrimen inter feminas," was
A SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL LIFE. 21
A striking pin-it. -UK-MOM in fetiehism is that among
(lie many thiM^s which may serve as fetiches there are
some which gain that significance more commonly than I
others; for instance, the HAIR, the HAND, the FOOT of
\\onian, or the expression of the KYE. This is important
in the pathology of fetichism.
Woman certainly seems to be more or less conscious
of these facts. For she devotes great attention to her
hair and often spends an unreasonable amount of time
and money upon its cultivation. How carefully the
mother looks after her little daughter's hair! What an (
important part the hairdresser plays 1 The falling out of
the hair causes despair to many a young lady. The
author remembers the case of a vain woman who fell
into melancholia on account of this trouble, and finally
committed suicide. A favourite subject of conversation
among ladies is coiffures. They are envious of each
other's luxuriant tresses.
Beautiful hair is a mighty fetich with many men. In
the legend of the Lorelef, wno lured men to destruction,
the "golden hair" which she combs with a golden comb
appears as a fetich. Frequently the hand or the foot
possesses an attractiveness no less powerful; but in these
instances masochistic and sadistic feelings often — though
a cynic, indeed. The power to perform love's act is by no means a
guarantee of the noblest enjoyment of love.
There are urnings who are potent for women — men who do not
love their wives, but are nevertheless able to perform the marital
" duty ". In the majority of these cases even lustful pleasure is ab-
M-nt ; for it is simply an onanistic act rendered possible by the aid
of imagination which substitutes another beloved being. This decep-
tion may, indeed, superinduce sexual pleasure, but, rudimentary
gratification as it is, it can only arise from a psychic trick, just as '
in solitary onaniam voluptuous satisfaction is obtained chiefly with
the assistance of fancy. As a matter of fact that degree of orgasm
which completes the lustful act is entirely dependent upon the inter-
vention of fancy.
Wlirre psychic impediments exist (such as indifference, disgust,
ion, fear of contagion or impregnation, etc.) the feeling of sexual
gratification seems to be wanting altogether.
22 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
not always — assist in determining the peculiar kind of
fetich.
By a transference through association of ideas, gloves
or shoes obtain the significance of a fetich.
Max Dcssolr^op. c#.7~p6ints out that among the cus-
toms of the middle ages drinking from the shoe of a
beautiful woman (still to be found in Poland) played a
remarkable part in gallantry and homage. The shoe also
plays an important role in the legend of Aschenbrodel.
The expression of the eye is particularly important
as a means of kindling the spark of love. A neuropathic
eye frequently affects persons of either sex as a fetich.
"Madame, vos beaux yeux me font mourir d'amour."
(Moliere).
There are many examples showing that odours of the
body become fetiches.
This fact is taken advantage of in the "Ars amandi"
by woman either consciously or unconsciously. Ruth
sought to attract Boaz by perfuming herself. The demi-
monde of ancient and modern times is noted for its lavish
use of strong scents. Jager, in his "Discovery of the
Soul," calls attention to many olfactory sympathies.
Cases are known where men have married ugly women
solely because their personal odours were exceedingly
pleasing.
Binet makes it probable that the voice also may act an
a fetich.
Belot in his novel "Les baigneuses de Trouville"
makes the same assertion. Binet thinks that many
marriages with singers are due to the fetich of their
voices. He also observes that among the singing bird3
the voice has the same sexual significance as odours
among the quadrupeds. The birds allure by their song,
and the male that sings most beautifully is joined at night
by the charmed mate.
The pathological facts of masochism and sadism show
that mental peculiarities may also act as fetiches but in a
wider sense.
A SYSTEM OP PS >,Y OF SEXUAL LIKE.
Thus the fact of idiosyncrasies is explained, and the
old proverb "De gustibus non est disputandum" retains its
force.
Witli regard to fetichism in woman, science must at
least for the present time be content with mere con-
jectures. This much seems to be certain, that being a
physiological factor, its effects are analogous to those
in men, i.e., producing sexual sympathies towards persons
of the same sex.
Details will come to our knowledge only when medical
women enter into the study of this subject.
We may take it for granted that the physical as well
us the mental qualities of man assume the form of the
female fetich. In most cases, no doubt, physical attributes
in the male exercise this power without regard to the
existence of conscious sensuality. On the other hand it
will be found that the mental superiority of man con-
stitutes the attractive power where physical beauty is
wanting. In the upper "strata" of society this is more
apparent, even if we disregard the enormous influence
exercised by "blue blood" and high breeding. The
possibility that superior intellectual development favours
advancement in social position, and opens the way to a
brilliant career, does not seem to weigh heavily in the
balance of judgment.
The fetichism of body and mind is of importance in
progeneration ; it favours the selection of the fittest and
the transmission of physical and mental virtues.
Generally speaking the following masculine qualities
impose on woman, viz., physical strength, courage, nubility
of mind, chivalry, self-conrufence, even self-assertion, inso-
Icncc, }>ravail<>, and a c.>n.-vi..us .-how «.f ma- r the
weaker sex.
A "Don Juan" impresses many women and elicits
admiration, for he establishes the proof of his virile powers,
although the inexperienced maiden can in no wise suspect
the many risks of lues and chronic urethritis she runs
from a marital union with this otherwise interesting rake.
24 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
The successful actor, musician, or vocal artiste, the
circus rider, the athlete, and even the criminal, often fasci-
nate the bread and butter miss as well as the maturer
woman. At any rate women rave over them, and inun-
date them with love letters.
It is a well-known fact that the female heart has pre-
dominant weakness for military uniforms, that of the
cavalry-man ever having the preference.
The hair of man, especially the beard, the emblem of
virility, the secondary symbol of generative power — is g
predominant feticli with woman. In the measure in
which women bestow special care upon the cultivation
of their hair, men who seek to attract and please women,
cultivate the elegant growth of the beard, and especially
that of the moustache.
A 0 The eye as well as the voice exert the same charm.
Singers of renown easily touch woman's heart. They are
overwhelmed with love letters and offers of marriage.
Tenors have a decided advantage.
Binet (op. cit.) refers to an observation of this charac-
ter made by Dumas in his novel "La maison du vent". A
woman who falls in love with a tenor-voice loses her
virtue.
The author has thus far not succeeded in obtaining
facts with regard to pathological fetichism in woman.
H. PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTS.
DURING the time of the physiological processes in the
reproductive glands, desires arise in the consciousness of
the individual, which have for their purpose the perpetua-
tion of the species (sexual instinct).
Sexual desire during the years of sexual maturity is a
physiological law. The duration of the physiological pro-
cesses in the sexual organs, as well as the strength of the
sexual desire manifested, vary, both in individuals and in
races. Race, climate, heredity and social circumstances
have a very decided influence upon it. The greater sensu-
ality of southern races as compared with the sexual needs
of those of the north is well known. Sexual development
in the inhabitants of tropical climes takes place much
earlier than in those of more northern regions. In women
of northern countries oyulation, recognisable in the de-
velopment of the body and the occurrence of a periodical
flow of blood from the genitals (menstruation), usually
begins about the thirteenth to the fifteenth year; in men
puberty, recognisable in the deepening of the voice, the
appearance of hair on the face and mons veneris, and the
occasional occurrence of pollutions, etc., takes place about
the fifteenth year. In the inhabitants of tropical countries,
• ver, sexual development obtains several years earlier
in women — sometimes as early as the eighth year.
It is worthy of remark that girla who live in citiea
develop about a year earlier than girls living in (lie country,
anil that (he larger the town the earlier, ccteris paribus,
the development takes place.
Heredity, however, has no small influence on libido
and sexual power. Thus there are families in which,
(25)
26 PSYCIIOPATIII.V SKXUALI8.
with great physical strength and longevity, great libido
and virility are preserved until a great age, while in other
families the vita sexualis develops late and is early ex-
tinguished.
In woman the period of activity of the reproductive
glands is shorter than in man, in whom sexual power
may last until a great age; ovulation ceases about thirty
years after puberty. The^geriodjof^waning activity of the
ovaries is called the change of life (climacteriumj meno-
pause ) . This biological phase does not represent merely
a cessation of functional potency and final atrophy of the
reproductive organs, but a transformation of the whole
organism.
In Middle Europe the sexual maturity of man begins
about the eighteenth year, and virility reaches its acme
at forty. After that age it slowly declines. The potentia
generandi ceases usually at the age of sixty-two, but po-
tentia cceundi may be present much longer.
The existence of the sexual instinct is continuous
during the time of sexual life, but it varies in intensity.
Under physiological conditions it is never periodical in the
human male, as it is in animals; it manifests an organic
variation of intensity in consonance with the collection
and expenditure of semen. In women the degree of sexual
desire coincides with the process of ovulation in such a
way that libido sexualis is intensified after the menstrual
period.
Sexual instinct — as emotion, idea and impulse — is a
function of the cerebral cortex. Thus far no definite
region of the cortex has been proved to be exclusively
the seat of sexual sensations and impulses. This psycho-
sexual centre is nothing more than a junction and crossing
of principal paths which lead on the one hand to the sensi-
tive motor apparatus of the sexual organs, and on the other
hand to those nerve centres of the visual and olfactory
organs which are the carriers of that consciousness which
distinguishes between the "male" and the "female".
Owing to the close relations which exist between thc>
PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTS. 27
sexual instinct and the olfactory sense,1 it is to be i> re-
sumed that the sexual and olfactory centres lie close
together in the cerebral co: The development of
M-xiial life has its lv 'ginning in the organic sensations
which arise from the maturing reproductive glands. These
excite the attention of the individual. Reading and the
experiences of every-day life (which, unfortunately, are
now-a-days too early and too frequently suggestive), con-
vert these notions into clear ideas, which are accent'
by organic sensations of a pleasurable character. With
this accentuation of erotic ideas through lustful feelings,
an impulse to induce them is developed (sexual desire).
Thus there is established a mutual dependence between
the cerebral cortex (as the place of origin of sensations
and ideas), and the reproductive organs. The latter, by
reason of physiological processes (hypenrmia, secretion of
semen, ovulation), give rise to sexual ideas, images, and
impulses.
The cerebral cortex, by means of preconceived or re-
produced sensual ideas, reacts on the reproductive organs,
including hypersemia, production of semen, erection, ejacu-
lation. This is effected by means of centres for vasomotor
i nervation and ejaculation, which are situated in the
lum'nar regions of the cord, and lie close together. Both
are reflex centres.
The centre .,f erection (Goliz, I'rh-hard} is an inter-
mediate station placed between the brain and the genital
apparatus. The nervous paths which connect it with the
brain probably run through the pcdnnruli crrrhri and the
ports. This centre may be excited by central (psychical
and organic) stimuli, by direct irritation of the nerve-tract
in the pedunculis cerebri, pons, or cervical portion of the
cord, as well as by peripheral irritation of the sensory
'The olfactory centre is presumed by Ferrier (" Function! of the
Brain") to be in the n-jjion of the gyrus uncinntus. Zuckcrkandl
(" Uel»T dm IJiorliciTilrnin," 1887), from researches in comparative
:m:iti.iny, mnrludri that the olfactory centre haa ita seat in the Hip-
I>ocaiiipu8 nmjor.
28 PSYCIIOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
nerves (penis, clitoris and annexa). It ia not directly sub-
ordinated to the will.
The excitation of this centre is conveyed to the corpora
cavernosa by means of nerves (nervi erigentes — Eckhard)
running into the first three sacral nerves.
The action of the nervi erigentes, which renders erec-
tion possible, is inhibitory in so far as it inhibits the
ganglionic nervous mechanism in the corpora cavernosa,
upon the action of which the smooth muscle-fibres of the
corpora cavernosa are dependent (Kolliker and Kohl-
rausch). Under the influence of the action of the nervi
erigentes, these fibres of the corpora cavernosa become re-
laxed, and their spaces fill with blood. Simultaneously, as
a result of the dilatation of the capillary net-work of the
corpora cavernosa, pressure is exerted upon the veins of the
penis and the return of blood is impeded. This effect is
aided by the contraction of the bulbo cavemosus and erector
penis muscles, which extend by means of an aponeurosis
over the dorsal surface of the penis.
The erection-centre is under the influence of both
\ exciting and inhibitory innervation arising from the cere-
brum. Ideas and sense-perceptions of sexual content
, have an exciting effect. According to observations made
on men that have been hung, it is evident that the
erection-centre may also be aroused by excitation of the1
tract of the spinal cord. Observations on the insane and
those suffering with cerebral disease show that this is
also possible as a result of organic irritation in the
cerebral cortex (psycho-sexual centre'?). Spinal diseases
(tain's, especially myelitis) affecting the lumbar portion1
of the cord, in their earlier stages, may directly excite
the erection-centre.
Reflex excitation of the centre is possible and frequent
in the following ways: by irritation of the (peripheral)
1Later researches by MUller (Klin. u. experiment. Studien, etc.,
Deutsche Zeitschr. f. N. heilkunde xxi.) seem to render it more prob-
able that the centre of erection does not lie in the conus medullrxns
of the spinal cord,, but rather in the sacral ganglia, thus constituting
a sympathetic reflex.
1MIY8IOLOOI 29
sensory nerves of the genitals and surrounding parta by
fricti«.n ; by irritation of the un-tlia ( g< niOTrtHHO , of the
rectum (hemorrhoids, oxyuris), of the bladder (distension
with urine, especially in the morning; irritation of cal-
culi) ; by distension of the vesieulffi seminales with semen;
by hypersemia of the genitals, occasioned by lying on the
back and thus inducing pressure of the intestines upon
the blood-vessels of the pelvis.
The erection-centre may also be exerted by irritation
of the nervous ganglia which are so abundant in th«
prostatic tissue (prostatitis, introduction of catheter, etc.).
The experiment of Goltz, according to whom, when
(in dogs) the lumbar portion of the cord is severed,
erection is more easily induced, shows that the erection-
centre is also subject to inhibitory inllunir.^ from the
brain.
In men the fact that will power an«l emotions,
(fear of unsuccessful coitus, surprise inter actum sex-
ualem, etc.) may inhibit the occurrence of erection, and
cause it, when present, to disappear, also indicates this.
The duration of erection is dependent upon the dura-
tion of its exciting causes (sensory stimuli), the absence
of inhibitory influences, the nervous energy of the centre,
and the early or late occurrence of ejaculation (v. infra).
The central point of the sexual mechanism is the cere-
bral cortex. It is justifiable to presume that there is a
definite region of the cortex (cerebral centre), which gives
rise to sexual feelings, ideas and impulses, and is the place
of origin of the psycho-somatic processes which we <1
nate as sexual life, sexual instinct, and sexual desire. This
centre is susceptible to both central and peripheral stimuli.
Central stimuli, in the form of organic excitation, may
be due to diseases of the cerebral cortex. Physiologically
they are dominated by psychical impressions (memory and
sensory perceptions, lascivious stories, touch, pressure of
the hand, kiss, etc.). Auditory and olfactory perceptions
certainly play but a very subordinate role. Under patho-
30 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
logical conditions (v. infra}, the latter have a very decided
influence in inducing sexual excitement.1
In beasts the influence of olfactory perception on the
sexual sense is unmistakable. Al/lmus ("Beitrage zur
Physiol. und Pathol. des Olfactorius," "Archiv fiir Psych."
xii., II. 1) declares that the sensa of smell is important
with reference to the reproduction of the species. He
shows that animals of opposite sexes are drawn to each
other by means of olfactory perception, and that almost
all animals, at the time of rutting, emit a specially distinct
odour from their genitals. An experiment by Schiff is
confirmatory of this. He extirpated the olfactory nerves
in puppies, and found that, as the animals grew up. the
male was unable to distinguish the female. Again, an
experiment by Mantegazza ("Hygiene of Love"), who re-
moved the eyes of rabbits and found that the defect con-
stituted no obstacle to procreation, shows how important
in animals the olfactory sense is for the vita sexualis.
It is also remarkable that many animals (musk-ox,
civet-cat, beaver), possess on their sexual organs, glands
which secrete substances having a very strong odour.
Althaus also shows that in man there are certain re-
lations existing between the olfactory and sexual senses.
He mentions Cloquct ("Osphresiologie," Paris, 1826), who
calls attention to the sensual pleasure excited by the odour
of flowers, and tells how Eichelieu lived in an atmosphere
laden with the heaviest perfumes, in order to excite his
sexual functions.
Zippe ("Wien. Med. Wochenschrift," 1879, No. 24),
in connection with a case of kleptomania in an onanist,
likewise establishes such relations, and cites Hildebrand as
authority, who in his popular physiology says: ''It can-
not be doubted that the olfactory sense stands in remote
lCf. Albert Hagen, "Die sexuelle Osphresiologie," Charlotten-
burg, 1901 (Verlag H. Basdorf), a most interesting monograph on
the relations between the olfactory senses and odours and the sexual
acts in man. Albert Moll, " Untersuchungen liber libido sexualis,"
p. 377. (Literature and studies on the olfactory sense as a stimu-
lating cause of the sexual instinct.)
1'IIYM' FACTS. 31
with the sexual apparatus. Odours of flov.
often occasion pleasurable sensual feelings, and when
infers the passage in the 'Song of Solomon,' 'And my
hands dropped with myrrh, and my lingers with R\\
smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock,' one finds
that it did not escape Solomon tti<>n. In the Orient
the pleasant perfume* an- esteemed for their relatioi
the sexual organ-, and the women's apartments of the Sul-
tan are redolent with the fragrance of flo\\
Most, professor in Rostock (cf. ///>/*•), relates: "I
learned from a sensual young peasant that ho had excited
many a chaste girl sexually, and easily gained his end, by
carrying his handkerchief in his axilla for a time, while
dancing, and then wiping his partner's perspiring face
with it."
The case of Henry III. shows that contact with a
person's perspiration may he the exciting cause of passion-
ate love. Ar the betrothal feast of the King of Navarre
and Margaret of Valois, he accidentally* dried his face with
a garment of Maria of Cleves, which was moist with her
perspiration. Although she was the bride of the Prince
of Conde,- Henry conceived immediately such a passionate
love for her that he could not resist it, and made her, as
history shows, very unhappy. An analogous instance is
related of Henry IV., whose passion for the beautiful
Gabriel is said to have originated at the instant when, at
u ball, he wiped his brow with her handkerchief.
Professor Jdger, the "discoverer of the soul," refers to
the same thing in his well-known book (2nd. ed., 1880,
chap, xv., p. 173) ; for he regards the sweat as important
in the production of sexual effects, and as being especially
seductive.1
One learns from reading the work of Ploss ("Da«
Weih"), that attempts to attract a person of the opposite
«ex by means of the perspiration, may be discerned in
many forms in popular psychology.
'See also further interesting observations on the aphrodiaic ef-
fect* of sweat on both sexes. Ftrt, 1'instinct sexuel, p. 127. (Paris,
1899).
32 PSYCHOPATH'IA SEXUALIS.
In reference to this, a custom which holds among the
natives of the Philippine Islands when they become en-
gaged, as reported by Jagor, is remarkable. When it be-
comes necessary for an engaged pair to separate, they ex-
change articles of wearing-apparel, by means of which each
becomes assured of faithfulness. These objects are care-
fully preserved, covered with kisses, and smelled.
The love of certain libertines and sensual women for
perfumes1 indicates a relation between the olfactory and
the sexual senses.
A case mentioned by Heschl ("Wiener Zeitschrift f.
pract. Heilkunde," 22d March, 1861) is remarkable,
where the absence of both olfactory lobes was accompanied
by imperfectly developed genitals. It was the case of a
man aged forty-five, in all respects well developed, with
the exception of the testicles, which were not larger than
beans and contained no seminal canals, and the larynx,
which seemed to be of feminine dimensions. Every trace
of olfactory nerves was wanting, and the trigona olfactoria
and the furrow on the under surface of the anterior lobes
were absent. The perforations of the ethmoid plate were
sparingly present, and occupied by nerveless processes of
the dura instead of by nerves. In the mucous membrane
of the nose there was also an absence of nerves.
Finally, the clearly defined relation of the olfactory
and sexual senses in mental diseases is worthy of notice,
for in the psychoses of both sexes superinduced by mas-
turbation, as well as in insanity due to disease of the
female organs, or during the climacterium, olfactory hal-
lucinations are especially frequent, while in cases where
a sexual cause is wanting they are very infrequent.
II am inclined to doubt2 that, under normal conditions,
olfactory impressions in man, as in animals, p? an im-
portant role in the excitation of the sexual centre. On
*Cf. Laycock, who ("Nervous Diseases of Women," 1840) found
that in women the love for musk and similar perfumes was related
to sexual excitement.
The following case, reported by Binet, seems to be in opposition
to this idea. Unfortunately nothing is said concerning the mental
PHY8IOLOOICAI. PACTS. 33
account of the importance of this consensus for the under-
rtamling of pathological cases, it is necessary here to thor-
oughly consioVr tin- relations existing between the olfactory
and srxtial senses.
With n •("• rence to these physiological relations it may
he mentioned as an interesting fact that there exists a cer-
tain histologieal conformity Intwctn the nose and the
genitals, f<»r both have KJJKCTILE tissue (likewise the
nipple,).
Interesting physiological and clinical obeervatiens by
J. N. Mackenzie may be found in the "Journal of Medical
Science," April, 1884. He finds: (1) that in certain
women with normal olfactory organs regularly with men-
struation a swelling of the erectile tissue of the nose oc-
curs which disappears again with the flooding; (2) that
menstruation is at times replaced by epistaxis, which dis-
appears when the uterine flow begins, but in some cases
always recurs with the menstrual functions; (3) irrita-
tions of the nasal organs such as violent sneezing, etc., oc-
cur at the_time of sexual excitement; (4) Stimulation of
the genital' tracts is occasioned by affections of the nasal
organs
He, also observe.- that nasal affections in women grovr
worse during tho time of menstruation; that venereal ex-
cesses produce inflammation of the Schneiderian mem-
brane, or intensify it where it already exists.
He also points out that masturbators very frequently
suffer from nasal disease, are troubled with abnormal sen-
sations of olfaction, and are subject to epistaxis. Accord-
ing to his experience there are affections of the nose which
stubbornly resist all treatment until the concomitant (and
causal) genital disease is removed.
ehara. <>f the person. In any event, it is certainly confirma-
tory of tne relations existing between the olfactory and sexual
MOMS: —
D., a medical student, was seated on a bench in a public park,
rending a book (on pathology). Suddenly a violent erection dis-
turbed him. He looked up and noticed that a lady, redolent with
perfume, had taken a seat upon the other end of the bench. D. could
attribute the erection to nothing but the unconscious olfactory im-
pression made upon him. 3
34 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
Other interesting observations and elucidations about
the consensus narium et gcnitalium may be found in a book
by Fliess recently published r "Die Beziehungen zwisoiim
N&se und weiblichen Geschlechtsorganen," Vienna (Deut-
icke), 1897. — Cerviset, contribut. a 1'etude du tisses erec-
tile des fosses nasales. These de Lyon 1887. Joal, rcvuc
mensuelle de laryngologie 1888 Fevr. — Peyer, Miinch.
med. Wochenschr, 1889. 4; — Eudriss, Dissertat, Wurz-
burg 1892.
The sexual sphere of the cerebral cortex may be ex-
cited, in the sense of an excitation of sexual concepts and
impulses, by processes in the generative organs. This is
possible as a result of all conditions which excite the erec-
tion-centre by means of centripetal influence (stimulus
resulting from distension of the seminal vesicles ; enlarged
Graafian follicles ; any sensory stimulus, however produced,
about the genitals; hyperaemia and turgescence of the
genitals, especially of the erectile tissue of the corpus
cavernosum of the penis and clitoris, as a result of lux-
urious, sedentary life ; plethora abdominalis, high external
temperature, warm beds, clothing; taking ;of cantharides,
pepper and other spices).
Libido sexualis may also be induced by stimulation of
the gluteal region (castigation, whipping).1
This fact is important for the proper understanding of
certain pathological manifestations. It sometimes happens
that in boys the first excitation of the sexual instinct is
caused by a spanking, and they are thus incited to mas-
turbation. This should be remembered by those who have,
the care of children.
On account of the dangers to which this form of pun-
ishment of children gives rise, it would be better if parents,
teachers and nurses were to avoid it entirely.
Passive -flagellation may excite sensuality, as is shown
Mfeibowutw, " De flagiorum usu in re medica," London, 1765:
Boileau, "The History of the Flagellants," London, 1783; Doppct,
" Aphrodisiaque externe," Paris, 1788; Cooper, " Der Flagellantismus
u. d. Flagellanten; Hunscn, Stock u. Peitache in xix. Jahrhundert
(Dohrn, Dresden), 2 vola.
1MIY8IOLOGICAL FACTS. ,V»
by the sects of flagellants,1 so widespread in the thirteenth
and fifteenth centuries. They were accustomed to whip
themselves, partly as an atonement and partly to mortify
the flesh (in accordance with the principle of chastity pro-
mulgated by the Church — i. e., the emancipation of the
soul from sensuality).
These sects were at first favoured by the Church ; but,
since sensuality was only the more excited by flagellation,
and this fact became apparent in unpleasant occurrences,
the Church was finally compelled to oppose it The fol-
lowing facts from the lives of the two heroines of flagella-
tion, Maria Magdalena of Pazzi and Elizabeth of Genton,
clearly show the significance of flagellation as a sexual ex-
citant. The former, the daughter of distinguished parents,
was a Carmelite nun in Florence (about 1580), and, by
her flagellations, and still more through the results obtained
by them, she became quite celebrated, and is mentioned in
the "Annals". It was her greatest delight to have her
hands bound by the prioress behind her back, and her
naked loins whipped in the presence of the assembled
sisters.
But the whippings, continued from her earliest youth,
quite destroyed her nervous system, and, perhaps, no other
heroine of flagellation had so many hallucinations ("Ent-
ziickungen"). While being whipped her thoughts were of
love. The inner fire threatened to consume her, and she
frequently cried, "Enough ! Fan no longer the flame that
consumes me. This is not the death I long for; it comes
with all too much pleasure and delight." Thus it con-
tinned. But the spirit of impurity wove the most sensual
lascivious fancies, and she was several times near losing
her chastity.
It was the same with Elizabeth of Genton. As a result
<>f whipping she actually passed into a state of bacchanalian
madness. As a rule, she raved when, excited by unusual
lCorvin, Hist. Denkmale des ohrist lichen Fanatismus, II., L?ip-
tig, 1847; Fofrittmann, Die chriatlicheo Geiaalergoaellachaften, Halle,
1828.
36 PSYCIIOPATIIIA SEXUALI8.
flagellation, she believed herself united with her "ideal".
This condition was so exquisitely pleasant to her that sho
would frequently cry out, "O love, O eternal love, O love,
0 you creatures! cry out with me: 'Love, Love!' '
It is known, on the authority of Taxil (op. cit., p. 175),
that rakes sometimes have themselves flagellated, or pricked
until blood flows, just before the sexual act, in order to
stimulate their diminished sexual power.
These facts find an interesting confirmation in the
following experiences, taken from Paullini's "Flagellum
Salutis" (1st ed., 1698; reprint, Stuttgart, 1847) :—
"There are some nations, viz., the Persians and Rus-
sians, where the women regard blows as a peculiar sign of
love and favour. Strangely enough, the Russian women
are never more pleased and delimited iliaii when they re-
ceive hard Mows from their husbands, as John Barclarus
relates in a remarkable narrative. A German, named
Jordan, went to Russia, and, pleased with the country,
settled there and took a Russian wife, whom he loved
dearly, and to whom he was always kind in everything.
But she always wore an expression of dissatisfaction, and
went about with sighs and downcast eyes. The husband
asked the reason, for he could not understand what was
wrong. 'Aye/ she said, 'though you love me, you do not
show me any sign of it.' He embraced her, and begged
to be told what he had carelessly and unconsciously done
to hurt her feelings, and to be forgiven, for he would never
do it again. 'I want nothing/ was the answer, 'but what is
customary in our country — the whip, the real sign of love.'
When Jordan adopted the custom his wife began to love
him dearly.
Similar stories are told by Peter Pcireus, of Erlesund,
who adds that husbands, immediately after the wedding,
among other indispensable household articles, provide
themselves with a whip."
On page 73 of this remarkable book, the author says
further: "The celebrated Count of Mirandula, John Picus,
relates of one of his intimate acquaintances that he was
PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTS. 37
an insatiable fellow, but so lazy and incapable of love
that he was practically impotent until he had been roughly I
handled. The more he tried to satisfy his desire, the
heavier the blows he needed, and he could not attain his
•'•, unless he had boon whipped till the blood came.
For this purpose ho had a suitable whip made, which was
placed in vinegar the day before using it. He would give
this to his companion, and on bended knees beg her not to
spare him, but to strike blows with it, the heavier the
better. The good count thought this singular man found
the pleasure of love in this punishment. Not being a bad
man in other respects he understood and hated his weak-
ness."
Coelius Rhodigin relates a similar story, as does also
the celebrated jurist, Andreas Tiraquell. In the time of
the skilful physician, Otten Brunfelsen, there lived in
Munich, then the capital of the Bavarian electorate, a de-
bauchee who could never perform his (sexual) duties with-
out a severe preparatory beating. Thomas Barthelin knew
a Venetian, who had to be beaten and driven before he
could have intercourse, just as reluctant Cupid was driven
by his followers with sprays of hyacinths. & few years
ago there was in Liibeck a cheesemonger, living on Mill
Street, who, on a complaint to the authorities of unfaith-
fulness, was ordered to leave the city. The prostitute with
whom he had been, went to the judges and begged on his
behalf, telling how difficult all intercourse had become for
him. He could do nothing until he had been mercilessly
beaten. At first the fellow, from shame and to avoid dis-
grace, would not confess, but after earnest questioning he
could not deny it There is said to have been a man in
the Netherlands who was similarly incapable, and could
do nothing without blows. On the decree of the authori-
ties, however, he was not only removed from his position,
but also severely punished. A reliable friend, a physician
in an important city of the kingdom, related to me how a
woman of bad character had told a companion, who had
been in the hospital a short time before, that she, with
38 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALI8.
another woman of like character, had been sent to tho
woods by a man who followed them there, cut rods for
them, and then exposed his naked buttocks, commanded
them to belabour him well. They obeyed, and it is easy
to conjecture what he then did with them. Not only men
have thus been excited and inflamed to lasciviousness, but
(also women, that they too might experience greater in-
tensity of pleasure.1 For this reason the Roman woman
had herself whipped and beaten by the lupercis. Thus
Juvenal writes: —
."" Steriles moriuntur, et illis
Turgida non prodest condita psycido Lyde:
Nee prodest agili palinas prtebere Luperco."
y In men, as well as in women, erection and orgasm, or
leven ejaculation, may be induced by irritation of various
other regions of the skin and mucous membrane. These
"hyperaesthetic" zones in woman are, while she is a virgin,
the clitoris, and, after defloration, the vagina and cervix
uteri.
In woman the nipple particularly seems to possess this
quality. Titillatio hujus regionis plays an important part
in the ars erotica. In his "Typographical :Anatomy,"
1865, Bd. i., p. 552, Hyrtl cites Val. Hildenbrandt, who
observed a peculiar anomaly of the sexual instinct in a
girl, which he called suctusstupratio. She had her mammae
sucked by her lover, and after a while, by constantly pull-
ing her nipples, she was enabled to suck them herself, an
act that gave her most intense pleasure. Hyrtl also calls
attention to the fact that cows sometimes suck the milk
from their own udders. L. Brunn ("Zeitg. f. Literatur."
etc., d. Hamburg, Correspondent, 1889, No. 21), in an in-
teresting article on "Sensuality and Love of Kin," points
mt how zealously the nursing mother gives herself to the
cursing of the babe, "for love of the weak, undeveloped,
helpless being".
'It is a common proceeding for biased and impotents to have
themselves whipped. A few years ago mucli noise was made about
one such amateur who died whilst being whipped by several women
in a house of prostitution at Moscow. (Ibankoic. Archives d' An-
tnropol. criminelle. xiv. p. 697).
PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTS. 'I'.)
It is easy to assume tliat, l.y the side of the ethical
motives, tin- fact tliut the sucking may be attend. -d by
feelings of physical i»li-asurr phtys a part The remark of
I'.ninn. although correct in it>elf, Lut one-sided, that, ac-
cording to HouZ' iierienee, among the majority of
animals the relations between mother ami offspring are
close only during the time of nursim:. ami thereafter in-
different, also speaks in favour of this assumption.
Bastion found the same thing (blunting of the feeling
for the offspring after weaning) among savages.
Under pathological conditions, as is shown by Cham-
bard, among others, in his thesis for the doctorate, other
portions of the body (in hysterical persons) about the
mammae and genitals may attain the significance of "hy-
peraesthetic" zones.
In man, physiologically, the only "hyperaesthetic" zone
is the glans penis and perhaps the skin of the external
genitals.
Under pathological conditions the anus may become
a "hyperaesthetic" area. Thus anal automasturbation,
which seems to be only too frequent, and passive pederasty
would be explained. (Cf. Gamier, "Anomalies sexuelles,*'
Paris, p. 514; A. Moll, "Contrare Sexualempfindung," 3rd
ed., p. 369; Frigerio, "Archivio di Psichiatria," 1893;
Cristiani, "Archivio delle Psicopatie sessuali," p. 182, "au-
topederastia in un alienato, affetto da follia periodica".)
The psycho-physiological process comprehended in the
idea of sexual instinct is composed of
(1) concepts awakened centrally or peripherally;
(2) the pleasurable feelings associated with them.
The longing for sexual satisfaction (libido sexualis)
arises from them. This desire grows stronger constantly
in proportion as the excitation of the cerebral sphere ac-
centuates the feeling of pleasure, by appropriate concep-
tions and activity of the imagination ; and the pleasurable
sensations are increased to lustful feeling by excitation of
the erection centre and the consequent hypersemia of the
40 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
genitals (entrance of liquor prostaticus into the urethra,
etc.).
If circumstances favour the satisfactory performance
of the sexual act, the ever-increasing desire is gratified ; if,
however, conditions are unfavourable, inhibition occurs,
checks the central erectile power, and prevents the sexual
act.
To civilised man the ready presence of ideas which
inhibit sexual desire is of distinct import. The moral
freedom of the individual, and the decision whether, under
certain circumstances, excess, and even crime, be committed
or not, depend, on the one hand, upon the strength of the
instinctive impulses and the accompanying organic sen-
sations; on the other, upon the power of the inhibitory
ideas. Constitution, and especially organic influences,
have a marked effect upon the instinctive impulses ; educa-
tion and cultivation of self-control counteract the opposing
influences.
The exciting and inhibitory powers are variable quanti-
•ties. For instance, over-indulgence in alcohol is very fatal
in this respect, since it awakens and increases libido sexu-
alis, while at the same time it weakens moral resistance.
THE ACT OF COHABITATION/
The essential condition for the man is sufficient erec-
tion. Anjel ("Arch, fur Psych., viii., H. 2) calls atten-
tion to the fact that in sexual excitement not alone the erec-
tion centre is influenced but the nervous excitement is dis-
tributed over the entire vasomotor system of nerves. The
proof of this is the turgescence of the organs in the sexual
act, injection of the conjunctiva, prominence of the eye-
balls, dilation of the pupils, cardiac palpitation (resulting
from paralysis of the vasomotor nerves of the heart, which
arise from the cervical sympathetic, and the resulting dila-
tion of the cardiac arteries, and the increased stimulation
of the cardiac ganglia induced by the consequent hype-
*Cf. Roubavd, " TraiW do Pimpuissance et de la eWrilittf," Paria
1878.
Till 41
r:i mia of the canliae walls). The sexual act is accom-
panied by a pleasurable feeling, which, in the male, is
evoked by the passage of semen through the ductus ejacur
II to tho urethra, in consequence of the sensory stimula-
tion of the genitals. This pleasurable sensation occurs
earlier in the male than in the female, grows rapidly in
iisity up to the moment of commencing ejaculation,
reaches its acme in the instant of free emission, and disap-
pears quickly post ejaculationem.
In the female the pleasurable feeling occurs later and
comes on more slowly, and generally outlasts the act of
ejaculation.
The distinctive event in coitus is ejaculation. This
function is dependent on a centre (geni to-spinal), which
Budge has shown to be situated at the level of the fourth
lumbar vertebra. It is a reflex centre. The stimulus that
excites it, is the ejection of semen from the vesicula* semi'
nales into the pars membranacea urethras, a reflex effect
of stimulation of the glans penis. As soon as the collec-
tion of semen, with ever-increasing pleasurable sensation,
has reached a sufficient amount to be effectual as a stimu-
lus of the ejaculation-centre, this centre acts. The reflex
motor path lies in the fourth and fifth lumbar nerves. The
action consists of a convulsive excitation of the bulbo-
cavernosus muscle (innervated by the third and fourth
sacral nerves), which forces the semen out.
In the female as well, at the height of sexual and
pleasurable excitement, a reflex movement occurs. It is
induced by stimulation of the sensory genital nerves and
consists of a peristaltic movement in the tubes and uterus
as far down as the portio vaginalis, which presses out the
mucous secretions of the tubes and uterus. Inhibition
of the ejaculation centre is possible as a result of cortical
influence (want of desire in coitus, emotions in general,
influence of the will).
Under normal conditions, with the completion of the
sexual act, libido sexualis and erection disappear, and the
psychical and sexual excitement gives place to a comfort-
able feeling of lassitude.
III. ANTHROPOLOGICAL FACTS.1
EVERY individual whose sexual development has been
in accordance with the normal process, represents physical
and metaphysical attributes which, as experience shows,
are typical of the sex to which the individual belongs.
These sexual characteristics are either primary (sexual
glands and organs of propagation) or secondary. The latter
are bodily and psychical and are developed only during the
period of puberty. Now and then cases of precocious as
well as retarded sexual development are reported. As a
rule they may be found to be due to abnormal evolutionary
conditions in them, chiefly in individuals with a heavy neu-
rotic taint.
The secondary sexual characteristics differentiate the
two sexes ; they present the specific male and female types.
The higher the anthropological development of the race,
the stronger these contrasts between man and woman, and
vice versa.
Important somatic secondary sexual characteristics are,
the skull, skeleton, pelvis (particularly), facial types, hair,
larynx (voice), mammae, thighs, etc.
Important psychical characteristics are sexual con-
sciousness (i.e., the knowledge of a special sexual indi-
viduality as man or woman) and a congruous sexual in-
stinct, from both of which a long series of special features
and individual peculiarities are evolved, such as psychical
dispositions, inclinations, etc.
This differentiation of the sexes and the development
of sexual types is evidently the result of an infinite suc-
'Bardach, Die Physiologic als Erfahrungswissenschaft, 1826-40;
Ploss, Das Weib, 1891, 3d edition; A. Moll, Die contrare Sexualem-
pfindung, 3d ed. p. 3; Idem, Untersuchungen fiber die Libido sexualis,
1897-98.
(42)
ANTHROPOLOGICAL FACTS. 43
cession of intermediary stages of evolution. The primary
stage undoubtedly was bi-sexuality, such as still exists in
the lowest classes of animal life and also during the first
months of foetal existence in man. The type of the present
stage of evolution is mono-sexuality, that is to say, a
gruous development of the secondary bodily ami psychical
sexual characteristics belonging to the respective sexual
glands.
Observation teaches that the pure type of the man or
the woman is often enough missed by nature, that is to say
that certain secondary male characteristics are found in
woman and vice versa, to wit, men with an inclination for
female occupations (embroidery, toilet, etc.), and women
with a decided predilection for manly sports (without the
inlluencing elements of early education). In both in-
stances particular cleverness in the inverted and pro-
nounced awkwardness in the originally proper occupation
will be noticed. In this class belong castrates, women with
a bass voice (abnormal development of the larynx), a
narrow pelvis, a beard, undevelopment of the mammae,
etc.
Of special scientific interest are the cases of GyncB-
comasty, i.e., the development of mammae in the male in-
dividual, with concomitant inhibited development of the
testicles during the period of puberty. Galen described and
named this anomaly. Laurent's monograph1 on this sub-
ject is worthy of mention.
As a rule the gynccomast is slender in build, has a
smooth face and stunted testicles, Is devoid of the secondary
sexual characteristics of the man, has but little sexual de-
sire for the opposite sex, is in short a sort of a man- woman
of moral and metaphysical inferiority.
It is a remarkable fact that Gynecomasty only occurs
in neurotically degenerated families, and must be looked
upon as the manifestation of an anatomical and functional
; i oration.
'Laurent, lea bisexual, Paris. 1894; Idem, de l'here\litfi dec
gyn&omaates. Annales d. 'hygiene, publ. 1990.
44 PSTCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
Castration never produces Gynecomasiy , in which the
glandular tissue but rarely develops, whilst the nipple bo-
comes erogenous and capable of erection as in woman. Lac-
tation has but seldom been observed. With involution even
the mammae disappear. The true Gynecomast betrays
signs of effemination — the voice is soft and has a high
pitch, the hair on the mons veneris is that of a woman, the
skin is soft, the pelvis wide, potency though weak is yet
heterosexual and libido is wanting. It cannot be denied
that in these cases through the interruption of evolutionary
processes the sexual characteristics of the man have been
replaced by those of the woman and that by this substitu-
tion the development also of other physical and psychical
sexual characteristics has been influenced in the sense of
inversion. The possible combinations, of course, vary
greatly.
An interesting and important question now arises, viz. :
"What determines the development of an individual of
that definite sexual type which possesses all the character-
istics of a man, or a woman ?"
One is tempted to look upon the development of the
genital glands as the determining factor which may be
recognized even in the apparently bisexual foetus. For
the primary sexual characteristics in the form of the sexual
organs are present and may be with puberty developed into
the secondary sexual characteristics.
That the sexual glands are important so far as the sex
itself is concerned is hardly open to controversy, but they
are not necessarily the determining factor. For we shall
see later on that the secondary characteristics (sexual sen-
sations, attraction by the physical and psychical properties
of the opposite sex, and the instinct to have sexual inter-
course with persons of the opposite sex) may be inverted
even at the very beginning of sexual development.
Again the experience of gynecologists allows of the fol-
lowing deductions: Hegar (Nothnagel's Pathologic, xx.
Part L, p. 371) points out:
(1) that despite of congenital defects and rudimentary
ANTHROPOLOGICAL FACTS. 45
development of the ovaries the feminine type may be thor-
oughly preserved ;
(2) that the female sexual characteristics are relatively
independent of the ovaries as is proved by transverse
lit rmaphroditism. The old axiom "Propter solum ovari-
uin raulier est quod est," therefore falls.
The sex-determining moment tun is unknown. (
The form of the sexual glands is therefore not the quali-
fying element of sex-determination, but we must look
rather to sexual sensations and the sexual instinct.
All this directs our attention to the central domains of
that nervous plexus which dominates the sexual functions
and which renders intermediary sexual gradations between
the pure type of man and woman possible, <juite in accord-
ance with the original bisexual predisposition of the foetus.
These grades may be due to some interference in the evolu-
tion of our present mono-sexuality (corresponding physical
and psychical sexual characteristics) based upon degener-
ative, especially hereditary degeneration conditions.
The science of to-day can boast of but little positive
knowledge about the evolutionary influence which the va-
rious departments of the sexual apparatus exercise upon
each other. It is natural that we should study the influ-
ence exercised by the removal or total loss of the sexual
glands upon the development or course of the vita sexualis.
That such an influence exists cannot be doubted; but the
Mt of the controlling power of ]>oripheral factors might
largely depend on whether the elimination of the sexual
glands took place before or after the development of pu-
berty ; and again due regard must be given to the fact that
the rise of psychical sexual characteristics may have con-
siderably preceded physical development. Facts seem to
prove that with the loss of the genital glands previous to
puberty the development of somatic and psychical sexual
characteristics is stunted even unto Asexuality. This is
true as to the male and female of the human kind as well as
of domestic animals.
Matters are different if the injury occurs after this bio-
46 PBYCIIOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
logical phase. Here we are bound to find physical as well
as psychical characteristics already existing, but their
further development becomes stunted. The manner in
which these organs succumb (through illness or surgical
interference) is of no import, neither is the sex itself. The
only condition needed is that the development of the sec-
ondary sexual characteristics had already begun as this is
plainly dependent upon central spheres. How far then
sexual development will go, depends chiefly upon the con-
dition and the developing powers of these central factors;
whilst its direction is governed by the biological energy of
these bisexually predisposed centres.
If the development ran hitherto in heterosexual chan-
nels, but was lacking in force, the sex experiences simply
a check ; but if the original bisexual predisposition had not
yet received a definite sexual direction, and possessed
strength, sexual characteristics of the opposite sex and
under circumstances even of an inverted nature may un-
fold. In most cases there is but a partial development of
the characteristics of the opposite sex.
Analogous experiences are made in cases in which the
sexual glands were lost long after matured puberty. For
instance, bearded women are frequently found in the post
mortem, minus ovaries (Diet, de med. et de chirurg. prat,
art. "ovario"). In a similar manner pheasant hens are
found with degenerated ovaries, but with the plumage and
voice of the male.1 (Discuss, de la societe zoologique de
Londres).
It is a well-known fact that many women grow a beard
after the climacterium and that the voice drops to a lower
register. If the climax be reached very early and vitality
remains very strong even another (opposite) sex may be
developed. See page 247 and cases 128 and 129.
A smart difference may also be found in eunuchs, ac-
cording to whether castration took place before or after
lCf. Moll, Libido sexualis, p. 335-350, where he gives a large
number of cases of perverted sexual characteristics, of a physical as
well as psychical nature, even of sexual inversion.
ANTIIBOP01 FACT8. 47
hical pulM-rty. In tin- 1; • tlie vita scxualis is
Ity no menus a Malik ]>:iLr«- f->r M-xnal fVrling, and sexual
in-tinct for the opposite sex are present, although physical
and psychical sexual characteristics of the male are stunted
and femininism may take its place.
In rare cases — apparently in strongly developed bi-
sexuality — signs of inverted sexuality may appear (Bedor's
case in Cadiz of a eunuch with developed mammae).
These facts are not in favour of the exclusive effects
exercised by the sexual glands upon the development of the
vita sexualis, especially of the psychical sexual character-
istics, which no doubt belong to those central spheres which
normally come into functional force with arriving puberty
a^pd thus determine the essential criterion of the sex (sex-
ual instinct).
IV. GENERAL PATHOLOGY.1
(NEUROLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL.)
ANOMALIES of the sexual functions are met with especially
in civilised races. This fact is explained in part by the
frequent abuse of the sexual organs, and in part by the
circumstance that such functional anomalies are chiefly
the signs of an inherited diseased condition of the central
nervous system ("functional signs of degeneration").
'Literature: Parent-Duchatelet, " Prostitution dans la ville de
Paris," 1837. Rosenbautn, " Entstehung der Syphilis," Halle, 1839 —
also, " Die Lustseuche im Alterthuin," Halle, 1839. Descuret, " La
medecine des Passions," Paris, 1800. Caspar, " Klin. Novellen,"
1860. Bastion, " Der Mensch in der Geschichte ". Friedlander, " Sit-
tengeschichte Roms ". Wiedemeister, " Casarenwahnsinn ". Scherr,
" Deutsche Kultur und Sittengeschichte," Bd. i., cap. ix. Jeannel,
" Die Prostitution," dcutsch von Miillcr, Erlangen, 1809. ; v. Krafft,
" Neue Forschungen auf dcm Gebiete der Psychopathia sexualis,"
2 Aufl., Stuttgart, 1891. Taxil, " La Prostitution conteraporaine,"
Paris, 1884. Frank Lydston, " Philadelph. Med. and Surg. Reports,
1889. Urquhardt, Journal of Mental Science, Jan. 1891. Antonini,
" Archiv. di Psichiatria," xxi., 1, 2. Cantat ano, Zcitschr. " La Psi-
chiatria," v., 2, 3. Krauss, " Psychologic des Verbrechens," 1884.
Kiernan, "Medic. Standard," Nov., 1889. Delcourt, " Le Vice ft
Paris," 1889. Lombroso, " L'uomo Delinquente," 2 Aufl., 1878. Toul-
mouche, " Annal. d'hygiene," 1868. Giraldds et Horteloup, ibidem,
1876, p. 419. Eulenburg, " Klin. Handb. d. Harn- und Sexualorgane,"
1894, 4 Abthl., p. 36. Moll, " Untersuchungen tiber die Libido sex-
ualis," 1897; "Archivio delle psicopatie scssuali," Naples (1896)
volume unico. Tardicu, " Des attentats aux mceurs," 7 e"dit., 1878.
Emminghaus, " Psychopatliol.," pp. 98, 225, 230, 232. Schiile, "Hand-
buch der Geisteskrankheiten," p. 114. Marc, "Die Geisteskrankheiten,"
ii., p. 128. v. Krafft, " Lehrb. d. Psychiatric, 6 Aufl. i., p. 77;
" Lehrb. d. ger. Psychopathol.," 3 Aufl., p. 279 ; " Archiv f. Psychi-
atric," vii., 2. Morcau, " Des aberrations du sens genesique," Paris,
1880. Kirn, " Allg. Zeitschr. f. Psychiatric," 39, Heft 2 u. 3. Lom-
broso, " Geschlechtstrieb und Verbrechen in ihren gcgenseitigen Bozie-
hungen". (Goltdammer's "Archiv." Bd. 30). Tamotcsky, "Die krank-
haften Erscheinungcn des Geschlechtsainnes," Berlin, 1886. Ball, " La
(48)
SPINAL NEUROSES. 40
Since the general ivo organs stand in Important func-
tional relation to the entire nervous system, and especially
to its psychical and somatic functions, the frequency of
general neuroses and psychoses arising in sexual (func-
tional or organic) disturbances, is easy to understand.
SCHEDULE OF THE SEXUAL NEUROSES.
I. PERIPHERAL.
1. Sensory.
(a) Anaesthesia; (6) Hyperaesthesia ; (c) Neuralgia.
2. Secretory.
(a) Aspermia; (6) Polyspennia.
3. Motor.
(a) Pollutions (spasm) ; (6) Spermatorrhoea (paralysis)
II. SPINAL NEUROSES.
1. Affections of the Erection Centre.
(a) Irritation (priapism) arises from reflex action of
peripheral sensory irritants (e.g., gonorrhoea) ; directly,
from organic irritation of the nerve-tracts leading from
the brain to the erection centre (spinal disease in the lower
cervical and upper dorsal regions), or of the centre itself
(certain poisons) ; or from psychical irritation.
In the latter case satyriasis exists, t. e.t abnormal dura-
folie trotique," Paris, 1888. Rtrieux, " Recherches cliniques sur le*
anomalies de 1'instinct sexuel," Paris, 1888. Hammond, " Sexual
Impotence," 1889. v. Krafft, " Qber sexuale Penrersionen." Leyden'i
deutache Klinik, l!»01, vi. v. 8chrenk-\otzing, Die Suggestionathera-
I i- 1S92; also, Zeitach. fUr Hypnotism us, vii., H. 1 & 2, viii., H. 1.
( I.iti-ntnr.) Moll, die contrftre Sexualempfindung, 3 Aufl. 1889; also.
Intorsurhunt.'.-n ab. d. Libido sexualis, 1897-98. Hirachfeld, Jahrb.
f. sexucllc Xwi^-licnstufon, Jahrg. i.-iv. Block, Beitrfige z. Aetiologie
>lor Paychopathia sexualis, ii., Tlieil, 1903.
Among mo<lern novelists who d««al with the subject of sexual per-
version tin- French arc most pre-eminent, tn*.; Catullc Mendto, Pffa-
dan, Lcmonnier, Dubut de la Forett (" L'homme de joie"), Huyt-
man* ("La baa"), Zola.
50 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
tion of erection, with libido sexualis. In reflex or direct
organic irritation, libido sexualis may be wanting, and the
priapism may even give rise to disgust.
(6) Paraylsis arises from the destruction of the centre,
or of the nerve-tracts (nervi erigentes), in diseases of the
spinal cord (paralytic impotence).
A milder form is that of lessened excitability of the
centre, resulting from over-stimulation (sexual excess,
especially onanism), or from alcoholic intoxication, abuse
of bromides, etc. It may also originate from cerebral
anaesthesia, or that of the external genitals. Cerebral
hyperaesthesia is more frequent in such cases (increased
libido sexualis, lust).
A peculiar form of diminished excitability is shown in
those cases where the centre responds only to certain stimu-
li. Thus there are men to whom sexual contact with their
virtuous wives does not supply the necessary stimulus for
an erection, but in whom it occurs when the act is at-
tempted with a prostitute, or in the form of some unnatural
sexual act. So far as psychical stimuli are concerned, they
may be inadequate (v. infra, parsesthesia and perversion of
sexual instinct).
(c) Inhibition. The erection centre may become in-
capable of function through cerebral influence. This in-
hibitory influence is an emotional process (disgust, fear
of contagion), or fear1 of impotence. There are men who
have an unconquerable antipathy to woman, or fear of
infection, or are suffering with perverse sexual instinct.
In the latter condition are those neuropathic individuals
(neurasthenics, hypochondriacs), frequently weakened sex-
ually (masturbators), who have reason, or think they have,
to mistrust their sexual power. This idea acts as an in-
*An interesting instacce of how an imperative conception of
non-sexual content can exert an influence is related by Magnan
("Ann. Me"d. Psych.," 1885) : Student, aged twenty-one, strongly pre
disposed hereditarily, previously a masturbator, constantly struggles
with the number thirteen as an imperative conception. A« §oon as
he attempts coitus the imperative idea inhibits erection and renders
the act impossible.
SPINAL NEUROSES. 51
hibitory impulse, and makes the act with the person of the
opposite sex temporarily or absolutely impossible.
(d) Irridihli' H Kikncss. In this condition there is
abnormal impressionability of the centre, but accompanied
by rapid diminution of its energy. There may be func-
lional disturbance of the centre itself, or weakness of the
innervation through the nervi erigentes; or there may be
\\cakness of the erector penis muscle. Cases in which erec-
tion is abortive on account of abnormally early ejaculation,
form a transition to the following anomalies : —
2. Affections of the Ejaculation Centre.
(a) Abnormally easy ejaculation from absence of
cerebral inhibition, resulting from excessive psychical ex-
citement or irritable weakness of the centre. In this case,
under certain circumstances, the simple conception of a
la-, ivious situation is sufficient to set the centre in action
(high degree of spinal neurasthenia, usually resulting from
sexual abuse). A third possibility is hyperaesthesia of the
urethra, by virtue of which the escaping semen induces
an immediate and excessive reflex action of the ejaculation
centre. In such cases simple proximity to the female
genitals may be sufficient to induce ejaculation (ante
portam).
In cases of hypersesthesia of the urethra (as a cause),
ejaculation may be accompanied by painful, instead of
pleasurable sensations. Usually in cases where there is
hvperaesthesia of the urethra, there is at the same time
irritable weakness of the centre. Both these functional
disturbances are important in the production of pollutio
nimia and diurna.
The accompanying pleasurable feeling may be patho-
logically absent. This occurs in defective men and women
(anaesthesia, aspermia?), and, further, as a result of dis-
ease (neurasthenia, hysteria) ; or (in prostitutes) it fol-
lows over-stimulation and the blunting this induced. The
intensity of the pleasurable feeling accompanying the
52 PSYCHOPATH I A 8EXUALIS.
sexual act depends on the degree of psychical and motor
excitement. Under pathological conditions this may
become so pronounced, that the movements of coitus
assume the character of involuntary convulsive actions,
and even pass into general convulsions.
(fe) Abnormally difficult ejaculation. It is occasioned
by inexcitability of the centre (absence of libido, paralysis
of the centre: organic, from disease of brain or spinal
cord; functional, from sexual abuses, marasmus, diabetes,
morphinism), and, in this case, for the most part, in con-
nection with an&sthesia of the genitals and paralysis of the
erection centre. Or, it is the result of a lesion of the reflox
arc or of peripheral anaesthesia (urethra), or of aspermia.
The ejaculation occurs either not at all, or tardily, in the
course of the sexual act, or only afterward, in the form of
a pollution.
III. CEBEBBAI, NEUBOSES.
(1) Paradoxia, i.e., sexual excitement occurring inde-
pendently of the period of the physiological processes in
the generative organs.
(2) Anaesthesia (absence of sexual instinct). Here all
organic impulses arising from the sexual organs, as well
as all impulses, and visual, auditory and olfactory sense
impressions fail to sexually excite the individual. This is
a physiological condition in childhood and old age.
(3) Hypercesthesia (increased desire, satyriasis). In
this state there is an abnormally increased impressionabil-
ity of the vita sexualis to organic, psychical and sensory
stimuli (abnormally intense libido, lustfulness, lascivious-
ness). The stimulus may be central (nymphomania,
satyriasis) or peripheral, functional or organic.
(4) Parcesthcsia (perversion of the sexual instinct, i.e.,
excitability of the sexual functions to inadequate stimuli).
Sub-divisions of parcesthcsia are :
(a) Sadism,. It consists in this that the association
of lust and cruelty, which is indicated in the physiological
CEREBRAL NKURO8ES. .1.°,
consciousness, lx«comes strongly market! on a psychically
aerated basis, ami that this lustful impulse coupled
with presentations of cruelty rises to the height of power-
ful affects. This generates a force that seeks to mate-
rialise these presentations of fancy, and which is ac-
complished when hvpenesthesia supervenes as a compli-
cation, or inhibitory moral counter-presentations fail to
act.
The quality of sadistic acts is defined by the relative
potency of the tainted individual. If potent, the impulse
of the sadist is directed to coitus, coupled with prepar-
atory, concomitant or consecutive maltreatment, even
murder, of the consort ("Lust murder"), the latter oc-
curring chiefly because sensual lust has not been satisfied
with the consummated coitus.
If the sadist is psychically or spinally impotent, as an
equivalent of coitus, there will be noticed strangling, stab-
bing, flagellating (of women), or under circumstances
ridiculously silly and mean, acts of violence on the other
person (symbolical sadism), or also — faute de mieux —
on any living and feeling object (whipping of school
children, recruits, apprentices, cruel acts on animals,
etc.).
(6) Masochism is the counterpart of sadism in so far
as it derives the acme of pleasure from reckless acts of
violence at the hands of the consort. It springs from the
impulse to create a situation by means of external phy-
sical force, which is in accordance with the individual
psychical and spinal stage of potency, as a preparatory
and concomitant means to experience the voluptuous sen-
sation of coitus, to increase it or to make it a substitute
for cohabitation. In direct ratio of the intensity of the
perverse instinct and the remaining power of moral and
aesthetic counter motives, it forms a gradation of the most
abhorrent and monstrous to the most ludicrous and absurd
acts (the request for personal castigation, humiliations of
all sorts, passive flagellation, etc.).
(c) Fetichism invests imaginary presentations of sep-
54 PSYCIIOPATHIA BEXUALIS.
arate parts of the body or portions of raiment of the op-
posite sex, or even simply pieces of clothing-material, with
voluptuous sensations. The pathological aspect of this
manifestation may be deduced from the fact that fetichism
of parts of the body never stands in direct relation to sex,
that it concentrates the whole sexual interest in the one
part abstracted from the entire body.
As a rule, when the individual fetish is absent coitus
becomes impossible or can only be managed under the in-
fluence of the respective imaginary presentation, and even
then grants no gratification. Its pathological condition is
strongly accentuated by the circumstance that the fetichist
does not find gratification in coitus itself, but rather in
the manipulation of that portion of the body or that object
which forms the interesting and effective fetich.
The fetich varies individually and is, no doubt, occa-
sioned by some incident which determines the relation be-
tween a single impression and the voluptuous feeling.
(rf) Antipathic Sexuality is the total absence of sex-
ual feeling toward the opposite sex. It concentrates all
sexuality in its own sex. The physical and psychical
properties of persons of the same sex alone exercise an
aphrodisic effect and awaken a desire for sexual union.
It is purely a psychical anomaly, for the sexual instinct
does in no wise correspond with the primary and second-
ary physical sexual characteristics. In spite of the fully
differentiated sexual type, in spite of the normally devel-
oped and active sexual glands, man is drawn sexually to
the man, because he has, consciously or otherwise, the in-
stinct of the female toward him, or vice versa.
From the clinical and anthropological standpoint this
abnormal manifestation offers various grades of develop-
ment.
(a) In predominant homosexual instinct traces of
heterosexual (psychical) hermaphrodisia are to be found.
(6) If there is only inclination to the own sex (ho-
mosexuality) the secondary physical sexual characteristics
CEREBRAL NEUROSES. 05
are normal, but the psychical ones may point to incipient
inversion.
(c) The psychical sexual characteristics are inverted,
i.e., they are shaped in accordance with the existing ab-
normal sexuality (effeminatio-viraginity).
(d) Also the secondary physical sexual characteristics
approach that sex to which the individual, according to his
instinct, belongs (androgyny-gynandry).
These cerebral anomalies fall within the domain of
psychopathology. The spinal and peripheral anomalies
may occur in combination with the former; but as a rule
they affect persons free from mental disease. They may
occur in various combinations, and become the cause of
sexual crimes, for which reason they demand considera-
tion in the following description. However, the cerebral
anomalies claim the principal interest, since they very
frequently lead to the commission of perverse and even
criminal acts.
A. Paradoxia. Sexual Instinct Manifesting Itself Inde-
pendently of Physiological Processes.
1. Sexual Instinct Manifested in Childhood.
Every physician conversant with nervous affections and
diseases incident to childhood is aware of the fact that
manifestations of sexual instinct may occur in very young
children. The observations of Ultzmann concerning
masturbation in childhood1 are worthy of attention in
relation to it. It is necessary here to differentiate between
tlu* numerous cases, in which, as a result of phimosis,
balanitis, or oxyriris in the rectum or the vagina, young
lLouycr-Villermay speaks of masturbation in a girl of three
or four years, and Moreau ("aberrations du sens ge'ne'sique," 2 etlit.,
p. 209) of the same in one of two years. See further Maudtlry,
' Physiology and Pathology of Mind": flirscluprung ( Kopenhagen ) ,
Berlin, klin. Wochenschr.," 1886, Nr. 38; Lombroto. " The Criminal,"
case* 10, 10, and 21.
56 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
children have itching of the genitals, and experience a
kind of pleasurable sensation from manipulations occar
sioned thereby, and thus come to practise masturbation;
and those cases in which sexual ideas and impulses occur
in the child as a result of cerebral processes without
peripheral causes. It is only in this latter class of cases
that we have to do with premature manifestations of sexual
instinct In such cases it may always be regarded as an
accompanying symptom of a neuropsychopathic consti-
tutional condition.
A case of Marc's ("Die Geisteskrankheiten," etc., von
Ideler, i., p. 66) illustrates very well these conditions. The
subject was a girl of eight years of age, of respectable fam-
ily, who was devoid of all child-like and moral feelings, and
had masturbated from her fourth year; at the same time
she consorted with boys of the age of ten or twelve. She
had thought of killing her parents, that she might become
her own mistress and give herself up to pleasure with
men.
In these cases of premature manifestation of libido the
children begin early to masturbate; and, since they are
greatly predisposed constitutionally, they often sink into
dementia, or become subjects of severe degenerative neu-
roses or psychoses.
Lombroso ("Archivio di Psichiatria," iv., p. 22) has
collected a number of cases of children affected with very
decided hereditary taint, which belong to this category.
One was that of a girl who masturbated shamelessly and
almost constantly at the age of three. Another girl began
at the age of eight, and continued to practise masturba-
tion when married, and even during pregnancy. She was
pregnant twelve times. Five of the children died early,
four were hydrocephalic, and two boys began to mastur-
bate— one at the age of seven, the other at the age of
four.
Zamlaco ("L'Encephale," 1882, £Tr. 1, 2) tells the
disgusting story of two sisters affected with premature
and perverse sexual desire. The elder R masturbated
ICE DEAL NEUROSES - PABADOXIA. 57
at the age of si .'-li.-r.l lewdaess with boys, stole
wherever she could, , her l'mir-v car-old si.ster into
masturbation, and at the age of ten was given up to the
practice of the most revolting vires. Even ferrum candens
ad clitoridcm had no effect in overcoming the practice, and
she masturbated with the cassock of a priest while he was
exhorting her to reformation.
Cf. also Magnan, "Lectures on Psychiatry," (in Ger-
man by Mobius, vols. ii. and iii., p. 27), giving the case of
premature and preverse vita sexualis in a girl of twelve
with hereditary taint. Other cases, ibidem p. 120-121.
2. Re-awakening of Sexual Instinct in Old Age.*
Cases in which the sexual instinct prevails until a
great age are rare. "Senectus non quidem annis sed
viribus magis tcstimatur" (Zittmann). Oestcrlen (Masch-
Tca, Handb.," iii., p. 18) mentions the case of a man aged
eighty-three, who was sentenced to three years' imprison-
ment by a court in Wiirtemberg on account of sexual mis-
demeanours. Unfortunately nothing is said of the nature
of the crime or of the mental condition of the criminal.
The manifestation of sexual instinct in old age is not
in itself pathological.
Presumption of pathological conditions must neces-
sarily be entertained when the individual is decrepit and
his sexual life has already long become extinct ; and when
the impulse, in a man whose sexual needs were in his early
life, perhaps, not very marked, manifests itself with
greater strength, and strives for even perverse satisfaction
in a shameless and impulsive manner.
In such cases a presumption of pathological condi-
tions suggests itself at once. Medical science recognises
the fact that such an impulse depends upon the morbid
alterations of the brain which lead to senile dementia.
This abnormal manifestation of sexual life may be the
't'f. Kirn, " Zeitachr. f. Psych.," Bd. T^JT Lcgrand du Baulle.
"Annal. d'hyg.," Oct., 1868.
58 PSYCHOPATH I A SKXUALIS.
precursor of senile dementia, and make its appearance
even long before there are any well-defined manifesta-
tions of intellectual weakness. The attentive and expe-
rienced observer will always be able to detect in this
prodromal stage an alteration of character in pejus, and
a deterioration of the moral sense accompanying the
peculiar sexual manifestation.
The libido of those passing into senile dementia is at
first expressed in lascivious speech and gesture. The first
objects for the attempts of these senile subjects of brain
atrophy and psychical degeneration are children. This
sad and dangerous fact is explained by the better oppor-
tunity they have in succeeding with children, but more
especially by a feeling of imperfect sexual power. De-
fective sexual power, and greatly diminished moral sense,
explain the additional fact of the perversity of the sexual
acts of such aged men. They are the equivalents of the
impossible physiological act.
The annals of legal medicine distinguish as such, ex-
hibition of the genitals,1 lustful handling of the genitals
of children,2 inducing them to perform manustupration on
the seducer, and performing masturbation8 or flagellation
on the victim.
In this stage the intellect may still be sufficiently in-
tact to allow avoidance of publicity and discovery, while
the moral sense is too far gone to allow consideration of
the moral significance of the act, and resistance to the
impulse. With the progress of dementia, these acts are
more and more shamelessly committed. Then care on
account of defective sexual power disappears, and adults
also become the objects of the senile passion; but the
defective sexual power necessitates equivalents for coitus.
Not infrequently sodomy results, and, as Tarnowsky (op.
cit., p. 77) points out, in the sexual act performed with
'Cases, vide Lastgue; " Les exhibitionistes," Union m&licale,
1871: 1st May.
'Legrand du Saulle, " La folie devant les tribunaux," p. 530.
•Kirn, Maschka's " Handb. d. ger. Med." pp. 373, 374; " Allg.
Zeitschrift f. Psychiatric," Bd. xxxix., p. 220.
CEREBRAL NEUROSES PABADOZIA. 59
geese, chickens, etc., the sight of the dying animal and
its death-struggles at the time of coitus afford complete
gratification. The perverse sexual acts with adults are
• piite as horrible, and may be explained psychologically
in the same way.
Case 49, in the author's "Text-Book of Legal Psycho-
pathology," second edition, p. 161, demonstrates how
enormously increased sexual lust may be during the
course of senile dementia. Quum scnex libidinosus ger-
manam suam /ilium cemulatione motus necaret et adspeetu
pectoris scissi puellcB moribundce delectareiur.
Erotic delirium and states of satyriasis may occur in
the course of the malady, with or without maniacal
episodes, as the following case shows : —
Case .t. J. Rene, always given to indulgence in sen-
suality and sexual pleasures, but always with regard for
decorum, had shown, since his seventy-sixth year, a pro-
gressive loss of intelligence and increasing perversion of
his moral sense. Previously bright and outwardly moral,
he now wasted his property in concourse with prostitutes,
frequented brothels only, asked every woman on the street
to marry him or allow coitus, and thus became publicly so
obnoxious that it was necessary to place him in an asy-
lum. There the sexual excitement increased to a veritable
satyriasis, which lasted until he died. He masturbated
continuously, even before others; took delight only in
obscene ideas; thought the men about him were women,
and followed them with indecent proposals (Legrand du
Saullc, "La Folie," p. 533).
Moreover, women previously moral, when affected with
senile dementia, may manifest similar conditions of great
sexual excitement (nymphomania, furor uterinus).
It may be seen from a reading of Schopenhauer? that,
as a result of senile dementia, the abnormally excited and
perverse instinct may be directed exclusively to persons
of the same sex (v. infra). Gratification is obtained by
1 "Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung," 1859, Bd. ii., p. 4«1 et teq.
60 PSYCIIOPATUIA 8EXUALIS.
passive pederasty, or, as I ascertained in the following
case, by mutual masturbation : —
Case 2. Mr. X., aged eighty, of high social standing,
born of a family with hereditary taint. He was always
very sensual and a cynic, of uncontrollable temper, and,
according to his own confession, as a young man pre-
ferred masturbation to coitus. However, he never showed
signs of sexual perversion, and kept mistresses, raising a
child by one. At the age of forty-eight he married, out
of inclination, and begat six children, and never gave his
wife cause for complaint. I could obtain but an incom-
plete history of his family. It was certain that his brother
was suspected of love for men, and that a nephew became
insane as a result of excessive masturbation.
The patient's temper, always peculiar and quick, had
for years been growing more violent. He had become
exceedingly suspicious, and slight opposition to his wishes
induced attacks of anger which turned at times into actual
raving, when he would raise his hand even against his wife.
For a year there had been unmistakable signs of incipient
senile dementia. The patient had become forgetful, local-
ised past events incorrectly, and had false ideas of time.
For fourteen months it was noticed that he manifested af-
fection for certain male servants, especially for a garden-
er's boy. Otherwise rude and overbearing to servants, he
surfeited his favourite with favours and presents, and com-
manded his family and his house officials to treat the boy
with the greatest respect. The aged patient awaited the
hour of rendezvous in true sexual excitement. He sent his
family away, that he might be with his favourite undis-
turbed, and remained shut up with him for hours; and
when the doors were opened again, he was found lying on
the bed exhausted. Besides this object of his passion, the
patient had intercourse episodically with other servants.
It is certain that he enticed them, asked them for kisses,
exhibited himself, allowed manipulation ad gcnilulia, and
practised mutual masturbation. By these practices abso-
CEREBRAL NEUROSES PARADOX!*. 61
lute demoralisation was brought about in the household.
The family was powerless; for any opposition caused
violent outbreaks of anger and even threats against his
relatives. The patient was completely without apprecia-
tion of his perverse sexual acts; and therefore the only
course left to the afflicted family was to remove all author-
ity from his hands and place him in an asylum. No erotic
inclination towards the opposite sex was observed, though
tin- patient occupied a sleeping-apartment with his wife.
With reference to the perverse sexuality and the defective
moral sense of this unfortunate man, it is worthy of note
that he questioned the servants of his daughter-in-law as
to whether she had lovers.
B. — Anaesthesia Sexualis (Absence of Sexual Feeling).
1. As a Congenital Anomaly.
Only those cases can be regarded as unquestionable
examples of absence of sexual instinct dependent on cere-
bral causes, in which, in spite of generative organs nor-
mally developed and the performance of their functions
(secretion of semen, menstruation), the corresponding
emotions of sexual life are absolutely wanting. These func-
tionally sexless individuals are rare cases, and, indeed,
always persons having degenerative defects, in whom other
functional cerebral disturbances, states of psychical degen-
eration, and even anatomical signs of degeneration, may be
observed.
Case 3. K., age 29, civil servant, consulted me on
account of his abnormal sexual condition. Being without
relatives he wanted to marry, but only on rational grounds.
Iff elaime.i to have never experienced a sensual emotion,
.al life was known to him only from what he had
heard other men say about it or from what he had read in
erotic novels, which, however, had never made any im-
pression upon him. He had no dislike for the
62 PSYCHOPATIIIA 8EXUALI8.
opposite sex, or special inclination towards his own BOX,
and had never masturbated. Since his seventeenth year
he had at intervals nocturnal pollutions, but without con-
comitant lascivious dreams. Erections occurred in the
morning when waking which, however, disappeared at once
after emptying the bladder. Excepting this want of sexual
instinct K. considered himself quite normal. No psychical
defects could be detected. He was fond of solitude, but
of a frigid nature, without interest in the arts or the beau-
tiful, but a highly efficient and esteemed official.
Case 4. W., age 25, merchant, claimed to be un-
tainted, never had a severe illness, never had masturbated,
siuce his nineteenth year had but rarely pollutions, mostly
without sensual dreams. Since his twenty-first year coitus
rarissimus, actus quasi masturbatorius, in corpore feminae,
sine ulla voluptate. W. declared to have made these at-
tempts solely through curiosity, and soon gave them up
altogether as desire, gratification, and ultimately even
erection were wanting. He never had any leaning towards
his own sex. His deficiency did not seem to cause him any
worry. In the ethical and sesthetical field there were no ab-
normal manifestations.
Case 5. P., aged thirty-six, common labourer, was
received at my clinic in the beginning of November on
account of spastic spinal paralysis. He declared he came
of a healthy family. A stutterer from his youth. Cranium
microcephalic (cf. 53 cm.). Patient somewhat imbecile.
He was never sociable, never had a sexual emotion. The
sight of a woman never had anything enticing for him.
He never had a desire to masturbate. Erections frequent
but only on awakening in the morning with a full bladder,
and without a trace of sexual feeling. Pollutions very
infrequent — about once a year, in sleep — and usually
while dreaming that he was concerned with a female.
These dreams, however, as his dreams in general, were not
markedly erotic. He said the act of pollution was not ac-
CEBEBRA1 M I IC08E8 - AN.ESTIIIMA SKXUAU8. 63
l»v any pleasurable sensation. Patient did
!< < 1 tliis absence of sexual sensation. He gave tin;
assurance that his brother, aged thirty-four, was in exactly
the same sexual condition as himself, and made it seem
able that a sister, aged twenty-one, was in a similar
. A younger In-other, he said, was sexually normal.
The examination <>f his genitals revealed nothing abnormal
vd phimosis.
Further cases see V. Krafil, "Arbeiten," iv., p. 178,
179.
Hammond ("Sexual Impotence"), even with his wide
experience, reports only the following three cases of anaes-
thesia sexualis : —
Case 6. Mr. W., aged thirty-three; strong, healthy,
with normal genitals. He had never experienced libido,
and had vainly sought to awaken his defective sexual in*
stinct by means of obscene stories and intercourse with
prostitutes. On the occasion of such attempts he experi-
enced only disgust, with even a feeling of nausea, and
became nervously and mentally exhausted. Only once,
when he forced the situation, did he have a transitory erec-
tion. W. had never masturbated, and had had pollutions
about once every two months from his seventeenth year.
Important interests demanded that he should marry. He
had no horror femince, and longed for a home and a wife,
but felt that he was incapable of the sexual act He
died unmarried in the American Civil War.
Case 7. X., aged twenty-seven, genitals normal;
never felt libido. Mechanical or thermic stimuli easily in-
duced erection, but libido sexualis was regularly replaced
by a desire for alcoholic indulgence. Such excesses also
induced erections, and he then sometimes masturbated.
He had a disinclination for women and a loathing of
e"it us. If, with an erection, he made an attempt at
enitus, it disappeared at once. Death in coma during an
attack of cerebral hypersemia.
64 PBYCIIOPATHIA 8EXUALJS.
Case 8. Mrs. O., normally developed, healthy, men-
struated regularly; aged thirty-five; fifteen years marri' <1.
She never experienced libido, and never had any erotic
excitement in sexual intercourse with her husband. She
was not averse to coitus, and sometimes seemed to experi-
ence pleasure in it, but she never had a wish for repetition
of cohabitation.
In connection with such genuine cases of anaesthesia,1
there should be considered other cases in which the mental
side of the vita sexualis is a blank leaf in the life of
the individual, but where elementary sexual sensations
manifest themselves at least in masturbation (cf. the tran-
sitional case 7). According to Magnan's ingenious classi-
fication— which, however, is not strictly correct and
somewhat too dogmatic — in such cases the sexual life is
so limited as to be designated spinal. Possibly in some
such cases there exists virtually a mental side of the vita
sexualis, but it is very weak, and undermined by mastur-
bation before it attains development. These represent
the transitional cases from the congenital to the acquired
(psychical) anaesthesia sexualis. This danger threatens
many masturbators of vitiated constitution. It is psycho-
logically interesting that when the sexual element is early
vitiated, then an ethical defect is manifested.
The two following cases, previously published by me
in the "Archiv fur Psychiatric," vii., are given here as
illustrations worthy of consideration: —
"No doubt Swift's, the great satirist, was a case of anaesthesia
sexualis. Adolf Stern says in his biography of Swift (" Aus dem 18.
Jahrhundert; Biographische Bilder und Skizzen," Leipzig, 1874) :
" It seems that he was totally devoid of the sensual elements of love ;
hia candid cynicism, found in many of his letters, is almost definite
proof of this. Whoever properly grasps certain passages in ' Gulli-
ver's Travels,' and especially the account which Swift gives of the
marriage and progeny of the Houyhnhorses, the noble steeds of the
last chapters, can scarcely doubt that this great satirist abhorred
marriage, and never felt the impulse which draws the sexes together.''
Practically speaking, the enigmatical side of Swift's character, and
several of his works, viz., "Diary to Stella" and "Gulliver's Travels."
can only be understood if Swift is considered sexually anaesthetic.
CEKEB&AL NEUROSES ANESTHESIA SKXUAJJ8. 65
Case 9. F. J., aged nineteen, student; mother waa
nervous, sister epileptic. At the age of four, acute braiu
affection, lasting two weeks. As a child he was not
affectionate, and was cold towards his parents ; as a student
he was peculiar, retiring, preoccupied with self, and given
to much reading. Well endowed mentally. Masturbation
from fifteenth year. Eccentric after puberty, with con-
tinual vacillation between religious enthusiasm and ma-
terialism — now studying theology, now natural sciences.
At the university his fellow-students took him for a fool.
He read Jean Paul almost exclusively, and wasted his
time. Absolute absence of sexual feeling toward the op-
posite sex. Once he indulged in intercourse, experienced
no sexual feeling in the act, found coitus absurd, and did
not repeat it. Without any emotional cause whatever, he
often had a thought of suicide. He made it the subject of
a philosophical dissertation, in which he contended that it
was, like masturbation, a justifiable act. After repeated
experiments which he made on himself with various poi-
sons, he attempted suicide with fifty-seven grains of opium,
but he was saved and sent to an asylum.
Patient was destitute of moral and social feelings. Hia
writings disclosed incredible frivolity and vulgarity. His
knowledge was of a wide range, but his logic peculiarly
distorted. There was no trace of emotionality. He treated
everything (even the sublime) with incomparable cynicism
and irony. He pleaded for the justification of suicide with
false philosophical premises and conclusions, and, as one
would speak of the most indifferent affair, he declared that
he intended to accomplish it. He regretted that his pen-
knife had been taken from him. If he had it, he would
open his veins as Seneca did — in the bath. At one time
a friend had given him instead of a poison as he sup-
posed, a cathartic. Instead of sending him to the other
world, it sent him to the water-closet Only the Great
Operator could eradicate his foolish and fatal idea with the
scythe of death, etc.
The patient had a large, rhombic, distorted skull, the
5
66 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
left half of the forehead being flatter than the right. The
occiput was very straight. Ears far back, widely project-
ing, and the external meatus formed a narrow slit. Genitals
very lax ; testicles unusually soft and small.
Now and then the patient suffered with ononiatomania.
He was compelled to think of the most useless problems
and give himself up to interminable, distressing and worry-
ing thoughts, and became so fatigued that he was no longer
capable of any rational thinking. After some months the
patient was sent home unimproved. There he spent his
time in reading and frivolities, and busied himself with
the thought of founding a new system of Christianity
because Christ had been subject to grand delusions and
had deceived the world with miracles ( !). After remaining
at home some years the sudden occurrence of a maniacal
outbreak brought him back to the asylum. He presented
a mixture of primordial delirium of persecution (devil,
antichrist, persecution, poisoning, persecuting voices)
and delusions of grandeur (Christ, redemption of the
world), with impulsive, incoherent actions. After five
months there was a remission of this intercurrent acute
mental disease, and the patient returned to the level of
his original intellectual peculiarity and moral defect.
Case 10. E., aged thirty, journeyman painter, was
arrested while trying to cut off the scrotum of a boy he
had caught in the woods. He gave as a motive for this
act that he wished to cut it off in order that the world
should not multiply. Often in his youth, with like
purpose, he had cut into his own genitals.
It is impossible to learn anything of his ancestry.
From his childhood he was mentally abnormal, violent,
never lively, very irritable, irascible, selfish and weak
minded. He hated women, loved solitude, and read much.
He sometimes laughed to himself and did silly things.
Of late years his hatred of women had increased, especi "y
of those that were pregnant, they being responsible for
the misery of the world. He also hated children, and
CEREBRAL NEUROSES ANAESTHESIA 8EXUALIS. 67
cursed his father. Ho entertained communistic ideas,
and berated the rich aiid the ministry and God, who
had allowed him to come into the world so poor, lie
declared that it would be better to castrate all children
than to allow others to come into the world fated only to
endure poverty and misery. He had always had the in-
tention, from his fifteenth year, of castrating himself, in
order that he might have no part in increasing unhappiness
and adding to the number of men. lie hated the female
sex because it was a means of procreation. Only twice in
his life had he allowed women to practise manustupration
on him, and, with the exception of this he had never had
anything to do with them. Occasionally he had sexual
desire, but never for a natural gratification of it When
nature did not help him, he occasionally helped himself
by means of masturbation.
He was a powerful, muscular man. The formation of
the genitals presented no abnormality. On the scrotum
and penis were numerous scars, the results of his attempts
at self-emasculation, which, he asserted, were not carried
out on account of pain. Genu valgum of right leg. No
evidence of onanism could be discovered. He was moody,
defiant, irritable. Social feelings were absolutely foreign
to him. With the exception of imperfect sleep and fre-
quent headaches, there were no functional disturbances.
From cases of this kind, depending on cerebral causes,
there must be distinguished others in which the absence
of function arises from an absence of malformation of the
generative organs, as in certain hermaphrodites, idiots and
cretins.
Ultzmann's1 observations show that anaesthesia sexualis
is not caused simply by axpcrmia. He shows that even in
congenital aspermia the vita sexualis and sexual power
may be entirely satisfying; an additional proof that de-
'" Ueber mannliche Sterilitlt," Wiener med. Presse, 1878, Nr. 1.
'• Ueber Potentia generandi et coSundi," Wiener Klinik, 1885, Heft 1,
S. 5.
68 PSYCIIOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
fective libido db origine is to be sought for iii cerebral con-
ditions.
The naturae frigidae of Zacchias are examples of a
milder form of anaesthesia. They are met with more fre-
quently in women than in men. The characteristic signs of
this anomaly are : slight inclination to sexual intercourse, or
pronounced disinclination to coitus without sexual equiva-
lent, and failure of corresponding psychical, pleasurable
excitation during coitus, which is indulged in simply from
sense of duty. I have often had occasion to hear com-
plaints from husbands about this. In such cases the wivoa
have always proved to be neuropathic ab origine. Some
were at the same time hysterical.
2. Acquired Anasthesia.
Acquired diminution of sexual instinct, extending
through all degrees to extinction, may depend on various
causes. These may be organic and functional, psychical
and somatic, central and peripheral. The diminution of
libido, as age advances, and its temporary disappearance
after the sexual act, are physiological. The variations with
reference to the duration of the sexual instinct are de-
pendent upon individual factors. Education and manner
of life have a great influence upon the intensity of the
vita sexualis. Intense mental activity (hard study), phy-
sical exertion, emotional depression, and sexual continence
decidedly diminish sexual inclination. Continence at first
induces increase, but sooner or later, according to con-
stitutional conditions, the activity of the generative organs
decreases, and with it libido. At all events, in a person
sexually mature, a close connection exists between the
aetivitv of the generative glands and the degree of libido.
That this relation is not determined is shown by the cases
of sensual women, who, after the climacterinm, continue
to have sexual intercourse, and may manifest states of
sexual excitement (cerebral). Also in eunuchs it is seen
that libido may long outlast the production of semen.
CEKEHRAL NEUROSES HTPK&S8THE8IA. 69
On the other hand, however, experience teaches that
libido is essentially conditioned by the functions of the
generative glands, and that the facts mentioned are ex-
ceptional manifestations. As peripheral causes of diminu-
tion or extinction of libido, may be mentioned castration,
degeneration of the sexual glands, marasmus, sexual
excesses in the form of coitus and masturbation, and
alcoholism and abuse of cocaine. In the same way,
the disappearance of libido in general disturbances of
nutrition (diabetes, morphinism, etc.) may be explained.
Finally, the atrophy of the testicles should be remem-
bered, which has sometimes been observed to follow focal
lesions of the brain (cerebellum).
A diminution of the vita sexualis from degeneration
of the tracts of the cord and genito - spinal centre,
occurs in diseases of the spinal cord and brain. A
central interference with the sexual instinct may be or-
ganically induced by cortical disease (dementia paralytica
in its advanced stages) ; functionally, by hysteria (cen-
tral anaesthesia?) and emotional insanity (melancholia,
hypochondria).
C. Hyperatsthesia (Abnormally Increased Sexual Desire).
One of the most important anomalies of sexual life is
an abnormal presence of sexual sensations and presenta-
tions from which necessarily arise frequent and violent
impulses for sexual gratification. No doubt it is the out-
come of the education, or rather the breeding of many
centuries that the sexual instinct which is indispensable
for the preservation of the race and therefore congenital
in every normal individual, is not the predominant key
in the chord of human sentiments, but rather forms epi-
sodes in the physical and psychical life of cultured man
with periods of ebb and flood tide; is the generating ele-
ment of higher and nobler social and moral sentiments,
and leaves room for other spheres of activity, the object
of which is the furtherance of interests affecting the indi-
vidual as well as society at large.
70 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
It is, moreover, a statute of the moral code and of
the common law that civilised man satisfy his sexual in-
stinct only within the barriers (established in the interests
of the community) of modesty and morality, and that
man should, under all circumstances, control this instinct
so soon as it comes in conflict with the altruistic demands
of society.
If the normally constituted civilised individual were
unable to comply with this rule, family and state would
cease to exist as the foundations of a moral, lawful com-
munity.
Practically speaking the sexual instinct never develops
in the normal, sane individual that has not been deprived
by intoxication (alcohol, etc.) of his reason or good senses,
to such an extent that it permeates all this thoughts and
feelings, allowing of no other aims in life, tumultuously,
and in rut-like fashion demanding gratification without
granting the possibility of moral and righteous counter-pre-
sentations, and resolving itself into an impulsive, insatiable
succession of sexual enjoyments.
For the latter would at once betray a pathological con-
dition, which episodically might produce such a high
degree of sexual affection, that self-consciousness becomes
clouded, sanity impaired, and a true psychical calamity
established which would lead to an irresistible impulse to
commit sexual acts of violence.
Such psycho-sexual extravagances have been but little
probed scientifically, though they are of great importance
for the criminal forum since the individual so affected
can scarcely be held mentally responsible. It is fortunate
for society and for the criminal doctor, who is called upon
to make the diagnosis, that these cases, in which irresistible
hypersensuality leads to the gravest and indisputably path-
ological sexual aberrations, are only encountered in that
category of human beings whom we class among the de-
generates infected with hereditary taint.
Alas, their number is by no means small in modern so-
ciety, which shows many marks of physical and psychical
CEREBRAL NEUROSES H YPER.E8THKBIA. 7l
•
degeneration, especially in the centres of culture and re-
finement.
Coupled with perversions of sexual life and sexual im-
becility springing from the same degenerated soil, often
with the aiding influence of alcohol, the most monstrous and
horrible sexual excesses (cf. Sadism) are perpetrated
which would disgrace humanity at large, could they be
committed by normal man.
The commission of these atrocious acts by degenerated
and partially defective individuals is the outcome of an ir-
resistible impulse or delirium. The mechanism of these
actions is indeed the property of psychical degeneration.
The special act follows the direction given by the her-
editary or acquired impulse and in many instances is de-
termined by the relative potency or impotence of the agent.
This pathological sexuality is a dreadful scourge for ita
victim, for he is in constant danger of violating the laws of
the state and of morality, of losing his honor, his freedom
and even his life. Alcohol and prolonged sexual abstinence
are apt to produce in such degenerated persons at any time
powerful sexual affections.
Besides these graver manifestations of pathological sex-
uality we find also milder and more numerous gradations
of hypersexuality, to the lowest of which, perhaps, belong
those individuals who, impecunious though they be whilst
sexually potent, move in the better classes of society and
have no other aim in life than to gratify their sexual de-
sires. These are not afflicted with a pathological sexual
condition, know to control themselves in a measure, observe
the acknowledged rules of decency, do not compromise
themselves, but allow no opportunity to pass by without
utilizing it to the utmost. Another grade are the apron-}
hunters, the Don Juans, whose whole existence is an end-
less chain of sensual enjoyment and whose blunted moral I
sense does not keep them from seduction, adultery and
even incest.
Case 11. P., Caretaker, age 53; married; no evi-
72 PSTCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
dence of hereditary taint; no epileptic antecedents; mod-
erate drinker ; no sign of senium precox ; appeared, accord-
ing to the statement of his wife during the whole time of
their married life covering a period of 28 years, hypersex-
ual, extremely libidinous, ever potent, in fact insatiable in
his marital relations. During coitus he became quite bestial
and wild, trembled all over with excitement and panted
heavily. This nauseated the wife who by nature was rather
frigid and rendered the discharge of her conjugal duty a
heavy burden. He worried her with his jealous behaviour,
but he himself soon after the marriage seduced his wife's
sister, an innocent girl, and had a child by her. In 1873 he
took mother and child to his home. He now had two
women, but gave preference to the sister-in-law, which the
wife tolerated as a lesser evil. As years went by his libido
increased, though his potency decreased. He often resorted
to masturbation even immediately after coitus, and with-
out in the least minding the presence of the women. Since
1892 he committed immoral acts with a girl of 16 years,
who was his ward, i.e., puellam coagere solebat, ut eum
masturbaret. He even tried to force her at the point of a
revolver to have coitus with him. The same attempts he
made on his own illegitimate child, so that both often had
to be protected from him. At the clinic he was quiet and
well-behaved. His excuse was hypersexuality. He ac-
knowledged the wrongfulness of his actions, but said ho
could not help himself. The frigidity of the wife had
forced him to commit adultery. There was no disturbance
of his mental faculties, but the ethical elements were ut-
terly wanting. He had several epileptic fits but no signs
of degeneration.
We must concede that the degree of libido sexualis is
subject to rise and fall in the untainted individual, accord-
ing to age, constitutional conditions, mode of life and the
various influences of health and illness of the body, etc.
Sexual desire rapidly increases after puberty, until it
reaches a marked degree ; it is strongest from the twentieth
to the fortieth year, and then slowly decreases. Married
CEREBRAL NEUBO8E8 HYPEBJE8THK8IA.
life seems to preserve and control the instinct v Sexual in-
tercourse with many persons increases the desire.
Since woman has less sexual need than man, a pre-
dominating sexual desire in her arouses a suspicion of its
pathological significance. Those living in large cities, who
are constantly reminded of sexual things and incited to
sexual enjoyment, certainly have more sexual desire than
those living in the country. A dissipated, luxurious, se-
dentary manner of life, preponderance of animal food, and
the consumption of spirits, spices, etc., have a stimulating
influence on the sexual life. In woman the sexual inclina-
tion is post-menstrually increased. At this period, in neu-
ropathic women, the excitement may reach a pathological
degree.
The great libido of consumptives is remarkable, even
during the very latest stages of the disease. Sexual hyper-
testhesia is in my opinion a functional manifestation of de-
generation. Whether it may occur as an acquired, acci-
dental, episodical condition in the untainted is worthy of
scientific research. Excessive libido may be peripherally
or centrally induced. The former manner of origin is the
more infrequent. Pruritus and eczema of the genitals may
cause it, and likewise certain substances, like cantharides,
which powerfully stimulate sexual desire.
Not infrequently in women at the climacteric period
sexual excitement occurs, occasioned by pruritus, and also
in cases where there is neuropathic taint. Magnan ("An-
nales medico-psychol.," 1885, p. 157) reports the case of
a lady who was afflicted in the mornings with attacks of
frightful erethismus genitalis, and the case of a man aged
fifty-five who was tormented at night by unbearable pri-
apism. In each case there was a neurosis.
The central origin of sexual excitement can often be
traced1 in persons having neurotic taint or hysteria and in
'In individuals in whom intense sexual hyperwstheaia is asso-
ciated with acquired irritable weakness of the sexual apparatus, it
happens that simply at the sight of a pleasing female figure, without
peripheral irritation of the genitals, the psycho-sexual centre may
excite into action not only the mechanism of the erection, but alM
74 PSYCIIOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
conditions of psychical exaltation. When the cortex and
the psycho-sexual centre are in a condition of hypenesthesui
(abnormal excitability of the imagination, increased ease
of association), not only visual and tactile impressions, but
also auditory and olfactory sensations, may be sufficient
to call up lascivious conceptions.
Magnan (op. cit.) reports the case of a young woman
who hud an increasing sexual desire from puberty, and
satisfied it by masturbation. Gradually she grew to l>e-
come sexually excited at the sight of any man pleasing to
her ; and, since she was unable to control herself, she would
sometimes shut herself up in a room until the storm had
passed. At last she gave herself up to men of her
choice, that she might get rest from her tormenting desire,
but neither coitus nor masturbation brought relief, and she
went to an asylum.
The case of a mother of five children is added, who, in
despair about her inordinate sexual impulse, attempted
suicide, and then sought an asylum. There her condition
improved, but she never trusted herself to leave it.
There are several illustrative cases in men and women
in the author's article, "On Certain Anomalies of Sexual
Instinct," cases 6 and 7 ("Archiv fur Psychiatrie," vii.,
2).
The two following cases show how powerful, dangerous
and painful sexual hypencsthesia may become in those af-
flicted with this anomaly : —
Case 12. Hypercesthesia sexualis. Masturbatio
coram discipulis in schola.
Z., 36 years of age, father of seven children, president
that of ejaculation. For such individuals, all that is necessary to
induce orgasm or even ejaculation, is to imagine themselves in a
sexual situation with a female that sits opposite them in a railway
carriage or a drtiwincr-room. Hammond (op. cit., p. 40) describee
several cases of this kind that came to him for treatment or subse-
quent impotence, and he mentions that these individuals used the
tc-rm " ideal coitus " for the act. Dr. Moll, of Berlin, told me of a
similar case, and in this instance the same designation was chosen
for the act.
CEREBRAL NEUROSES H YPKR.E8THE8IA. 75
of school, confessed that he committed masturbation in
school whilst sitting at his desk which, however, pn -venn •«!
the act being seen hy tin- pupils as it was encased all
arouii(i. Ho drank more than usual on the preceding
ini:, had been provoked to an^i-r before going to school,
and had ln-en excited by the sight of some very pretty girls
attending his lecture. This produced a violent erection
and led to masturbation. At'u r the act he became conscious
at once of his compromising position, but the thought that
the pupils had not noticed his excitement had helped him to
regain self-possession.
1 1 is previous conduct being without a blemish, the au-
thorities suspected a pathological condition and insisted
upon a medical examination by the author.
The facts elicited were the following: Z. came from
healthy parents. Two close relations were epiletics. At
the age of 13 Z. suffered from a severe concussion of tlio
brain, which produced an acute dementia lasting three
weeks. Since that time frequent spells of irritability and
intolerance of alcohol.
At the age of 16 awakening of vita sexualis with ab-
normal vigor and pronounced sexual emotions. Lascivious
literature and pictures of women produced satisfying ejacu-
lation. From the age of 18 onward he indulged now and
then in coitus. But as a rule the touching of a woman's
arm sufficed to produce orgasm and ejaculation. He mar-
ried at the age of 24 and indulged in coitus three or four
times daily, and besides practised masturbation, coupled
with ideal coitus.
(See footnote on page 73).
With the birth of his fourth child (three years ago) Z.
was forced, for economical reasons, to restrain himself from
sexual intercourse as he despised anticonceptional means.
Tactus feminarum, which produced pollutio diurna, proved
unsatisfactory as did also automasturbation. He suffered
much from incessant sexual excitement, which at the end
of periods of six weeks became so strong that it affected
his mind and will power sensibly. Only masturbation
76 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXITALI8.
kept him from committing sexual violence on women. Ho
became very irritable and easily flew into passion, yelled
and raged about the house and even beat wife and children.
It often happened now that at the height of such a spell
he would fall over and become unconscious, rattling from
the throat in a peculiar manner. After a few minutes he
would recover again with complete amnesia of what had
happened. An attack of this kind had, however, not pre-
ceded the act with which he now stood charged, but had
occurred three days afterward.
Z. was an intelligent, decent man, most penitent and
filled with shame.
He understood quite well that he could no longer teach
at a girl's school and bewailed his unnatural, unbridled
sensuality.
He made no attempt to in any way excuse his action,
but pointed out that his nervous system had been thor-
oughly shaken of late by libido insatiata and overwork (les-
sons up to twelve hours daily).
Vegetative functions normal ; parietal protuberance of
cranium ; genitals large, lax, but normal.
Patellar reflexes much exaggerated.
In my report I pointed out that Z. suffered from a
pathologically exaggerated vita sexualis and most probably
from epilepsy, and had committed the act whilst subject to
a sexual affection which depressed the power of self-con-
trol to a minimum.
Further legal proceedings were withdrawn. Z. was
pensioned off.
Case 13. On llth July, 1884, R., aged thirty-three,
servant, was admitted suffering with paranoia persecutoria
and neurasthenia sexualis. Mother was neuropathic ; father
died of spinal disease. From childhood he had an intense
sexual desire, of which he became conscious as early as his
sixth year. From this age, masturbation; from fifteenth
year, faute de mieux, pederasty ; occasionally, sodomitic in-
dulgences. Later, dbusus coitus in matrimonio cum uxore.
CEBEBRAL NEUROSES - HYPEILK8THE8IA. 77
Now and then even perverse impulse to commit
and t<> administer cantharides to his wife, because her
do did not equal his own. His wife died after a short
period of married life. Patient's circumstances became
straitened, and he had no means to indulge himself sexu-
ally. Then masturbation again ; employment of lingua
canis to induce ejaculation. At times, priapism and con-
ditions approaching satyriasis. He was then driven to
masturbate in order to avoid rape. With gradually pre-
dominating sexual neurasthenia and hypochondria came
beneficial diminution of libido nimia.
A particular species of hypercesthesia sexualis may be
found in females in whom a most impulsive desire for sexu-
al intercourse with certain men imperatively demands
gratification. No doubt "unrequited love" for another man
may often affect the married woman who does not either
psychically or physically (impotentia mariti) experience
connubial satisfaction; but the normal, untainted wife
guided by ethical reasons knows how to conquer herself.
Of course, pathological conditions change the situation.
Fetichism must here be considered. Sexual impulse is
overpowering, at times periodically recurrent. The very
attempt to overcome it produces most painful attacks of
worry and anxiety. This pathological want becomes so
powerful that all considerations of shame, conventionality
and womanly honour simply disappear, and it reveals itself
in the most shameless manner even to the husband, whilst
the normal woman, endowed with full moral consciousness,
knows how to conceal the terrible secret
Magnan ("Psychiatr. Vorlesungen") quotes two strik-
ing instances from his own experience. One is specially
instructive. A young woman, mother of three children,
with a blameless past, but daughter of a lunatic, tells her
husband one day openly that she is in love with a certain
young man and that she would kill herself if her intimate
relations with him were interfered with. She begs per-
mission to live with him for six months in order to quench
78 PSTCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
the fire of her passion, when she would return to her
family again. Husband and children have no place in her
heart with her present love. The husband took her to a
foreign country and placed her there under medical treat-
ment.
This pathological love of married women for other men
is a phenomenon in the domain of psychopathia sexualis
which sadly stands in need of scientific explanation. The
author has had the opportunity of observing five cases be-
longing to this category. The pathological conditions were
paroxysmal, in one case repeatedly recurrent; but always
sharply distinct from the unaffected, healthy period, during
which deep sorrow and contrition over the occurrence were
manifested. But it was the sorrow over an unavoidable
fatality caused by psychically abnormal conditions.
Whilst the pathological conditions lasted, absolute in-
difference, even hatred, prevailed towards husband and
children, and an utter want of understanding the bearings
and consequences of the scandalous behaviour, jeopardising
the honour and dignity of wife and family, were noticeable.
It .is remarkable that in all these cases the husband and
relatives had come to the conclusion that the condition was
caused by psychopathia, even before they had obtained ex-
pert opinion.
As against the "non-psycliopathical" but otherwise ab-
normally libidinous Messalinas, it is well worthy of note
that this sexual aberration is only an episode in the life of
the otherwise honourable woman, and that the illicit inter-
course was of a strictly monogamic character. This, and
particularly the circumstance that the unfortunate woman
was not omnium virorum mulier, but only the mistress of
one man, establishes a distinct difference from nympho-
mania. In three of the cases mentioned above, the grossly
sensual momentum was missing, the real motive for marital
infidelity was to be found in a fetich-like charm, in mental
superior qualities, — in one case the voice of the charmer.
In two cases unmistakable proofs of hypercssthesia
sexualis and of absolute impotence towards the husband
CKRXBRAL NEUROSES PAR.E8TIIEHIA OF FEELING. 79
were found, whilst the merest touch of the other man pro-
duced orgasm, and the sexual act the acme of pleasure. Of
course, in these latter cases absolute sexual abandonment
followed.
D. Par&sthesia of Sexual Feeling (Perversion of the Sex-
ual Instinct).
In this condition there is perverse emotional colouring
of the sexual ideas. Ideas physiologically and psycho-
logically accompanied by feelings of disgust, give rise to
pleasurable sexual feelings; and the abnormal association
finds expression in passionate, uncontrollable emotion. The
practical results are perverse acts (perversion of the sexual
instinct). This is more easily the case if the pleasurable
feelings, increased to passionate intensity, inhibit any op-
posing ideas with corresponding feelings of disgust ; or the
influence of such opposing conceptions may be rendered
impossible on account of the absence or loss of all ideas of
morality, aesthetics and law. This loss, however, is only too
frequently found where the spring well of ethical ideas and
feeling* (a normal sexual instinct) has been poisoned from
the beginning.
With opportunity for the natural satisfaction of the
sexual instinct, every expression of it that does not corre-
spond with the purpose of nature — i.e., propagation — must
be regarded as perverse. The perverse sexual acts resulting
from parsesthesia are of the greatest importance clinically,
socially, and forensically ; and, therefore, they must here
receive careful consideration; all aesthetic and moral dis-
gust must be overcome.
Perversion of the sexual instinct, as will be seen farther
on, is not to be confounded with perversity in the sexual
act; since the latter may be induced by conditions other
than psycho-pathological. The concrete perverse act, mon-
strous as it may be, is clinically ndt decisive. In order
to differentiate between disease (perversion) and vice (per-
versity), one must investigate the whole personality of the
80 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
individual and the original motive leading to the perverse
act Therein will be found the key to the diagnosis (v. in-
fra}.
Partsesthesia may occur in combination with hyperaes-
thesia. This association seems to be frequent clinically.
Sexual acts are then confidently to be expected. The per-
verse direction of sexual activity may be toward sexual
satisfaction with the opposite or the same sex. Thus two
great groups of perversions of sexual life may be distin-
guished.
I. Sexual Inclination Toward Persons of the Opposite
Sex, with Perverse Activity of the Instinct
1. Sadism.1 Association of Active Cruelty and Violence
with Lust.
Sadism, especially in its, rudimentary manifestations,
seems to be of common occurrence in the domain of sexual
perversion. Sadism is the experience of sexual pleasurable
sensations (including orgasm) produced by acts of cruelty,
bodily punishment afflicted on one's own person or when
witnessed in others, be they animals or human beings. It
may also consist of an innate desire to humiliate, hurt,
wound or even destroy others in order thereby to create
sexual pleasure in one's self.
Thus it will happen that one of the consorts in sexual
heat will strike, bite2 or pinch the other, that kissing de-
generates into biting. Lovers and young married couples
are fond of teasing each other, they wrestle together "just
'So named from the notorious Marquis de Bade, whose obscene
novels treat of lust and cruelty. In French literature the expression
" Sadism " has been applied to this perversion. Eulenburg (" Klin.
Handb. der Harn und Sexual -organe ") uses the term "active algo-
lagnia " in connection with these phenomena.
'Moll, Contr. Sexualempfindung, 3d ed., p. 160; Krafft-Ebing
" Arbeit en" iv., p. 106; Idem, Leydcn's German clinic, vi. Sect. 2,
p. 137; Eulenburg, Qrenzfragen des Nerven-und Seelenlebent, uci.
p. 1.
SEXUAL I NCI I N \ ' THE OPPOSITE BEX. 81
for fun," imlulirr in all sorts of horseplay. The transition
from these atavistic manifestations, which no doubt be-
long to the sphere of physiological sexuality, to the most
monstrous acts of destruction of the consort's life can be
readily traced.
Where the husband forces the wife by menaces and
other violent means to the conjugal act, we can no longer
describe such as a normal physiological manifestation, but
; must ascribe it to sadistic impulses. It seems probable
that this sadistic force is developed by the natural shyness
and modesty of woman towards the aggressive manners of
the male, especially during the earlier periods of married
life and particularly where the husband is hypersexual.
Woman no doubt derives pleasure from her innate coyness
and the final victory of man affords her intense and refined
gratification. Hence the frequent recurrence of these little
love comedies.
A further development of these sadistic traces may bo
found in men who demand the sexual act in unusual places,
for this seems to offer an opportunity to him to show his
superiority over woman, to provoke her defense and delight
in her subsequent confusion and abashment
Case 14. One of my patients, hereditarily tainted, a
crank, married to an extremely handsome woman of very
vivacious temperament, became impotent when he saw her
beautiful, pure white skin and her elegant toilet, but was
quite potent with any ordinary wench, no matter how dirty
(Fetichism). But it would happen that during a lonely
walk with her in the country he would suddenly force her
to have coitus in a meadow, or behind a shrub. The
stronger she refused the more excited he became with per-
fect potency. The same would happen in places where
there was a risk of being discovered in the act, for instance,
in the railway train, in the lavatory of a restaurant. But
at home in his own bed he was quite devoid of cupido.
In the civilized man of to-day, in so far as he is un-
tainted, associations between lust and cruelty are found,
ft
82 PSYC1IOPATHIA SKXUALIS.
but in a weak and rather rudimentary degree. If such
therefore occur and in fact even light atrocious manifesta-
tions thereof, they must be attributed to distorted disposi-
tions (sexual and motoric spheres).
They are due to an awakening of latent psychical dispo-
sitions, occasioned by external circumstances which in no
wise affect the normal individual. They are not accidental
deviations of sentiment or instinct in the sense as given by
the modern doctrine of association. Sadistic
may often be traced back to early childhood and exist
ing a period of life when their revival can by no manner
of means be attributed to external impressions, much less to
sexual temper. ,
Sadism must, therefore, like Masochism and the anti-
pathic sexual instinct, be counted among the originary
anomalies of the vita sexualis. It is a disturbance (a de-
viation) in the evolution of psvchosexual processes sprout-
ing from the soil of psychical degeneration.
That lust and cruelty often occur together is a fact that
has long been recognised and is frequently observed. Wri-
ters of all kinds have called attention to this phenomenon.1
Blumroder ("Ueber Irresein," Leipzig, 1836, p. 51)
saw a man who had several wounds in the pectoral muscle,
which a woman, in great sexual excitement, had bitten at
the acme of lustful feeling during coitus. The same authoi*
("Ueber Lust und Schmerz," Friedreich's "Magazin fiir
Seelenkunde, 1830, ii., 5) calls especial attention to the
psychological connection between lust and murder. In re-
lation to This, he especially refers to the Indian myths of
Siva and Durga (Death and Lust) ; to human sacrifice with
voluptuous mysteries; and to sexual instinct at puberty
with a lustful impulse to suicide, with whipping, pinching,
and pricking of the genitals, in the blind impulse to satisfy
sexual desire. Lombroso ("Verzeni e Agnoletti," Rome,
1 Cf. also Alfred de Musset's famous verses to the Andalusian
girl : — " Qu'elle est superbe en son de"sordre — quand elle tombe les
seins nus — Qu'on la voit, bfente, ec tordre — dans un baiser de r&fr» et
mordre —
En hurlant dea mots inconnus!"
SEXUAL INCLINATION T"WAKI> TUB OPPOSITE SEX. 83
1874) also cites numerous . .samples <»f tin- occurrence of a
• munler with ^ivatlv increased lust.
Hall quotes in hi* "( 'Unique St. Anne" the case of a
powerful epileptic who during coitus bit off pieces of his
consort's nose and swallowed them.
Ferrlnni ( Archiv. delle p.-icopatie sessuali I. 1896, p.
100) speaks of a young man who used to wrestle with his
famorata before coitus, bit and pinched her during the
t "because he felt otherwise no gratification." One day,
however, he hurt the girl too much and she brought an ac-
tion against him.
On the other hand, when homicidal mania has been ex-
^cited, lust often follows. Lombroso (op.' dt.) alludes to
the fact mentioned by Mantegazza, that to the terrors of
spoliation and plunder by bandits generally are added those
of brutal lust and rape.1 These examples form transitions
to the pronounced pathological cases.
The examples of the degenerate Ca^ars (Nero, Tiberi-
us) are also instructive. They took delight in having
youths and maidens slaughtered before their eyes. Not less
so is the history of that monster, Marschalls Grilles de Rays
(Jacob, "Curiosites de 1'histoire de France," Paris, 1858),
who was executed in 1440, on account of mutilation and
murder, which he had practised for eight years on more
than 800 children. As the monster confessed it, it was
from reading Suetonius and the descriptions of the orgies
of Tiberius, Caracalla, etc., that the idea was joined of
locking children in his castles, torturing them, and then
killing them. This inhuman wretch confessed that in the
commission of these acts he enjoyed inexpressible pleasure.
He had two assistants. The bodies of the unfortunate chil-
the excitement of battle the idea of lust forces its way
into consciousness. Cf. the description of a battle, by a soldier, by
(irillfiarzer: —
" And as the signal rang out, the armies met, breast to breast —
lu«t of the gods — here, there, the murderous steel slays enemy,
<;ivni and taken — death and lift — with wavering change-
wildly raging in frenzy" ("Dream a Life," ^ct ».).
84 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALJ8.
dren were burned, and only a number of heads of partic-
ularly beautiful children were preserved — as memorials.
Cf. Eulenburg, op. cit. p. 58, where he gives satisfac-
tory proofs of Rays' insanity ; also, in "Die Zukunft,
vii., Jahrg. No. 26; — Bossard et Maulle, Gilles de Rays,
dit Barbe-Bleu, Paris, 1886 (Champion) ; Michelet, hj^-
toire de France, Tome vi., p. 316-326; Bibliotheque de
Criminologie, t. xix., Paris, 1899, p. 245.
In an attempt to explain the association of lust
cruelty, it is necessary to return to a consideration of the
quasi-physiological cases, in which, at the moment of most
intense lust, very excitable individuals, who are otherwise
normal, commit such acts as biting and scratching, which
are usually due to anger. It must further be remembered
that love and anger are not only the most intense emotions,
but also the only two forms of robust (sthenic) emotion.
Both seek their object, try to possess themselves of it, and
naturally exhaust themselves in a physical effect on it;
both throw the psycho-motor sphere into the most intense
excitement, and thus, by means of this excitation, reach
their normal expression.
From this standpoint it is clear how lust impels to
acts that otherwise are expressive of anger.1 The one, like
the other, is a state of exaltation, an intense excitation of
the entire psycho-motor sphere. Thus there arises an im-
pulse to react on the object that induces the stimulus, in
every possible way, and with the greatest intensity. Juat
as maniacal exaltation easily passes to raging destructive-
ness, so exaltation of the sexual emotion often induces an
impulse to spend itself in senseless and apparently harm-
ful acts. To a certain extent these are psychical accom-
paniments; but it is not simply an unconscious excitation
of innervation of muscles (which also sometimes occurs as
blind violence) ; it is a true hyperbole, a desire to exert
*8chulz ("Wiener Med. Wochenschrift," No. 49, 1869) reports a
remarkable case of a man, aged twenty-eight, who could perform
coitus with his wife only after working himself into an artificial fit
of anger.
•JUCUAL INCLINATION TOWARD THE OPPOSITE SEX. 85
the utmost possible effect upon the individual giving rise to
the stimulus. The most intense means, however, is the in-
fliction of pain.
Through such cases of infliction of pain during the most
intense emotion of lust, we approach the cases in which a
jeml injury, wound, or death is inflicted on the victim.1 In
eases the impulse to cruelty which may accompany the
emotion of lust, becomes unbounded in a psychopathic in-
Dividual; and, at the same time, owing to defect of moral
feeling, all nonnal inhibitory ideas are absent or weak-
ened.
Such monstrous, sadistic acts have, however, in men,
in whom they are much more frequent than in women,
another source in physiological conditions. In the inter-
course of the sexes, the active or aggressive role belongs to
man ; woman remains passive, defensive.* It affords man
great pleasure to win a woman, to conquer her; and in tho
or* amandi, the modesty of woman, who keeps herself on
the defensive until the moment of surrender, is an element
of great psychological significance and importance. Under
normal conditions man meets obstacles which it is his part
to overcome, and for which nature has given him an ag-
gressive character. This aggressive character, however,
under pathological conditions may likewise be excessively
developed, and express itself in an impulse to subdue abso-
lutely the object of desire, even to destroy or kill it.*
'Concerning analogous acts in rutting animals, vide Lombroso,
•The Criminal."
'Among animals it is always the male who pursues the female
with proffers of love. Playful or actual flight of the female is not
Infrequently observed ; and then the relation is like that between the
beast of prey and the victim.
•The conquest of woman takes place to-day in the social form of
courting, in seduction and deception, etc. From the history of civili
sation and anthropology we know that there have been times, as
there are savages to-day that practice it, where brutal force, robbery,
or even blows that rendered a woman powerless, were made use ot
to obtain loves desire. It is possible that tendencies to such out-
breaks of sadism are atavistic
In the " JahrbUcher itir Psychologic,'' ii., p. 128, 8cMf«r (Jena)
refers to the reports of two ca»e» by A. Payer. In the first
86 PSYCHOPATHIA SKXl'ALIS.
If both these constituent elements occur together — the
abnormally intensified impulse to. a violent reaction toward
the object of the stimulus, and the abnormally intensified
desire to conquer the woman ; — then the most violent out-
breaks of sadism occur.
Sadism is thus nothing else than an excessive and mon-
strous pathological intensification of phenomena, — possible,
too, in normal conditions in rudimental forms, — which ac-
company the psychical vita sexualis, particularly in males.
It is of course not at all necessary, and not even the rule,
that the sadistic individual should be conscious of his in-
stinct. What he feels is, as a rule, only the impulse to cruel
arid violent treatment of the opposite sex, and the colouring
of the idea of such acts with lustful feelings. Thus arises
a powerful impulse to commit the imagined deeds. In as
far as the actual motives of this instinct are not compre-
hended by the individual, the sadistic acts have the char-
acter of impulsive deeds.
When the association of lust and cruelty is present, not
only does the lustful emotion awaken the impulse to
cruelty, but vice versa; cruel ideas and acts of cruelty cause
sexual excitement, and in this way are used by perverse
individuals.1
states of great sexual excitement were induced by the sight of bat-
tles or of paintings of them; in the second, by cruel torturing of
small animals. It is added : " The pleasure of battle and murder is
so predominantly an attribute of the male sex throughout the animal
kingdom that there can be no question about the close relation exist-
ing between this side of the masculine character and male sexuality.
1 believe, too, that by unprejudiced observation I can show that, in
men who are mentally and physically absolutely normal, the first
indefinite and incomprehensible precursors of sexual excitement may
be induced by the reading of exciting scenes of the chase and war —
t. e., they give rise to unconscious longings for a kind of satisfaction
in warlike games (wrestling), in which the fundamental sexual im-
pulse to the most perfect and intense contact with a companion is
expressed, with the secondary thought of conquest more or less
clearly defined."
* It sometimes happens that an accidental sight of blood, etc.,
puts into motion the preformed psychical mechanism of the sadistic
individual and awakens the instinct,
SEXUAL. IN'CLINA , -1TK 8KZ. 87
A differentiation of original and acquired cases of sad-
ism is scarcely possible. Many individuals, tainted ab
origine, for a long time do everything to conquer the per-
verse instinct If they are potent, they are able for some
time to lead a normal vita scxualis, often with the assist-
ance of fanciful ideas of a perverse nature. Later, when
the opposing motives of an ethical and aesthetic kind have
been gradually overcome, and when oft-repeated experience
has proved the natural act to give but incomplete satisfac-
tion, the abnormal instinct suddenly bursts forth. Owing
to this late expression, in acts, of an originally perverse dis-
position, the appearances are those of an acquired perver-
sion. As a rule, it may be safely assumed that this psycho-
pathic state exists ab origine.
Sadistic acts vary in monstrousness according to the
power exercised by the perverse instinct over the individual
thus afflicted, and in accordance with the strength of op-
posing ideas that may be present, which nearly always are
more or less weakened by original ethical defects, heredi-
tary degeneracy, or moral insanity. Thus there arises a
long series of forms which begins with capital crime and
ends with paltry acts affording merely symbolic satisfaction
to the perverse desires of the sadistic individual.
Sadistic acts may be further differentiated according
to their nature; either taking place after consummated
coitus which leaves the libido nimia unsatisfied; or, with
diminished virility, being undertaken to merely stimulate
the diminished power; or, finally, where virility is abso-
lutely wanting, as becoming simply an equivalent for im-
possible coitus, and for the induction of ejaculation. In
the last two cases, notwithstanding impotence, there is still
intense libido; or there was, at least, intense libido in the
individual at the time when the sadistic acts became a
habit. Sexual hypenesthesia must always be regarded as
the basis of sadistic inclinations. The impotence which oc-
curs BO frequently in psychopathic and neuropathic indi-
viduals here considered, resulting from excesses practised
in early youth, is usually dependent upon spinal
SS P8YCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIB.
Often, too, there is a kind of psychical impotence, super-
induced by concentration of thought on the perverse act
with simultaneous fading of theidea of normal satisfaction.
No matter what the external form of the act may be, the
mentally perverse predisposition and instinct of the indi-
vidual are essential to an understanding of it.
(a) Lust-Murder1 (Lust Potentiated as Cruelty, Murder-
ous Lust Extending to Anthropophagy}.
The most horrible example, and one which most point-
edly shows the connection between lust and a desire to kill,
is the case of Andreas Bichel, which Feuerbach published
in his "Aktenmassige Darstellung merkwiirdiger Ver-
brechen".
B. puellas stupratas necavit et dissecuit. With reference
to one of his victims, at his examination he expressed him-
self as follows: "I opened her breast and with a knife
cut through the fleshy parts of the body. Then I arranged
the body as a butcher does beef, and hacked it with an axe
into pieces of a size to fit the hole which I had dug up in the
mountain for burying it. I may say that while opening
the body I was so greedy that I trembled, and could have
cut out a piece and eaten it."
Lombroso, too ("Geschlechtstrieb und Verbrechen in
ihren gegenseitigen Beziehungen". "Goltdammer's Archiv."
Bd. xxx.), mentions cases falling in the same category. A
certain Phillipe indulged in strangling prostitutes, post
actum, and said : "I am fond of women, but it is sport for
me to strangle them after having enjoyed them".
A certain Grassi (Lombroso, op. dt., p. 12) was one
night seized with sexual desire for a relative. Irritated by
her remonstrance, he stabbed her several times in the ab-
C/. " Metzger't ger. Arzneiw., herausgegeben von Remer," p
539; " Klein's Annalen," x., p. 176; xviii., p. 311; Heinroth, " Syatem
der psych. Med.," p. 270; Never Pitaval, 1855, 23 Th. ("Fall
Blaize Ferragc").
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWARD TIIK OPPOSITE BEX. 89
n with a knife, and also murdered her father and
imrl<- who attempted to hold him hack. Immediately there-
after lie hastened to visit a prostitute in order to cool in
her embrace his sexual passion. But this was not sufficient,
for he then murdered his own father and slaughtered sev-
eral oxen in the stable.
1 1 cannot be doubted, after the foregoing, that a great
number of so-called lust murders depend upon combined
hypewesthesia and partrsthcsia sexualis. As a result of
this perverse colouring of the feelings, further acts of
bestiality with the corpse may result — e.g., cutting it up
and wallowing in the intestines. The case of Bichel points
to this possibility.
A modern example is that of Menesclou ("Annales
d'hygiene publique"), who was examined by Lasegue,
Brouardel and Motet, declared to be mentally sound, and
executed.
Case 15. A four-year-old girl was missing from her
parents' home, 15th April, 1880. On 16th April, Menes-
clou, one of the occupants of the house, was arrested. The
forearm of the child was found in his pocket, and the head
and entrails, in a half-charred condition, were taken from
the stove. Other parts of the body were found in the water-
closet The genitals could not be found. M., when asked
their whereabouts, became embarrassed. The circum-
stances, as well as an obscene poem found on his person,
left no doubt that he had violated the child and then mur-
dered her. M. expressed no remorse, asserting that his deed
was an unhappy accident. His intelligence was limited.
He presented no anatomical signs of degeneration; some-
what deaf and scrofulous.
Age twenty.
Convulsions at the age of nine months. Later he suf-
fered from disturbed sleep (enuresis nocturna) ; was nerv-
ous, and developed tardily and imperfectly. With puberty
he became irritable, showed evil inclinations, was lazy, in-
tractable, and in all trades proved to be of no use. He grew
90 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
no better even in the House of Correction. He was made a
marine, but there, too, he proved useless. When he re-
turned home he stole from his parents, and spent his time
in bad company. He did not run after women, but gave
himself up passionately to masturbation, and occasionally
indulged in sodomy with bitches. His mother suffered with
mania menstrualis periodica. An uncle was insane, and
another a drunkard. The examination of M.'s brain showed
morbid changes of the frontal lobes, of the first and second
temporal convolutions, and of a part of the occipital con-
volutions.
Case 16. Alton, a clerk in England, went for a
walk out of town. He lured a child into a thicket. After-
wards at his office he made this entry in his note-book:
"Killed to-day a young girl; it was fine and hot." Tho
child was missed, searched for, and found cut into pieces.
Many parts, and among them the genitals, could not be
found. A. did not show the slightest trace of emotion, and
gave no explanation of the motive or circumstances of his
horrible deed. He was a psychopathic individual, and oc-
casionally subject to fits of depression with tcedium vitce.
His father had had an attack of acute mania. A near rela-
tive suffered from mania with homicidal impulses. A. was
executed.
Case 17. Jack the Kipper. — On December 1, 1887,
July 7, August 8, September 30, one day in the month of
October and on the 9th of November, 1888 ; on the 1st of
June, the 17th of July and the 10th of September, 1889,
the bodies of women were found in various lonely quarters
of London ripped open and mutilated in a peculiar fashion.
The murderer has never been found. It is probable that he
first cut the throats of his victims, then ripped open the
abdomen and groped among the intestines. In some in-
stances he cut off the genitals and carried them away; in
others he only tore them to pieces and left them behind.
He does not seem to have had sexual intercourse with his
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWAED THE OPPOSITE SEX. 91
victims, but vary likely the murderous act and subsequent
mutilation of the corpse were equivalents for the sexual
act. (McDonald, le criminal type, 2 edit., Lyon, 1884 ; —
Spitzka, The Journal of Mental and Nervous Diseases,
1§88, December; — Kierman, The Medical Standard, 1888,
Nov. and Dec.)
Case 18. Vacher, the Ripper. — On the 31st August,
1895, Portalier, seventeen years old, a shepherd, was
found naked in the field. The belly was ripped open and
the body bore other wounds besides. Examination showed
that the victim had been strangled first. On the 4th
August, 1897, a tramp, named Vacher, was arrested on
suspicion of having committed this crime. lie confessed
to it as well as to numerous other acts of a similar nature
that had been perpetrated in various parts of France since
1894. He claimed that at the time when he committed the
crimes he suffered from temporary insanity and irresistible
impulse, in fact, was a madman. Medical examination,
however, proved that Vacher was mentis compos when he
committed these atrocious deeds, fled after their commis-
sion and had a very clear memory of the facts.
V. was born in 18G9 of honourable parents and be-
longed to a mentally sound family. He never had a severe
illness, was from his earliest infancy vicious, lazy and shy
of work. When twenty he had immorally assaulted a small
child. During his military service he had gained for him-
self a very bad reputation and was in 1893 discharged from
his regiment on account of "psychical disturbances" (con-
fused talk, persecution-mania, threatening language, ex-
treme irritability). In 1893 he wounded a girl because
she refused to marry him, then made an attempt at suicide
(he shot himself through the right ear, which left him deaf
on that side and produced facial paralysis). He was sent
to an insane asylum and there treated for persecution-
mania. On April 1, 1894, he was dismissed as cured. He
began to tramp about the country and committed the fol-
lowing horrible crimes: On March 20, 1894, he strangled
92 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
Delhomme, twenty-one years old, cut her throat, trampled
upon her abdomen, tore out a portion of her right breast
and then had coitus with the corpse. The same atrocity,
but without ravaging the bodies, he committed on Novem-
ber 20, 1894, on a girl of the name of Marcel, 13 years
of age, and on May 12, 1895, on another girl named
Mortureux, 17 years of age. On August 24, 1895, he
strangled and then ravaged a lady of the name of Morand,
58 years old, and on the 22d he cut the throat of Allaise,
a sixteen year old girl and attempted to rip her abdomen
open. On September 29, he committed the same crime —
as later on on Portalier — on Palet, a fifteen-year-old boy,
but in this instance he also cut off the genitals of the boy
and sexually assaulted the corpse.
On the 1st of March, 1896, he attempted rape on
Deronet, a girl eleven years old, but was scared off by
the field police. On the 10th of September, he committed
his usual atrocity on a Mrs. Mounier, just married, nine-
teen years of age, and on the 1st of October, on Rodier, a
shepherdess, fourteen years of age. He cut out her genitals
and carried them away. Toward the end of May, 1897,
he killed a tramp boy, fourteen years old, named Beaupied,
by cutting his throat. The corpse he threw down into a
well. On June 18th he murdered a shepherd boy, thirteen
years old, named Laurent, and committed pederasty on
the corpse. Soon afterward he made an attempt on a
Mrs. Plantier, but she was rescued. Unfortunately they
allowed him to go unpunished.
Lacassagne, Professor of Forensic Medicine in Lyon,
Pierrel, Professor of Psychiatry, and Rebatel, specialist
on insanity, were the experts in this atrocious murder
trial. They found no hereditary taints, no cerebral dis-
ease, nor traces of epilepsy. V. was not particularly bright,
very irascible from his earliest years, vicious and fond of
maltreating animals. No one retained him long in service.
He entered a monastery, but was soon dismissed as he
began to masturbate his comrades. He could not find em-
ployment on account of immorality and ill temper. He
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWABD THE OPPOSITE SEX. 93
was not a drinker. In the army he was feared and
shunned. One day when he was disappointed by not be-
ing made a corporal, he flew into a passion, attacked his
superior and became delirious. He was taken to the in-
firmary and thence sent to the insane asylum. His com-
rades did not consider him normal. During his spells of
rage he was uncontrollable and considered dangerous.
He always threatened others with cutting their throats, and
was thought capable of doing such an act. He slept badly,
constantly dreamed of murder, and often was delirious dur-
ing the night, so that no one cared for sleeping near him.
At the asylum he was found to suffer from persecution-
mania and was considered a dangerous character. Never-
theless he was dismissed as cured.
Subsequently he became guilty of eleven murdeve,
which are acts of sadism, lust murders. They consisted of
strangling, cutting of the throat and ripping open of the
abdomen, mutilation of the corpse, especially the genitals,
eventually gratification of the sexual lust on the corpse.
It was definitely proved that V. acted in cold blood,
was quite conscious of his actions and suffered from no
psychical abnormality.
He committed the crimes in various sections of France,
traversing the country in every direction.
There were no marks of anatomical degeneration. His
genitals were normally developed. In confinement he was
lazy, irascible and quite intractable. Out of sheer stub-
bornness and because he thought he had been slighted, he
refused on one occasion all food for a period of seven
days. On another occasion he flew into a frightful rage
when permission to go to church was refused him. He
spoke cynically of his crimes, showed no remorse, insisted
that they were the outcome of madness and insanity,
played the insane, hoping thus to be sent to an insane asy-
lum whence escape is easier. The experts could establish
no symptoms of mental disturbance.
Resume of the experts: — "V. is neither an epileptic
nor subject to an impulsive disease. He is an immoral,
94 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
passionate man, who once temporarily suffered from a
depressing persecution-mania, coupled with an impulse to
suicide. Of this he was cured, a'nd thereafter became re-
sponsible for his actions. His crimes are those of an
antisocial, sadistic, bloodthirsty being, who considers him-
self privileged to commit these atrocities because he was
once upon a time treated in an asylum for insanity, and
thereby escaped well merited punishment. He is a com-
mon criminal and there are no ameliorating circumstances
to be found in his favour." — V. was sentenced to death.
(Archives d' anthropologie criminelle, xiii., No. 78.)
In such cases it may even happen that appetite for the
flesh of the murdered victim arises, and in consequence of
this perverse colouring of the idea, parts of the body may
be eaten.
Case 19. Leger, vine-dresser, aged twenty-four.
From youth moody, silent, shy of people. He started out
in search of a situation. Wandering about eight days in
the forest he there caught a girl twelve years old? violated
her, mutilated her genitals, tore out her heart, ate of it,
drank the blood, and buried the remains. Arrested, at
first he lied, but finally confessed his crime with cynical
cold-bloodedness. He" listened to his sentence of death
with indifference, and was executed. At the post-mortem
examination Esquirol found morbid adhesions between the
cerebral membranes and the brain (Georgei, "Darstellung
der Prozesse Leger, Feldtmann" etc., Darmstadt, 1827).
Case 20. Tirsch, hospital beneficiary of Prag, aged
fifty-five, always silent, peculiar, coarse, very irritable,
grumbling, revengeful, was sentenced to twenty years'
imprisonment for violating a girl ten years old. He had
attracted attention on account of outbursts of anger from
insignificant causes, and also on account of tcedium vitcc.
In 1864, on account of the refusal of an offer of marriage
which he made to a widow, he developed a hatred toward
women, and on the 8th of July he went about with the
SEXUAL 1N< UNA TK'N T<i\VAItI> THE OPPO-- . 95
intention of killing ono of this hated sex. Vetulam <>•
rentem in silvam allcxit, coitum, poposcit, renit<-n(rm pros-
travit, jn</ulum fcminw compfessit "furore captus". Cad-
aver virya bctulcB desecta verberare voluit nequetamen id
perfecit, quia conscientia sua haec fieri vctuit. culti'llu
mammas et genitalia desecta domi coda proximis diebus
cum globis comedit. On the 12th of September, when he
was arrested, the remains of this meal were found. He
gave as the motive of this act "inner impulse." He him-
self wished to be executed, because he had always been an
outcast. In confinement he showed great emotional irrita-
bility and occasional outbursts of fury, preceded by refusal
of food, which made isolation, lasting several days, neces-
sary. It. was authoritatively established that the most of
his earlier excesses were coincident with outbreaks of ex-
citement and fury (Maschka, "Prager Vierteljahrsschrift,"
1866, i., p. 79. "Gauster bei Maschka, Handb. dor
gerichtl. Medicin," iv., p. 489).
In other cases of lust-murder, for physical and mental
reasons (vide supra), violation is omitted, and the sadistic
crime alone becomes the equivalent of coitus. The pro-
totype of such cases is the following one of Verzeni. The
life of his victim hung on the rapid or retarded occurrence
of ejaculation. Since this remarkable case presents all
the peculiarities which modern science knows concerning
the relation of lust to lust-murder with anthropophagy,
and especially since it was carefully studied, it receives
detailed description here: —
Case 21. Vincenz Verzeni, born in 1849 ; since Jan-
uary llth, 1872, in prison; was accused (1) of an attempt
to strangle his nurse Marianne, four years ago, while she
lay sick in bed; (2) of a similar attempt on a married
woman, Arsuffi, aged twenty-seven; (3) of an attempt to
strangle a married woman, Gala, by grasping her throat
while kneeling on her abdomen; (4) on suspicion of the
fallowing murders: —
96 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
In December a fourteen-year-old girl, Johanna Motta,
set out for a neighbouring village between seven and eight
o'clock in the morning. As she did not return, her master
set out to find her, and discovered her body near the village,
lying by a path in the fields. The corpse was frightfully
mutilated with numerous wounds. The intestines and
genitals had been torn from the open body, and were found
near by. The nakedness of the body and erosions on the
thighs made it seem probable that there had been an
attempt at rape; the mouth, filled with earth, pointed to
suffocation. In the neighbourhood of the body, under a
pile of straw, were found a portion of flesh torn from the
right calf, and pieces of clothing. The perpetrator of
the deed remained undiscovered.
On 28th August, 1871, a married woman, Frigeni, aged
twenty-eight, set out into the fields early in the morning
As she did not return by eight o'clock, her husband started
out to fetch her. He found her a corpse, lying naked in
the field, with the mark of a thong around her neck, with
which she had been strangled, and with numerous: wounds.
The abdomen had been ripped open, and the intestines
were hanging out.
On August 29th, at noon, as Maria Previtali, aged
nineteen, went through a field, she was followed by her
cousin, Verzeni. He dragged her into a field of grain,
threw her to the ground and began to choke her. As he let
go of her for a moment to ascertain whether any one was
near, the girl got up and, by her supplicating entreaty, in-
duced Verzeni to let her go, after he had pressed her hands
together for some time.
Verzeni was brought before a court. He was then
twenty-two years old. Cranium of more than average size,
but asymmetrical. The right frontal bone narrower and
lower than the left, the right frontal prominence being less
developed, and the right ear smaller than the left (by 1
centimetre in length and 3 centimetres in breadth) ; both
ears defective in the inferior half of the helix; the right
temporal artery somewhat atheromatous. Bull-necked;
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWARD Till OPPOOT1 SEX. 97
development of the zygomw ami inferior maxilla ;
[)« nis greatly developed, franium wanting; slight divergent
alternating st raltisimis ( insiitiiricncy of tin- internal rectus
musolf, and myopia): Lombroso concluded from these
signs of degeneration, that there was a congenital a
of development of tlic riijht frontal bone. As seemed
probable, Verzeni had a bad ancestry — two uncles were
cretins; a third, microcephalic, beardless, one testicle
wanting, the other atrophic. The father showed traces
of pellagrons degeneration, and had an attack of hypo-
chondria pellagrosa. A cousin suffered from cerebral
hypenemia ; another was a confirmed thief.
Verzeni's family was bigoted and low-minded. He him-
self had ordinary intelligence; knew how to defend himself
well ; sought to prove an alibi and cast suspicion on others.
There was nothing in his past that pointed to mental dis-
ease, but his character was peculiar. He was silent and
inclined to be solitary. In prison he was cynical. He
masturbated, and made every effort to gain sight of women.
Verzeni finally confessed his deeds and their motive.
The commission of them gave him an indescribably
pleasant (lustful) feeling, which was accompanied by erec-
tion and ejaculation. As soon as he had grasped his vic-
tim by the neck, sexual sensations were experienced. It
was entirely the same to him, with reference to these sen-
sations, whether the women were old, young, ugly, or
beautiful. Usually, simply choking them had satisfied
him, and he then had allowed his victims to live; in the
two cases mentioned, the sexual satisfaction was delayed,
and he had continued to choke them until they died. The
gratification experienced in this garrotting was greater
than in masturbation. The abrasions of the skin on Motta'a
thighs were produced by his teeth, whilst sucking her
blood in most intense lustful pleasure. He had torn out
a piece of flesh from her calf and taken it with him to
roast at home; but on the way he hid it under the straw-
?tack, for fear his mother might suspect him. He also
carried pieces of the clothing and intestines some distance,
7
98 PSYCHOPATHIA SKXK AI.IS.
because it gave him great pleasure to smell and touch
them. The strength which -he possessed in these moments
of intense lustful pleasure was enormous. He had never
been a fool ; while committing his deeds he saw nothing
around him (apparently as a result of intense sexual ex-
citement, annihilation of perception — instinctive action).
After such acts he was always very happy, enjoying a
feeling of great satisfaction. He had never had pangs of
conscience. It had never occurred to him to touch the
genitals of the martyred women, or to violate his victims.
It had satisfied him to throttle them and suck their blood.
These statements of this modern vampire seem to rest on
truth. Normal sexual impulses seem to have remained
foreign to him. Two sweethearts that he had, he was
satisfied to look at; it was very strange to him that he
had no inclination to strangle them or press their hands,
but he had not had the same pleasure with them as with
his victims. There was no trace of moral sense, remorse
and the like.
Verzeni said himself that it would be a good thing if
he were to be kept in prison, because with freedom he
could not resist his impulses. Verzeni was sentenced to
imprisonment for life (Lombroso, "Verzeni e Agnoletti,"
Rome, 1873). The confessions which Verzeni made after
his sentence are interesting: —
"I had an unspeakable delight in strangling women, ex-
periencing during the act erections and real sexual pleas-
ure. It was even a pleasure only to smell female clothing.
The feeling of pleasure while strangling them was much
greater than that which I experienced while masturbating.
I took great delight in drinking Motta's blood. It also
gave me the greatest pleasure to pull the hair-pins out of
the hair of my victims.
"I took the clothing and intestines, because of the
pleasure it gave me to smelt and touch them. At last my
mother came to suspect me, because she noticed spots of
semen on my shirt after each murder or attempt at one.
I am not crazy, but in the moment of strangling my victims
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWARD THE OPPOSITE BEX. 99
I saw nothing else. After the commission of the deeds I
was satisfied and felt well. It never occurred to me to
touch or look at the genitals or such things. It satisfied
me to seize the women by the neck and suck their blood.
To this very day I am ignorant of how a woman is formed.
During the strangling and after it, I pressed myself on
the entire body without thinking of one part more than
another."
Verzeni arrived at his perverse acts quite indepen-
dently, after having noticed, when he was twelve years
old, that he experienced a peculiar feeling of pleasure
while wringing the necks of chickens. After this he had
often killed great numbers of them and then sa*id that a
weasel had been in the hen-coop (Lombroso, "Goltdammer's
Archiv," Bd. xxx., p. 13).
Lonibroso mentions an analogous case ("Goltdammer's
Archiv") which occurred in Vittoria (Spain) : —
Case 22. A certain Gruyo, aged forty-one, with a
blameless past life, having been three times married,
strangled six women in the course of ten years. They
were almost all public prostitutes and quite old. After
the strangling he tore out their intestines and kidneys per
vaginam. Some of his victims he violated before killing,
others,, on account of the occurrence of impotence, he did
not. He set about his horrible deeds with such care that
he remained undetected for ten years.
(b) Mutilation of Corpses.
Following on the preceding horrible group of perver-
sions, come naturally the necrophiles; in these cases, just
as with lustful murderers and analogous cases, an idea
which in itself awakens a feeling of horror, and before
which a sane person would shudder, is accompanied by
lustful feelings, and thus leads to the impulse to indulge
in acts of necrophilia.
100 PSYCHOPATlliA BJSJJS.CTALIS.
The cases of mutilation of bodies mentioned in litera-
ture seem to be of a pathological character; but, with the
exception of that of Sergeant Bertrand (v. infra), they
are far from being described and observed with accuracy.
In certain cases there may be nothing more than the
possibility that unbridled desire sees in the idea of death
no obstacle to its satisfaction. The seventh case mentioned
by Moreau, perhaps, belongs here.
A man, aged twenty-three, attempted to rape a woman,
aged fifty-three. Struggling, he killed her, and then vio-
lated her, threw her in the water, and fished her out again
for renewed violation. The murderer was executed. The
meninges of the anterior lobes were thickened and ad-
herent to the cortex.
French writers have recorded numerous examples of
necrophilia.1 Two cases concerned monks performing
the watch for the dead. In a third case the subject was
an idiot, who also suffered from periodical mania, and
after commission of rape was sent to an insane asylum,
where he mutilated female bodies in the mortuary.
In other cases, however, there is undoubtedly direct
preference for a corpse to the living woman. When no
other act of cruelty — cutting into pieces, etc. — is practised
on the cadaver, it is probable that the lifeless condition
itself forms the stimulus for the perverse individual. It
is possible that the corpse — a human form absolutely
without will — satisfies an abnormal desire, in that the
object of desire is seen to be capable of absolute subjuga-
tion, without possibility of resistance.
Brierre de Boismont ("Gazette medicale," July 21st,
1859) relates the history of a corpse-violator who, after
bribing the watchman, had gained entrance to the corpse
of a girl of sixteen belonging to a family of high social
position. At night a noise was heard in the death-
chamber, as if a piece of furniture had fallen over. The
^Michea, Union m4d. 1849, — Brierre, Gaz. mgd. 1849, July 21;
Moreau (op. eit. ) p. 250, — Epaulard, "Vampyrisme ( n&jrophilie,
nficrosadism, ngcrophagie ) , Lyon, 1901.
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWAED THE OPPOSITE SEX. 101
mother of the dead girl effected an entrance and saw a
man dressed in his night-shirt springing from the bed
where the body lay. It was at first thought that the man
was a thief, but the real explanation was soon discovered.
It afterwards transpired that the culprit, a man of good
family, had often violated the corpses of young women.
He was sentenced to imprisonment for life.
The story of a prelate, reported by Tcuril1 ("La prosti-
tution contemporaine," p. 171), is of great interest as an
example of necrophilia. From time to time he would
visit a certain brothel in Paris and order a prostitute,
dressed in white like a corpse, to be laid out on a bier.
At the appointed hour he would appear in the room,
which, in the meantime had been elaborately prepared as
a room of mourning; then he would act as if reading a
mass for the soul, and finally throw himself upon the
girl, who, during the whole time, was compelled to play
the role of a corpse.1
The cases in which the perpetrator injures and cuts
up the corpse are clearer. Such cases come next to those
of lust-murder, in so far as cruelty, or at least an impulse
to attack the female body, is connected with lust. It is
possible that a remnant of moral sense deters from the
cruel act on a living woman, and possibly the fancy passes
beyond lust-murder and rests on its result, the corpse.
Here also it is possible that the idea of defenselessness of
the body plays a role.
Case 23. Sergeant Bertrand, a man of delicate phy-
1A similar case is related by Neri (" Archivio delle psicopatie
sessuali," 189G, p. 109). A man, fifty years of age, used in a Lupanar
only girls who clad in white, lay motionless feigning death. He
violated the borly of his own sister, immissionc mentufa in os mortwt
u*que ad ejaculationemf This monster had also fits of fetichism for
crincg pubit pucllarum, and the trimmings of their fingernails;
eating them caused strong sexual emotions.
'Simon ("Crimes et del its," p. 200) mentions an experience of
Lacassagne's, to whom a respectable man said that he was never
intensely excited sexually except when a spectator at a funeral.
102 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
sical constitution and of peculiar character; from child-
hood silent and inclined to solitude.
The details of the health of his family were not satis-
factorily known; but the occurrence of mental diseases in
his ancestors was ascertained. It was said that while he
was a child he was affected with destructive impulses,
which he himself could not explain. He would break what-
ever was at hand. In early childhood, without teaching,
he learned to masturbate. At nine he began to feel inclina-
tions towards persons of the opposite sex. At thirteen
the impulse to sexual intercourse became powerfully
awakened in him. He now masturbated excessively. When
he did this, his fancy always created a room filled with
women. He would imagine that he carried out the sexual
act with them and then killed them. Immediately there-
after he would think of them as corpses, and of how he de-
filed them. Occasionally in such situations the thought of
carrying out a similar act with male corpses would come
up, but it was always attended with a feeling of disgust.
In time he felt the impulse to carry out such acts with
actual corpses. For want of human bodieSj he obtained
those of animals. He would cut open the abdomen, tear
out the entrails, and masturbate during the act. He de-
clared that in this way he experienced inexpressible
pleasure. In 1846 these bodies no longer satisfied him. He
now killed dogs, and proceeded with them as before.
Toward the end of 1846 he first felt the desire to make
use of human bodies.
At first he had a horror of it. In 1847, being by ac-
cident in a graveyard, he ran across the grave of a newly
buried corpse. Then this impulse, with headache and pal-
pitation of the heart, became so powerful that, although
there were people near by, and he was in danger of de-
tection, he dug up the body. In the absence of a con-
venient instrument for cutting it up, he satisfied himself
by hacking it with a shovel.
In 1847 and 1848, during two weeks, as reported, the
impulse, accompanied by violent headache, to commit bru-
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWARD THE OPPOSITE SEX. 109
t uli ties on corpses actuated him. Under the greatest diffi-
culties and dangers he satisfied this impulse some fifteen
times. He dug up the bodies with his hands, in nowise
sensible in his excitement to the injuries he thus inflicted
on himself. When he had obtained the body, he cut it up
with a sword or pocket-knife, tore out the entrails, and
then masturbated. The sex of the bodies is said to have
been a matter of indifference to him, though it was ascer-
tained that this modern vampire had dug up more female
than male corpses.
During these acts he declared himself to have been in
an indescribable state of sexual excitement. After having
cut them up, he reinterred the bodies.
In July, 1848, he accidentally came across the body of
a girl of sixteen. Then, for the first time, he experienced
a desire to carry out coitus on a cadaver.
"I covered it with kisses and pressed it wildly to my
heart. All that one could enjoy with a living woman is
nothing in comparison with the pleasure I experienced.
After I had enjoyed it for about a quarter of an hour, I
cut the body up, as usual, and tore out the entrails. Then
I buried the cadaver again." Only after this, as B. de-
clared, had he felt the impulse to use the bodies sexually
before cutting them up, and thereafter he had done it in
three instances. The actual motive for exhuming the
bodies, however, was then, as before, to cut them up; and
the enjoyment in so doing was greater than in using the
bodies sexually. The latter act had always been nothing
more than an episode of the principal one, and had never
quieted his desires; for which reason he had later on
always mutilated the body.
The medico-legal examiners gave an opinion of "mono-
mania". Court-martial sentence to one year's imprison-
ment. (Michea, "Union med.," 1849; Lunier, "Annal.
meU -psycho.," 1849, p. 153; Tardieu, "Attentats aux
moeurs," 1878, p. 114; Legrand, "La folie devant les tri-
bun.," p. 524.)
104 PSYCHOPAT1IIA SEXUALIS.
Case 24. Ardisson, born., 1872, belonged to a family
of criminals and insane. At school he learned readily ; he
was not addicted to drink, had no epileptic antecedents,
never had an illness, but was rather weakminded. The
man who adopted him and with whom he lived, was a
moral outcast. When A. came of puberty he practised
masturbation, devorare solebat sperma proprium because
"it would be a pity to lose it." He ran after the girls, but
could not understand why they shunned him. Loco quo
mulieres urinavcrant, lotium bibere solebat. He did not
think that there was anything wrong about this. He was
looked upon in the village as a venal felon. With his
adopter he shared the favours of the beggar women that
stayed over night at their house. He was fond of fornica-
tion, was a mamma fetichist and loved mammas sugere.
Later on he fell to necrophily. He exhumed cadavers of
females ranging from three to sixty years of age, sucked
their breasts, practised cunnilungus on them, but rarely
coitus or mutilation. Once he carried away ; the head of
a woman, at another time the whole corpse of a little girl
three and one-half years old. After his ghoulish deeds he
would re-arrange the grave properly. He lived isolated by
himself, was at times very morose, never showed signs of
heart. As a rule, however, he was not of an evil disposi-
tion even when in prison. Several times he worked as a
stonemason. Remorse and shame over his misdeeds were
unknown to him. In 1892 he had for a while acted as a
gravedigger. He deserted from the army and then took to
begging from house to house. He loved to eat rats and
cats. When arrested and returned to the regiment he de-
serted again. He was not punished because he was not
held responsible. Dismissed from the army he again be-
came a gravedigger. When a girl of seventeen who had
very prominent breasts was buried his old passion awoke
again. He unearthed the cadaver and profaned it in his
usual manner. This happened from now on very fre-
quently. The head of one woman which he took home with
him, he covered with kisses and called it his bride. He was
I A I. l\« 1. 1. NATION TOWAItD Till. ori'OSITE SEX.
caught after he had taken homo the body of a child three
ami one-half years of age which he secreted in the straw.
On this he gratified his sexual desires even whilst the
putrid body was falling to pieces. The stench filling the
house betrayed him. Laughingly he admitted everything.
— A. was small of stature, and prognathous and feeble;
skull symmetrical; general tremor; genitals normal, with-
out sexual emotion ; intelligence very limited ; devoid of all
moral sense. — A. was pleased with prison life. (Spaniard
op. cit.)
(c) Injury to Women (Stabbing, Flagellation, etc.).
Following lust-murder and violation of corpses, come
cases closely allied to the former, in which injury of the
victim of lust and sight of the victim's blood are a delight
and pleasure. The notorious Marquis de Sade,1 after
whom this combination of lust and cruelty has been named,
was such a monster. Coitus only excited him when ho
could prick the object of his desire until the blood came.
1 Taxi I (op. cit.) pivcs more detailed accounts of this sexual
monster, which must have been a case of habitual satyriasis, accom-
panied by perverse sexual instinct. Sade was so cynical that he
actually sought to idealise his cruel lasciviousness and to be the
apostle of a theory based upon it. He became so bad (among other
things he made an invited company of ladies and gentlemen erotic
by causing to be served to them chocolate bonbons which contained
cuit ha rides) that he was committed to the insane asylum at Charen-
ton. During the revolution of 1700 he escaped. Then he wrote
obscene novels filled with lust, cruelty and the most lascivious
wenes. When Bonapurte became Consul, Sade made him a present
cif his novels, magnificently bound. The Consul had the works
destroyed and the author committed to Charenton again, where he
died at the age of sixty-four. Sade was inexhaustible in his lasciv-
ious publications, which were markedly intended for advertisement.
Fortunately it is difficult to-day to obtain copies. Extant are:
" Histoire de Justine," 4 vols. ; " Histoire de Juliette," 6 vols. ;
Philosophic dans le boudoir," London, 1805. Interesting is Sade's
biography by J. Janin, 1835.
A scientific and very thorough study of Sadism has recently
been made by Dr. Marciat, " Bibliotheque de criminologie " xix.,
1899 (Paris, Masson). It gives an analysis and table of contents
of Sade's writings.— cf. also Diihren, " The Marquis de Sade " 1900.
10G PSYCHOPATH! A SKXUALIS.
His greatest pleasure was to injure naked prostitutes and
then dress their wounds.
The case of a captain belongs here, mentioned by Bri~
erre de Boismont, who always compelled the object of his
affection to place leeches ad pudenda before coitus, which
was very frequent. Finally this woman became very
anaemic and, as a result of this, insane.
The following case, from my own practice, very clearly
shows the connection between lust and cruelty, with desire
to shed and see blood : —
Case 25. Mr. X., aged twenty-five; father syphi-
litic, died of paretic dementia ; mother hysterical and neur-
asthenic. He was a weak individual, constitutionally neur-
opathic, and presented several anatomical signs of degen-
eration.
When a child, hypochondria and imperative concep-
tions; later, constant alternation of exaltation and depres-
sion. While yet a child of ten the patient felt a peculiar
lustful desire to see blood flow from his fingers. There-
after he often cut or pricked himself in the fingers, and
took great delight in it. Very early, erections were added
to this, and also if he saw the blood of others ; for example,
when he once saw the servant-girl cut her finger it gavo
him an intense lustful feeling. From this time his vita
sexualis became more and more powerful. Without any
teaching he began to masturbate, and always during the
act there were memory-pictures of bleeding women. It
now no longer sufficed him to see his own blood flow ; he
longed to see the blood of young females, especially those
that were attractive to him. He could scarcely overcome
the impulse to violate two cousins and a certain servant.
Any young woman, although not attractive, induced
this impulse when she excited him by some peculiarity of
dress or adornment, especially coral jewellery. At first he
succeeded in overcoming these desires ; but in his imagina-
tion thoughts of blood were ever present, inducing lustful
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWAKD THE OPPOSITE HEX. 107
excitement An inner relation existed between thoughts
and feelings. Often there were other cruel fancies, lit;
imagined himself in the role of a tyrant who had the people
shot in crowds with grape-shot. He would imagine a scene
as it would be, if enemies were to take a city and mutilate,
torture, kill and rape the young women.
When in his normal state this patient, who had a mild
disposition and was not morally defective, was ashamed
of and horrified by such cruel, lustful fancies, which be-
came at once latent, when his sexual excitement was satis-
fied by masturbation.
After a few years the patient became neurasthenic.
Then simple imaginary representations of blood and scenes
of blood sufficed to induce ejaculation. In order to free
himself from his vice and his cruel imagination, he began
to indulge in sexual intercourse with females. Coitus was
possible, but only when the patient called up the idea
that the girl's fingers were bleeding. Without the assist-
ance of this idea no erection was possible. The cruel
thought of cutting was limited to the woman's hand. At
the time of greatest sexual excitement, simply the sight of
the hand of an attractive woman was sufficient to induce
most violent erections. Frightened by the popular stories
about the injurious results of onanism, he abstained and
fell into a condition of severe general neurasthenia, with
hypochondriacal dysthymia and ta'dium vitce. Careful
and watchful medical treatment cured the patient after a
few months. He remained mentally well for three years;
but became again very sensual, though very seldom he was
troubled by his earlier ideas of flowing blood. He gave up
masturbation altogether, and found satisfaction in natural
sexual indulgence, remained virile, and it was no longer
necessary for him to call up ideas of blood.
The following case, reported by Tamowsky (op. cit.,
p. 61), shows that such lustful, cruel impulses may be
simply episodical, and occur in certain exceptional states
of mind in neurotic individuals; — >
108 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
Case 26. Z., physician; neuropathic constitution,
reacting badly to alcohol. Under ordinary circumstance8
capable of normal coitus, but as soon as he had indulged
in wine he found that his increased libido was no longer
satisfied by simple coitus. In this condition he was com-
pelled to prick the nates puellce, or to make stabs with' the
lancet, to see blood, and feel the entrance of the blade into
the living body, in order to have ejaculation and experi-
ence complete satiety of his lust.
The majority of those afflicted with this form of per-
version seem insensible to the normal stimulus of woman.
In the first case (25), the assistance of the idea of blood
was necessary to obtain erection. The following is that
of a man who, by masturbation, etc., in early youth, had
diminished his power of erection so that the sadistic act
took the place of coitus : —
Case 27. The girl-stabber of Bozen (reported by
Demme, "Buch der Verbrechen," Bd. ii., p. 341). In
1829, H., aged thirty, soldier, became the subject of legal
investigation. At different times, and in different places,
he had wounded girls with pocket-knives or penknives, by
stabbing them in the abdomen, preferably in the genitals.
He gave as a motive for these acts heightened sexual im-
pulse, increasing to the intensity of fury, which found
satisfaction only in the thought and act of stabbing persons
of the female sex. This impulse would pursue him for
days at a time. He would then pass into a confused mental
state, which would clear away only when the impulse had
been satisfied by the deed. In the act of stabbing he ex-
perienced the same satisfaction as that produced by com-
pleted coitus. This was increased by the sight of blood
dripping from the knife. In his tenth year the sexual in-
stinct became powerfully manifest. At first he yielded to
masturbation, and felt physically and mentally weakened
by it. Before he became a girl-stabber, he had satisfied his
sexual lust in violation of immature girls, by causing them
BMUAL INCLINATION TOWARD THE OPPOSITE SEX. 109
to practise masturbation on him, and by sodomy. Gradu-
ally the thought came to him how pleasurable it would be
to stab a young and pretty girl in the genitals, and take
delight in the sight of the blood running from the knife.
Among his effects were found copies of the object* of
phallic cult and obscene pictures painted by himself of
Mary's conception, and of the "thought of God injected"
into the lap of the Virgin. He was considered a peculiar,
very irritable man, shy of people, fond of women, moody
and glum. Of shame and regret for his deeds no traces
were ever found. He was apparently a person1 who had
become impotent through early sexual excesses, and was
thus predisposed, by the continuance of intense libido
sexualis and heredity, to perversion of sexual life.
Case 28. In the "sixties" the inhabitants of Leipzig
were frightened by a man who was accustomed to attack
young girls on the street, stabbing them in the upper-arm
with a dagger. Finally arrested, he was recognised as a
sadist, who at the instant of stabbing had an ejaculation,
and with whom the wounding of the girls was an equivalent
for coitus. (Wharion, "A Treatise on Mental Unsound-
ness," § 623. Philadelphia, 1873.)1
Impotence exists likewise in the next three cases. It
may be psychical, however, since the principal tone of the
vita sexualis lies in sadistic inclination and the normal ele-
ments are distorted : —
Case 29. The girl-cutter of Augsburg (reported by
lCf. Kraust, " Psychologic des Verbrechens," 1884, p. 188; Dr.
Hofer, " Annalen der Staatsarzneikunde," 8 Jahrgang, Heft 2 ;
" Schmidt1 't Jahrbucher," Bd. 69, p. 94.
1 According to newspaper reports, in December, 1890, several
similar attacks were made in Mainz. A young fellow between four-
teen and sixteen years of age pressed against women and girls and
stabbed them in the legs with a sharp-pointed instrument. He WM
arrested, and seemed to be insane. Further details of the case are
not known.
110 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
Demme "Buch der Verbrechen," vii., p. 281). Bartle,
wine-merchant. He was subject to lively sexual excite-
ment at the age of fourteen, though decidedly opposed to
its satisfaction by coitus, his aversion going so far as dis-
gust for the female sex. At that time he already had the
idea to cut girls, and thus satisfy his sexual desire. He
refrained from it, however, because of lack of opportunity
and courage. He disdained masturbation, but now and
then had pollutions with erotic dreams of girls who had
been cut. At the age of nineteen he for the first time cut a
girl. During the act he had a seminal emission and ex-
perienced intense pleasure. From that time the impulse
grew constantly more powerful. He chose only young and
pretty girls, and, as a rule, asked them before the deed
whether they were still single. The ejaculation or sexual
satisfaction occurred only when he was sure that he had
actually wounded the girls. After such an act he always
felt tired and bad, and was also troubled with qualms of
conscience. Up to his thirty-second year he pursued this
process of cutting, but was always careful not to wound the
girls dangerously. From that time until his thirty-sixth
year he was able to control his impulse. Then he sought
to satisfy himself by simply pressing the girls on the arm
or neck, but this gave rise to erections only and not to
ejaculation. Then he sought to attain his object by prick-
ing the girls with the knife left in its sheath, but this did
not suffice. Finally, he stabbed with the open knife, and
had complete success, for he thought that a girl when
stabbed bled more and suffered more pain than when
merely cut. In his thirty-seventh year he was detected and
arrested. In his lodgings were found a collection of dag-
gers, sword-canes, and knives. He said that the mere sight
of these weapons, and still more the grasping of them,
gave him an intense feeling of sexual pleasure, with vio-
lent excitement. According to his own confession, he had
injured in all fifty girls. His external appearance was
rather pleasing. He lived in very good circumstances, but
was peculiar and shy,
SEXUAL IN' UK ATION TOWARD THK OPPOSITE SEX. 1 1 I
Case 30. During tlii^ month of June, 1896, quite a
number of young girls had been stabbed in the genitals in
the stnct in broad daylight. On the 2nd of July the per-
petrator was caught in the act. V., twenty years of age,
was hereditarily heavily tainted ; when fifteen years old he
had been sexually excited to a high degree at the sight of a
woman's buttocks. From that time on it was this part of
the female body which attracted him in a sensuous manner
and became the object of his erotic fancies and dreams, ac-
companied by pollutions. Soon this was coupled with the
lascivious desire to slap, pinch or cut the genitals of women.
At the moment when he in his dreams performed this act,
pollution took place. Soon he was tempted to transfer his
dreams into real practise. For a while he succeeded in
mastering his morbid craving, but this produced feelings
of anxiety and a copious perspiration would break out from
his entire body. When orgasm and erection became very
vehement, he would be overcome with fear and confusion
to such an extent that the impulse to cut became irresist-
ible. At that psychical moment ejaculation would take
place, and he felt relieved in body and mind. Magnan in
Thoinot's op. cit. p. 451. — For more detailed account see
Gamier in Annales d'hygiene publique, 1900, Feb., p.
112.)
Case 31. J. IT., aged twenty-six, in 1883 came for
consultation concerning severe neurasthenia and hypochon-
dria. Patient confessed that he had practised onanism
since his fourteenth year, infrequently up to his eighteenth
year, but since that time he had been unable to resist the
impulse. Up to that time he had no opportunity to ap-
proach females, for he had been anxiously cared for and
never left alone on account of being an invalid. He had
had no real desire for this unknown pleasure, but he acci-
dentally learned what it was when one of his mother's
maids cut her hand severely on a pane of glass, which she
had brokrn while washing windows. While helping to
stop the bleeding he could not keep from sucking up the
112 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
blood that flowed from the wound, and in this act he ex-
perienced extreme erotic excitement, with complete orgasm
and ejaculation.
From that time on, he sought, in every possible way to
see and, where practicable, to taste the fresh blood of
females. That of young girls was preferred by him. He
spared no pains or expense to obtain this pleasure. At first
he availed himself of a young servant, who allowed her
finger to be pricked with a needle or lancet at his request.
When his mother discovered this, she discharged the girl.
Then he was driven to prostitutes as a substitute, with suc-
cess frequently enough, though with some difficulty. In
the intervals he practised onanism and manustupration
per feminam, which, however, never afforded him com-
plete satisfaction, but, on the contrary, caused listlessness
and self-reproach. On account of his nervous difficulties he
visited many sanatoria, and was twice a voluntary patient
in institutions. He used hydrotherapy, electricity, and
strengthening cures, without particular success. For a
time it was possible, by means of cold sitz-baths, mono-
bromate of camphor, and bromides, to diminish his sexual
excitability and onanistic impulse. However, when the
patient felt himself free again, he would immediately fall
into his old passion, and spare no pains or money to satisfy
his sexual desire in the abnormal manner described.
Of special interest for the scientific proof of sadism is
a case related by Moll (vide case 29, ninth edition of this
work (German) and recently published by Moll himself in
his book on "Libido Sexualis," p. 500.
It discloses clearly one of the hidden roots of sadism
— the impulse to complete subjugation of the woman,
which here became consciously entertained. This is the
more remarkable since it occurred in an individual de-
cidedly timid, and in other respects modest and even ap-
prehensive. The case also shows clearly that powerful
libido which even impels the individual to overcome all
obstacles, may be present, while at the same time coitus is
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWAKD THE OPPOSITE SKX. 1 I '.I
not desired, because the principal intensity of feeling is,
ab origine, connected with the cruel part of the sadistic
(lustful and cruel) circle of ideas. This case also con-
tains weak elements of masochism (v. infra).
Cases are by no means infrequent in which men with
perverse inclinations induce prostitutes, by paying them
high prices, to allow themselves to be whipped and even
wounded by them. Works on prostitution contain reports
of them (vide Coffignon, "La Corruption a Paris," etc.).
(d) Defilement of Women.
The perverse sadistic impulse, to injure women and put
contempt and humiliation upon them, is also expressed in
the desire to defile them with disgusting or, at least foul
things.
The following case, published by Arndt ("Viertel-
jahrsschr. f. ger. Medicin," N. F. xvii., H. 1), belongs
here : —
Case 32. A., medical student at Greifswald, accu-
satus quod iterum iterumque puellis honestis parentibus
naiis in publico genitalia sua ebraj&s dependentia plane
nudata quce antea summo amiculo (overcoat) tecta erant,
ostenderat. Nonnunquam puellas fugientes secutus casque
ad se attractas urina oblivit. HCBC luce clara facia suni;
nunquam aliquid hcec faciens loculus est.
A. was twenty-three years old, well built, neat in dress,
and polite in manners. Indication of cranium progeneum;
chronic pneumonia of the apex of the right lung; emphy-
sema. Pulse, 60; in excitement not more than 70 to 80.
itals normal. Occasional disturbances of digestion,
and hardness of the abdomen, vertigo, excessive excitement
of sexual desires, early led to onanism. The sexual desire
r was directed toward a natural method of satisfac-
tion. Occasional attacks of depression, or thoughts of de-
precation of self, and of perverse impulses, for which he
8
114 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUAOS.
could find no motive, such as laughing at serious things,
throwing his money in the water, and running about in the
pouring rain. The father of the culprit was of a nervous
temperament, the mother subject to nervous headaches. A
brother was subject to epileptic convulsions.
From his youth the culprit presented a nervous tem-
perament, was inclined to convulsions and attacks of syn-
cope, and when severely scolded would fall into a state of
momentary stiffness. In 1869 he studied medicine in Ber-
lin. In 1870 he went to the war as a hospital assistant.
His letters at this time betray peculiar torpidity and soft-
ness. On his return home, in 1871, his emotional irrita-
bility was noticed at once by those about him. Thereafter
frequent complaints of bodily ailments; unpleasantness
resulting from a love affair. In November, 1871, he pur-
sued his studies diligently in Greifswald. He was con-
sidered very gentlemanly. In confinement he was quiet,
calm, and sometimes self-absorbed. His acts he attributed
to painful sexual excitement, which of late had become
excessive. He declared that he had been fully conscious
of his perverse acts, and after committing them ; had always
been ashamed of them. He had not experienced actual
sexual satisfaction in their commission. He obtained no
correct insight into his position. He considered himself a
kind of martyr — a victim to an evil power. Presumption
of irresponsibility, as a result of absence of free will.
The impulse to defile occurs also, paradoxically, in the
aged, when there is a reappearance of sexual instinct,
which, under such circumstances, is so often expressed in
perverse acts. Thus Tarnowsky reports (p. 76) the follow-
ing case : —
Case 33. I knew such a patient, who had a woman
dressed in a decollete ball-dress lie down on a low sofa in a
brightly lighted room. Ipse apud januam alius cubiculi
dbscuraii constiiit adspiciendo aliquantulum feminam, ex-
citatus in earn insiluit ct excrementa in siniis ejus deposuit.
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWARD THE OPPOSITE SEX. 115
HOBC faciens ejaculationem quondam sc sentire confessua
est.
An officer of Vienna informed me that men, by means
of large sums of money, induce prostitutes to suffer ut illi
viri in ora earum spuereni et fasces et urinas in ora exple-
rent.1
The following case by Dr. Pascal ("Igiene dell*
amore") seems also to belong here: — %
Case 34. A man had an inamorata who would allow
Iii in to blacken her hands with coal or soot. She then had
to sit before a mirror in such a way that he could see her
hands in it. While conversing with her, which was often
for a long time, he looked constantly at her mirrored
hands, and finally, after a time, he would take his leave,
fully satisfied.
The following case, communicated by a physician, may
be of interest in relation to this subject: —
An officer was known in a brothel in K. only by the
name of "Oil". "Oil induced erection and ejaculation
only by having puell. publ. nudam step into a tub filled
with oil, while he rubbed the oil all over her body.
These 'acts lead to the presumption that certain cases
of injury to the clothing of females (e.g., sprinkling them
with sulphuric acid, ink, etc.) depend upon a perverse sex-
ual impulse; at any rate the mdtive seems to be to inflict
an injury, or pain of some sort, and those injured are
always females, and the perpetrators males. In crimes of
this kind, pains should always be taken to examine into the
vita sexualis of the culprits.
The case of Bachmann, given below, Case 120, throws
a clear light on the sexual nature of such crimes; for, in
this case, the sexual motive in the deed is proven.
Tatril (" La Corruption," Paris, Noiret, p. 223) makes the
same statements. There are also men who demand introductio lingmt
mtretricit in onum.
116 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
Case 35. B., age twenty-nine, merchant, married,
heavily tainted, since his sixteenth year masturbation by
means of a pocket electric battery, neurasthenic, impotent
at the age of eighteen, for a while absynth drinker on ac-
count of unrequited love. One day meeting a nurse-maid
wearing a white apron such as his love used to wear, he
could not resist the temptation to steal the white apron.
He took it home and after masturbating into it burn it with
renewed masturbation. Returning to the street he met a
woman wearing a white dress. The sight of it produced
an impulse to stain the dress with ink. Having done it he
went home revelling in the sensual situation thus provoked
and again masturbated. At another time strolling about
the street he amused himself with cutting the dresses of
women with a penknife. He was arrested as a pick-pocket.
At other times a stain on a lady's dress caused orgasm and
ejaculation in him. He obtained the same results while
burning with a cigar a hole into the clothing of women
whom he passed. (Magnan, reported by v. Thoinot, at-
tentats aux moeurs, p. 434, and by Gamier, annales d' hy-
giene publ., 1900, March, p. 237.)
Gamier (annales d' hygiene 1900, Feb'y-March) has
given these cases of sadism special attention reducing them
to fetichism (vide infra}. This is particularly apparent
in case 35 in which the fetich consisted in a blue dress cov-
ered with a white apron. The personality of the wearer
was a matter of indifference, it was the fetich that fas-
cinated, the impulse being irresistible. Gamier calls these
cases Sadi-Fetichism and points out their social and for-
ensic importance, suggesting confinement of such unfor-
tunate individuals in an insane asylum. Destructive ac-
tions like these towards the fetich which, properly speak-
ing, is an object of desire and possession, this sadism on
lifeless objects, may be explained by the fact that the fetich
awakens sensual sensations coupled in sadistic natures with
the pleasure derived from acts of cruelty and destruction.
In fetichism, well-developed, the fetich itself — ab-
stracted from the personality of the wearer — it dominates
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWARD THE OPPOSITE SEX. 117
per se the whole vita sexualis, brings it into action and may
under circumstances awaken kindred regions of a sadistic
nature which find gratification in the field of the (imper-
sonal) fetich. The sadistic act in itself is often enough an
equivalent for coitus rendered impossible by physical and
psychical impotence. It may be practised on boys, animals,
persons of the same sex, without relation to paedophilia,
zoophilia or homosexuality.
It is remarkable and seems to prove the connection with
lust-cruelty that at the moment of the destroying act against
the fetich (cutting off girl's tresses, stabbing women, de-
filing ladies' toilets, etc.) orgasm and ejaculation take place
in the "sadi-fetichist."
A. Moll (Zeitschr. f. Medicinalbeamte) has recently
published a case which may be considered classical : —
An academically cultured man, age thirty-one years,
heavily tainted by heredity, offspring from a marriage be-
tween blood-relations, always shy and retired, used to rump
about when growing into puberty (17) with the playfel-
lows of his sister, girls about eleven years of age, and from
the sight of their white underwear became a "laundry fet-
ichist." He began to masturbate thinking of girls clad in
white garments and manipulating during the act light-
coloured pieces of clothing belonging to his female rela-
tives.
When twenty-three years of age he began coitus with
girls dressed in white. At the age of twenty-five he saw a
girl's white dress being bespattered with mud. This pro-
duced a very strong sexual emotion in him and from that
f time on he felt an irresistible impulse to defile the apparel
of women, to crush and tear it. This impulse was par-
ticularly provoked at the sight of women clad in white. He
used liquor ferri sesqui-chlorati or ink and thus produced
orgasm and ejaculation. At times he had dreams of white
female underwear which were accompanied by pollution at
the moment of touching or crushing it. Insanity could
not be established. He was mulcted in the sum of 50 marks
for unlawfully causing damage to personal property.
118 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
(e) Other Kinds of Assault on Females — Symbolic Sadism.
The foregoing groups do not exhaust the forms in which
the sadistic impulse toward women is expressed. If the
impulse is not overmastering, or if there is yet sufficient
moral resistance, it may happen that the perverse inclina-
tion is satisfied by an act that is apparently quite sense-
less and silly, but which has nevertheless a symbolic mean-
ing for the perpetrator. This seems to be the meaning of
the two following cases : —
Case 36. (Dr. Pascal, "Igiene dell' amore".) A
man was accustomed to go, on a certain day once a month,
to an inamorata and cut her "fringe". This gave him the
greatest pleasure. He made no other demands on the girl.
Case 37. A man in Vienna regularly visited several
prostitutes only to lather their faces and then to remove
the lather with a razor, as if he were shaving them. He
never hurt the girls, but became sexually excited;and ejacu-
lated during the procedure.1
. Ideal Sadism.
Sadism may eventually manifest itself solely in the im-
agination, i.e., in dream pictures which accompany the act
of masturbation or accompany the process of pollution in
sadistic fancies.
That it remains an ideal act only may be due to want of
opportunity or courage to put it into practical action or .
that latent ethics forbid violence, or it may be that when
debility of the centre of ejaculation is pronounced, a vivid
sadistic impression suffices to provoke ejaculatory gratifica-
tion. In this case sadism is merely an equivalent for coitus.
1 Leo Taxil (op. cit., p. 224) relates that in Parisian brothels
instruments are kept ready which look like knouts, but which are
merely tubes filled with air, such as clowns use in circuses. Sadistic
men use them to create for themselves the illusion that they are
whipping women.
SEXUAL INCLINATION T< >WARD THE OPPOSITE BEX. 119
Case 38. D., agent, age twenty-nine years, family
ilv t u i nt cil, masturbation at the age of fourteen, coitus
at twenty, but without pronounced libido or satisfaction,
hereafter masturbation preferred. At first these acts were
accompanied by the thought of a girl whom he could mal-
treat and subject to humiliating and infamous actions.
Heading of acts of violence on women excited him sex-
ually. But he did not like to see blood either on himself
or on others. lie hated the sight of a naked woman.
He never felt inclined to put his sadistic ideas into ac-
tual practice for unnatural sexual intercourse he disliked.
He could not account for his sadistic ideas. These
statements he made at a consultation for neurasthenia.
Case 39. Ideal sadism with "Podex-Fetichisin."
1'.. ni;r twenty-two, of independent means, heavily
tainted by heredity, by accident saw the governess chastis-
ing his sister (fourteen years of age) ad podicem inter
genua. This made a deep impression on him and hence-
forth he had a constant desire to see and touch his sister's
buttocks. By some clever stratagem he succeeded. When
seven years old he became the play-fellow of two small
girls, of which one was tiny and lean, the other rather
pi ump. He played the role of the father chastising his
children. The lean girl he simply spanked over the clothes.
The other, however, allowed him to smack her bare bottom
(she was then ten years old). This gave him great sexual
pleasure and caused erection.
One day, after being chastised in this manner the girl
asked him to look at her pudenda. But he refused the in-
vitation as this view did not interest him in the least.
At the age of nine he became acquainted with a boy a
little older than himself. One day they came across a pic-
ture representing the scene of flagellation in a monk's mon-
astery. P. soon persuaded his companion to enact the
scene. The latter consented to playing the passive role
and found delight in it. This was often repeated. On one
occasion P. assumed the passive role but it gave
120 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
him no pleasure. This relation between the two con-
tinued till they grew up into manhood, and P. always ejac-
ulated during the flagellation. He dominated over his
friend, who looked upon him as a superior being. Only
twice whilst this friendship lasted did P. attempt this pro-
cedure on other persons ; once on a nurse-maid whose bare
bottom he smacked, and once in the street on a girl, eleven
years old, whose cries, however, drove him to hasty flight.
He never felt any inclination to masturbation, coitus
with girls, nor antipathic sexual sensations. He confined
himself to touch the buttocks of women when in a crowd,
or of girls whilst mixing with them on the playground, to
look under the dresses of women climbing the stairs of an
omnibus or watch little girls undressing themselves.
He practised "Sadism-Fetichism". His fancy revelled
in situations in which he flagellated his younger brother, a
nurse-maid or a nun; he invented stories which always
ended in a scene of flagellation; answered advertisements
such as : "Dame severe demande eleve" and derived the ut-
most delight from the correspondence that followed ; made
drawings of flagellation scenes, of bare female buttocks,
ransacked the libraries for books containing sadistic writ-
ings, made abstracts of the whole literature, collected
pictures referring to this favourite subject and designed
such himself in keeping with the progress he made in
developing his perversion.
The flights of his fancy rose from the exhibition of the
naked buttocks, to smacking, flagellating and even teasing
them, even to the murder of the owner. The latter act,
however, frightened him. The ever recurring ejaculations
finally brought on severe neurasthenia. He never could
make up his mind to seek medical advice. At last he found
a woman with whom he could have coitus as she permitted
him to flagellate her during the act.
(Regis, Archives d' anthropologie criminelle, N. 82,
July, 1899.)
Case 40. Merchant, forty years of age, abnormally
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWARD THE OPPOSITE SEX. 121
early hetero- and hypersexuaiity. From his twentieth year
occasionally coitus and faute de mieux masturbation. In
consequence of fright (surprise during coitus) psychical
impotence. Treatment unsuccessful. This affected his
mind and he came near to despair. He now tried imma-
ture girls with whom impotence could not put him to
shame. His moral will power, still unimpaired, enabled
him to resist this impulse, however, and he found satisfac-
tion to go with girls legally of age and no longer innocent,
but they must in appearance be younger than their years.
In such cases his impotence disappeared. One day he saw
a lady smiting the face of her daughter, fourteen years old.
This produced at once violent erection and orgasm in him.
The thought of it had the same result. From that time he
found a mighty stimulant in seeing girls, no matter how
young, beaten ; even reading or hearing of maltreatment of
females had the same result.
That the retarded sadism in this case was not acquired
but only latent is evident from the fact that it ever existed
in an ideal form. It was part of the sensual idea predom-
inant in him that he introduced "extremitatem superiorem
in vaginam femince usque ad scapulam" and groped about
within. [Other cases of ideal sadism see Moll (Libido sex-
ualis, pp. 324 and 500) ; Krafft, "Arbeiten," iv. p. 163.]
(g) Sadism with Any Other Object — Whipping of Boys.
The sadistic acts with females just now described are
also practised on other living, sensitive objects, — children
and animals. There may be a full consciousness that the
impulse is really directed towards women, and that only
faute de mieux the nearest attainable objects (pupils) are
abused. But the condition of the perpetrator may be such
that the impulse to cruel acts enters consciousness accom-
panied only by lustful excitement, while its real object
(which alone can explain the lustful colouring of such
acts) remains latent.
The first alternative suffices as an* explanation of the
122 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
cases which Dr. Albert describes (Friedreich's "Blatter f.
ger. Med.," p. 77, 1859), — cases "in which lustful teacher*
whipped their pupils on the naked buttocks without cause.
We must think of the second alternative, the sadistic im-
pulse with unconsciousness of its object, when the sight
of punishment causes spontaneous sexual excitement in the
witness and thus becomes the determining factor in his
future vita sexualis, as in the following cases : —
Case 41. K., aged twenty-five, merchant, applied to
me in the fall of 1889 for advice concerning an anomaly
of his vita sexualis, which made him fear invalidism and
impossibility of future happiness in marriage.
Patient came of a nervous family. As a child he was
delicate, weak and nervous. Healthy except for measles;
later on he became more robust.
At the age of eight, while at school, he saw the teacher
punish the boys by taking their heads between his thighs
and spanking them with a ferule. This sight caused the
patient lustful excitement. "Without any idea of the
danger and enormity of onanism," he satisfied himself with
it, and from that time often masturbated, always calling
up the memory-picture of a boy being punished.
Thus it continued until his twentieth year. Then he
learned the significance of onanism, was terribly fright-
ened, and tried to overcome his impulse to masturbate ; but
he fell into the practice of psychical onanism, which he re-
garded as innocuous and morally defensible, and for which
he made use of the memory-pictures of boys being whipped,
previously mentioned.
Patient now became neurasthenic, suffered with pollu-
tions, and tried to cure himself by visiting brothels ; but he
could not induce erection. Then he sought to obtain normal
sexual feelings by means of social intercourse with ladies ;
but he recognised that he was entirely insensible to the
charms of the fair sex.
The patient was an intelligent man, normally devel-
oped, and of aesthetic taste. There was no inclination to
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWARD THE OPPOSITE BEX. 123
persons of his own sex. My advice consisted of means to
combat the neurasthenia and pollutions; interdiction of
psychical and manual onanism ; avoidance of all sexual ex-
citants ; and, possibly, hypnotic treatment to ultimately in-
duce a return of the vita sexualis to its normal condition.
Case 42. Abortive sadism. N., student, came under
observation in December, 1890. He had practised mastur-
bation from early youth. According to his statements, he
became sexually excited when he saw his father whip the
children, and, later, when he saw his companions whipped
by the teacher. When a spectator of such scenes, he always
experienced lustful feelings. He could not say exactly
when this first occurred, but it may have been at about the
age of six. He could not tell exactly when he began to mas-
turbate, but he stated with certainty that his sexual in-
stinct was first awakened by the punishment of others, and
thus he unconsciously came to practise masturbation. The
patient remembered clearly that from the age of four to
the age of eight he was frequently spanked, and that this
caused him pain, never lustful pleasure.
Since he did not always have opportunity to see others
whipped, he began to imagine how others were punished.
This excited his lust, and he^ would then masturbate.
Whenever he could, he managed to see others punished at
school. Now and then he also felt desire to whip others.
At the age of twelve he induced a comrade to allow him to
whip him. lie found great sexual pleasure in it. When,
however, his companion beat him in return he experienced
nothing but pain.
The impulse to beat others was never very strong.
The patient experienced more satisfaction in filling his
imagination with scenes of whipping. He never indulged
in any other sadistic acts, and never had any desire to see
blood, etc. Up to his fifteenth year his sexual indulgence
consisted of masturbation, coupled with such fancies. After
that (dancing lessons, association with girls) the early
fancies disappeared almost entirely and were accompanied
124: PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
by but weak lustful feelings; so that the patient gave
them up entirely. In their place came thoughts of coitus
in a natural way, without anything sadistic.
The patient indulged in coitus for the first time "on
account of his health." He was potent, and the act
gratified him. He then tried to abstain from masturbation,
but was not successful, though he often indulged in
coitus, and with more pleasure than he had in masturba-
tion. He wished to be freed from masturbation as some-
thing vicious. He had coitus once a month, but mastur-
bated once or twice every night. He was sexually normal,
excepting the masturbation. There was no neurasthenia;
genitals normal.
Case 43. P., aged 15, of high social position, came
of an hysterical mother whose brother and father died in
an asylum. Two children of the family died in early child-
hood of convulsions. The patient was talented, virtuous,
and quiet ; but at times he was very disobedient, stubborn,
and of violent temper. He had epilepsy, and practised
masturbation. One day it was learned that P., with money,
induced a comrade of fourteen, B., to allow himself to
be pinched in the arms, genitals, and thighs. When B.
cried, P. became excited and struck at B. with his right
hand, while with his left he made manipulations in the
left pocket of his trousers. P. confessed that to maltreat
his friend, of whom he was very fond, gave him peculiar
delight; and that ejaculation while hurting his friend
gave him much more pleasure than when he masturbated
alone. (v. Gyurlcovechky , "Pathol. und Therapie der
mannl. Impotenz.," p. 80, 1889).
Case 44. K., fifty years of age, without occupation,
heavily tainted, satisfied his perverse sexual feelings ex-
clusively on boys of ten to fifteen years of age, whom he
seduced to mutual masturbation. At the acme of the sit-
uation he would pierce the lobe of the boy's ear. When
this, later on, proved ineflicient, he cut off the lobe of a
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWABD THE OPPOSITE SEX. 125
boy's ear. He was arrested and sentenced to five years*
imprisonment (Thoinot, op. cit.f p. 452.)
That in all these cases of sadistic abuse of boys there
can be no thought of a combination of sadism and anti-
pathetic sexual instinct, as often occurs (v. infra) in indi-
viduals of inverted sexuality, is shown — aside from the
absence of all positive signs of it — by a study of the next
group, where, in association with the object of injury, —
animals, — the instinct for women is seen to appear
repeatedly.
(h) Sadistic Acts wiih Animals.
•
In numerous cases, sadistically perverse men, afraid
of criminal acts with human beings, or who care only
for the sight of the suffering of a sensitive being, make
use of the sight of dying animals,1 or torture animals, to
stimulate or excite their lust.
The case of a man in Vienna, which is reported by
Hofmann in his "Text-Book of Legal Medicine," is note-
worthy in relation to this. According to the evidence of
several prostitutes, before the sexual act he was accus-
tomed to excite himself by torturing and killing chickens
and pigeons and other birds, and, therefore, was called
"Hendlherr" (chickenmister).
For the elucidation of such cases the observation of
Lombroso is of value, according to whom two men had
ejaculation when they killed chickens or pigeons, or wrung
their necks.
The same author, in his "Uomo delinquente," p. 201.
speaks of a poet of some reputation, who became power-
fully excited sexually whenever he saw calves slaughtered,
and also at the sight of bloody meat.
Mantegazza (op. cit. p. 114) relates that among degene-
rate Chinese the practice prevails to sodomise geese and
at the moment of ejaculation to cut off their heads.
'Dimitri, the son of Ivan the Cruel, derived unspeakable pleas-
ure when witnessing the death struggles of sheep, chickens and
geese. ( Bibliotheque de Criminologie, xix., p. 278.)
126 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
Mantegazza ("Fisiologia del piacere," fifth ed., pp.
394, 395) mentions the case of a man who once saw chick-
ens killed, and from that time had a desire to wallow in
their warm, steaming entrails, because he experienced a
feeling of lust while doing it.
Thus, in these and similar cases, the vita sexualis is
so constituted ab origine that the sight of blood, death,
etc., excites lustful feeling. It is so in the following
case : —
Case 45. C. L., aged forty-two, engineer, married,
father of two children ; from a neuropathic family ; father
irascible, a drinker; mother hysterical, subject to eclamptic
attacks. The patient remembers that in childhood he
took particular pleasure in witnessing the slaughtering of
domestic animals, especially swine. He thus experienced
lustful pleasure and ejaculation. Later he visited slaughter-
houses, in order to delight in the sight of flowing blood
and the death throes of the animals. When he could find
opportunity, he killed the animals himself, which always
afforded him a vicarious feeling of sexual pleasure.
At the time of full maturity he first attained to a
knowledge of his abnormality. The patient was not
exactly opposed in inclination to women, but close contact
with them seemed to him repugnant. On the advice of
a physician, at twenty-five he married a woman who
pleased him, in the hope of freeing himself of his abnoi-
mal condition. Although he was very partial to his wife,
it was only seldom, and after great trouble and exertion of
his imagination, that he could perform coitus with her;
nevertheless, he begat two children. In 1866 he was in
the war in Bohemia. His letters written at that time to
his wife, were composed in an exalted, enthusiastic tone.
He was missed after the battle of Koniggratz.
If, in this case, the capability of normal coitus was
much impaired by the predominance of perverse ideas, ill
the following it seems to have been entirely repressed: —
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWARD THE OPPOSITE SEX. 127
Case 46. (Dr. Pascal, "Igiene dell' araore ") A
gentleman visited prostitutes, had them purchase a living
fowl or rabbit, and made them torture the animal. He
particularly revelled in the sight of cutting off the heads
and tearing out the eyes and entrails. If he -found a girl
who would consent, and go about it right cruelly, he was
delighted, and paid her and went his way without asking
anything more or touching her.
Interesting is the awakening of sadistic feelings to-
ward animals as related in the following case of Fere: —
Case 47. B., thirty-seven years of age, tanner,
tainted, began masturbation at the age of nine. One day,
as he was about to masturbate with another boy at the
corner of a street, where the gradient was very steep, a
heavily laden dray pulled by four horses came along. The
driver yelled at the horses and whipped them. The horses
slipped about a good deal and made the sparks fly from
the cobble stones. This excited B. very much and he
ejaculated as one of the horses fell. Ever afterwards a
similar occurrence would have the same effect on him
and he went in search of it. If the difficulty was overcome
without extra exertion on the part of the horse, or with-
out the use of the whip, B. became only excited and he
had to resort to masturbation or coitus to find final sat-
isfaction. Even after he was married and had children,
sadism continued. When one of his children fell ill with
chorea, B. had hysterical attacks. (Fere, 1'instinct sexuel,
p. 255).
The last two sections, g and Ti, show that the suffering
of any living being may become a source of perverse sexual
enjoyment to sadistically constituted persons, and that
there may be sadism with almost any [living] object.
However, it would be erroneous and an exaggeration to try
to explain by sadistic perversion all the remarkable and
surprising acts of cruelty that occur, and to assume sadism
128 PSTCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
as the motive underlying all the horrors recorded in history
or found in certain psychological manifestations among
the peoples of the present time.
Cruelty arises from various sources and is natural to
primitive man. Compassion, in contrast with it, is a
secondary manifestation and acquired late. The instinct
to fight and destroy, so important an endowment in pre-
historic conditions, is long afterwards operative; and, in
the ideas engendered by civilisation, like that of "the
criminal," it finds new objects, so long as its original
object — "the enemy" — still exists. That not simply the
death, but also torture of the conquered is demanded, is
in part explained by the sense of power, which satisfies
itself in this way, and in part by the insatiableness of the
impulse of vengeance. Thus all horrors and historical
enormities may be explained without recourse to sadism
(which may often enough have been the motive, but
should not be assumed as such, since it is a relatively
rare perversion).
At the same time, there is still another powerful
psychical element to be taken into consideration, which
explains the attraction which is still exerted by execu-
tions, etc. ; viz., the pleasure which is produced by intense
and unusual impressions and rare sights, in contrast to
which, in coarse and blunted beings, pity is silent.
But undoubtedly there are individuals for whom, in
spite or even by reason of their lively compassion, all that
is connected with death and suffering has a mysterious
attraction who, with inward opposition, and yet follow-
ing a dark impulse, occupy themselves with such things,
or at least with pictures and notices of them. Still, this
is not sadism, so long as no sexual element enters into
consciousness; and yet it is possible that, in unconscious
life, slender threads connect such manifestations with the
hidden depths of sadism.
SEXUAL INCLINATION TOWABD TUB OPPOSITE SEX.
(t) Sadism in Woman.
That sadism — a perversion, though often met with in
men — is less frequent in women, may be easily explained.
In the first place, sadism, in whirh the need of subju-
gation of the opposite sex forms a constituent element,
in accordance with its nature represents a pathological
intensification of the masculine sexual character; in the
second place, the obstacles which oppose the expression
of this monstrous impulse are, of course, much greater for
woman than for man. Yet sadism occurs in women, and
it can only be explained by the primary constituent ele-
ment— the general hyper-excitation of the motor sphere.
Only two cases have thus far been scientifically studied.
Case 48. A married man presented himself with
numerous scars of cuts on his arms. He told their origin
as follows: When he wished to approach his wife, who
was young and somewhat "nervous," he first had to
make a cut in his arm. Then she would suck the wound
and during the act become violently excited sexually.
This case recalls the widespread legend of the vam-
pires, the origin of which may perhaps be referred to such
sadistic facts.1
In the second case of feminine sadism, for which P am
indebted to Dr. Moll, of Berlin, by the side of the perverse
impulse, as so frequently happens, there is anaesthesia in
the normal activities of sexual life; and there are also
traces of masochism (v. infra).
Case 49. Mrs. H., of H., aged twenty-six, came of a
family in which nervous or mental diseases are said not to
1 The legend is especially spread throughout the Balkan penin-
sula. Among the modern Greeks it has its origin in the myth of the
Iami<r and marmolykcs — blood-sucking women. Goethe made use of
this in his " Bride of Corinth." The verses referring to vampirism,
" suck thy heart's blood," etc., can be thoroughly understood only
when compared with their ancient sources.
Q
130 PSYCHOPATH I A Si:XUALIS.
have been observed ; but the patient herself presented sigas
of hysteria and neurasthenia. Although married eight
years and the mother of a child, Mrs. H. never had desire
to perform coitus. Very strictly educated as a young girl,
until her marriage she remained almost innocent of any
knowledge of sexual matters. She had menstruated reg-
ularly since her fifteenth year. Essential abnormality
of the genitals was not apparent. To the patient coitus was
not only not a pleasure, but even an unpleasant act, and
repugnance to it had constantly increased. The patient
could not understand how any one could call such an act
the greatest delight of love, which to her was something far
sublimer and unconnected with sensual impulse. At the
same time it should be mentioned that the patient really
loved her husband. In kissing him, too, she experienced
a decided pleasure, which she could not exactly describe.
But she could not conceive how the genitals can have
anything to do with love. In other respects Mrs. H. was
a decidedly intelligent woman of feminine character.
Si oscula dat conjugi, magnam voluptatem percipit in
mordendo eum. Gratissimum ei esset conjugem mordere
eo modo ut sanguis fluat. Contenta esset, si loco coitus
morderetur a conjuge ipsaeque eum mordere liceret.
Tamen earn preniteret, si morsu magnum dolorem faceret.
(Dr. Moll).1
In history there are examples of famous women who,
to some extent, had sadistic instincts. These Messaliruis
are particularly characterised by their thirst for power,
lust, and cruelty. Among them are Valeria Messalina
herself, and Catherine de' Medici, the instigator of the
Massacre of St. Bartholomew, whose greatest pleasure
was to have the ladies of her court whipped before her
eyes, etc.2 (Confer above.)
1 Another case of Sadismvs femtnae is given by Moll, 3rd edit,
of " Die Contr. Sexualempfindung," p. 507, case 29. It is the exact
counterpart of Masochism in man and represents the ideal desire of
the Masochist.
* The gifted Henry von Kleist, who was beyond doubt mentally
MASOCHISM. 131
2. Masochism.1 The Association of Passively Endured
Cruelty and Violence with Lust
•ohism is the opposite of sadism. While the latter
is the desire to cause pain am! use force, the former is
the wish to suffer pain and be subjected to force.
By masochism I understand a peculiar perversion of
the psychical vita sexualis in which the individual affected,
in sexual feeling and thought, is controlled by the idea of
being completely and unconditionally subject to the will
of a person of the opposite sex; of being treated by this
person as by a master, humiliated and abused. This idea
is coloured by lustful feeling; the masochist lives in
fancies, in which he creates situations of this kind and
often attempts to realise them. By this perversion his
sexual instinct is often made more or less insensible to the
normal charms of the opposite sex — incapable of a normal
vita sextialis — psychically impotent. But this psychical
abnormal, gives a masterly portrayal of complete feminine sadism in
hia " Penthesilea." In scene xxii., Kleist describes his heroine pur-
suing Achilles in the fire of love, and when he is betrayed into her
hands, she tears him with lustful, murderous fury into pieces, and
nets her dogs on him : " Tearing the armour from his body, she
strikes her teeth in his white breast — she and her dogs, the rivals,
Oxus and Sphynx — they on the right side, she on the left; and as
I approached blood dripped from her hands and mouth." And later,
when Penthesilea becomes satiated : " Did I kiss him to death T No.
Did I not kiss him? Torn in pieces? Then it was a mistake; kissing
rhymes with biting [in German, Kiisse, Bisse], and one who loves
with the whole heart might easily mistake the one for the other."
In recent literature we find the matter frequently treated, but par-
ticularly in Kacher-Masorh'a novels, of which mention is made later
on, and in Ernest von Wildenbruch't " Brunhilde," Rochildc'a " Le
Marquise de Sade," etc.
1 Literature, v. Krafft, Neue Forschungen aus dem Gebiete der
Psychopath i:i S«-\tialis, 2 Aufl. — Idem, Arbeiten aus d. Gesammt-
. ,1. l\\rhi:itrie u. Neuropathol., iv., p. 127-160. — Moll, Die
i 'nut rare Sexualempfindung, 3. Aufl., 27&—Eulcnburg, Grenzfragen
dos Nervon- und Seoh-nlolx-ns. xix., S.idismus u. Masochismus, 1902.
Fuck*, Therapie der anomalen vita sexualis (Stuttgart, Enke) Beob.
5 and 6. — r. Xchrcnk \ otzing, Die Suggestions-Therapie, 1892. —
Keydrl. Viortoliahrsohr. f. jr«>riehtl. Med., 1893, iv. 2 ( Interessante
• von Masochiftten ) . — Bloch, Beitrftge z. Aetiol. d. Psychopi.
sexualis, 2 Theil, Dresden. 1903.
132 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUAXIS.
impotence does not in any way depend upon a horror sexus
alterius, but upon the fact that the perverse instinct finds
an adequate satisfaction differing from the normal — in
woman, to be sure, but not in coitus.
But cases also occur in which with the perverse im-
pulse there is still some sensibility to normal stimuli, and
intercourse under normal conditions takes place. In other
cases the impotence is not purely psychical, but physical,
i.e., spinal; for this perversion, like almost all other per-
versions of the sexual instinct, is developed only on the
basis of a psychopathic and, for the most part, hereditarily
tainted individuality; and as a rule such individuals are
given to excesses, particularly masturbation, to which the
difficulty of attaining what their fancy creates drives them
again and again.
I feel justified in calling this sexual anomaly "Maso-
chism," because the author Sacher-Masoch frequently made
this perversion, which up to his time was quite unknown
to the scientific world as such, the substratum of his writ-
ings. I followed thereby the scientific formation of the
term "Daltonism," from Dalton, the discoverer of colour-
blindness.
During recent years facts have been advanced which
prove that Sacher-Masoch was not only the poet of Maso-
chism, but that he himself was afflicted with this anomaly.1
Although these proofs were communicated to me without
restriction, I refrain from giving them to the public. I
refute the accusation that 'I have coupled the name of a
revered author with a perversion of the sexual instinct,
which has been made against me by some admirers of
the author and by some critics of my book. As a man
Sacher-Masoch cannot lose anything in the estimation of
his cultured fellow-beings simply because he was afflicted
with an anomaly of his sexual feelings. As an author
he suffered severe injury so far as the influence and in-
trinsic merit of his work is concerned, for so long and
1 Cf. for corroboration Sacher-Magoch, biography by v. Eulenbwg:
Grenzfragen des Nerven- und Seelenlebens, 1902, xxix., pp. 46-57.
133
whenever he eliminated his perversion from his literary
efforts he was a gift*-! writer, and as such would have
achieved real greatness had he been actuated by normally
sexual feelings. In this respect he is a remarkable exam-
ple of the powerful influence exercised by the vita sexual is
— be it in the good or evil sense — <>ver the formation and
direction of man's mind.
The number of cases of undoubted masochism thus
far observed is very large. Whether masochism occurs
associated with normal sexual instincts, or exclusively
controls the individual ; whether or not, and to what extent,
the individual subject to this perversion strives to realise
his peculiar fancies; whether or not, he has thus more or
less diminished his virility — depends upon the degree
of intensity of the perversion in the single case, upon the
strength of the opposing ethical and esthetic motives and
the relative power of the physical and mental organisation
of the affected individual. From the psychopathic point
of view, the essential and common element in all these
cases is the fact that the sexual instinct is directed to ideas
of subjugation and abuse by the opposite sex.
Whatever has been said with reference to the im-
pulsive character (indistinctness of motive) of the resulting
acts and with reference to the original (congenital) nature
of the perversion in sadism, is also true in masochism.
In masochism there is a gradation of the acts from
the most repulsive and monstrous to the silliest, regulated
by the degree of intensity of the perverse instinct and the
power of the remnants of moral and aesthetic counter-
motives. The extreme consequences of masochism, how-
ever, are checked by the instinct of self-preservation, and
therefore murder and serious injury, which may be com-
mitted in sadistic excitement, have here in reality, so far
as known, no passive equivalent. But the perverse de-
sires of masochistic individuals may in imagination attain
these extreme consequences (v. infra, case 50).
Moreover, the acts to which masochists resort are in
some cases performed in connection with coitus, i.e., as
134 PBYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
preparatory measures; in others, as substitutes for coitus
when this is impossible. This, too, depends only upon the
condition of sexual power, which has been diminished for
the most part physically and mentally by the activity of
the sexual ideas in the perverse direction, and not upon
the nature of the act itself.
(a) The Desire for Abuse and Humiliation as a Means of
Sexual Satisfaction.
Case 50. Mr. Z., age twenty-nine, technologist, came
for consultation because of fear of tabes. Father nervous,
died tabetic. Father's sister insane. Several relatives very
nervous and peculiar. On closer examination the patient
was found to have sexual, spinal and cerebral asthenia.
He presented no symptoms of tabes dorsalis. Questions
concerning abuse of the sexual organs brought out a con-
fession of masturbation practised since youth. In the
course of the examination the following interesting psycho-
sexual anomalies were discovered: At the age of five the
vita sexualis began with the impulse to whip himself, as
well as with the desire to see others whipped. In this
he never thought of individuals as of the one sex or the
other. Faute de mieux he practised flagellation on him-
self, and, in time, this induced ejaculation. Long before
this he had begun to satisfy himself with masturbation,
and always during the act revelled in imaginary scenes
of whipping. He twice visited brothels to have himself
flogged by prostitutes. For this purpose he chose the pret-
tiest girl he could find ; but he was disappointed, and did
not even have an erection, to say nothing of ejaculation.
He recognized that the flagellation was subsidiary, and that
the idea of subjection to the woman's will was the impor-
tant thing. He realised this on the second trial. When he
had the "thought of subjection" he was perfectly suc-
cessful. In time, by straining his imagination with maso-
chistic ideas, he performed coitus without flagellation ; but
he found little satisfaction in it, so that he performed
MASOCHISM. 135
sexual intercourse in a masochistic way. He found pleas-
ure in masochistic scenes, in the sense of his original desire
for flagellation, only when he was flagellated ad podicem,
or, at least, only when he called up such a situation in
imagination. At times of great excitability it was even
sufficient if he told stories of such scenes to a pretty girl.
He would thus have an orgasm, and usually ejaculation.
A very effectual fetichistic idea was early associated
with this. He noticed that he was attracted and satisfied
only by women wearing high heels and short jackets
("Hungarian fashion"). He did not know how he
arrived at this fetichistic idea. Boys' legs with high heels
also pleased him; but this charm was purely aesthetic,
without any sensual colouring; and he said he had never
noticed anything homosexual in himself. The patient
referred his fetichism to his partiality for calves (legs).
He was charmed by ladies' calves only when elegant shoes
were on the feet. Nude legs — feminine nudity in general
— did not in the least affect him sexually. A subordinate
fetichistic idea for the patient was the human ear. It was
a lustful pleasure for him to caress the handsome ears of
people. With men this pleasure was slight, but with
women it gave him great enjoyment.
He also had a weakness for cats. He thought them
simply beautiful, and their movements were very attractive
to him. The sight of a cat could raise him from a feeling
of the deepest depression. Cats seemed to him sacred ; he
saw something divine in them! He did not know the
reason for this idiosyncrasy.
Of late he also frequently had sadistic ideas about
punishing boys. In these imaginary flagellations both
men and women played a part, but particularly the latter,
and then his enjoyment was much more intense.
The patient found that, besides what he recognised and
felt as masochism, there was something else which he
preferred to designate "pageism."
While his masochistic fancies and acts were entirely of
a coarse, sensual nature, his "pageism" consisted of the
136 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
idea of being a page to a beautiful girl. His conception
was perfectly chaste, but piquant; his relation to her that
of a slave, but absolutely , pure — a mere platonic sub-
mission. This revelling in the idea of serving such a
"beautiful creature" as a page was coloured by a pleasur-
able feeling, but this was in no way sexual. lie experi-
enced in it an exquisite feeling of moral satisfaction, in
contrast with sensually coloured masochism, and therefore
he could but regard it as something of a different nature.
At first sight there was nothing remarkable in tho
patient's appearance ; but his pelvis was abnormally broad,
the ilia were flat, and the pelvis, as a whole, tilted and
decidedly feminine. Eyes, neuropathic. He also men-
tioned that he often had itching and lustful irritation at
the anus, and that there ("erogenous" area) ope digiti, ho
could satisfy himself.
The patient was troubled about his future. Help
would be possible for him if he could but excite in himself
an interest in women, but his will and imagination were too
weak for that.
What the patient designated as "pageism" does not
differ in any way from masochism, as may be seen when
it is compared with the following cases of symbolic
masochism and others; and, further, upon the considera-
tion that in this perversion coitus is avoided as an
inadequate act, and from the fact that in such cases there
is often a fantastic exaltation of the perverse ideal : —
Case 51. Ideal Masochism. Mr. X., technologist,
twenty-six years old. Mother of nervous disposition ; suf-
fered from neuralgia. In the father's family a case of
spinal disease and one of psychosis. A brother suffered
from nervousness. Mr. X. had only slight infantile affec-
tions ; he learned easily at school, and developed normally.
He was of manly appearance, but rather weakly and under
medium size. The descent of the right testicle was im-
perfect, but could be noticed in the inguinal canal. Penis
normally formed, but rather small.
At the age of five be felt sexual excitement whilst
swinging on the cross-bar with legs crossed, and stretched
out at full length, lie repeated the exercise several times,
but forgot about the sensation until he grew up to maturer
age. He then tried to induce this pleasurable feeling
by repeating the exercise, but without success.
At the age of seven he took part in a general fight
between the pupils of the school which he attended, after
which the victors rode on the backs of the vanquished.
This impressed X. considerably.
He thought the position of the prostrate boys a pleas-
ant one, wanted to put himself in their place, imagining
how by repeated efforts he could move the boy on his
back near his face so that he might inhale the odour of
his genitals. These thoughts, coupled with pleasurable
feelings, often recurred to him afterwards, although they
never occasioned real sensations of lust; in fact, he con-
sidered these thoughts sinful and bad, and sought to
repulse them. He claimed to have had no knowledge at
that time of sexual matters. It is remarkable that the
patient up to his twentieth year was periodically troubled
with eneuresis nocturna.
Up to the time of puberty these masochistic fancies
to lie under the thighs of others, boys as well as girls,
recurred periodically. Now the objects were chiefly
girls, but these exclusively when puberty was completed.
Little by little these situations gained a different mean-
ing, for soon the culminating point was the consciousness
to be absolutely subject to the will and whims of a fully
developed girl, coupled with corresponding humiliating
acts and attitudes.
For instance, X. says : —
"I am lying on my back on the floor. The mistress
stands over my head with one foot on my breast or she
holds my head between her feet so that her genitals are
directly in a line with my vision. Or she sits a-straddle
"ii my chest or on my face, using my body as a table. If
1 do not obey her commands promptly she locks me up
138 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
in a dark W.C. and leaves the house to find pleasure
elsewhere. She introduces me to her friends as her slave
and turns me over as such to them as a loan.
"She makes me perform the lowest menial work, wait
upon her when she arises, in the bath et inter mictionem.
At times she uses my face for the latter purpose and
makes me drink of the voidance."
X. claimed that he never practically put these ideas
into effect for fear of not realising the anticipated pleasure.
Once only he sneaked into the room of a pretty house-
maid ut urinam puellce bibat; but he was too much dis-
gusted to carry out the purpose.
He stated that he fought in vain against these maso-
chistic impulses, considering them of a painful and dis-
gusting nature. They were still prevalent. He pointed
out particularly that the humiliation connected with these
imaginary acts was the principal attraction, and that the
pleasure derived from causing pain to others was never
associated with them.
He preferred as "mistress" a slender maiden of about
twenty years of age, with a pretty face, and wearing short
light dresses.
The ordinary intercourse with young women, dancing,
or mixed society, never impressed him.
With the period of puberty these masochistic ideas
were at times accompanied by pollutions, but only weak
emotions of lust.
At one time the patient resorted to friction of the
glans penis, but he could not induce erection, much less
ejaculation, and instead of pleasure he produced disagree-
able paralytic feelings. This saved him from masturba-
tion. But after the age of twenty he often experienced
lustful emotions with ejaculation when performing gym-
nastic exercises on the horizontal bar, or when climbing
poles or ropes. He never had a desire for sexual inter-
course with women or for inverted sexual actions. At the
age of twenty-six a friend urged him to coitus, but already
on the way to the house "anxiety, restlessness, and decided
MASOCHISM. 139
disgust" crept over him. He became so excited, trembled
all over, and broke out into a profuse perspiration, that
<>uld not command an erection. Repeated attempts
-<»d complete failures, but he was able to control his
mental and physical excitement a little better than the
first time.
Libido was never present. Masochistic imaginations
gave no assistance, because his mental faculties at such
times were "as if paralysed," and he "could not call
up those intense imaginary representations which he
found necessary for an erection." Thus he gave up all
attempts at coitus, partly because libido was absent,
and partly on account of his utter want of confidence
in success. Only now and then he satisfied his weak
sexual desires by the aid of gymnastic exercises. Oc-
casionally, however, spontaneous or superinduced maso-
chistic fancies (when awake) would cause erection, but
never ejaculation.
Pollutions occurred at periods of six weeks.
The patient was highly intellectual, of refined man-
ners, and a little neurasthenic. He complained that when
in society the feeling obtruded itself constantly that he was
being observed. This caused him worry and embarrass-
ment, although he was fully aware that all this was naught
but imagination. He loved solitude, for fear that others
might find out his sexual abnormality.
This impotence did not cause him pain, for he had
scarcely any desire. Nevertheless he would consider the
cure of his oita sexualis a great boon, since so much
depended upon it in social life, and he would be more self-
possessed and manlier when among others.
\\\< present existence he considered a misery, and his
life a burden.
Case 52. X., man of letters, aged twenty-eight,
tainted. Sexually hypersesthetic from childhood. At the
age of six he had dreams of being whipped ad naies by a
woman. Upon awakening, intense lustful excitement ; thui
140 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
he came to practise onanism. When eight years old he
once asked the cook to whip him. From his tenth year,
neurasthenia. Until his twenty-fifth year he had dreams of
flagellation or similar fancies when awake, and indulged
in onanism. Three years ago he had an impulse to have
himself whipped by a puella. The patient was dis-
appointed, for neither erection nor ejaculation occurred.
At twenty-seven, another effort, with the thought to en-
force erection and ejaculation. This was finally made
possible by the following artifice: While coitus was
attempted the puella had to tell him how she flogged
mercilessly other impotent men, and threaten him with
the same. Besides this, it was necessary for him to fancy
that he was bound, entirely in the woman's power, help-
less, and most painfully beaten by her. Occasionally, in
order to become potent, it was necessary to have himself
actually bound. Thus coitus was possible. Pollutions
were accompanied by lustful feeling only when he (infre-
quently) dreamed that he was abused, or that he looked
on while one puella whipped the other. He never had a
real lustful pleasure in coitus. The only things in women
that interested him were the hands. Powerful women with
big fists were his preference. At the same time, his desire
for flagellation was only ideal ; for with his great cutaneous
sensitiveness at the most a few strokes were sufficient.
Blows from men were repugnant to him. He wished to
marry. From the impossibility of asking a decent woman
to perform flagellation and the doubt about being potent
without flagellation sprang his embarrassment and desire
to recover.
Passive Flagellation and Masochism.
Case 53. D., age thirty-two, sculptor, hereditarily
tainted, marks of degeneration, constitutionally neuro-
pathic, neurasthenic, weakly in his earlier years. First
emotions of sexuality at the age of seventeen; it devel-
oped slowly and exclusively in a hetero-sexual, but maso-
chistic direction. He craved for floggings at the hands
MASOCHISM. 141
of a pretty woman (bu* no hand-fetichisin). He preferred
women of haughty and imperious appearance. 'He never
•ought to put his masochistic desires into real practice.
He could not explain them.
On four occasions he tried coitus but without success,
He practised masturbation, which caused severe neuras-
thenia, accompanied by phobia, whereupon he sought med-
ical advice.
In three of the foregoing cases for the most part passive
flagellation serves him that is subject to this perversion of
masochism as an expression of the desired situation of
subjection to the woman. The sum<- means is needed by
a large number of masochists. But passive flagellation is
a process which, as is known, has a tendency to induce
erection reflexly by irritation of the nerves of the buttocks.1
This effect of flagellation is used by weakened debauchees
to help their diminished power; and this perversity — not
perversion — is very common. It is, therefore, necessary to
ascertain in what relation the passive flagellation of the
masochists stands to those dissipated individuals who are
not psychically perverse, but physically weakened.
It is not difficult to show that masochism is some-
thing essentially different from flagellation, and more
comprehensive. For the masochist the principal thing
is subjection to the woman ; the punishment is only the
expression of this relation — the most intense effect of it
he can bring upon himself. For him the act has only a
symbolic value, and is a means to the end of mental satis-
faction of his peculiar desires. On the other hand, the
individual that is weakened and not subject to masochism
and who has himself flagellated, desires only a mechanical
irritation of his spinal centre..
Whether in a given case it is simple (reflex) flagella-
tion or masochism is made clear by the individual's state-
ments, and often by the secondary circumstances. The
determination depends upon the following facts : —
In the first place, the impulse to passive flagellation
*C/. tupra, Introduction.
142 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALW.
exists in the masocbist ab origine. The desire is felt before
there has been any experience of the reflex effect, often
first in dreams, as, for example, in case 55, v. infra.
Secondly, with the masochist, as a rule, flagellation is only
one of many and various punishments which come into
his mind as fancies and are often realised. In these other
punishments and the frequent acts expressing purely sym-
bolic humiliations which occur by the side of flagellations,
there can, of course, be no thought of a reflex physical
irritative effect. Thirdly, it is significant that, in the
masochist when the desired flagellation is carried out, it
need have no aphrodisiac effect at all. Very often, indeed,
there is a more or less defined disappointment; in fact,
always, if the masochist is not successful in his desire to
create by means of the prearranged programme the illu-
sion of the desired situation (to be in the woman's power),
so that the woman ordered to carry out the act seems to
be nothing more than the executive agent of his own will.
In reference to this important point, compare the three
foregoing cases and case 58.
Between masochism and simple (reflex) flagellation,
there is a relation somewhat analogous to that existing
between inverted sexual instinct and acquired pederasty.
It does not lessen the value of this opinion that, in the
masochist, the flagellation may also have the known reflex
effect; or that a whipping received in childhood may have
aroused lust for the first time, and thus simultaneously
excited the latent masochistically constituted vita sexualis.
In this event, the case must be characterised by the con-
ditions mentioned above under the heads of "secondly"
and "thirdly" in order to be masochistic. If the details
of the origin of the case are not known, other circum-
stances, such as those mentioned above under "secondly'
would make it clearly masochistic. This is illustrated in
the following two cases : —
Case 54. A patient of Tarnowsky's had a person in
his confidence rent a house during hia attacks, and instruct
MASOCHISM. 143
its personnel (three prostitutes) in what was to be done
with him. Whenever he came there he was undressed,
manustuprated and flagellated as ordered. He pretended
to offer resistance, and begged for mercy; then, as
ordered, he was allowed to eat and sleep. But in spite
of protest he was kept there, and beaten if he did not sub-
mit Thus the affair would go on for some days. When
the attack was over he was dismissed, and he returned to
his wife and children, who had no suspicion of his disease.
The attacks occurred once or twice a year (Tarnowsky,
op. cit.)
Case 55. X., aged thirty-four, greatly predisposed,
suffered with antipathic sexual instinct. For various rea-
sons he had no opportunity to satisfy himself with men,
in spite of great sexual desire. Occasionally he dreamed
that a woman whipped him, and then had a pollution.
Through this dream he came to have prostitutes beat
him as a substitute for love with men. Occasionally he
would obtain a prostitute, undress himself completely
(while she was not to take off her chemise), and have
her tread upon him, whip and beat him. Qua re summa
libidine affectus pedem femince lambii quod solum eum
libidinosum facere poiest: turn ejaculationem assequitur.
Then disgust at the morally debasing situation occurred,
and he retired as quickly as possible.
Case 56. A gentleman of high standing, age twenty-
eight years, would go to a house of prostitution once a
month. lie always announced his coming, with a note
reading thns: "Dear Peggy, I shall be with you to-mor-
row evening between 8 and 9 o'clock. Whip and knout!
Kindest regards. . . ."
He always arrived at the appointed time carrying a
whip, a knout and leather straps. After undressing he
had himself bound hand and foot, and then flogged by the
girl on the soles of his feet, his calves and buttocks until
ejaculation ensued. Other desires or wishes he never ex-
144 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
pressed. The fact that he disdained coitus seems to point
to the fact that he resorted to this method simply as a
means to gratify his masochistic inclination and not as a
ruse to restore potency.
Cases occur, however, in which passive flagellation
alone constitutes the entire content of the masochistic
fancies, without other ideas of humiliation, etc., and
without well-defined consciousness of the real nature of
this expression of submission. Such cases are difficult to
differentiate from those of simple reflex flagellation. A
knowledge of the primary origin of the desire, before any
experience of reflex stimuli (v. supra, under "first"), is the
only thing that renders the differential diagnosis certain,
if weighed with the circumstance that genuine masochists
are perverse from early youth, and that the realisation of
their desires is scarcely ever accomplished or proves a
disappointment (v. supra, under "thirdly") ; for the whole
thing chiefly belongs to the realm of imagination.
The following is a case of typical masochism in which
the whole circle of ideas peculiar to this perversion
appears completely developed. This case, in which there
is a detailed personal description of the whole psychical
state, is different from case 49 in the llth edition only in
that there is here no thought of a realisation of the perverse
fancies, and that, notwithstanding the perversion of the
vita sexualis, normal stimuli are so far effectual that sexual
intercourse is really possible under normal conditions.
Case 57. "I am thirty-five years old, mentally and
physically normal. Among all my relatives, in the direct
as well as in the lateral line, I know of no case of mental
disorder. My father, who at my birth was thirty years
old, as far as I know had a preference for voluptuous, large
women.
"Even in my early childhood I loved to revel in ideas
about the absolute mastery of one man over others. The
thought of slavery had something exciting in it for me,
alike whether from the standpoint of master or servant.
MASOCHISM. 145
That one man could possess, sell or whip another, caused
me intense excitement; and in reading 'Uncle Tom's Cabin*
(which I read at about the beginning of puberty) I had
erections. Particularly exciting for me was the thought
of a man being hitched to a waggon in which another
man sat with a whip, driving and whipping him. Until
my twentieth year these ideas were purely objective and
sexless — i.e., the one in subjugation in my fancy was
another (not myself), and the master was not necessarily a
woman. These ideas were, therefore, without effect on my
sexual desires — i.e., on the way in which they took practi-
cal shape. Although these ideas caused erections, yet I
have never masturbated in my life, and from my nine-
teenth year I had coitus without the help of these ideas
and without any relation to them. I always had a great
preference for elderly, voluptuous, large women, though I
did not scorn younger ones.
"After my twenty-first year my ideas became objective,
and it became an essential thing that the 'mistress'
should be a woman over forty years old, tall and power-
ful. From this time I was always in my fancies the subject;
the 'mistress' was a rough woman, who made use of
me in every way, also sexually; who harnessed me to
a carriage and made me take her for a drive, whom I
must follow like a dog, at whose feet I must lie naked
and be punished — i.e., whipped — by her. This was the
constant element in my ideas, around which all others
were grouped. In these fancies I always found endless
pleasurable comfort which caused erection, but never
ejaculation. As a result of the induced sexual excitement,
I would immediately seek a woman, preferably one corre-
sponding exteriorly with my ideal, and have coitus with
her without any actual aid of my fancies, and some-
times also without any thought of them during the act.
I had, however, also inclination toward women of a
different kind, and had coitus with them without being
impelled to it by my fancy.
"Notwithstanding all this, my life was not exceedingly
10
146 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
abnormal sexually; yet these ideas were certain to occur
periodically, and they have remained essentially un-
changed. With growing sexual desire, the intervals
constantly grew shorter. At the present time the attacks
come every two or three weeks. If I previously were to
have coitus, the occurrence of the fancies would, perhaps,
be postponed. I have never attempted to realise my very
definite and characteristic ideas — i.e., to connect them
with the world without me — but I have contented myself
with revelling in the thoughts, because I was convinced
that my ideal would not allow even an approach to
realisation. The thought of a comedy with paid pros-
titutes always seemed so silly and purposeless, for a per-
son hired by me could never take the place of my imagina-
tion of a 'crtrel mistress'. I doubt whether there are sadis-
tically constituted women like Sacher-Masoch's heroines.
But, if there were such women, and I had the fortune ( !)
to find one, still, in a world of reality, intercourse with her
would ever seem only a farce to me. Indeed, I can say
that, were I to become the slave of a Messalina, I believe
that owing to the other necessary renunciations my desired
manner of life would soon pall on me, and in my lucid
intervals I should make every effort to obtain my freedom
at all hazards.
"Yet I have found a way in which to induce, in a
certain sense, a realisation. After my sexual desire has
been intensely excited by revelling in my fancy, I go to a
prostitute and there call up before my mind's eye with
great intensity some scene of the kind mentioned, in
which I play the principal role. After thinking of such
a situation for about half an hour, with a constantly re-
sulting erection, I perform coitus with increased lustful
pleasure and strong ejaculation. After the latter, the
vision fades away. Ashamed, I depart as quickly as
possible, and try not to think of the affair. Then for
about two weeks I have no more such ideas ! indeed, after
a particularly satisfactory coitus, it may happen that until
the next attack I have not even any sympathy whatever
MASOCHISM. 147
xith masochistic ideas. But tho next attack is sure to
• • sooner or later. I must, however, state that I also
have coitus without being prepared by such ideas, especi-
ally, too, with women that are acquainted with me and my
position, and in whose presence I abhor such fancies.
Under the latter circumstances, however, I am not always
potent, while, with masochistic ideas, my virility is perfect.
It does not seem superfluous to add that otherwise in my
thought and feeling I am very aesthetic, and despise any-
thing like maltreatment of a human being. Finally, I will
not leave un mentioned the fact that the form of address is
of importance. In my fancies it is essential that the 'mis-
tress' address me in the second person (Du), while I
must address her in the third (Sie). This circumstance
of being thus familiarly addressed (Du) by a person so in-
clined, as the expression of absolute mastery, has from
my youth given me lustful pleasure, and does to-day.
"I had the fortune to find a wife who is in everything,
but especially sexually, attractive to me; though, as I
scarcely need say, she in no way resembles my masochistic
ideals. She is gentle, but voluptuous, for without the
latter characteristic I cannot conceive such a thing as
sexual charm. The first few months of married life were
normal sexually; the masochistic attacks did not occur,
and I had almost lost all thought of masochism. Then
came the first confinement and the necessary abstinence.
Punctually, then, with the occurrence of libido came the
masochistic fancies again, which, in spite of my great love
for my wife, necessitated coitus with another, with the
accompaniment of masochistic ideas. It is here worthy
of note that coitus maritalis, which was later resumed, did
not prove sufficient to banish the masochistic ideas, as
masochistic coitus always does. As for the essential
element in masochism, I am of the opinion that the ideas
— i.e., the mental element — are the end and aim.
"If the realisation of the masochistic ideas (i.e., passive
flagellation, etc.) be the desired end, then it is in opposi-
tion to the fact that the majority of masochists never
148 PSYCHOPATHIA BEXUALI8.
attempt realisation; or when this is attempted great
disappointment occurs, or at any rate the desired satis-
faction is not obtained.
"Finally, I should mention that, according to my
experience, the number of masochists, especially in big
cities, seems to be quite large. The only sources of such
information are — since men do not reveal these things —
statements by prostitutes, and since they agree on the
essential points, certain facts may be assumed as proved.
"Thus there is the fact that every experienced prosti-
tute keeps some suitable instrument (usually a whip) for
flagellation, but it must be remembered that there are
men who have themselves whipped simply to increase
their sexual pleasure. These, in contrast with masochists,
regard flagellation as a means to an end.
"On the other hand, almost all prostitutes agree that
there are many men who like to play 'slave' — i.e., like
to be so called, and have themselves scolded and trod upon
and beaten. As has been said, the number of masochists
is larger than has yet been dreamed.
"As you can imagine, your chapter on this subject
has made a deep impression on me. I should like to
have faith in a cure, in a logical cure, so to speak, in
accordance with the motto: 'Tout comprendre c'est tout
guerir'.
"Of course the word cure is to be taken with some
limitation, and there must be a distinction made between
general feelings and concrete ideas. The former can never
be removed; they come like a streak of lightning, are
there, and one does not know whence or how.
"But the practice of masochism in imagination by
means of concrete associated ideas can be avoided, or at
least restricted.
"Now the thing is changed. I say to myself: What!
you busy your mind with things which not only the
aesthetic sense of others, but also your own, disapproves?
You regard that as beautiful and desirable which, in your
own judgment, is at once ugly, coarse, silly, and impossi-
MASOCHISM. 149
ble? You long for a situation which in reality you can
never obtain? This opposing idea has an immediate in-
hibitory and undeceiving effect, and breaks the point of the
fancy. In fact, since reading your book (early this year)
I have actually not revelled in my fancy, though the
masochistic tendencies have recurred at regular intervals.
"I must also confess that, in spite of its marked patho-
logical character, masochism is not only incapable of
destroying my pleasure in life, but it does not in the least
affect my outward life. When not in a masochistic state,
as far as feeling and action are concerned, I am a perfectly
normal man. During the activity of the masochistic
tendencies there is, of course, a great revolution in my
feeling, but my outward manner of life suffers no change;
I have a calling that makes it necessary for me to move
much in public, and I pursue it in the masochistic con-
dition as well as ever."
The author of the foregoing lines also sends me the
following notes : —
I. "Masochism, according to my experience, is under
all circumstances congenital, and never acquired by the
individual. I know positively that I was never spanked;
that my masochistic ideas were manifested from my earliest
youth, and that, as long as I have been capable of think-
ing, I have had such thoughts. If the origin of them had
been the result of a particular event, especially of a
beating, I should certainly not have forgotten it It is
characteristic that the ideas were present before there was
any libido. At that time the ideas were absolutely sexless.
I remember that when a boy it affected (not to say ex-
cited) me intensely when an older boy addressed me in the
second person (Du) while I spoke to him in the third
(Sie). I would keep up a conversation with him and have
this exchange of address (Du and Sie) take place as often
as possible. Later, when I had become more mature
sexually, such things affected me only when they occurred
with a woman, and one relatively older than myself.
150 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
II. "Physically and mentally I am in all respects mas-
culine. I have a superabundant growth of beard, and my
whole body is very hairy. In my relations to the female
sex that are not masochistic the dominating position of
the man is an indispensable condition, and any attempt to
change it would meet with my energetic opposition. I
am energetic, if not over-courageous'; but the want of
courage is not manifest when my pride is injured. I am
not sensitive to events in nature (thunder storms, storma
at sea, etc.).1
"Again, my masochistic tendencies have nothing femi-
nine or effeminate about them ( ?). To be sure, in these,
the inclination to be sought and desired by the woman is
dominant; but the general relation desired with her is
not that in which a woman stands to a man, but that of
the slave to the master, the domestic animal to its owner.
If one regards the ultimate aim of masochism without
prejudice, it must be acknowledged that its ideal is the
position of a dog or horse. Both are owned by masters
and punished by them, and the masters are responsible to
no one. Just this unlimited power of life and death, as
exercised over slaves and domestic animals, is the aim and
end of all masochistic ideas.
III. "The foundation of all masochistic ideas is libido,
and as this ebbs and flows, so do the masochistic fancies.
On the other hand, as soon as the ideas are present, they
greatly intensify the libido. I am not by nature exces-
sively sensual. However, when the masochistic ideas
occur I am impelled to coitus at any cost (for the most
part I am driven to the lowest women) ; and if these
impulses are not soon obeyed, libido soon becomes almost
satyriasis. One is almost justified in looking upon this as
a circulus vitiosus.
"Libido occurs either in the course of time or as the
result of especial excitement (also of a kind that is not
1 This difference of courage in the face of events in nature, on
the one hand, and in the face of conflict with will-power, on the
other, is certainly remarkable, even though it is the only indication
of effeminacy apparent in this case.
MASOCHISM. 151
masochistic — e.g., Visaing). Tn spite <»f its manner of ori-
gin, tins lil>i<lo, by virtue of the masochistic ideas it engen-
, is soon transformed into a masochistic and impure
libido.
"Moreover, there is no doubt that external accidental
impressions, particularly loitering in the streets of a
large city, greatly intensify the desire. The sight of
beautiful and imposing female forms, in nature as well as
in art, is exciting. For those subject to masochism — at
least during the attacks — the whole external world be-
comes masochistic. The box on the ear administered by
the teacher to the pupil and the crack of the driver's whip
make deep impressions on the masochist, while they leave
him indifferent or annoy him when he is not in the maso-
chistic state.
IV. "In reading Saclier-Masoch it struck me that in
masochists now and then there was also an undercurrent
of sadistic feeling. I have now and then discovered in
myself sporadic feelings of sadism. I must remark, how-
ever, that the sadistic feelings are not so marked as the
masochistic. Apart from the fact that they appear but
seldom, and then only in a manner as accessories, these
sadistic fancies never leave the sphere of abstract feeling,
and, above all, never take the form of concrete, connected
ideas. The effect on libido t however, is the same with
both."
If this case is remarkable on account of the complete
development of the psychical state which constitute;1!
masochism, the following is noteworthy because of the
great extravagance of the acts resulting from perversion.
The case is also particularly suited to make clear the
reason for the subjection and humiliation at the hands of
the woman, and the peculiar sexual colouring of the
resulting situations : —
Case 58. Mr. Z., official, aged fifty; tall, muscular,
healthy. Said to come of healthy parentage, but his father
152 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
was thirty years older than his mother. A sister, two
years older than Z., suffered with delusions of persecu-
tion. There was nothing remarkable in Z.'s external ap-
pearance. Skeleton entirely masculine; abundant beard,
but no hair on trunk. He characterised himself as a man
of sanguine temperament, who could not refuse others any-
thing; though irascible and quick-tempered, he was quick
to regret outbursts.
Z. claimed that he had never masturbated. From his
youth there had been nightly pollutions, in which girls
played part, but the sexual act never. For example, he
dreamed that a pleasing woman lay heavily on him, or that
as he lay sleeping on the grass she playfully walked up his
back. Z. had always been averse to coitus with women.
This act seemed bestial to him. Nevertheless, he was
drawn to women. It was only in the society of beautiful
women and girls that he felt well and in his place. Ho
was very gallant, without being forward.
A voluptuous woman of beautiful form, and particu-
larly with a pretty foot, when seated, had the power to
thrown him into intense excitement. He was impelled to
offer himself as a chair, in order "to support such grand
beauty". A kick, a box on the ear from her, would be
heaven to him. He had a horror at the thought of coitus
with her. He felt the need to serve woman. He thought
how much ladies liked to ride. He revelled in the thought
how fine it would be to be wearied by the burden of a
beautiful woman in order to give her pleasure. He painted
the situation in all colours; thought of the beautiful foot
armed with spurs, the beautiful calves, the soft, full
thighs. Every beautiful mature woman, every pretty
female foot, always excited his imagination; but he never
betrayed the peculiar feelings that seemed to him abnor-
mal, and was able to control himself. But he felt no need
to fight against them; on the contrary, it would have
grieved him to be compelled to give up the feelings that
had become so dear to him.
At the age of thirty-two Z. happened to make the
MASOCHISM. i:.:i
ac<|imintance of an attractive woman, aged twenty-seven,
>'. L" had been separated from her husband, and whom
•uml in n. « (1. I lc took her and worked for her with-
out any selfish motive, for months. One evening she
impatiently demanded sexual satisfaction from him, and
almost used violence. Coitus was successful. Z. took
tin' woman, lived with her, and indulged in coitus moder-
ately, but coitus was more a burden than a pleasure;
ions became weak, and he could no longer satisfy the
woman. She finally declared that she would not have
intercourse with him, because he only excited without
satisfying her. Though he loved the woman very much,
he could not give up his peculiar fancies. After this he
lived with her only in friendly relations, and deeply re-
gretted that he could not serve her in the way she desired.
Fear of how she would receive his propositions and a
feeling of shame kept him from confessing. He found a
substitute in his dreams. Thus, for example, he dreamed
that he was a proud, fiery steed, ridden by a beautiful
lady. He felt her weight, the bit he had to obey, the
pressure of the thighs on his flanks; he heard her
beautiful, joyous voice. The exertion threw him into a
perspiration, the touch of the spurs did the rest, and
always induced pollution with great lustful pleasure.
Under the influence of such dreams, seven years ago Z.
overcame his reluctance, in order to experience such
things in reality. He was successful in creating a suitable
opportunity. He speaks of it as follows: "I knew how
to arrange it so that on an occasion she would of her own
will seat herself on my back. Then I endeavoured to
make this situation as pleasant as possible, and easily
arranged it so that on the next occasion she said spon-
taneously, 'Come, give me a little ride!' Being of tall
stature, both hands braced on a chair, I made my back
horizontal, and she mounted astride, after the manner of
a man. I then did the best I could to imitate the move-
ments of a horse, and loved to have her treat me like
a horse, without consideration. She could beat, priok,
154 PSYCIIOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
scold, or caress me, just as she felt inclined. I could
carry on my back persons weighing from sixty to eighty
kilos, for half or tli roc-quarters of an hour, without inter-
ruption. At the end of this time I usually asked for a
rest. During this the intercourse between the mistress
and me was perfectly harmless, and without any relation
to what had preceded. After about a quarter of an hour
I was rested and placed myself again at the disposal of
the mistress. When time and circumstances allowed it,
I did this three or four times in succession. It sometimes
happened that I practised it both in the morning and
afternoon. After it I never felt weary or had uncomfort-
able feelings, but on such days I had very little appetite.
When possible, I liked best to bare my trunk, that I might
feel the riding-whip more sharply. The mistress had to
be decent. I liked her best in pretty shoes and stockings,
with short closed drawers reaching to the knee; with the
upper portion of her person completely dressed, and with
hat and gloves."
Mr. Z. further said he had not performed coitus in
seven years, but he thought he was potent. The riding was
a perfect substitute for that "bestial act," even when
ejaculation was not induced.
For eight months Z. had determined to give up his
masochistic play, and had kept his determination. But
he thought that if a woman only moderately pretty were to
address him directly and say, "Come, I want to ride you,"
he would not be strong enough to withstand the tempta-
tion. Z. wished to know whether his abnormality was
curable, whether he was unworthy as a vicious man, or an
invalid deserving pity..
Even in the foregoing series of cases, with other things,
the act of being walked upon has played a role as a means
of expressing the masochistic situations of humiliation and
pain. The exclusive and most extensive use of this means
for perverse excitation and satisfaction, which has caused
me to arrange a special group, because it forms the tran-
MASOCHISM. 153
sition to another kind of perversion (vide infra (6), is
shown in the following classical case of masochism, re-
ported by Hammond (op. cit., p. 28) from an observation
by Dr. Cox1 of Colorado : —
Case 59. X., a model husband, very moral, the father
of several children, had times — i.e., attacks — in which he
visited brothels, chose two or three of the largest girls,
and shut himsolf up with them. He bared the upper
portion of his body, lay down on the floor, crossed his
hands on his abdomen, closed his eyes, and then had the
girls walk over his naked breast, neck and face, urging
them at every step to press hard on his flesh with the
heels of their shoes. Sometimes he wanted a heavier girl,
or some other act still more cruel than this procedure.
After two or three hours he had enough. He paid
the girls with wine and money, rubbed his blue bruises,
dressed himself, paid his bill, and went back to his busi-
ness, only to give himself the same strange pleasure again
after a few weeks.
Occasionally it happened that he had one of the girls
stand on his breast, and the others then turn her around
until his skin was torn and bleeding from tlio turning of the
heels of her shoes. Frequently one of the girls had to
stand on him in such a way that one shoe was over the eyes,
with its heel pressing on one eye, while the other shoe
rested across his neck. In this position he endured the.
pressure of a person weighing about l.r>0 pounds for four or
five minutes. The author speaks of dozens of similar cases
that are known to him. Hammond prrsnnu'*, with reason,
that this man had become impotent for intercourse with
women ; that in this strange procedure he found an equiva-
lent for coitus ; and that, when the heels drew blood, he had
pleasant sexual feelings, accompanied by ejaculations.
Case 60. X., gentleman belonging to upper class
1 " TransnHions of the Colorado State Medical Society," quoted
in the "Alienist and Neurologist," April, 1883, p. 345.
156 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
of society ; age sixty-six ; father hypersexual ; two brothers
said to be masochists. X. claimed that his masochism dates
back to early childhood. At the age of five he asked little
girls to undress him and spank his naked bottom. Later
on he arranged with other boys or girls in playing teacher
with him to flog him. With the age of fifteen he began
to imagine that girls ambushed and then beat him. At
that time he had no idea as yet of the sexual meaning of
such proceedings, in fact he was still unaware of the viia
sexualis. His craving for being beaten by women stead-
ily increased. At the age of eighteen he learned how to
satisfy it and had the first pollution during the act. When
nineteen first coitus with complete satisfaction and potency
and without masochistic representations. Normal sexual
intercourse until he was twenty-one, when a girl suggested
a masochistic scene. He accepted, and from that time
never had coitus without a masochistic adventure pre-
ceding it. He soon recognized the -fact that the stimulus
proceeded from the idea to be in the power of a woman
rather than from the act of violence itself. He succeeded
in making a happy marriage, free from masochistic ideas,
but admitted that from time to time he had to seek relief
in some masochistic act with a girl, even though he then
had grand children. The masochistic scene was always the
prelude to coitus. He showed no psychopathic symptoms
and was free from other perversions. He pointed out the
frequency of masochism and the clever methods often ap-
plied by so-called masseuses. According to his experience
masochism is of frequent occurrence in England, and
English women are easily persuaded to practise it
Case 61. L., artist, age twenty-nine; nervous disease
and tuberculosis of frequent occurrence in family. Vita
sexualis suddenly aroused in him at the age of seven
whilst being caned ad podicem ; at ten, masturbation. Dur-
ing the act he always thought of some one flagellating him.
In later years nocturnal pollutions were always accompa-
nied by dreams of flagellation. The wish to be flogged
MASOCHISM. 157
was ever present in his mind since he was ten years old.
From eleven to eighteen he had inclinations to persons
of his own sex, though they never overstepped the bounds
of boyish friendship. During this homosexual period he
was forever agitated by the desire to be beaten by his
companion.
At nineteen coitus, but without sufficient erection or
gratifying pleasure. His heterosexual inclinations were
always towards women older than himself. He was in-
different towards young girls. His craving for flagellation
increased with the years.
At twenty-five he fell violently in love with a woman
much older than himself, but marriage he refused. The
woman made every effort in her power to win him over
to natural sexual intercourse. Although he detested the
state of affairs and professed undieing love for the woman
he insisted that his sexual feelings for her were only of a
masochistic character. Now and then he succeeded in
persuading her to flagellate him.
His sexual needs being strong he had girls flagellate
him. He claimed that flagellation was the only adequate
sexual act during which he could experience really pleas-
urable ejaculation. Coitus was of minor importance and
only on rare occasions did he couple it with the act of
flagellation, probably on account of psychical impotence.
Nevertheless the two acts affected him in a different
manner. Coitus seemed to improve him both mentally
and physically, whilst flagellation had bodily exhaustion
and moral depression in its wake. He was persuaded that
masochism in him was a pathological condition; on that
ground he came for advice.
His appearance was undeniably masculine, his con-
duct decent and beyond criticism. He complained of
cerebral neurasthenia (weakness of mind, of will power,
absent-mindedness, irritability, shyness, anxiety of mind,
pressure in the head, etc.). Genitals normal. Erections
only in the morning.
He inclined to the belief that if he could find a woman
158 PSYCHOPATHIA BEXUALI8.
whom he could love, he might strip off his masochistic in-
clination in wedlock.
Therapeutic advice: auto-combating of masochistic
thoughts, impulses and acts, if necessary, with the aid of
hypnotic suggestion; strengthening of the nervous sys-
tem, and removing manifestations of irritating weakness
by antineurasthenic treatment.
The cases of masochism thus far described, and the
numerous analogous cases mentioned by those who report
them, form a counterpart to the previously described
Group "c" of sadism. Just as in sadism men excite
and satisfy themselves by maltreating women, so in maso-
chism the same effect is sought in the passive reception
of similar abuse.1 But Group "a" of the sadists — that
of lust-murder — strange as it may seem, is not without its
counterpart in masochism. In its extreme consequences,
masochism must lead to the desire to be killed by a person
of the opposite sex, in the same way that sadism has its
acme in active lust-murder. But the instinct of self-
preservation opposes such a result, so that the extreme is
not actually carried out. When, however, the whole
structure of masochistic ideas is purely psychical, in the
imagination of such individuals even the extreme may be
reached, as the following case shows : —
Case 62. A middle-aged man, married, and the
father of a family, who had always led a normal vita sex-
ualis, but who came of a very nervous family, made the
following communication: In his early youth he was
powerfully excited sexually at the sight of a woman
slaughtering an animal with a knife. From that time,
for many years, he had revelled in the lustfully coloured
idea of being stabbed and cut, and even killed, by women
with knives. Later on, after the beginning of normal
sexual intercourse, these ideas lost completely their per-
verse stimulus for him.
1 Instructive instances are given by Seydel, " Vierteljahrsschr. f.
ger. Med.," 1893, Heft 2, pp. 275, 276.
159
This case should bo compared with the statements
according to \vhirh men find sexual pleasure in being
lightly priekod with knives in the hands of women, who
at the same time threaten them with death.
Such fancies, perhaps, give the key to an understand-
ing of the following strange case, for which I am indebted
to a communication from Dr. Korber, of Rankau, in
Silesia : —
Case 63. "A lady makes me the following communi-
cation : While still a young and innocent girl, she was
married to a man of about thirty years. On their wedding
night he forced a bowl with soap into her hands, and
without any expression of endearment wanted her to
lather his chin and neck (as if for shaving). The inex-
perienced young wife did it, and was not a little astonished
during the first weeks of married life to learn its secrets in
absolutely no other form. Her husband always told her
that it gave him the greatest delight to have his face
lathered by her. Later, after she had sought the advice
of friends, she induced her husband to perform coitus, and
had three children in the course of time (by him, she
states with every assurance). The husband was industrious
and reliable, but a moody man, with short temper; by
occupation a merchant."
It may be inferred that this man conceived the act of
being shaved (i.e., the lathering as a preparatory measure)
as a rudimentary, symbolic realisation of ideas of injury or
death, or of fancies about knives, like those the man pre-
viously mentioned had had in his youth, and by means of
which he had been sexually excited and satisfied. The
•ct sadistic counterpart to this case, looked upon in
the same light, is offered by observation 37, which is a
case of symbolic sadism.
Symbolic Masochism.
At any rate, there is a whole group of masochists who
160 PSYCHOPATH I A SEXDALI8.
satisfy themselves with the symbolic representations of
situations corresponding with their perversion; a group
which corresponds with Group "a" and "e" of sadism.
Thus, just as the perverse longings of the masochist may
on the one hand advance to "passive lust-murder" (to be
sure, only in imagination), so, on the other hand, they
may be satisfied with simple symbolic representations of
the desired situations, which otherwise are expressed in
acts of cruelty, (this, of course, taken objectively, goes
much farther than the idea of being murdered, but in
fact not so far, owing to the determining subjective con-
ditions). Cases similar to 63 may be here described, in
which the acts desired and planned by the masochists have a
purely symbolic character, and to a certain extent serve to
define the desired situation.
Case 64. (Pascal, "Igiene dell' amore".) Every
three months a man of about forty-five years would visit
a certain prostitute and pay her ten francs for the follow-
ing act. The puella had to undress him, tie his hands and
feet, bandage his eyes, and draw the curtains of the win-
dows. Then she would make her guest sit down on a
sofa, and leave him there alone in a helpless position.
After half an hour she had to come back and unbind him.
Then the man would pay her and leave perfectly satisfied,
to repeat his visit in about three months.
In the dark this man seems to have extended this
situation of being helpless in the hands of a woman by
the aid of imagination. The following case, in which
again a complicated comedy in the sense of masochistic
desires is played, is still more peculiar : —
Case 65. (Dr. Pascal, ibid.} A gentleman in Paris
was accustomed to call on certain evenings at a house
where a woman, the owner, acceded to his peculiar desire.
He entered the salon in full dress, and she, likewise in
evening toilette, had to receive him with a very haughty
MASOCHISM. 161
manner. He addressed her as ''Marquise," and she had
to call him "<lrar Count". Thru he spoke of his good for-
tune in iimlin^ her alone, of his love for her, and of a
lover's interview. At this the lady had to feel insulted.
The pseudo-count grew bolder and bolder, and asked the
pseudo-marquise for a kiss on her shoulder. "There is an
angry scene; the bell is rung; a servant, prepared for the
occasion, appears, and throws the count out of the house.
He departs well satisfied, and pays the acton in the farce
handsomely."
Case 66. X., age thirty-eight, engineer, married,
father of three children, married life unmarred. Visited
periodically a prostitute who had to enact, previous to
coitus, the following comedy. As soon as he entered her
compartment she took him by the ears, and pulled him all
over the room, shouting: "What do you want here? Do
you know that you ought to be at school ? Why don't you
go to school?" She would then slap his face and flog
him soundly, until he knelt before her begging pardon.
She then handed him a little basket containing bread and
fruit, such as children carry with them to school. He
remained renitent until the girl's harshness produced or-
gasm in him, when he would call out: "I am going! I am
going!" and then performed coitus.
It is pyobable that this masochistic comedy may have
arisen from some scenes enacted during his schooltime and
that in this wise libido became associated with them. Fur-
ther details of X.'s vita sexualis are not known. (Dr.
Carrara, in Archivio di Psichiatria xxix., 4).
Ideal Masochism.
A distinction must be made between "symbolic" and
"ideal" masochism. In the latter the psychical perver-
sion remains entirely within the spheres of imagination
and fancy, and no attempt at realisation is made. (Cf.
11
162 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
cases 57 and 62.) Two other cases of ideal masochism
are quoted here. The first is that of an individual men-
tally and physically tainted, bearing degenerative signs, in
whom mental and physical impotence occurred early : —
Case 67. Mr. Z., aged twenty-two, single, was
brought to me by his father for medical advice, because ho
was very nervous and plainly sexually abnormal. Mother
and maternal grandmother were insane. His father begat
him at a time when he was suffering severely from ner-
vousness.
Patient was said to have been a very lively and talented
child. At the age of seven he was noticed to practise
masturbation. After his ninth year he became inattentive,
forgetful, and did not progress in his studies, constantly
requiring help and protection. With difficulty he got
through the Gymnasium, and during his time of freedom
had attracted attention by his indolence, absent-minded-
ness, and various foolish acts.
Consultation was occasioned by an occurrence in the
street, in which Z. had forced himself on a young girl in a
very impetuous manner, and in great excitement had tried
to have a conversation with her.
The patient gave as a reason that by conversing with
a respectable girl he wished to excite himself so that he
could be potent in coitus with a prostitute !
His father characterised him as a man of perfectly
good disposition, moral but lazy, dissatisfied with himself,
often in despair about his want of success in life, indolent,
and interested in nothing but music, for which he possessed
great talent.
The patient's exterior — his plagiocephalic head, his
large, prominent ears, the deficient innervation of the
right facialis about the mouth, the neuropathic expression
of the eyes — indicated a degenerate, neuropathic indi-
vidual.
Z. was tall, of powerful frame, and in all respects of
masculine appearance. Pelvis masculine, testicles well
MASOCHISM. 163
developed, penis remarkably large, mons veneris with
abundant hair. The right testicle much lower than the
left, the cremasteric reflex weak on both sides. The
patient was intellectually below the average. He felt
his deficiency, complained of his indolence, and asked to
have his will strengthened. His awkward, embarrassed
manner, timid glances, and relaxed attitude pointed to
masturbation. The patient confessed that from his seventh
year until a year and a half ago he practised it, years at a
time, from eight to ten times daily. Until a few years
ago, when he became neurasthenic (cephalic pressure, loss
of mental power, spinal irritation, etc.), he said he always
found great sensuous pleasure in it. Since then this had
been lost, and the desire to masturbate had disappeared.
He had constantly grown more bashful and indolent, less
energetic, and more cowardly and apprehensive. He had
lost interest in everything, and attended to his business
only from a sense of duty, feeling very low-spirited. He
had never thought of coitus, and from his standpoint as
an onanist, he could not understand how others could find
pleasure in it
Investigation in the direction of inverted sexual in-
stinct gave a negative result. He said he never was drawn
toward persons of his own sex ; he rather thought he had
now and then had a weak inclination for females. He
asserted that he came to masturbate independently. In
this thirteenth year he first noticed ejaculations as a result
of masturbatic manipulations.
It was only after long persuasion that Z. consented to
entirely unveil his vita sexualis. As his statements which
follow show, he may be classified as a case of ideal maso-
chism, with rudimentary sadism. The patient distinctly
remembered that at the age of six, without any cause, he
had "ideas of violence". He was compelled to imagine
that a servant girl spread his legs apart and showed his
genitals to another; that she tried to throw him into cold
or hot water in order to cause him pain. These "ideas of
violence" were attended with lustful feelings, and became
164 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXT7ALIS.
the cause of masturbatic manipulations. Later the patient
called them up voluntarily, in order to incite himself to
masturbation. They also played a part in his dreams;
but they never induced pollution, apparently because the
patient masturbated excessively during the day.
In time, to these masochistic "ideas of violence"
others of a sadistic nature were added. At first they were
scenes in which boys forcibly practised onanism on one
another, or cut off the genitals. He often imagined him-
self such a boy, now in an active, now in a passive role.
Later he busied himself with mental pictures of girls and
women exhibiting themselves to one another. He revelled
in the thought, for example, of a servant girl spreading
another girl's legs apart and pulling the genital hair; or
in the thought of boys treating girls cruelly, and pricking
and pinching their genitals.
Such ideas also always induced sexual excitement, but
he never experienced any impulse to carry them out
actively or to have them performed on himself passively.
It satisfied him to use them for masturbation. Later on,
with diminishing sexual imagination and libido these ideas
and impulses had become infrequent, but their content
remained unchanged. The masochistic "ideas of violence"
predominated over the sadistic. Whenever he saw a lady,
he had the thought that she had sexual ideas like his own.
In this way, in part, he explained his embarrassment in
social intercourse. Having heard that he would get rid
of his burdensome sexual ideas if he were to accustom
himself to natural sexual indulgence, he had twice at-
tempted coitus, though he only experienced repugnance,
and was not confident of success. On both occasions the
attempt was a fiasco. The second time he made the attempt
he felt such aversion that he pushed the girl away and fled.
The second case is the following observation pladed
at my disposal by a colleague. Even though it be aphor-
istic, it seems particularly suited to throw a clear light on
the distinctive element of masochism — the consciousness
of subjection, in its peculiar psycho-sexual effect : —
MASOCHISM. 165
Case 68. Z., aged twenty-seven, artist, powerfully
built, of pleasing appearance, said to be free from hered-
itary taint. Healthy in youth, since his twenty-third year
he had been nervous and inclined to be hypochrondriacal.
Although he bragged of sexual indulgence he was not very
virile. In spite of associations with females, his relations
with them were limited to innocent attentions. At the
same time, his covetousness for women who were cold
toward him was remarkable. Since his twenty-fifth
year he had noticed that females, no matter how ugly,
always excited him sexually whenever he discovered any-
thing domineering in their character. An angry word
from the lips of such a woman was sufficient to give him
the most violent erections. Thus, one day he sat in a cafe
and heard the (ugly) female cashier scold the waiters in a
loud voice. This threw him into the most intense sexual
excitement, which soon induced ejaculation. Z. required
the women with whom he was to have sexual intercourse
to repulse and annoy him in various ways. He thought
that only a woman like the heroines of Sacher-Masoch'a
romances could charm him.
These cases of ideal masochism plainly demonstrate
that the persons afflicted with this anomaly do not aim at
actually suffering pain. The term "algolagnia," therefore,
as applied by Schrenck-Notzing and by v. Eulenburg to
this anomaly, does not signify the essence, i.e., the psy-
chical nucleus of the element of masochistic sentiment and
imagination. This essence consists rather of the lustfully
coloured consciousness of being subject to the power of
another person. The ideal, or even actual, enactment of
violence on the part of the controlling person, is only the
means to the end, i.e., the realisation of the sentiment.
Cases like this, in which the whole perversion of the
vita sexualis is confined to the sphere of imagination — to
the inner world of thought and instinct — and only acci-
dentally comes to the knowledge of others, do not seem to
be infrequent. Their practical significance, like that of
166 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
masochism in general (which has not the great forensic
importance of sadism), is confined to the psychical im-
potence to which such individuals, as a rule, become
subject ; and to the intense impulse to solitary indulgence,
with adequate imaginary ideas, and all its consequences.
That masochism is a perversion of uncommonly fre-
quent occurrence is sufficiently shown by the relatively
large number of cases that have thus far been studied
scientifically, as well as by the agreement of the various
statements reported.
The works concerning prostitution in large cities also
contain numerous statements concerning this matter.1
It is interesting and worthy of mention that one of the
most celebrated of men was subject to this perversion
and describes it in his autobiography (though somewhat
erroneously). From "Jean Jacques Rousseau's Confes-
sions" it is evident that he was affected with masochism.
Rousseau, with reference to whose life and malady
Mobius (''J. J. Rousseau's Krankheitsgeschichte." Leipzig,
1890) and Chatelain ("La folie de J. J. Rousseau," Neu-
chatel, 1891) may be consulted, tells in his "Confessions"
(part i., book i.) how Miss Lambercier, aged thirty, greatly
impressed him when he was eight years old and lived with
her brother as his pupil. Her solicitude when he could
not immediately answer a question, and her threats to
1 L6o Taxil (op. cit., p. 228) describes masochistic scenes in
Parisian brothels. The man affected with this perversion is there
also called " slave."
Coffignon (" La corruption a Paris") has a chapter in his book
entitled " Les Passionels " which contains contributions to this sub-
ject.
The strongest proof of the frequency of masochism lies in the
fact that it openly appears in newspaper advertisements. For
instance, the following advertisement appeared in the "Hannover-
aches' Tageblatt," 4th December, 1895: —
" Sacher-Masoch. 109,404. Ladies interested in the works, and
who embody the female characters, of this author are requested to
send their address, under No. R. 537, to the offices of this paper.
Strictest discretion." Another similar advertisement appeared in
the same number.
MASOCHISM. 167
punish him if In- <1M n«t Irani well, made the deepest
imjiression on him. When one day he had blows at her
hands, with the feeling of pain and shame he also experi-
1 sensuous pleasure, that incited a great desire to be
whipped by her again. It was only for fear of disturbing
the lady that Rousseau failed to make other opportunities
to experience this lustful, sensual feeling. One day, how-
ever, he unintentionally gave cause for a whipping at Miss
Lambercier's hands. This was the last; for Miss Lam-
bercier must have noticed something of the peculiar effect
of the punishment, she did not allow the eight-year-old
boy to sleep in her room any more. From this time
Rousseau felt a desire to have himself punished by ladies
pleasing to him, a la Lambercior, but he asserts that until
he became a youth he knew nothing of the relation of the
sexes to each other. As is known, Rousseau was first in-
troduced to the real mysteries of love in his thirteenth year,
and lost his innocence through Madame de Warrens. Till
then he had had only feelings and impulses attracting him
to woman in the nature of passive flagellation, and other
masochistic ideas.
Rousseau describes in extenso how he suffered, with his
great sexual desires, by reason of his peculiar sensuousness,
which had undoubtedly been awakened by his whippings,
for he revelled in desire, and could not disclose his long-
ings. It would be erroneous, however, to suppose that
Rousseau was concerned merely with flagellation. Fla-
gellation only awakened ideas of a masochistic nature.
At least in these ideas lies the psychological nucleus of his
interesting study of self. The essential element with
Rousseau was the feeling of subjection to the woman.
This is clearly shown by the "Confessions," in which
he expressly emphasises that "Etre aux genoux d'une
rnaitresse imperieuse, obeir a ses ordres, avoir des pardons
a lui demander, etaient pour moi de tres douces jouis-
sances."
This passage proves that the consciousness of subjec-
168 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
tion to and humiliation by the woman was the most
important element.
To be sure, Rousseau was himself in error in supposing
that this impulse to be humiliated by a woman had arisen
by association of ideas from the idea of flagellation: —
"N'osant jamais declarer mon gout, je 1'amusais du
moins par des rapports qui m'en conservaient 1'idee".
It is only in connection with the numerous cases of
masochism, the existence of which has now been estab-
lished, and among which there are so many that are in no
wise connected with flagellation, showing the primary and
purely psychical character of this instinct of subjection —
it is only in connection with these cases that a complete
insight into Rousseau's case is obtained and the error de-
tected into which he necessarily fell in the analysis of his
own condition.
Binet ("Revue Anthropologique," xxiv., p. 256), who
analyses Rousseau's case in detail, justly calls attention to
its masochistic significance when he says: "Ce qu'aime
Rousseau dans les femmes, ce n'est pas seulement le
sourcil fronce, la main levee, le regard severe, 1'attitude
imperieuse, c'est aussi 1'etat emotionnel, dont ces faits
sont la traduction exterieure; ill aime la femme fiere,
dedaigneuse, 1'ecrasant a ses pieds du poids de sa royale
colere".
The solution of this enigmatical psychological fact
Binet finds in his assumption that it is an instance of
fetichism, only with the difference that the object of the
fetichism — i.e., the object of individual attraction (fetich)
— is not a portion of the body like a hand or foot, but a
mental peculiarity. This enthusiasm he calls "amour
spiritualiste" in contrast with "amour plastique" as mani-
fested in ordinary fetichism.
This deduction is acute, but it is only a term by which
to designate a fact, not a solution of it. Whether an
explanation is possible, will later occupy our attention.
MASOCHISM. 169
There were also elements of masochism (and sadism)
in the French writer C. P. Baudelaire, who died insane.
Baudelaire came of an insane and eccentric family.
From his youth he was psychically abnormal. His vita
sexualis was decidedly abnormal. He had love-affairs
with ugly, repulsive women — negresses, dwarfs, giantesses.
About a very beautiful woman he expressed the wish to
see her hung up by her hands and to kiss her feet. This
enthusiasm for the naked foot also appears in one of his
fiercely feverish poems as the equivalent of sexual indulg-
ence. He said women were animals who had to be shut
up, beaten and fed well. The man displaying these
masochistic and sadistic inclinations died of paretic de-
mentia. (Lombroso, "The Man of Genius".)
In scientific literature, the conditions constituting
masochism have not received attention until recently.
Tarnowsky, however ("Die krankhaften Erscheinungen
des Geschlechtssinns," Berlin, 1886), relates that he has
known happily married, intellectual men, who from time
to time felt an irresistible impulse to subject themselves
to the coarsest, cynical treatment — to scoldings or blows
from passive or active pederasts or prostitutes. It is
worthy of remark that, as Tarnowsky observes, in certain
cases blows, even when they draw blood, do not bring the
desired result (virility, or at least ejaculation during
flagellation) by those given to passive flagellation. "The
individual must then be undressed by force, his hands tied,
fastened to a bench, etc., during which he shams opposi-
tion, scolds, and pretends to resist. Only under such
circumstances do the blows induce excitement leading to
ejaculation."
0. Zimmerman's work, "Die Wonne des Leids," Leip-
zig, 1885, also contributes much to this subject,1 taken
from history and literature.
1 However, the domain of masochism must be sharply differen-
tiated from the principal subject of that work, which is, that love
contains an element of suffering. Unrequited love has always been
lYO PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
More recently this matter has attracted fuller attention.
A. Moll, in his work, "Die Contrare Sexualempfin-
dung," pp. 133 and 151 et seq., Berlin, 1891, quotes a
number of cases of complete masochism in individuals of
inverted sexuality, and among them that of a man suffer-
ing with sexual perversion, who sent written instructions,
containing twenty paragraphs, to a man engaged for this
purpose, who was to treat and abuse him like a slave.
In June, 1891, Mr. Dimitri von Stefanowsky, Deputy
Government Attorney in Jaroslaw, Russia, informed Vne
that, about three years before, he had given his attention
to the perversion of the vita sexualis designated "maso-
chism" by me, and called "passivism" by him; that a
year and a half previously he had prepared a paper on the
subject for Professor von Kowalewsky for the Russian
"Archives of Psychiatry" ; and that in November, 1888,
he had read a paper on this subject, considered in its legal
and psychological aspects, before the Law Society of Mos-
cow (printed in the "Juridischer Boten," the organ of
the society, in Nos. 6 to 8).1
V. Schrenck-Notzing devotes in his work "Therapeutic
Suggestions in Psychopathia Sexualis" (Stuttgart, 1892),
several paragraphs to masochism and sadism and quotes
several observations of his own.
Professor E. DeaJc of Buda Pesth, points out that the
favourite thought of the masochist, viz. : to be used by a
female person as a beast of burden, may be found in the
old-Indian Literature, e.g., in "Pantschatandra" (Benfey,
Vol. ii., Book iv.) in the form of a narrative: "Woman's
Wiles," the gist of which is: The wife of King Nenda (in
t
described as " sweet, but sorrowful," and poets speak of " blissful
pain " or " painful bliss." This must not be confounded, as Z. does,
with the manifestations of masochism, any more than should be the
characterisation of an unyielding lover as " cruel." It is remark-
able, however, that Hamerling ("Amor und Psyche," iv. Gesang)
uses perfect masochistic pictures, flagellation, etc., to express this
feeling.
1 Cf. his recent paper on " Passivisimus " in the " Archives
d'Anthropologie Criminelle," 1892, vii., p. 294.
MASOCHISM. 171
consequence of some love quarrel) was very angry with
JUT husband, but despite of his most earnest entreaties
would not be reconciled. Ho says to her: "Love, without
thee I cannot exist. I throw myself at thy feet and im-
plore thee to be kind to me." She replies : "If thou wilt
let me put a bit in thy mouth, mount thee arid goad thee
on to run and neigh like a horse, I will forgive thee."
He did it. (Cf.t Case 58 of this book !)
Benfey found a similar story in a Buddhistic narra-
tive which is published in "Memoires sur les contrees' occi-
dentales par Hionen Thsang, traduit du Chinois par St.
Julien," i., 124.
Sacher-Masoch's writings have repeatedly been men-
tioned in this book.
Many perverts refer to this author as having given
typical descriptions of their psychical conditions.
Zola has a masochistic scene in his "Nana," also in
"Eugene Rougon." The "decadent" literature of recent
times in France and Germany often has for a theme
sadism and masochism. According to v. Stefanowsky the
tendency of the Russian novel lies in the same direction.
Johann George Forster (1754-94) mentions in his
"Travels" that the same idea underlies the Russian folk-
lore. Stefanowsky finds the type of the "Passivist" in an
English tragedy by Otway: "Venice preserved," and re-
fers also to Dr. Luiz's "Les fellatores. Moeurs de la deca-
dence," Paris, 1888 (Union des bibliophiles).
Johannes Wedde (social-democrat agitator, died 1890),
of Hamburg, advocates in his lyrics the subjection of man
to woman who should be mistress instead of handmaid.
(Cf. Max Hoffmann, "Magazin," v. 29, 2, 96).
A striking example of masochism may also be found in
northern literature by J. P. Jacobsen, "Niels Lyne."
(b) Latent Masochism — Foot- and Shoe-Fetichists.
Following the group of masochists is the very numer-
ous class of foot- and ehoe-fetichists. This group forms
172 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
the transition to the manifestations of another independent
perversion, i.e., fetichism itself j but it stands in closer
relationship to masochism than to the latter, for which
reason it is placed here.
By fetichists (v. page 218) I understand individuals
whose sexual interest is concentrated exclusively on cer-
tain parts of the female body, or on certain portions of
female attire. One of the most frequent forms of this
fetichism is that in which the female foot or shoe is the
fetich, and becomes the exclusive object of sexual feeling
and desire. It is highly probable, and shown by a correct
classification of the observed cases, that the majority —
and perhaps all — of the cases of shoe fetichism, rest upon
a basis of more or less conscious masochistic desire for
self-humiliation.
In Hammond's case (case 59) the satisfaction of a
masochist was found in being trod upon. In cases 55 and
58 they also had themselves trod upon. In case 59, equus
eroticus, the person loved a woman's foot, etc. In the
majority of cases of masochism the act of being trod upon
with feet plays a part as an easily accessible means of
expressing the relation of subjection.1
Case 69. Z., age 28, hereditarily and constitutionally
neuropathic, claimed to have had pollution at the age of
eleven, when he was chastised by his mother ad podicem.
He often recalled the scene as a pleasurable experience. At
the age of thirteen he developed a weakness for ladies'
1 (Moll, " Untersuchungen tiber Libido Sexualis, Bd. i., 2 Theil,
Beob. 36, p. 320.) However, against the theory that foot- and
shoe-fetichism is a manifestation of (latent) masochism, Dr. Moll
(op. cit., p. 136) raises the objection that it is still unexplained
why the fetichist so often prefers boots with high heels, to boots and
shoes of a particular kind — buttoned or laced. To this objection it
may be remarked that in the first place the high heels characterise
the shoes as feminine, and in the second place, that in spite of the
sexual character of his inclination, the fetichist demands all kinds
of aesthetic qualities in his fetich; also the interesting theories
advanced by Restif de la Bretonne [himself foot- fetichist], and
quoted in Mott's work, op. cit., pp. 498 and 499, footnote.
MASOCHISM. 173
boots with high heels. He pressed them between his thighs
and thus produced ejaculation. The very thought of it
sufficed to effect the desired result He soon added to
this fancy the idea that he lay at the feet of a pretty girl
and allowed her to kick him with her pretty boots. This
caused ejaculation. Until he was twenty-one he never
had desire for coitus or the female genitals. From twenty-
one to twenty-five he suffered from tuberculosis, during
which period the masochistic* inclination almost disap-
peared. After recovery he tried coitus for the first time,
but when he saw the nude form of the girl his desire van-
ished completely. He now confined himself to his maso-
chistic fancies, but hoped that some day he would meet
with the ideal woman who by means of sadistic acts might
lead him to normal sexual intercourse.
Such cases are numerous in which, within a fully
developed circle of masochistic ideas, the foot and the
shoe or boot of a woman, conceived as a means of humili-
ation, have become the objects of special sexual interest
Through numerous degrees that are easily discriminated
they form the demonstrable transition to other cases in
which the masochistic inclinations retreat more and more
to the background, and little by little pass beyond the
threshold of consciousness, while the interest in women's
shoes, apparently absolutely inexplicable, alone remains in
consciousness. Frequent cases of shoe-lovers, which, like
all cases of fetichism, possess forensic interest (theft of
shoes), occupy a position midway between masochism and
fetichism. The majority or all may be looked upon as
instances of latent masochism (the motive remaining un-
conscious) in which the female foot or shoe, as the maso-
chist's fetich, has acquired an independent significance.
In cases 70 and 71 the female shoe possesses a subor-
dinate interest, but unmistakable masochistic desires play
an important part: —
Case 70. Mr. X., aged twenty-five, parents healthy,
174 PSYCHOI'ATHIA SEXUALIS.
never ill before, placed the following autobiography at
my disposal: "I began to practise onanism at the age of
ten, without ever having any lustful thoughts during the
act. Yet at that time — I am sure of this — the sight and
touch of girls' elegant boots had a peculiar charm for me ;
my greatest desire was also to wear such shoes, a wish
that was occasionally fulfilled at masquerades. But I was
also troubled by a very different thought: my ideal was to
see myself in a position of humiliation; I would gladly
have been a slave, and whipped; in short, I wished to
receive the treatment that one finds described in many
stories of slavery. I do not know whether the reading of
such stories gave rise to my wish, or whether it arose spon-
taneously.
"Puberty began at the age of thirteen; with the
occurrence of ejaculation lustful pleasure increased, and E
masturbated more frequently, often two or three times a
day. From my twelfth to my sixteenth year, during the
act of onanism, I always had the idea that I was forced to
wear girls' boots. The sight of an elegant boot, on the
foot of a girl at all pretty, intoxicated me; I inhaled the
odour of the leather with avidity. In order to smell
leather during the act of onanism, I bought a pair of
leathern cuffs, which I smelled while I masturbated. My
enthusiasm for ladies' leathern shoes remains the same
to-day; only, since my seventeenth year, it has boon
coupled with the wish to become a servant, to blacken
shoes for distinguished ladies, to put on and take off their
shoes for them, etc.
"My dreams at night are made up of shoe-scenes:
either I stand before the show-window of a shoe-shop
regarding the elegant ladies' shoes, — particularly buttoned
shoes, — or I lie at a lady's feet and smell and lick her
shoes. For about a year I have given up onanism and go
ad puellas; coitus takes place by means of intense thought
of ladies' buttoned shoes ; or, if necessary, I take the shoe
of the puella to bed with me. I have never suffered from
mv former onanism. I learn easily, have a good memory,
MASOCHISM. 175
and have never had a headache in my life. This much
concerning myself.
"A few words about my brother: I am thoroughly
n.nvinced that he is also a shoe-fetichist. Of the many
facts that demonstrate this to me, it is only necessary to
mention that it is a great pleasure for him to have a cer-
tain cousin (a very beautiful girl) tread upon him. As for
the rest, I might undertake to tell whether a man who
stands before a shoe-shop and regards the shoes on exhibi-
tion is a "foot-lover" or not. This anomaly is uncom-
monly frequent. When in the circle of my acquaintance
I turn the conversation to the question of what woman's
charm is, I very frequently hear it said that it is much
more in attire than in nudity ; but every one is careful not
to reveal his especial fetich. I think an uncle of mine is
also a shoe-fetichist."
Case 71. Z., twenty-eight years, official, comes from
neuropathic mother. Father died early; as to his family
and health no information obtainable. Z. was from early
childhood nervous and impressionable; began early to
masturbate on his own accord; with puberty he became
neurasthenic, avoided onanism for a while, but was trou-
bled with pollutions very frequently; recovered somewhat
at a hydropathic institute; experienced strong libido to-
wards woman, but never succeeded in coitus partly on ac-
count of diffidence in his power, partly from fear of in-
fection. This upset him very much, especially as he re-
lapsed faute de mieux into his secret habit.
Z., during a searching consultation about his vita sex-
ualis, proved to be fetichist as well as masochist, and
revealed interesting relations between these two anoma-
lies. He asserted that since his ninth year he had a weak-
ness for women's shoes. This, he claimed, was caused by
seeing at that time a lady mounting a horse whilst an
attendant held the stirrup for her. This sight excited him
very much, it constantly recurred to his imagination, ever
increasing his lustful feelings. Later on his sensations
176 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
during pollution were connected with women in high
boots. Laced boots with high heels charmed him most
especially when this idea was associated with the lustful
thought that a woman trod upon him with her heel, and
that he, whilst kneeling, kissed a woman's shoes. The
only interesting thing about a woman was her shoe. Im-
pressions of odour did not play any part in this. The
shoe as such was insufficient; it must be worn by woman.
Whenever he saw a woman with laced boots he became
excited and masturbated. He believed that he could not
command virile power with any woman unless her feet
were clad with laced boots.
Faute de mieux he made a drawing of such a boot, and
whilst masturbating revelled in gazing at it.
The following case is not only instructive because of
the relations shown therein to exist between shoe-fetich-
ism and masochism, but is also of interest on account
of the cure of the vita sexualis brought about by the
patient himself.
Case 72. Mr. M., thirty-three years of age, of good
family, which on the maternal side for generations had
shown manifestations of psychical degeneration, extend-
ing even to cases of moral insanity. The mother was
neuropathic and characterologically abnormal. Himself
strong, well built, but neuropathic; began as a small boy
to practise onanism spontaneously. When twelve years
of age peculiar dreams of being tortured, whipped and
kicked by men and women, especially by the latter. When
about fourteen a weakness for women's boots came over
him. They caused sexual excitement; he was forced to
kiss and press them to him; this produced erection and
orgasm, followed by masturbation. But these acts were
also accompanied by masochistic ideas of being kicked
and tortured.
He recognized that his vita sexualis was abnormal,
and at the age of seventeen he sought a cure in coitus.
MASOCHISM. 177
lie found himself quite impotent. At eighteen another
:.}•! proved a failure; he continued masturbation
assisted by shoe-fetichism and masochistic fancies.
At the age of nineteen he heard by accident a man
speak of flagellation by a girl as a means to bring about
virility. He now felt that he had found his remedy, and
hastened to carry out the advice just received, but waa
completely disappointed. The whole situation disgusted
him so thoroughly that no erection resulted.
He made no more similar attempts, and satisfied him-
self in the accustomed manner. When he was twenty-
seven he met by accident a sympathetic and galante girl,
became intimate, and complained to her about his impo-
tence. She laughed at him, and said that at his age and
with his constitution this was impossible.
He gained self-confidence, but only after fourteen days
of the greatest intimacy and with the aid of shoe-fetichism
and masochistic fancies he obtained power. This lasted
several months. His condition improved, he could do
without the secret aids, and his abnormal fancies became
latent. Then for three years, on account of psychical
impotence with other women, he yielded again to mastur-
bation and his former fetichism. With his thirtieth year
he entered again upon sympathetic relations with another
girl ; but as he felt himself incapable of coitus without the
aid of masochistic situations, he instructed her to treat
him as her slave. She played her part well, made him
kiss her feet, whipped him with a switch, and trod upon
him. But it was all in vain. He only felt pain and
utter confusion, and soon had these assaults discontinued.
Ideal masochistic situations, however, aided him at times
to accomplish coitus.
But he found little satisfaction under these circum-
stances. Then he came across my book on "Psychopathia
Sexualis," and found out the real condition of his anomaly.
He wrote to his former acquaintance and entered again
upon intimate relations with her, but told her definitely
that the former absurd scenes of "slavery" must not. be
12
178 PSYCIIOPATJIIA 8EXUALIS.
enacted again, and that under no circumstances, even
though he request it himself, must she enter upon his
masochistic ideas.
In order to free himself of shoe-fetichism he adopted
the following plan. He bought a lady's elegant boot
and made daily these suggestions to himself whilst kissing
the boot repeatedly: "Why should I have erections
when kissing this boot, which is after all only a piece
of ordinary leather?" This practice little by little
stripped the object of its fetichistic charm. The erections
disappeared, and finally the boot impressed him only as
a boot. Intimate intercourse with the sympathetic per-
son ran parallel with this suggestive self-treatment, and
although at first he could not produce virility without the
assistance of masochistic ideas, these latter gradually
disappeared.
He was so pleased with his cure that he came to thank
me for the valuable help he had found in the perusal of
my book, which had shown him the right way to remedy
his defect.
Since then he wrote that he was completely cured,
that he met with no difficulties in his sexual intercourse,
although from time to time masochistic representations
faintly reappeared without, however, leaving any im-
pression on his mind.
Case 73. Reported by Mantegazza in his "Anthropo-
logical Studies," 1886, p. 110. X., American, of good
family, mentally and morally well constituted; from the
beginning of puberty capable of being excited sexually
only by a woman's shoe. Her body and naked or
stockinged foot made no impression on him; but the
foot, when covered with the shoe, or a shoe alone, in-
duced erection and even ejaculation. Sight alone was
sufficient for him in the case of elegant shoes — i.e., shoea
of black leather, buttoning up the side and having very
high heels. His sexual desire was powerfully excited by
touching, kissing, or putting such shoes on his feet.
MASOCHISM. 179
enjoyment was increased by driving nails through the
soles so that their points would penetrate his feet while
walking. This caused him terrible pain, but he had real
lustful feeling at the same time. His greatest enjoyment
was to kneel down before the elegant clad feet of ladies
and have them step on him. If the wearer be an ugly
woman, the shoes would not affect him, and his fancy
would cool. If the patient had empty shoes only at his
disposal, his fancy would create a beautiful woman wear-
ing them, and ejaculation would result. His nightly
dreams were of the shoes of beautiful women. He con-
sidered the exposure of ladies' shoes in show-windowi
immoral, while talk about the nature of woman seemed
to him harmless, but in bad taste. X. attempted coitus
several times without success, ejaculation never occurred.
In the following case the masochistic as well as the
sadistic element is in evidence (cf. "Torture of Animals,"
under "Sadism") :—
Case 74. A young, powerful man, aged twenty-six.
Nothing in the opposite sex excited his sensual feeling
except elegant shoes on the feet of a buxom woman, es-
pecially when they were made of black leather, and had
high heels. The shoes without the wearer were sufficient.
It gave him the greatest pleasure to see, touch and kiss
tliein. The feminine foot, when bare or covered with a
stocking, had no effect on him. Since childhood he had
a weakness for ladies' fine shoes.
X. was potent; during the sexual act the female must
be elegantly dressed and, above all, have on pretty shoes.
At the height of sexual excitement cruel thoughts about
the shoes arose. He was forced to think with delight of the
death agonies of the animal from which the leather was
taken. Sometimes he was impelled to take chickens and
other animals with him to Phryne, in order to have her
tread on them with her pretty shoes for his pleasure. He
called this "sacrificing to the feet of Venus." At other
180 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
times he had the woman walk on him with her shoes on,
the harder the better.
Until the previous year it was sufficient — since he
did not take the slightest sensual pleasure in women —
to caress ladies' shoes that pleased him, thus attaining
ejaculation and complete satisfaction (Lombroso, "Arch, di
psichiatria," ix., fascic. iii.).
The next case reminds one of case 73, on account
of the interest in the nails of the shoes (as capable of
inflicting pain) ; and of 74, on account of the slight ac-
companying sadistic element : —
Case 75. X., aged thirty-four, married; of neuro-
pathic parentage; suffered severely from convulsions as
a child; remarkably precocious, but one-sided in develop-
ment (could read at age of three) ; nervous from childhood.
At the age of seven he manifested an inclination to finger
shoes, especially the nails of women's shoes. The mere
sight, but still more the touching of the shoe nails and
counting them, gave him indescribable pleasure.
At night he gave himself up to imagining how his
cousins had their measures taken for shoes; how he
nailed horse-shoes on to one of them or cut her feet off.
In time the shoe-scenes came upon him during the day,
and involuntarily induced erection and ejaculation. Fre-
quently he took the shoes of female occupants of the
house; and if he touched them with his penis he had an
ejaculation. For a long time, when a student, it was
possible for him to control his ideas and inclinations ; but
there came a time when he was compelled to listen to
female footsteps on the pavement, which, like the sight
of the nails being driven into ladies' shoes, or the sight
of shoes in the windows of the boot-shops, always swayed
him with feelings of lustful pleasure. He married, and
during the first months of his married life was free from
these desires. Gradually he became hysteropathic and
neurasthenic.
MASOCHISM. 181
At this stage ho began to have hysterical attacks when
the shoemaker spoke to him of nails in ladies' shoes or of
driving nails in the same. The reaction was still greater
if lie chanced to see a pretty lady with shoes well beset
with nails. In order to induce ejaculation it was only
necessary for him to cut soles out of pasteboard and beset
them with nails; or he would buy ladies' shoes, have
them beset with nails in the shop, and at home scrape
th« -in on the ground, and finally touch them with the
end of his penis. Moreover, lustful shoe-visions occurred
spontaneously, in which he satisfied himself by masturba-
tion.
X. was otherwise intelligent, skilful in his calling, but
powerless in combating his perverse inclinations. lie
presented phimosis; penis short, expanded at the root, and
incapable of complete erection. One day the patient
allowed himself to masturbate when excited by the sight
of ladies' shoes beset with nails in front of the window,
of a shoe-shop, and thus became a criminal (Blanche
"Archiv. de Neurologie," 1882, No. 22).
Reference may be made here to a case of inverted
sexuality, to be described later, Case 137, in which the
principal sexual interest was in the boots of male servants.
The desire was to be trod upon by them, etc.
Case 76. (Dr. Pascal "Igiene dell' amore".) X.,
merchant; from time to time (but particularly in bad
weather) had the following desire: He would accost
some prostitute and ask her to go to a shoe-shop with
him, where he would buy her the handsomest pair of
shoes made of patent leather, under the condition that
she would put them on immediately. When this had
taken place, she had to go about in the street, walking
in manure and mud as much as possible, in order to soil
the shoes. Then X. would lead the person to a hotel,
and, almost before they had reached a room, he would
cast himself upon her feet, feeling an extraordinary plea-
182 PSYCIIOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
sure in licking them with his lips. When he had cleaned
the shoes in this manner, he paid her and went his way.
From these cases it may be plainly seen that the shoe
is the fetich of the masochist, and apparently because of
the relation of the dressed female foot to the idea of being
trod upon and other acts of humiliation. When, therefore,
m other cases of shoe-fetichism, the female shoe appears
alone as the excitant of sexual desire, one is justified in
presuming that masochistic motives have remained latent.
The idea of being trod upon, etc., remains in the depths
of unconscious life, and the idea of the shoe alone, the
means for such acts, rises into consciousness. Cases which
would otherwise remain wholly inexplicable are suffi-
ciently explained.1 Here one has to do with latent maso-
chism which may always be assumed as the unconscious
motive, when not infrequently the origin of the fetichism
can be proved to arise from an association of ideas with
some particular event, as in cases 113 and 114.
Such cases of desire for ladies' shoes, without conscious
motive and without demonstrable origin, are really innu-
merable.2 Three cases are here given as examples: —
Case 77. Minister, aged fifty. From time to time he
went to houses of prostitution under the pretext of renting
a room. He entered it with a girl. Then he lustfully
regarded her shoes, took one off, osculatur et mordet cal-
igam libidine captus. Ad genitalia denique caligam pre-
mit, ejaculat semen semineque ejaculate exillas pedusque
terit; then he awoke from his sexual ecstasy. He begged
the woman to allow him to keep the shoe for a few days,
and always, at the appointed time, returned it with thanks
(Cantaranot, "La Psichiatria," v., p. 205).
1 Compare the instructive case of Moll, Libido sexualis, p. 320.
2 There is apparently a connection between foot-fetichism and
the fact that certain persons of this kind, whom coitus does not
satisfy, or who are unable to perform it, find a substitute for it
in tritw membri inter pedes mulieris.
MASOCHISM. 183
Case 78. Z., Student, aged twenty-three; of a
tainted family. Sister was insane; brother suffered with
hil^ifrid i-ir His. The patient, peculiar from childhood,
had frequent attacks of hypochondriacal depression, icedi-
um vitce, and felt that he was being slighted. In a con-
sultation on account of mental trouble, I found him to be
a very perverse hereditarily predisposed man, with neu-
rasthenic and hypochondriacal symptoms. A suspicion of
masturbation was confirmed. Patient made interesting
disclosures concerning his vita sexualis. At the age of ten
he was powerfully attracted by the foot of one of his com-
rades. At twelve he became an enthusiast for ladies' feet.
It gave him a delightful sensation to revel in the sight of
thoin. At fourteen he began to masturbate, thinking, at
the same time, of the beautiful foot of a lady. At this
time he revelled in the sight of the feet of his three-year-
old sister. The feet of other females that attracted him
induced sexual excitement. Only women's feet — no other
part of them — interested him. The thought of sexual
intercourse with women excited his disgust. He had never
attempted coitus. After his twelfth year he had no interest
in the feet of male individuals. The style of covering
of the female foot was indifferent to him; it was only
necessary that the person seemed to be sympathetic. The
thought of enjoying the feet of prostitutes was disgusting
to him. For years he had been in love with his sister's
feet. If he could but obtain her shoes, the sight of them
powerfully excited his sensuality. Kissing or embracing
his sister did not have this effect. His greatest delight
was to embrace and kiss the foot of a sympathetic woman,
when ejaculation would result with a lively pleasurable
sensation. Often he was impelled to touch his genitals
with one of his sister's shoes; but he had been able, thus
far, to master this impulse, especially for the reason that
for two years (owing to progressive irritable weakness of
the p'nitul-) the simple sight of the foot had induced
ejaculation. From his relatives it was ascertained that
}l.e patient had a silly admiration for the feet of his sister;
184 PSYOHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
so that she avoided him and sought to hide her feet from
him. The patient looked upon his perverse sexual impulse
as pathological, and was painfully affected by the fact that
his vile fancy had for its object his sister's foot. He
avoided opportunity as much as he could, and sought to
help the matter by masturbation when, as in dreams
accompanied by pollution, ladies' feet filled his imagina-
tion. However, when the impulse became too powerful
he could not avoid gaining a partial sight of his sister's
foot. Immediately after ejaculation he would become
angry with himself at having been weak again. His
partiality for his sister's foot had cost him many a sleep-
less night. He often wondered that he could still love
his sister. Although it seemed right to him that she
should conceal her feet from him, yet he was often
irritated because the concealment caused him to have
pollutions. The patient gave assurances, confirmed by
his relatives, of being moral in other respects.
Case 79. S., New York, was accused of being a
street-thief. Numerous cases of insanity in his ancestry;
father, brother and sister mentally abnormal. At seven
years, violent cerebral concussion twice. At thirteen,
struck by a beam. At fourteen S. had violent attacks of
headache. Accompanying these attacks, or immediately
after them, peculiar impulse to take the shoes of female
members of the family — as a rule, only one at a time —
and hide them in some out-of-the way corner. Taken to
task, he would lie, or declare that he had no recollection
of the affair. The passion for shoes was unconquerable,
and made its appearance every three or four months.
On one occasion he attempted to take a shoe from the
foot of one of the servants, and on another he stole his
sister's shoe from her bedroom. In the spring two ladies
had their shoes torn from their feet in the open street.
In August, S. left his home early in the morning to go
to his work as a printer. A moment afterwards he tore
the shoe from a girl's foot in the open street, fled to his
MASOCHISM. 185
place of work, and tin-re waa arrested as a street-thief,
lit- <1 'dared that hr did not know much of his act; that
it 1 1 ad come upon him like a stroke of lightning, at the
sight of the shoe, that he must possess himself of it, but
for what purpose he did not know. He had acted while
in a state of unconsciousness. The shoe, as he correctly
indicated, was found in his coat In confinement he was
so much excited mentally that an outbreak of insanity
was feared. Discharged, he stole his wife's shoes while
she was asleep. His moral character and habits of life
were blameless. He was an intelligent workman; but
irregularity of employment, that soon followed, made him
confused and incapable of work. Pardoned (Nichols,
"Am. Journal of Insanity," 1859 ; Beck, "Med. Jurispru-
dence," vol. i., p. 732, 1860).
Dr. Pascal (op. cit.) has some similar cases, and many
others have been mentioned to me by colleagues and
patients.
(c) Disgusting Acts for the Purpose of Self -Humiliation
and Sexual Gratification — Latent Masochism — Kopro-
lagnia.
Whilst in the manifestations thus far described the
aesthetic sentiment is at least, so far as appearances go,
saved, and the lustful situation is kept within the confines
of a symbolic or ideal character, there are many cases in
which the desire for sexual gratification by self-humilia-
tion before woman finds expression in acts which defile the
moral and aesthetic feeling of the normal man.
Impressions obtained through the senses of smell and
taste, which in the normal man produce orfy feelings
of nausea and disgust, are made the basis of the most
vivid emotions of lust, producing in the perverse subject
mighty impulses to orgasm and even ejaculation.
An analogy with the excesses of religious enthusiasm
can be even traced. The religious enthusiast, Antoinette
186 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
Bouvignon de la Porte, used to mix with her food excreta
in order to mortify herself (Zimmefmann, op. cit., p. 124).
The beatified Marie Alacoque licked up with her tongue
the excrement of sick people to "mortify" herself, and
sucked their festering toes. The analogy with sadism is
also of interest in this connection because here also mani-
festations in the sense of varnpyrism and anthropophagy
arising from disgusting appetites of the organs of taste
and olf action produce lustful feelings (cf. case 59, Bichel,
Menesclou, f. Beob. 18, 19, 20, 22). This impulse to dis-
gusting acts might well be named KOPROLAGNIA. Its
relations to Masochism (as a subordinate form) have been
indicated in case 51. The subsequent observation will
render them clearer.
In some cases it would appear as if the masochistic
element were unknown to the perverse subject and tho
instinct for nauseating acts alone were present (latent
masochism). A striking instance of masochistic kopro-
lagnia (combined with perverse sexuality) may be found in
case 114 of the eighth edition of this work. The subject
of this case revels not only in the thought of being the
slave of the beloved, referring for this purpose to Sacher-
Masoch's "Venus in Furs," sed etiam sibi fingit amatum
poscere ut crepidas sudore diffluentes olfaciat ejusque ster-
core vescaiur. Delude narrat, quid non habeat, quce con-
fingat et exoptet, eorum loco suas crepidas sudore infectas
olfacere suoque stercore vesci, inter quce facta pene erecto
se voluptate perturbari semenque ejaculari.
Case 80. Masochism — Koprolagnia. — Z., fifty-two
years of age; high position; father phthisical; family
claimed to be untainted; always nervous, only child, de-
posed to have had peculiar emotions since he was seven,
when by chance he saw the servants take off their boots
and stockings preparatory to scrubbing the floors of the
house. Once he begged one of the maids to show him her
toes and feet before she washed them. When he began
going to school and reading books, be fait forcibly drawn
MASOCHISM. 187
TO literature which contained descriptions of refined cruelty
and tortures, especially when they were executed at the de-
mands of women. He simply devoured novels dealing
with slavery and bondage, and whilst reading them, IK?
became so excited that he began masturbation. What.
iid him most was to imagine that he was the slave
of a pretty young lady of his acquaintance who allowed
hi in after a long walk, pcdes lambere* proecipue plautas et
spatia inter diyitos. He thought of the young lady as
particularly cruel and enjoying tortures and whippings
meted out to him. These fancies were accompanied by
masturbation. At the age of fifteen whilst revelling in
such fiction, he let a poodle dog lick his feet. One day
he noticed how a pretty servant girl in his own home
let a poodle dog lick her toes whilst she was reading.
This caused in him erection and ejaculation. He per-
suaded the girl to let this happen frequently whilst he
looked on. After a while he took the place of the poodle
and ejaculated every time.
From his fifteenth to his eighteenth year he was at
a boarding-school and had no opportunity for practising
such evil habits. He was satisfied to excite himself every
few weeks with the perusal of literature treating on cruel-
ties committed by women, imagining all the time that he
was licking the feet of such women. This produced
ejaculation accompanied by the highest lustful excitement.
The female organs had never any attraction for him. and
he never felt sexually drawn towards men. When lie ha<l
attained puberty he solicited girls and had coitus with
them, but always sucked their feet before the act. Ho
would do this also, inter actum, and asked the girls to tell
him with what cruelties they. would afflict him in case
he did not lick their toes quite clean. Z. affirms that he
very often succeeded in this, and that the whole action
was always pleasing to the girls.
This .lis^Mi-tin^ impulse is also referred to in case 68 of the
edition of tliis work. It scorns to occur especially with
ko;>ml:ii:iiist8 and fetid
188 PSYOIIOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
He was especially attracted by the feet of well-bred
women that were deformed by narrow boots and had not
been washed for several days, but he could stomach only
"slight, natural deposits, such as one may find upon the
feet of clean well-bred ladies, also discolorations from the
stockings, whilst sweating feet excited him only in imagin-
ation, but in reality disgusted him". "Cruel tortures"
also existed for him only in imagination as a means to
excitement; he abhorred them and never craved for them
in reality. Nevertheless they played a pre-eminent part
in his fancy, and he never neglected to instruct the women
with whom he kept in masochistic touch how they were
to write him threatening letters. From the collection of
such letters placed at my disposal by Z. one is given here
because it clearly illustrates the line of thought and
sentiment : —
"Lambitor sudoris pedum mulierum! I take the ut-
most delight in conjuring up the moment when you will
lick my toes, especially after a long walk. A facsimile of
my foot I shall send you soon. It will intoxicate me like
nectar when you will lick up my sudor pedum. And if you
will not do it voluntarily, I shall force you to it; I shall
treat you as my meanest slave. You shall witness how
another favoritus sudorem pedum mihi lambit, whilst you
shall whine like a dog under the lashes of my servants.
I shall declare you outlawed. I shall find the most
exquisite pleasure in seeing you in pain, breathing your
last under the most cruel tortures, licking my toes in
extreme agony. . . . You challenge my cruelty — very
well, I shall crush you under my foot like a worm. . . .
You ask me for a stocking ? . I shall wear it longer than
usual. But I demand that you kiss it and lick it ; that you
soak the foot of it in water and then drink the latter.
If you do not carry out my pleasure absolutely, I shall
chastise you with my riding-whip. I demand uncon-
ditional obedience. If you do not obey, I shall have you
whipped with the knout, I shall make you walk over
a floor well-spiked with sharp nails, I shall have you
MASOCHISM. 189
battinaded and cast to the lions in the cage. It will
give me th<> utmost delight to see how the wild beasts
enjoy your flesh."
In spite of such ridiculous tirades, ordered by himself,
Z. looked upon them as a means to satisfy his perverse
sexuality. These sexual monstrosities, which to him were
only a congenital anomaly, he did not consider unnatural,
although he admitted them to be disgusting to the nor-
mally constituted man. Otherwise he appeared to be a
decent sort of a man with rather refined manners, but his
otherwise meagre aesthetic sentiments were overbalanced by
sensuality which gratified his perverse desires.
Z. gave me an insight into his correspondence with
the literary champion of masochism, Sacher-Masoch.
One of these letters, dated 1888, shows as a heading
thf picture of a luxuriant woman, with imperial bearing,
only half covered witli furs and holding a riding- whip as
if ready to strike. Sacher-Masoch contends that "the
passion to play the slave" is widespread, especially among
the Germans and Russians. In this letter, the history of
a noble Russian is related who loved to be tied and
whipped by several beautiful women. One day he found
his ideal in a pretty young French woman and took her
to his home.
According to Sacher-Masoch, a Danish woman yielded
her favour to no man until he acted the part of slave to
her for a considerable time. Amanlrs coagere solebat, ut
pedes suos et podicem lambeant. She had her adorers put
in chains and whipped until they obeyed her lambendo
pedes. Once she had the "slave" fastened to her bed-
posts and thus made him witness her granting the highest
favour to another. After the latter left her she had the
fcttored "slave" whipped by her servants until he yielded
lambere podicem domincB.
If these assertions were true which, of course, cannot
be accepted from the poet without definite proof, they
would constitute remarkable proofs of sadismus femina-
rum. At any rate they are psychologically interesting in-
190 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUAIJS.
stances of thoughts and sentiments specific to masochism
(my own observations, "Centralblatt fur Krankheiten der
Harn- und Sexualorgane," vi., 7).
Case 81. Z., aged twenty-four; Russian civil serv-
ant; mother neuropathic, father psychopathic. Z. was in-
telligent, of refined manners, physically normal, of pleas-
ing appearance and aesthetic tastes ; never had a severe ill-
ness. Claimed to have been of a nervous disposition from
infancy ; had like his mother neuropathic eyes and latterly
suffered from cerebral asthenic troubles. Perversio vitce
sexualis caused him much worry, bordering on despair,
deprived him of self-esteem and tempted him to suicide.
What oppressed him was the unnatural desire recurring
every four weeks for mictio mulieris in os suum. As cause
he gave the following facts, interesting on account of
their genetic importance. When six years of age he put
his hand by accident sub podicem puellce who sat next to
him in school. This caused him pleasure and he repeatedly
did so. The memory of these pleasant situations strongly
aroused his fancy.
Puerum decem annorum serva educatrix libidine mota
ad corpus suum appressit et digitum ejus in vaginam intro-
duxit. Quum postea fortuitu digito nasum ietigit, odore
ejus valde delectatus fuit.
This immoral act developed into a lustful fancy which
made him believe vinctus inter femora mulieris cumbere,
coactus, ut dormiat sub ejus podice et ut bibat ejus urinam.
With the thirteenth year these fictions disappeared.
At fifteen first coitus, at sixteen second, quite normal and
without fanciful representations.
Deficiente pecunia et magna libidine perturbatus mas-
turbatione earn satiabat.
At seventeen perverse ideas recurred. They became
more powerful and he struggled against them in vain.
At eighteen he yielded to the impulse. Quum
mulier qucedam in os ei minxit, maxima voluptate affect us
est. He then had coitus with the vile woman. Since then,
MASOCHISM. 191
he felt the necessity (,. repent the disgusting act every four
weeks.
After indulging in this perverse action he was ashamed
of himself and disgust overcame him. Ejaculations ac-
eompanird the act but seldom, but it produced erections
and orgasm and whenever ejaculation missed, he gratified
himself with coitus.
During the intervals between these excessive impulses
hf was quite free from perverse thoughts and desires as
well as from ideal masochism and fetichistic relations.
Libido during these intervals was but slight and easily
gratified in the normal fashion without the assistance of
perverse fiction. He often travelled miles from his coun-
try seat to the city to satisfy his cravings when these spells
came over him.
Again and again the patient — refined as he was and
disgusted with his own perversity — sought to resist the
morbid impulse, but in vain; restlessness, anxiety, trem-
'
j»syehiei. £r»t-
ihcatmn of - .
:ly, but was at «>. rcoine v
contempt for himself border'
••ntal struggles enen
plained of debility of memory, absent -mimie-.
impotence, and cerebral pressure. His last hope was that
ni'-dical science might succeed in freeing him from this
monstrous affliction and in re-establishing his moral self.
Case 82. Masochism — Fetichism — Koprolagnia.
B., aged thirty-one, official, family neuropathically tainted,
nervous from early childhood, weakly, nocturnal frights.
I-'irst pollution at the age of sixteen. At seventeen fell
in love with a French woman, twenty-eight years old and
anything but pretty. Had a special weakness for her
shoes. Whenever he could do so without being observed,
he would cover them with kisses. This gave him sensual
delights; but it never caused ejaculation. At that time
192 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
according to his statement, he had no knowledge of the
difference in sexes. He could not understand his weakness
for shoes. After he attained the age of twenty-two he had
coitus about once a month, but did not derive psychical
gratification from the act. One day he met a prostitute
in the street whose haughty demeanor, fascinating eye and
challenging mien made a peculiar impression on him. He
felt an impulse to throw himself at her feet, kiss them, and
follow her like a dog or slave. Her "majestic" feet clad
in patent leather boots especially captivated him. He
trembled with voluptuous excitement. During the night
he could not find sleep for the thought of the woman
haunted him. He imagined that he was kissing this
woman's feet. This fancy superinduced ejaculation. Shy
by nature, he now resorted to psychical masturbation, and
having a dislike for prostitutes, he shunned henceforth the
society of women altogether. He revelled in the thought
of the pretty foot of an imperious woman and associated
this thought with the olfactory impression he would re-
ceive from its proximity. In erotic dreams he would fol-
low such wome.ri. T!«l«i. Tvouiu begin 'to 'fail ,ind the woman
ug her skirts would show her pretty foot, ankle and
calf, encased in a silken stocking. As soon as he grasped
and fondled the warm form, so soft and yet so firm, he
would ejaculate. On rainy days he used to patrol the streets
to see such scenes in reality. If he saw what he came for
he would carry away the impression in his memory and
it became the object of his nightly dreams and acts of
psychical masturbation. To hasten the act he would sniff
his own socks, kiss, bite and chew them. His dreams and
libidinous ecstasies were also mingled with fancies of a
purely masochistic character, e.g., a woman but slightly
clad stood in front of him holding a whip in her hand,
whilst he knelt at her feet like a slave. She would cut
him with the whip, put her foot on his neck, face or mouth,
till he consented secretum inter digitos nudos pedis ejus
bene clans exsugere. During this mental act he would
smell of his own feet, the odor of which was repulsive to
MASOCHISM. 193
him when in his normal state. He would vary these prac-
tices with acts of "poderfetichism" by using a girl's
• Ira were et stercus proprium naribus appositum. At other
(ilia's the cunnus feminat would be his fetich and he would
practise ideal c mini lingua. For assistance he would use
pieces cut from the armpits of a woman's undervest, or
stockings, or shoes. After six years, during which neu-
rasthenia had increased whilst the imaginative power
had waned, he lost all power to accomplish these
act* of psychical onanism and came down to the
level of a common masturbator. He, later on, be-
came acquainted with a girl of a similar masochistic ten-
dency, and coitus became possible for both, but always
by having recourse to some masochistic situation. But the
old fetichistic fascinations reappeared and he found
greater pleasures in appeasing this perverse appetite than
in coitus, which he performed only honoris causa. The
end of this cynical sexual existence was a marriage — after
his mistress had forsaken him — with a woman who had
the same perverse inclinations as himself. They had chil-
dren, but found sexual gratification chiefly in masochistic
marital acts. (Centralblatt fur Krankheiten der Harn-
und Sexual organe, vi., 7.)
Other cases of Cantarano's (loc. cit.) belong here (mic~
iio even dcfcecatio puellce ad linguam viri ante actum) con-
sumption of confects smelling like faces, in order to be-
come potent; and also the following case, likewise com-
municated to me by a physician : —
"A Russian prince, who was very decrepit, was ac-
customed to have his mistress turn her back to him and
defecate on his breast; this being the only way in which
he could excite the remnant of libido."
Another supported a mistress in unusually brilliant
style, with the condition that she ate marchpane exclu-
sively. Ut libidinosus fiat et ejaculate possit excrementa
feminw ere excipit. A Brazilian physician tells me of
13
194 PSYC1IOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
several cases of defcecatio feminae in os viri that have como
to his knowledge. Such cases occur everywhere, and are
not at all infrequent. All kinds of secretions — saliva,
nasal mucus, and even aural cerumen — are used in
way and swallowed with pleasure ; and oscula ad nates and
even ad anum are indulged in. Dr. Moll (op. cit.f p. 135)
reports the same thing of a man affected with inverted
sexuality. The perverse desire to practise cunnilingus,
which is very wide-spread, probably has its root frequently
in masochistic impulses.
Evidently the case quoted by Cantarano ("La Psichia-
tria," v., p. 207) belongs here also, in which coitus is
preceded by morsus et succio of the woman's toes which
have not been washed for some time. Also a case quoted
by me in the eighth edition of this book, cf. ibid., case 68.
Stefanowsky ("Archives de 1'Anthropologie crimi-
nelle," 1892, vol. vii.) knows of a Russian merchant qui
valde delectatus fuit bibendo ae quce puella lupanarii jusso
suo in vas spuerunt.
Neri, "Archivio delle psicopatie sessuali," p. 198 :
Workman, aged twenty-seven, heavily tainted, tic in the
face, troubled with phobia (especially agoraphobia) and
alcoholism. Summa ei fit voluptas, si meretrices in os ejus
faces et urinas deponunt. Vinum supra corpus scortorum
effusum defluens ore ad meretricis cunnum adposito excipit.
Valde delectatur, si, sanguinem menstrualem ex vagina ef-
fluentem sugere potest. He is fetichist of ladies' gloves and
slippers, osculatur calceos sororis, cujus pedes sudorc ma-
dent. Libido cjus turn dcmun maxime satiatur, si a puellis
insultatur, immo vero verberatur, ut sanguis exeat. Dum
verberatur, genibus nixus veniam et clementiam pueUa
expetit, deinde masturbare incipit.
Pelanda ("Archivio di Psichiatria," x., fascicolo 3, 4)
relates the following case : —
Case 83. W., aged forty-five, predisposed, was given
to masturbation at the age of eight. A decimo sexto anno
MASOCHISM. 195
lihidines suas bibendo recentem feminarum urinam satia-
rit. Tanta erat voluptas urinam bibentis ut nee aliquid
olfaceret nee saperei, hcec faciens. After drinking he al-
ways experienced disgust and ill-feeling, and made firm
•it inns to do it no more in the future. Once he had
the same pleasure in drinking the urine of a nine-year-old
boy, with whom he once practised fellatio. The patient
suffered from epileptic insanity.
Still older cases belong here, which Tardieu ("Etude
medico-legale sur les attentats aux moeurs," p. 206) ob-
served in senile individuals. He describes as "Renifleurs"
persons "qui in sccretos locos nimirum theatrorum porticos
convenientes quo complures femince ad micturiendum fes-
tinani, per nares urinali odore excitati, illico se invicem
polluunt". The "Stercoraires" that Taxil ("La prostitu-
tion contemporaine") mentions are, in relation to this
subject, unique.
Eulenburg relates further monstrous facts belonging to
this section. Cf. Zulzer's "Klin. Handbuch der Ham-
und Sexualorgane," iv., p. 47.
(d) Masochism in Woman.
In woman voluntary subjection to the opposite sex is
a physiological phenomenon. Owing to her passive role
in procreation and long-existent social conditions, ideas of
subjection are, in woman, normally connected with the
idea of sexual relations. They form, so to speak, the
harmonics which determine the tone-quality of feminine
feeling.
Any one conversant with the history of civilisation
knows in what a state of absolute subjection woman was
always kept until a relatively high degree of civilisation
was reached;1 and an attentive observer of life may still
1 The laws of the early middle ages gave the husband the right
to kill the wife; those of the later middle ages, the right to beat
her. The latter right was used freely, even by those of high stand-
196 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
easily recognise how the custom of unnumbered genera-
tions, in connection with the ^-passive role with which
woman has been endowed by Nature, has given her an
instinctive inclination to voluntary subordination to man;
he will notice that exaggeration of customary gallantry
is very distasteful to women, and that a deviation from
it in the direction of masterful behaviour, though loudly
reprehended, is often accepted with secret satisfaction.2
Under the veneer of polite society the instinct of feminine
servitude is everywhere discernible.
Thus it is easy to regard masochism in general as
a pathological growth of specific feminine mental ele-
ments,— as an abnormal intensification of certain features
of the psycho-sexual character of woman, — and to seek its
primary origin in that sex (v. infra, p. 199). It may, how-
ever, be held to be established that, in woman, an inclina-
tion to subordination to man (which may be regarded as
an acquired, purposeful arrangement, a phenomenon of
adaptation to social requirements) is to a certain extent a
normal manifestation.
The reason that, under such circumstances, the
"poetry" of the symbolic act of subjection is not reached,
lies partly in the fact that man has not the vanity of that
weakling who would improve the opportunity by the dis-
play of his power (as the ladies of the middle ages did
towards the love-serving knights), but prefers to realise
solid advantages. The barbarian has his wife plough for
him, and the civilised lover speculates about her dowry;
she willingly endures both.
Cases of pathological increase of this instinct of sub-
jection, in the sense of feminine masochism, are probably
ing (cf. Schultze, "Das hofische Leben zur Zeit des Minnesangs," Bd.
i., p. 163 et seq.). Yet, by the side of this, the paradoxical chivalry
of the middle ages stands unexplained (v. infra, p. 198).
2 Cf. Lady Milford's words in Schiller's " Kabale und Liebe":
"We women can only ehoose between ruling and serving; but the
highest pleasure power affords is but a miserable substitute, if the
grater joy of being the slaves of a man we love is denied ua!"
(Act II./ Scene I.).
197
enough, but custom represses their manifesta-
ti-'ii. Manv Noting women like nothing better than to
kii« el U-t'oro their husbands or lovers. Among the lower
classes of Slavs it is said that the wives feel hurt if they
are not beaten by their husbands. A Hungarian official
informs me that the peasant women of the Soinogyer
Comitate do not think they are loved by their husbands
until they have received the first box on the ear as a sign
of love.
It would probably be difficult for the physician to find
cases of feminine masochism.1 Intrinsic and extraneous
restraints — modesty and custom — naturally constitute in
woman insurmountable obstacles to the expression of per-
verse sexual instinct. Thus it happens that, up to the
present time, but two cases of masochism in woman have
been scientifically established.
Case 84. Miss X., twenty-one years of age; her
mother was a morphia maniac and died some years ago
from nervous disorders. Her uncle (mother's side) was also
a morphia-eater. One brother of the girl was neurasthenic,
another a masochist (wished to be beaten with a cane by
proud, noble ladies). Miss X. had never had a severe ill-
ness, but at times suffered from headaches. She considered
If to !be physically sound, but periodically insane,
vix., when she was haunted by the fancies which she thus
described : —
Since her earliest youth she fancied herself being
whipped. She simply revelled in these ideas, and had the
most intense desire to be severely punished with a rattan
cane.
This desire, she claimed, originated from the fact that
at the age of five a friend of her father's took her for fun
I8eydel, " Vierteljahresschr. f. gor. Mcd.," 1893, vol. ii., quotes
an an • f iu:i-<><-|iism the patient of Dicffenbach, who repeat-
edly and purposely dislocated her arm in order to experience lustful
sensations when it was being reduced, anaesthetics not being known
th.U.
198 PSYCIIOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
across his knees, pretending to whip her. Since then she
had longed for the opportunity of being caned, but to her
great regret her wish was never realised. At these periods
she imagined herself as absolutely helpless and fettered.
The mere mention of the words "rattan cane" and "to
whip" caused her intense excitement Only for the last
two years she associated these ideas with the male sex.
Previously she only thought of a severe school-mistress or
simply a hand.
Now she wished to be the slave of a man whom
she loves; she would kiss his feet if he would only whip
her.
She did not understand that these manifestations were
of a sexual nature.
A few quotations from her letters are characteristic as
bearing upon the masochistic character of this case: —
"In former years I seriously contemplated going into
a lunatic asylum whenever these ideas worried me. I fell
upon this idea whilst reading how the director of an
insane asylum pulled a lady by the hair from her bed and
beat her with a cane and a riding-whip. I longed to be
treated in a similar manner at such an institute, and have
therefore unconsciously associated my ideas with the male
sex. I liked, however, best to think of brutal, uneducated
female warders beating me mercilessly.
"Lying (in fancy) before him, he puts one foot on my
neck whilst I kiss the other. I revel in the idea of being
whipped by him; but this changes often, and I fancy
quite different scenes in which he beats me. At times I
take the blows as so many tokens of love — he is at first
extremely kind and tender, and then, in the excess of his
love, he beats me. I fancy that to beat me for love's sake
gives him the highest pleasure. Often I have dreamed
that I was his slave — but, mind you, not his female slave !
For instance, I have imagined that he was Robinson- and
I the savage that served him. I often look at the pictures
in which Robinson puts his foot on the neck of the savage.
1 now find an explanation of these strauee fancies : I look
MASOCHISM. 199
upon woman in general as low, far below man; but I am
: \\i-e extremely proud and quite indomitable, whence
it arises that I think as a man (who is by nature proud
and superior). This renders my humiliation before the
man I love the more intense. I have also fancied myself
to be his female slave; but this does not suffice, for after
all every woman can be the slave of her husband.
Case 85. Miss v. X., aged thirty-five ; of greatly pre-
disposed family. For some years she had been in the ini-
tial stages of paranoia pcrsecutoria. This sprang from
cerebro-spinal neurasthenia, the origin of which was found
to be sexual hyperexcitation. With twenty-four she was
given to masturbation. As a result of disappointment in
an engagement, she began to practise masturbation and
psychical onanism. Inclination toward persons of her own
sex never occurred. The patient says: "At the age of
six or eight I conceived a desire to be whipped. Since I
had never been whipped, and had never been present when
others were thus punished, I cannot understand how I came
to have this strange desire. I can only think that it is
congenital. With these ideas of being whipped I had a
feeling of actual delight, and pictured in my fancy how
fine it would be to be whipped by one of my female friends.
I never had any thought of being whipped by a man. I
revelled in the idea, and never attempted any actual reali-
sation of my fancies, which disappeared after my tenth
year. Only when I read "Rousseau's Confessions," at the
age of thirty-four, did I understand what my longing for
whippings meant, and that my abnormal ideas were like
those of Rousseau.
On account of its original character and the reference
to Rousseau, this case may with certainty be called a case
of masochism. The fact that it is a female friend who is
conceived in imagination's whipping her, is explained by
the circumstance that the masochistic desire was here
present in the mind of a child before the psychical vita
gexualis had developed and the instinct for the male had
200 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
been awakened. Antipathic sexual instinct . is here ex-
pressly excluded.
Case 86. A physician in the General Hospital of
Vienna had his attention drawn to a girl who used to call
on the medical assistants of the institution. When meet-
ing one of them she would express great delight at meeting
a medical man and ask him to at once undertake a gyneco-
logical examination on her. She said she would make re-
sistance, but he must take no notice of that, on the contrary
ask her to be calm and proceed with the examination. If
X. consented, the scene would be enacted as she desired.
She would resist, and thus work herself up into a high state
of sexual excitement. If the medical man refused to pro-
ceed any further she would beg him not to desist. It was
quite evident that the examination was only requested for
the purpose of inducing the highest possible degree of
orgasm. When the medical man refused coitus she felt
deeply offended, but begged him to let her come again.
Money she never accepted.
It is apparent that orgasm was not induced by the mere
palpation of the genitals, but the exciting cause undoubt-
edly lay in the act of force, which was always demanded,
and which became the equivalent of coitus. It is evidently
a manifestation belonging in the province of masochism in
woman.
An Attempt to Explain Masochism.
The facts of masochism are certainly among the most
interesting in the domain of psychopathology. An attempt
at explanation must first seek to distinguish in them the
essential from the unessential. The distinguishing charac-
teristic in masochism is certainly the unlimited subjection
to the will of a person of the opposite sex (in sadism, on
the contrary, the unlimited mastery of this person), witli
the awakening and accompaniment of lustful sexual feel-
ings to the degree of orgasm. From the foregoing it is
MASOCHISM. 201
that the particular manner in which this relation of
subjection or domination is expressed (v. supra), whether
!y in symbolic acts, or whether there is also a desire
to suffer pain at the hands of a person of the opposite sex,
is a subordinate matter.
While sadism may be looked upon as a pathological
intensification of the masculine sexual character in its
psychical peculiarities, masochism rather represents a
pathological degeneration of the distinctive psychical
peculiarities of woman. But masculine masochism is un-
doubtedly frequent; and it is this that comes most fre-
quently under observation and almost exclusively makes
u j> the series of observed cases. The reason for this has
been previously stated.
Two sources of masochism can be distinguished in the
sphere of normal phenomena. The first is, that in the
state of lustful excitement every impression made by the
person giving rise to the sexual stimulus, independently of
the nature of its action, is pleasing to the individual ex-
cited.
It is entirely physiological that playful taps and light
blows should be taken for caresses,1
Like the lover's pinch, which hurts and is desired.
— Anthony and Cleopatra, v., 2.
From here the step is not long to a state where the wish
xperience a very intense impression at the hands of
the consort leads to a desire for blows, etc., in cases of
pathological intensification of lust; for pain is ever a
r ;i'ly means for producing intense bodily impressions.
Just as in sadism the sexual emotion leads to a state of
exaltation in which the excessive motor excitement im-
plicates neighbouring nervous tracts, so in masochism an
ecstatic state arises, in which the rising flood of a single
1 Analogous facts are found in the animal kingdom. Pulmonata
Cuv., for instance, possess a small calcareous staff which lies hidden
in a special pouch of the body, but is at the time of mating pro-
jected and used as a means of sexual excitement, producing, beyond
doubt, pain.
202 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
emotion ravenously devours and covers with lust every
impression coming from the beloved person.
The second and, indeed, the most important source of
masochism is to be sought in a wide-spread phenomenon,
which, though it is extraordinary and abnormal, yet, J)y
no means lies within the domain of sexual perversion.
I here refer to the very prevalent fact that in in-
numerable instances, which occur in all varieties, one in-
dividual becomes dependent on another of the opposite
sex, in a very extraordinary and remarkable manner, —
even to the loss of all independent will-power; a depend-
ence which forces the party in subjection to acts and
suffering which greatly prejudice personal interest, and
often enough lead to offences against both morality and
law.
This dependence, however, differs from. the manifesta-
tions of normal life only in the intensity of the sexual
feeling that here comes in play, and in the slight .degree
of will-power necessary for the maintenance of its equili-
brium. The difference is one of intensity, not of quality,
as in masochistic manifestations.
This dependence of one person upon another of the
opposite sex — abnormal but not perverse, a phenomenon
possessing great interest when .regarded from a forensic
standpoint — I designate "sexual bondage";1 for the rela-
tions and circumstances attending it have in all respects
the character of bondage. The will of the ruling2 indi-
1 Cf. the author's article, " tiber geschlechtliche Horigkeit und
Masochismus," in the " Psychiatrist-he Jahrbticher," Bd. x., p. 169 et
teq., where this subject is treated in detail, and particularly from
the forensic standpoint.
* The expressions " slave " and " slavery," though often used
metaphorically under such circumstances, are avoided here because
they are the favourite expressions of masochism, from which this
" bondage " must be strictly differentiated.
The expression " bondage " is not to be construed to mean J. 8.
Mill's " Bondage of Woman." What Mill designates with this
expression are laws and customs, social and historical facts. Here,
however, we always speak of facts having peculiar individual motives
that even conflict with prevalent customs and laws. Besides it has
reference to either sex.
MASOCHISM. 203
virtual dominates that of the person in subjection, just as
the master's does that of bondsmen.
This "sexual bondage," as has been said, is certainly
an abnormal phenomenon. It hegins with the first devia-
tion from the normal. The degree of dependence of one
person upon another, or of two upon each other, resulting
from individual peculiarity in the intensity of motives that
in themselves are normal, constitutes the normal standard
established by law and custom. Sexual bondage is not a
perverse manifestation, however; the instinctive activities
at work here are the same as those that set in motion —
even though it be with less violence — the psychical vita
sexualis which moves entirely within normal limits.
Fear of losing the companion and the desire to keep
him always content, amiable, and inclined to sexual inter-
course, are here the motives of the individual in subjection.
An extraordinary degree of love — which, particularly in
woman, does not always indicate an unusual degree of
sensuality — and a weak character are the simple elements
of this extraordinary process.1
The motive of the dominant individual is egotism
which finds unlimited room for action.
The manifestations of sexual bondage are various in
form, and the cases are very numerous.2 At every step in
life we find men that have fallen into sexual bondage.
Among married men, hen-pecked husbands belong to this
i
1 Perhaps the moat important element is, that by the habit of
submission a kind of mechanical obedience, without consciousness of
its motives, which operates with automatic certainty, may be estab-
lished, having no opposing motives to contend with, because it lies
beyond the threshold of consciousness; and it may be used by the
dominant individual like an inanimate instrument.
1 Sexual bondage, of course, plays a rdle in all literature.
Indeed, for the poet, the extraordinary manifestations of the sexual
life that are not perverse form a rich and open field. The most
celebrated description of masculine "bondage" is that by Albt
Pr^vott, " Manon Lescault." An excellent description of feminine
" bondage " is that of " Leone Leoni," by George Sand. But first of
all comes Klcitt'a Kllthchen von Heilbronn," who himself called it
the counterpart of (sadistic) " Penthesilea." Halm't "Griseldis'*
and many other similar poema also belong here.
204 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
category, particularly elderly men who marry young wives
and try to overcome the disparity of years and physical
defects by unconditional submission to the wife's every
whim; and unmarried men of ripe maturity, who seek to
better their last chance of love by unlimited sacrifice, are
also to be enumerated here. Here belong, also, men of
any age, who, seized by hot passion for a woman, moot
coldness and calculation, and have to capitulate on hard
conditions; men of loving natures who allow themselves
to be persuaded to marriage by notorious prostitutes ; men
who, to run after adventuresses, leave everything and
jeopardise their future; husbands and fathers who leave
wife and child, to lay the income of a family at the feet
of a harlot.
But, numerous as the examples of masculine "bond-
age" are, every observer of life who is at all unprejudiced
must allow that they are far from equalling in number
and importance the cases of feminine "bondage". This
is easily explained. For a man, love is almost always
only an episode, and he has many other and important
interests; for a woman, on the other hand, love is the
principal thing in life, and, until the birth of children,
always her first interest. After this it is still oftener her
first thought, but always takes at least the second place.
But, what is still more important, man ruled by this
impulse easily satisfies it in embraces for which he finds
unlimited opportunities. Woman in the upper classes'of
society, if she have a husband, is bound to him alone;
and even in the lower classes there are still great obstacles
to polyandry. Therefore, a woman's husband means for
her the whole sex, and his importance to her becomes very
great. It must also be considered that the normal relation
established by law and custom between husband and wife
is far from being one of equality. In itself it expresses
a sufficient predominance of woman's dependence. The
concessions she makes to her lover, to retain the love
which it would be almost impossible for her to replace,
only plunge her deeper in bondage ; and this increases the
MASOCHISM. 205
insatiable demands of husbands resolved to use their
advantage and traffic in woman's readiness to sacrifice
herself.
Here may be placed the fortune-hunter, who for money
allows himself to be enveloped in the easily created illu-
sions of a maiden; the seducer, and the man who com-
promises wives, calculating on blackmail ; the gilded army
officer and the musician with the lion's mane, who know
so well how to stammer "Thee or death!" as a means to
pay debts and provide a life of ease. Here, too, belong
the kitchen-soldier, whose love the cook returns with love
plus means to satisfy a different appetite ; the drinker, who
consumes the savings of the mistress he marries; and the
man who with blows compels the prostitute on whom he
lives to earn a certain sum for him daily. These are only
a few of the innumerable forms of bondage into which
woman is forced by her greater need of love and the diffi-
culties of her position.
It was necessary to give the subject of "sexual bond-
age" here brief consideration, for in it may be clearly
discerned the soil from which the main root of masochism
springs. The relationship of these two phenomena of
psychical sexual life is immediately apparent. Bondage
and masochism both consist of the unconditional subjec-
tion of the individual affected with this abnormality to a
person of the opposite sex, and of domination of the former
by the latter.1 The two phenomena, however, must be
strictly differentiated ; they are not different in degree, but
in quality.
Sexual bondage is not a perversion and not pathologi-
cal ; the elements from which it arises — love and weakness
of will — are not perverse; it is only their simultaneous
activity that produces the abnormal result which is so
1 Cases may occur in which the sexual bondage is expressed in
the same acts that are common in masochism. When rough men
beat their wives, and the latter suffer for love, without, however,
having a desire for blows, we have a pseudo form of bondage that
may simulate masochism,
206 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
opposed to self-interest, and often to custom and law.
The motive, in obedience to which the subordinated indi-
vidual acts and endures tyranny, is the normal instinct
toward woman (or man), the satisfaction of which is the
price of bondage. The acts of the person in subjection,
by means of which the bondage is expressed, are per-
formed at the command of the ruling individual, to sat-
isfy selfishness, etc. For the subordinated individual
they have no independent purpose; they are only the
means to an end — to obtain or retain possession of the
ruling individual. Finally, bondage is a result of love
for a particular person; it first appears when this love is
awakened.
In masochism, which is decidedly abnormal and a
perversion, this is all very different. The motive under-
lying the acts and suffering of the person in subjection is
here the charm afforded by the tyranny in itself. There
may, at the same time, be a desire for coitus with the
dominant person, but the impulse is directed to the acts
which serve to express the tyranny, as the immediate
objects of gratification. These acts in which masochism
is expressed are, for the individual in subjection, not
means to an end, as in bondage, but the end in them-
selves. Finally, in masochism the longing for subjection
occurs a priori before the occurrence of an inclination to
any particular object of love.
The connection between bondage and masochism may
be assumed by reason of the correspondence of the two
phenomena in the objective condition of dependence,
notwithstanding the difference in their motives; and the
transformation of the abnormality into the perversion
probably takes place in the following manner: Any one
living for a long time in sexual bondage becomes disposed
to acquire a slight degree of masochism. Love that
willingly bears the tyranny of the loved one then becomes
an immediate love of tyranny. When the idea of being
tyrannised is for a long time closely associated with the
Jwtful thought of the beloved person, the lustful emotion
MASOCHISM. 207
is finally transferred to the tyranny itself, and the trans-
formation to perversion is completed. This is the manner
in which masochism may be acquired by cultivation.1
Thus a mild degree of masochism may arise from
"bondage" — become acquired; but genuine, complete,
deep-rooted masochism, with its feverish longing for sub-
jection from the time of earliest youth, is congenital.
The explanation of the origin of the perversion — in-
frequent though it be— of fully developed masochism is
1 It is highly interesting, and dependent upon the nature of
bondage and masochism, which essentially correspond in external
effects, that to illustrate the former certain playful, metaphorical
expressions are in general use ; such as " slavery," " to bear chains,"
" bound," " to hold the whip over," " to harness to the triumphal
car," " to lie at the feet," " henpecked," etc., — all things which,
literally carried out, form the objects of the masochist's desire.
Such similes are frequently used in daily life and have become trite.
They are derived from the language of poetry. Poetry has always
recognized, within the general idea of the passion of love, the element
of dependence in the lover, who practises self-sacrifice spontaneously
or of necessity. The facts of " bondage " have also always presented
themselves to the poetical imagination. When the poet chooses such
expressions as those mentioned, to picture the dependence of the
lover in striking similes, he proceeds exactly on the same lines at
does the masochitt, viz., to intensify the idea of his dependence (his
ultimate aim), he creates such situations in reality. In ancient
poetry, the expression " domina " is used to signify the loved one,
with a preference for the simile of " casting in chains " (e.g., Horace,
Od. iv., 11). From antiquity through all the centuries to our own
times ( cf. Grillparzer, " Ottokar," act v. : " To rule is sweet, almost
as sweet as to obey") the poetry of love is filled with similar
phrases nnd similes. The history of the word " mistress " is also
interesting. But poetry reacts on life. It is probable that the
courtly chivalry of the middle ages arose in this way. In its rever-
ence for women as " mistresses " in society and in individual love-
rolatinns; its transference of the relations of feudalism and vassalage
to the relation between the knight and his lady ; its submission to all
feminine whims; its love-tests and vows; its duty of obedience to
every command of the lady — in all this, chivalry appears as a sys-
tematic, poetical development of the " bondage " of love. Certain
extreme manifestations, like the deeds and sufferings of Vlrich von
Lichtemtein or Pierre Vidal in the Rprviee of their ladies; or the
practice of the fraternity of the " Galois " in France, whose members
sought martyrdom in love and subjected themselves to all kinds of
suffering — these clearly have a masochistic character, and demon-
strate the natural transformation of one phenomenon into the other.
208 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
most probably to be found in the assumption that it arises
from the more frequent abnormality of "sexual bondage,''
through which, now and then, this abnormality is heredi-
tarily transferred to a psychopathic individual in such a
manner that it becomes transformed into a perversion. It
has been previously shown how a slight displacement of
the psychical elements under consideration may effect this
transition. Whatever effects associating habits may have
on possible cases of acquired masochism, the same effects
are produced by the varying tricks of heredity upon orig-
inal masochism. No new eleme'nt is thereby added to
"bondage," but on the contrary the very element is deleted
which cements love and dependence, and thereby distin-
guishes "bondage" from masochism and abnormality from
perversion. It is quite natural that only the instinctive
element is transmitted.
This transition from abnormality into perversion,
through hereditary transference, takes place very easily
where the psychopathic constitution of the descendant
presents the other factor of masochism, — i.e., what has
been previously called its main root, — the tendency of
sexually hyperrcsthetic natures to assimilate all impres-
sions coming from the beloved person with the sexual im-
pression.
From these two elements, — from "sexual bondage" on
the one hand and from the above-mentioned disposition
to sexual ecstasy, which apperceives even maltreatment
with lustful emotion, on the other, — the roots of which
may be traced back to the field of physiological facts,
masochism arises from the basis of psychopathic predis-
position, in so far as its sexual hypersesthesia intensifies
first all the physiological accessories of the vita sexualis
and, finallv, only its abnormal accompaniments, to the
pathological degree of perversion.1
1 If it he considered that, as shown above, " sexual bondage "
is a phenomenon observed much more frequently and in a more
pronounced degree in the female sex than in the male, the thought
arises that masochism (if not always, at least as a ruls-* is a*
MASOCHISM. 209
At any rate, masochism, as a ci.nircnital sexual per-
•itutes a functional sign of degeneration in
(almost exclusively) hereditary taint ; and this clinical
deduction is continual in my cases of masochism and
-in. It is easy to demonstrate that the peculiar,
hically anomalous direction of the vita sexualis
resented in masochism is an original abnormality, and
not, so to speak, cultivated in a predisposed individual
by passive flagellation, through association of ideas, as
Rousseau and Binet contend. This is shown by the
numerous cases of masochism — in fact, the majority — in
which flagellation never appears, in which the perverse
impulse is directed exclusively to purely symbolic acts
expressing subjection without any actual infliction of pain.
This is demonstrated by the whole series of observations,
from case 50, given here.
The same result — namely, that passive flagellation is
not the nucleus around which all the rest is gathered — is
reached when closer study is given to the cases in which
passive flagellation plays a role, as in cases 50 and 52.
Case 58 is particularly instructive in relation to this; for
in this instance there can be no thought of a sexually
stimulating effect by punishment received in youth. More-
over, in this case, connection with an early experience is
not possible; for the situation constituting the object of
principal sexual interest is absolutely incapable of being
carried out by a child.
Finally, the origin of masochism from purely psychical
elements, on confronting it with sadism (v. infra), is con-
vincingly demonstrated. That passive flagellation occurs
inheritance of the " bondage " of feminine ancestry. Thus it comes
into a relation — though distant — with antipathic sexual instinct, as
a transference to the male of a perversion really belonging to the
female.
It must, however, be emphasised that " bondage " also plays no
unimportant role in the masculine vita scxualis, and that masochism
in man may also be explained without any such transference of
feminine elements. It must also be remembered here that masochism,
a» well aa its counterpart, sadism, occurs in irregular combinatiog
with antipathic sexual instinct.
14
210 rsYciiorATiiiA SEXUALIS.
so frequently in masochism is explained simply by the
fact that it is the most extreme means of expressing the
relation of subjection.
I repeat that the decisive points in the differentiation
of simple passive flagellation from flagellation dependent
upon masochistic desire are, that in the former the act is
a means to render coitus, or at least ejaculation, possible ;
and that in the latter it is a means of gratification of
masochistic desires.
As we have already seen, masochists subject themselves
to all other kinds of maltreatment and suffering in which
there can be no question of reflex excitation of lust. Since
such cases are numerous, we must in these acts (as well
as in flagellation in masochists, having like significance)
seek to ascertain the relation in which pain and lust stand
to each other. From the statement of a masochist it is
as follows : —
The relation is not of such a nature that what causes
physical pain is here simply perceived as physical pleas-
ure; for the person in a state of masochistic ecstasy feels
no pain, either because, by reason of his emotional state
(like that of the soldier in battle), the physical effect on
his cutaneous nerves is not apperceived, or because ( as with
religious martyrs and enthusiasts), in the preoccupation
of consciousness with lustful emotion, the idea of mal-
treatment remains merely a symbol, without its quality of
pain.
To a certain extent there is overcompensation of
physical pain in the psychical pleasure, and only the excess
remains in consciousness as psychical lust. This also
undergoes an increase, since, either through reflex spinal
influence or through a peculiar colouring in the sensoriuiu
of sensory impressions, a kind of hallucination of bodily
pleasure takes place, with a vague localisation of the ob-
jectively projected sensation.
In the self-torture of religious enthusiasts (fakirs,
howling dervishes, religious flagellants) there is an analo-
gous state, only with a difference in the quality of pleas-
MASOCHISM. 211
uru!>lo frclin^. Ilm- the coiiccjition of martyrdom is
apperccivcd without its pain; for consciousness is filial
\\ith tin- plcasnrably colon PM! idea of serving God, atoning
for sins, deserving heaven, etc., through martyrdom.
In order to give masochism its proper place in the
sphere of sexual perversion, we must proceed from the
fact that it is a manifestation of psychical characteristics
of the feminine type transcending into pathological con-
ditions, in so far as its determining marks are suffering,
subjection to the will of others, and to force. Among
peoples of a lower class of culture the subjection of woman
is extended even to brutality. This flagrant proof of de-
pendence is felt by woman even with sensual pleasure and
accepted as a token of love. It is probable that the woman
of high civilisation looks upon the role of being over-
shadowed by the male consort as an acceptable situation
which forms a portion of the lustful feeling developed in
the sexual act. The daring and self-confident demeanor
of man undoubtedly exercises a sexual charm over woman.
It cannot be doubted that the masochist considers himself
in a passive, feminine role towards his mistress and that
his sexual gratification is governed by the success his il-
lusion experiences in the complete subjection to the will
of the consort. The pleasurable feeling, call it lust, re-
sulting from this act differs per se in no wise from the
feeling which woman derives from the sexual act.
The masochistically inclined individual seeks and finds
an equivalent for his purpose in the fact that he endows
in his imagination the consort with certain masculine psy-
chical sexual characteristics — i.e., in a perverse manner,
in so far as the sadistic female partner constitutes his
ideal.
From this emanates the deduction that masochism is,
properly speaking, only a rudimentary form of antipathic
soxiial instinct. It is a partial effemination which has
only apperceived the secondary sexual characteristics of
the psychical vita sexualis.
This assumption is supported by the fact that hetero-
212 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
sexual masochists consider themselves merely as individ-
uals endowed with feminine feelings.1 Observation shows
that they really possess feminine traits of character.2 This
renders it intellfgible that the masochistic element is so fre-
quently found in homosexual men.3
In the woman masochist also these relations to an-
tipathic sexual instinct are to be found. Cf., case 84.
Moll quotes a typical case of homosexuality in a woman
afflicted with passive flagellantism and koprolagnia :
Case 87. Miss X., age twenty-six. At the age of
six cunnilingus mutuus; then up to seventeen deficiente
occasione solitary masturbation. Since then cunnilingus
with various female friends, at times playing the passive,
at others the active role, always producing ejaculation in
herself. For years koprolagnia. Maxime delectata fuit
lambendo anum feminarum amatarum, lambendo san-
guinem menstrualem amicae. The same effect had ver-
bera amicae delectae nudae et robustae ad nates. The
thought of performing koprolagnia in corpore viri was
repulsive to her. Satisfaction in cunnilingus viri she only
obtained when she imagined that the act was performed
by a woman, not by a man. Coitus cum viro she dis-
dained. Erotic dreams were always of a homosexual na-
ture and were confined to active or passive cunnilingus.
Inter osculationem mutuam maximam offert voluptatem
*Cf. cases 57 and 58.
a Cf. case 70 in Schrenck-Notzing; case 20 in F6r6, 1'instinct
sexuell, p. 262.
1 Cf. case 67 in Schrenck-Notzing; Atoll, Contr. Sexualempfindung,
3rd edition, p. 265 (gentleman who pestered an officer with letters in
which he begged him to be allowed to clean his boots) ; ibidem, p. 281
(gentleman who was agitated by two wishes, viz.: (1) to be a woman
that he might have coitus with the man he loved, (2) to be maltreated
by the same) ; ibidem, case 17; ditto, p. 283 (man who finds satis-
faction in the act with another man only when the latter rubs his
back with a hard brush till the blood flows) ; p. 284 (koprolagnia) ;
p. 317; v. Krafft, Psycop. sexual., 6th edit., case 43; 8th edit., cases
46, 114, 115; item, Jahrb. f. Psychiatric, xii., pp. 339 and 351;
item, "Arbeiten," iv., p. 134.
MASOCHISM AND SADISM. 213
raorsus consortis, by preference in the lobe of the ear,
causing pain and subsequent swelling.
X. always had leaning to male occupations, loved to
be among moil as one of their own. From her tenth to
her fifteenth year she worked in the brewery of a relative,
if possible clad in trousers and a leather apron. She was
bright, intelligent and good-natured, and felt quite happy
in her perverse, homosexual existence. She smoked ami
drank beer. Female larynx (Dr. Flatau), small, badly
developed breasts, large hands and feet. (Dr. Moll, intern.
(Vntralblatt f. Physiol. und Patholog. der Harn- und Sex-
ual-organe. iv. 3).
Masochism and Sadism.
The perfect counterpart of masochism is sadism.
While in the former there is a desire to suffer and bo
subjected to violence, in the latter the wish is to inflict
pain and use violence.
The parallelism is perfect. All the acts and situations
used by the sadist in the active role become the object of
tin desire of the masochist in the passive role. In both
perversions these acts advance from purely symbolic acts
to severe maltreatment. Even murder, in which sadism
reaches its acme, finds, as is shown in case 62, — of
course, only in fancy, — its passive counterpart. Under
favouring conditions, both perversions may occur with
a normal vita sexualis; in both, the acts in which they
express themselves are preparatory to coitus or substi-
tutes for it.1
*Of course, both have to contend with opposing ethical and
esthetic motives in foro intcrno. After these have been overcome,
active sadism immediately conies in conflict with the law. This is
not the case with ninsodrism, which accounts for the greater fre-
quency of masochistic acts. But the instinct of self-preservation and
fear of pain prevent the realisation of the latter. The practical
significance of masochism lies only in its relations to psychical
impotence; while that of sadism lies beyond this, and is principally
forensic.
214: P8YCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
But the analogy does not exist-simply in external man-
ifestations; it also extends to the intrinsic character of
both perversions. Both are to be regarded as original
psychopathies in mentally abnormal individuals, who, in
particular, are affected with psychical hypercesthcsia sexu-
alis, and, as a rule, also with other abnormalities ; and for
each of these perversions two constituent elements may be
demonstrated, which have their roots in psychical facts
lying within physiological limits. In masochism, as shown
above, these elements lie in the fact (1) that in the state
of sexual emotion every impression produced by the con-
sort, independently of the manner of its production, is,
per se, attended with lustful pleasure, which, when accom-
panied by hypercesthesia sexualis, may go so far as to
overcompensate all painful sensation; and in the fact (2)
that "sexual bondage," dependent on mental factors — in
themselves not perverse — may, under pathological condi-
tions, become a perverse, pleasurable desire for subjection
to the opposite sex, which — even if its inheritance from
the female side need not be presupposed — represents a
pathological degeneration of the character (really belong-
ing to woman) of the instinct of subordination, physiolo-
gical in woman.
In harmony with this, there are, likewise, two constit-
uent elements explanatory of sadism, the origin of which
may also be traced back within physiological limits. These
are: the fact (1) that in sexual emotion, to a certain ex-
tent as an accompanying psychical excitation, an impulse
may arise to influence the object of desire in every possible
way and with the greatest possible intensity, which, in in-
dividuals sexually hypersesthetic, may degenerate into a
craving to inflict pain; and the fact (2) that, under path-
ological conditions, man's active role of winning woman
may become an unlimited desire for subjugation.
Thus masochism and sadism represent perfect counter-
parts. It is also in harmony with this that the individuals
affected with these perversions regard the opposite perver-
MASOCHISM AND SADISM. 215
sion in the other sex as their ideal, as shown by case 57,
and also by "Rousseau's Confessions".
But the contrast of masochism and sadism may also
be used to invalidate the assumption that the former has
its origin in the reflex effect of passive flagellation, and
that all the rest is the product of association of related
ideas, as Bintt, in his explanation of Rousseau's case,
thinks, and as Rousseau himself believed. In the active
maltreatment forming the object of the sadist's sexual
desire there is, in fact, no irritation of his own sensory
nerves by the act of maltreatment, so that there can be no
doubt of the purely psychical character of the origin of this
perversion. Sadism and masochism, however, are so re-
lated to each other, and so correspond in all points with
each other, that the one allows, by analogy, a conclusion
for the other; and this is alone sufficient to establish the
purely psychical character of masochism.
According to the above-detailed contrast of all the ele-
ments and phenomena of masochism and sadism, and as a
resume of all observed cases, lust in the infliction of pain
and lust in inflicted pain appear but as two different sides
of the same psychical process, of which the primary and
essential thing is the consciousness of active or passive
subjection, in which the combination of cruelty and lustful
pleasure has only a secondary psychological significance.
Acts of cruelty serve to express this subjection ; first, be-
cause they are the most extreme means for the expression
of this relation; and, again, because they represent the
most intense effect that one person, either with or without
coitus, can exert on another.
Sadism and masochism are the results of associations,
just the same as all complicated manifestations of psychi-
cal life are associations. For psychic life consists, after
the production of the simplest elements of consciousness,
simply of associations and disassociations of these ele-
ments.
The chief point gained by this analysis is that sadism
and masochism are not merely the results of accidental
216 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALI8.
associations, occasioned by chance.or an opportune coinci-
dence, but results of associations springing from causes
existing under normal circumstances, easily produced
under certain conditions — e.g., sexual hyperaesthesia. An
abnormally intensified sexual instinct spreads in every
direction. It reaches into adjacent spheres, and amalga-
mates with their contents, thus producing the pathological
associations which are the real essence of both these per-
versions.1
Of course, this need not always be so, for there are
cases of hyperaesthesia without perversion. But these
cases of pure hypercesthesia sexualis — at least, those of
striking intensity — seem to be of rarer occurrence than
those of perversion.
The cases in which sadism and masochism occur simul-
taneously in one individual are interesting, but they pre-
1 Schrenck-Notzing, who in his explanation of all perversions
lays particular stress upon the " occasional momentum," gives prefer-
ence to the theory of acquired perversions over the congenital, and
allows the manifestations of sadism and masochism only a subordi-
nate position. Although he admits that many cases can only be
explained on the assumption of congenital predisposition, yet he
contends that circumstances or a timely coincidence control their
acquirement (op. cit. p. 170).
His arguments are based upon observations. Quoting two cases
of psychopathia sexualis (29 and 37 of the seventh edition) he con-
tends that the accidental sight of a girl bleeding or a boy being
•whipped coinciding with a strong sexual emotion may be sufficient
cause for continued pathological associations.
Against this it may, however, be decisively held that in every
hyperaesthetic individual early and strong sexual emotions have often
coincided with numerous heterogeneous things, whilst the patho-
logical associations are always coupled with but few definite (sadistic
and masochistic) things. Numerous pupils indulge in sexual
emotions or gratifications during lessons in grammar and mathe-
matics in the class-room, as well as elsewhere, without thereby con-
tracting perverse associations.
From this clearly follows that the sight of a whipping or similar
scenes may provoke pathological associations already present but
latent, but that it cannot produce them. Moreover, the aroused
sexual instinct is not associated with the numerous indifferent things
that are ever present, but only with such as normally excite disgust.
The same argument refers to the opinion of Binet, who also
seeks to explain these manifestations by accidental associations.
MASOCHISM AND SADISM. 217
sent some difficulties of explanation. Such cases are, for
instance, No. 47 of the seventh edition, also Nos. 57 and
t the present, but especially No. 29 of the ninth edi-
tion. Fnua the latter it is evident that it is especially
the idea of subjection that, both actively and passively,
forms the nucleus of the perverse desires. Traces of the
same thing are also to bo observed, with more or less clear-
ness, in many other cases. At any rate, one of the two
perversions is always markedly predominant.
Owing to this marked predominance of one perversion
and the later appearance of the other in such cases, it
may well be assumed that the predominating perversion
is original, and that the other has been acquired in the
course of time. The ideas of subjection and maltreat-
ment, coloured with lustful pleasure, either in an active
or passive sense, have become deeply imbedded in such
an individual. Occasionally the imagination is tempted
to try the same ideas in an inverted role. There may
even be realisation of this inversion. Such attempts in
imagination and in acts, are, however, usually soon aban-
doned as inadequate for the original inclination.
Masochism and sadism also occur in combination with
antipathic sexual instinct, #nd, in fact, in association with
all forms and degrees of this perversion. The individual
of inverted sexuality may be a sadist as well as a masochist
(cf. cases 55 of the present and 49 of the seventh edition
and numerous cases in the subsequent series of cases of
sexual inversion).
Wherever a sexual perversion has developed on the
basis of a neuropathic individuality, sexual hypersesthesia,
which may always be assumed to be present, may induce
the phenomena of masochism and sadism — now of the
one, now of both combined, one arising from the other.
Thus masochism and sadism appear as the fundamental
forms of psycho-sexual perversion, which may make their
218 rSYCIIOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
appearance at any point in the dojnain of sexual aberra-
tion.1
Fetichism. — The Association of Lust with the Idea of
Certain Portions of the Female Person, or with Cer-
tain Articles of Female Attire.
In the considerations concerning the psychology of the
normal sexual life in the introduction to this work it was
shown that, within physiological limits, the pronounced
preference for a certain portion of the body of persons
of the opposite sex, particularly for a certain form of
this part, may attain great psycho-sexual importance. In-
1 Every attempt to explain the facts of either sadism or maso-
chism owing to the close connection of the two phenomena demon-
strated here, must also be suited to explain the other perversion.
An attempt to offer an explanation of sadism, by J. O. Kiernan
(Chicago) (vide "Psychological Aspects of the Sexual Appetite,"
Alienist and Neurologist, St. Louis, April, 1891 ) meets this require-
ment, and for this reason may be briefly mentioned here. Kiernan,
who has several authorities in Anglo-American literature for his
theory, starts from the assumption of several naturalists (Dallinger,
Drysdale, Rolph, Cicnkowsky) which conceives the so-called con-
jugation, a sexual act in certain low forms of animal life, to be
cannibalism, a devouring of the partner in the act. He brings into
immediate connection with this the well-known facts that at the
time of sexual union crabs tear limbs from their bodies and spiders
bite off the heads of the males, and other sadistic acts performed
by rutting animals with their consorts. From this he passes to lust-
murder and other lustful acts of cruelty in man, and assumes that
hunger and the sexual appetite are, in their origin, identical ; that
the sexual cannibalism of lower forms of animal life has an influence
in higher forms and in man, and that sadism is an atavistic rebound.
This explanation of sadism would, of course, also explain
masochism; for if the origin of sexual intercourse is to be sought in
cannibalistic process, then both the survival of one sex and the
destruction of the other would fulfil the purpose of nature, and
thus the instinctive desire to be the victim would be explained.
But it must be stated in objection that the basis of this reasoning
is insufficient. The extremely complicated process of conjugation in
lower organisms, into which science has really penetrated only
during the last few years, is by no means to be regarded as simply
a devouring of one individual by another (cf. Weismann, "Die
Bedeutung der sexuellcn Fortpflanzung fdr die Selectionstheorie,"
p. 51, Jena, 1886).
FETICH ISM. 219
deed, the especial power of attraction possessed by certain
forms and peculiarities for many men — in fact, the ma-
jority— may be regarded as the real principle of individ-
ualism in love.
This preference for certain particular physical char-
acteristics in persons of the opposite sex — by the side of
which, likewise, a marked preference for certain psychical
characteristics may be demonstrated — following Binet
("Du Fetischisme dans Famour," "Revue Philosophique,"
1887) and Lombroso (Introduction to the Italian edition
of the second edition of this work), I have called "fetich-
ism" ; because this enthusiasm for certain portions of the
body (or even articles of attire) and the worship of them,
in obedience to sexual impulses, frequently call to mind
the reverence for relics, holy objects, etc., in religious cults.
This physiological fetichism has already been described
in detail.
By the side of this physiological fetichism, however,
there is, in the psycho-sexual sphere, an undoubted patho-
logical, erotic fetichism, of which there is already a numer-
ous series of cases presenting phenomena having great
clinical and psychiatric interest, and, under certain cir-
cumstances also, forensic importance. This pathological
fetichism does not confine itself to certain parts of the
body alone, but it is even extended to inanimate objects,
which, however, are almost always articles of female
wearing-apparel, and thus stand in close relation with the
female person.
This pathological iVtirliism is connected, through grad-
ual transitions, with physiological fetich ism, so that (at
least in body-fetichism) it is almost impossible to sharply
define the beginning of the perversion. Moreover, the
whole field of body-fetichism does not really extend beyond
the limits of things which normally stimulate the sexual
instinct. Here the abnormality consists only in the fact
that the whole sexual interest is concentrated on the im-
pression made l»y a part of the person of the opposite sex,
so that all other impressions fade and become more or less
220. PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
indifferent. Therefore, the body-fetichist is not to be re-
garded as a monstrum per excessum, like the sadist or
masochist, but rather as a monstrum per defectum. What
stimulates him is not abnormal, but rather what does not
affect him, — the limitation of sexual interest that has taken
place in him. Of course, this limited sexual interest,
within its narrower limits, is usually expressed with a
correspondingly greater and abnormal intensity.
It would seem reasonable to assume, as the distinguish-
ing mark of pathological fetichism, the necessity for the
presence of the fetich as a conditio sine qua non for the
possibility of performance of coitus. But when the facts
are more carefully studied, it is seen that this limitation
is really only indefinite. There are numerous cases in
which, even in the absence of the fetich, coitus is possible,
but incomplete and forced (often with the help of fancies
relating to the fetich), and particularly unsatisfying and
exhausting; and, too, closer study of the distinctive sub-
jective psychical conditions in these cases shows that there
are transitional states, passing, on the one hand, to mere
physiological preferences, and, on the other, to psychical
impotence, in the absence of the fetich.
It is therefore better, perhaps, to seek the pathological
criterion of body-fetichism in purely subjective psychical
states. The concentration of the sexual interest on a cer-
tain portion of the body that has no direct relation to sex
(as have the mammae and external genitals) — a peculiarity
to be emphasised — often leads body-fetichists to such a
condition that they do not regard coitus as the real means
of sexual gratification, but rather some form of manipula-
tion of that portion of the body that is effectual as a fetich.
This perverse instinct of body-fetichists may be taken as
the pathological criterion, no matter whether actual coitus
is still possible or not.
Fetichism of inanimate objects or articles of dress, how-
ever, in all cases, may well be regarded as a pathological
phenomenon, since its object, falls without the circle of
normal sexual stimuli. But even here, in the phenomena,
FETICHISM. 221
there is a certain outward correspondence with processes of
the normal psychical rita sexualis; the inner connection
and meaning of pathological fetichism, however, are en-
tirely different. In the ecstatic love of a man mentally
normal, a handkerchief or shoe, a glove or letter, the flower
"she gave," or a lock of hair, etc., may become the object
of worship, but only because they represent a mnemonic
symbol of the beloved person — absent or dead — whose
whole personality is reproduced by them. The pathologi-
cal fetichist has no such relations. The fetich constitutes
the entire content of his idea. When he becomes aware
of its presence, sexual excitement occurs, and the fetich
makes itself felt.1
According to all observations thus far made, patho-
logical fetichism seems to arise only on the basis of a
psychopathic constitution that is for the most part heredi-
tary, or on the basis of existent mental disease.
Thus it happens that it not infrequently appears com-
bined with the other (original) sexual perversions that
arise on the same basis. Not infrequently fetichism occurs
in the most various forms in combination with inverted
sexuality, sadism, and masochism. Indeed, certain forms
of body-fetichism (hand- and foot-fetichism) probably have
a more or less distinct connection with the latter two per-
versions (v. infra).
But if fetichism also rests upon a congenital general
psychopathic disposition, yet this perversion is not, like
those previously considered, essentially of an original na-
ture; it is not congenitally perfect, as we may well assume
sadism and masochism to be.
While in the sexual perversions described in the pre-
ceding chapters we have met only cases of a congenital
type, here we meet only acquired cases. Aside from the
fact that often in fetichism the causative circumstance of
iln Zola't "Th6r£se Uaquin," where the lover repeatedly kisses his
mistress's boot, the case is quite different from that of shoe- and boot-
fi'tirhists, who, at the sight of every boot worn by a lady, or even
.'!"iic, are thrown into sexual excitement, even to the extent of ejacu-
lation.
222 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUA1.IS.
its acquirement is traced, yet the physiological conditions
are wanting, which in sadism and masochism, by means of
sexual hyperaesthesia, are intensified to perversions, and
justify the assumption of congenital origin. In fetichism,
every case requires an event which affords the ground for
the perversion.
As has been said, it is, of course, physiological in sexual
life to be partial to one or another of woman's charms,
and to be enthusiastic about it; but concentration of the
entire sexual interest on such partial impression is here
the essential thing; and for this concentration there must
be a particular reason in every individual affected. There-
fore, we may accept Binet's conclusion that in the life of
every fetichist there may be assumed to have been some
event which determined the association of lustful feeling
with the single impression. This event must be sought for
in the time of early youth, and, as a rule, occurs in connec-
tion with the first awakening of the vita sexualis. This
first awakening is associated with some partial sexual im-
pression (since it is always a thing standing in some rela-
tion to woman),1 and stamps it for life as the principal
object of sexual interest. The circumstances under which
the association arises are usually forgotten; the result of
the association alone is retained. The general predisposi-
tion to psychopathic states and the sexual hypersesthesia of
such individuals are all that is original here.2
1 Cf. " Arbeiten," iv., p. 172. Case of ring fetichism; p. 174,
mourning crape fetichism in homosexual persons.
'Though Binet (op. cit.)' declares that every sexual perversion,
without exception, depends upon such an " accident acting on a
predisposed subject " ( where, under predisposition, only hyper-
rcsthesia in general is understood), yet such an assumption for other
perversions than fetichism is neither necessary nor satisfactory. For
example, it is not clear how the sight of another's chastisement
could excite sexually even a very excitable individual, if the physio-
logical relationship of lust and cruelty had not been developed into
original sadism in an abnormally excitable individual. As the
sadistic and masochistic associations are performed in the mind of
the subject from homogeneous elements in adjacent spheres, in the
same measure la the possibility of fetichistic associations prepared
FETICHI8M. 223
Like the other perversions thus far considered, erotic
(pathological) fetichism may also express itself in strange,
unnatural, and even criminal acts: gratification with the
female person loco indcbito, theft and robbery of objects of
fetichism, pollution of such objects, etc. Here, too, it only
depends upon the intensity of the perverse impulse and
the relative power of opposing ethical motives, whether
and to what extent such acts are performed.
These perverse acts of fetichists, like those of other
sexually perverse individuals, may either alone constitute
the entire external vita scxualis, or occur parallel with
the normal sexual act. This depends upon the condition
of physical and psychical sexual power, and the degree of
excitability to normal stimuli that has been retained.
Where excitability is diminished, not infrequently the
sight or touch of the fetich serves as a necessary pre-
paratory act
The great practical importance which attaches to the
facts of fetichism, in accordance with what has been said,
lies in two factors. In the first place, pathological fetich-
ism is not infrequently a cause of psychical impotence.1
Since the object upon which the sexual interest of the
fetichist is concentrated stands, in itself, in no immediate
relation to the normal sexual act, it often happens that
the fetichist diminishes his excitability to normal stimuli
by his perversion, or, at least, is capable of coitus only
by the idiosyncrasies of the object and thus easier understood. In
nearly every instance it is impressions of parts of the female form
(including garments) that are in question. Fetichistic association
which originated only by mere accident can only be traced in a few
special cases.
1 When young husbands who have associated much with prosti-
tutes feel impotent in the face of the chastity of their young wives —
a thing of frequent occurrence — the condition may be regarded as a
kind of (psychical) fetichism in a wider sense. One of my patients
was never potent with his beautiful and chaste young wife, because
he was accustomed to the lascivious methods of prostitutes. When
he now and then attempted coitus with puellis he was perfectly
potent. Hammond (op. cit. pp. 48, 49) reports a very similar
interesting case. Of course, in such cases, a bad conscience and
hypochcadriacal fear of impotence play an important part.
224 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
by means of concentration of his "fancy upon his fetich.
In this perversion, and in the difficulty of its adequate
gratification, just as in the other perversions of the sexual
instinct, lie conditions favouring psychical and physical
onanisra, which again reacts deleteriously on the constitu-
tion and sexual power. This is especially true in the case
of youthful individuals, and particularly in the case of
those who, on account of opposing ethical and aesthetic
motives, shrink from the realisation of their perverse de-
sires.
Secondly, fetichism is of great forensic importance.
Just as sadism may extend to murder and the infliction of
bodily injury, fetichism may lead to theft and even to
robbery for the possession of the desired articles.
Erotic fetichism has for its object either a certain
portion of the body of a person of the opposite sex, or
a certain article or material of wearing apparel of the
opposite sex. (Only cases of pathological fetichism in
men have thus far been observed, and .therefore only
portions of the female person and attire are spoken of
here.) In accordance with this, fetichists fall into three
groups.
(a) The Fetich is a Part of the Female Body.
Just as, in physiological fetichism, the eye, the hand,
the foot and the hair of woman frequently become fetiches,
so, in the pathological domain, the same portions of the
body become the sole objects of sexual interest. This ex-
clusive concentration of interest on these parts, by the
side of which everything else feminine fades, and all other
sexual value of woman may sink to nil, so that, instead of
coitus, strange manipulations of the fetich become the
object of desire, — this it is that makes these cases patho-
logical.
Case 88. (Binet, op. cit.) X., aged thirty-four,
teacher in a gymnasium. In childhood he suffered from
FBTICHISM. 225
convulsions. At the age of ten he began to masturbate,
with lustful feelings, which were connected with very
strange ideas. He was particularly partial to women's
eyes ; but since he wished to imagine some form of coitus,
and was absolutely innocent in sexual matters, to avoid
too great a separation from the eyes, he evolved the idea
of making the nostrils the seat of the female sexual organs.
Then his vivid sexual desires revolved around this idea.
He sketched drawings representing correct Greek profiles
of female heads, but the nostrils were so large that
immissio penis would have been possible.
One day, in an omnibus, he saw a girl in whom he
thought he recognised his ideal. He followed her to her
home and immediately proposed to her. Shown the door,
he returned again and again, until arrested. X. never had
sexual intercourse.
Nose fetichism is but seldomly met with. The follow-
ing rare bit of poetry comes to me from England : —
"Oh! sweet and pretty little nose, so charming unto me;
Oh, were I but the sweetest rose, I'd give my scent to thee.
Oh, make it full with honey sweet, that I may suck it all;
T'would be for me the greatest treat, a real festival.
How sweet and how nutritious your darling nose does seem;
It would be more delicious, than strawberries and cream."
Hand-fetichists are very numerous. The following
case is not really pathological. It is given here as a transi-
tional one : —
Case 89. B., of neuropathic family, very sensual
mentally intact. At the sight of the hand of a beautiful
young lady he was always charmed and felt sexual excite-
ment to the extent of erection. It was his delight to kiss
and press such hands. As long as they were covered with
gloves he felt unhappy. By pretexts he tried to get hold
of such hands. He was indifferent to the foot. If the
beautiful hands were ornamented with rings, his lust was
increased. Only the living hand, not its image, caused
him this lustful excitement. It was only when he was
15
226 rsYCHOPATiiiA SEXUALIS.
exhausted sexually by frequent coitus that the hand
lost its sexual charm. At first the memory-picture of
female hands disturbed him even while at work (Binet.. op.
cit.).
Binet states that such cases of enthusiasm for the
female hand are numerous. Here it may be recalled that,
according to case 25, a man may be partial to the female
hand as a result of sadistic impulses; and that, according
to case 52, the same thing may be due to masochistic
desires. Thus such cases have more than one meaning.
But it docs by no means follow that all, or even a majority,
of the cases of hand-fetichism allow or require a sadistic
or masochistic explanation.
The following interesting case, that has been studied
in detail, shows that, in spite of the fact that at first a
sadistic or masochistic element seems to have exercised
an influence, at the time of the individual's maturity
and the complete development of the perversion, the
latter contained nothing of these elements. Of course,
it is possible that, in the course of time, they disappeared;
but here the assumption of the origin of the fetichism in
an accidental association meets every requirement: —
Case 90. A case of hand-fetichism, communicated
by Albert Moll. P. L., aged twenty-eight, a merchant in
Westphalia. Aside from the fact that the patient's father
was remarkably moody and somewhat quick-tempered,
nothing of an hereditary nature could be proved in the
family. At school the patient was not very diligent; he
was never able to concentrate his attention on any one sub-
ject for any length of time ; on the other hand, from child-
hood he had a great inclination for music. His tem-
perament was always nervous.
In August, 1890, he came to me complaining of head-
ache and abdominal pain, which in every way gave the
impression of being neurasthenic. The patient also said
he was destitute of energy. Only after accurately dim-to]
questions did the patient make the following statements
FETICHI8M. 227
concerning his sexual life. As far as he could remember,
tin- Ix-giiining of sexual excitement occurred in his seventh
year. Whenever he saw a boy of his own age urinate and
caught sight of his genitals, he became lustfully excited.
L. states with certainty that this excitement was associated
with strongly accentuated erections. Led astray by an-
other boy, L. learned to masturbate at the age of seven or
eight. "Being of a very excitable nature," said L., "I
practised masturbation very frequently until my eighteenth
year, without gaining any clear idea of the evil results or
the meaning of the practice." He was particularly fond
of practising mutual onanism with some of his school-
friends, but it was by no means an indifferent matter who
the other boy was ; on the contrary, only a few of his com-
|i;iiiions could satisfy him in this respect. To the question
as to what particularly caused him to prefer this or that
boy, L. replied that a white, beautifully formed hand in his
school-fellow impelled him to practise mutual onanism
with him. L. further remembered that frequently, at the
beginning of the gymnastic lesson, he would exercise by
himself on a bar standing apart. He did this for the
purpose of exciting himself as much as possible, and he
was so successful that, without using his hand and without
ejaculation — L. was still too young — he had lustful plea-
sure. Another early event which L. remembered is inter-
esting. One day his favourite companion, N., who prac-
tised mutual onanism with him, proposed that L. should
try to get hold of his (N.'s) penis, and he would do all
he could to prevent it L. acquiesced. In this way onan-
isra was directly combined with a struggle between both
parties, in which N. was always conquered. The struggle
was finally ended in N.'s being compelled to allow L. to
practice onanisrn on him. L. assured me that this kind of
masturbation had given him, as well as N., especial pleas-
ure. In this way L. continued to practice masturbation
very frequently until his eighteenth year. Warned by a
friend, he then Ix-iran to struggle with all his might against
this evil habit. He became more and more successful, and
228 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
finally, after the first performance of coitus, he stopped
the practice of onanism entirely. But this was only ac-
complished in his twenty-second year. It now seemed
incomprehensible to the patient — and he said he was filled
with disgust at the thought — how he could ever have found
pleasure in performing masturbation with other boys.
Now, nothing could induce him to touch another man's
genitals, the sight of which was even unpleasant to him.
He had lost all inclination for men, and felt attracted by
women exclusively.
It must be mentioned, however, that although L. had
a decided inclination for the female sex, he presented an
abnormal phenomenon.
The essential thing in woman that excited him was the
sight of her beautiful hands ; L. was far more impressed
when he touched a beautiful female hand than he would
have been had he seen its possessor in a state of complete
nudity. The extent to which L.'s preference for beautiful
female hands went is shown by the following incident: —
L. knew a beautiful young lady possessed of every
charm, but her hands were quite large and not beautifully
formed, and often they were not as clean as L. could wish.
For this reason it was not only impossible for L. to con-
ceive a deeper interest in the lady, but he was not able
even to touch her. L. believed that there was nothing more
disgusting to him than dirty finger-nails ; this alone would
make it impossible for him to touch a woman who in all
other respects was most beautiful. L. formerly, as a
substitute for coitus, induced the puella to perform genital
manipulation with her hand until ejaculation took place.
To the question as to what there was about a woman's
hand that attracted him in particular, whether he saw in
it a symbol of power, and whether it gave him pleasure to
be directly humiliated by a woman, the patient answered
that only the beautiful form of the hand charmed him;
that it afforded him no gratification to be humiliated by a
woman ; and that he had never had any thought to regard
the hand as the symbol or instrument of a woman's power.
FETICH ISM.
The preference for the hand was still so great that the
patient had greater pleasure when his genitals were touched
l»v it thnt when he performed e<>itus in vaginam. Yet, the
patient preferred to perform the latter, because it seen KM 1
to him to be natural, while the former seemed abnormal.
The touch of a beautiful female hand on his body imme-
diately caused him to have erection; he thought that kiss-
ing and other contacts do not exert nearly so strong an
influence. It was only of late years that the patient had
performed coitus frequently, but it had always been very
difficult for him to determine to do it. Moreover, in coitus,
he did not find the complete satisfaction he sought. How-
ever, when he found himself near a woman whom he would
like to possess, sometimes, at mere sight of her, his sexual
excitement became so intense that ejaculation resulted.
L. said expressly that during this process he did not in-
tentionally touch or press his genitajs; ejaculation under
such circumstances afforded him much more pleasure than
he experienced in actual coitus.1
To go back, the patient's dreams were never about
coitus. When he had pollutions at night, they were almost
always associated with other thoughts than those that
occur to the normal man. The patient's dreams were of
events of his school-days, when, besides the mutual onan-
ism described, he had ejaculations whenever he became
anxiously excited. When, for example, the teacher dic-
tated an extemporaneous exercise, and L. was unable to
follow in translation, ejaculation often occurred.1 The
pollutions that now occurred occasionally, at night, were
1 Great sexual hypertesthesia.
'This is also seximl hypersesthesia. Any intense excitement
affects the sexual sphere (Rinet'a " Dynamogeiiie g4n£rale"). Con-
cerning this Dr. Moll communicates the following case: " A similar
thing is described by Mr. E., aged twenty-seven; merchant. While
at school, and afterward, he often had ejaculation with pleasurable
feeling when he was seized with a spell of intense anxiety. Besides,
almost every other physical or mental pain exerted a similar
influence. E., as he stated, had a normal sexual instinct, but suffered
with nervous impotence."
230 PSTCIIOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
only accompanied by dreams that had the same or u similar
subject — i.e., the events at school just mentioned. On
account of his unnatural feeling and sensibility the patient
thought he was incapable of loving a woman permanently.
Treatment of the patient's perversion was not possible.
This case of hand-fetichism certainly does not depend
on masochism or sadism, but is to be explained simply
on the ground of early indulgence in mutual onanism.
Neither is there antipathic sexual instinct. Before the
sexual appetite was clearly conscious of its object, the
hands of school-fellows were used. As soon as the instinct
for the opposite sex became evident, the interest for the
hand was transferred to that of woman.
In hand fetichists, who according to Binet, are numer-
ous, it is possible that other associations lead to the same
result
Next to the hand-fetichists, naturally come the foot-
fetichists. While glove-fetichism, which belongs to the
next group of object-fetichism, seldom takes the place of
hand-fetichism, we find shoe- and boot-fetichism, of which
there are innumerable cases occurring everywhere, taking
the place of enthusiasm for the naked female foot. It is
easy to see the reason for this. The female hand is
usually seen uncovered; the foot, covered. Thus the
early associations which determine the direction of the
vita sexualis are naturally connected with the naked hand,
but with the foot when covered.
This assumption is certainly correct with regard to
those who have grown up in large cities, and easily explains
the scarcity of foot-fetichism,1 which will be elucidated
by the following cases.
Case 91. Foot-fetichism. Acquired inverted sexuality.
1 Exceptions are the cases of latent masochism in the form of
Koprolagnia in which case the fetichistic stimulus is not to be
found in the clean naked foot but e contra, cf. case 8G.
FETICH ISM. 231
Mr. X., civil servant, twmt v-nine years of age; mother
neuropathic, father diabetic.
Had good mental qualities, was of nervous disposition,
but never suffered from nervous disease, showed no signs
of degeneration. Patient distinctly recalled tiiat even at
the age of six he became sexually excited when he saw
the naked feet of women, and was impelled to follow them,
or watch them when at work.
At the age of fourteen he slipped one night into the
room where his sister slept and kissed her foot. At the
age of eight he began spontaneously to masturbate, think-
ing all the while of the naked feet of women.
\Vlien sixteen he often took shoes and stockings of
servant girls to bed with him; and whilst fingering them
excited himself into masturbation.
At the age of eighteen he began sexual intercourse
with persons of the opposite sex. He had full power, and
coitus satisfied him without the aid of a fetich. For
males he had not the slightest sexual inclination, neither
had the feet of men any attraction for him.
At the age of twenty-four a great change came over
his sexual feelings and his physical condition.
Patient became neurasthenic and began to experience
sexual inclination to males. No doubt excessive mastur-
bation brought about neurosis and inverted sexuality to
which he was led by -libido nimia remaining unsated by
coitus, and by the sight (accidental or otherwise) of female
As neurasthenia (at first sexualis) increased, a rapid
cessation of libido, power and gratification, with regard
to women set in. Parallel with this, inclination towards
his own sex developed and his fetichism was transferred
to males.
With the age of twenty-five he had coitus cum muliere
but rarely, and without satisfaction. He had lost nearly
all interest in the foot of woman. The craving to have
sexual intercourse wfth men grew daily stronger. When
he was transferred to a large city he found the long-
232 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALI8.
wished-for opportunity and actually revelled with intense
passion in this unnatural love.
He ejaculated during these acts with the utmost volup-
tuousness. By-and-by the sight of a sympathetic man,
especially if he were barefooted, sufficed him.
His nocturnal pollutions had now for their object
intercourse with men, and, to be sure, in the fetichistic
sense (feet). Shoes did not interest him. The naked foot
was his charm. He often felt impelled to follow men in
the street, hoping to find occasion for taking off their
shoes. As a substitute he went barefooted himself. At
times he was driven to walk along the street in his bare
feet, thereby experiencing the most intense lustful feelings.
If he resisted, agony, trembling, and palpitation of the
heart set in. Often at nights he yielded to this impulse
for hours, even in stormy, rainy weather, not minding the
many risks and personal dangers to which he exposed
himself by so doing.
He would carry the shoes in his hand, became sexually
excited, and only found satisfaction in spontaneous, or
induced ejaculation. He felt envious of navvies and the
poor who could go barefoot without attracting attention.
His happiest moments were the time which he spent
in an hydropathic establishment, a la Kneipp, where he
was allowed to go barefoot with the other men under
treatment.
An awkward affair, the result of his perverse sexual
practices sobered him. He sought safety from his un-
natural sexual existence by consulting a physician who
sent him to me.
The patient did his utmost to abstain from masturba-
tion and perverse connection with men. He underwent
treatment for neurasthenia in an hydropathic institute,
regained some interest in the gentle sex — his foot-fetich-
ism serving as a bridge — had once, with a degree of plea-
sure, coitus with a barefooted peasant girl who acceded
to his wishes, and later on visited puellas a few times but
without gratification. Then he turned again to persons
FETICHISM. 233
of his own sex, backslided totally, felt irresistibly drawn
to tramps and farm labourers, whom he paid for the
favour to kiss their feet. An attempt to rescue the unfor-
tunate man by suggestive treatment was wrecked on the
impossibility to remove an enervation which was beyond
therapeutic aid.
Case 92. Fool-fetichism with continued hetero-sex-
uality. Mr. Y., fifty years of age, bachelor, belonged to
high society. Consulted a physician on account of "ner-
vous" troubles. Tainted, from childhood nervous, very
sensitive to cold and heat, troubled with delusions which
assumed the character of transient dementia persecutoria.
For instance, when he sat in a restaurant he imagined
that everybody stared at him, talked about, and made
fun of him. As soon as he rose this feeling left him and
he no longer believed his fancies.
He never felt settled for any length of time, and
moved about from one place to another. At times it
happened that he engaged rooms at a hotel, but never
went there on account of his peculiar delusions.
He never had much libido. All his sentiments were
heterosexual. Now and then he found gratification in
coitus which he claimed to have been normal.
Y. admitted that his sexual life was peculiar from early
youth. Neither women nor men excited him sexually,
but the sight of female feet, be they of children or grown-
up women, would do so. All other parts of the female
body had no attraction for him.
If by chance he could see the naked feet of female
gipsies or tramps he could gaze at them by the hour and
was driven by a "terrible" impulse terere genitalia propria
ad pedes illarum. Thus far he had successfully resisted
this impulse.
What annoyed him most was to see these feet covered
with dirt He would like to see them well washed and
clean. He could not say how this fetichism originated in
him (from a communication of Professor Forel).
234 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
Moll in his recent researches in libido sexualis, p. 288,
relates a most interesting case -x>f foot-fetichism which
resembles case 91 above, in so far as the patient by force
of the fetich became homosexual.
Shoe-fetichism also finds its place in the following
group of dress-fetich ism ; however, on account of its
demonstrable masochistic character in the majority of
cases, it has been, for the most part, described already
above.
Besides the eye, hand and foot, the mouth and ear often
play the role of a fetich. Among others, Moll (op. cit.)
mentions such cases. (Cf. Belot's romance, "La Bouche
de Madame X.," which, B. states, rests upon actual ob-
servation. )
The following remarkable case comes under my per-
sonal observation : —
Case 93. A gentleman of very bad heredity con-
sulted me concerning impotence that was driving him al-
most to despair. While he was young, his fetich was
women of plump form. He married such a lady, and was
happy and potent with her. After a few months the lady
fell very ill, and lost much flesh. When, one day, he tried
to resume his marital duty, he was absolutely impotent, and
remained so. If, however, he attempted coitus with plump
women, he was perfectly potent.
Even bodily defects become fetiches.
Case 94. X., twenty-eight years of age; family
heavily tainted ; neurasthenic ; want of self-confidence and
frequent depression of mind, with fits of suicidal inten-
tions, which he had great trouble to ward off. The smallest
worries threw him out of temper, and filled him with
despair. He was an engineer in a factory in Russian-
Poland, a man of robust frame, without signs of degenera-
tion. He complained of a peculiar mania, which caused
FETICH ISM.
him to doubt his sanity. Since his seventeenth year ho
became sexually excited at the sight of physical defect*
in women, especially lameness and disfigured feet. He was
not conscious of the original associative connection be-
tween his libido and these defects in women.
Ever since puberty he had been under the bane of this
fetichism, which was painful to himself. Normal women
had no attraction for him. If a woman, however, was
afflicted with lameness or with contorted or disfigured feet,
she exercised a powerful sensual influence over him, no
matter whether she was otherwise pretty or ugly.
In his dreams, accompanied by pollutions, the forms of
halting women were ever before him. At times he could
not resist the temptation to imitate their gait, which caused
vehement orgasm, with lustful ejaculation. lie claimed to
have strong libido, and suffered intensely when his sexual
desire remained unsatisfied. Despite these facts, he had
«>ims for the first time when he was twenty-two years of
age, and then but five times. He felt, however, not the
slightest satisfaction in spite of complete ability. !!••
thought it would cause him intense pleasure if he had the
chance to mate with a halting woman. At any rate, be
could never marry any other than a lame woman.
Since his twentieth year the patient manifested fetich-
ism for garments. It often sufficed him to put on female
stockings, shoes and drawers. He I* night such wearing
apparel at times and, putting it on secretly, became lust-
fully excited and ejaculated. Garments which had been
worn by women had no attraction for him. He would
fain prefer to wear female garb, so as to keep up sensual
emotions, but had not yet dared to do so for fear of being
detected.
His i-lln SCJT nulls was reduced ;<> these practices. He
was definite in asserting that In- n»ver was addicted to mas-
turbation. Quite recently lie had been, in consequence of
his neurasthenic afflictions, much troubled with pollutions.
Case 95. Z., gentleman, family tainted. Even iu
236 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
early childhood always felt great ..sympathy with the lame
and the halt. He used to limp about the room on two
brooms in lieu of crutches, or when unobserved, go limping
about the streets; but at that time no sexual significance
was coupled with the idea. Gradually the thought super-
vened that he would like "as a pretty lame child" to meet
a pretty girl who would express sympathy with his afflic-
tion. Sympathy from men he disdained. Z. was brought
up in a rich man's house by a private tutor, and claimed
that he was unaware of the difference in sexes up to his
twentieth year. His feelings were confined to the idea of
being pitied by a pretty girl for being lame, or extending
the same sympathy himself to a lame girl. Gradually
erotic emotions associated themselves with this fancy and
at the age of twenty he succumbed to a temptation and
masturbated for the first time. This act he practised
henceforth very often. Neurasthenia sexualis supervened
and an irritable weakness took hold of him to such an
extent that the very sight of a girl with a halting gait
induced ejaculation. When masturbating, or in his erotic
dreams, the idea of the limping girl was always the con-
trolling element. The personality of the halting girl was
a matter of indifference to Z., his interest being solely
centered in the limping foot. He never had coitus with
a girl thus afflicted. He never felt an inclination for doing
so and did not think he could be potent under the circum-
stances. His perverse fancies only revolved around mas-
turbation against the foot of a halting female. At times
he anchored his hope on the thought that he might succeed
in winning and marrying a chaste lame girl, that, on ac-
count of his love for her, she would take pity on him and
free him of his crime by "transferring his love from the
soul of her foot to the foot of her soul." He sought de-
liverance in this thought. His present existence was one
of untold misery.
Case 96. Mr. V., thirty years, civil servant ; parents
neuropathic. Since his seventh year he had for a play-
mate a lame girl of the same age.
FETICH ISM. 237
At the age of twelve, being of a nervous disposition and
hyporsexually inclined, the boy began spontaneously to
masturbate. At that period puberty set in, and it lies
beyond doubt that the first sexual emotions towards the
other sex were coincident with the sight of the lame girl.
For ever after only halting women excited him sexu-
ally. His fetich was a pretty lady who, like the companion
of his childhood, limped with the left foot
Always heterosexual but abnormally sensual he sought
early relations with the opposite sex, but was absolutely
impotent with women who were not lame. Virility and
gratification were most strongly elicited if the puella
limped with the left foot, but he was successful also if
the lameness was in the right foot. As, in consequence
of his fetichism the opportunities for coitus occurred but
seldom, he resorted to masturbation, but found it a dis-
gusting and miserable substitute. His sexual anomaly
rendered him very unhappy, and he was often near com-
mitting suicide, but regard for his parents prevented him.
This moral affliction culminated in the desire for
marriage with a sympathetic lame lady, but since he could
not love the soul of such a wife, but only her defect of
lameness, he considered such a union a profanation of
matrimony and an unbearable, ignoble existence. On
this account he had often thought of resignation and
castration.
When V. came to me for advice I obtained, in my
examination of him, only negative results as regards signs
of degeneration, nervous disease, etc.
I enlightened the patient on the subject, and told him
that it was difficult, if not absolutely impossible, for
medical science to obliterate a fetichism so deeply rooted
by old associations, but expressed the hope that if he
made a limping maid happy in wedlock he himself would
find happiness also.
Descartes, who himself ("Traite des Passions,"
cxxxvi.) expresses some opinions concerning the origin of
238 PSYCHOPATUIA SEXUALIS.
peculiar affections in associations of ideas, was alwavA
partial to cross-eyed women, because the object of his first
love had such a defect (Binet, op. cit.).
Lydston ("A Lecture on Sexual Perversion," Chicago,
1890) reports the case of a man who had a love affair
with a woman whose right lower extremity had been am-
putated. After separation from her he searched for other
women with a like defect A negative fetich!
A peculiar variety of body fetichism may be found in
the following case (strongly complicated with sadistic ele-
ments), in which fine white virgin skin is the fetich, and
sadism leads to lustful acts of cruelty (as an equivalent to
coitus), even to anthropophagy (cf. p. 95 ei seq.), for
which the deeply degenerated and probably epileptic pa-
tient seeks to find a substitute in automutilation and auto-
phagy.
Case 97. L., labourer, was arrested because he had
cut a large piece of skin from his left forearm with a pair
of scissors in a public park.
He confessed that for a long time he had been craving
to eat a piece of the fine white skin of amaiden, and that
for this purpose he had been lying in wait for such a vic-
tim with a pair of scissors ; but, as he had been unsuccess-
ful, he desisted from his purpose and instead had cut his
own skin.
His father was an epileptic, and his sister was an imbe-
cile. Tip to his seventeenth year he suffered from enuresis
nociuma, was dreaded by everybody on account of his
rough and irascible nature, and dismissed from school
because of his insubordination and viciousness.
He began onanism at an early age, and read with
preference pious books. His character showed traits of
superstition, proneness to the mystic, and showy acts of
devotion.
When thirteen his lustful anomaly awoke at the sight
of a beautiful young girl who had a fine white skin. The
impulse to bite off a piece of that skin and eat it became
ntnciiiBic. 239
paramount with him. Xo other parts of the female body
excited lam. He nrv< -r had any desire for sexual inter-
course, and never attempted such.
Hi hoped to achieve his end easier with the aid of
scissors than with his teeth, for which reason he always
carried a pair with him for years. On several occasions
his efforts were nearly successful. Since the previous year
he found it most difficult to bear his failures any longer,
when he decided upon a substitute — viz., each time when
he had unsuccessfully pursued a girl he would cut a piece
of skin from his own arm, thigh or abdomen and 'eat it.
Imagining that it was a piece of the skin of the girl whom
he had pursued, he would whilst masticating his own skin
obtain orgasm and ejaculation.
Many extensive and deep wounds and numerous scars
were found on his body.
During the act of self-mutilation, and for a long time
afterwards, he suffered severe pains, but they were over-
compensated by the lustful feelings which he experienced
whilst eating the raw flesh, especially if the latter dripped
with blood, and when he succeeded in his illusion that it
was cutis virginis. The mere sight of a knife or scissors
sufficed to provoke this perverse impulse, which threw
him into a state of anxiety, accompanied by profuse per-
spiration, vertigo, palpitation of the heart, craving for
cutis femince. lie must, with scissors in hand, follow the
woman that attracted him, but he did not lose conscious-
ness or self-control, for at the acme of the crisis he took
from his own what was denied him from the body of the
girl. During the whole crisis he had erection and orgasm,
and at the very moment when he began to chew the piece of
his skin ejaculation set in. After that he felt greatly
relieved and comforted.
L. was quite conscious of the pathological aspect of his
condition. Of course, this dangerous character was sent
to an insane asylum, where he attempted suicide (Magnan
"Psychiatrische Vorlesungen").
An interesting category is formed by the hair-fetich-
240 PSYCHCWATHIA SEXUALIS.
ists. The transition from "admirer of woman's hair"
within physiological limits to pathological fetichism is
easy. The beginning of the pathological series is formed
by those cases in which the hair of a woman simply makes
a sensual impression and incites to cohabitation. Then fol-
low those in which virility is only possible with a woman
who possesses this individual fetich. Possibly various
senses (sight, smell, hearing, crepitant sounds, also touch
as with velvet- and silk-fetichists, vide infra) are drawn
into activity in this hair-fetichism as they receive lustful
impulses.
The end of the series is formed by those whom the hair
of woman suffices even when severed from the body — so
to speak, no longer a part of the living body, but only
matter, even a mercantile article — to excite libido and
sensual gratification by way of physical or psychical onan-
ism, eventually under contact of the genitals with the
fetich.1 An interesting instance of a hair-fetichist belong-
ing to the second category is related by Dr. Gemy, under
the title of "Historic des peruques aphrodisiaques," in
"La Medecine Internationale," September, 1894.
Case 98. A lady told Dr. Gemy that in the bridal
night and in the night following her husband contented
himself with kissing her, and running his fingers through
the wealth of her tresses. He then fell asleep. In the third
night Mr. X. produced an immense wig, with enormously
long hair, and begged his wife to put it on. As soon as she
had done so, he richly compensated her for his neglected
marital duties. In the morning he showed again extreme
tenderness, whilst he caressed the wig. When Mrs. X. re-
moved the wig she lost at once all charm for her husband.
l Gamier ( Sadi-fetichism, Annal. d'hyg.) knew a degenerate
whose fetich was the hair of the Mons Veneris. His greatest delight
was to tear them out with his teeth. He collected specimens and used
them for renewed sexual gratification by biting and chewing them.
He bribed housemaids of hotels to let him search the beds in which
ladies had slept for such hairs. Whilst searching for them he be-
came erotically excited and trembled with happiness when he made
a successful find.
FETICIIIBM. 241
Mrs. X. recognised this as a hobby, and readily yielded to
the wishes of her husband, whom she loved dearly, and
whose libido depended on the wearing of the wig. It was
remarkable, however, that a wig had the desired effect only
for a fortnight or three weeks at a time. It had to be made
of thick, long hair, no matter of what colour.
The result of this marriage was, after five years, two
children, and a collection of seventy-two wigs.
The following case, observed by Magnan and reported
by Thoinot (op. cit. p. 419), is that of a man with anti-
pathic sexual instinct, to whom the actual existence of the
fetich was a conditio sine qua non of potency.
Case 99. X., aged twenty, inverted sexually. Only
loved men with a large bushy mustache. One day he
met a man who answered his ideal. He invited him
to his home, but was unspeakably disappointed when this
man removed an artificial mustache. Only when the vis-
itor put the ornament on the upper lip again, he exercised
his charm over X. once more and restored him to the full
possession of virility.
In those cases in which the female hair as mere mat-
ter possesses the properties of a fetich, it not uncom-
monly happens that the fetichist seeks to possess himself
of woman's hair by unlawful acts. • These form the group
of hair-deepoilers, of no slight importance from the foren-
sic aspect.1
Case 100. A hair-despoiler. P., aged forty, artistic,
locksmith, single. His father was temporarily insane,
and his mother was very nervous. He was well de-
veloped and intelligent, but was early affected with tic
and delusions. He had never masturbated. He loved
1 Moll (op. cit., p. 131) reports: "A man, X., becomes intensely
excited sexually whenever he sees a woman with the hair in a braid;
loose hair, no matter how beautiful, cannot produce this effect."
Of course, it is not justifiable to consider all hair-despoilers
Midlists, for in a few cases such acts are done for the purpose of
gain — i. e.t the stolen hair is not a fetich.
16
242 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUAL1S.
platonically, and often busied himself with matrimonial
plans. He had coitus with prostitutes but rarely, and never
felt satisfied with such intercourse — rather, disgusted.
Three years ago he was overtaken by misfortune (financial
ruin), and besides, he had a febrile disease, with delirium.
These things had a very bad effect on his hereditarily
predisposed nervous system. On August 28, 1889, P. was
arrested at the Trocadero, in Paris, in flagranti, as he forc-
ibly cut off a young girl's hair. He was arrested with
the hair in his hand and a pair of scissors in his pocket.
He excused himself on the ground of momentary mental
confusion and an unfortunate, irresistible passion; he
confessed that he had ten times cut off hair, which he took
great delight in keeping at home. On searching his home,
sixty-five switches and tresses of hair were found, as-
sorted in packets. P. had already been once arrested,
on 15th December, 1886, under similar circumstances,
but was released for lack of evidence.
P. stated that, for the last three years, when he was
alone in his room at night, he felt ill, anxious, excited
and dizzy, and then was troubled by the impulse to touch
female hair. When it happened that he could actually
take a young girl's hair in his hand, he felt intensely
excited sexually, and had erection and ejaculation without
touching the girl in any other way. On reaching home,
he would feel ashamed of what had taken place; but the
wish to possess hair, always accompanied by great sexual
pleasure, became more and more powerful in him. He
wondered that previously, even in the most intimate inter-
course with women, he had experienced no such feeling.
One evening he could not resist the impulse to cut off a
girl's hair. With the hair in his hand, at home, the
sensuous process was repeated. He was forced to rub his
body with the hair and envelop his genitals in it. Finally,
quite exhausted, he grew ashamed, and could not trust
himself to go out for several days. After months of rest
he was again impelled to possess himself of female hair,
indifferent as to whose it might be. If he attained his
yracuisM. 243
end, he felt himself possessed by a supernatural power
and unable to give up his booty. If he could not attain
tin- object of his desire, ho became greatly depressed,
hurried IK .mo, and there revelled in his collection of hair.
II*- combed and fondled it, and thus had intense orgasm,
satisfying himself by masturbation. Hair exposed in tin;
show-cases of hair-dressers made no impression on him;
it required hair hanging down from a female head.
At the height of his act, he was in such a state of ex*
<-i i finent that he had only imperfect apperception and
subsequent recollection of what he had done. When he
touched the hair with the scissors he had erection, and, at
the instant of cutting it off, ejaculation. Since his mis-
fortune, about three years ago, he had weakness of mem-
ory, was easily exhausted mentally, and troubled by sleep-
lessness and night-terrors. P. deeply regretted his crime.
Not only hair, but a number of hair-pins, ribbons and
other articles of the feminine toilet, were found in his
possession, which he had had presented to him. He had
always had an actual mania for collecting such things, as
well as newspapers, pieces of wood and other worthless
trash, which he would never give up. He also had a
strange, and, to him, inexplicable fear of passing a certain
street ; if he ever tried it, it made him ill.
The opinion (medico-legal) showed him to be heredi-
tarily predisposed, and proved the imperative, impulsive
and decidedly involuntary character of the criminal acts,
which had the significance of an imperative act, induced
by an imperative idea, with an accompaniment of over-
powering abnormal sexual feeling. Pardon; asylum for
insane (Voisin, Socquet, Motet, "Annales d'hygiene,"
April, 1890).
Following this case is a similar one, which also de-
serves attention, for it has been well studied, and may be
called almost classical ; and it places also the fetich, as well
as the original associative awakening of the idea, in a clear
light
244 PSYCHOPATHIA BEXUALIS.
Case 101. A hair-despoilcr, E., aged twenty-five.
Maternal aunt, epileptic; brother had convulsions. Was
fairly healthy as a child, and learned quite easily. At
the age of fifteen he had an erotic feeling of pleasure,
with erection, at the sight of one of the village beauties
combing her hair. Until that time persons of the oppo-
site sex had made no impression on him. Two months
later, in Paris, the sight of young girls with their hair
flowing down over their shoulders ever excited him in-
tensely. One day he could not resist an opportunity to
twist a young girl's hair in his fingers. For this he was
arrested and sentenced to imprisonment for three months.
After that he served five years in the army. During this
time hair was not dangerous for him, because not very
accessible; but he dreamed sometimes of female heads
with the hair braided or flowing. Occasional coitus with
women, but without their hair being effective as a fetich.
Once more in Paris, he again dreamed as beforej and
became greatly excited by female hair. He never dreamed
about the whole form of a woman, only of heads with
braids of hair. His sexual excitement due to this fetich
had become so intense of late that he had resorted to mas-
turbation. The idea of touching female hair, or, better,
of possessing it to masturbate while handling it, grew
more and more powerful. Of late, when he had female
hair in his fingers, ejaculation was induced. One day he
succeeded in cutting hair, about twenty-five centimetres
long, from three little girls in the street, and keeping it in
his possession, when he was arrested in a fourth attempt.
Deep regret and shame. He was not sentenced. After
spending some time in the asylum, he improved so far
that female hair no longer excited him. Set at liberty, ho
thought of going to his native place, where the women
wear their hair done up (Magnan, "Archiv. de 1'anthro-
pol. criminelle," v., No. 28).
A third case is the following, which is likewise suited
to illustrate the psychopathic nature of such phenomena;
FETICHI8M.
and the remarkable means which induced a cure are
worthy of note: —
Case 102. Hair-fetichism. Mr. X., between thirty
and fortv \vars old; of the higher class of society; single.
Came of a healthy family, but from childhood had been
nervous, vacillating and peculiar; since his eighth year
he had been powerfully attracted by female hair. This was
particularly true in the case of young girls. When he was
nine years old, a girl of thirteen seduced him. He did not
understand it, and was not at all excited. A twelve-year-
old sister of this girl also courted, kissed, and hugged him.
lie allowed this quietly, because this girl's hair pleased him
so well. When about ten years old, he began to have erotic
feelings at the sight of female hair that pleased him.
Gradually these feelings occurred spontaneously, and
memory-pictures of girl's hair were always immediately
associated with them. At the age of eleven he was taught
to masturbate by school-mates. The associative connec-
tion of sexual feelings and a fetichistic idea were already
established, and always appeared when the patient in-
dulged in evil practices with his companions. With ad-
vancing years, the fetich grew more and more powerful.
Even false hair began to excite him, but he always pre-
ferred natural hair. When he could touch or kiss it, he
was perfectly happy. He wrote essays and poems on the
beauty of female hair ; he sketched heads of hair and mas-
turbated. After his fourteenth year he became so power-
fully excited by his fetich that he had violent erections. In
contrast with his early taste while a boy, he was now
charmed only by luxuriant, thick black hair. He ex-
perienced intense desire to kiss such hair, particularly to
suck it. To touch such hair afforded him but little sat-
isfaction ; he obtained much more pleasure in looking
at it, but particularly in kissing and sucking it. If this
were impossible, he would become unhappy, even to the
extent of toedium vitce. Then he would attempt to re-
lieve himself, imagining fantastic "hair-adventures" and
246 I'SYCliOPATIlIA SEXUALIS.
masturbating. Not infrequently, in the street and in
crowds, he could not keep from imprinting a kiss on
ladies' heads, lie would then hurry home to masturbate.
Sometimes he could resist this impulse; but it was then
necessary for him, filled with feelings of fear, to run away
as quickly as possible, in order to escape the domination
of his fetich, lie was only once impelled to cut off a girl's
hair in a crowd. In the act he was seized with fear, and
was not successful with his pocket-knife; and, by flight,
he narrowly escaped detection.
When he became mature, he attempted to satisfy him-
self in coitus with puellis. lie induced powerful erection
by kissing their tresses, but could not induce ejaculation,
and coitus did not satisfy him. At the same time, his
favourite idea was coitus with kissing of hair; but even
this did not satisfy him, because it did not induce ejacu-
lation. Faute de mieux, he once stole the combings
of a lady's hair, put it in his mouth, and masturbated
while calling its owner up in imagination. In the dark a
woman could not interest him, because he could not then
see her hair. Flowing hair also had no charm for him;
nor did the hair about the genitals. His erotic dreams
were all about hair. Of late the patient had become
so excited that he had a kind of satyriasis. He was
incapable of business, and felt so unhappy that he sought
to drown his sorrow in alcohol. He drank large quantities,
had alcoholic delirium, an attack of alcoholic epilepsy,
and required hospital treatment. After the intoxication
had passed away, under appropriate treatment, the sexual
excitement soon disappeared; and when the patient was
discharged, he was freed from his fetichistic idea, save
for its occasional occurrence in dreams. The physical
examination showed normal genitals and no degenerative
signs whatever.
Such cases of hair-fetichism, which lead to attacks on
female hair, seem to occur everywhere, from time to
time. In November 1890, according to reports in Aineri-
FETICH IBM. 2 1 7
can new-papers, several cities in the United States were
tr<>ul>lrj by such hair-despoilers.
(b) The Fetich is an Article of Female Attire.
The great importance of adornment, ornament and
dress in the normal vita sexualis of man is very generally
recognised. Culture and fashion have, to a certain extent,
endowed woman with artificial sexual characteristics, the
removal of which, when woman is seen unattired, in
spite of the normal sexual effect of this sight, may exert
an opposite influence.1 It should not be overlooked that
female dress often shows a tendency to emphasise and
exaggerate certain sexual peculiarities, — secondary sexual
characteristics (bosom, waist, hips). In most individuals
the sexual instinct awakes long before there is any possi-
bility or opportunity of intimate intercourse, and the early
desires of youth are concerned with the ordinary appear-
ance of the attired female form. Thus it happens that not
infrequently, at the beginning of the vita sexualis, ideas of
the persons exerting sexual charms and ideas of their
attire become associated. This association may be lasting
— the attired woman may be always preferred — if the
individuals dominated by this perversion do not in other
rts attain to a normal /•//</ scxualis, and find gratifi-
cation in natural charms.
In psychopathic individuals, sexually hypersesthetic, as
a result of this, it actually happens that the dressed woman
is always preferred to the nude female form. It may be
recalled that in case 55 the woman was not to take off her
chemise, and that it case 58, cquus eroticus, the woman
was prrtVnvd dressed. Further on a similar case will be
referred to.
Dr. Moll (op. cit. second edition) mentions a patient
who could not perform coitus with puella nuda; the woman
l('f. (;<M-tlic'.s remark* iilxmt his adventure in Geneva (" Brief e
aus der S<-li\\ri/.," 1. AMln-il.. S.-MIISH).
248 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
had to have on a chemise, at least. The same author (op.
cit.t p. 16) mentions a man affected with inverted sex-
uality, who is subject to the same dress-fetichism.
The reason for this phenomenon is apparently to be
found in the mental onanism of such individuals. In
seeing innumerable clothed forms, they have set desires
before seeing nudity.1
A more marked form of dress-fetichism is that in
which, instead of the dressed woman in general, a certain
kind of attire in particular becomes a fetich. One can
understand how, with an intense and early sexual impres-
sion, combined with the idea of a particular garment on
the woman, in hypersesthetic individuals, a very intense
interest in this garment might be developed.
Hammond (op. cit., p. 46) reports the following case,
taken from Roubaud ("Traite de Timpuissance," Paris,
1876) :—
Case 103. X., son of a general. He was raised in
the country. At the age of fourteen he was initiated into
the pleasures of love by a young lady. This lady was a
blonde, and wore her hair in ringlets; and, in order to
avoid detection in sexual intercourse with her young lover,
she always wore her usual clothing, — gaiters, a corset, and
a silk dress on such occasions.
When his studies were completed, and he was sent to
a garrison where he could enjoy freedom, he found that his
sexual desire could be excited only under certain condi-
tions. A brunette could not excite him in the least, and
a woman in night-clothes would stifle every bit of love in
him. In order to awaken his desire, a woman had to be
a blonde, and wear gaiters, a corset and a silk dress, — in
short, she had to be dressed like the lady who had first
lrThe fact that the partly veiled form is often more charming
than when it is perfectly nude, is, as far as object goes, similar, but
quite different psychically. This depends upon the effect of contrast
and expectation, which are common phenomena, and in no sense
pathological.
FETICHISM. 249
awakened his sexual desire. He was always compelled
to give up thoughts of matrimony, because he knew he
would be unable to fulfil his marital duty with a woman
in night-clothes.
Hammond (p. 42) reports another case where coitus
marital is could be performed only by the help of a certain
costume; and Dr. Moll mentions several similar cases in
individuals of hetero- and homo-sexuality. The cause
may often be shown to be an early association, and such
may always be assumed. It is only in this way that one
can explain why a certain costume is irresistible to such
individuals, no matter who the person is that wears the
fetich. Thus one can understand why, as Coffignon (op.
cit.) relates, men at brothels demand that the women with
whom they are concerned put on certain costumes, such as
that of a ballet-dancer, or a nun, etc. ; and why these houses
are furnished with a complete wardrobe for such purposes.
Binet (op. cit.) relates the case of a judge who was
exclusively in love with Italian girls who came to Paris
as artists' models, and their peculiar costume. The cause
was here demonstrably an impression made at the time of
the awakening of the sexual instinct.
There is but a step from such cases to the complete
absorption of the whole vita sexualis by the fetich, the
possession and manipulation of which may suffice to pro-
voke orgasm and even ejaculation where irritable weak-
ness of the centrum ejaculationis prevails.
Case 104. P., thirty-three years of age, business
man, son of a mother who suffered from melancholia and
committed suicide. He was tainted with several signs of
anatomical degeneration, was looked upon by his neigh-
bours as a "type," and had the nickname I'amoureux des
nourrices et des bonnes d'enfants.
He became a nuisance to these girls by his obtrusive
behaviour, picked a quarrel with one of them who wore his
fetich, and was arrested.
250 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
He claimed to have always been vehemently excited at
the sight of wet-nurses and nurse-'maids, but not because
they were of the female sex, but because they wore a cer-
tain costume. Again, it was not certain portions, but the
costume as a whole which attracted him. To be in the
company of such persons was his greatest happiness.
When he returned home from such interviews it was suf-
ficient for him to recall the impressions just received, in
order to produce oryasmus venereus.
An analogous case is related by Motet. It refers to a
young man, who became sexually excited only at the sight
of a woman attired in bridal costume. The individuality
of the woman was a matter of indifference to him. In
order to gratify his fetichistic cravings, he spent a great
deal of his time at the door of a restaurant where many
weddings were celebrated (Gamier, "Les Fetichistes,
p. 59).
A third form of dress-fetichism, having a much higher
degree of pathological significance, is by far the most fre-
quent. In this form it is no longer the woman herself,
dressed, or even dressed in a particular fashion, that
constitutes the principal sexual stimulus, but the sexual
interest is so concentrated on some particular article
of female attire that the lustful idea of this object is
entirely separated from the idea of woman, and thus
obtains an independent value. This is the real domain
of dress-fetichism, where an inanimate object — an isolated
article of wearing-apparel — is alone used for the excitation
and satisfaction of the sexual instinct. This third form
of dress-fetichism is also the one which forensically is the
most important.
In a large number of these cases the fetiches are articles
of female underwear, which, owing to their private use,
are suited to occasion such associations.
Case 105. K., aged forty-five, shoemaker, was re-
ported to be without hereditary taint. He was peculiar,
FETICHI8M. 251
and had small mental endowment. lie was of masculine
habits, and without signs of di generation. Previously
blameless in conduct, on the evening of Mh 'July, 187G,
he wafl detected removing stolen fi-male under-garmcnts
from a place of concealment. There were found with him
about 300 articles of the female toilet, among them, be-
sides chemises and drawers, night . rters, and a
female doll. When arrested he was wearing a chemise.
Since his thirteenth year he had been a slave to an im-
pulse to steal women's linen; but, after his first pun-
ishment for it, he became very careful, and stole with
refinement and success. When this longing came over
him, lie would grow anxious, and his head would become
heavy. Then he could not resist the impulse, cost what
it might. It was a matter of indifference to him from
whom he took the articles. At night, on going to bed,
he would put on the stolen clothing and create beautiful
women in imagination, thus inducing pleasurable feeling
and ejaculation. This was apparently the motive of his
thefts ; at least, he had never disposed of any of the articles,
but had hidden them here and there.
He declared that, earlier in his life, he had indulged in
normal sexual intercourse with women. He denied onan-
i^in, pederasty, and other sexual acts. He said he was
.red at twenty-five, but the engagement was broken
through no fault of his. lie was incapable of grasping the
abnormality of his condition and the wrong of his acts.
. ••Yierteljahrsschrift f. ger. Medic.," N. F.
.\\viii., p. 61; Krauss, "Psychologic des Verbrechens,"
1884, p. 190).
Case 106. J., a young butcher. When arrested he
underneath his overcoat a bodice, a corset, a vest, a
jacket, a collar, a jersey, and a chemise, also fine stockings
and garters.
Since he was eleven he was troubled by the desire to
wear a chemise of his elder sister. Wheiie er he could do
it unnoticed he indulged in this pleasure, and since the ago
252 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
of puberty the wearing of such a garment would bring on
ejaculation. When he became independent he bought
chemises and other articles of female toilet. In his room
a complete outfit of female attire was found. To put
on such garments was the great aim of his sexual instinct.
This fetichism had financially ruined him. At the hos-
pital he begged the attending physician to permit him
to wear female attire. Inverted sexuality did not exist
(Gamier, "Les Fetichistes," p. 62).
Case 107. Z., thirty-six years of age, scholar; had
never heretofore felt interested in woman, only in her
attire, and never had sexual intercourse. Besides the
elegance and smartness of the female toilet in general,
certain underwear, chemises made of cambric and trimmed
with lace, silk corsets, embroidered silk skirts and silk
stockings formed his particular fetich. It caused him
voluptuous feelings to inspect and finger such female gar-
ments at the draper's. His ideal was the female form in
bathing costume, with silk stockings and corset, and clad
in a mourning-dress with a long train. '
He studied the costumes of the coureuses des rues, but
found them tasteless. He found more pleasure in gazing
at the shop windows, but felt annoyed because the exhibits
therein were not changed often enough. He found partial
satisfaction in holding and studying fashion magazines,
and in buying now and then single garments of excep-
tional beauty. It would be the height of pleasure for him
if he had access to the toilet arts of the boudoir or the
fitting rooms of the dressmaker, or if he could be the
fcmme de chambre of some wealthy lady of the world, and
could arrange the toilet for her. There were no traces of
masochism or homosexual inclination to be found on this
peculiar fetichist. He was of thoroughly manly presence
(Gamier, "La folie a Paris," 1890).
Hammond (op. cit.} reports a case of passionate inter-
est in single articles of female wearing-apparel. Here,
FETICHI8M. 253
also, the patient's pleasure consisted in wearing a corset
and other female garments (without any traces of anti-
pathic sexual instinct). The pain of tight lacing, ex-
perienced by himself or induced in women, was a delight
to him, — sadistic-masochistic element.
A case probably belonging here is one reported by Diet
("Der Selbstmord," 1838, p. 24), where a young man
could not resist the impulse to tear female linen. While
tearing it, he always had ejaculation.
A combination of fetichism with an impulse to destroy
the fetich (in a certain sense, sadism with inanimate ob-
jects) seems to occur quite frequently (cf. case 120).
An article of dress, which, though it has not really a
private character, by its material and colour, as well as by
the place where it is worn, might be suggestive of under-
garments, and hence has sexual relations, is the apron (cf.
also the metonymic use of the word "apron" for "petticoat"
in the saying, "To chase every apron," etc.). This ex-
plains the following case : —
^
Case 108. C., aged thirty-seven; of a badly tainted
family; of small mental endowment; plagiocephalic. At
fifteen his attention was attracted by an apron hung out
to dry. He put it on and masturbated behind the fence.
From that time he could not see aprons without repeating
the act. If he met any one — no matter whether man or
woman — with an apron on, he was compelled to run after
the person. In order to free him from this constant steal-
ing of aprons, he was sent as a marine in his sixteenth
year. In this calling he saw no aprons, and had con-
tinual rest. When, at nineteen, he returned home, he was
again compelled to steal aprons, and, as a result, got into
serious complications, and was several times locked up.
He sought to free himself of his weakness by a sojourn of
several years with the Trappists. When he left them, he
was just as bad as before. As a result of a new theft, he
underwent a medico-legal examination, and was committed
to an asylum. He never stole anything but aprons, it
254 PSYCUOPATIIIA 8EXUALIS.
was a pleasure to him to revel in the memory of the first
apron he ever stole. His dreams were filled with aprons.
He occasionally used the memory of his thefts to make
coitus possible, or for masturbation (Charcot-Maynan,
"Arch, de neurolog.," 1882, No. 12).
In a case reported by Lombroso ("Amori anomali pre-
coci nei pazzi," "Arch, di psich.," 1883, p. 17), analogous
to those of this series, a boy of very bad heredity, at the
age of four, had erections and great sexual excitement at
the sight of white garments, particularly underclothing.
He was lustfully excited by handling and crumpling
them. At the age of ten he began to masturbate at the
sight of white, starched linen. He seemed to have been
affected with moral insanity, and was executed for murder.
The following case of petticoat- fetichism is coupled
with peculiar circumstances : —
Case 109. Z., aged thirty-five; civil servant; the
only child of a nervous mother and a healthy father.
From childhood he was "nervous," and at the consul-
tation his neuropathic eyes, delicate, slender body, fine
features, very thin voice, and sparse growth of beard at-
tracted attention. The patient presented nothing ab-
normal except symptoms of slight neurasthenia. Genitals
and sexual functions normal. Patient stated that he had
only masturbated four or five times when he was very
young. As early as at the age of thirteen, the patient
was powerfully excited sexually by the sight of wet female
dresses, while the same dresses, when dry, had no effect
upon him. His greatest delight was to look at women
with wet garments in the rain. If he met a woman having
a pleasing face under such circumstances, he experienced
an intense feeling of lustful pleasure, had erection and felt
impelled to perform coitus. He stated that he had never
had any desire to steal wet female dresses or to throw
water on women. He could give no explanation of the
origin of his peculiarity.
It is possible that, in this case, the sexual instinct was
FETIC1II8M. 255
first awakened by UK- M^lit <>f a unman as she exposed
In T charms by raiding her skirts in wet weather. The
obscure instin.-t, not yet conscious of its object, then
became directed to the wet garments, ' as in other
Lovers of female handkerchiefs are frequent, and,
therefore, important forensically. As to the frequency
«>f handkerchief -fetichism, it may be remarked that the
handkerchief is the one article of feminine attire which,
outside of intimate association, is most frequently dis-
playi •(!, and which, with its warmth from the person and
specific odours, may by accident fall into the hands of
rs. The frequency of early association of lustful feel-
ings with the idea of a handkerchief, which may always
be presumed to have occurred in such cases of fetichism,
probably is due to this.
Case 110. A baker's assistant, aged thirty-two, sin-
^|f, previously of good repute, was discovered stealing a
handkerchief from a lady. In sincere remorse, he con-
fessed that he had stolen from eighty to ninety such hand-
kerchiefs. He had cared only for handkerchiefs, and,
indeed, only for those belonging to young women attractive
to him. In his outward appearance the culprit presented
nothing peculiar. He dressed himself with much taste.
His conduct was peculiar, anxious, depressed and unman-
ly, and lie often lapsed into whining and tears. Lack of
self-reliance, weakness of comprehension, and slowness of
••ption and reflection were noticeable. One of his sis-
ters was epileptic. He lived in good circumstances ; never
had a severe1 illness; was well developed. In relating his
history, he showed weakness of memory and lack of clear-
ness ; calculation was hard for him, though when young he
learned and comprehended easily. His anxious, uncertain
<>f mind gave rise to a suspicion of onanism. The
culprit confessed that he had been given to this practice
>sively since his nineteenth year. For some years, as
256 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
a result of his vice, he had suffered with depression, lassi-
tude, trembling of the limbs, pain, in the back, and disincli-
nation for work. Frequently a depressed, anxious state
of mind came over him, in which he avoided people. He
had exaggerated, fantastic notions about the results of sex-
ual intercourse with women, and could not bring himself
to indulge in it. Of late, however, he had thought of mar-
riage. With great remorse and in a weak-minded way, he
now confessed that six months ago, while in a crowd, he
became violently excited sexually at the sight of a pretty
young girl, and was compelled to crowd up against her.
He felt an impulse to compensate himself for the want of
a more complete satisfaction of his sexual excitement, by
stealing her handkerchief. Thereafter, as soon as he came
near attractive females, with violent sexual excitement,
palpitation of the heart, erection and impetus cceundi, the
impulse would seize him to crowd up against them and
faute de mieux, steal their handkerchiefs. Although the
consciousness of his criminal act never left him for a
moment, he was unable to resist the impulse. During the
act he was uneasy, which was in part due to his inordinate
sexual impulse, and partly to the fear of detection. The
medico-legal opinion rightly gave weight to the congenital
mental enfeeblement and the pernicious influence of mas-
turbation, and referred the abnormal impulses to a per-
verse sexual impulse, calling attention to the presence of
an interesting and well-known physiological connection
between olfactory and sexual senses. The inability to
resist the pathological impulse was recognised. X. was
not punished (Zippe, "Wiener Med. Wochenschrift,"
1879, No. 23).
I am indebted to the kindness of Dr. Fritsch, of
Vienna, for further facts concerning this handkerchief-
fetichist, who was again arrested in August, 1890, in the
act of taking a handkerchief from a lady's pocket : —
On searching his house, 446 ladies' handkerchiefs
FETICIII8M. 257
were found. I !<• stated that In- had avready burned two
bundles of them. In the course of tin examination, it
was further shown that X. had been punished with im-
prisonment for fourteen days in 1883 for stealing twenty-
D handkerchiefs, and aguin with imprisonment for
three weeks in 1886 for a similar crime. Concerning his
relatives, nothing more could be learned than that his
father was subject to congestions and that a brother's
daughter was an imbecile and constitutionally neuro-
pathic. X. had married in 1879, and embarked in an
independent business, and in 1881 he made an assign-
ment Soon af ^er that his wife, who could not live with
him, and with whom he did not perform his marital
duty (denied by X.), demanded a divorce. Thereafter he
lived as assistant baker to his brother. He complained
bitterly of an impulse for ladies' handkerchiefs, but when
opportunity offered, unfortunately, he could not resist it.
In the act he experienced a feeling of delight, and felt as
if some one were forcing him to it. Sometimes he could
restrain himself, but when the lady was pleasing to him
he yielded to the first impulse. He would be wet with
sweat, partly from fear of detection, and partly on account
of the impulse to perform the act. He said he had been
sexually excited by the sight of handkerchiefs belonging
to women since puberty. He could not recall the exact cir-
cumstances of this fetichistic association. The sexual
excitement occasioned by the sight of a lady with »
handkerchief hanging out of her pocket had constantly
increased. This had repeatedly caused erection, but nevef
ejaculation. After his twenty-first year, he said, he had
inclination to normal sexual indulgence, and had coitus
without difficulty without ideas of handkerchiefs. With
increasing fetichism, the appropriation of handkerchiefs
had afforded him much more satisfaction than coitus. The
appropriation of the handkerchief of a lady attractive to
him was the same to him as intercourse with her would
been. In the act he had true orgasm.
If he could not gain possession of the handkerchief he
17
258 PSYCIIOPATIIIA 8EXUALIS.
desired, he would become painfully excited, tremble ant!
sweat all over. He kept separate the handkerchiefs of
ladies particularly pleasing to him, and revelled in tlr>
sight of them, taking great pleasure in it. The odour of
them also gave him great delight, though he states that it
was really the odour peculiar .to the linen, and not the
perfume, which excited him sensually. He had mastur-
bated but very seldom.
X. complained of no physical ailments except occa-
sional headache and vertigo. He greatly regretted his
misfortune, his abnormal impulse, — the evil spirit that
impelled him to such criminal acts. He had but one
wish: that some one might help him. Objectively there
were mild neurasthenic symptoms, anomalies of the distri-
bution of blood, and unequal pupils.
It was proved that X. had committed his crimes in
obedience to an abnormal, irresistible impulse. Pardon.
Case 111. Z. began *o masturbate at the age of
twelve. From that time he could not see a woman's
handkerchief without having orgasm and ejaculation. He
was irresistibly compelled to possess himself of it. At
that time he was a choir boy and used the handkerchiefs
to masturbate with in the bell-tower close to the choir.
But he chose only such handkerchiefs as had black and
white borders or violet stripes running through them. At
fifteen he had coitus. Later on he married. As a rule,
he was only potent when he wound such a handkerchief
around his penis. Often he preferred coitus inter femora
femince where he had placed a handkerchief. Wherever
he espied a handkerchief he did not rest until he came in
possession of it. He always had a number of them in his
pockets and around his genitals (Rayneau, annales medico-
psychol., 1895).
Such cases of handkerchief-fetichism, where an abnor-
mal individual is driven to theft, are very numerous. They
also occur in combination with inverted sexuality, as is
FETICHI8M. 259
proved l>y the following ca^c, which I borrow from page
' of Dr. Moll's frequently cit«l work: — *
Case 112. Handkerchief- fclichism in a case of an-
tijxiilii'- srj-iinl instinct. K., agod thirty-eight; mechanic;
a powerfully built man. He made numerous com-
plaints, — weakness of the legs, pain in the back, headache,
want of pleasure in work, etc. The complaints gave the
decided impression of neurasthenia with tendency to
hypochondria. Only after the patient had been under
Dr. Moll's treatment for several months did he state that
he was also abnormal sexually.
K. had never had any inclination whatever for women ;
but handsome men, on the other hand, had a peculiar
charm for him. Patient had masturbated frequently until
he came to Dr. Moll. He had never practised mutual
onanism or pederasty. He did not think that he would
have found satisfaction in this, because, in spite of his
preference for men, an article of white linen was his chief
charm, though the beauty of its owner played a role. The
handkerchiefs of handsome men particularly excited him
sexually. His greatest delight was to masturbate in men's
handkerchiefs. For this reason he often took his friends*
handkerchiefs. In order to save himself from detection,
he always left one of his own handkerchiefs with his
friends in place of the one he stole. In this way he sought
to escape the suspicion of theft, by creating the appearance
of a mistake. Other articles of men's linen also excited
K. sexually, but not to the extent that handkerchiefs
did.
•On page 1<J1 (op. cit.) Dr. Moll writes concerning Una impulse
in hetero- sexual individuals : " The passion for handkerchiefs may
go so far that the man is entirely under its control. A woman tells
me: 'I know a certain gentleman, and when I see him at a distance
I only need to draw out my handkerchief so that it peeps out of
ray pocket, and I am certain that he will follow me as a dog follows
its master. Go where I please, this gentleman will follow me. He
may be riding in a carriage or engaged in important business, and
yet, when he see* my handkerchief he drops everything in order to
follow me,— ». e., my handkerchief.'"
260 PSYCHOPATIIIA 8EXUALIS.
K. had often performed coitus with women, having
erection and ejaculation, but without lustful pleasure.
There was also nothing which could stimulate the patient
to the performance of coitus. Erection and ejaculation
occurred only when, during the act, he thought of a man's
handkerchief; and this was easier for the patient when
he took a friend's handkerchief with him and had it in his
hand during coitus. In accordance with his sexual per-
version, in his nightly pollutions with lustful ideas, men's
linen played the. principal role.1
Still far more frequent than the f etichism of linen gar-
ments is that of women's shoes. These cases are, in fact,
almost innumerable, and a great many of them have been
scientifically studied. I have but a few reports at third
hand of similar glove-fetichism ; not to speak of case
122 (vide infra), in which glove-fetichism develops itself
merely into "stuff-f etichism". (Concerning the reason for
the relative infrequency of glove-fetichism, vide above a).
In shoe-fetichism the close relationship of the object
to the feminine person, which explains linen-f etichism, is
absolutely wanting. For this reason, and because there is
a large number of well-observed cases at hand, in which
the fetichistic enthusiasm for the female shoe or boot con-
sciously and undoubtedly arises from masochistic ideas,
an origin of a masochistic nature, even when it is con-
cealed, may always be assumed in shoe-fetichism when,
in the concrete case, no other manner of origin is demon-
strable. For this reason the majority of the cases of
1 Another case of temporary, t. e., periodical handkerchief-
fetichism, accompanied by anxiety and severe sweating, is related by
Dr. M oil in the " Centralblatt f. d. Krankheiten der Harn- und
Sexual-organe," v., 8. This might be a case of latent epilepsy.
(Trauma capitis at the age of ten, imbecility, repeated fainting fits,
later on partial amnesia for fetichistic conditions, accompanied by
anxiety and sweating, etc.) In these attacks of morbid impulse to
steal ladies' handkerchiefs, which set in after an attack of typhus
at the age of thirty, the patient would wipe his face with the stolen
article, which act produced erection, and at times also ejaculation.
A physician whom he consulted had given him the advice never to
wear linen shirts again, as his peculiar impulse was caused by them.
FETIC1II8M. 261
shoe- or -foot-fetichisra have been given under "Maso-
cliism. There the constant masochistic character of
form of erotic fetichism has been sufficiently de-
monstrated by means of transitional conditions. This
presumption of the masochistic character of shoe-fetichism
is weakened and removed only where another accidental
cause for an association between sexual excitation and the
idea of women's shoes — the occurrence of which is quite
improbable a priori — is capable of proof. In the two
following cases, however, there is such a demonstrable
connection : —
Case 11 3. Shoe-fetichism. Mr. v. P., of an old and
honourable family, Pole, aged thirty-two, consulted me,
in 1890, on account of "unnaturalness" of his vita sexualis.
lie gave the assurance that he came of a perfectly healthy
family. He had been nervous from childhood, and had
suffered with chorea minor at the age of eleven. For ten
years he had suffered with sleeplessness and various neu-
rasthenic ailments. From his fifteenth year he had recog-
nised the difference of the sexes and been capable of sex-
ual excitation. At the age of seventeen he had been
seduced by a French governess, but coitus was not per-
mitted; so that intense mutual sexual excitement (mutual
masturbation) was all that was possible. In this situation
his attention was attracted by her very elegant boots.
Tli<'v made a very deep impression. His intercourse with
tli is lewd person lasted four months. During this associa-
tion her shoes became a fetich for the unfortunate lx>y.
He Ix-^jin to have an interest in ladies' shoes in general,
and actually went about trying to catch sight of ladies
wearing pretty boots. The shoe-fetichism gained great
power over his mind. He had the governess touch his
j »en is witli her shoes, and thus ejaculation with great lust-
ful feeling was immediately induced. After separation
from the governess he went to puellas, whom he made
••rni the same manipulation. This was usually suffi-
cient for satisfaction. Only seldom did he resort to coitus
262 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALJS.
as an auxiliary, and inclination for it grew less and less.
His vita sexualis consisted of dream-pollutions, in which
women's shoes played the exclusive role; and of gratifica-
tion with women's shoes appositos ad mentulam, but this
had to be done by the puella. In the society of the
opposite sex the only thing that interested him was the
shoe, and that only when it was elegant, of the French
style, with heels, and of a brilliant black, like the original.
In the course of time the following conditions became
accessory: a prostitute's shoe that was elegant and chic;
starched petticoats, and black hose, if possible. Nothing
else in woman interested him. Pie was absolutely indiffer-
ent to the naked foot. Women have not the slightest psy-
chic charm for him. He had never had masochistic desires
in the sense of being trod upon. In the course of years
his fetichism had gained such power over him that when
he saw a lady in the street, of a certain appearance and
with certain shoes, he was so intensely excited that he had
to masturbate. Slight pressure on the penis sufficed to
induce ejaculation in this state of severe neurasthenia.
Shoes displayed in shops, and, of late, even advertise-
ments of shoes, sufficed to excite him intensely. In
states of intense libido he made use of onanism if shoes
were not at his immediate command. The patient quite
early recognised the pain and danger of his condition,
and, even when he was free from neurasthenic ailments,
he was morally very much depressed. He sought help of
various physicians. Cold-water cures and hypnotism were
unsuccessful. The most celebrated physicians advised
him to marry, and assured him that, as soon as he once
really loved a girl, he would be free from his fetichism.
The patient had no confidence in his future, but he fol-
lowed the advice of the physicians. He was cruelly dis-
appointed in the hope which the authority of the physi-
cians had aroused in him, though he led to the altar a
lady distinguished by both mental and physical charms.
The wedding night was terrible; he felt like a criminal,
and did not approach his wife. The next day he saw a
FETIC1II8M. 263
prostitute with the required chic. lie was weak enough
to have intercourse with her in his way. Then he bought
a pair of elegant ladies' boots and hid them in bed, and,
by touching them, while in marital embrace, after a few
days, he was able to perform his marital duty. He ejacu-
lated tardily, for he had to force himself to coitus; and
after a few weeks this artifice failed, because his imagina-
tion failed. lie felt unspeakably miserable, and would
have preferred to make an end of himself. lie could no
longer satisfy his wife, who was sensual, and much excited
by their previous intercourse; and he saw her suffering
severely, both mentally and morally. lie could not, and
would not, disclose his secret. He experienced disgust in
marital intercourse ; he felt afraid of his wife, and feared
the coming of night and being alone with her. He could
no longer induce erection.
He again made attempts with prostitutes, and satisfied
himself by touching their shoes. Then the puella had to
touch his penis, when he would have ejaculation; but,
if this did not take place, he would attempt coitus with
the lewd woman; without success, however, for ejacula-
tion would occur immediately. In absolute despair, the
patient came for consultation. He deeply regretted that,
against his inner conviction, he had followed the un-
fortunate advice of the physicians, and made a virtuous
wife unhappy, having deeply injured her, both mentally
and morally. Could he answer God for continuing such
a marriage? Even if he were to discover himself to his
wife, and she were to do everything for him, it would not
help him ; for the familiar perfume of the demi-monde was
also necessary.
Aside from his mental pain, this unfortunate man pre-
sented no remarkable symptoms*. Genitals perfectly nor-
mal. Prostate somewhat large. He complained that
he was so under the domination of his boot-ideas that he
would even blush when boots were talked about. His
whole imagination was criven up to such ideas. When he
was on his estate, he often suddenly had to go a distance
264 P8YCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
of ten. miles to the city, to satisfy his fetichism at shoe-
shops or with puellis.
This pitiable man could not bring himself to take
treatment; for his faith in physicians had been greatly
shaken. An attempt to ascertain whether hypnosis and
a removal of the fetichistic association by this means,
were possible, proved abortive on account of the mental
excitement of the unfortunate man, who was exclusively
controlled by the thought that he had made his wife un-
happy.
Case 114. X., aged twenty-four, from a badly taint-
ed family (mother's brother and grandfather insane, one
sister epileptic, another sister subject to migraine, parents
of excitable temperament). During dentition he had
convulsions. At the age of seven he was taught to mas-
turbate by a servant-girl. X. first experienced pleasure
in these manipulations cum ilia puella fortuito pede calce-
olo tecto penem tetigit. Thus, in the predisposed boy, an
association was established, as a result of which, from that
time on, merely the sight of a woman's shoes, and, finally,
merely the idea of them, sufficed to induce sexual excite-
ment and erection. He now masturbated while looking at
women's shoes, or while calling them up in imagination.
The shoes of the schoolmistress excited him intensely, and
in general he was affected by shoes that were partly con-
cealed by female garments. One day he could not keep
from grasping the teacher's shoes — an act that caused him
great sexual excitement. In spite of punishment he could
not keep from performing this act repeatedly. Finally,
it was recognized that there must be an abnormal motive
in play, and he was sent to a male teacher. He then
revelled in the memory of shoe-scenes with his former
school-mistress, and thus had erections, orgasms, and, after
his fourteenth year, ejaculation. At the same time, he
masturbated while thinking of a woman's shoe. One day
the thought came to him to increase his pleasure by using
such a shoe for masturbation. Thereafter he frequently
took shoes secretly, and used them for that purpose.
FETICH ISM. 205
else in a woman could excite him; the thought
itus filled him with horror. Men did not interest
him in any way. At the age of eighteen he opened a shop,
and, among other things, dealt in ladies' shoes. He was
»-.\rit» •<! M-xually by fitting shoes for his female patrons,
or hy manipulating shoes that came for mending. One day
while doin<j; this he had an epileptic attack, and, soon after,
another while practising onanism in his customary way.
Then he recognised for the first time the injury to health
caused by his sexual practices. He tried to overcome his
onanism, sold no more shoes, and strove to free himself
from the abnormal association between women's shoes and
the sexual function. Then frequent pollutions, with erotic
dreams about shoes, occurred, and the epileptic attacks con-
tinued. Though devoid of the slightest feeling for the
female sex, he determined on marriage, which seemed to
him to be the only remedy.
He married a pretty young lady. In spite of lively
erections when he thought of his wife's shoes, in attempts
at cohabitation he was absolutely impotent, because his
distaste for coitus and for close intercourse in general was
far more powerful than the influence of the shoe-idea,
which induced sexual excitement. On account of his im-
potence, the patient applied to Dr. Hammond, who treated
his epilepsy with bromides, and advised him to hang a shoe
up over his bed, and look at it fixedly during coitus, at the
same time imagining his wife to be a shoe. The patient
became free from epileptic attacks, and potent so that he
could have coitus about once a week. His sexual excita-
tion by women's shoes also grew less and less (Hammond,
"Sexual Impotence").
These two cases of shoe-fetichism,1 which apparently
1 Other cases of shoe-fetichiam without distant relations to
masochism are given by Alzheimer, " A Congenital Criminal,"
" Archiv f. Psychiatric u. Nerven Krankheiten," Bd. 28, p. 350. This
same case was declared by Kurella, "Fetischiamus oder Simulation,"
ibid., Bd. 28, p. 904, to be «imulation; but the reasons given are
trivial and easily refuted. Vide also Moil, " Untersuchungcn liber
libido sexualia." case 32.
266 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
depend upon subjective accidental associations, as is the
case in fetichism generally, do not offer anything startling
with reference to their objective cause, because, in the
former case, it is only a matter of partial impression of
the general appearance of woman, and in the latter, a
partial impression of the exciting manipulation.
But there are cases — up till now only two have been
closely" observed — in which the determining association
has decidedly not been brought about by any connection
of the nature of the object with the otherwise normally
exciting cause.
Case 115. Shoe-fetichism. Kurella, in his "Natur-
geschichte des Verbrechers," p. 213, tried to prove that
this man was an imposter who invented an interesting
nervous disease as a pretense for making a living by fraud.
The author arrived at a different result
O., born in 1865, student of theology, was tried, before
a magistrate as a fraud and mendicant. He came from
a heavily tainted family, was afflicted with shoe-fetichism,
had from his twenty-first year periodical episodes in which
he was irresistibly forced to run away and give himself up
to drinking-bouts, although by doing so he knowingly
jeopardised his position and property. When in the army
he repeatedly deserted and became a veritable degenerate,
an enigma to his superiors, for at times his conduct was
exemplary and beyond blemish.
Examined before a commission of army medical men,
he was declared to suffer from "periodical insanity," in-
herited beyond doubt. In consequence this "congenital
criminal" was dismissed from service. He sank deeper
and deeper in the mire, became a tramp, lived on his wits,
and was confined several times in an insane asylum.
The author found a pronounced asymmetry of the
skull, and also the right foot much larger than the left,
etc.
O. was able to trace his shoe-fetichism back to his
eighth year. At that time he had frequently at school
FETICUISM. 267
let things fall on tin- ground so that he might have a cause
for coming near to the lady teacher's foot. Periodically
the image of a woman's shoe impressed him so greatly that
•uld not resist tin- impulse to run away.
This same impulse had been tin- cause of his vagrancy.
lit In-Ill himself responsible for any punishable acts ho
was guilty of. The author tested him as to the existence
of his shoe-fetich ism and found definite proof that tin-
same was not simulated. Kurella had assumed that tin'
shoc-fetichism of the patient was a mere invention, in fact,
had derived the idea from reading the author's book,
"Psychopathia Sexualis," as other critics have done on
similar occasions.
It became quite evident that O. had never seen or
heard of the book. (Cf. the original report of Kurella,
in which his reasons for stamping O. a criminal, are given
in extenso.) ,
The scientific observations made by the author in this
case were based upon the following points, viz. : hereditary
taint, asymmetry of the skull and other signs of degenera-
tion, sexual perversion with periodical psychical manifes-
tations in which irresistible perverse impulses forced the
patient to abnormal thoughts and acts.
Even during his lucid intervals, O. should not be held
responsible for his actions, since nervous disturbances and
other psychical anomalies in the shape of normal defects
formed part of his degenerative psychopathic constitution.
O. suffered from an inherited degenerative mania, and
was to be considered a danger to society (Alzheimer,
Archiv. f. Psychiatric, xxviii., 2).
Case 116. L., aged thirty-seven, clerk, from tainted
family, had his first erection at five years, when he saw
his bed-fellow — an aged relative — put on his night-cap.
The same thing occurred later, when he saw an old servant
put on her night-cap. Later, simply the idea of an old,
ugly woman's head, covered with a night-cap, was sufficient
to cause an erection. The sight of a cap or of a naked
268 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALJ8.
woman or man only made no impression, but the mere
touch of a night-cap induced erection, and sometimes even
ejaculation. L. was not a masturbator, and had never
been sexually active until his thirty-second year, when he
married a young girl with whom he had fallen in love.
On his marriage-night he remained cold until, from neces-
sity he brought to his aid the memory-picture of an ugly
woman's head with a night-cap. Coitus was immediately
successful. Thereafter it was always necessary for him
to use this means. Since childhood he had been subject
to occasional attacks of depression, with tendency to sui-
cide, and now and then to frightful hallucinations at night.
When looking out of a window, he became dizzy and anx-
ious. He was a perverse, peculiar, and easily embarrassed
man, of bad mental constitution (Charcot-Magnan, "Arch,
de neurol.," 1882, No. 12).
In this very peculiar case, the simultaneous coinci-
dence of the first sexual citation and an absolutely hetero-
geneous impression seems to have determined the associa-
tion.
Hammond (op. cit.} also mentions a case of accidental
associative fetichism that is quite peculiar. A married
man, aged thirty, who, in other respects, was healthy,
physically and mentally, is said to have suddenly lost his
sexual power after moving to another house, and to have
regained it as soon as the furniture of the sleeping-room
had been arranged as it was before.
(c) The Fetich is Some Special Material.
There is a third principal group of fetichists who have
as a fetich neither a portion of the female body nor a part
of female attire, but some particular material which is so
used, not because it is a material for female garments, but
because in itself it can arouse or increase sexual feelings.
Such materials are furs, velvets and silks.
These cases differ from the foregoing instances of erotic
FBTICUI8M. 260
dress-fetichism, in this, that these materials, unlike female
linen, do not have any close relation to the female body;
and, unlike shoes and gloves, they are not related to cer-
tain parts of the person which have peculiar symbolic sig-
nificance. Moreover, this fetichism cannot be due to an
accidental association, like that in the cases of the night-
caps and the arrangement of the sleeping-room; for these
cases form an entire group having the same object. It
must be presumed that certain tactile sensations (a kind
of tickling irritation which stands in some distant relation
to lustful sensations?), in hypersesthetic individuals, fur-
nish the occasion for the origin of this fetichisni.
The following is a personal observation of a man af-
fected with this peculiar fetichism: —
Case 117. N. N., aged thirty-seven; of a neuro-
pathic family; neuropathic constitution. He made the
following statement: "From my earliest youth I have al-
ways had a deeply rooted partiality for furs and velvets,
in so far that these materials cause me sexual excitement,
and the sight and touch of them give me lustful pleasure.
I can recall no event that caused this peculiarity (such as
the simultaneous occurrence of the first sexual excitation
and an impression of these materials, — i. e.f first excitation
by a woman dressed in them) ; in fact, I cannot remember
when this enthusiasm began. However, by this I would
not exclude the possibility of such an event, — of an acci-
dental connection in a first impression and consequent
association; but I think it very improbable that such a
thing took place, because I believe such an occurrence
would have deeply impressed me. All I know is, that
even when a small child I had a lively desire to see and
stroke furs, and thus had an obscure sexual pleasure.
With the first occurrence of definite sexual ideas, — i.e., the
direction of sexual thoughts to woman, — the peculiar pre-
ference for women dressed in such materials was present
$ince then, up to mature manhood, it has remained un-
270 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
changed. A" woman wearing furs or velvet, or, even bet-
ter, both, excites me much more quickly and intensely than
one devoid of these auxiliaries. To be sure, these materials
are not a conditio sine qua non of excitation; the desire
occurs also without them in response to the usual stimuli ;
but the sight and, particularly, the touch of these fetich-
materials form for me a powerful aid to other normal
stimuli and intensify erotic pleasure. Often merely the
sight of only a passably pretty girl dressed in these ma-
terials causes me vivid excitement, and overcomes me com-
pletely. Even the sight of my fetich-materials gives me
pleasure, but the touch of them much more. (To the
penetrating odour of furs I am indifferent — rather, it is
unpleasant — and it is endurable only by reason of the
association with pleasing visual and tactile impressions.)
I have an intense longing to touch these materials
while on a woman's person, to stroke and kiss them,
and bury my face in them. My greatest pleasure is,
inter actum, to see and feel my fetich on the woman's
shoulder.
"Fur, or velvet alone, exerts on me the effect described,
the former much more intensely than the latter. The
combination of the two has the most intense effect. Again,
female garments made of velvet and fur, seen and touched
when off the wearer, cause me sexual excitement; indeed,
though to a less extent, the same effect is exerted by furs
or robes having no relation to female attire, and also by
the velvet and plush of furniture and drapery. Merely
pictures of costumes of furs and velvet are objects of erotic
interest to me; indeed, the very word "fur" has a magic
charm, and immediately calls up erotic ideas.
"Fur is such an object of sexual interest to me that a
man wearing fur that is effective (v. infra) makes a very
unpleasant, repugnant, and disgusting impression on me,
such as would be made on a normal person by a man in
the costume and attitude of a ballet-dancer. Similarly
repugnant to me is the sight of an old or ugly woman clad
FETICHISM. 271
in beautiful furs, because contradicting feelings are thus
aroused.
"This erotic delight in furs and velvet is something
entirely different from simple esthetic pleasure. I have a
very lively appreciation of beautiful female attire, and, at
the same time, a particular partiality for point-lace; but
this is purely of an aesthetic nature. A woman dressed in
a point-lace toilette (or in other elegant, elaborate attire) is
more beautiful than another ; but one dressed in my fetich-
material is more charming.
"Furs, however, exercise on me the effect described
only when the fur has very thick, fine, smooth and rather
long hair, that stands out like that of the so-called bearded
furs. I have noticed that the effect depends upon this. I
am entirely indifferent not only to the ordinary, coarse,
bushy furs, but also to those that are commonly regarded
as beautiful and precious, from which the long hair has
been removed (seal, beaver), or of which the hair is natu-
rally short (ermine) ; and likewise to those of which the
hair is overlong and lies down (monkey, bear). The speci-
fic effect is exerted only by the standing long hair of the
sable, marten, skunk, etc. Now, velvet is made of thick,
fine, standing hairs (fibres) ; and its effect may be due to
this. The effect seems to depend upon a very definite im-
pression of the points of thick, fine hair upon the terminals
of the sensory nerves.
"But how this peculiar impression on the tactile nerves
is related to sexual instinct is a perfect enigma to me. The
fact is, that this is the case with many men. I would also
state expressly that beautiful female hair pleases me, but
plays no more important part than the other charms ; and
that while touching fur I have no thought of female hair
(the tactile sensation, also, has not the least resemblance
to that imparted by female hair). There is never associa-
tion of any other idea. Fur, per se, arouses sensuality in
me, — how, I cannot explain.
"The mere aesthetic effect, the beauty of costly furs,
to which every one is more or less susceptible, and which,
272 FSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
since Raphael's Fornarina and Reuben's Helene Four-
raent, has been used as the foil and frame of female beauty
by innumerable painters; which also plays so important a
role in fashion, — the art and science of female dress, — this
aesthetic effect, as has been remarked, explains nothing
here. Beautiful furs have the same aesthetic effect on
me as on normal individuals, and affect me in the same
way that flowers, ribbons, precious stones, and other orna-
ments affect every one. Such things, when skilfully used
enhance female beauty, and thus, under certain circum-
stances, may have an indirect sensual effect. They never
have a direct, powerful, sensual effect on me, as do the
fetich-materials mentioned.
"Though in me, and, in fact, in all 'fetichists,' the
sensual and aesthetic effect must be strictly differentiated,
nevertheless, that does not prevent me from demanding in
my fetich a whole series of aesthetic qualities in form, style,
colour, etc. I could give a lengthy description of these
qualities demanded by my tastes ; but I omit it as not being
essential to the real subject in hand. I would only call
attention to the fact that erotic fetichism is complicated
with purely aesthetic tastes.
"The specific erotic effect of my fetich-materials can
be explained no better by the association with the idea
of the person of the female wearing them, than by their
aesthetic impression. For, in the first place, as has been
said, these materials, as such, affect me when entirely
isolated from the body; and, in the second place, articles
of clothing of a much more private nature, and which
undoubtedly call up associations, exert a much weaker
influence over me. Thus the fetich-materials have an
independent sensual value for me. Why, is an enigma
to me.
"Feathers in women's hats, fans, etc., have the same
erotic fetichistic effect on me as furs and velvet (similar
tactile sensation of airy, peculiar tickling). Finally, the
fetichistic effect, with much less intensity, is exerted by
FETICH18M. 273
other smooth materials (satin and silk) ; but rough goods
(cloth, flannel) have a repelling effect.
"In conclusion, I will mention that somewhere I read
an article by Carl Vogt on microccphalic men, according
to which these creatures, at the sight of furs, rushed for
them and stroked them with every manifestation of de-
light. I am far from any thought, on this ground, to see
in widespread fur-fetich ism an atavistic retrogression to
the taste of our hairy ancestors. Every cretin, with that
simplicity belonging to its condition, touches anything
that pleases him, and the act is not necessarily of a sexual
nature; just as many normal men like to stroke a cat and
the like, or even velvet furs, and are not thus excited
sexually."
In the literature of this subject, there are a few cases
belonging here: —
Case 1 18. A boy, aged twelve, became powerfully
excited sexually, when, by chance, he covered himself with
a fox-skin. Prom that time on there was masturbation
with the employment of furs, or by means of taking a
furry dog to bed. Ejaculation would result, sometimes
followed by an hysterical attack. His nocturnal pollu-
tions were induced by dreaming that he lay entirely cov-
ered up in a soft skin. He was absolutely insusceptible
to stimuli coming from men or women. He was neu-
rasthenic, suffered with delusions of being watched, and
thought that every one noticed his sexual anomaly. He
had toedium vitce on account of this, and finally became in-
sane. He had marked taint ; his genitals were imperfectly
formed, and he presented other signs of degeneration
(Tarnowsky, op. cit., p. 22).
Case 119. C., was an especial lover of velvet. He
was attracted in a normal way by beautiful women, but it
particularly excited him to have the person with whom
he had sexual intercourse dressed in velvet In this, it
18
274 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
was remarkable that it was not so much the sight as the
touch of the velvet that caused the excitation. C. told
me that stroking a woman's velvet jacket would excite him
sexually to an extent scarcely possible in any other way
(Dr. Moll, op. c\i., p. 127). *
A physician communicated to me the following
case : —
In a brothel a man was known under the name of
"Velvet". He would dress a sympathetic puella with a
garment made of black velvet, and would excite and satisfy
his sexual desires simply by stroking his face with a corner
of her velvety dress, not touching any other part of the
person at all.
Another authority assures me that this weakness for
furs, velvets and silks and feathers, is quite common among
masochists (cf. case 50). *
The following is a very peculiar case of material-
fetichism. It is combined with the impulse to injure the
fetich, which, in this case, represents an element of sadism
toward the woman wearing the fetich, or impersonal
sadism toward objects, which is of frequent occurrence
in fetichists (cf. p. 253). This impulse to cause injury
made this a remarkable criminal case: —
Case 120. In July, 1891, Alfred Bachman, aged
twenty-five, locksmith, was brought before Judge N., in
the second term of the criminal court, in Berlin. In
April, 1891, the police had had numerous complaints,
according to which some evil hand had cut women's
lln the novels of Sacher-Masoch, fur plays an important rdle;
in fact, it serves as a title in some of them. The explanation given
is that fur (crmin) is the symbol of sovereignty, and therefore the
fetich of the men described in these novels, seems unsatisfactory and
far-fetched.
FETICHISM. 275
dresses with a very sharp instrument. In the evening of
25th April, tlu-y were successful in arresting the perpe-
trator in the person of the accused. A policeman noticed
how the accused pressed, in a remarkable manner, against
a lady in the company of a gentleman, while they were
going through a passage. The officer requested the lady
to examine her dress, while he held the man under
suspicion. It was ascertained that the dress had received
quite a long slit. The accused was taken to the station,
where he was examined. Besides a sharp knife, which
he confessed he used for cutting dresses, two silk sashes,
such as ladies wear on their dresses, were found on him;
he also confessed that he had taken these from dresses
in crowds. Finally, the examination of his person brought
to light a lady's silken neck-scarf. The accused said he had
found this. Since his statement in this case could not be
refuted, complaint was therefore made to rest on the result
of the search; in two instances in which complaint was
made by the injured parties his acts were designated as
injury to property, and in two other instances as theft
The accused, a man who had been often punished before,
with a pale, expressionless face, before the judge, gave a
strange explanation of his enigmatical action. A major's
cook had once thrown him downstairs when he was
begging of her, and since that time he had entertained
great hatred of the whole female sex. There was a doubt
about his responsibility, and he was therefore examined
by a physician. The medical expert gave the opinion at
the final trial that there was no reason to regard the
accused as insane, though he was of low intelligence.
The culprit defended himself in a peculiar manner. An
irresistible impulse forced him to approach women wear-
ing silk dresses. The touch of silk material gave him a
feeling of delight, and this went so far that, while in
prison for examination, he had been excited if a silk thread
happened to pass through his fingers while ravelling rags.
Judge Miiller considered the accused to be simply a dan-
gerous, vicious man, who should be made harmless for a
276 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXDALJS.
long time. He advised imprisonment for one year. The
court sentenced him to six months' imprisonment, with
loss of honour for a year.
A classical case of material-fetichism (silk) is the
following related by Dr. P. Gamier: —
Case 121. On 22nd September, 1881, V. was ar-
rested in the streets of Paris whilst he interfered with
the silk dresses of a lady in a manner which aroused the
suspicion of his being a pick-pocket. At first he was very
much confused, but finally, after many vain excuses, made
a clean confession of his "mania". He was twenty-nine
years of age, an assistant in a bookseller's shop ; his father
was a drunkard and a religious zealot, his mother of ab-
normal character. She wished to make a priest of him.
Since his early youth he felt an instinctive impulse — con-
genital as he believes — to touch silk. When at the age
of twelve as a choir boy he was allowed to wear a silk
sash, he could not often enough finger it. He could not
describe the peculiar sensation which he experienced in
doing so. Later on he became acquainted with a ten-
year-old girl for whom he had a childish affection. When
on Sundays he met this girl clad in a silk dress, he was
impelled to lovingly put his arms around her and touch
her silk dress. Later he found exceeding great pleasure
in gazing at the silk gowns exposed in a dressmaker's
shop and to feel them.
When they gave him remnants of silk material, he
would hasten to put them next to his body, which act im-
mediately produced erection, orgasm and even ejaculation.
These lustful desires made him uneasy, so that he doubted
his vocation to the priesthood and obtained his discharge
from the seminary. In consequence of habitual mastur-
bation he was at that time very neurasthenic. His silk-
fetichism swayed him as ever. Only when a woman wore
a silk gown could she charm him.
Even when a child, ladies with silk gowns played a
FETICIIISM. 277
j.r. 'iiiiiient part in his dreams; later on the latter were
accompanied l>y pollutions On account of his natural
shyne.-s lie did not resort to coitus until later in life,
and then he could only succeed in it with a woman
• ••I in silk. He much preferred to mix with crowds in
the street and there t<»uch the silk gowns of ladies, which
always produced ejaculation accompanied by powerful
-in.- and intense lustful feelings. What gratified him
more than Ix-ing with the prettiest woman was to put
on a silk petticoat when going to bed.
The forensic medical opinion declared him to be a
heavily tainted subject who gave way to abnormal
desires under the strain of morbid impulses. Pardon
(Dr. Gamier, "Annales d'hygiene publique," 3e serie,
xxix., 5).
The following case of kid-glove- fetichism is peculiarly
adapted to show the origin of fetichistic associations as
well as the enormous influence permanently exercised by
such an association, although itself based upon a psychico-
physical and morbid predisposition.
Case 122. Mr. Z., an American, thirty-three years
of age, manufacturer, for eight years enjoying a happy
married life, blessed with offspring; consulted me for a
peculiar troublesome glove-fetichism. He despised him-
self on account of it, and said it brought him well nigh
to the verge of despair and even insanity.
He claimed to come of thoroughly sound parents, but
since infancy had been neuropathic and very excitable.
By nature he was very sensual, whilst his wife was very
frigid.
At the age of nine, he was seduced by schoolmates to
practise masturbation, which gratified him immensely,
and he yielded to it with passion.
One day when sexually excited he found a small bag
of chamois skin, lie stripped it over his membrum and
experienced thereby great sensual pleasure. After that
278 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
he used it for onanistic manipulations, put it around his
scrotum and carried it about with him day and night.
This aroused in him an unusual interest for leather in
general, but particularly for kid gloves.
With puberty this centered entirely in ladies' kid
gloves, which simply fascinated him. If he touched his
penis with one such glove it produced erection and even
ejaculation.
Men's gloves did not excite him in the least, although
he loved to wear them.
In consequence, nothing about woman attracted him
but her kid gloves. These were his fetich. They must
be long, with many buttons, and if worn out, dirty and
saturated with perspiration at the finger-tips, they were
preferable. Women wearing such, even if ugly and old,
had a particular charm for him. Ladies with silk, or
cotton gloves did not attract him. He always looked at
her gloves first when meeting a lady. As for the rest
he took very little interest in the female sex.
When he could shake hands with a lady gloved with
kid, the contact with the soft, warm leather would cause
erection and orgasm in him.
Whenever he could get hold of such a glove he would
at once retire to a lavatory, wrap it around his genitals
and masturbate.
Later on when visiting brothels he would beg the
puella to put on long gloves provided by himself for that
purpose, which act alone would excite him so much that
ejaculation ensued forthwith.
Z. became a collector of ladies' kid gloves. He would
hide away hundreds of pairs in various places. These
he would count and gloat over in his spare time, "as a
miser would over his gold," place them over his genitals,
bury his face in a pile of them, put one on his hand
and then masturbate. This gave him more intense pleasure
than coitus.
He made covers for his penis of them, or suspensories,
wearing them for days. He preferred black, soft leather^
FETICHISM. 279
He would fasten ladies' kid gloves around his waist in
such a fashion that they would, apron-like, hang down
over his genitals.
After marriage this fetichism grew worse. As a rule
he was only virile when he put a pair of his wife's gloves
during coitus by her head so that he could kiss them.
The acme of pleasure was when he could persuade his
wife to put on kid gloves and thus touch his genitals
previous to cohabitation.
Z. felt very unhappy on account of this fetichism, and
made repeated but vain attempts to free himself of the
curse.
Whenever he came across the word, or the picture
of a glove in novels, fashion-plates, advertisements, etc.,
he was simply fascinated. At the theatre his eyes were
riveted on the hands of the actresses. He could scarcely
tear himself away from the show-windows of glove-dealers.
He often would stuff long gloves with wool or some
such material to make them resemble arms and hands.
Then he would make tritus membri inter brachia talia arti-
ficialia, until he had achieved his object.
It was his habit to take ladies' kid gloves to bed with
him and wrap them around his penis until he could feel
them like a large leathern priapus between his legs.
In the larger towns he bought from the cleaners ladies*
gloves which had not been called for, but preferred those
most soiled and worn. Twice he admitted to have yielded
to the temptation to steal such gloves, although in every
other respect he was absolutely correct. When in a crowd
he must touch ladies' hands whenever possible. At his
office he allowed no opportunity to pass without shaking
hands with ladies, in order to fool for "at least a second
the soft, warm leather". His wife must wear as much as
possible kid gloves or such made v£ <-^o.m<MA. with which
he provided her lavishly.
At his office he always had ladies' gloves lying on h>*
desk. Not an hour passed in which he did not toucB
280 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
and stroke them. When especially excited (sexually) he
put such a glove in his mouth and chewed it.
Other articles of the female toilet, likewise other parts
of the female body besides the hand, did not attract him.
Z. felt much depressed about this anomaly. He felt
ashamed to look into the innocent eyes of his children,
and prayed God to protect them from this curse of their
father.
The object of fetichism may also be found in a thing
which only by sheer accident stands in relation to the body
of woman, as may be gathered from the following instance
related by Moll. It proves, moreover, how by the merely
accidental association of an apperception with a parallel
sexual emotion — based, of course, upon a special psychic
process — the object of such apperception may become a
fetich which in its turn may some day disappear again.
The theory of association in connection with original
perverse manifestations (based on organo-psychical mo-
tives) seems here quite acceptable. The same may be
said of the data relating to masochism and sadism.
Case 123. B., thirty years of age, apparently un-
tainted, refined and sensitive ; great lover of flowers ; liked
to kiss them, but without any sensual motive or sensual
excitement ; rather of natura frigida; did not before twen-
ty-one practise onanism, and subsequently only at periods.
When twenty-one he was introduced to a young lady who
wore some large roses on her bosom. Ever since then
large roses dominated over his sexual feelings. He in-
cessantly bought roses; kissing them would produce erec-
tion. He took them to bed with him although he never
touched his genitals with them. His pollutions henceforth
were accompanied by dreams of roses. He would dream
of roses of fairy-like beauty and, inhaling their fragrance,
have ejaculation.
He became secretly engaged to his "lady of roses,"
but the platonic relations grew colder, and when the
.' III8M. 281
engagement was broken off tlio rose-fetirlii.-m suddenly
ami prniianrntly <li. -appeared. It never returned, even
\\hfii he became again engaged after a long spell of
melancholia (4. Moll, "Centralb. f. d. Krankheiten der
1 1 urn- mid Sexual-organe," v., 3).
(d) Beast-fctichism.
In close relation to stuff-fetichism, certain cases must
be considered in which 'beasts exercise an aphrodisical
influence over human beings. One feels tempted to call
it Zoophilia Erotica.
This perversion seems to be rooted in a fetichism the
object of which is the skin of the beast.
The transmitting medium of this fetichism may,
perhaps, be found in a peculiar idiosyncrasis of the
tactile nerves which, by touching furs or animal skins,
produces peculiar and lustful emotions (analogous to
hair-, braid-, velvet-, and silk-fetichism). This may,
perhaps, also explain that peculiar hobby for cats and
dogs at times met with in sexually perverted persons
(vide especially case 118). The following case, coming
under my personal observation, seems to favour this as-
sumption.
Case 124. Zoophilia erotica, fetichism. Mr. N. N.,
twenty-one years of age, from a neuropathically tainted
family, himself congenitally neuropathic. Even as a
child he often felt impelled to perform at times quite in-
different actions for fear of encountering some untoward
event. lie learned easily, never had a severe illness, and
early a great love for domestic animals, especially dogs
and cats, because when petting them he experienced lustful
emotions. For years he indulged in this play with ani-
mals, which sensually stimulated him, although in an
innocent fashion, as it were. When he arrived at the age
of puberty he recognized the immorality of his acts and
tried to free himself from the habit. lie succeeded in this,
282 P8YC1IOPATHIA SEXUAL1S.
but henceforth he was troubled in his dreams by such
situations which produced pollutions. He then began
onanism. At first he practised if by manipulation accom-
panied by the idea that he was petting and stroking ani-
mals. After some time he arrived at psychical onanism,
produced by vividly imagining such situations, and ac-
companied by orgasm and ejaculation. This made him
neurasthenic.
He claimed that sodomitic ideas never entered his
mind, that the sexus bcstiarum never influenced his fancies
or actions, in fact he had given it no thought.
He never had homosexual instinct; but heterosexual
desires were not foreign to him, though he had never
indulged in coitus because of want of libido (ex masturba-
tione et neurasthenia!) and from fear of infection. He was
drawn only to women of lithe figure and with a proud
gait.
The usual symptoms of cerebro-spinal neurasthenia
were present. Patient was of slight build and anaemic. He
was greatly concerned to know whether his lost virility
could be restored, as this would raise his waning self-
esteem.
Suggestions how to avoid psychic onanism, to remove
neurasthenia, to strengthen the sexual centres, to satisfy
the vita sexualis in the normal way as soon as this should
be possible and successful.
Epicrisis. No bestiality, but fetichism. Very likely
the petting of domestic animals coupled with an abnormally
premature vita sexualis coincided with a primary sexual
emotion — probably originating from tactile sensations —
and thus established an association between the two facts
which by repetition became permanent ("Zeitschr. f. Psy-
chiatric," Bd. 50).
Antipathic Sexuality.
After the attainment of complete sexual development,
among the most constant elements of self-consciousness in
ANTII'ATIIK1 SEXUALITY. 283
the individual are the knowledge of representing a definite
sexual personality and the consciousness of desire, during
tlu> period of physiological activity of the reproductive
organs (production of semen and ova), to perform sexual
acts corresponding with that sexual personality, — acts
which, consciously or unconsciously, have a procreative
purpose.
The sexual instinct and desire, save for indistinct
feelings and impulses, remain latent until the period of
development of the sexual organs. The child is generis
neutrius; and though, during this latent period, — when
sexuality has not yet risen into clear consciousness, is but
virtually present, and unconnected with powerful organic
sensations, — abnormally early excitation of the genitals
may occur, either spontaneously or as a result of external
influence, and find satisfaction in masturbation ; yet,
notwithstanding this, the psychical relation to persons of
the opposite sex is still absolutely wanting, and the sexual
acts during this period exhibit more or less a reflex spinal
character.
The existence of innocence, or of sexual neutrality, is
the more remarkable, since very early in education, employ-
ment, dress, etc., the child undergoes a differentiation from
children of the opposite sex. These impressions remain,
however, devoid of psychical significance, because they
apparently are stripped of sexual meaning ; for the central
organ {cortex) of sexual emotions and ideas is not yet
capable of activity, owing to its undeveloped condition.
With the inception of anatomical and functional
development of the generative organs, and the differen-
tiation of form belonging to each sex, which goes hand
in hand with it (in the boy as well as in the girl), rudi-
Jments of a mental fppling ftf>rrp?pnmling with the sex
jure developed ; jind in this of c"iir-e, education and
external influences in p-neral have a powerful .-tTecr upon
the individual, who now begins to observe.
If the sexual development is normal and undisturbed,
a definite character, corresponding with the sex, is devel-
284 PSYCHOPATIIIA 8EXUALI8.
oped. Certain well-defined inclinations and reactions in
intercourse with persons of the opposite sex arise; and
it is psychologically worthy of note with what relative
rapidity each individual psychical type corresponding with
the sex is evolved.
While modesty, for instance, during childhood, is
essentially but an uncomprehended and incomprehensible
exaction of education and imitation, expressed but im-
perfectly in the innocence and naivete of the child; in
the youth and maiden it becomes an imperative require-
ment of self-respect; and, if in any way it is offended,
intense vaso-motor reaction (blushing) and psychical
emotions are induced.
If the original constitution is favourable and normal,
and factors injurious to the psycho-sexual development
exercise no adverse influence, then a psycho-sexual
\ personality is developed which is so unchangeable and
! corresponds so completely and harmoniously with the sex
/ of the individual in question, that subsequent loss of the
generative organs (as by castration), or the climacterium
or senility, cannot essentially alter it.
This, however, must not be taken as a declaration that
the castrated man or woman, the youth and the aged
man, the maiden and the matron, the impotent and the
potent man, do not differ essentially from each other ill
their psychical existence.
An interesting and important question for what follows
is, whether the peripheral influences of the generative
fglands (testes and ovaries), or central cerebral conditions,
! are the determining factors in psycho-sexual development.
The fact that congenital deficiency of the generative?
glands, or removal of them before puberty, have a great
influence on physical and psycho-sexual development, so
that the latter is stunted and assumes a type more closely
resembling the opposite sex (eunuchs, certain viragoes,
etc.), betokens their great importance in this respect.
That the physical processes taking place in the genital
ANTIPATHIC SEXUALITY. 285
organs are only co-operative, and not the exclusive factors,
in the process of development of the psycho-sexual char-
acter, is shown by the fact that, notwithstanding a normal
anatomical and physiological state of these organs, a sexual
instinct may be developed which is the exact opposite of
that characteristic of the sex to which the individual
belongs.
In this case, the cause is to be sought only in an anom-
aly of central conditions, — in an abnormal psycho-sexual
constitution. This constitution, as far as its anatomical
and functional foundation is concerned, is as yet unknown.
Since, in nearly all such cases, the individual tainted with
antipathic sexual instinct displays a neuropathic predispo-
sition in several directions, and the latter may be brought
into relation with hereditary degenerate conditions, this
anomaly of psycho-sexual feeling may be called, clinically,
a functional sign of degeneration. This inverted sexuality
appears spontaneously, without external cause, with the
development of sexual life, as an individual manifestation
\of an abnormal form of the vita sexualis, having the force
of a congenital phenomenon ; or it develops iipon a sexuality
the beginning of which was normal, as a result of very
definite injurious influences, and thus appears as an ac-
quired anomaly. Upon what conditions this enigmatical
phenomenon of acquired homo-sexual instinct depends,
remains still unexplained, and is a mere matter of hypo-
thesis. Careful examination of the so-called acquired
cases makes it probable that the predisposition — also
present here — consists of a latent. homo-sexuality, or, at
any rate, bi-sexuality, which, for its manifestation, re-
quires the influence of accidental exciting causes to rouse
it from its dormant state.
In so-called antipathic sexual instinct there are degrees
of the phenomenon which quite correspond with the de-
grees of predisposition of the individuals. Thus, in the
milder cases, there is simple hermaphroditism ; in more
pronounced cases, only homo-sexual feeling and instinct,
but limited to the vita sexualis; in still more complete
286 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUAIIS.
cases, the whole psychical personality, and even the bodily
sensations, are transformed so as to correspond with the
sexual inversion; and, in the complete cases, the physical
form is correspondingly altered.
The following division of the various phenomena of
this psycho-sexual anomaly is made, therefore, in accord-
ance with these clinical facts.
A. Homo-sexual Feeling as an Acquired Manifestation in
Both Sexes.
The determining factor here is the demonstration of
perverse feeling for the same sex; not the proof of sexual
acts with the same sex. These two phenomena must not
be confounded with each other; perversity must not be
taken for perversion.
Perverse sexual acts, without being dependent upon
perversion, often come under observation. This is. espe-
cially true with reference to sexual acts between persons
of the same sex, particularly in pederasty. Here paroes-
thesia sexualis is not necessarily at work; but hyperaes-
thesia, with physical or psychical impossibility for natural
sexual satisfaction.
Thus we find homo - sexual intercourse in impotent
masturbators or debauchees, or faute de mieux in sensual
men and women under imprisonment, on ship-board, in
garrisons, bagnios, boarding-schools, etc.
There is an immediate return to normal sexual inter-
course as soon as the obstacles to it are removed. Very
frequently the cause of such temporary aberration is
masturbation and its results in youthful individuals.
Nothing is so prone to contaminate — under certain
circumstances, even to exhaust — the source of all noble
and ideal sentiments, which arise of themselves from a
normally developing sexual instinct, as the practice of
masturbation in early years. It despoils the unfolding bud
of perfume and beauty, and leaves behind only the coarse,
animal desire for sexual satisfaction. If an individual,
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 287
thus (Irjirnvcd, reaches the age of maturity, there is
wanting in liiiu that aesthetic, ideal, pure and free impulse
which draws the opposite sexes together. The glow of
sensual sensibility wanes, and the inclination toward the
opposite sex is weakened. This defect influences the
morals, the character, fancy, feeling and instinct of tho
youthful masturbator, male or female, in an unfavourable
manner, even causing, under certain circumstances, the
desire for the opposite sex to sink to nil; so that masturba-
tion is preferred to the natural mode of satisfaction.
Sometimes the development of the nobler sexual feel-
ings toward the opposite sex suffers, on account of hypo-
chrondriacal fear of infection in sexual intercourse; or
on account of an actual infection ; or as a result of a faulty
education which points out such dangers and exaggerates
them. Again (especially in females), fear of the result of
coituj^Jj^regmmfiy), or abhorrence of men, by reason of
physical or moral defects, may direct into perverse chan-
inels an instinct that makes itself felt with abnormal in-
tensity. On the other hand, premature and perverse
sexual satisfaction injures not merely the mind, but also
the body; inasmuch as it induces neuroses of the sexual
apparatus (irritable weakness of the centres governing
erection and ejaculation; defective pleasurable feeling in
coitus, etc.), while, at the same time, it maintains imagin-
ation and libido in continuous excitement.
Almost every masturbator at last reaches a point
\vhere, frightened on learning the results of the vice, or on
experiencing them (neurasthenia), or led by example or
seduction to the opposite sex, he wishes to free himself
of the vice and re-instate his vita sexnalis.
The moral and mental conditions are here the most
unfavourable possible. The pure glow of sexual feeling is
destroyed ; the fire of sexual instinct is wanting, and self-
confidence is lost ; for every masturbator is more or less
timid and cowardly. If the youthful sinner at last comes
to make an attempt at coitus, he is either disappointed
because enjoyment is wanting, on account of defective
288 PSYCHOPATH 1 A SKXUALIS.
eensual feeling, or he is lacking in the physical strength
necessary to accomplish the act. This fiasco has a fatal
effect, and leads to absolute psychical impotence. A bad
conscience and the memory of past failures prevent suc-
cess in any further attempts. The ever present libido
sexualis, however, demands satisfaction, and this moral
and mental perversion separates further and further from
woman.
For various reasons, however, (neurasthenic complaints,
hypochondriacal fear of results, etc.), the individual is
also kept from masturbation. At times, under such cir-
cumstances, bestiality is resorted to. Intercourse with the
same sex is then near at hand, — as the result of seduction
or of the feelings of friendship which, on the level of patho-
logical sexuality, easily associate themselves with sexual
feelings.
Passive and mutual onanism now become the equivalent
of the avoided act. If there is a seducer, — which, un-
fortunately often happens, — then the cultivated pederast
is produced, — i.e., a man who performs quasi acts of onan-
ism with persons of his own sex, and, at the same time,
feels and prefers himself in an active role corresponding
with his real sex; who is mentally indifferent not only to
persons of the opposite sex, but also to those of his own.
Sexual aberration reaches this degree in the normally
constituted, untainted, mentally healthy individual. No
case has yet been demonstrated in which perversity has
been transformed into perversion — i.e., into an inversion
of the sexual instinct.1
1 Gamier ("Anomalies Sexuelles," Paris, pp. 508, 509) reports
two cases (cases 222 and 223) that are apparently opposed to this
assumption, particularly the first, in which despair about the unfaith-
fulness of a lover led the individual to submit to the seductions of
men. But the case itself clearly shows that this individual never
found pleasure in homo-sexual acts. In case 223, the individual waa
effeminated ab origine, or was at least a psychical hermaphrodite.
Those who hold to the opinion that the origin of homo-sexual
feelings and instinct is found to be exclusively in defective education
and other psychological influences are entirely in error.
An untainted male may be raised ever so much like a female,
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING 1 289
With l<iint<d individuals, the matter is quite different
The latent perverse sexuality is developed under the influ-
ence of neurasthenia induced 1>\ ma.-turhation, abstinence,
or other
Gradually, in contact with persons of the same sex,
sexual excitation by them is induced. Related ideas are
coloured with lustful feelings, and awaken corresponding
desires. This decidedly degenerate reaction is the begin-
ning of a process, of physical and mental transformation,
a description <>f which is attempted in what follows, and
which is one of the most interesting psychological phenom-
ena that have been observed. This metamorphosis pre-
sents different stages, or degrees.
1. Degree: Simple Reversal of Sexual Feeling.
This degree is attained when a person exercises an
\aphrodisiac effect over another person of the same sex
'who reciprocates the sexual feeling. Character and in-
Btinct, however, still correspond with the sex of the indi-
and a female like a male, but they will not become homo-sexual.
The natural disposition is the determining condition; not education
nn>l oth-r mSndcntal circumstances, I :•'.<• m <lu<-ti',». T!i.-r«- mu he no
thought of antipathic sexual instinct save when the person of the
same sex exerts a psycho-sexual influence over the individual, and
thus brings About libido and orgasm,-^t!~c., has a psychical attrac-
tion. Those cases are quite different in which, faute de micux, with
I great sensuality and a defective aesthetic sense, the body of a person
I of the same sex is used for an onanistic act (not for coitus in a
(psychical sense).
In his excellent monograph, Moll shows very clearly and con-
vincingly the importance of original predisposition in contrast with
exciting causes (cf. op. cit., pp. 212-231). He knows "many cases
where early sexual intercourse with men was not capable of inducing
perversion." Moll significantly says, further: "I know of such an
epidemic (of mutual onanism) in a Berlin school, where a person,
who is now an actor, shamelessly introduced mutual onanism.
Though I now know the names of very many urnings in Berlin, yet
I could not ascertain, even with anything like probability, that among
all the pupils of that school at that time there was one that had
become an urning; but, on the other hand, I have quite certain
knowledge that many of those pupils are now normal sexuallv. in
feeling and intercourse.
19
290 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
vidual presenting the reversal of sexual feeling. He feels
himself in the active role; he recognizes his impulse
toward his own sex as an aberration, and finally seeks
aid.
With episodical improvement of the neurosis, at first
even normal sexual feelings may reappear and assert
themselves. The following case seems well suited to
exemplify this stage of the psycho-sexual degeneration: —
Case 125. Acquired Antipathic Sexual Instinct. "I
am an official, and, as far as I know, come from an un-
tainted family. My father died of an acute disease; my
mother, still living, is very nervous. A sister has been very
intensely religious for some years.
"I myself am tall, and, in speech, gait and manner,
give a perfectly masculine impression. Measles is the
only disease I have had; but since my thirteenth year I
have suffered with so-called nervous headaches.
"My sexual life began in my thirteenth year, when
I became acquainted with a boy somewhat older than
myself, quocum alter alterius genitalia tangendo delectdbar.
I had the first ejaculation in my fourteenth year. Seduced
to onanism by two older school-mates, I practised it partly
with others and partly alone; in the latter case, however,
always with the thought of persons of the female sex. My
libido sexualis was very great, as it is to-day. Later, I
tried to win a pretty, stout servant-girl who had very
large mammae; id solum assecutus sum, ut me prsesente
superiorem corporis sui partem enudaret mihique conce-
deret os mammasque osculari, dum ipsa penem meum
valde erectum in manum suam recepit eumque trivit.
"Quamquam violentissime coitum rogarem hoc solum
concessit, ut genitalia ejus tangerem.
"After going to the university, I visited a brothel and
succeeded without special effort.
"Then an event occurred which brought about a change
in me. One evening I accompanied a friend home, and
in a mild state of intoxication I grasped him ad genitalia.
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH BETES. 201
He made but slight opposition. I then went up to his
room with him, and we practised mutual masturbation.
From that time we indulged in it quite frequently; in
fact, it came to immissio penis in os, with resultant ejacu-
lations. But it is strange that I was not at all in love with
this person, but passionately in love with another friend,
near whom I never felt the slightest sexual excitement, and
whom I never connected with sexual matters, even in
thought. My visits to brothels, where I was gladly re-
ceived, became more infrequent; in my friend I found
a substitute, and did not desire sexual intercourse with
women.
"We never practised pederasty. That word was not
even known between us. From the beginning of this rela-
tion with my friend, I again masturbated more frequently,
and naturally the thought of females receded more and
more into the background, and I thought more and more
about young, handsome, strong men with the largest pos-
sible genitals. I preferred young fellows, from sixteen to
twenty-five years old, without beards, but they had to
be handsome and clean. Young labourers dressed in
trousers of Manchester cloth or English leather, partic-
ularly masons, especially excited me.
"Persons in my own position had hardly any effect on
me ; but, at the sight of one of those strapping fellows of
the lower class, I experienced marked sexual excitement.
It seems to me that the touch of such trousers, the open-
ing of them and the grasping of the penis, as well as
kissing the fellow, would be the greatest delight. My
sensibility to female charms is somewhat dulled ; yet in
sexual intercourse with a woman, particularly when she
has well-developed mammce, I am always potent without
the help of imagination. I have never attempted to make
use of a young labourer, or the like, for the satisfaction of
my. evil desires, and never shall ; but I often feel a longing
to do it. I often impress on myself the mental image of
such a man, and then masturbate at home.
"I am absolutely devoid of taste for female work. I
292 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALI8.
rather like to move in female society, but dancing is
repugnant to me. I have a lively interest in the fine arts.
That my sexual sense is partly reversed is, I believe, in
part due to greater convenience, which keeps me from
entering into a relation with a girl; as the latter is a
matter of too much trouble. To be constantly visiting
houses of prostitution is, for aesthetic reasons, repugnant
to me ; and thus I am always returning to solitary onanism,
vvhich is very difficult for me to avoid.
"Hundreds of times I have said to myself that, in
order to have a normal sexual sense, it would be neces-
sary for me, first of all, to overcome my irresistible passion
for onanism, — a practice so repugnant to my aesthetic
feeling. Again and again I have resolved with all my
might to fight this passion; but I am still unsuccessful.
When I felt the sexual impulse gaining strength, instead
of seeking satisfaction in the natural manner, I preferred
to masturbate, because I felt that I would thus have more
enjoyment.
"And yet experience has taught me that I am always
potent with girls, and that, too, without trouble and with-
out the vision of masculine genitals. In one case, how-
ever, I did not attain ejaculation because the woman — it
was in a brothel — was devoid of every charm. I cannot
avoid the thought and severe self-accusation that, to a
certain extent, my inverted sexuality is the result of
excessive onanism; and this especially depresses me, be-
cause I am compelled to acknowledge that I scarcely feel
strong enough to overcome this vice by the force of my
own will.
"As a result of my relations for years with a fellow-
student and pal, mentioned in this communication —
which, however, began while we were at the university,
and after we had been friends for seven years — the im-
pulse to unnatural satisfaction of libido has grown much
stronger. I trust you will permit the description of an
incident which worried me for months : —
"In the summer of 1882, I made the acquaintance
lloMCHSEXUAL FEELINO IN BOTH SEXES. 293
of a companion six years younger than myself, who, with
several others, had been introduced to me and my ac-
quaintances. I very soon felt a deep interest in this
handsome man, who was unusually well-proportioned,
slim, and full of health. After a few weeks of associa-
tion, this liking ripened into friendship, and at last into
passionate love, with feelings of the most intense jealousy.
I very soon noticed that in this love sexual excitation was
also very marked ; and, notwithstanding my determina-
tion, aside from all others, to keep myself in check in
relation to this man, whom I respected so highly for his
superior character, one night, after free indulgence in
beer, as we were enjoying a bottle of champagne in my
room, and drinking to good, true and lasting friendship,
I yielded to the irresistible impulse to embrace him, etc.
"When I saw him next day, I was so ashamed that
I could not look him in the face. I felt the deepest regret
for my action, and accused myself bitterly for having thus
sullied this friendship, which was to be and remain so
pure and precious. In order to prove to him that I had
lost control of myself only momentarily, at the end of
the semester I urged him to make an excursion with me;
and after some reluctance, the reason of which was only
too clear to me, he consented. Several nights we slept
in the same room without any attempt on my part to
repeat my action. I wished to talk with him about the
event of that night, but I could not bring myself to it;
even when, during the next semester, we were separated,
I could not induce myself to write to him on the subject ;
and when I visited him in March at X., it was the same.
And yet I felt a great desire to clear up this dark point
by an open statement. In October of the same year I
was again in X., and this time found courage to speak
without reserve; indeed, I asked him why he had not
resisted me. He answered that, in part, it was because
he wished to please me, and, in part, owing to the fact
that he was somewhat apathetic as a result of being a
little intoxicated. I explained to him my condition, and
294 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALJS.
also gave him "Psychopathia Sexualis" to read, express-
ing the hope that by the force .of my own will I should
become fully and lastingly master of my unnatural im-
pulse. Since this confession, the relation between this
friend and me has been the most delightful and happy
possible; there are the most friendly feelings on both
sides, which are sincere and true; and it is to be hoped
that they will endure.
"If I should not improve my abnormal condition, I
am determined to put myself under your treatment; the
more because, after a careful study of your work, I can-
not count myself as belonging to the category of so-called
urnings; and also because I have the firm conviction, or
hope, at least, that a strong will, assisted and combined
with skilful treatment, could transform me into a man
of normal feeling."
Case 126. lima S.,1 aged twenty-nine; single, mer-
chant's daughter; of a family having bad nervous taint.
Father was a drinker and died by suicide, as also did the
patient's brother and sister. A sister suffered with con-
vulsive hysteria. Mother's father shot himself while in-
sane. Mother was sickly, and paralysed after apoplexy.
The patient never had any severe illness. She was bright,
enthusiastic and dreamy. Menses at the age of eighteen
without difficulty ; but thereafter they were very irregular.
At fourteen, chlorosis and catalepsy from fright. Later,
hysteria gravis and an attack of hysterical insanity. At
eighteen, relations with a young man which were not pla-
tonic. This man's love was passionately returned. From
statements of the patient, it seemed that she was very
sensual, and after separation from her lover practised
masturbation. After this she led a romantic life. In order
to earn a living, she put on male clothing, and became a
tutor ; but she gave up her place because her mistress,
not knowing her sex, fell in love with her and courted her.
1 Cf. author's " Experimental Study in the Domain of Hyp-
notism," third edition, 1893.
lloMK-M \f.\l 111! ..Til SEXES 20.")
•
she Iwvame a railway employee. In tin- eompa;
rompani'-ns, in order to conceal 1 -he was com-
pelled to visit hrothels with them, and hear the most vul-
gar stories. This became so distasteful to her that she
gave up her place, resumed the garments of a female, and
again sought to earn her living. She was arrested for
theft, and on account of severe hystero-epilepsy was sent
to the hospital. There inclination and impulse toward the
same sex were discovered. The patient became trouble-
some on account of passionate love for female nurses and
patients.
Her sexual inversion was considered congenital. With
regard to this, the patient made some interesting state-
ments : —
"I am judged incorrectly, if it is thought that I feel
myself a man toward the female sex. In my whole thought
and feeling I am much more a woman. Did I not love
my cousin as only a woman can love a man ?
"The change of my feelings originated in this, that, in
Pesth, dressed as a man, I had an opportunity to observe
my cousin. I saw that I was wholly deceived in him. That
gave me terrible heart-pangs. I knew that I could neve'r
love another man; that I belonged to those who love but
once. Of similar effect was the fact that, in the society
of my companions at the railway, I was compelled to hear
the most offensive language and visit the most disreputa-
ble houses. As a result of the insight into men's motives,
gained in this way, I took an unconquerable dislike to
them. However, since I am of a very passionate nature
and need to have some loving person on whom to depend,
and to whom I can wholly surrender myself, I felt myself
more and more powerfully drawn toward intelligent women
and girls who were in sympathy with me."
The antipathic sexual instinct of this patient, which
< -learly acquired, expressed itself in a stormy and de-
cidedly sensual way, and was further augmented by mas-
turbation; because constant control in hospitals made sex-
ual satisfaction with the same sex impossible. Character
296 P8YCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
and occupation remained feminine. There were no man-
ifestations of viraginity. According to information lately
received by the author, this patient, after two years of
treatment in an asylum, was entirely freed from her neu-
rosis and sexual inversion, and discharged cured.
Case 127. Mr. X., aged thirty-five, single, civil
servant; mother insane, brother hypochondriacal.
Patient was healthy, strong, of lively sensual tempera-
ment. He had manifested powerful sexual instinct abnor-
mally early, and masturbated while yet a small boy. He
had coitus the first time at the age of fourteen, with en-
joyment and complete power. When fifteen years old,
a man sought to seduce him, and performed manustupra-
tion on him. X. experienced a feeling of repulsion, and
freed himself from the disgusting situation. At maturity
he committed excesses in libido, with coitus; in 1880 he
became neurasthenic, being afflicted with weakness of erec-
tion and ejaculatio prcecox. He thus became less and less
potent, and no longer experienced pleasure in the sexual
act. At this period of sexual decadence, for a long time
he still had what was previously foreign to him, — still
incomprehensible to him, — an inclination for sexual inter-
course with immature girls of the age of twelve or thir-
teen. His libido increased as virility diminished.
Gradually he developed inclination for boys of thirteen
or fourteen. He was impelled to approach them.
Quodsi ei occasio data est ut tangere posset pueros qui
ei placuere, penis vehementer se erexit turn maxime quum
crura puerorum tangere potuisset. Abhinc feminas non
cupivit. Nonnunquam feminas ad coitum coegit sed erectio
debilis, ejaculatio prsematura erat sine ulla voluptate.
Now only youths interested him. He dreamed about
them and had pollutions. After 1882 he now and then
had opportunity concwnbere cum juvenibus. This led to
powerful sexual excitement, which he satisfied by mas-
turbation. It was quite exceptional for him to venture
touching his bed-fellow and indulging in mutual mas-
BOMO-OKXUAL 1 IX BOTH SEXES. 297
turbation. Ho shunned pederasty. For the most part, he
was coiiiju 11. .1 to satisfy his sexual needs by means of
solitary masturbation. In the act he called up the vision
of pleasing boys. After sexual intercourse with such boys,
he always felt strengthened and refreshed, but morally
depressed; because there was consciousness of having
performed a perverse, indecent and punishable act. He
found it painful that his disgusting impulse was more
powerful than his will.
X. thought that his love for his own sex had resulted
from great excess in natural sexual intercourse, and be-
moaned his situation. On the occasion of a consultation,
in December, 1889, he asked me whether there were any
means to bring him back to a normal sexual condition,
since he had no real horror femince, and would very gladly
marry.
This intelligent patient, free from degenerative signs,
presented no abnormal symptoms except those of sexual
and spinal neurasthenia in a moderate degree.
//. Degree: Eviration and Defemination.
If, in cases of antipathic sexual instinct thus developed,
no restoration occurs, then deep and lasting transforma-
tions of the psychical personality may occur. The process
completing itself in this way may be briefly designated
eviration (defemination in woman). The patient under-
goes a deep change of character, particularly in his feelings
and inclinations, which thus become those of a female.
7
; After this, he also feels himself to be a woman during the
sexual act, has desire only for passive sexual indulgence,
and, under certain circumstances, sinks to the level of a
prostitute. In this condition of deep and more lasting
psycho-sexual transformation, the individual is like unto
the (congenital) urning of high grade. The possibility of a
restoration of the previous mental and sexual personality
teems in such a case, precluded.
298 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
The following case is a classical example of this variety
of lasting acquired antipathic sexual instinct:—
Case 128. Sch., aged thirty, physician, one day told
me the story of his life and malady, asking for explana-
tion and advice concerning certain anomalies for his vita
sexualis. The following description gives, for the most
part verbatim, the details of the autobiography; only in
some portions it is shortened : —
"My parents were healthy. As a child I was sickly;
but with good care I thrived, and got on well in school.
When eleven years old, I was taught to masturbate by my
playmates, and gave myself up to it passionately. Until
I was fifteen, I learned easily. On account of frequent
pollutions, I became less capable, and did not get on well in
school, and was uncertain and embarrassed when called
on by the teacher. Frightened by my loss of capability,
and recognising that the loss of semen was responsible for
it, I gave up masturbation; but the pollutions became
even more frequent, so that I often had two or three in a
night. In despair, I now consulted one physician after
another. None were able to help me.
"Since I grew weaker and weaker, by reason of the
loss of semen, with the sexual appetite growing more and
more powerful, I sought houses of prostitution. But I was
there unable to find satisfaction; for, even though the
sight of a naked female pleased me, neither orgasm nor
erection occurred ; and even manustupration by the puella
was not capable of inducing erection. Scarcely would I
leave the house, when the impulse would seize me again,
and I would have violent erections. I grew ashamed
before the girls, and ceased to visit such houses. Thus a
couple of years passed. My sexual life consisted of pollu-
tions. My inclination toward the opposite sex grew less
and less. At nineteen I went to the university. The
theatre had more attractions for me: I wished to become
an actor. My parents were not willing. At the metro-
polis I was compelled now and then to visit girls with my
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 299
comrades. I feared such a situation; because I knew that
coitus was impossible for me, and because my friends
might discover my impotence. Then-fure, I avoided, as
far as possible, the danger of becoming the butt of their
jokes and ridicule.
"One evening, in the opera-house, an old gentleman
sat near me. He courted me. I laughed heartily at the
foolish old man, and entered into his joke. Exinopinato |
genitalia mea prehendit, quo facto statim penis meus se
erexit. Frightened, I demanded of him what he meant.
He said that he was in love with me. Having heard of
hermaphrodites in the clinics, I thought I had one before
me, and became curious to see his genitals. The old man
was very willing, and went with me to the water closet.
Sicuti penem maximum ejus erectum adspexi, perterritus
effugi.
"This man followed me, and made strange proposals
which I did not understand, and repelled. He did not give
me any rest. I learned the secrets of male love for males,
and felt that my sexuality was excited by it. But I
resisted the shameful passion (as I then regarded it) and,
for the next three years, I remained free from it. During
this time I repeatedly attempted coitus with girls in vain.
My attempts to free myself of my impotence by means of
medical treatment were also in vain. Once, when my
libido scxualis was troubling me again, I recalled what
the old man had told me : that male-loving men were accus-
tomed to meet on the E. Promenade.
After a hard struggle, and with beating heart, I went
there, made the acquaintance of a blonde man, and allowed
myself to be seduced. The first step was taken. This
kind of sexual love was satisfactory to me. I always pre-
ferred to be in the arms of a strong man. The satisfaction
consisted of mutual manustupration ; occasionally in
oscuhim ad penem alterius. I was then twenty-three years
old. Sit ti MI;, together with my comrades, on the beds of
patients in the clinic during the lectures, excited me so
intensely that I could scarcely listen to the lectures, In,
300 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
the same year I entered into a formal love-relation with a
merchant of thirty-four. We lived as man and wife. X.
played the man, and fell more and more in love. I gave
up to him, but now and then I had to play the man. After
a time I grew tired of him, became unfaithful and he*
grew jealous. There were terrible scenes, which led to
temporary separation, and finally to actual rupture. (The
merchant afterwards became insane, and died by suicide.)
"I made many acquaintances, and loved the most or-
dinary people. I preferred those having a full beard,
who were tall and of middle age, and able to play the active
role well. I developed a proctitis. The professor thought
it was the result of sitting too much while preparing for
examinations. I developed a fistula, and had to undergo
an operation ; but this did not cure me of my desire to let
myself be used passively. I became a physician and went
to a provincial town, where I had to live like a nun. I
developed a desire to move in ladies' society, and was
gladly welcomed there; because it was found that I was
not so one-sided as most men, and was interested in
toilettes and such feminine things. However, I felt very
unhappy and lonesome. Fortunately, in this town, I made
the acquaintance of a man, a 'sister,' who felt like me.
For some time I was taken care of by him. When he
had to leave I had an attack of despair, with depression,
which was accompanied by thoughts of suicide.
"When it became impossible for me to longer endure
the town, I became a military surgeon in the capital.
There I began to live again, and often made two or three
acquaintances in one day. I had never loved boys or
young people ; only fully developed men. The thought of
falling into the hands of the police was frightful. Thus
far I have escaped the clutches of the blackmailer. At the
same time, I could not keep myself from the gratification
of my impulse. After some months I fell in love with an
official of forty. I remained true to him for a year, and
we lived like a pair of lovers. I was the wife and was
formally courted by the lover. One day I was transferred
IloMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 301
to a small town. We were in despair. The last night was
spent in e. -niinually kissing and caressing one another.
"In T. 1 was nn.-peakably unhappy, in spite of some
'sisters' whom I found. I could not forget my lover. In
order to satisfy my sexual desire, whieli cried for satis-
faction, I chose soldiers. Money obtained men ; but they
remained cold, and I had no enjoyment with them. I
was successful in being retransferred to the capital, where
there was a new love relation, but much jealousy; because
my lover liked to go into the society of 'sisters,' and was
proud and coquettish. There was a rupture. I was very
unhappy and very glad to be transferred from the capital.
I now stayed in C., alone and in despair. Two infantry
privates were brought into service, but with the same
unsatisfactory results. When shall I ever find true love
again ?
"I am over medium height, well developed, and look
somewhat aged; and, therefore, when I wish to make
conquests I use the arts of the toilet. My manner, move-
ments and face are masculine. Physically I feel as youth-
ful as a boy of twenty. I love the theatre, and especially
art. My interest in the stage is in the actresses, whose
every movement and gesture I notice and criticise.
"In the society of gentlemen I am silent and em-
barrassed, while in the society of those like myself I am
free, witty, and as fawning as a cat if a man is sympathetic.
If I am without love, I become deeply melancholic; but
the favours of the first handsome man dispel my depres-
sion. In other ways I am frivolous and very ambitious.
My profession is nothing to me. Masculine pursuits do
not interest me. I prefer novels and going to the theatre.
I am effeminate, sensitive, easily moved, easily injured
and nervous. A sudden noise makes my whole body trem-
ble, and I have to collect myself in order to keep from
crying out."
Remarks: The foregoing case is certainly one of ac-
quired antipathic sexual instinct, since the sexual instinct
302 P8YCHOPATHIA SEXUAI.IS.
and impulse were originally directed toward the female
sex. Sch. became neurasthenic through masturbation.
As an accompanying manifestation of the neurasthenic
neurosis, lessened impressionability of the erection-centre
and consequent relative impotence developed. As a result
of this, sexual sensibility toward the opposite sex de-
creased, with simultaneous persistence of libido sexualis.
The acquired antipathic sexual instinct must be abnormal,
since the first touch by a person of the same sex is an
adequate stimulus for the erection-centre. The perverse
sexual feeling becomes complete. — At first Sch. felt like a
man in the sexual act; but more and more, as the change
progressed, the feeling and desire of satisfaction changed
to the form which, as a rule, characterises the (congenital)
urning.
This eviration induces a desire for the passive role,
and, further, for (passive) pederasty. It makes a creeper
impress on the character. The character becomes femi-
nine, inasmuch as Sch. now prefers to move in the society
of actual females, has an increasing desire for feminine
occupations, and indeed makes use of the arts of the toilet
in order to improve his fading charms and make "con-
quests".
The foregoing facts concerning acquired antipathic
sexual instinct and effemination find an interesting con-
firmation in the following ethnological data: —
Herodotus already describes a peculiar disease which
frequently affected the Scythians. The disease consisted
in this: that men became effeminate in character, put
on female garments, did the work of women, and even
became effeminate in appearance. As an explanation of
this insanity of the Scythians,1 Herodotus relates the myth
lCf. Sprengel, "Apologie des Hippokrates," Leipzig, 1792, p. 611;
Friedreich, " Literargeschichte der psych. Krankheiten," 1830, p.
31; Lallemand, "Des pertes s^minales," Paris, 1836, L, p. 581; Nysten,
11 Dictlonn. de mfciecine," xi. edit., Paris, 1858, Art. " Eviration et
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH BEXE8. 303
that the goddess Venus, angered by the plundering of the
temple at Ascalon by the Scythians, had made women of
these plunderers and their posterity.
Hippocrates, not believing in supernatural diseases, re-
cognised that impotence was here a causative factor, and
explained it, though incorrectly, as due to the custom of
the Scythians to have themselves bled behind the ears in
order to cure disease superinduced by constant horse-back
riding. He thought that these veins were of great import-
ance in the preservation of the sexual powers, and that
when they were severed, impotence was induced. Since
the Scythians considered their impotence due to divine
punishment and incurable, they put on the clothing of
females, and lived as women among women.
It is worthy of note that, according to Klaproth ("Reise
in dem Kaukasus," Berlin, 1812, v., p. 285) and Chotom-
ski, even at the present time impotence is very frequent
among the Tartars, as a result of riding unsaddled horses.
The same is observed among the Apaches and Navajos
of the western continent who ride excessively, scarcely
ever going on foot, and are remarkable for small genitals
and mild libido and virility. Sprengel, Lallemand and
Nysten recognise the fact that excessive riding may be
injurious to the sexual organs.
Hammond reports analogous observations of great in-
terest concerning the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico.
These descendants of the Aztecs cultivate so-called "mu-
jerados," of which every Pueblo tribe requires one in the
religious ceremonies (actual orgies in the spring), in which
pederasty plays an important part In order to cultivate
a "mujerado," a very powerful man is chosen, and he
is made to masturbate excessively and ride constantly.
Gradually such irritable weakness of the genital organs is
engendered that, in riding, great loss of semen is induced.
This condition of irritability passes into paralytic im-
Maladie dps Scythes"; Marandon, " De la maladie des Scythe*";
" Animl. me<Hco-psychol.," 1877, Mars, p. 161 ; Hammond, "American
Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry," August, 1882.
304 PSYCHOPATHIA B&XUALIS.
potence. Then atrophy of the testicles and penis sets in,
the hair of the beard falls out, -the voice loses its depth
and compass, and physical strength and energy decrease.
Inclinations and disposition become feminine. The "mu-
jerado" loses his position in society as a man. He takes
on feminine manners and customs, and associates with
women. Yet, for religious reasons, he is held in honour.
It is probable that, at other times than during the festivals
he is used by the chiefs for pederasty. Hammond had
an opportunity to examine two "mujerados". One had be-
come such seven years before, and was thirty-five years
old at the time. Seven years previous, he was entirely
masculine and potent. He had noticed gradual atrophy
of the testicles and penis. At the same time he lost libido
and the power of erection. He differed in nowise, in
dress and manner, from the women among whom Ham-
mond found him. The genital hair was wanting, the
penis was shrunken, the scrotum lax and pendulous, and
the testicles were very much atrophied and no longer
sensitive to pressure. The "mujerado" had large mamma}
like a pregnant woman, and asserted that he had nursed
several children whose mothers had died. A second "mu-
jerado," aged thirty-six, after he had been ten years in
the condition, presented the same peculiarities, though
with less development of mammae. Like the first, the
voice was high and thin. The body was plump.
///. Degree: Stage of Transition to Metamorphosis Sex-
ualis Paranoia.
A further degree of development is represented by
those cases in which physical sensation is also transformed
in the sense of a transmutatio sexus. In this respect the
following case is unique : —
Case 129. Autobiography. "Born in Hungary in
1844, for many years I was the only child of my parents;
for the other children died for the most part of general
weakness. A brother of later birth is still living.
li "MO-SEX UAL 1 : : SEXES. 305
"I come of a family in which nervous and mental
diseases have 'been numerous. It is said that I was very
pretty as a little child, with blonde locks and transparent
skin ; very obedient, quiet and modest, so that I was taken
\\here in the society of ladies without any offence on
my part.
"With a very active imagination — my enemy through
life — my talents developed rapidly. I could read and write
at the age of four; my memory reaches back to my third
year. I played with everything that fell into my hands, —
with leaden soldiers, or stones, or ribbons from a toy-shop;
but a machine for working in wood, that was given to me
as a present, I did not like. I liked best to be at home
with my mother, who was everything to me. I had two
or three friends with whom I got on good-naturedly; but
I liked to play with her sisters quite as well, who always
treated me like a girl, which at first did not embarrass me.
I must have already been on the road to become just like
a girl; at least, I can still well remember how it was
always said: 'He is not intended for a boy.' At this I
tried to play the boy, — imitated my companions in every-
thing, and tried to surpass them in wildness. In this I
succeeded. There was no tree or building too high for
me to reach its top. I took great delight in soldiers. I
avoided girls more, because I did not wish to play with
their playthings ; and it always annoyed me that they
treated me so much like one of themselves.
"In the society of mature people, however, I .was
always modest, and, also, always regarded with favour.
Fantastic dreams about wild animals — which once drove
me out of bed without waking me — frequently troubled
me. I was always very simple but very elegantly dressed,
and thus developed a taste for beautiful clothing. It seems
liar to me that, from the time of my school-days, I
had a partiality for ladies' gloves, which I put on secretly
as often as I could. Thus, when once my mother was
iilmut to give away a pair of gloves, I made great opposi-
tion to it, and told her, when she asked why I acted so,
20
306 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
that I wanted them myself. I was laughed at ; and from
that time I took good care not to display my preference
for female things. Yet my delight in them was very great.
I took especial pleasure in masquerade costumes — i.e., only
in female attire. If I saw them, I envied their owners.
What seemed to me the prettiest sight was: two young
men, beautifully dressed as white ladies, with masks on;
and yet I would not have shown myself to others as a girl
for anything ; I was so afraid of being ridiculed. At school
I worked very hard, and was always among the first.
From childhood my parents taught me that duty came
first; and they always set me an example. It was also a
pleasure for me to attend school; for the teachers were
kind, and the elder pupils did not plague the younger ones.
We left my first home; for my father was compelled, on
account of his business, — which was dear to him, — to sepa-
rate from his family for a year. We moved to Germany.
Here there was a stricter, rougher manner, partly in
teachers and partly in pupils; and I was again ridiculed
on account of my girlishness. My schoolmates went so
far as to give a girl, who had exactly my features, my
name, and me hers ; so that I hated the girl. But I later
came to be on terms of friendship with her after her
marriage. My mother tried to dress me elegantly; but
this was repugnant to me, because it made me the
object of taunting. So, finally, I was delighted when 1
had correct trousers and coats. But with these came a
new annoyance. They irritated my genitals, particularly
when the cloth was rough; and the touch of tailors while
measuring me, on account of their tickling, which almost
convulsed me, was unendurable, particularly about the
genitals. Then I had to practise gymnastics; and I
simply could do nothing at all, or only indifferently the
things that even girls can do easily. While bathing I was
troubled by feeling ashamed to undress; but I liked to
bathe. Until my twelfth year I had a great weakness in
my back. I learned to swim late, but ultimately so well
that I took long swims. At thirteen I had pubic hair, and
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN lioTII UXK8. 307
was about six fWt tall; l>ut my face was feminine until
my eighteenth year, when my beard came in abundance
and gave me rest from resemblance to woman. An
inguinal hernia that was acquired in my twelfth year,
a ixl cured when I was twenty, gave me much trouble,
particularly in gymnastics. Besides, from my twelfth
year on, I had, after sitting long, and particularly while
working at night, an itching, burning and twitching,
extending from the penis to my back, which the acts of
Mtting and standing increased, and which was made
worse by catching cold. But I had no suspicion what-
ever that this could be connected with the genitals. Since
none of my friends suffered in this way, it seemed strange
to me; and it required the greatest patience to endure it;
the more owing to the fact that my abdomen troubled me.
"In sexualibus I was still perfectly innocent ; but now,
as at the age of twelve or thirteen, I had a definite feeling
of preferring to be a young lady. A young lady's form
was more pleasing to me; her quiet manner, her deport-
ment, but particularly her attire, attracted me. But I was
careful not to allow this to be noticed ; and yet I am sure
that I should not have shrunk from the castration-knife,
could I have thus attained my desire. If I had been asked
to say why I preferred female attire, I could have said
nothing more than that it attracted me powerfully; per-
haps, also, I seemed to myself, on account of my uncom-
monly white skin, more like that of a girl. The skin
of my face and hands, particularly, was very sensitive.
Girls liked my society; and, though I should have pre-
ferred to have been with them constantly, I avoided them
when I could ; for I had to exaggerate in order not to ap-
pear feminine. In my heart I always envied them. I was
particularly envious when one of my young girl friends got
l"ii<: dresses and wore gloves and veils. When, at the age
of fifteen, I was on a journey, a young lady, with whom I
was boarding, proposed that I should mask as a lady and go
out with her; but, owing to the fact that she was not alone,
I did not acquiesce, much as I should have liked it. While
308 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
on this journey, I was pleased at seeing boys in one city
wearing blouses with short sleeves, and the arms bare. A
lady elaborately dressed was like a goddess to me; and if
even her hand touched me coldly I was happy and envi-
ous, and only too gladly would have put myself in her
place in the beautiful garments and lovely form. Never-
theless, I studied assiduously, and passed through the
Realschule and the Gymnasium in nine years, passing a
good final examination. I remember, when fifteen, to have
first expressed to a friend the wish to be a girl. In answer
to his question, I could not give the reason why. At
seventeen I got into fast society; I drank beer, smoked,
and tried to joke with waiter-girls. The latter liked my
society, but they always treated me as if I wore petti-
coats. I could not take dancing lessons, they repelled me
so ; but if I could have gone as a mask, it would have been
different. My friends loved me dearly; I hated only one,
who seduced me into onanism. Shame on those • days,
which injured me for life ! I practised it quite frequently,
but in it seemed to myself like a double man. I cannot
describe the feeling; I think it was masculine, but mixed
with feminine elements. I could not approach girls; I
feared them, but they were not strange to me. They im-
pressed me as being -more like myself; I envied them. I
would have denied myself all pleasures if, after my classes,
at home I could have been a girl and thus have gone out.
Crinoline and a smoothly-fitting glove were my ideals.
With every lady's gown I saw I fancied how I should feel
in it, — i.e., as a lady. I had no inclination toward men.
But I remember that I was somewhat lovingly attached
to a very handsome friend with a girl's face and dark hair,
though I think I had no other wish than that we both
might be girls.
"At the high-school I finally once had coitus; hoc
modo sensi, me libentius sub puella concubuisse et penem
meum cum runno mutatum maluisse. To her astonish-
ment, the girl had to treat me as a girl, and did it will-
ingly; but she treated me as if I were she (she was still
HOMO-SEXUAL FKELINO IN BOTII SEXES. 309
quite inexperienced, and, therefore, did not laugh at
me).
"When a student at times I was wild, but I always
felt that I assumed this wildness as a mask. I drank and
duelled, but I could not take lessons in dancing, because
I was afraid of betraying myself. My friendships were
close, but without other thoughts. It pleased me most
to have a friend masked as a lady, or to study the ladies'
costumes at a ball. I understood such things perfectly.
Gradually I began to feel like a girl.
"On account of unhappy circumstances, I twice at-
tempted suicide. Without any cause I once did not sleep
for fourteen days, had many hallucinations (visual and
auditory at the same time), and was with both the living
and the dead. The latter habit of thought remains. I
also had a friend (a lady) who knew my hobby and put
on my gloves for me; but she always looked upon me
as a girl. Thus I understood women better than other
men did, and in what they differed from men; so I was
always treated more feminarum — as if they had found in
me a female friend. On the whole, I could not endure
obscenity, and indulged in it myself only out of bragga-
docio when it was necessary. I soon overcame my aversion
to foul odours and blood, and even liked them. Only some
things I could not look at without nausea. I was want-
ing in only one respect: I could not understand my own
condition. I knew that 'I had feminine inclinations, but
believed that I was a man. Yet I doubt whether, with
the exception of the attempts at coitus, which never gave
me pleasure (which I ascribe to onanism), I ever admired
a woman without wishing I were she; or without asking
myself whether I should not like to be the woman, or
be in her attire. Obstetrics I learned with difficulty (I
was ashamed for the exposed girls, and had a feeling
of pity for them) ; and even now I have to overcome
a feeling of fright in obstetrical cases; indeed, it has
happened that I thought I felt the traction myself.
After filling several positions successfully as a physician,
310 PSYC1IOPAT11IA SEXUALIS.
I went through a military campaign as a volunteer
surgeon. Riding, which, while a -student, was painful to
me, because in it the genitals had more of a feminine
feeling, was difficult for me (it would have been easier
in the female style).
"Still, I always thought I was a man with obscure
masculine feeling; and whenever I associated with ladies,
I was still soon treated as an inexperienced lady. When
I wore a uniform for the first time, I should have much
preferred to have slipped into a lady's costume, with a
veil ; I was disturbed when the stately uniform attracted
attention. In private practice I was successful in the
three principal branches. Then I made another military
campaign; and during this I came to understand my
nature; for I think that, since the first ass ever made,
no beast of burden has ever had to endure with so much
patience as I have. Decorations were not wanting, but
I was indifferent to them.
"Thus I went through life, such as it was, never satis-
fied with myself, full of dissatisfaction with the world,
and vacillating between sentimentality and a wildness
that was for the most part affected.
"My experience as a candidate for matrimony was
very peculiar. I should have preferred not to marry, but
family circumstances and practice forced me to it I
married an energetic, amiable lady, of a family in which
female government was rampant. I was in love with her
as much as one of us can be in love — i.e., what we love
we love with our whole hearts, and live in it, even though
we do not show it as much as a genuine man does. We
love our brides with all the love of a woman, almost as
a woman might love her bridegroom. But I cannot say
this for myself; for I still believed that I was but a
depressed man, who would come to himself, and find him-
self out by marriage. But, even on my marriage night, I
felt that I was only a woman in man's form; sub femina
locum meum esse mihi visum est. On the whole, we
lived contented and happy, and for t^vo ye»rs were child-
MO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 311
leas. After a difficult pregnancy, during which time I
lay at the point of death in the enemy's own country, my
wife gave birth to our first boy in a difficult labour, — a
boy still afflicted with a melancholy nature. Then came
a second, who is very quiet; a third, full of peculiarities;
a fourth, a fifth; and all have the predisposition to neuras-
thenia. Since I always felt out of my own place, I went
much in gay society; but I always worked as much as
human strength would endure. I studied and operated;
and I experimented with many drugs and methods of
cure, always on myself. I left the regulation of the house
t<> 1 1 iv \\ife, as she understood housekeeping very well.
My marital duties I performed as well as I could, but
without personal satisfaction. Since the first coitus, the
masculine position in it has been repugnant, and also
difficult for mo. I should have much preferred to have
the other role. When I had to deliver my wife, it almost
hroke my heart; for I knew how to appreciate her pain.
Thus we lived long together, until severe gout drove me
to various baths, and made me neurasthenic. At the
same time, I became so anaemic that every few months I
had to take iron for some time; otherwise I would be
almost chlorotic or hysterical, or both. Stenocardia often
troubled me; then came unilateral cramps of chin, nose,
neck and larynx; hemicrania and cramps of the dia-
phragm and chest muscles. For about three years I had
a feeling as if the prostate were enlarged, — a bearing-down
feeling, as if giving birth to something; and also pain in
the hips, con.-tant pain in the back, and the like. Yet,
with the strength of despair, I fought against these com-
plaints, which impressed me as being female or effeminate,
until three years ago, when a severe attack of arthritis
completely broke me down.
"lint In-fore this terrible attack of gout occurred, in
lir, to lessen the pain of gout, T had taken hot baths,
;i> near the temperature of the Ixuly as possible. On one
of tl i-ion< it happened that I suddenly changed,
and seemed to be near death. I sprang with all my
312 rSYCIIOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
remaining strength out of the bath ; I had felt exactly like
a woman with libido. This happened when the extract
of Indian hemp came into vogue, and was highly prized.
In a state of fear of a threatened attack of gout (feeling
perfectly indifferent about life), I took three or four times
the usual dose of it, and almost died of hashish poison-
ing. Convulsive laughter, a feeling of unheard of strength
and swiftness, a peculiar feeling in brain and eyes, millions
of sparks streaming from the brain through the skin, — all
these feelings occurred. But I could not force myself to
speak. All at once I saw myself a woman from my toes
to my breast; I felt, as before while in the bath, that the
genitals had shrunken, the pelvis broadened, the breasts
swollen out; a feeling of unspeakable delight came over
me. I closed my eyes, so that at least I did not see the
face changed. My physician looked as if he had a gigantic
potato instead of a head; my wife had the full moon on
her thorax. And yet, I was strong enough to briefly
record my will in my note-book when both left the room
for a short time.
"But who could describe my fright when, on the next
morning, I awoke and found myself feeling as if com-
pletely changed into a woman; and when, on standing
and walking, I felt vulva and mammas I When at last I
raised myself out of bed, I felt that a complete trans-
formation had taken place in me. During my illness a
visitor said: 'He is too patient for a man'. And the
visitor gave me a plant in bloom, which seemed strange,
but pleased me. From that time I was patient, and
would do nothing in a hurry; but I became tenacious,
like a cat, though, at the same time, mild, forgiving and
no longer bearing enmity, — in short, I had a woman's
disposition. During the last sickness I had many visual
and auditory hallucinations, — spoke with the dead, etc. ;
saw and heard familiar spirits ; felt like a double person ;
but, while lying ill, I did not notice that the man in me had
been extinguished. The change in my disposition was a
piece of good fortune, for I had a stroke of paralysis which
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 313
would certainly have killed me had I been of my fonnor
disposition ; but now I was reconciled, for I no longer
recognized myself. Owing to the fact that I still often
confounded neurasthenic symptoms with the gout, I took
many baths, until an itching of the skin, with the feeling
of scabies, instead of being diminished, was so increased
that I gave up all external treatment (I was made more
and more anaemic by the baths), and hardened myself as-
best I could. But the imperative female feeling remained,
and became so strong that I wear only the mask of a man,
and in everything else feel like a woman ; and gradually I
have lost memory of the former individuality. What was
left of me by the gout, influenza ruined entirely.
"Present condition: I am tall, slightly bald, and the
beard is growing gray. I begin to stoop. Since having
influenza I have lost about one-fourth of my strength.
Owing to a valvular lesion, my face looks somewhat red;
full beard; chronic conjunctivitis; more muscular than
fat. The left foot seems to be developing varicose veins,
and it often goes to sleep; but it is not really thickened,
though it seems to be.
"The mammary region, though small, swells out per-
ceptibly. The abdomen is feminine in form; the feet are
placed like a woman's, and the calves, etc., are feminine;
and it is the same with arms and hands. I can wear ladies'
hose and gloves 7/^2 to 724 in size. I also wear a corset
without annoyance. My weight varies between 168 and
184 pounds. Urine without albumen or sugar, but it con-
tains an excess of uric acid. But when there is not too
much uric acid in it, it is clear, and almost as clear as water
after any excitement. Bowels usually regular, but should
they not be, then come all the symptoms of female consti-
pation. Sleep is poor, — for weeks at a time only of two
or three hours' duration. Appetite quite good; but, on
the whole, my stomach will not bear more than that of a
strong woman, and reacts to irritating food with cutaneous
eruption and burning in the urethra. The skin is white,
and, for the most part, feels quite smooth ; there has been
314 PSYCIIOrATHIA SEXUALIS.
unbearable cutaneous itching for the last two years; but
during the last few weeks this has diminished, and is now
present only in the popliteal spaces and on the scrotum.
"Tendency to perspire. Perspiration was previously
as good as wanting, but now there are all the odious pecu-
liarities of the female perspiration, particularly about
the lower part of the body; so that I have to keep myself
cleaner than a woman (I perfume my handkerchief, and
use perfumed soap and eau-de-Cologne).
"General feeling: I feel like a woman in a man's form ;
and even though I often am sensible of the man's form,
yet it is always in a feminine sense. Thus, for example,
I feel the penis as clitoris; the urethra as urethra and
vaginal orifice, which always feels a little wet, even when
it is actually dry; the scrotum as labia majora; in short, I
always feel the vulva. And all that that means one alone
can know who feels or has felt so. But the skin all over
my body feels feminine; it receives all impressions,
whether of touch, of warmth, or whether unfriendly, as
feminine, and I have the sensations of a woman. I cannot
go with bare hands, as both heat and cold trouble me.
When the time is past when we men are permitted to carry
sun-umbrellas, I have to endure great sensitiveness of the
skin of my face, until sun-umbrellas can again be used.
On awakening in the morning, I am confused for a few
moments, as if I were seeking for myself; then the impera-
tive feeling of being a woman awakens. I feel the sense
of the vulva (that one is there), and always greet the day
with a soft or loud sigh ; for I have fear again of the play
that must be carried on throughout the day. I had to
learn everything anew; the knife — apparatus, everything
— has felt different for the last three years ; and with the
change of muscular sense I had to learn everything over
again. I have been successful, and only the use of the saw
and bone-chisel are difficult; it is almost as if my strength
were not quite sufficient. On the other hand, I have a
keener sense of touch in working with the curette in the
soft parts. It is unpleasant that, in examining ladies, I
IH>M<> srxi'Al I I I • i.IWO IN BOTH SEXES. 3 1 r>
•. frd ill. ir sensations; l>ut this, indeed, does- not r
them. The most unpl»-a<anf thing I experience is foetal
movement. For a h'ULT time — several months — I was
tmubled by reading the thoughts of both sexes, and I still
have to fight against it. I can endure it better with
women; with men it is repugnant. Three years ago I
had not yet consciously seen the world with a woman's
eyes; this chango in the relation of the eyes to the brain
came almost suddenly, witli violent headache. I was
with a lady whose sexual feeling was reversed, when sud-
denly I saw her changed in the sense I now feel myself, —
-he as man, — and I felt myself a woman in contrast,
with her; so that I left her with ill-concealed vexation.
At that time she had not yet come to understand her own
condition perfectly.
"Since then, all my sensory impressions are as if they
wen- feminine in form and relation. The cerebral system
almost immediately adjusted itself to the vegetative; so
that all my ailments were manifested in a feminine way.
The sensitiveness of all nerves, particularly that of the
auditory and olfactory and trigeminal, increased to a con-
dition of nervousness. If only a window slammed, I was
frightened inwardly ; for a man dare not tremble at such
things. If food is not absolutely fresh, I perceive a cadav-
erous odour. I could never depend on the trigeminus;
for the pain would jump whimsically from one branch of
it to another ; from a tooth to an eye. But, since my
transformation, I bear toothache and migraine more easily,
and have less feeling of fear with stenocardia. It seems
to me a strange fact that I feel myself to be a fearful,
weak hcinir, and yet, when danger threatens, I am rather
<-o,,l aiul collected, and this is true in dangerous opera-
tions. The stomach rebels against the slightest indiscre-
tion (in female diet) that is committed without thought of
the female nature, either by ructus or other symptoms;
but particularly acainst alrnse of alcoholics. The indis-
position after intoxication that a man who feels like a
woman experiences is much \\.TSC thnn any a student
316 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
could get up. It seems to me almost as if one feeling
like a woman were entirely controlled by the vegetative
system.
"Small as my nipples are, they demand room, and I
feel as though the pelvis were female; and it is the same
puberty the nipples swelled and pained. On this account,
the white shirt, the waistcoat and the coat trouble me. I
feel as though the pelvis were female; and it is the same
with the anus and nates. At first the sense of a female
abdomen was troublesome to me; for it cannot bear
trousers, and it always possesses or induces the feminine
feeling. I also have the imperative feeling of a waist. It
is as if I were robbed of my own skin, and put in a woman's
skin that fitted me perfectly, but which felt everything as if
it covered a woman ; and whose sensations passed through
the man's body, and exterminated the masculine element.
The testes, even though not atrophied or degenerated, are
still no longer testes, and often cause me pain, with the
feeling that they belong in the abdomen, and should be
fastened there ; and their mobility often bothers me.
"Every four weeks, at the time of the full moon, I
have the molimen of a woman for five days, physically and
mentally, only I do not bleed ; but I have the feeling of a
loss of fluid ; a feeling that the genitals and abdomen are
(internally) swollen. A very pleasant period comes when,
afterward and later in the interval of a day or two, the
physiological desire for procreation comes, which with all
power permeates the woman. My whole body is then filled
with this sensation, as an immersed piece of sugar is filled
with water, or as full as a soaked sponge. It is like this :
first, a woman longing for love, and then, for a man ; and,
in fact, the desire, as it seems to me, is more a longing to
be possessed than a wish for coitus. The intense natural
instinct or the feminine concupiscence overcomes the feel-
ing of modesty, so that indirectly coitus is desired. I have
never felt coitus in a masculine way more than three times
in my life ; and even if it were so in general, I was always
indifferent about it. But, during the last three years, I
HOMOSEXUAL FEE I.I NO IN BOTH SEXES. 317
have expcrii nrr.l it passively, like a woman; in fact, often-
- with the feeling of feminine ejaculation; and I al-
ways feel that I am impregnated. I am always fatigued
as a woman is after it, and often feel ill, as a man never
does. Sometimes it caused me such great pleasure that
there is nothing with which I can compare it; it is the
most blissful and powerful feeling in the world; at that
moment the woman is simply a vulva that has devoured the
whole person.
"During the last three years I have never lost for an
instant the feeling of being a woman, and now, owing to
habit, this is no longer annoying to me, though during
this period I have felt debased; for a man could endure
to feel like a woman without a desire for enjoyment; but
Nvlirn desires come, the happiness ceases! Then come
the burning, the heat, the feeling of turgor of the genitals
(when the penis is not in a state of erection the genitals
do not play any part). In case of intense desire, the
feeling of sucking in the vagina and vulva is really terrible
— a hellish pain of lust hardly to be endured. If I then
have opportunity to perform coitus, it is better; but,
owing to defective sense of being possessed by the other,
it does not afford complete satisfaction ; the feeling of ster-
ility comes with its weight of shame, added to the feeling
of passive copulation and injured modesty. I seem al-
most like a prostitute. Reason does not give any help;
the imperative feeling of femininity dominates and rules
thing. The difficulty in carrying on one's occupa-
tion, under such circumstances, is easily appreciated; but
it is possible to force one's self to it. Of course, it is
almost impossible to sit, walk, or lie down ; at least, any
one of these cannot be endured long; and with the constant
touch of the trousers, etc., it is unendurable.
"Marriage then, except during coitus, where the man
has to feel himself a woman, is like two women living
together, one of whom regards herself as in the mask of
a man. If the periodical inoinnina fail to occur, then
come the feelings of pregnancy or of sexual satiety, which
318 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
a man never experiences, but which take possession of the
whole being, just as the feeling of femininity does, and are
repugnant in themselves ; and, therefore, I gladly welcome
the regular molimina again. When erotic dreams or ideas
occur, I see myself in the form I have as a woman, and
see erected organs presenting. Since the anus feels fem-
inine, it would not be hard to become a passive pederast ;
only positive religious command prevents it, as all other
deterrent ideas would be overcome. Since such conditions
are repugnant, as they would be to any one, I have a
desire to be sexless, or to make myself sexless. If I had
been single, I should long ago have taken leave of testes,
scrotum and penis.
4 "Of what use is female pleasure, when one does not
conceive ? What good comes from excitation of female
love, when one has only a wife for gratification, even
though copulation is felt as though it were with a man?
What a terrible feeling of shame is caused by the feminine
perspiration! How the feeling for dress and ornament
lowers a man! Even in his changed form, even when he
can no longer recall the masculine sexual feeling, he would
not wish to be forced to feel like a woman. He still
knows very well that, heretofore, he did not constantly
feel sexually; that he was merely a human being unin-
fluenced by sex. Now, suddenly, he has to regard his
former individuality as a mask, and constantly feel like
a woman, only having a change when, every four weeks,
he has his periodical sickness, and in the intervals his
insatiable female desire. If he could but awake without
immediately being forced to feel like a woman ! At last
he longs for a moment in which he might raise his mask ;
but that moment does not come. He can only find
amelioration of his misery when he can put on some bit
of female attire or finery, an under-garment, etc. ; for he
dare not go about as a woman. To be compelled to fulfil
all the duties of a calling with the feeling of being a
woman costumed as a man. and to see no end of it, is
no trifle. Religion alone saves from a great lapse ; but it
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IX DOTH SEXES. 319
does not prevent (ho pain when temptation affects the
man who feels as a woman; and BO it must be felt and
endured! When a respectable man who enjoys an un-
usual degree of public confidence, and possesses authority,
inii;-r go about with his vulva — imaginary though it be;
uli<-n one, leaving his arduous daily task, is compelled
to examine the toilette of the first lady he meets, and criti-
cise her with feminine eyes, and to read her thoughts in her
face; when a journal of fashions possesses an interest
equal to that of a scientific work (I felt this as a child) ;
when one must conceal his condition from his wife, \\hose
thoughts, the moment he feels like a woman, he can read
in her face, while it becomes perfectly clear to her that
he has changed in body and soul — what must all this be?
The misery caused by the feminine gentleness that must
be overcome? Oftentimes, of course, when 'I am away
alone, it is possible to live for a time more like a woman ;
for example, to wear female attire, especially at night, to
keep gloves on, or to wear a veil or a mask in my room,
so that thus there is rest from excessive libido. But when
the feminine feeling has once gained an entrance, it im-
peratively demands recognition. It is often satisfied with
a moderate concession, such as the wearing of a bracelet
above the cuff; but it imperatively demands some con-
cession. My only happiness is to see myself dressed
as a woman without a feeling of shame; indeed, when
my face is veiled or masked, I prefer it so, and thus think
of myself. Like every one of Fashion's fools, I have a
taste for the prevailing mode, so greatly am I trans-
formed. To become accustomed to the thought of feeling
only like a woman, and only to remember the previous
manner of thought to a certain extent in contrast with
it, and, at the same time, to express one's self as a
man, requires a long time and an infinite amount of
istence.
' X- vertheless, in spite of everything, it will happen
that I betray myself by some expression of feminine
feeling, either in sexualibus, when I say that I feel so and
320 PSYCIIOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
so, expressing what a man without the female feeling
cannot know; or when I accidentally betray that female
attire is my talent. Before women, of course, this does
not amount to anything; for a woman is greatly flattered
when a man understands something of her matters; but
this must not be displayed to my own wife. How fright-
ened I once was when my wife said to a friend that I had
great taste in ladies' dress! How. a haughty, stylish lady
was astonished when, as she was about to make a great
error in the education of her little daughter, I described
to her in writing and verbally all the feminine feelings!
To be sure, I lied to her, saying that my knowledge had
been gleaned from letters. But her confidence in me is
as great as ever; and the child, who was on the road to
insanity, is rational and happy. She had confessed all the
feminine inclinations as sins; now she knows what, as a
girl, she must bear and control by will and religion; and
she feels that she is human. Both ladies would laugh
heartily if they knew that I had only drawn on my own
sad experience. I must also add that I now have a finer
sense of temperature, and, besides, a sense of the elasticity
of the skin and tension of the intestines, etc., in patients,
that was unknown to me before; that in operations and
autopsies, poisonous fluids more readily penetrate my (un-
injured) skin. Every autopsy causes me pain ; examina-
tion of a prostitute, or a woman having a discharge, a
cancerous odour, or the like, is actually repugnant to me.
In all respects I am now under the influence of antipathy
and sympathy, from the sense of colour to my judgment of
a person. Women usually see in each other the periodical
sexual disposition; and, therefore, a lady wears a veil, if
she is not always accustomed to wear one, and usually
she perfumes herself, even though it be only with handker-
chief or gloves; for her olfactory sense in relation to her
own sex is intense. Odours have an incredible effect on
the female organism; thus, for example, the odours of
violets and roses quiet me, while others disgust me; and
with Ylang-Ylang I cannot contain myself for sexual ex-
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 321
Contact with a woman seems homogeneous to
me; coitus with my wife seems possible to me "because she
is somewhat masculine, and has a firm skin ; and yet it is
more an amor lesbicus.
"Besides, I always feel passive. Often at night, when
I cannot sleep for excitement, it is finally accomplished,
si femora mca distensa habeo, sicti jnu/i< /• rum viro con-
cumbens, or if I lie on my side; but an arm or the bed-
clothing must not touch the mammce, or there is no
sleep; and there must be no pressure on the abdomen.
I sleep best in a chemise and night-robe, and with gloves
on ; for my hands easily get cold. I am also comfortable
in female drawers and petticoats, because they do not
touch the genitals. I liked female dresses best when
crinolines were worn. Female dresses do not annoy the
feminine-feeling man ; for he, like every woman, feels
them as belonging to his person, and not as something
foreign.
"My dearest associate is a lady suffering with neuras-
thenia, who, since her last confinement, feels like a man,
but who, since I explained these feelings to her, coitu
abstinet as much as possible, a thing I, as a husband, dare
not do. She, by her example, helps me to endure my
condition. She has a most perfect memory of the female
feelings, and has often given me good advice. Were she
a man and I a young girl I should seek to win her; for
her I should be glad to endure the fate of a woman. But
her present appearance is quite different from what it
formerly was. She is a very elegantly dressed gentleman,
notwithstanding bosom and hair; she also speaks quickly
and concisely, and no longer takes pleasure in the things
that please me. She has a kind of melancholy dissatis-
faction with the world, but she bears her fate worthily
and with resignation, finding her comfort only in religion
and the fulfilment of her duty. At the time of the menses,
she almost dies. She no longer likes female society and
conversation, and has no liking for delicacies.
"A youthful friend felt like a girl from the very first,
21
322 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
and had inclinations towards the male sex. His sister
had the opposite condition; an4 when the uterus demanded
its right, and she saw herself as a loving woman in spite of
her masculinity, she cut the matter short, and committed
suicide by drowning.
"Since complete effemination, the principal changes I
have observed in myself are: —
"1. The constant feeling of being a woman from top
to toe.
"2. The constant feeling of having female genitals.
"3. The periodicity of the monthly molimina.
"4. The regular occurrence of female desire, though
not directed to any particular man.
"5. The passive female feeling in coitus.
"6. After that, the feeling of impregnation.
"7. The female feeling in thought of coitus.
"8. At the sight of women, the feeling of being of
their kind, and the feminine interest in them.
"9. At the sight of men, the feminine interest in them.
"10. At the sight of children, the same feeling.
"11. The changed disposition and much greater pa-
tience.
"12. The final resignation to my fate, for which I have
nothing to thank but positive religion ; without it I should
have long ago committed suicide.
"To be a man and to be compelled to feel that chaque
femme est futuee ou elle desire d'etre is hard to endure."
The foregoing autobiography, scientifically so import-
ant, was accompanied by the following no less interesting
letter: —
"SiR, — I must next beg your indulgence for troubling
you with my communication. I lost all control, and
thought of myself only as a monster before which I myself
shuddered. Then your work gave me courage again ; and
I determined to go to the bottom of the matter, and
examine my past life, let the result be what it might. It
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELINO IN BOTH 8EXKS. 323
seemed a duty of gratitude to you to tell you the result of
my recollection and observation, since I had not seen any
description by you of an analogous case; and, finally, I
also thought it might perhaps interest you to learn, from
the pen of a physician, how such a worthless human, or
masculine, being thinks and feels under the weight of the
imperative idea of being a woman.
"It is not perfect; but I no longer have the strength
to reflect more upon it, and have no desire to go into
the matter more deeply. Much is repeated; but I beg
you to remember that any mask may be allowed to fall off,
particularly when it is not voluntarily worn, but enforced.
"After reading your work, I hope that, if I fulfil my
duties as physician, citizen, father and husband, I may
still count myself among human beings who do not deserve
merely to be despised.
"Finally, I wished to lay the result of my recollection
and reflection before you, in order to show that one think-
ing and feeling like a woman can still be a physician. I
consider it a great injustice to debar woman from Medi-
cine. A woman, through her feeling, gets on the track of
many ailments which, in spite of all skill in diagnosis, re-
main obscure to a man ; at least, in the diseases of women
and children. If I could have my way, I should have
every physician live the life of a woman for three months;
then he would have a better .understand ing and more con-
sideration in matters affecting the half of humanity from
which he comes; then he would learn to value the great-
ness of woman, and appreciate the difficulty of her lot."
Remarks: The badly tainted patient was originally psy-
cho-sexually abnormal, in that, in character and in the
sexual act, he felt as a female. The abnormal feeling
remained purely a psychical anomaly until three years
ago, when, owing to severe neurasthenia, it received over-
mastering support in imperative bodily sensations of a
transmutatio sexus, which now dominate consciousness.
Then, to the patient's horror, he felt bodily like a woman;
and, under the impulse of his imperative feminine sensa-
\
324 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
tions, he experienced a complete transformation of his
former masculine feeling, thought and will ; in fact, of his
whole vita sexualis, in the sense of eviration. At the same
time, his "ego" was able to control these abnormal psycho-
physical manifestations, and prevent descent to paranoia, —
a remarkable example of imperative feelings and ideas on
the basis of neurotic taint, which is of great value for a
comprehension of the manner in which the psycho-sexual
transformation may be accomplished. In 1893; three
years later, this unhappy colleague sent me a new account
of his present state. This corresponded essentially with the
former. His physical and psychical feelings were abso-
lutely those of a woman ; but his intellectual powers were
intact, and he was thus saved from paranoia (vide infra).
A counterpart to this case, which is of clinical and
psychological moment, is that of a lady as given in : —
Case 130. Mrs. X., daughter of a high official. Her
mother died from nervous disease. The father was un-
tainted, and died from pneumonia at a good old age. Her
brothers and sisters had inferior psychopathic dispositions ;
one brother was of abnormal character, and very neuras-
thenic.
As a girl Mrs. X. had decided inclinations for boys'
sports. So long as she wore short dresses she used to rove
about the fields and woods in the freest manner, and
climbed the most dangerous rocks and cliffs. She had no
taste for dresses and finery. Once, when they gave her a
dress made in boys' fashion, she was highly delighted;
and when at school they dressed her up in boys' clothes
on the occasion of some theatrical performance, she was
filled with bliss.
Otherwise nothing betrayed her homo-sexual inclina-
tions. Up to her marriage (at the age of twenty-one) she
could not recall to mind a single instance in which she felt
herself drawn to persons of her own sex. Men were
equally indifferent to her. When matured she had many
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 325
admirers. This flattered her greatly. However, she
claimed that the difference of the sexes never entered her
mind; she was only influenced by the difference in the
dress.
When attending the first and only ball she felt interest
only in intellectual conversation, but not in dancing or the
dancers.
At the age of eighteen the menses set in without diffi-
culty. She always looked upon menstruation as an un-
necessary and bothersome function. Her engagement with
a man who, though good and rich, yet possessed not the
slightest knowledge of woman's nature, was a matter of
utter indifference to her. She had neither sympathy for
nor antipathy against matrimony. Her connubial duties
were at first painful to her, later on simply loathsome.
She never experienced sexual pleasure, but became tfce
mother of six children. When her husband began to
observe coitus irHerruptus, on account of the prolific conse-
quences, her religious and moral sentiments were hurt.
Mrs. X. grew more and more neurasthenic, peevish and
unhappy.
She suffered from descensus uteri, erosions on the
portio vaginalis, and became anaemic. Gynecological treat-
ment and visits to watering-places procured but slight im-
provements.
At the age of thirty-six she had an apoplectic stroke,
which confined her to bed for two years, with heavy neu-
rasthenic ailments (agrypnia, pressure in the head, palpi-
tation of the heart, psychical depression, feelings of lost
physical and mental power, bordering even on insanity,
etc.). During this long illness a peculiar change of her
psychical and physical feelings took place.
The small talk of the ladies visiting her about love,
toilet, finery, fashions, domestic and servants' affairs dis-
gusted her. She felt mortified at being a woman. She
could not even make up her mind again to look in the
mirror. She loathed combing her hair and making her
toilet. Much to the surprise of her own people her hither-
326 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
to soft and decidedly feminine features assumed a strongly
masculine character, so much so that she gave the impres-
sion of being a man clad in female garb. She complained
to her trusted physician that her periods had stopped, —
in fact, she had nothing to do with such functions. When
they recurred again she felt ill-tempered, and found the
odour of the menstrual flow most nauseating, but definitely
refused the use of perfumes, which affected her in a similar
unpleasant manner.
But in other ways she felt that a peculiar change had
come over her entire being. She had athletic spells, and
great desire for gymnastic exercises. At times she felt as
if she were just twenty. She was startled, — when her
neurasthenic brain allowed of thought at all, — at the flight
and novelty of her thoughts, at her quick and precise
method of arriving at conclusions and forming opinions,
at the curt and short way of expressing herself, and her
novel choice of words not always becoming a lady. Even
an inclination to use curse words and oaths was noticeable
in this otherwise so pious and correct woman.
She reproached herself bitterly, and grieved because
she had lost her femininity, and scandalised her friends by
her thoughts, sentiments, and actions.
She also perceived a change in her body. She was
horrified to notice her breasts disappearing, that her pelvis
grew smaller and narrower, the hones became more mass-
ive, and her skin rougher and harder.
She refused to wear any more a lady's night-dress or a
lady's cap, and put away her bracelets, earrings and fans.
Her maid and her dressmaker noticed a different odour
coining from her person; her voice also grew deeper,
rougher, and quite masculine.
When the patient was finally able to leave her bed, the
female gait had altered, feminine gestures and movements
in her female attire were forced, and she could no longer
bear to wear a veil over her face. Her former period of
life spent as a woman seemed strange to her, as if it did
not belong to her existence at all ; she could play no longer
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 327
the role of woman. She assumed more and more the
acter of a rnun. Slie experienced strange feelings in
IHT abdomen; and complained to the physician attending
her that she could fed no longer the internal organs of
generation, that her body was closed up, the region of her
genitals enlarged, and often had the sensation of possessing
a penis and scrotum. She showed, also, unmistakable
symptoms of male libido. All these observations affected
her deeply, filled her with horror, and depressed her so
much that an attack of insanity was apprehended. But
by incessant efforts and kind advice the family physician
finally succeeded in calming the patient and piloting her
safely over this dangerous point. Little by little she gained
her equilibrium in this novel, strange and morbid physico-
psychical form. She took pains in performing her duties
as housewife and mother. It was interesting to observe
the truly manly firmness of will which she developed, but
her former softness of character had vanished. She as-
sumed the role of the man in her house, a circumstance
which led to many dissensions and misunderstandings.
She became an enigma which her husband was unable to
solve.
She complained to her physician that at times a
"bestial masculine libido" threatened to overcome her,
which made her despondent. Marital intercourse with
the husband appeared to her most repulsive — in fact,
impossible. Periodically the patient experienced feminine
emotions, but they became scarcer and weaker as time
went by. At such periods she became conscious again of
her female genitals and breasts, but these episodes affected
IHT painfully, and she felt that such a "second trans-
mutation" would be unbearable, and would drive her to
insanity.
She now became reconciled to her iransmutaiio sexus,
brought about by her severe illness, and bore her fate with
resignation, finding much support in her religious con-
victions.
What affected her most keenly was the fact that, like
PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
an actress, she must move in a strange sphere — i.e, in that
of a woman (Status Prsesens," Sep^t, 1892).
IV. Degree: Metamorphosis Sexualis Paranoica.
A final possible stage in this disease-process is the de-
lusion of a transformation of sex. It arises on the basis
of sexual neurasthenia that has developed into neurasthe-
nia universalis, resulting in a mental disease, — paranoia.
The following cases show the development of the inter-
esting neuro-psychological process to its height : —
Case 131. K., aged thirty-six, male, single, servant,
received at the clinic on 26th February, 1889, typical
case of paranoia persecutoria, resulting from neurasthenia
sexualis, with olfactory hallucinations, sensations, etc.
He came of a predisposed family. Several brothers
and sisters were psychopathic. Patient had a hydro-
cephalic skull, depressed in the region of the right fon-
tanelle; eyes neuropathic. He had always been very
sensual ; began to masturbate at nineteen ; had coitus at
twenty-three; begat three illegitimate children. He gave
up further sexual intercourse on account of fear of
begetting more children, and of being unable to provide
for them. Abstinence proved very painful to him. He
also gave up masturbation, and was then troubled with
pollutions. A year and a half ago he became sexually
neurasthenic, had diurnal pollutions, became thereafter ill
and miserable, and, after a time, generally neurasthenic,
finally developing paranoia.
A year ago he began to have paraesthetic sensations, —
as if there were a great coil in the place of his genitals;
and then he felt that his scrotum and penis were gone, and
that his genitals were changed into those of a female.
He felt the growth of his breasts; that his hair was
that of a woman ; and that feminine garments were on his
body. He thought himself a woman. The people in the
street gave utterance, to corresponding remarks: "Look
, HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 329
at the woman! The old blowhard!" In a half-dreamy
state, he had the feeling as if he played the part of a
woman in coitus with a man, which caused him the most
lively feelings of pleasure. During his stay at the clinic,
a remission of the paranoia occurred, and, at the same
time, a marked improvement of the neurasthenia. Then
the feelings and ideas due to a developing metamorphosi*
sexualis disappeared.
A more advanced case of eviration, on the way to a
transformatio sexus paranoica, is the following: —
Case 132. Franz St., aged thirty-three; school-
teacher, single ; probably of tainted family ; always neuro-
pathic ; emotional, timid, intolerant of alcohol ; began to
masturbate at eighteen. At thirty there were manifesta-
tions of neurasthenia sexualis (pollutions with consequent
fatigue, soon beginning to occur during the day; pain in
the region of the sacral plexus, etc.). Gradually, spinal
irritation, pressure in the head, and cerebral neurasthenia
were added. Since the beginning of 1885 the patient had
given up coitus, in which he no longer experienced pleas-
urable feeling. lie masturbated frequently.
In 1888 he began to have delusions of suspicion. He
noticed that he was avoided, and that he had unpleasant
odours about him (olfactory hallucinations). In this way
he explained the altered attitude of people, and their
sneezing, coughing, etc.
. He could smell corpses and foul urine. He recognised
the cause of his bad smells in inward pollutions. He
recognised these in a feeling he had as if a fluid flowed
up from the symphysis toward the breast. Patient soon
left the clinic.
In 1889 he was again received in an advanced stage of
paranoia masturbatoria persecutoria (delusions of physical
persecution).
In the beginning of May, 1889, the patient attracted
notice, in that he was cross when he was addressed as
330 rSYCHOI'ATHIA 8EXUALJ8.
"mister". He protested against it because he was a
woman. Voices told him this. Jle noticed that his
breasts were growing. Some weeks before, others had
touched him in a sensual manner. He heard it said that
he was a whore. Of late, dreams of pregnancy. He
dreamed that, as a woman, he indulged in coitus. He felt
the immissio penis, and, during the hallucinatory act, also
a feeling of ejaculation.
Head straight; facial form long and narrow; parietal
eminences prominent; genitals normally developed.
The following case, observed in the asylum at Illenau,
is a pertinent example of lasting delusional alteration of
eexual consciousness : —
Case 133. Metamorphosis sexualis paranoica. N.
aged twenty-three, single, pianist, was received in the asy-
lum at Illenau in the last part of October, 1865. He came
of a .family in which there was said to be no hereditary
taint! but there was phthisis (father and brother died of
pulmonary tuberculosis). Patient, as a child, was weakly
and dull, though especially talented in music. He was al-
ways of abnormal character ; silent, retiring, unsocial, and
sullen. He practised masturbation after fifteen. After a
few years neurasthenic symptoms (palpitation of the heart,
lassitude, occasional pressure in the head, etc.) and also
hypochondriacal symptoms were manifested. During the
last year he had worked with great difficulty. For about
six months neurasthenia had increased. He complained
of palpitation of the heart, pressure in the head, and
sleeplessness; was very irritable, and seemed to be sexually
excited. He declared that he must marry for his health.
He fell in love with an artiste, but almost at the same
time (September,,! 8 G5), fell ill with paranoia persecutors
(ideas of enemies, derision in the street, poison in food;
obstacles were placed on the bridge to keep him from
going to his inamorata). On account of increasing ex-
citement and conflicts with those about him that he con-
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 331
siden «1 inimical to him, ho was taken to the asylum. At
first he presented the picture of a typical paranoia pcrse-
rnlnrld with symptoms of sexual, and later general, neuras-
thenia, though the delusions of persecution did not rest
upon this neurotic foundation. It was only occasionally
that the patient heard such sentences as this : "Now the
semen will be drawn from him. Now the bladder will be
cut out"
In the course of the years 1866-68, the delusions of
persecution became less and less apparent, and were for
the most part replaced by erotic ideas. The somatic and
mental basis was a lasting and powerful excitation of the
sexual sphere. The patient fell in love with every woman
he saw, heard voices which told him to approach her, and
beg to be allowed to marry, declaring that, if he were
not given a wife, he would waste away. With continu-
ance of masturbation, in 1869, signs of future effemination
made themselves manifest. "He would, if he should get
a wife, love her only platonically." The patient grew
more and more peculiar, lived in a circle of erotic ideas,
saw prostitution practised in the asylum, and now and
then heard voices which imputed immoral conduct with
women to him. For this reason he avoided the society of
women, and only associated with them for the sake of
music when two witnesses were with him.
In the course of the year 1872, the neurasthenic con-
dition became markedly increased. Now paranoia perse-
cutoria again came into the foreground, and took on a
clinical colouring from the neurotic basis. Olfactory
hallucinations occurred. Magnetic influences were at work
on him — "magnetic waves produced by striking an anvil"
(false interpretation of sensations due to spinal asthenia).
With continued and intense sexual excitement and excess
in masturbation, the process of effemination constantly
progressed. Only episodically was he a man and inclined
toward a woman, complaining that the shameless prosti-
tution of the men in the house made it impossible for a
lady to come to him. He was dying of magnetically pois-
332 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
oned air and unsatisfied love. Without love he could not
live. He was poisoned by lewd poison that affected his
sexual desire. The lady whom he l6ved was surrounded
here by the lowest vice. The prostitutes in the house had
fortune-chains ; that is, chains in which, without moving,
a man can indulge in lustful pleasure. He was ready
now to satisfy himself with prostitutes. He was possessed
of a wonderful ray of thought that emanated from his eyes,
which were worth 20,000,000. His compositions were
worth 500,000 francs. With these indications of delusions
of grandeur, there were also those of persecution — the food
was poisoned by venereal excrements; he tasted and
smelled poison, heard infamous accusations, and asked for
appliances to close his ears.
From August, 1872, however, the signs of effemination
became more and more frequent. He acted somewhat
affectedly, declaring that he could no longer live among
men that drink and smoke. He thought and felt like a
woman. He must thenceforth be treated like a woman and
transferred to a female ward. He asked for confections
and delicate desserts. Occasionally, on account off tenes-
mus and cystospasm, he asked to be transferred to a lying-
in hospital and treated as a woman very ill in pregnancy.
The abnormal magnetism of masculine attendants had an
unfavourable effect on him.
At times he still felt himself to be a man, but in a way
which indicated his abnormally altered sexual feeling. He
pleaded only for satisfaction by means of masturbation,
or for marriage without coitus. Marriage was a sensual
institution. The girl that he would take for a wife must
be a masturbator.
About the end of December, 1872, his personality be-
came completely feminine. From that time he remained
a woman. He had always been a woman, but in his baby-
hood a French Quaker, an artist, had put masculine geni-
tals on him, and by rubbing and distorting his thorax had
prevented the development of his breasts.
After this he demanded to be transferred to the female
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING IN BOTH SEXES. 333
department, protection from men that wished to violate
IUIM, and asked for female clothing. Eventually he also
desired to be given employment in a toy-shop, with crochet-
ing and embroidery work to do, or a place in a dressmaking
establishment with female work. From the time of the
transformatio sexus, the patient began a new reckoning of
time. He conceived his previous personality in memory
as that of a cousin.
He always spoke of himself in the third person, and
called himself the Countess V., the dearest friend of the
Empress Eugenie; asked for perfumes, corsets, etc., He
took the other men of the ward for girls, tried to raise a
head of hair, and demanded "Oriental Hair-Remover,"
in order that no one may doubt his gender. He took de-
light in praising onanism, for "she had been an onanist
from fifteen, and had never desired any other kind of
sexual satisfaction". Occasionally neurasthenic symptoms,
olfactory hallucinations, and persecutory delusions were
observed. All the events up to the time of December, 1872,
belonged to the personality of the cousin.
The patient's delusion that he was the Countess V.
could no longer be corrected. She proved her identity by
the fact- that the nurse had examined her, and found her to
be a lady. The countess would not marry, because she hated
men. Since he was not provided with female clothing and
shoes, he spent the greatest part of the day in bed, acted
like an invalid lady of position, affectedly and modestly,
and asked for bon-bons and the like. His hair was done up
in a knot as well as it allowed, and the beard was pulled
out. Breasts were made of rolls of bread.
In 1874 caries began in the left knee-joint, to which
pulmonary tuberculosis was soon added. Death on 2nd
December, 1874. Skull normal. Frontal lobes atrophic.
Brain anaemic. Microscopical (Dr. Schille). In the su-
perior layer of the frontal lobe, ganglion cells somewhat
shrunken; in the adventitia of the vessels, numerous fat-
corpuscles; ganglia unchanged; isolated pigment particles
and colloid bodies. The lower layers of the cortex normal,
334 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
Genitals very large; testicles small, lax, and showed no
change microscopically on section.
The delusion of sexual transformation, displayed in its
conditions and phases of development in the foregoing
case, is a manifestation remarkably infrequent in the
pathology of the human mind. Besides the foregoing
cases, personally observed, I have seen such a case, as an
episodical phenomenon, in a lady having sexual inversion
(case 118, of the seventh edition of this work), one in a girl
affected with original paranoia, and another in a lady
suffering with original paranoia.
Save for a case briefly reported by Arndt1 in his text-
book, and one quite superficially described by Seriettx
("Recherches Clinique," p. 33), and the two cases known
to Esquirol* I cannot recall any cases of delusion of sexual
transformation in literature.
I have already mentioned the interesting relations ex-
isting between the facts of delusional transformation of
sex and the so-called insanity of the Scythians.
Marandon ("Annales medico-psychologiques," 1877, p.
161), like others, has erroneously presumed that with the
ancient Scythians there was an actual delusion, and that
the condition was not merely that of eviration. According
to the law of empirical actuality, the delusion, so infre-
quent to-day, must also have been very infrequent in an-
cient times. Since it can only be conceived as arising on
the basis of paranoia, there can be no thought of its en-
demic occurrence ; it can only be regarded as a superstitious
manifestation of eviration (the result of anger of the
goddess), as is also evident from the statements of Hippo-
crates.
The facts of the so-called Scythian insanity, as well as
1 An abstract of this may be found in case 103 of the ninth edition
of this book.
*Cf. Hid., cases 104 and 105.
HOMO-8KXUAI <J AS ABNOBU I KESTATIOW. 335
the facts lately learned about the Pueblo Indians, are also
worthy of note anthropologically, in so far as atrophy of
the testes and genitals in general, and approximation to
the female type, physically and mentally, were observed.
This is the more remarkable, since, in men who have lost
their procreative organs, such a reversal of instinct is quito
as unusual as in women, mutatis mutandis, after the nat-
ural or artificial climacteric.
B. Homo-Sexual Feeling as an Abnormal Congenital
Manifestation.1
The essential feature of this strange manifestation of
the sexiial life is the want of sexual sensibility for the
opposite sex, even to the extent of horror, while sexual
inclination and impulse toward the same sex are present
At the same time, the genitals are normally developed, the
1 Bibliography (besides works mentioned hereafter) : Tardieu,
"Des attentats aux moeurs," 7 «dit., 1878, p. 210.— Bofmann,
"Lehrb. d. ger. Med.," 6 Aufl., pp. 170, 887.— Oley, "Revue philo-
sophique," 1884, No. 1. — Magnan, " Annal. med-paychol.," 1885, p.
458. — Khaw and Ferra, " Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases,"
1883, April, No. 2.— Bernhardi, " Der Uranismus," Berlin (Volka-
buchhamllung), 1882. — Chevalier, " De 1'inversion de 1'instinct •«-
uel," Paris, 1885.— Ritti, " Gaz. hebdom. de medecine et de chirurg.,"
1878, 4. Januar. — Tamanaia, " Rivista sperim," 1878, ppl 97-117. —
Lombroto, " Archiv. di Psiehiatr.," 1881. — Charcot et Magnan,
" Archiv. de neurologic," 1882, Nr. 7, 12. — Moll, " Die contrlre Sex-
ualempfindung," Berlin, 3rd edit., 1899 (numerous bibliographic
references). — Chevalier, "Archives de 1'anthropologie criminelle,"
vol. v., No. 27; vol. vi., No. 31. — Reu»», "Aberrations du sens
g«nesique," " Annales d'hygiene publique," 1886. — Saury, " Etude
(Unique sur la folie h«re<iitaire," 1886. — Brouardel, "Gaz. des hop-
itaux," 1880 and 1887. — Tilier, " L'instinct sexucl che/. 1'honimc et
chez les animaux," 1889. — Carlier, " Les deux prostitutions^" 1887. —
Lacassagne, art. " Petterastie," in the " Diction. encyclopetlique." —
Vibert, art. " Pe<le>astie," in the " Diction, med. et de chirurgic."—
Coutagnc, " Lyon medical," 1880, Nos. 35, 36. — Blunter, " Amcric.
Journ. of Insanity," July, 1882. — F. Krafft, " Zeitschr. f Psychiatric,"
No. 38. — niumerutock, art. " Contrlre Sexualompfindung," " Realcn-
cyclop. d. ge«. Heilkunde," 2 Aufl. vi. — Brouardel, " Gar. des
hopiteaux," 1887.— Krirtc, " Inaugural dissert.," WQrzburg, 1888.—
Wo/man, art. " Paederastie," " Realencyclop. d. ges. Heilkunde," 2
336 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
sexual glands perform their functions properly, and the
sexual type is completely differentiated.
Feeling, thought, will, and the whole character, in
leases of the complete development of the anomaly, corre-
•spond with the peculiar sexual instinct, but not with the
sex which the individual represents anatomically and
physiologically. This abnormal mode of feeling may not
infrequently be recognized in the manner, dress and
calling of the individuals, who may go so far as to yield
to an impulse to don the distinctive clothing corresponding
with the sexual role in which they feel themselves to be.
Anthropologically and clinically, this abnormal mani-
festation presents various degrees of development : —
1. Traces of hetero-sexual, with predominating homo-
sexual, instinct (psycho-sexual hermaphroditism).
2. There exists inclination only toward the same sex
(homo-sexuality) .
3. The entire mental existence is altered to correspond
with the abnormal sexual instinct (effemination and
viraginity ) .
4. The form of the body approaches that which
corresponds to the abnormal sexual instinct. However
actual transitions to hermaphrodites never occur, but, on
the contrary, completely differentiated genitals; so that,
just as in all pathological perversions of the sexual life,
Aufl. xv. — Tarnowsky, " Die krankhaften Ercheinungen des Ge-
schlechtsinnes," Berlin, 1886. — Magnan, " Stance de I'acadfimie de
m&iecine du 13 Janvier," 1885, idem, "Annales medico psychol.," 1886
( " Anomalies du sens genital " ; " Discussion sur la f olie h6r6d-
itaire"). — Scrieux, " Recherches cliniques sur les anomalies de
1'instinct sexuel," Paris, 1886. — Chevalier, " L'inversion sexuelle,"
Lyon, Paris, 1893. — Ladame, " Revue de 1'hypnotisme," Sept., 1889. —
Peyer, ""Munch, med. Wochenschrift," 1890, No. 23.— Lewin,
" Neurolog. Centralblatt," 1891, No. 18.— 7. Schrenck-Xotzing, " Die
Suggestions-therapie," etc., Stuttgart. — Eulenburg, op. cit., p. 66,
" Homo-sexuelle Parerosie." — Raffalovich, " Die Entwickelung der
Homo-sexualitfit," Berlin, 1895, — 4dem, " Uranisme et Unisexualite","
Paris, 1886. — V. Schrenck-Notzing, " Klin. Zeit- und Streitfragen,"
ix. 1 (Wien, 1895). — Laupts, "Perversion et perversity sexuelles,"
Paris, 1896. — Legrain, " Des anomalies de 1'instinct sexuel," etc.,
Paris, 1896.
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING AS ABNORMAL MANIFESTATION. 337
the cause must be sought in the brain (androgyny and
gynandry).
The first definite communications1 concerning this
enigmatical phenomenon • of Nature are made by Casper
("Ueber Nothzucht und Paderastie," Casper's "Viertel-
jahrsschrift," 1852, i.), who, it is true, classes it with
pederasty, but makes the pertinent remark that this
anomaly is, in most cases, congenital, and, at the same
time, to be regarded as a mental hermaphroditism. There
exists here an actual disgust of sexual contact with women,
while the imagination is filled with beautiful young men,
and with statues and pictures of them. It did not escape
Casper that in such cases emissio penis in anum (peder-
asty) is not the rule, but that, by means of other sexual
acts (mutual onanism), sexual satisfaction is sought and
obtained.
In his "Clinical Novels" (1863, p. 33) Casper gives
the interesting confession of a man showing this perver-
sion of the sexual instinct, and does not hesitate to assert
that, aside from vicious imagination and vice, as a result of
over-indulgence in normal sexual intercourse, there are
numerous cases in which "pederasty" has its origin in
a remarkable, obscure impulse, which is congenital and
inexplicable. About the middle of the "sixties" a certain
assessor, Ulrichs, himself subject to this perverse instinct,
declared, in numerous articles, under the nom-de-plume
1 Dr. Moll, of Berlin, called my attention to the fact that in
Moritz'a " Magazin f. Erfahrungsseelenkunde," vol. viii., Berlin, 1791,
references are made to antipathic sexual instinct in man. In fact, two
biographies of men are there reported who manifested an enthusiastic
love for persons of their own sex. In the second case, which is par-
ticularly noteworthy, the patient himself explains his aberration by
the fact that, as a child he was caressed only by grown persons, and
as a boy of ten or twelve years only by his school-fellows. " This,
and the want of association with persons of the opposite sex, in me
caused the natural inclination toward the female sex to be entirely
diverted to the male sex. I am still quite indifferent to women."
It cannot be determined whether such a case is one of con-
genital (psycho-sexual hermaphrodisia?) or acquired antipathic
sexual instinct.
338 PSYCHOPATHIA SKXl'ALIS.
"Numa Numantius,1 that the sexual mental life was not
connected with the bodily sex; tha.t there were male in-
dividuals that felt like women toward men (anima mulie-
bris in corpore virili inclusa). lie called these people
"urnings," and demanded nothing less than the legal
and social recognition of this sexual love of the urnings
as congenital and, therefore, as right; and the permission
of marriage among them. Ulrichs failed, however, to
prove that this certainly congenital and paradoxical sexual
feeling was physiological, and not pathological.
Griesinger ("Archiv f. Psychiatric," i., p. 651) threw
the first ray of light on these facts, anthropologically and
clinically by pointing out the marked hereditary taint
of the individual in a case which came under his own
observation.
We owe thanks to Westphal ("Archiv f. Psychiatric,"
^ ii., p. 73) for the first systematic consideration of the
manifestation in question, which he defined as "congenital
reversal of the sexual feeling, with consciousness of the
abnormality of the manifestation," and designated with
the name, since generally accepted, of antipathic sexual
instinct. At the same time, he began a series of cases,
which up to this time has numbered about 200, those
reported in this monograph not being included.
Westplial leaves it undecided as to whether antipathic
sexual feeling is a symptom of a neuropathic or of a
psychopathic condition, or whether it may occur as an
isolated manifestation. He holds fast to the opinion that
the condition is congenital.
From the cases published up to 1877 I have desig-
nated this peculiar sexual feeling as a functional sign
of degeneration, and as a partial manifestation of a
neuro- (psycho-) pathic state, in most cases hereditary, — a
supposition which has found renewed confirmation in a
1MVindex, Inclusa, Vindicta, Formatrix, Ara spei, Gladius
furena" (Leipzig, H. Matthes, 1864 and 1865); Ulrtchs, " Kritische
Pfeile," 1879, in Commission, by H. Cronlein, Stuttgart, Augusten-
strasse, 5.
HOMOSEXUAL FEELING AS ABNORMAL MANIFESTATION. 339
consideration of additional cases. The following pecu-
liarities may bo given as the signs of this neuro- (psycho-)
I>athic taint : —
1. The sexual life of individuals thus organized mani-
fests itself, as a rule, abnormally early, and thereafter with
abnormal power. Not infrequently still other perverse
manifestations are presented besides the abnormal method
of sexual satisfaction, which in itself is conditioned by the
peculiar sexual feeling.
2. The psychical love manifest in these men is, for
the most part, exaggerated and exalted in the same way
as their sexual instinct is manifested in consciousness,
with a strange and even compelling force.
3. By the side of the functional signs of degeneration
attending antipathic sexual feeling are found other
functional, and in many cases anatomical, evidences of
degeneration.
4. Neuroses (hysteria, neurasthenic, epileptoid states,
etc.) co-exist. Almost invariably the existence of tem-
porary or lasting neurasthenia may be proved. As a rule,
this is constitutional, having its root in congenital condi-
tions. It is awakened and maintained by masturbation or
enforced abstinence.
In male individuals, owing to these practices or to
congenital disposition, there is finally neurasthenia sex-
ualis, which manifests itself essentially in irritable weak-
ness of the ejaculation centre. Thus it is explained that,
in most of the cases, simply embracing and kissing, or even
only the sight of the loved person, induce the act of ejacu-
lation. Frequently this is accompanied by an abnormally
powerful feeling of lustful pleasure, which may be so in-
tense as to suggest a feeling of "magnetic" currents pass-
ing through the body.
5. In the majority of cases, psychical anomalies (bril-
liant endowment, in art, especially music, poetry, etc., by
the side of bad intellectual powers or original eccentricity)
are present, which may extend to pronounced conditions
of mental degeneration (imbecility, moral insanity).
340 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
In many urnings, either temporarily or permanently,
insanity of a degenerative character (pathological emo-
tional states, periodical insanity, paranoia, etc.) makes its
appearance.
6. In almost all cases where an examination of the
physical and mental peculiarities of the ancestors ahd
blood relations has been possible, neurosis, psychoses,
degenerative signs, etc., have been found in the families.1
The depth of congenital antipathic sexual feeling is
shown by the fact that the lustful dream of the male-loving
urning has for its content only male individuals; that of
the female-loving woman, only female individuals, with
corresponding situations.
The observation of Westphal, that the consciousness of
one congeni tally defective in sexual desires toward the
opposite sex is painfully affected by the impulse toward
the same sex, is true in only a number of cases. Indeed,
in many instances, the consciousness of the abnormality
of the condition is wanting. The majority of urnings are
happy in their perverse sexual feeling and impulse, and
unhappy only in so far as social and legal barriers stand
in the way of the satisfaction of their instinct toward
/ their own sex.
The study of antipathic sexual feeling points directly
to anomalies of the cerebral organisation of the affected
individuals. The very fact that in these cases, with few
exceptions, the sexual glands are found quite normal,
anatomically and functionally, seems to favour this
assumption.
This enigmatical manifestation in the nature of man
has led to many attempts of explanation.
Among lay persons, it is called vice; in the language
1 Tarnowsky (op. cit., p. 34) records a case which shows that
antipathic sexual feeling, as a concomitant manifestation with
neurotic degeneration, may also affect the descendants of parents
having no neurotic taint. In this instance, lues of the parents played
a part, as in a similar case of Scholz (" Vierteljahrsschr. f. ger.
Mod." ) , in which the perversion of the sexual desires stood in causal
relation with an arrest of psychical development, caused by
traumatism.
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING AS ABNORMAL MANIFESTATION.
..f the law, crime. Those tainted with it, although recog-
nising it as an abnormality, claim for it the same rights
and privileges that are accorded to normal (hetero-sexual)
love, on account of its being based upon a freak of nature.
From Plato down to Ulrichs, in antipathic sexual circles,
this standpoint is maintained. Plato's "Banquet," chap-
ters viii. and ix., are quoted for that purpose, viz.: "There
is no Aphrodites without an Eros. But there are two
goddesses. The older Aphrodites came into existence
without a mother; being the daughter of Uranos she is
called Urania. The younger Aphrodites is the daughter
of Zeus and Diana and is called Pandemos. The Eros
of the former must, therefore, be Uranos, that of the
latter Pandemos. With the love of Eros Pandemos the
ordinary human beings love; Eros Uranos did not choose
a female but a male; this is the love for boys. Whoever
is inspired with this love turns to the male sex." From
many other places in the classics the impression may be
won that Uranic love attained a higher position even
than her sister. More recent explanations of the homo-
sexual instinct have emanated from philosophers, psycho-
logists and natural scientists.
One of the most peculiar explanations is advanced by
Schopenhauer ("Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung"),
who seriously contends that nature seeks to prevent old
men (i.e., over fifty years of age) from begetting children,
since experience teaches that these never turn out good.
For this purpose nature in her wisdom has turned the
sexual instinct in old men toward their own sex! The
great philosopher and thinker evidently was not aware
that sexual inversion, as a rule, exists ab origine, and that
pederasty, occurring in the senium, is only sexual per-
versity, but by no means proves the presence of perversion.
Binet attempts to explain these peculiar manifestations
from a psychological standpoint, thinking (with Condillac)
to reduce them — together with other bizarre psychical
phenomena — to the law of association of ideas (i.e.,
association of ideas with sentiments in statu nascendi).
342 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
This clever psychologist assumes that the instinct not
as yet sexually differentiated is determined by the coin-
cidence of a vivid sexual emotion with the simultaneous
sight or contact of a person of the opposite sex. In
this manner a mighty association is created, which takes
root by repeating itself, whilst the original associative
process is forgotten or becomes latent. Even to-day v.
Schrenck-Notzing and others lean to this opinion, in their
efforts to explain the inverted sexual instinct (chiefly
when acquired; ; but it cannot withstand serious criticism.
Psychological forces are insufficient to explain manifesta-
tions of so thoroughly degenerated a character (vide infra).
Chevalier ("Inversion Sexuelle," Paris, 1893) rightly
demurs against Binet that these attempts at psychological
explanations explain neither the precocity of homo-sexual
impulses, i.e., such as have existed long before sexual
feelings were associated with imagination, nor the aver-
sion towards the opposite sex, nor early appearance of
secondary psychico-sexual manifestations. Nevertheless,
Binet's subtle remark that the lasting presence of such
associations is only possible in predisposed (tainted) indi-
viduals is worthy of note.
Neither do the explanations attempted by physicians
and naturalists prove anything to satisfaction. Gley
("Revue philosophique," January, 1884) maintains that
those afflicted with inverted sexual instinct have a female
brain ( !) but masculine sexual glands, and that an existing
morbid condition of the brain determines the sexual life,
whilst e contra and normally the sexual glands influence
the sexual cerebral functions. Magnan ("Annales med.
psychol.," 1885, p. 458) also speaks of a female brain in
the body of a man and vice versa. Ulrichs ("Memnon,"
1868) comes closer to the point when he speaks of an
anima muliebris virili corpori innati, and thus seeks to
explain congenital effeminatio. According to Mantegazza
(op. cit. 1886, p. 106), anatomical anomalies exist in such
persons in so far as the natural plextts of the genital nerves
terminates in the rectum, thus misdirecting thither all
0-8EXUAI >i;\!\[ l-ATION. 343
s. But surelv nadir is guilty of such
errors or "sallux". NYiiln-r does slit- burden a masculine
body with a female brain. The author of this hypothesis,
otherwise so acute, quite overlooks the fact that the
individuals given to sexual inversion, as a rule, abhor
the use of the anus — viz., pederasty. Mantegazza, reverts,
as a support for his hypothesis, to the communications
which he received from a well-known prominent author,
who assured him that he was not as yet satisfied in his
own mind whether he derived greater pleasure from coitus
than from defalcation. Even if we admit the correctness
of this statement, it would only prove that its author was
sexually abnormal, and that he derived but a minimum of
pleasure from coitus. Moreover, one would come to the
conclusion that the mucous membrane of his rectum was,
in some abnormal manner, erogenous.
Bernhardi ("Der Uranismus," Berlin, 1882) casually
found in five effeminati ("Pathici") absence of spermato-
zoa, in four cases not even sperm crystals, and thought to
find the solution of this "enigma of many thousand years"
in the assumption that the pathicux was a "monster of
the feminine sex, having nothing else in common with
the male than the male genitals, which in some cases are
even only imperfectly developed". This author could not
even base his contention upon an autopsy, which, no doubt,
would have eventually established a case of hermaphrodit-
ism.
Those practising active viraginity and gynandry he
styles as "monsters of masculine gender in opposition to
which the passive tribade is as perfect a woman as the
active paedicator is a perfect man".
The author of this book has made an attempt to utilise
facts of heredity for an explanation of this anomaly.
Proceeding from the experience that manifestations of
sexual perversion are frequently found in the parents, he
suspects that the various grades of congenital sexual
inversion represent various grades of sexual anomaly
inherited by birth, acquired by ascendency, or otherwise
344 PSYCHOPATH IA SEXUALI8.
developed. In this connection, the law of progressive
heredity must also be considered.^
All attempts at explanation made hitherto on the
ground of natural philosophy or psychology, or those of
a merely speculative character are insufficient.
Later researches, however, proceeding on embryo-
logical (onto- and phylogenetic) and anthropological lines
seem to promise good results.
Emanating from Frank Lydston ("Philadelphia Med.
and Surg. Recorder," September, 1888,) and Kiernan
("Medical Standard," November, 1888), they are based
(1) on the fact that bisexual organisation is still found in
the lower animal kingdom, and (2) on the supposition that
mono-sexuality gradually developed from bisexuality.
Kiernan assumes in trying to subordinate sexual inversion
to the category of hermaphroditism that in individuals thus
affected retrogression into the earlier hermaphrodisic
forms of the animal kingdom may take place at least
functionally. These are his own words: "The original
bisexuality of the ancestors of the race, shown in the
rudimentary female organs of the male, could not fail to
occasion functional, if not organic reversions, when mental
or physical manifestations were interfered with by disease
or congenital defect. It seems certain that a feminily
functionating brain can occupy a male body and vice versa.
Chevalier (op. cit., p. 408) proceeds from the original
bisexual life in the animal kingdom, and the original
bisexual predisposition in the human foetus.
According to him the difference in the gender, with
marked physical and psychical sexual character, is only
the result of endless processes of evolution. The psycho-
physical sexual difference runs parallel with the high level
of the evolving process. The individual being must
also itself pass through these grades of evolution; it is
originally bisexual, but in the struggle between the male
and female elements either one or the other is conquered,
and a monosexual being is evolved which corresponds with
the type of the present stage of evolution. But traces of
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING AS ABNORMAL MANIFESTATION. 345
the conquered srxualitv remain. Under certain circum-
stances, these caracteres sexuels latcnts may gain Darwin's
signification, i.e., they may provoke manifestations of
i-tecl sexuality. Chevalier does not, however, look
upon such processes as a retrogression (atavism), in the
sense of Lombroso's opinion and that of others, but rather
considers them with Lacassagne as disturbances in the
present stage of evolution.
If the structure of this opinion is continued, the fol-
lowing anthropological and historical facts may be
evolved : —
1. The sexual apparatus consists of (a) the sexual
glands and the organs of reproduction; (6) the spinal
centres, which act either as a check or a stimulus upon
(a) ; (c) the cerebral regions, in which the psychical
processes of the vita sexualis are enacted.
Since the original predisposition of (a) is of a bisexual
character, the same must be claimed for (6) and (c).
2. The tendency of nature in the present stage of
evolution is the reproduction of monosexual individuals,
and the law of experience teaches that that cerebral centre
is normally developed which corresponds with the sexual
glands ("Law of the Sexual Homologous Development").
3. This destruction of antipathic sexuality is at present
not yet completed. In the same manner in which the
processus vermiformis in the intestinal tube points to
former stages of organisation, so may also be found in
the sexual apparatus — in the male as well as in the
female — residua, which point to the original onto- and
phylogenetic bisexuality, not to speak of hormaphrodisic
malformations, which may be looked upon merely as
partial excesses of development, or disturbances in the
formation of the sexual organisation, and especially of
the external genitals.
The residua referred to are, in the male, the utriculus
masculinus (remnants of the "Miillersche Gange") and
the nipple, fn woman the paroophoron (remnants of the
ori/r;u<tl renal portions of the Wolffian bodies), and the
346 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
epoophoron (remnants of Wolff's ganglia, and analogous
with the epididjrmifl in the male).\Bet^e^ Klebs, Fiirst and
others have found in the human female suggestions of the
Wolffian bodies in the shape of the so-called Gartnerian
canals, which in the female ruminants are regularly present
in the lateral wall of the uterus.
4. Besides, a long line of clinical and anthropological
facts favour this assumption.
I will only call attention to the not infrequent cases
of individuals with characters of mixed or (in the
sense of sexual inversion) predominating physical and
psychical sexuality ("female men and male women"), to
the appearance of the female character (psychically and
physically) in men, consequent upon castration (eunuclis)j
and of the male character in woman after the removal of
the ovaries in early youth, also to the manifestations of
viraginity in climax prcecox, and even to the development
of a second gender.
Professor Kalteribach gives a remarkable instance of
such a second (antipathic) vita sexualis, developed upon
climax praecox.
On the 17th of February, 1892, he consulted me about
"a woman, thirty years of age, married two years, who
formerly had irregular menstruations."
Since June, 1891, a sudden series of manifestations
which corresponded with the process of masculine puberty,
viz., full beard, hair of the head much darker, eyebrows
and pubis strongly developed, chest and abdomen covered
with hair as in man.
Increased activity of the sudoriparous and sabaceous
glands. Upon chest, back and face strong miliary and
acne developments, whilst formerly the tint was classically
white and smooth. Change of voice — formerly rich
soprano, now a "lieutenant's voice". The entire facial
expression changed. Complete change of carriage: chest
broad, waist gone, abdomen prominent with adipose tissue,
short thick-set neck, masculine all over. l*/wer part
of face broad, breasts flat and masculine.
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELINO AS ABNORMAL MANIFESTATION. 347
changes: formerly mild and tractable, now enrrgetic,
hard to control, even aggressive. From the beginning
of marriage no adequate sexual desire, but no traces of
inversion.
In the sexual organs also highly interesting changes
may be found. "Thus this young woman has changed
into a man, to all intents and purposes."
My explanation of the case : —
"Climax prcecox, loss of former feminine sexuality.
Physical and psychical development of male sexuality,
hitherto latent. Interesting illustration of the bi-sexual
predisposition, and of the possibility of continued existence
of a second sexuality in a latent state, under conditions
hitherto unknown."
Unfortunately, I could obtain no further information
about the subsequent metamorphosis of this case, or the
presence of probable hereditary taint.
Vide also cases 129 and 130. In these severe neuras-
thenia was the causating element of transmutatio sexus,
based upon heavy taint; the change, however, being only
psychical, and not affecting the physical sexual character.
5. These manifestations of inverted sexuality are
evidently found only in persons with organic taint.1 In
normal constitutions the law of mono-sexual development,
homologous with the sexual glands, remains intact. That
the cerebral centre is developed under other conditions,
quite independent from the peripheral sexual organs (in-
cluding the sexual glands), is evident from the cases of
hermaphroditism (at least, so far as pseudo-hermaphrodi-
tism is concerned), in which the law referred to above re-
mains intact in the sense of mono-sexual development,
"The researches in zoology, by Klaus ("Zoology," 1891, p. 490)
show that, in the lower grades of the animal world, not only
hermaphroditism exists, but that also ( physiological T ) sexual ex-
change in one and the same individual may take place. Klaus states
that the cymothoidea" (classified under Crustacea) perform in the
first part of their life the functions of the male, and in the second
part under many, even secondary, changes of the sexual character
iLc=e ot the female.
348 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
analogous to the sexual glands. In hermaproditismus
verus, however, physically as well as psychically, a mutual
influence of both centres obtains, and thus also a neutral-
isation of the vita amoris, assuming even a state of asex-
uality, and a tendency to physically and psychically com-
bine and put into operation both these sexual characters.
But hermaphroditism and sexual inversion stand in no
relation to each other. This is clear from the fact that
the hermaphrodite (or, practically speaking, the pseudo-
hermaphrodite) follows the law of evolution quoted above,
and does not offer inverted sexuality, whilst, on the
other hand, hermaphroditism has never been anatomically
observed in cases of antipathic sexual instinct. This
follows, without further argument, from the difference of
the conditions under which they originate, for in sexual
inversion we must look for the cause in central (cerebral)
defects, and in hermaphroditism in the anomalies affecting
the peripheral sexual apparatus.
The facts quoted seem to support an attempt of an
historical and anthropological explanation of sexual inver-
sion.
It is a disturbance of the law of the development of
the cerebral centre, homologous to the sexual glands
(homo -sexuality), and eventually also of the law of
the mono-sexual formation of the individual (psychical
"hermaphroditism"). In the former case it is the centre
of bi-sexual predisposition, antagonistic to the gender
represented by the sexual gland, which in a paradoxical
manner conquers that originally intended to be superior;
yet the law of mono-sexual development obtains.1
In the other case victory lies with neither centre; yet
an indication of the tendency of mono-sexual development
*A mono-sexual psychic apparatus of generation, in a mono-
sexual body which belongs to the opposite sex, does, of course, not
mean a " feminine soul in a masculine brain," or vice versa — this
would simply contradict all monistic and scientific thought; neither
a feminine brain in a masculine body — this contradicts erery
anatomical fact — but only a feminine psycho-sexual centre in a
masculine brain, and vice versa.
HOMO-SEXUAL FEELING AS ABNORMAL MANIFESTATION. 349
remains, in so far that one is predominant, as a rule the
opposite. This is the more remarkable since it has not
the support of a corresponding sexual gland — in fact, not
even a peripheral sexual apparatus, another proof that the
cerebral centre is autonomous, and in its development
independent of the sexual glands.
In the first case it must be assumed that the centre
which by right should have conquered was too weak.
This fact may be recognized in the subsequently weak
libido in the sexual character, but feebly marked in the
physical and psychical conditions.
In the second case both centres were too weak to
obtain victory and superiority.
This defect of the natural laws must, from the anthro-
pological and clinical standpoint, be considered as a man-
ifestation of degeneration. In fact, in all cases of
sexual inversion a taint of a hereditary character may
be established. What causes produce this factor of taint
and its activity is a question which cannot be well
answered by science in its present stage.1
There are plenty of analogous cases to be found in
tainted individuals. For the symptoms of influences
disturbing physical and psychical evolution, and plainly
to be found in the germ of procreation, exhibit themselves
in many other manifestations of a defective or perverse
character (signs of anatomical, functional, somatic and
psychical degeneration).
The antipathic sexual instinct is only the strongest
1 Joseph MUller, in a clever brochure ("Ueber Gamophagy,"
Stuttgart, 1892) offers an inducement for further research in this
direction. He advances the opinion that by a certain law, established
by necessity, and transcending in normal fashion, a union of the
organs and their qualities is effected. This union would explain how,
in the struggle of the development of mono- and bi-sexuality, those
organs and their qualities suffer the common fate of conquest or
defeat which belong together as a whole with regard to their
functional capacity. The defect of the elements connecting the
organs during the struggle for superiority in beings subject to
organic taint could only be explained as a negative result of this
hypothetical law.
350 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
mark left by a whole series of exhibitions of the partial
development of psychical and physical inverted sexual
characters (vide supra), and one may be easily permitted
to say: The more indistinct the psychical and physical
sexual characters appear in the individual, the deeper it
is below the present level of perfect homologous mono-
sexuality obtained in the evolution of manifold thousands
of years.
The cerebral centre mediates the psychical and, in-
directly, also the physical sexual characters. The various
grades of congenital antipathic sexuality will be found to
correspond with the intensity of various grades of taint.
The same holds good with regard to "acquired" sexual
inversion, which exhibits itself only later in life. Un-
tainted man will never become sexually inverted through
onanism or seduction by persons of the same sex; for, as
soon as the extrinsic influences cease, he returns to normal
sexual functions. The tainted individual, however, whose
psycho-sexual centre is originally weak, is in a different
position. All possible psychical and physical deficiencies,
especially neurasthenic, are able to impair his weakened
sexuality, homologous though it may have been hitherto
to the sexual glands. These evil influences may render
him furthermost psychically bi-sexual, then invertedly
mono-sexual, and eventually may effect even eviratio (de-
feminatio), by way of producing physical and psychical
characters of sexuality, in the sense of predominating
antipathic, or the destruction of original, centres. On
page 286, etc., I have tried to show in how far neurasthenia
may give the impulse for the development of antipathic
sexuality.
Congenital Antipathic Sexual Instinct in Man.
The sexual acts by means of which male urnings seek
and find satisfaction are multifarious. There are indi-
viduals of fine feeling and strength of will who sometimes
satisfy themselves with platonic love, with the risk how-
CONGEM1 A: I II 1C' 8EXUAI I IN MAN. 351
<.f Ixvoiiiing nervous (neurasthenic) and insane as a
result of this enforced ahstinence. In other in>taiices, f«»r
the same reasons \\hieh may lead normal individuals to
avoid coitus, onanism, fautc de mieux, is indulged in.
In urnings with nervous systems congenitally irritable,
or injured by onauism (irritable weakness of the ejacu-
lation centre), simple embraces or caresses, with or without
contact of the genitals, are sufficient to induce ejaculation
and consequent satisfaction. In less irritable individuals,
the sexual act consists of manustupration by the loved
person, or mutual onanism, or imitation of coitus between
the thighs. In urnings morally perverse and potent, quoad
ereciionem, the sexual desire is satisfied by pederasty, — an
act, however, which is repugnant to perverted individuals
that are not defective morally, much in the same way as
it is to normal men. The statement of urnings is remark-
able, that the adequate sexual act with persons of the
same sex gives them a feeling of great satisfaction and
accession of strength, while satisfaction by solitary onan-
ism, or by enforced coitus with a woman, affects them in
an unfavourable way, making them miserable and increas-
ing their neurasthenic symptoms.
As to the frequency1 of the occurrence of the anomaly,
it is difficult to reach a just conclusion, since those affected
with it not often break from their reserve; and in criminal
cases the urning with perversion of sexual instinct is usual-
ly classed with the person given to pederasty for simply
vicious reasons. According to Casper's and Tardieu's, as
well as my own, experience, this anomaly is much more
frequent than reported cases would lead us to presume.
'That inversion of the sexual instinct is not uncommon is
proved, among other things, by the circumstances that it is frequently
the subject in novels. The neuropathic foundation of this sexual
perversion does not escape tlie writers. This theme is treated in
m literature in " Fridolin's hcimliche Eho," by Wilbrand; in
" Brick-a-Braek odcr Lie-lit im Schatton," by Emcrich Graf Stadion;
also by Raldtiin Grnllrr, " Prinz Klotz." The oldest urning romance
is probably that publish***! by 1'etroniut at Rome, under the Empire.
under the title " Satyricon."
352 PSYCHOPATH I A SEXUALIS.
Ulrichs ("Kritische Pfeilc," p. 2, 1880) declares that,
on an average, there is one person affected with antipathic
sexual instinct to every 200 mature men, or to every 800 of
the population; and that the percentage among the Mag-
yars and South Slavs is still greater, — statements which
may be regarded as untrustworthy. The subject of one
of my cases knows personally, at his home (13,000 inhab-
itants), fourteen urnings. He further declares that he is
acquainted with at least eighty in a city of 60,000 inhabi-
tants. It is to be presumed that this man, otherwise
worthy of belief, makes no distinction between the congen-
ital and the acquired anomaly.
I. Psychical Hermaphroditism.1
The characteristic mark of this degree of inversion of
the sexual instinct is that, by the side of the pronounced
sexual instinct and desire for the same sex, a desire toward
the opposite sex is present; but the latter is much weaker
and is manifested episodically only, while homo-sexuality
is primary, and, in time and intensity, forms the most strik-
ing feature of the vita sexualis.
The hetero-sexual instinct may be but rudimentary,
manifesting itself simply in unconscious (dream) life; or
(episodically, at least) it may be powerfully exhibited.
The sexual instinct toward the opposite sex may be
strengthened by the exercise of will and self-control; by
moral treatment, and possibly by hypnotic suggestion; by
improvement of the constitution and the removal of
neuroses (neurasthenia) ; but especially by abstinence from
masturbation.
However, there is always the danger that homo-sexual
feelings, in that they are the most powerful, may become
permanent, and lead to enduring and exclusive antipathic
«
1 Cf. author's work, " Ueber psychosexuales Zwitterthum," in
the " Internationales Centralblatt f. d. Physiologic u. Pathologic der
Harn- und Sexualorgane," Bd. i., Heft 2.
PSYCHICAL !I1:«>1>1TI8M. 353
sexual instinct. This is especially to be feared as a result
of the influences of masturbation (JIM a- in ac<|iiired in-
version of tin- sexual in.-iinct) and its neurasthenia and
conseqm-nt exacerbations; and, further, it is to be found
as a consequence of unfavourable experiences in sexual
intercourse with persons of the opposite sex (defective feel-
ing of pleasure in coitus, failure in coitus on account of
\\( akness of erection and premature ejaculation, infection).
On the other hand, it is possible that aesthetic and
ethical sympathy with persons of the opposite sex may
favour the development of hetero-sexual desires. Thus
it happens that the individual, according to the predomi-
nance of favourable or unfavourable influences, experiences
now hetero-sexual, now homo-sexual, feeling.
It seems to me probable that such hermaphrodites
from constitutional taint are rather numerous.1 Since they
attract very little attention socially, and since such secrets
of married life are only exceptionally brought to the knowl-
edge of the physician, it is at once apparent why this in-
teresting and practically important transitional group to
the group of absolute inverted sexuality has thus far
escaped scientific investigation.
Many cases of frigiditas uxoris and marili may possibly
depend upon this anomaly. Sexual intercourse with the
opposite sex is, in itself, possible. At any rate, in cases
of this degree, no horror sexus alterius exists. Here is a
fertile field for the application of medical and moral thera-
peutics (v. infra).
The differential diagnosis from acquired antipathic
sexual instinct may present difficulties; for, in such cases,
so long as the vestiges of a normal sexual instinct are not
absolutely lost, the actual symptoms are the same (v.
infra) .
In the first degree, the sexual satisfaction of homo-
1This idea ia supported by the statement* of an unmarried
urning, which Dr. Moll, of Berlin, kindly communicated to me. He
could report a number of cases of his acquaintance, in which married
men had also " relations " with men.
23
354 PSYCHOPATH I A SEXUALIS.
sexual impulses consists in passive and mutual onanism and
coitus inter femora.
Case 134. Antipathic sexual instinct with sexual sat-
isfaction in hetero-sexual intercourse. Mr. Z., aged thirty-
six, consulted me on account of an anomaly of his sexual
feelings, which had become a matter of anxiety to him
in connection with an intended marriage. Patient's father
was neuropathic, and suffered with nightmare and night-
terrors. Grandfather was also neuropathic; father's
brother an idiot. Patient's mother and her family were
healthy and normal mentally. The patient had three
sisters and one brother, the latter being subject to moral
insanity. Two sisters were healthy, and enjoying happy
married lives.
As a child, the patient was weak, nervous, and subject
to night-terrors, like his father; but he never had any
severe illness, except coxitis, as a result of which he limped
slightly. Sexual impulses were manifested early. At
eight, without any teaching, he began to masturbate.
From his fourteenth year, ejaculation. He was mentally
well endowed, and his principal interest was in art and
literature. He was always weak muscularly, and had no
inclination for boyish sports and later for manly occupa-
tions. He had a certain interest for female toilettes, orna-
ments, and occupations. From the time of puberty the
patient noticed in himself an inexplicable inclination
toward male persons. Youths- of the lowest classes were
most attractive to him. Cavalry men especially excited
his interest. He experienced a lustful desire to press him-
self against such individuals from behind. Occasionally,
in crowds, it was possible for him to do this; and in such
an event an intense feeling of pleasure passed t>ver him.
After his twenty-second year, on such occasions, he now
and then had an ejaculation. From that time ejaculation
occurred when a sympathetic man laid his hand on the
patient's thigh. He was now in great anxiety lest he
might sometime assault a man sexually. People of the
PSYCHICAL IIERMAIMIBODITISM. 355
lower classes, wearing tight, brown trousers, were espec-
ially dangerous for him. His greatest pleasure would be
to embrace such a man and press himself to him; but,
unfortunately, the morality of his country did not allow
such a thing. Pederasty seemed disgusting to him.
It gave him great pleasure to gain a sight of the gen-
itals of males. He was always compelled to look at the
genitals of every man he met. In circuses, theatres, etc.,
only male performers interested him. Patient had never
noticed any inclination for women. He did not avoid
them, even danced with them on occasion, but he never
felt the slightest sensual excitation under such circum-
stances.
At the age of twenty-eight the patient was neuras-
thenic as a result of his excessive masturbation:
Then frequent pollutions in sleep occurred, which
weakened him very much. It was only occasionally that
he dreamed of men when he had pollutions; and never
of women. A lascivious dream-picture (pederasty) had
occurred but once. He dreamed of death-scenes, of being
attacked by dogs, etc. After these, as before, he suffered
with great libido serualis. Often there came up before
him such lascivious thoughts as gloating over the death of
animals in the slaughter-house, or allowing himself to be
whipped by boys; but he always overcame such desires,
and also the impulse to dress in a military uniform.
In order to cure himself of masturbation, and to thor-
oughly satisfy his libido, he determined to frequent broth-
els. He first attempted sexual intercourse with a woman
when twenty-one, after over-indulgence in wine. The
beauty of the female form, and female nudity in general,
made no impression on him. However, he was able to
enjoy the act of coitus, and thereafter he visited brothels
regularly for "purposes of health."
From this time he took preat pleasure in hearing men
tell stories of their sexual relations with the opposite sex.
Ideas of flagellation would al*o oonr1 to him while in
a brothel, but the retention of such fancies was not easen-
356 PSYCHOPATH! A SEXTTALIS.
tial for the performance of coitus. He considered sexual
intercourse with prostitutes only a' remedy against the de-
sire for masturbation and men, — a kind of safety-valve to
prevent compromising himself with some man.
The patient wished to marry, but feared not only that
he could have no love for a decent woman, but also that
he might be impotent for intercourse with her. Hence
his thought and need of medical advice.
The patient was very intelligent, and, in all respects,
was of masculine appearance. In dress and manner he pre-
sented nothing that would attract attention. Gait, voice
and frame, — the pelvis especially, — masculine in character.
Genitals of normal development. The normal growth
of hair for a male was abundant. The patient's relatives
and friends had not the slightest suspicion of his sexual
anomalies. In his inverted sexual fancies he had never
felt himself in the role of a woman toward a man. For
some years he had been entirely free from neurasthenic
troubles.
The question as to whether he considered himself a
subject of congenital sexual inversion he could not answer.
It seems probable that there was a congenital weak inclina-
tion for the opposite sex, with a greater one for the same
sex, which, as a result of early masturbation in conse-
quence of the homo-sexual instinct, was still more weak-
ened, but not reduced to nil. With the cessation of mas-
turbation, the feeling for women became in a measure
more natural, but only in a coarsely sensual way.
Since the patient explained that, for reasons of family
and business, it was necessary for him to marry, it was
impossible to eliminate this delicate point.
Fortunately, the patient confined himself to the ques-
tion as to his virility as a husband; and it was necessary
to reply that he was virile, and that he would probably be
so in conjugal intercourse with the wife of his choice, —
at least, if she were to be in mental sympathy with him;
moreover that he could at all times improve his power by
exercising his imagination in the right direction.
PSYCHICAL HZBMAPHBODITI81C. 357
The main object was to strengthen .the sexual inclina-
tion for the opposite sex, which was defective, but not ab-
solutely wanting. This could be done by avoiding and
opposing all homo-sexual feelings and impulses, possibly
with the help of the artificial inhibitory influences of hyp-
notic suggestion, (removal of homo-sexual desires by sug-
gestion) ; by the excitation and exercise of normal sexual
desires and impulses; by complete abstinence from mas-
turbation, and eradication of the remnants of the neuras-
thenic condition of the nervous system by means of hydro-
therapy, and possibly general faradisation.
Case 135. V., age twenty-nine, official ; father hypo-
chondriac, mother neuropathic; four other children nor-
mal; one sister homo-sexual.
V. was very talented, learned easily and had a most
excellent religious education. Very nervous and emo-
tional. At the age of nine he began to masturbate of his
own accord. When fourteen he recognised the danger
of this practice and fought with some success against it;
but he began to rave about male statuary, also about young
men. When puberty set in, he took slight interest in
women. At twenty, first coitus cum rauliere, but though
potent, he derived no satisfaction from it^ Afterwards
only faute de mieux (alxnit six times) hetero-sexual inter-
course.
He admitted to have had very frequently intercourse
with men (masturbatio mutua, coitus inter femora, inter-
dum in os). He took either the active or passive role.
At the consultation he was in despair and wept bitterly.
He abhorred his sexual anomaly, and said that he had des-
perately battled against it, but without success. In woman
he found only moderate animal satisfaction, psychical
gratification being totally absent. Yet he craved for the
happiness of family life.
Excepting an abnormally broad pelvis (100 cm.) there
was nothing in his character or personal appearance that
lacked the qualities of the masculine type.
358 PSYCIIOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
Case 136. K., age 30; in the family on his mother's
side there were several cases of insanity.
Both parents were neurasthenic, irritable and excitable,
and lived unhappily together.
K. had from his early childhood sympathy only for
men, chiefly for male servants.
Pollutions at the age of fourteen, often coupled with
homo-sexual dreams.
Descriptions of bullfights and tortures of animals
greatly excited him sexually.
When fifteen he began, of his own accord, auto-mas-
turbation. At the age of twenty-one, homo-sexual inter-
course with men (only mutual masturbation). Off and on
psychical onanism associated with thoughts of men.
His inclinations to women were of a transient nature.
When pressed to enter wedlock he could not decide in its
favour.
He never had coitus cum muliere partly because he
had no confidence in his virility, and partly from fear of
infection.
For years he was highly neurasthenic, which rendered
him for whole periods psychically unfit for any kind of
work. He was listless and devoid of energy, but in struc-
ture and personal appearance masculine. Genitals normal.
Advice: Treatment for neurasthenia, energetic combat
with homo-sexual desires, society of ladies, eventually coi-
tus condomatus. Wedlock, when suited, as His station in
life demanded it.
After four months K. returned. He had conscien-
tiously acted upon the medical advice, was successful in
coitus, dreamed of women, disdained the idea of sexual
relations with men, but during the heated season still ex-
perienced homo-sexual impulses (due to exacerbation of
neurasthenia, superinduced by the hot weather).
He hoped to marry at an early date, and anticipated
much happiness from the married state.
Case 137. Psychical liermaphroditism. Hetero-sex-
.MAi'iiuoi.rr 359
ual feeling early interfere! with by masturbation, but epi-
sodically vi TV intense. ll<»m<> -sexual feeling ab orirjiiic
erse (sexual excitation by men's boots).
Mr. X., of high social position, aged twenty-eight, came
to me in September, 1887, in a despairing mood, to con-
sult me on account of a perversion of his vita scxualis,
which made life seem almost unbearable to him, and which
had repeatedly brought him near to suicide. The patient
came of a family in which neuroses and psychoses had been
of frequent occurrence. In the father's family there had
been marriage between first cousins for three generations.
The father was said to have been a healthy man, and to
have lived morally in marriage. However, his father's
preference for fine-looking servants seemed remarkable to
the son. The mother's family was described as eccentric.
The mother's grandfather and great-grandfather die.d mel-
ancholic; her sister was insane; a daughter of the grand-
father's brother was hysterical, and had nymphoraania.
Only three of the mother's twelve brothers and sisters
married. Of these, one brother was homo-sexual, and al-
ways nervous as a result of excessive masturbation. The
patient's mother was said to have been a bigot of small
mental endowment, nervous, irritable, and inclined to mel-
ancholia.
Patient had a sister and a brother. The brother was
neuropathic and frequently melancholic; and, though
mature had never shown the slightest trace of sexual
inclinations. The sister was an acknowledged beauty, and
nmeh sought by gentlemen. This lady was married, but
ehildless, as reported, owing to the impotence of her hus-
band. She had always been indifferent to the attentions
shown her by men. but was charmed by female beauty,
and actually in love with some of her female friends.
With respect to himself, the pntiont asserted that when
four years old he dreamed of handsome jockeys wearing
shining boots. He never dreamed of women when he grew
older. His niirhtly pollutions were always induced by
"boot-dreams". From his fourth year be had a peculiar
360 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALI9.
partiality for men, or, more correctly, for lackeys wearing
shining boots. At first they only excited his interest, but
with development of his sexual functions, the sight of
them caused powerful erections and lustful pleasure. It
was only servants' boots that affected him; the same kind
of boots on persons of like social station were without
effect on him. In a homo-sexual sense, there was no sexual
impulse connected with these situations. Even the thought
of such a possibility was disgusting to him. At times, how-
ever, he had sensually coloured ideas — such as being his
servant's servant, and drawing off his boots; the idea of
being stepped on by him, or of having to blacken his boots,
was most pleasing. The pride of the aristocrat rose up
against such thoughts. In general, these notions about
boots were disgusting and painful to him.
Sexual instinct was early and powerfully developed.
It first found expression in indulgence in sensual thoughts
about boots, and, after puberty, in dreams accompanied by
pollutions; otherwise, mental and physical development
was undisturbed. Patient was well endowed mentally —
learned easily, finished his studies, and became an officer.
On account of his distinguished, manly appearance and
his high position, he was much sought in society.
He characterised himself as a clever, quiet, strong-
willed, but superficial man. He asserted that he was a
passionate hunter and rider, and that he had never had
any inclination for feminine pursuits. In the society of
ladies he had always been reserved; dancing always tired
him. He never had an interest in any lady of high social
position. As for women, only the buxom peasant girls,
such as are the models of painters in Rome, had taken his
fancy. He had, however, never felt any sexual interest
even in such representatives of the female sex. At thb
theatre and circus only male performers had attracted him ;
but, at the same time, they caused him no sensual feelings
As for men, only their boots excited him, and, indeed,
only when the wearers belonged to the servant class and
PSYCHICAL HEEMAPIIEODITISM. 361
were handsome men. Men of his own position, wearing
ever so fine boots, were absolutely indifferent to him.
With reference to his sexual inclinations, the patient
was still uncertain whether he felt these more toward the
opposite sex or his own. He was inclined to think that
originally he had more inclination for women, but that this
sympathy was, in any case, very weak. He stated with
certainty that the sight of a naked man made no impres-
sion on him, and that the sight of male genitals was even
repugnant to him. As for woman, this was not exactly the
case; but even the most beautiful feminine form did not
excite him sexually. When a young officer, he was now
and then compelled to accompany his comrades to brothels.
He was the more easily persuaded to this, since he hoped
by this means to get rid of his vile partiality for boots;
but he was impotent unless he brought the thought of
boots to his aid. Under such circumstances, the act of
cohabitation was normally performed, but without pleasur-
able feeling. Patient felt no impulse to intercourse with
women, always requiring some external cause — i.e., per-
suasion. Left to himself his vita sexualis consisted in rev-
elling in ideas about boots, and in corresponding dreams
coupled with pollutions. As the impulse to kiss his ser-
vant's boots, to draw them off, etc., became more and more
connected with these dreams and ideas the patient deter-
mined to use every means to rid himself of this disgust-
ing desire, which deeply wounded his pride. At that time,
being in his twentieth year, and in Paris, he recalled a
very beautiful peasant girl, who lived in his distant home.
He hoped, with her assistance, to free himself of his sexual
perversion. He went home, and tried to win the girl's
favour. He asserted that at that time he was deeply in
love with this person, and that the sight of her, or the
touch of her dress, gave him sensual pleasure; and, when
she once kissed him, he had a powerful erection. After
about a year and a half, the patient succeeded in gaining
his desires with this person.
rSYCIIOPATlIIA SEXUALIS.
He was potent, but ejaculated tardily (ten to twenty
minutes), and never had a pleasurable feeling in the act.
After about a year and a half of sexual intercourse
with this girl, his love for her grew cold, because he did
not find her so "fine and pure" as he wished. From this
time it was necessary for him to call upon ideas about boots
for help, which had been latent, in order to be potent in
sexual intercourse with her. In proportion as his power
failed, these ideas arose spontaneously. Thereafter he had
coitus with other women. Now and then, especially when
the woman was in sympathy with him, the act took place
without any assistance of imagination.
It once happened that the patient committed rape.
It is remarkable that on this single occasion he had a pleas-
urable feeling in the (forced) act. Immediately after the
deed he had a feeling of disgust. When, an hour after the
forced indulgence, he had coitus with the same woman,
with her consent, he experienced no feeling of pleasure.
With the decline of virility — i.e., when it was main-
tained only with ideas about boots — libido for the opposite
sex decreased. The patient's slight libido and weak in-
clination for women were evidenced by the fact that, while
he still sustained sexual relations with the peasant girl,
he began to masturbate. He learned the vice from
"Rousseau's Confessions," the book accidentally falling
into his hands. The boot-fancies immediately linked them-
selves with corresponding impulses. He then had violent
erections, masturbated, and ejaculation afforded him a
lively feeling of pleasure, which was denied to him in
coitus; and at first he felt himself mentally brighter and
fresher, as a result of masturbation.
In time, however, symptoms of sexual, and later on of
general neurasthenia, with spinal irritation, appeared. He
then temporarily gave up masturbation, and sought his
first love; but she was now more than ever indifferent to
him. Since he finally became impotent, even when he
called ideas of boots to his assistance, he gave up women
entirely, and again practised masturbation, which pro-
PSYCHICAL 1 1 1: K M A P 1 1 Id iDITISlf.
<1 him from the impulse to kiss and blacken, etc., ser-
vants' boots. At the saint- tim«-, ho felt his sexual position
keenly. He again occasionally attempted coitus, and was
successful in it as soon as he thought of blackened boots.
After continued abstinence from masturbation, he was at
times successful in coitus without any artificial an I.
The patient said that his sexual needs wore intense.
If no ejaculation had taken place for a long time, he be-
came congestive, psychically much excited, and tormented
by repugnant images of boots, so that he was forced to
have coitus, or, preferably, to masturbate.
During the past year his moral position became most
painfully complicated by the fact that, as the last of a
wealthy line of high position, and at the importunate de-
sire of his parents, he must marry. The bride was of rare
beauty, and mentally in perfect sympathy with him; but,
as a woman, she was as indifferent to him as any other.
J'sthetically she satisfied him "as any work of art would" ;
in his eyes, she was simply ideal. To honour her in a
platonic way would be happiness worth striving for; but
to possess her as a wife was a painful thought. He was
certain beforehand that with her he would be impotent,
save with the help of ideas of boots. To use such means,
however, was in opposition to his respect and his moral
and aesthetic feelings for the lady. Were he to soil her
with such thoughts, she would lose, in his eyes, all her
aesthetic value; and then he would become impotent for
her, and she would become repugnant to him. The patient
considered his position one of despair, and confessed that
he had of late been repeatedly near suicide.
He was a man of much intelligence, and decidedly of
masculine appearance, with abundant growth of beard,
deep voice, and normal genitals. The eye had a neuro-
pathic expression. No signs of degeneration. Symptoms
of spinal neurasthenia. It was possible to reassure the
patient, and give him hope of his future.
The medical advice consisted in means for combating
the neurasthenia, and the interdiction of masturbation and
364' P8YCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
indulgence of the fancy in images of boots, in the hope
that, with the removal of the neurasthenia, cohabitation
without ideas of boots would become possible ; and that, in
time, the patient would become morally and physically
capable of marriage.
In the latter part of October, 1888, the patient wrote
to me that he had resolutely resisted masturbation and his
imagination. In the interval he had had but one dream
about boots, and scarcely a pollution. He had been free
from homo-sexual inclinations, but, in spite of this, there
was often considerable sexual excitement, without any-
thing like adequate libido for woman. In this deplorable
situation, he was now compelled by circumstances to marry
in three months.
2. Homo-Sexual Individuals, or Urnings.
In contradistinction from the preceding group of
psycho-sexual hermaphrodites, there are here predominant,
i ob origine, sexual desires and inclinations for persons of
the same sex exclusively; but, in contrast with the follow-
ing group, the anomaly is limited to the vita sexualis, and
, does not more deeply and seriously affect character and
mental personality.
The vita sexualis of these urnings, mutatis mutandis,
is entirely like that in normal hetero-sexual love ; but, since
it is the exact opposite of the natural feeling, it becomes
a caricature, and the more so as these individuals, at the
same time, and as a rule, are subject to hypercesthesia sex-
ualis; for which reason, their love for their own sex is
emotional and passionate.
The urning loves and deifies the male object of his
affections, just as the normal man idealises the woman he
loves. He is capable of the greatest sacrifice for him, and
experiences the pangs of unhappy, often unrequited, love ;
he suffers from the disloyalty of the beloved object, and
is subject to jealousy, etc.
The attention of the male-loving man is given only to
HOMO-SEXUAL INDIVIDUALS. 365
male dancers, actors, athletes, statues, etc. The sight of
female charms i.-. indifferent t.. him, if not repulsive. A
naknl woman is disgusting to him, while the sight of male
hips, etc., affords him infinite pleasure.
I'.odily contact with a sympathetic man induces a thrill
of delight; and, since such individuals are in most cases
:illv neurasthenic (congenitally or from onanism or
enforced abstinence from sexual intercourse), under such
circumstances ejaculation is very easily induced, which
evm in the most intimate intercourse with women cannot
be induced at all, or only by mechanical means. The
sexual act with a man, in many instances, affords pleasure,
and leaves behind a feeling of comfort. Should the urning
be able to force himself to coitus, in which, as a rule, dis-
gust has the effect of an inhibitory character, and makes
the act possible, then his feeling is something like that
of a man compelled to take disgusting food or drink. How-
ever, experience teaches that not infrequently urnings be-
longing to this group marry, either from ethical or social
considerations.
Such unfortunates are relatively potent, in so far that
in marital intercourse they incite their imagination, and,
instead of thinking of their wives, they call up the image
of some loved male person. But for them coitus is a great
sacrifice, and no pleasure. It makes them, for days after,
nervous and miserable. If such urnings, by means of
powerful stimulation of their fancy, or under the influence
of alcoholic drink, or by erections induced by an overfilled
bladder, etc., are not enabled to overcome the inhibitory
feelings and ideas, then they are entirely impotent; while
the mere touch of a man may induce intense erection, and
even ejaculation.
Dancing with a woman is unpleasant to an urning,
but to dance with a man, especially one with an attractive
form, is to him the greatest of pleasures.
The male urniiii?, if he possess higher culture, is not
opposed to non-sexual intercourse with woman, when by
366 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALJ8.
mind and refinement they make conversation charming.
It is only woman in her sexual role that he abhors.
In this degree of sexual degeneration, character and
occupation correspond with the sex which the individual
represents. Sexual perversion remains an isolated anom-
aly of the mental being of the individual, deeply affecting
the social existence. In ace rdance with this, these indi-
viduals feel themselves during the sexual act in the same
role which would naturally be theirs in hetero-sexual inter-
course.
However, transitions to group 3 occur, inasmuch as
sometimes the passive role which corresponds with homo-
sexual feeling is thought of or desired, or at least forms
the subject of dreams. Moreover, leanings to occupations
and tendencies of taste are manifested which do not cor-
respond with the sex of the individual. In many cases
one gets the impression that such symptoms are artificial,
the result of educational influences; in other cases, that
they represent deeper acquired degenerations of the orig-
inal anomaly, superinduced by perverse sexual activity
(masturbation), and analogous to the signs of progressive
degeneration observed in acquired sexual inversion.
Regarding the manner of sexual satisfaction, it must
be stated that with many male urnings, the mere embrace
is sufficient to induce ejaculation, subject as they are to
irritable weakness of the sexual apparatus. In cases of
sexual hyperaesthesia, and of parsesthesia of the moral
sense, great pleasure is afforded by intercourse with persons
of the lowest condition.
On the same basis, desire to commit pederasty (active,
of course) and other similar aberrations occur, though it
is but seldom, and apparently only in cases of moral defect
and by reason of libido mimia in individuals especially
passionate, that active pederasty is indulged in.
The sexual desire of mature urnings, in contradistinc-
tion to old and decrepit debauchees, who prefer boys (and
indulge in pederasty by preference}, seems never to be
directed to immature males. Only for want of better
HOMO-SEXUAL INDIVIDUALS. 367
material, and in case of violent passion, does the urning
become dangerous to boys.
Case 138. Z., age thirty-six, wholesale merchant;
parents were said to have been healthy ; physical and men-
tal development normal; irrelevant children's disease?; at
fourteen onanism of his own accord; began to rave about
boys of his own age when fifteen. Never took the slight-
est notice of the opposite sex.
At twenty-four he went for the first time to a brothel,
but took to flight when he saw the nude female figure.
At twenty-five sexual intercourse with men of his own
stamp (fervent embraces with ejaculation, at times mutual
masturbation).
For business reasons, and with a view to cure his abnor-
mal passion, he married at the age of twenty-eight a lady
endowed with many physical and mental charms. By the
aid of imagination (thinking of intercourse with a hand-
some young man), Z. succeeded in being potent with his
wife, whom at heart he loved passionately. This strain,
however, superinduced neurasthenia. When a child was
'born he gradually withdrew from his wife, who was any-
how endowed with a frigid nature, chiefly because he was
haunted by the fear of procreating offspring afflicted with
Jiis own anomaly.
Homo-sexual feelings and thoughts began to sway him
again, which he sought to eradicate by means of mastur-
bation.
He fell in love with a handsome young man, but over-
came the weakness at the cost of his own health as the
severe struggle brought on a pronounced attack of cerebral
neurasthenia. lie came to me for advice, as his homo-
sexual tendency had become too powerful to be resisted any
longer. He was afraid that his secret affliction might be
discovered, thus rendering his position in society impossi-
ble. Like many of his fellow-sufferers he had taken to
drink. Although he found that alcohol relieved his nerv-
368 PSYCHOPATHIA SKXTTALIS.
ou8 disorders (physical weakness, psychical inertness and
depression), his libido was increased.
Z. was a man of refined thought, mentally well en-
dowed, in appearance masculine and normal. He deeply
deplored his position and loathed his weakness to auto-
masturbation (at times also mutual).
Mutual kisses and embraces satisfied him. Morally, he
said, he had sunk so low that he would feign abandon him-
self to this perverse passion were it not for the considera-
tion he had for his wife and child.
My advice was to strenuously combat these homo-sexual
impulses, perform his marital duties whenever possible,
eschew alcohol and masturbation, which increases homo-
sexual feelings and kills the love for woman, and undergo
treatment for neurasthenia. If he could not find relief
and the situation became unbearable he must confine him-
self to kisses and embraces with the male.
Case 139. V., age thirty-six, merchant; mother
psychopathic ; sister healthy ; brother neuropsychopathic.
V. was early drawn to persons of his own sex, at first
to school- and playmates; with the advent of puberty to
achilts ; never to persons of the opposite sex whose charms
had no interest for him. At the age of six he felt annoyed
at not being a girl. Dolls and girls' games he always pre-
ferred.
At twelve a schoolmate seduced him to masturbate.
His dreams (with pollutions when virile) were exclusively
of an homo-sexual character. He practised mutual mas-
turbation with men, coitus inter femora, exceptionally
succio membri alterius. He had felt a pronounced position
as to the active or passive role in the act. Rarely and
only faute de mieux coitus cum muliere. He was potent
when he thought during the act of a man, but never expe-
rienced real pleasure. The sexual act with a woman ap-
peared to him as a miserable substitute for the homo-sexual
act. During recent years intimate relations with a young
man.
HOMO-SEXUAL INDIVIDUALS. 369
V. acknowledged the abnormality of his vita sexualis.
ituls normal. Secondary physical and psychical
sexual characteristics thoroughly masculine. No patholog-
ical conditions. Arrested for having committed mutual
masturbation, he was tried, found guilty and sent to prison.
He felt his sentence keenly, but only because it brought
dishonour to him and his family. He could not help feeling
and acting in his abnormal manner.
Case 140. H., age thirty, member of high society;
mother neuropathic.
When a boy he felt drawn 4o his schoolmates. At the
age of fourteen a playmate older than himself committed
paedicatio on him. He liked it, but nevertheless felt pangs
of conscience and never allowed the act to be repeated
again. Later on he practised mutual masturbation. As
neurasthenia increased it sufficed when he embraced and
pressed a companion to himself to produce ejaculation. He
confined himself to this method when seeking satisfaction.
He never had a liking for persons of the other sex and was
unconscious of his anomaly. At twenty he made some at-
tempts, apud puellas, in order to cure his vita sexualis.
Up to that time he had looked upon his abnormal prac-
tices merely as a youthful aberration. He was potent in
coitus, but derived no gratification from it, for which rea-
son he turned to man again. His weakness was for young
men eighteen to twenty years of age. He had no sympathy
for men older than that. He never played a well defined
role in his relations with other men, but his social situa-
tion affected him keenly. He was forever haunted by the
fear of detection, and said he could never survive the
shame of it. There was nothing in habits or behaviour
Avhich betrayed antipathic sexual instinct. Genitals nor-
mal. No signs of degeneration. He had no faith in ever
changing his abnormal sexuality. For women he had no
taste whatsoever.
Case 141. Y., age forty, manufacturer; father neu-
24
370 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
ropatliic; died of cerebral apoplexy; mother's family with
taint of insanity; two other children of the family, though
sexually normal, were constitutionally neuropathic. At
eight masturbation of his own accord. At fifteen he felt
drawn to other handsome boys of his own age, of whom he
seduced several to masturbation. With puberty he was
attracted by youths seventeen to twenty years of age, but
they must be beardless arid have pretty, soft and girl-like
features. Girls had no charm for him.
He soon recognized the pathological character of his
vita sexualis; but he considered his method of satisfying
his abnormal needs as in accordance with nature and felt
no remorse. To touch a woman was loathsome to him. He
had twice attempted coitus, but without success. In like
manner, he looked upon auto-masturbation as a filthy act.
He averred that he had honestly striven to strip off this
dreadful impulse, which made an outcast of him before the
whole world. But all his efforts were in vain, for he felt
forced by nature to seek satisfaction in his own manner.
He always played the active rule and confined himself en-
tirely to acts not proscribed by the law of the land. Yet
he became involved in some affair, lost his position, which
was one of confidence and good remuneration, became a
vagabond until he decided to cross the ocean and begin a
new life. Being clever and honourable he succeeded.
When first I met Y., he was in despair and firmly con-
templated suicide, especially since a medical man had
failed with hypnotic treatment, on account of Y. not
reacting to suggestion.
He was inclined to neurasthenia. Penis small. No
pathological symptoms. Masculine in every respect.
Case 142. T., age thirty-four; merchant; mother
neuropathic and weakly; father healthy. At the age of
nine a schoolmate taught him how to masturbate. He
practised mutual masturbation with his brother, who slept
with him in the same bed; once receptio membri in os.
On one occasion, when yet a boy, it happened quod Iambi t
HOMO-SEXUAL INDIVIDUALS. 371
locum quo prius mile* urinaverat At fourteen first love
for a schoolmate of ten. At the age of seventeen lie
took a dislike to handsome young men, and centred his
affection in decrepid old nn n.
One night he heard his aged father "give a groan of
sexual satisfaction." This excited him immensely as he
imagined his father performing the marital act. Since
that time the picture of old men performing the homo-
sexual act enlivened his dreams (with pollution), and was
• •nt in his mind during masturbation. The older, the
more decrepid and feeble the old man was, when he saw
such, the stronger his sexual excitement would be even
unto ejaculation. At twenty-three he sought a cure with
a prostitute ; but erection failed him, and he made no other
attempts. Young men and boys left him callous.
At twenty-nine he conceived a violent love for an old
man whom he accompanied for years on his daily walks.
Intimate relations were, however, precluded. But he often
had ejaculations on these walks. To free himself of this
humiliating situation he once more went to a prostitute,
but it proved a fiasco. lie now fell upon the idea to hire
a decrepid old man, take him along and make him have
coitus whilst he looked on. This caused erection in him,
and he was able to have coitus himself. The act, however,
gave him no pleasure, but he felt psychically relieved,
especially when he was potent in the absence of the old
man. But this did not last long. He became sexually and
generally neurasthenic, depressed, shy and impotent, and
gave himself up to psychical onanism coupled with
thoughts of old men in homo-sexual situations.
T. was masculine in appearance, and presented no
special marks beyond his heavy sexual neurasthenia.
Case 143. Z., age twenty-eight, merchant; father
very nervous and irritable; mother hysteropathic. He
was himself constitutionally nervous, suffered from enure-
Bis to his eighteenth year, and was a frail boy. Proper
physical development really began only when he waa
372 PSYC1IOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
twenty years of age. The first sexual emotions he experi-
enced when, a boy of eight, he witnessed other boys being
caned ad podicem. Although he felt compassion for the
boys, he yet had a feeling of lustful pleasure pervading his
whole body. Some time afterwards he was late for school
and on the way the anticipation of a caning ad podicem
excited him so much that for a short time he could not
move and had a violent erection.
At eleven he fell in love with a "beautiful, blond boy
who had wondrously lovely, intelligent and lustrous eyes."
It gave him immense pleasure to see this boy home,
and he often craved for kisses and caresses from him. But
he recognized the unbecoming nature of this desire, and
did not allow the boy to have an inkling of them.
At that time he met a girl once, two years his junior,
who pleased him so much that he covered her with kisses.
This, however, remained a solitary episode.
At thirteen he was seduced to onanism. But he did
not cultivate the habit, as he found protection in his "more
refined feelings for young men" and disdained to "drag
his pure, divine love" in the gutter.
At seventeen he became desperately enamored with a
companion "with lovely brown eyes, noble features and
dark complexion". He suffered untold tortures through
this unhappy love for two and one-half years, when he
was separated from his companion. If ever he were to
meet him again, the old fire would be certain to flare up
anew. On two other occasions he fell in love with com-
rades, but not so violently as in the first instance. At
twenty he had coitus, but derived no pleasure from the act.
He continued his relations with women for the purpose
of avoiding masturbation, to appear potent and to mask
his homo-sexual tendency.
Although he had no horror feminsp, women did not
excite him. "A woman is a work of art, a statue."
Endowed with a strong will power he was able to mas-
ter his abnormal inclination! But his sexual position ap-
peared to him unsatisfactory, especially as he looked upon
MO-SEXUAL INDIVIDUALS. 373
coitus as a coarsely sensual enjoyment, and erection became
difficult
In the n.iisultation no abnormal signs could be de-
tected, lie app< an (1 to be virile and mentally sound.
Case 144. P., age thirty-seven ; mother very nervous,
suffered from migraine. As a boy he was subject to attacks
of hysteria gravis. Was always drawn to handsome young
men and became highly excited when he could see their
genitals. With puberty he practised mutual masturbation
with men; but they must be about twenty-five to thirty
years old. He played the female role in the sexual act.
He loved with the whole intensity of woman, and only
posed as a man like an actor on the stage. Other boys
sneered at him on account of his girlish ways and habits.
In the hope of correcting his vita sexualis he married. He
forced himself to coitus with the wife and produced po-
tency by imagining her to be a young man. They had
one child. But he himself became neurasthenic, his imag-
ination waned and he became potent. For two years
he avoided coitus, resumed his homo-sexual practices and
was apprehended by the police in the act of mutual mas-
turbation with a young man.
He pleaded that prolonged sexual abstinence had un-
duly excited him when he saw the genitals of a man and
in his confusion he had yielded to the impulse.
There was no amnesia. Thoroughly virile. Decent
appearanee. Genitals normal. Short imprisonment.
Case 145. N., aged forty-one, unmarried. Father
and mother near relatives, but both psychically normal.
An uncle on the father's side was insane. N.'s brothers
\\( TO hyper- and hetero-sexual. At the age of nine he felt
strong inclinations to other boys. At fifteen mutual mas-
turbation and coitus inter femora.
At sixteen a love affair with a young man. His homo-
sexual love developed, so he clailned, just as the love affairs
between man and woman do in novels.
374 PSYCIIOPATUIA SEXUALI8.
Only handsome young men of the age of twenty to
twenty-four attracted him. His erotic dreams were solely
homo-sexual. He played the female role, also in actual
intercourse with men.
His soul was of feminine character, so he said. He
never cared for boys' games, only for cooking and girls'
work. Manly sports and smoking and drinking he dis-
dained. He led a varied life, served as cook in a foreign
country and gave great satisfaction; but he lost his place
because he entered upon a love-affair with the son of his
employer.
At twenty-two he recognized the abnormality of his
sexual position. He became alarmed and began to fre-
quent brothels to cure himself of his perverse habits, but
erection absolutely failed him.
When his family discovered the true state of affairs he
became confused with shame and made an attempt on his
own life. But he recovered, went abroad (cast out by his
family), disgusted with himself and his unhappy life. His
only hope was that with old age relief would come. He
came for medical advice to find "honour and rest." The
secondary physical sexual characteristics were quite nor-
mal and of the masculine type. Genitals normal. He
thought of castration or entering a monastery.
Advice: Suggestive treatment.
Case 146. On a summer evening, at twilight, X.
Y., a physician of a city in North Germany, was detected
by a watchman while committing a misdemeanour with a
countryman in a field. He was practising masturbation
on him, and then mentulam alius in os suum immisit. X.
escaped legal prosecution by flight. The authorities dis-
missed the complaint, because there had been no publicity,
and because immissio membri in anum had not taken place.
Among X.'s effects was found an extensive correspond-
ence of a perverse sexual character, which showed that
he had had perverse intercourse for years with all classes
of people.
\CO-SEXCAI. I/CIMVIDUALS. 375
X. came of a neurotic family. Ilia paternal grand-
father died by suicide while insane. Ilia father waa a
weak, peculiar man. One brother masturbated at the age
of two. A cousin was sexually perverse, and practised
I ><T verse acts, similar to those of X., while a youth; he
became weak-minded, and died of spinal disease. A pater-
nal great-uncle was an hermaphrodite. His mother's sister
was insane. His mother is said to have been healthy. X.'s
brother is nervous and irascible.
X., likewise, was nervous as a child. The mewing of
a cat would create great fear in him; and if one but imi-
tated the voice of a cat he would cry bitterly, and run
to others for protection. Slight physical disturbance
caused violent fever. He was a quiet, dreamy child, of
excitable imagination, but of slight mental capabilities.
He did not indulge much in boyish games; he preferred
feminine pursuits. It gave him especial pleasure to curl
the hair of the housemaid or of his brother.
At thirteen X. went to an institute. There he prac-
tised mutual masturbation, seduced his comrades, and his
cynical conduct made him unmanageable; so that he had
to be taken home. At that time the parents found love-
letters with lascivious contents, showing perverse sexuality.
From the age of seventeen he studied under the strict
surveillance of a professor in a gymnasium. He made but
sad progress in learning. He had only a talent for music.
After finishing his studies, the patient entered the uni-
versity at the age of nineteen. There he attracted attention
by his cynical character and his association with young
persons who were thought to be given to masculine love.
He began to be dandified; wore striking cravats, and low
cut shirts; he forced his feet into narrow shoes, and curled
his hair in a remarkable way. This peculiarity disappeared
when he left school and returned home.
At the age of twenty-four he was for a long time neu-
rasthenic. From that time until hia twenty-ninth year
h<- was earnest and skilful in his profession; but he avoided
376 PSYCHOPATH I A SEXUALIS.
the society of the opposite sex, and constantly associated
with men of doubtful character.
The patient would not allow a personal examination.
In writing, he made the excuse that this would be of no
use, because his impulse to his own sex had existed from
his earliest childhood, and was congenital. He had always
had horror femina?, and had never been inclined to avail
himself of the charms of women. Toward men he felt
himself in the role of a man. He recognised his impulse
toward his own sex as abnormal, and excused his sexual
indulgence as being the result of an abnormal natural con-
dition.
Since his flight, X. lived out of Germany, in Southern
Italy, and, as I heard from a letter, now, as before, he
indulged in perverse love. X. was an earnest, stately man,
of masculine features, well-grown beard, and normally de-
veloped genitals. Dr. X. furnished me a short time ago
with his autobiography, of which the following is worthy
of mention: —
"When, at the age of seven, I entered a private school,
I felt very uncomfortable, and found very little sympathy
with my companions. Only toward one of them, who was
a very handsome child, did I feel attracted, and I loved
him wildly. In childish games I always knew how to
arrange it so that I could appear in feminine attire; and
my greatest pleasure was to form intricate coiffures for
our servant-girls. I often regretted that I was not a girl.
"My sexual instinct awakened when I was thirteen,
and from the moment of its appearance it was directed
toward youthful, strong men. At first I was not really
certain that this was abnormal, but consciousness of it came
when I saw and heard how my companions were charac-
terized sexually. I began to masturbate at the age of
thirteen. At seventeen I left home and went to the gym-
nasium of a large capital, where I was put to board with
a married professor of the gymnasium, with whose son I
afterward had sexual relations. It was with him that I
first had sexual satisfaction. Thereafter I made the ao-
HOMOSEXUAL IM'IMDUALS. 377
<iuuintance of a young artist, who very soon noticed that
I was abnormal, and confessed to me that be was in tbe
same condition. I learned from him that tliir abnormality
was very frequent; ami tlii> kimwlcdgo overcame the
trouble that I had had in supposing that I was alone in
my abnormality. This young man had an extensive ac-
quaintance with persons in like condition, to which he
introduced me. There I became the object of general
attention, for on all sides I was declared to be very attract-
ive physically. I soon became insanely loved by an old
gentleman; but, not finding him to my taste, I endured
him but a short time, and then gave ear to a young and
handsome officer who lay at my feet He was really my
first love.
"After passing my final examination, at the age of
nineteen, free from the discipline of school I made the
acquaintance of a great number of people like myself, and
among them Karl Ulrichs (Numa Numantius).
"When, later, I took up the study of medicine, and
associated with many normal youths, I was often in a posi-
tion where I was compelled to visit public prostitutes.
After having consorted to no purpose with various pros-
titutes, some of whom were very beautiful, the opinion was
spread among my acquaintances that I was impotent, and
I strengthened this by telling of previous sexual excesses.
At that time I had numerous external relations with per-
sons who prized my physical peculiarities, which were
considered very beautiful. The result of this was, that I
was exciting somebody all the time; and I received such a
mass of love-letters that I was often in embarrassment.
The acme of this was reached later, when, as a physician,
I lived in the hospital. There I moved about like a cele-
brated person, and the scenes of jealousy that took place
on my account almost led to the discovery of the whole
thing. Shortly after this, I fell ill with an inflammation
of my shoulder-joint, from which I recovered after three
months. During this illness I received subcutaneous in-
jections of morphine several times daily, which were sud-
378 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
denly discontinued, and which I practised thereafter
secretly after my recovery. For the purpose of special
study, I spent some months in Vienna, before entering into
private practice, and there, by means of some recommen-
dations, I gained entrance to various circles of people like
myself. I there learned that the abnormality in question,
in its various forms, is spread through the lower classes
as well as the higher, and that those who are approachable
for money are not infrequently met among the higher
classes.
"When I established myself in the country, I hoped
to cure myself of the morphine habit by means of cocaine;
and then I became a victim of cocaine, of which, only
after three relapses, I was able to rid myself (about two
years ago). In my position, it was impossible for me to
find sexual satisfaction, and I noticed with pleasure that
the use of cocaine had overcome my desire. When, on
the first occasion, at the urgent request of my aunt, I had
emancipated myself from cocaine, I travelled for a few
weeks in order to improve my health, the perverse im-
pulses were again awakened in their old strength, and,
one evening, while out in the fields by the city amusing
myself with a man, I noticed that I had been detected by
the authorities and advertised; but that the act of which
I was accused was not punishable, in accordance with the
opinion expressed by the highest court of the German
kingdom. I had, therefore, to be careful; for already the
announcement of the crime had been heralded on all sides.
I saw that after this I should be compelled to leave Ger-
many, and find a new home where neither the law nor
public opinion would be opposed to that impulse, which,
like all abnormal instincts, could not be overcome by the
will. Since I was never deceived for a moment about
the matter, in recognizing my impulses as opposed to social
usages, I repeatedly attempted to become master of them ;
but by these efforts they were increased in power. This
same observation has been communicated to me by ac-
quaintances. Since I was exclusively drawn toward strong,
HoUO-BEXUAL INDIVIDUALS. 879
youthful and masculine individuals, and they were very
seldom inelim-d i» vit 'Id to my wishes, 1 was compelled
to buy them. Since my desire was limited to persons of
the lower classes, I was always able to tiiul such as were
purchasable with money. I hope that the following state-
is will not awaken your repugnance. At first I in-
tended to omit them; but, for the completeness of this
communication, I may include them, since they serve to
enrich the clinical material. I am compelled to perform
the sexual act in the following way: —
' T< -ne juvcnis in os recepto, ita ut commovendo ore
meo effecerhn, ut is quern cupio, semen ejaculaverit,
in periiui-um exspuo, femora comprimi jubeo et
meuin adversus et intra femora compressa immitto.
1 him luec Hunt, necesse est, ut juvenis me, quantum potest,
amplectatur. Quae prius me fccisse narravi, eandem mihi
afferunt voluptatem, acsi ipse ejaculo. Ejaculationem
in aiiuin iiuinittendo vel manu terendo assequi, mihi
nequaquam amoenum est.
"Sed inveni, qui penem meum receperint atque ea
facientes, quae supra exposui, effecerint, ut libidines mea
plane sint saturate?.
"Concerning my person, I must still mention the fol-
lowing: I am 180 centimetres tall, of masculine appear-
ance, and with the exception of abnormal irritability of
the skin, healthy. My hair and beard are black and thick.
My genitals are of medium size and normally formed. I
am able, without any trace of fatigue, to perform the
sexual act from four to six times in twenty-four hours.
My life is very regular. I use alcohol and tobacco very
sparingly. I play the piano quite well, and some of my
unpretentious compositions have been much applauded. I
have lately finished a novel, which, as my first work, has
very favourably critiei--ed by my friends. The story
has several problems taken from the life of urn ings in the
>ul»ject-matter.
"Aiiioni: the large number of fellow-sufferers that are
personally known to me, I have naturally been in a poei-
380 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXTJALIS.
tion to make observations concerning the condition and
the degrees of abnormality; and, perhaps, the following
communications may be of service to you : —
"The most abnormal thing that I am acquainted with
was the impulse of a gentleman who lived in Berlin. He
preferred, above all others, young fellows with unwashed
feet, which he would lick passionately. A gentleman in
Leipzig was similar to him; who, where it was possible,
would linguam in anum immittere, preferring the parts to
be uncleaned. Several have assured me that the sight of
riding-boots or of parts of military uniforms induced such
excitement in them that spontaneous ejaculation resulted.
A man in Paris compelled a friend ut in os ei mingat.
"With reference to the degree in which many feel
themselves as women, which is with me not the case, two
persons in Vienna are examples. They bore feminine
names. One is a barber who calls himself 'French Laura ;'
the other was formerly a butcher, who calls himself 'Sel-
cher-Fanny'. Both of them never missed an opportunity
during the carnival time, to show themselves in very fan-
tastic feminine masks. In Hamburg there is a person that
many people believe to be a woman, because he always
goes about the house in feminine attire, and only occa-
sionally leaves the house, and always in such clothing.
This man wished to stand as godmother at a christening,
and, as a result of it, gave rise to great scandal.
"Feminine timidity, frivolity, obstinacy and weakness
of character are the rule in such individuals.
"Several cases of perverse sexuality are known to me
in whom epilepsy and psychoses are present. Hernias are
remarkably frequent. In practice many persons come to
me to be treated for diseases of the anus, because of rec-
ommendation by friends. I saw two syphilitic and one
local chancre, and several fissures; and at present I am
treating a gentleman for condylomata of the anus, which
form a rounded tnmor as lanre as a fist. One case of
primary affection of the soft palate I saw in Vienna, in a
young man who used to frequent fancy-dress balls in girl's
HOMO-SEXUAL INDIVIDUALS. 381
attire, and entice young men; lie would then pretend that
he was menstruating, and thus induce tin- others to use
him per os. The assertion was made that in this way he
had deceived fourteen men in one evening. Since, in none
of the publications concerning antipathic sexuality that I
have seen, I have found anything concerning the inter-
course of pederasts among themselves, I venture to com-
municate something concerning it in conclusion: —
"As soon as individuals that are affected with inverted
sexuality become acquainted, there is a detailed narration
of their experiences, loves and seductions, as far as the
social difference between them allows such entertainment.
Only in very few cases is this amusement uncommon with
new acquaintances. Among themselves, they call them-
selves 'aunts'; in Vienna, 'sisters'; and two very mascu-
line public prostitutes in Vienna, whom I accidentally
became acquainted with, and who lived in a perverse sex-
ual relation with each other, told me that for the corre-
sponding condition in women the name 'uncle' was used.
Since I became conscious of my abnormal instinct I have
met thousands of such individuals.
"Almost every large city has some meeting-place, as
well as a so-called promenade. In smaller cities there
are relatively few 'aunts,' though in a small town of 2300
inhabitants I found eight, and in one of 7000 eighteen of
whom I was absolutely sure, — to say nothing of those
ulmm I suspected. In my own town of 30,000 inhabitants
I personally know about 120 'aunts'. The greater number
of them, and I especially, possess the capability of judging
another immediately as to whether they are alike or not,
which, in the language of the 'aunts,' is called 'reason-
able' or 'unreasonable'. My acquaintances are often as-
tounded at the certainty of my judgment. Individuals
that are apparently absolutely masculine I recognize as
'aunts' at the first sight. On the other hand, I am able to
behave myself in such a masculine way that, in circles to
which I have been introduced by acquaintances, there is
382 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALJS.
a doubt as to my genuineness. When I am in the mood,
I can act exactly like a girl.
"Since the majority of 'aunts,' like myself, in no way
regret their abnormality, but would be sorry if the condi-
tion were to be changed ; and, moreover, since the congeni-
tal condition, according to my own and all other experi-
ence, cannot be influenced, all our hope rests upon the
possibility of a change of the laws with reference to it, so
that only rape or the commission of public offence, when
this can be proved at the same time, shall be punishable."
3. Effemination.
There are various transitions from the foregoing cases
to those making up this category, characterised by the
degree in which the psychical personality, especially in
general manner of feeling and inclinations, is influenced
by the abnormal sexual feeling. In this group are fully
developed cases in which males are females in feeling; and
vice versa women, males. This abnormality of feeling
and of development of the character is often apparent in
childhood. The boy likes to spend his time with girls,
play with dolls, and help his mother about the house; he
likes to cook, sew, knit; he develops tastes in female
toilettes, and even becomes the adviser of his sisters. As
he grows older he eschews smoking, drinking and manly
sports, and, on the contrary, finds pleasure in adornment
of persons, art, belle-lettres, etc., even to the extent of
giving himself entirely to the cultivation of the beautiful.
Since woman possesses parallel inclinations, he prefers to
move in the society of women.
If he can assume the role of a female at a masquerade
it is his greatest delight. He seeks to please his lover, so
to speak, by studiously trying to represent what pleases
the female-loving man in the opposite sex — modesty, sweet-
ness, taste for aBsthetics, poetry, etc. Efforts to approach
the female appearance in gait, attitude and attire are fre-
quently seen.
EFFEMINATIOW. 383
With reference to the sexual feeling and instinct of
these urnings, so thoroughly permeated in all their mental
being, the men, without exception, feel themselves to be
females. Thus they feel themselves to be antagonistic to
persons of their own sex constituted like themselves, as of
course, they are like them in form. But, on the other
hand, they are drawn toward those of their own sex that
are homo-sexual or sexually normal. The same jealousy
wlu'ch occurs in normal sexual life also occurs here, when
rivalry is threatened; and, indeed, since they are, as a rule,
hvpersesthetic sexually, this jealousy is often boundless.
In cases of completely developed inverted sexuality,
hetero-sexual love is looked upon as a thing absolutely in-
comprehensible; sexual intercourse with a person of the
opposite sex is unthinkable, impossible. Such an attempt
brings on the inhibitory concept of disgust or even horror,
which makes erection impossible. Only two of my cases
transitional to the third category were able, with the aid
of imagination which made the female in question assume
the role of man, to have coitus for the time being; but
the act, which yielded no gratification, was a great sacri-
fice, and afforded no pleasure.
In homo-sexual intercourse effeminated man feels him-
self in the act always as a woman. The means of indul-
gence, where there is irritable weakness of the ejaculation
centre, are simply succubus, or passive coitus inter femora;
in other cases, passive masturbation, or ejaculaiio viri di-
lecti in ore. Some have a desire for passive pederasty;
occasionally a desire for active pederasty occurs. In one
attempt of this kind, the man desisted because of the dis-
gust which seized him when the act reminded him of
coitus.
There was never inclination for immature persons (boy-
love.) Not infrequently there were only platonic desires.
Case 147. E., aged thirty-one, son of an inveterate
drunkard. No other taint in the family. Grew up in a
village. At the age of six he began to feel happy when
384 PSYCHOPATH IA 8EXUALIS.
in the company of men with beards. At the age of eleven
he began to blush whenever he met a handsome man, and
dared not look at them. He was at ease when in the com-
pany of women. He wore girl's garments up to his sev-
enth year, and was very unhappy when he was deprived
of them. Occupation in the kitchen and about the house
he liked best. Ilis school time passed without events.
Now and then he had intimate liking for a certain school-
mate, but this wore off.
Dreams of men with beards clad in blue clothes became
more frequent.
He joined an athletic society that he might converse
with men, liked to go to balls, not on account of the girls,
who were a matter of indifference to him, but to see the
fine men, thinking all the time that he was in the embrace
of one of them. He felt lonely, however, and dissatisfied,
and gradually became conscious of being quite unlike the
other young fellows. All his thoughts and aims were to
find a man who could love him.
At seventeen he was seduced by another man to mutual
masturbation. Delight, shame and fear were the reaction.
He recognized the abnormality of his sexual feelings, be-
came depressed, came near committing suicide. He finally
became reconciled with his abnormal position and craved
for men, but being shy by nature he found but little op-
portunity. He felt uneasy when girls sought his company.
When twenty-six he went to live in a large city and now
found plenty of opportunities for homo-sexual intercourse.
For some time he lived with another man of his own age
as husband and wife. He felt happy in the role of woman.
Sexual gratification was obtained by mutual masturbation
and coitus inter femora.
He was a skilful workman, well liked, and in appear-
ance and behaviour masculine. Genitals normal. No
signs of degeneration.
His younger brother was also homo-sexual.
Two sisters, who both died young, avoided men, never
EFF KM i: NATION. 385
cared for work in the kitchen, but preferred that in the
stable, and were skilful in all handicrafts of m< n.
Case 148. C., age twenty-eight, gentleman of lei-
sure; father neuropathic; mother very nervous. One
brother suffered from paranoia, another was psychically
degenerated. Three younger members of the family were
normal.
C. was neuropathically tainted; slight convulsive tic.
As long as he can remember he felt drawn to male per-
sons, at first only to his schoolmates. When puberty set
in he fell in love with male teachers, who used to visit at
the house of his parents. He felt himself in the female
role. His dreams, with pollutions, were always about men.
He was gifted in music and poetry and loved the theatre.
For science, especially mathematics, he had no talents and
passed his final examinations only with difficulty. Psychic-
ally, he declared, he was a woman. Loved to play with
dolls and concerned himself by preference with woman's
affairs, disdaining all the pursuits of men. He liked best
the society of young girls, because they were sympathetic
and had an affinity of soul. When in the company of men
he was shy and confused like a maiden. He never
smoked, and disliked alcoholic drinks. He feign would
have liked to spend his time in cooking, knitting and em-
broidering. He had no libido. Sexual intercourse with
men only a few times, although his ideal was to play the
role of the woman on such occasions. Coitus cum muliere
he abhorred. After reading "Psychopathia Sexualis," he
became alarmed, was afraid of coming in conflict with the
police and avoided sexual relations with men. But pollu-
tions became very frequent, and neurasthenia supervened.
He came for medical advice.
C. had an abundant beard, and was of a decidedly mas-
culine type, excepting soft features and a remarkably fine
skin. (Irnitals normal, except a deficient dcscensus of
one of the testicles. In his behaviour, gait, and appearance
nothing unusual, though he had the illusion that everybody
25
386 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALM.
noticed his abnormal sexual proclivity. He shunned soci-
ety for that reason. Lascivious talk made him blush like
a maiden. Once when someone turned the topic of con-
versation on antipathic sexual instinct, he fainted. Music
brought on a heavy perspiration all over his body. Upon.
closer acquaintance he showed psychical femininity; he
was as timid as a girl, and without a vestige of independ-
ence. Nervous restlessness, convulsive tic, numerous neu-
rasthenic complications put on him the stamp of a consti-
tutionally tainted neuropathic individual.
Case 149. B., waiter, forty-two years of age, un-
married, was sent to me by his own physician (with whom
he had fallen in love), as a case of sexual inversion. B.
gave readily in modest language an account of his vita
anteacta and especially sexualis. He seemed pleased to
obtain at last an authentic explanation of his abnormal
state which he had always considered a disease.
B. possessed no knowledge of his grandparents. The
father was of an irascible, excitable nature, a drinker, and
of strong sexual wants. After begetting twenty-four chil-
dren with the same woman, he obtained a divorce, and
after that had three children by his housekeeper. The
mother was a healthy woman. Of the twenty-four
children only six are now among the living, several of
whom suffer from nervous affections, but are sexually nor-
mal, except one sister who for ever runs after the men.
B. claimed to have always been delicate and sickly.
His vita sexualis awoke at the age of eight. He began
to masturbate and derived much pleasure from penem
aliorum puerorum in os arrigere. At the age of twelve he
began to fall in love with men, preferring those in the
thirties and with moustache. His sexual needs at that
period were extraordinary and erections and pollutions
were frequent. He masturbated daily, thinking of some
man whom he loved. His ambition was always penem
viri in os arrigere, which thought caused ejaculation ac-
companied by the utmost lust. But only twelve times
ZFFEMINATION. 387
tnus far had he been successful in this. He never felt
nausea at the penis of others if they were sympathetic; on
the contrary. Active as well as passive pederasty dis-
gusted him thoroughly and he never accepted such offers.
During the perverse act he played the role of woman. His
love for sympathetic men was boundless. He could do any-
thing for the man whom he thus loved, and when beholding
him he trembled with excitement and lustful feelings.
When nineteen he was several times lured by his com-
panions to a brothel, but coitus did not please him and
only at the moment of ejaculation did he experience a sort
of gratification. lie could only be virile with woman
when he thought of her during the act as the man whom
he loved. He much rather would have preferred the
woman to allow him immissio penis in os; but she refused.
Faute de mieux he indulged in coitus; twice even he was
a father. The younger of the two children, now a girl of
eight, has already begun masturbation and mutual onan-
ism, which fact troubled him very much. Was there no
remedy for this?
Patient said that towards men he always felt himself
to be of feminine type (this also during sexual intercourse).
His idea was that this sexual perversion originated from
the fact that his father when begetting him wished to
beget a girl. The other children of the family always
teased him on account of his girlish ways and manners.
To sweep the rooms and wash the dishes were ever pleasant
occupations for him. His housework was always much
admired and praised because he was cleverer than the girls.
Whenever he could he would don girl's attire. At the
Mardi-cjras balls he always wore the female mask. He
made a capital coquette on account of his female nature.
Drinking, smoking, manly sports and occupations never
suited him, but he was passionately fond of sewing and
was often upbraided on account of his weakness for dolls
when a boy. When at the circus or the theatre his atten-
tion was only drawn to the male performers. He had an
388 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
irresistible desire to loiter about W.C's. in order to get a
look at the men's genitals.
Female charms never attracted him. Coitus was only
possible when aided by the thought of a beloved man.
Nocturnal pollutions were always produced by lascivious
dreams about men.
Despite numerous sexual excesses B. had never suf-
fered from neurasthenia sexualis; neither were there symp-
toms of neurasthenia of any kind.
Features delicate ; sparse side whiskers and moustache,
which began to grow only when he was twenty-eight. His
external appearance, excepting a light, swinging gait, did
not indicate female nature. He observed that he was
often teased on account of his womanish carriage. His
manners were highly modest. Genitals large, well devel-
oped, quite normal, with abundance of hair; pelvis mas-
culine. Cranium rachitic, slightly hydrocephalic ; parietal
bones rather bulging. Countenance exceptionally small.
Patient said he was easily provoked to wrath.
Case 150. Taylor had occasion to examine a certain
Eliza Edwards, aged twenty-four. It was discovered that
she was of masculine sex. E. had worn female clothing
from her fourteenth year, and had also been an actress.
The hair was worn long, after the manner of females, and
parted in the middle. The form of the face was feminine,
but otherwise the body was masculine. The beard was
carefully pulled out. The masculine, well-developed gen-
itals were fixed in an upward position by an artful band-
age. The condition of the anus indicated passive peder-
asty (Taylor, "Med. Jurisp." 1873, ii., p. 473).
Case 151. An official of middle age, who for some
years had been happy in family life, and was married to a
virtuous woman, presented a peculiar manifestation of anti-
pathic sexual feeling.
One day, through the indiscretion of a prostitute, the
following scandal became public: About once a week X.
ANDROGYNY. 389
would appear in a house of prostitution, and there dress
himself up as a woman, always requiring, as a part of his
costume, a coiffure. When his toilet was completed, he
would lie down on the bed, and have the prostitute perform
manustupration. But he very much preferred to have 4
male person (a servant of the house). This man's father
was heriditarily tainted, had been insane several times,
and was afflicted with hypercesthesia and parcesthesia sex-
ualis.
4. Androgyny.
»
Forming direct transitions from the foregoing groups
are those individuals of antipathic sexuality in whom not
only the character and all the feelings are in accord with
the abnormal sexual instinct, but also the frame, the feat-
ures, voice, etc.; so that the individual approaches the
opposite sex anthropologically, and in more than a psychi-
cal and psycho-sexual way. This anthropological form of
the cerebral anomaly apparently represents a very high de-
gree of degeneration ; but that this variation is based on an
entirely different ground than the teratological manifesta-
tion of hermaphroditisrn, in an anatomical sense, is clearly
shown by the fact that thus far, in the domain of inverted
sexuality, no transitions to hermaphroditic malformation
of the genitals have been observed. The genitals of these
persons always prove to be fully differentiated sexually,
though not infrequently there are present anatomical signs
of degeneration (epispadiasis, etc.), in the sense of arrests
of development in organs that are otherwise well marked.
There is yet wanting a sufficient record of cases belong-
ing to this interesting group of women in masculine attire
with masculine genitals. Every experienced observer of
his fellow-men remembers masculine persons that were
very remarkable for their womanish character and type
(wide hips, form rounded by abundant development of
adipose tissue, absence or insufficient development of beard,
feminine features* delicate complexion, falsetto voice, etc.).
390 P8YCHOPATIIIA 8EXTTALIS.
In persons belonging to the fourth group, and in cer-
tain ones in the third, forming transitions to the fourth,
there seems to be a feeling of shame (sexual) toward per-
sons of the same sex, and not toward those of the opposite
sex.
Case 152. Androgyny. Mr. v. H., aged thirty, sin-
gle; of neuropathic mother. Nervous and mental diseases
were said not to have occurred in the patient's family, and
his only brother was said to be mentally and physically
completely normal. The patient developed tardily physi-
cally, and, therefore, spent much of his time at the sea-
shore and climatic resorts. From childhood he was of neu-
ropathic constitution, and, according to the statements of
his relatives, unlike other boys. His disinclination for
masculine pursuits and his preference for feminine amuse-
ments were early remarked. Thus he avoided all boyish
games and gymnastic exercises, while doll-play and femi-
nine occupations were particularly pleasing to him. Sub-
sequently he developed well physically, and escaped severe
illnesses, but he remained mentally abnormal, incapable of
an earnest aim in life, and decidedly feminine in thought
and feeling.
In his seventeenth year pollution occurred, became
more frequent, and finally took place during the day; so
that the patient grew weak, and manifested various ner-
vous disturbances. Symptoms of neurasthenia spinalis
made their appearance, and lasted for some years, but they
became milder with the decrease in the number of pollu-
tions. Onanism was denied, but was very probable. An
indolent, effeminate, dreamy habit of thought had become
more and more noticeable ever since puberty. All efforts
to induce the patient to take up an earnest pursuit in life
were in vain. His intellectual functions, though formally
quite undisturbed, were never equal to the motive of an
independent character, and the higher ideals of life. He
remained dependent, an overgrown child; and nothing
more clearly indicated his original abnormal condition than
ANDROGYNY. 391
an actual incapability to take care of money, and his own
confession that ho had no ability to use money reasonably ;
that as soon as he had money he wasted it for curios, toilet-
articles, and the like.
Incapable as he was of a reasonable use of money, the
patient was no more capable of leading a social existence,
indeed, he was incapable of gaining an insight into its
significance and value.
He learned very poorly, spending his time in toilettes
and artistic nothings, particularly in painting, for which
he evinced a certain capability; but in this direction he
accomplished nothing, since he was wanting in persever-
ance. He could not be brought to take up any earnest
thought; he had a mind only for externals, was always
distracted, and serious things quickly wearied him. Pre-
posterous acts, senseless journeys, waste of money and
debts repeatedly occurred throughout the course of his later
life; and even for these positive faults in his life he was
wanting in understanding. He was self-willed and intracta-
ble, and never did well when an attempt was made to
put him on his feet and point out to him his own interests.
With these manifestations of an original abnormal and
defective mind, 'there were notable indications of perverse
sexual feeling, which were also indicated in the somatic
habitus of the patient. Sexually, the patient felt like a
woman toward men, and had inclinations toward people of
his own sex, with indifference, if not actual disinclination,
for females.
In his twenty-second year it was asserted that he had
sexual intercourse with women, and was able to perform
the act of coitus normally; but, partly on account of in-
crease of neurasthenic symptoms which was occasional
after coitus, and partly on account of fear of infection —
but really by reason of a want of satisfaction — he soon
ceased to indulge in such intercourse. Concerning his
abnormal sexual condition, he was not quite clear; he was
r..Tiv(.j,,us of an inclination toward the male sex, but con-
fessed, only in a shame-faced way, that he had certain
392 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
pleasurable feelings of friendship for masculine individ-
uals, which, however, were not accompanied by any sensual
feelings. The female sex he did not exactly abhor; he
could even bring himself to marry a woman who could
have an attraction for him, by means of similarity in
artistic tastes, if he could but be freed from conjugal
duties, which were unpleasant to him, and the performance
of which made him tired and weak. He denied having
had sexual intercourse with men, but his blushing and
embarrassment, and, still more, an occurrence in N., where
the patient some time before provoked a scandal by at-
tempting to have sexual intercourse with youths, gave him
the lie.
His external appearance also, habitus, form, gestures,
manners and dress were remarkable, and decidedly recalled
the feminine form and characteristics. The patient, how-
ever, was over middle height, but thorax and pelvis were
decidedly of feminine form. The body was rich in fat;
the skin was well groomed, delicate and soft. This im-
pression of a woman in masculine dress was further in-
creased by a thin growth of hair on the face, which was
shaven, with the exception of a small moustache; by the
mincing gait; the shy, effeminate mannel%; the feminine
features; the swimming, neuropathic expression of the
eyes ; the traces of powder and paint ; the curtailed cut of
the clothing, with the bosom-like prominence of the upper
garments ; the fringed feminine cravat ; and the hair
brushed down smoothly from the brow to the temples. The
physical examination made undoubted the feminine form of
the body. The external genitals were well developed, though
the left testicle had remained in the canal ; the growth of
hair on the mons veneris was thin, and the latter was
unusually rich in fat and prominent. The voice was high,
and without masculine timbre.
The occupation and manner of thought of v. H. were
decidedly feminine. He had a boudoir and a well-supplied
toilet-table, at which he spent many hours in all kinds
of arts for beautifying himself. He abhorred the chase,
AWDBOOYNT. 393
practice with arms, and such masculine pursuits, and
called himself an aesthete; spoke with preference of his
paintings and attempts at poetry. He was interested
in feminine occupations, in which — e.g., embroidery —
he engaged, and called his greatest pleasure. He could
spend his life in an artistic and esthetic circle of ladies
and gentlemen, in conversation, music and aesthetics.
His conversation was preferably about feminine things, —
fashions, needlework, cooking and household work.
The patient was well nourished, but anaemic. He was
of neuropathic constitution, and presented symptoms of
neurasthenia, which were maintained by a bad manner of
life, lying abed, living in-doors, and efferainateness.
He complained of occasional pain and pressure in the
head, and had habitual constipation. He was easily fright-
ened ; complained of occasional lassitude and fatigue, and
drawing pains in the extremities, in the direction of the
lumbo-abdominal nerves. After pollutions, and regularly
after eating, he felt tired and relaxed ; he was sensitive to
pressure over the spinous processes of the dorsal vertebrae,
as also to pressure along accessible nerves. He felt peculiar
sympathies and antipathies towards certain persons, and,
when he met people for whom he had an antipathy, he
fell into a condition of peculiar fear and confusion. His
pollutions, though later on they occurred but seldom, were
pathological, in that they occurred by day, and were un-
accompanied by any sensual excitement
Opinion. •
1. Mr. v. H., according to all observations and reports,
was mentally an abnormal and defective person, and that,
in fact, ab origine. His antipathic sexual instinct repre-
sented a part of his abnormal physical and mental condi-
tion.
2. This condition, in that it was congenital, was in-
curable. There existed defective organisation of the high-
est cerebral centres, which rendered him incapable of
394 PSYCIIOPATHIA SEXUALJS.
leading an independent life, and of obtaining a position in
life. His perverse sexual instinct prevented him from
exercising normal sexual functions ; and this was attended
by all the social consequences of such an anomaly, and
the danger of satisfaction of perverse impulses arising out
of his abnormal organisation, with consequent social and
legal conflicts. Fear of the latter, however, could not be
great, since the (perverse) sexual impulse of the patient
was weak.
3. Mr. v. H., in the legal sense of the word, was not
irresponsible, and neither fit for, or in need of, treatment
in a hospital for the insane.
It was possible for him — though but an overgrown
child, and incapable of personal independence — to live in
society, even under the care and guidance of normal
individuals. To a certain extent, it was possible for him
to respect the laws and restrictions of society, and to judge
his own acts; but, with respect to possible sexual errors
and conflicts with criminal laws, it must be emphasised
that his sexual instinct was abnormal, having its origin
in organic pathological conditions; and this circumstance
should have been eventually used in his favour. On ac-
count of his notorious lack of independence, he could not
be discharged from parental care or guardianship, inas-
much as otherwise he would be ruined financially.
4. Mr. v. H. was also physically ill. He presented
signs of slight anaemia and of neurasthenia spinalis.
A rational regulation of his manner of life and a tonic
regimen, and, if possible, hydro-therapeutic treatment,
seemed necessary. The suspicion that this trouble had its
origin in early masturbation should be entertained, and
the possibility of the existence of spermatorrhoea, that is
of importance etiologically and therapeutically, was proba-
ble. (Personal case. Zeilschr. f. Psychiatric.)
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 395
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN.*
Science in its present stage has but few data to fall
back on, so far as the occurrence* of homosexual instinct
in woman is rono-rued as compared with man.
It would not be fair to draw from this the conclusion
that sexual inversion in woman is rare, for if this anomaly
is really a manifestation of functional degeneration, then
degenerative influences will prevail alike in the female
as well as in the male.
The causes of apparent infrequency in woman may be
found in the following facts: (1) It is more difficult to
gain the confidence of the sexually perverse woman; (2)
this anomaly, in so far as it leads to sexual intercourse,
inter feminas, does not fall (in Germany at any rate) under
the criminal code, and therefore remains hidden from
public knowledge; (3) sexual inversion does not affect
woman in the same manner as it does man, for it does
not render woman impotent; (4) because woman (whether
sexually inverted or not) is by nature not as sensual and
certainly not as aggressive in the pursuit of sexual needs
as man, for which reason the inverted sexual intercourse
'Literature: Hanelock Ellis, "Alienist and Neurologist," April,
1895 ; Moll, " Contriire Sexualempfindung," second edition, p. 322. —
Moll, Contrfire Sexualempfindung, 3rd ed., p. 504. — Moraglia, Neue
Forschungen aus d. Gehiet der weiblichen Criminalitat. — v. Krafft,
Jahrb. f. sexuclle Zwischenstufen, Hi., p. 20.
•Observations: (1) Westphal, "Arch. f. Psych.," ii., p. 73;—
(2) Oock, op. cit., No. 1.;— (3) Wite, "The Alienist and Neurol-
ogist," January, 1883; — (4) Cantarano, "La Psichiatria, 1883," p.
201; — (5) Berieux, op. cit., obs. 14;— (6) Kiernan, op. cit.; — (7)
MAller, Friedreich't " Bliltter f. gor. Mt-d.," 1891, Heft 4.;— (8-19)
Moll, " ContrRre Sexualempfindung," 2 Aufl. Beob., 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,
23;— (20) Meyhdfer, " Zeitsch. f. Medicinalbeamte," v., 16;— (21 22)
Zuccarelli, " Inversione congenita in due donne," Napoli, 1888; —
(23-33) it oil, " Untrrsuchungen liber Libido sexualis," Fftlle 10-12,
40-44, 47, 50, 57; — (34-36) Uavelock Ellit, op. cit.;— (37) Penta •
Vrto, " Ardiiv. delle psichopatie sexuali," p. 33; — (38) Penta, ibid.,
p. 04. — (39-40) Ftrc, 1'instinct sexuelle, observ. 15, p. 242, observ. 22,
p. 291.— (41) Case Urban of the 18th century, reported by Moll,
Contr. Sexualempfindung, 3rd ed. p. 533. — (42-43) v. Krafft, Jahr-
bOdier fUr texuelle Zwischenstufen, iii., p. 27 and 29.
396 PSTCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
among women is less noticeable,, and by outsiders is
considered mere friendship. Indeed, there are cases on
record (psychical hermaphroditism, even homosexuality)
in which the causes of frigiditas uxoris remain unknown
even to the husband.
Certain passages in the Bible,1 the history of Greece
("Sapphic Love"), the moral history of ancient Rome
and of the Middle Ages,2 offer proofs that congressus in-
tersexualis feminarum took place at all times, the same
as it is practised now-a-days in the harem, in female
prisons, brothels and young ladies' seminaries (vide infra,
amor lesbicus).
Still it must be admitted that many of these cases
are to be reduced to causes of perversity and not per-
version.8
The chief reason why inverted sexuality in woman
is still covered with the veil of mystery is that the homo-
sexual act so far as woman is concerned, does not fall
under the law.
I cannot lay sufficient stress upon the fact that sexual
acts between persons of the same sex do not necessarily
constitute antipathic sexual instinct. The latter exists
only when the physical and psychical secondary sexual
characteristics of the same sex exert an attracting influ-
ence over the individual and provoke in him or her the
impulse to sexual acts.
1 Paul, Epist. ad Rom. * Ploss, op. cit.
' It is a remarkable fact that in fiction, lesbic love is frequently
used as the leading theme, viz., Diderot, " La Religieuse " ; Balzac,
" La fille aux yeaux d'or " ; Th. Gautier, " Mademoiselle de Maupin " ;
Feydeau, "La Comtesse de chalis"; Flaubert, "Salammbo"; Belot,
"Mademoiselle Giraud, ma femme"; Rachilde, "Monsieur Venus."
The heroines of these (lesbic) novelles appear to the beloved
persons of the same sex in the character and the rdle of a man; their
love is most intense.
The oldest case of sexual inversion recorded thus far in Germany
is one of viraginity dating as far back as the beginning of the
eighteenth century. It is that of a woman who was married to
another woman cohabiting with the consort by means of a leathern
priapus. Vide Dr. Miiller in Friedreich'a " Blatter f. ger. Med.," 1891,
Heft 4.
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 397
I have through long experience gained the impression
that inverted sexuality occurs in woman as frequently
as in man. But the chaster education of the girl deprives
the sexual instinct of its predominant character; seduction
to mutual masturbation is less frequent; the sexual in-
stinct in the girl begins to develop only when she is, with
the advent of puberty, introduced to the society of the
other sex, and is thus naturally led primarily into hetero-
sexual channels. All these circumstances work in her
favour, often serve to correct abnormal inclinations and
tastes, and force her into the ways of normal sexual in-
tercourse. We may, however, safely assume that many
cases of frigidity or anaphrodisia in married women are
rooted in undeveloped or suppressed antipathic sexual
instinct.
The situation changes when the predisposed female is
also tainted with other anomalies of an hypersexual char-
acter and is led through it or seduced by other females to
masturbation or homosexual acts.
In these cases we find situations analogous to those
which have been described as existing in men afflicted
with "acquired" antipathic sexual instinct.
As possible sources from which homosexual love in
woman may spring, the following may be mentioned:
1. Constitutional hypersexuality impelling to auto-
masturbation. This leads to neurasthenia and its evil
consequences, to anaplimdisia in the normal sexual inter-
course so long as libido remains active.
2. Hypersexuality also leads faute de mieux to homo-
sexual intercourse (inmates of prisons, daughters of the
higher classes of society who are guarded so very care-
fully in their relations with men, or are afraid of im-
pregnation,— this latter group is very numerous). Fre-
quently female servants are the seducers, or lady friends
with perverse sexual inclinations, and lady teachers in
seminaries.
3. Wives of impotent husbands who can only sexually
excite, but not satisfy, woman, thus producing in her
398 PSTCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
libido insatiata, recourse to masturbation, pollutiones fem-
inw, neurasthenia, nausea for coitus/ and ultimately disgust
with the male sex in general.
4. Prostitutes of gross sensuality who, disgusted with
the intercourse with perverse and impotent men by whom
they are used for the performance of the most revolting
sexual acts, seek compensation in the sympathetic embrace
of persons of their own sex. These cases are of very fre-
quent occurrence.
Careful observation among the ladies of large cities
soon convinces one that homosexuality is by no means a
rarity. Uranism may nearly always be suspected in fe-
males wearing their hair short, or who dress in the fashion
of men, or pursue the sports and pastimes of their male
acquaintances; also in opera singers and actresses, who
appear in male attire on the stage by preference.
So far as the clinical aspect is concerned I may be
brief, for this anomaly shows the same qualifications alike
in man and woman, mutatis mutandis, and runs through
the same grades. Psychico-hermaphrodisic and many
homosexual women do not betray their anomaly by ex-
ternal appearances nor by mental (masculine) sexual
characteristics. Remarkable, however, it is that Dr.
Flatau (Moll, op. cit., p. 334) in examining the larynx of
twenty-three homosexual women found in several of them a
decidedly masculine formation.
In the transition to the subsequent grade, i.e., that of
viraginity (analogous to effeminatio in the male) strong
preference for male garments will be found. In dreams,
but also in the ideal or real homosexual function, the
individual in question plays an indifferent sexual role.
Where viraginity is fully developed, the woman so
acting assumes definitely the masculine role.
In this grade modesty finds expression only towards
the same but not the opposite sex.
In such cases the sexual anomaly often manifests itself
by strongly marked characteristics of male sexuality.
The female urning may chiefly be found in the haunts
CONGENITAL, SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 399
of boys. She is (ho rival in their play, preferring the
nx-kin^-horse, playing at soldiers, etc., to dolls and other
girlish occupations. The toilet is neglected, and rough
boyish manners are affected. Love for art finds a sub-
stitute in the pursuits of the sciences. At times smoking
and drinking are cultivated even with passion.
Perfumes and sweetmeats are disdained. The con-
sciousness of being a woman and thus to be deprived of
the gay college life, or to be barred out from the military
career, produces painful reflections.
The masculine soul, heaving in the female bosom,
finds pleasure in the pursuit of manly sports, and in
manifestations of courage and bravado. There is a strong
desire to imitate the male fashion in dressing the hair
and in general attire, under favourable circumstances even
to don male attire and impose in it Arrests of women
in men's clothing are by no means of rare occurrence,
A case of a woman who for years successfully posed as
a man (hunter, soldier, etc.,) is related by Mutter in
Friedreich's "Blatter"; another by Wise (op. cit.) and
others.
The ideals of such viragines are certain female char-
acters who in the past or the present have excelled by virtue
of genius and brave and noble deeds.
Gynandry represents the extreme grade of degenerative
homosexuality. The woman of this type possesses of the
feminine qualities only the genital organs ; thought, senti-
ment, action, even external appearance are those of the
man.
Often enough does one come across in life such
characters, whose frame, pelvis, gait, appearance, coarse
masculine features, rough deep voice, etc., betray rather
the man than the woman. Moll (op. cit. p. 331) has given
many interesting items about the mode of life led by these
men-women, and about the way in which they satisfy
their sexual needs.
Mutatis mutandis, the situation is the same as with the
man-loving man. These creatures seek, find, recognise,
400 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
love one another, often live together as "father" and
"mother" in pseudo marriage. Suspicion may always
be turned toward homosexuality when one reads in the
advertisement columns of the daily papers: "Wanted, by
a lady, a lady friend and companion".
Numerous psychical hermaphrodites of the female
gender, and even homosexualists, enter upon matrimony
with men partly on account of being ignorant of their
own anomaly, and partly because they wish to be pro-
vided for. Some of these marriages linger on in a way,
the husband, perhaps, being psychically sympathetic, thui
rendering the marital act possible to the unhappy wife.
But in most cases, when one or two children have been
born, she seeks under all kinds of pretexts to avoid the
connubial duty.
More frequently, however, incompatibility wrecks these
unions. Homosexual intercourse continues after marriage
just the same as with the homosexual man.
When viraginity prevails marriage is impossible, for
the very thought of coitus cum viro arouses disgust and
horror.
The intersexual gratification among these women
seems to be reduced to kissing and embraces, which seems
to satisfy those of weak sexual instinct, but produces
in sexually neurasthenic females ejaculation.
Automasturbation, faute de mieux, seems to occur in all
grades of the anomaly the same as in men.
Strongly sensual individuals may resort to cunnilingus
or mutual masturbation.
In grades 3 and 4 the desire to adopt the active role
towards the beloved person of the same sex seems to in-
vite the use of the priapus.
Case 153. Psychical hermaphroditism. Mrs. X.,
twenty-six years of age, suffered from neurasthenia. She
was hereditarily tainted, suffered periodically from delu-
sions. She had been married seven years, had two healthy
children, a boy of six and a girl of four years. Success in
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 401
gaining the confidence of the patient. She confessed that
she always inclined more to persons of her own sex, and
that, although she esteemed and liked her husband, sexual
intercourse disgusted her. Since the birth of the younger
of the two children she had prevailed upon him to give it
up altogether. When at the seminary she interested her-
self in other young ladies in a manner which she could only
describe as love. At times, however, she also found her-
self drawn to certain gentlemen, and especially of late
her virtue had been sorely tried by an admirer to whose
advances she was afraid she might succumb, for which
reason she avoided being alone with him. But such
episodes were only of a quite transient character as com-
pared with her passionate liking for persons of her own
sex. Her whole desire was to be kissed and embraced by
them and have the most intimate intercourse with them.
She suffered much from nervousness because she could
not always realise these desires. The patient is not
aware of this inclination to persons of the same sex being
of a sexual character, for beyond kissing, embracing, or
fondling them she would not know what to do with them.
Patient thought herself to be of a sensual nature. It was
likely that she was addicted to masturbation.
She considered her sexual perversion as "unnatural,
morbid."
There was nothing in the behaviour or the manners or
the external appearance of this lady which in the least
betrayed her anomaly.
Case 154. Psychical hermaphrodUism. Mrs. M.,
forty-iour years of age, claimed to be an instance illus-
trating the fact that in one and the same human being, be
it man or woman, the inverted as well as the normal di-
rection of sexual life may be combined. The father of this
lady was very musical, generally possessed considerable
talents for art, was a great admirer of the gentle sex, and
himself of exceptional beauty. He died, after repeated
apoplectic attacks, with dementia in an asylum. His
2G
402 PSYCIIOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
brother was neuropsychopathic, as a child was afflicted with
somnambulism, and later on with hypercesthesia sexualis.
Although married and father of several married sons, he
fell desperately in love with Mrs. M., then eighteen years
of age, and attempted to abduct her.
Her grandfather (on the paternal side) was very ec-
centric and a well known artist, who had originally studied
theology, but for love of the dramatic art became a mimic
and singer. He was given to excess in Baccho et Venere,
extravagant and fond of splendour, and died at the age of
forty-nine from apoplexia cerebri. Her mother's father
and her mother both died of pulmonary phthisis.
She had eleven brothers and sisters, but only six sur-
vived. Two brothers died at the age of sixteen and twenty
of tuberculosis. One brother was suffering from laryngeal
phthisis. Four living sisters the same as Mrs. M. were
physically like unto the father, very nervous and shy.
Two younger sisters were married and in good health, and
both had healthy children. Another one, a maiden, was
suffering from nervous affection.
Mrs. M. was the mother of four children, mostly deli-
cate and neuropathic.
There was nothing of importance in the history of the
patient's childhood. She learned easily, had gifts for
poetry and aesthetics, was somewhat affected, loved to
read novels and sentimental literature, was of neuropathic
% constitution and very sensitive to changes of temperature,
the slightest draught would make her flesh creep. It is
noteworthy, however, that one day when ten years of age
she fancied her mother did not love her. Thereupon she
put a lot of sulphur matches in her coffee and drank it to
make herself ill, in order to draw her mother's love to
herself.
Puberty began without difficulty at the age of eleven,
with subsequent regular menses. Even previous to that
period sexual life had awakened, which ever since was
very potent. The first sentiments and emotions lay in
vthe homosexual direction. She conceived a passionate,
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 403
though platonie, affection for a young lady, wrote love-
songs and sonnets to her, and never was happier than
\\licn, upon one occasion, she could admire the "charms
"f her beloved" in the bath, or when she could gaze
upon the- neck, shoulders and breasts of this lady whilst
dressing. She could resist only with difficulty the desire
to touch these physical charms. When a girl she was
deeply in love with Raphael's and Quido Reni's Madonnas.
She was irresistibly impelled to follow pretty girls and
ladies by the hour, no matter how inclement the weather
might be, admiring their air of refinement and watching
for a chance of showing them a favour, giving them
flowers, etc. The patient asserted that up to her nineteenth
year she had not the slightest knowledge of the difference
of sexes, since she had been brought up by a prudish old
maiden aunt like a nun in a cloister. In consequence of
this crass ignorance she fell a victim to a man who loved
her passionately and insidiously betrayed her virtue. She
became the wife of this man, gave birth to a child, and
led an "eccentrically" sexual life with him, but felt sat-
isfied with the sexual intercourse. A few years later
she became a widow. Since then her affections again
turned to persons of her own sex, the principal reason for
which was, the patient averred, the fear of the results of
sexual intercourse with man.
At the age of twenty-seven she entered upon a second
marriage with a man of infirm constitution. It was not
a love match. Thrice she became a mother, and fulfilled
all the conditions of maternity; but her health ran down,
and during the latter years her dislike for coitus ever
increased, chiefly on account of her husband's infirmity,
although her desire for sexual gratification remained
strong.
Three years after her second husband's death, she dis-
covered that her daughter by the first husband, now nine
years of age, was given to masturbation and going into
decline. She read an article about this vice in the Ency-
clopcedia, and now could not resist the temptation to try
404 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
it herself and thus became an onanist. She hesitated to
give a full account of this period of .her life. She stated,
however, that she became sexually so excited that she had
to send her two daughters away from home in order to
preserve them from something "terrible". The 'two boys
could remain at home.
Patient became neurasthenic ex masturbatione (spinal
irritation, pressure in the head, languor, mental constipa-
tion, etc.) at times even dysthymic, with worrying tcedium
vita.
Her sexual inclinations turned now to woman, now
to man. But she controlled herself, suffered much from
her abstinence, especially since she resorted to mastur-
bation on account of her neurasthenic afflictions only at
the last instance. At the age of forty-four — still having
regular periods — the patient suffered from a violent pas-
sion for a young man with whom, on account of her avoca-
tion, she was bound to be in constant contact.
The patient did not offer anything extraordinary in
her external appearance, though graceful of build, she was
slight of form. Pelvis decidedly feminine, but arms and
legs large, and of pronounced masculine type. Female
boots did not really fit her, and she had quite crippled
and malformed her feet by forcing them into narrow
shoes. Genitals quite normal. Excepting a descensus
uteri with hypertrophy of the vaginal portion, no changes
were noticeable. She still claimed to be essentially homo-
sexual, and declared that her inclination and desire for the
opposite sex were only periodical and grossly sensual. Al-
though she had strong sexual feelings towards the man
aforementioned, yet her greatest and noblest pleasure she
found in pressing a kiss upon the soft cheek of a sweet
girl. This pleasure she enjoyed often, for she was the
"favourite aunt" among these "dear creatures," to whom
she rendered the services of the "cavalier" unstintingly,
always feeling herself in the role of the man.
Case 155. Homosexuality. Miss L., fifty-five years
CONUKMTAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 405
of age. No information about her father's family. The
I >a rents of her mother were described as irascible, ca-
pricious and nervous. One brother of her mother was an
epileptic, another eccentric and mentally abnormal.
Mother was sexually hypenesthetic, and for a long
time a messalina. She was considered to be psychopathic
and died at the age of sixty-nine of cerebral disease.
Miss L. developed normally, had only slight illnesses
in childhood, and was mentally well endowed, but of a
neuropathic constitution, emotional, and troubled with
numerous fads.
At the age of thirteen, two years previous to her first
menstruation, she fell in love with a girl-friend ("a dreamy
feeling, quite pure of sensuality").
Her second love was for a girl older than herself who
was a bride; this was accompanied by tantalising sensual
desires, jealousy, and an "undefined consciousness of mys-
tical impropriety". She was refused by this lady and
now fell in love with a married woman, who was a mother
and twenty years her senior. As she controlled her sensual
emotions, this lady never even divined the true reason of
this enthusiastic friendship which lasted for twelve years.
Patient described this period as a veritable martyrdom.
Since she was twenty-five she had begun to mastur-
bate. Patient seriously thought that, perhaps, by marriage
she might save herself, but her conscience objected, for
her children might inherit her weakness, or she might
make a sincere husband unhappy.
At the age of twenty-seven she was approached with
direct proposals by a girl who denounced abstinence as
alisurd, and plainly described the homosexual instinct
\\hich ruled her and was very impetuous in her demands.
She suffered the caresses of the girl, but would not con-
sent to sexual intercourse, as sensuality without love dis-
gusted her.
Mentally and bodily dissatisfied the years fled by,
leaving the consciousness of a spoiled life. Now and then
she became enthusiastic about ladies of her acquaintance,
406 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
but controlled herself. She also rid herself from mastur-
bation.
When she was thirty-eight years of age she became
acquainted with a girl nineteen years her junior, of ex-
ceptional beauty, who came from a demoralized family,
and had been at an early age seduced by her cousins to
mutual masturbation. It could not be ascertained whether
this girl A. was a case of psychical hermaphrodism or of
acquired sexual inversion. The former hypothesis seems
the likelier of the two.
The following is taken from an autobiography of Miss
Jj. '•
"Miss A., my pupil, began to show me her idolatrous
love. She was sympathetic to the highest degree. Since
I knew that she was entangled in a hopeless love affair
with a dissolute fellow and continued intimate intercourse
with demoralised female cousins, I decided not to repulse
her. Compassion and the conviction that she was surely
drifting into moral decay determined me to suffer her
advances.
"I did not consider her affection as dangerous, as I did
not think it possible that (considering her love affair) in
ONE soul two passions (one for a man and another for a
woman) could exist simultaneously. Moreover, I was
certain of my power of resistance. I kept, therefore, Miss
A. about me, renewed my moral resolutions, and con-
sidered it to be my duty to use her love for me for en-
nobling her character. The folly of this I soon found
out. One day whilst I lay asleep Miss A. took occasion
to satisfy her lust on me. Although I woke up just in
time, I did not have the moral strength to resist her. I
was highly excited, intoxicated as it were — and she pre-
vailed.
"What I suffered immediately after this occurrence
beggars description. Worry over the broken resolutions,
which to keep I had made such strenuous efforts, fear of
detection and subsequent contempt, exuberant joy at last
to be rid of the torturing watcbings and longings of the
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 407
single state, unspeakable sensual pleasure, wrath against
tin- evil companion, mingled with feelings of the deepest
tenderness towards her. Miss A. calmly smiled at my
excitement, and with caresses soothed my anger.
"1 accepted the situation. Our intimacy lasted for
years. We practised mutual masturbation, but never to
excess or in a cynical fashion.
"Little by little this sensual companionship ceased.
Miss A.'s tenderness weakened; mine, however, remained
as before, although I felt no longer the same sensual
cravings. Miss A. thought of marriage, partly in order to
find a home, but especially because her sensual desires had
turned into the normal paths. She succeeded in finding
a husband. I sincerely hope she will make him happy,
but I doubt it. Thus I have the prospect before me to
linger on the same joyless, peaceless life as it ever was in
youthful days.
"It is with sadness that I remember the years of our
loving union. It does not disturb my conscience to have
had sexual intercourse with Miss A., for I succumbed to
her seduction, having honestly endeavoured to save her
from moral ruin and to bring her up an educated and
moral being. In this I honestly think I have succeeded
after all. Besides, I rest in the thought that the moral
code is established only for normal humans, but is not
binding for anomalies. Of course, the human being who
is endowed by nature with sentiments of refinement, but
whose constitution is abnormal and outside the conven-
tionalities of society, can never be truly happy. But I
experienced a sad tranquillity and felt happy when I
thought Miss A. to be so too.
"This is the history of an unhappy woman who, by
the fatal caprice of nature, is deprived of all joy of life
and made a victim of sorrow."
The author of this woeful story was a lady of great
refinement. But she had coarse features, a powerful but
throughout feminine frame.* She passed through the
climacterium without trouble, and since then had been
408 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIR.
entirely free from sensual worry. Sexually she had never
played a defined role towards the, woman she loved; for
men she never felt the slightest inclination.
Her statements about the family relations and the
health of her paramour, Miss A., establish a heavy taint
beyond doubt. The father died in an insane asylum, the
mother was deranged during the period of her climac-
terium, neuroses were of frequent occurrence in the family,
and Miss A. herself suffered at times heavily from hystero-
pathy, with hallucinations and delirium.
Case 156. Homosexuality. S. J., age thirty-eight,
governess. Came to me for medical advice on account
of nervous trouble. Father was periodically insane, and
died from cerebral disease. Patient was an only child.
She suffered early from anxiety and alarming fancies,
e.g., that she would wake up in a coffin after it had been
fastened down; that she would forget something when
going to confession, and thus receive holy communion
unworthily. Was often troubled with headaches, very
excitable, easily startled, but notwithstanding had a great
desire to see exciting things such as funerals, etc.
From the earliest youth she was subject to sexual
excitement, and spontaneously practised masturbation.
At the age of fourteen she began to menstruate. Her
periods were often accompanied by colicky pains, intense
sexual excitement, neuralgia and mental depression. With
the age of eighteen she gave up masturbation successfully.
The patient never experienced an inclination towards
a person of the opposite sex. Marriage to her only meant
to find a home. But she was mightily drawn to girls.
At first she considered this affection merely as friendship,
but she soon recognised from the intensity of her love
for girl friends and her deep longings for their constant
society that? it meant more than mere friendship.
To her it is inconceivable that a girl could love a man,
although she can comprehend the feeling of man toward
woman. She always took the deepest interest in pretty
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 409
girls and ladies, the sight of whom caused her intense
• "input. Her desire was ever to embrace and kiss
these dear creatures. She never dreamed of men, always
of girls only. To revel in looking at them was the acme
of pleasure. Whenever she lost a "girl friend" she felt
in despair.
Patient claimed that she never felt in a defined role,
even in her dreams, towards her girl friends. In appear-
ance she was thoroughly feminine and modest. Feminine
pelvis, large mammse, no indication of beard.
Case 157. Homosexuality. Mrs. R., aged thirty-five,
of high social position, was brought to me in 1886 by her
husband for advice.
Father was a physician; very neuropathic. Paternal
grandfather was healthy and normal, and reached the age
of ninety-six. Facts concerning paternal grandmother
are wanting. All the children of father's family were said
to have been nervous. The patient's mother was nervous,
and suffered with asthma. The mother's parents were
healthy. One of the mother's sisters had melancholia.
From her tenth year patient had been subject to
habitual headache. With the exception of measles, she
had no illness. She was gifted, and enjoyed the best of
training, having especial talent for music and languages.
It became necessary for her to prepare herself for the
work of a governess, and during her earlier years she
was mentally overworked. She passed through an attack
of melancholia sine delirio, of some months' duration, at
seventeen. The patient asserted that she had always had
sympathy only for her own sex, and found only an sesthetic
interest in men. She never had any taste for female work,
As a little girl, she preferred to play with boys.
She said she remained well until her twenty-seventh
year. Then, without external cause, she became depressed
and considered herself a bad, sinful person, had no plea-
sure in anything, and was sleepless. During this time of
illness she was also troubled with delusions: she must
410 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
think of her death and that of her relatives. Recovery
after about five months. She then became a governess,
was overworked, but remained well, except for occasional
neurasthenic symptoms and spinal irritation.
At twenty-eight she mada the acquaintance of a lady
five years younger than herself. She fell in love with
her, and her love was returned. The love was very sensual,
and satisfied by mutual masturbation. "I loved her as
a god ; hers is a noble soul," she said, when she mentioned
this love-bond. It lasted four years and was ended by the
(unfortunate) marriage of her friend.
In 1885, after much emotional strain, the patient be-
came ill with symptoms of hystero-neurasthenia (dyspep-
sia, spinal irritation, and tonic spasmodic attacks; attacks
of hemiopia with migraine and transitory aphasia;
pruritus pudendi ei am). In February, 1886, these symp-
toms disappeared.
In March she became acquainted with her present
husband, whom she married without taking much time
for reflection; for he was rich, much in love with her,
and his character was in sympathy with her own.
On 6th April, she read the sentence, "Death misses
no one." Like a flash of lightning in a clear sky, the
former delusions of death returned. She was forced to
meditate on the most horrible manner of death for
herself and those about her, and constantly imagined
death-scenes. She lost rest and sleep, and took no
pleasure in anything. Her condition improved. Late in
May, 1886, she was married, but was still troubled by
painful thoughts at that time: that she would bring
misfortune on her husband and those about her.
First coitus on 6th June, 1886. She was deeply de-
pressed morally by it. She had no such conception
of matrimony. The husband, who really loved his wife,
did all he could to quiet her. He consulted physicians,
who thought all would be well after pregnancy. The
husband was unable to explain the peculiar behaviour
of his wife. She was friendly toward him, and suffered
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 411
his caresses. In coitus, which was actually carried out,
she was entirely passive, and after the act she was tired,
exhausted all day long, nervous, and troubled with spinal
irritation.
A bridal tour brought about a meeting with her old
friend, who had lived in an unhappy marriage for three
years. The two ladies trembled with joy and excitement
as they sank into each other's arms, and became insepar-
able. The husband saw that this friendly relation was
a peculiar one, and hastened their departure. lie had an
opportunity of ascertaining, through the correspondence
of his wife with this friend, that the letters interchanged
were like those of two lovers.
Mrs. R. became pregnant. During pregnancy the
remains of depression and delusions disappeared. In
September, during about the ninth week of pregnancy,
abortion took place. After that, renewed symptoms of
hystero-neurasthenia. In addition to this, there were
anteflexio et latero-positio dextra uteri, anosmia, et atonia
ventriculi.
At the consultation the patient gave the impression
of a very neuropathic, tainted person. The neuropathic
expression of the eyes cannot be described. Appearance
entirely feminine. With the exception of a very narrow
arched palate, there was no skeletal abnormality. With
difficulty the patient could be brought to give the details
of her sexual abnormality. She complained that she had
married without knowing what marriage between men
and women was. She loved her husband dearly for his
mental qualities, but marital intercourse was a pain to
her; she did it unwillingly, without ever finding any
satisfaction in it. Post actum, all day long she was weary
and exhausted. Since the abortion and the interdiction
of sexual intercourse by tin- physicians, she had been
better; but she thought of the future with horror. She
esteemed her husband, and l<>\i<l him mentally; but she
would do anything for him, if he would but avoid her
sexually in the future. She hoped to have sexual feeling
412 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
for him in time. When he played the violin, she seemed
to feel the beginning of an inclination for him that was
something more than friendship; but it was only tran-
sitory, and she could get no assurance for the future
in it Her greatest happiness was in correspondence with
her former lover. She felt that this was wrong, but she
could not give it up ; for to do so made her miserable.
Case 158. Homosexuality. Miss X., of the middle
class in a large city. At the end of my observations she
was twenty-two years of age.
She was considered a beauty; much admired by men;
decidedly sensual; a born Aspasia; refused all proposals
of marriage. She reciprocated, however, the advances of
one admirer, a youthful scholar, entertained relations with
him, that is to say, she allowed him to kiss her, but not
as a lover. When on one occasion, Mr. T. thought he had
obtained the aim of his attentions, she begged him under
tears to desist, alleging that her refusal was not based
upon moral principles, but rooted in deeper psychical
reasons. Subsequently epistolary correspondence between
the two disclosed the existence of sexual inversion.
Her father was given to drink, her mother hystero-
pathic. She herself was of neuropathic constitution, had a
large bust and the appearance of an exceptionally hand-
some woman, but was strikingly mannish in her manners,
had masculine tastes, loved gymnastics and horseback
exercise, smoked, and had masculine carriage and gait,
She would like to go on the stage.
Recently she caused much talk on account of her en-
thusiastic friendships with young ladies. One young lady
lived with her. They slept in the same bed.
Up to her puberty Miss X. claimed to have been sex-
ually indifferent.
At the age of seventeen, whilst at a spa, she made the
acquaintance of a young foreigner whose "royal" appear-
ance fascinated her. She was happy when, on a certain
occasion, she could dance with him the whole evening.
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 413
The next evening at twilight she happened to witness the
revolting scene of this charming young man right opposite
from her window in the shrubbery of the gardens futuare
more bestiarum inulierem quondam inter menstruationem.
Aspect u sanguinis currentis et libidinis quasi bestialia viri
Miss X. was horrified, almost annihilated, and felt it
difficult to recover her mental balance. For a long time
she lost her sleep and appetite, and from that time she
saw in man only the embodiment of coarse vulgarity.
Two years later, in a public park, she was approached
by a young lady who smiled and looked upon her in such
a peculiar fashion that she felt a thrill through her soul.
The day after, Miss X. was irresistibly impelled to go
to the park again. The young lady was already there,
and seemed to be waiting for her. They greeted each
other like old acquaintances; talked and joked together,
made fresh appointments, and when the weather became
too inclement they met at the boudoir of the young lady.
"One day," Miss X. relates in her confidential revela-
tions, "she led me to her divan, and whilst she was seated
I knelt down at her feet She fastened her timid eyes
upon me, stroked away the hair from my forehead, and
said, 'Ah ! if I only could love you once really ! May I ?'
I consented, and whilst we thus sat together, gazing into
each other's eyes, we drifted into that current which al-
lows of no retreat. . . . She was enchantingly beauti-
ful. All I wished was to possess the power of the artist
to immortalise that form upon the canvas. To me it was
a novel experience. I was intoxicated. We abandoned
ourselves to each other without restriction, drunk with
the ravages of sensual feminine pleasure. I do not believe
that man can ever grasp the exuberance of such piquant
tenderness; man is not sufficiently refined; he is much
too coarse. . . . Our wild orgy lasted until I sank down
exhausted, powerless, unnerved. I fell asleep on her bed.
Suddenly I awoke with an unspeakable thrill, hitherto
unknown to me, running through my whole being. She
was upon me — cunnilingum perficiens — the highest plea-
414 PSYCHOPA.THIA SEXUALI8.
sure for her, tandem mihi non licebat altnim quam osculos
dare ad mammas, which caused her to quiver convulsively.
"This intercourse lasted for a whole year, when the
removal of her father to another city separated us."
Miss X. admitted that in this homosexual intercourse
she always felt in the role of man towards the woman,
and that on one occasion, faute de mieux, she granted
cunnilingus to one of her male admirers.
Case 159. Homosexuality. Mrs. C., aged thirty-two
wife of an official, a large, not uncomely woman, feminine
in appearance, came of a neuropathic and emotional
mother. A brother was psychopathic, and died of drink.
Patient was always peculiar, obstinate, silent, quick-tem-
pered, and eccentric. The brothers and sisters were ex-
citable people. Pulmonary phthisis had been frequent
in the family. When only a girl of thirteen, with signa
of great sexual excitement, she attracted attention by
enthusiastic love for a female friend of her own age. Her
education was strict, though the patient secretly read many
novels, and wrote innumerable poems. She married at
eighteen to free herself from unpleasant circumstances
at home.
She said she had always been indifferent toward men.
In fact, she avoided balls. Female statues pleased her.
Her greatest happiness was to think of marriage with
a beloved woman. She was not aware of her sexual
peculiarity until marriage, and the thing had remained
inexplicable to her. Patient did her marital duty, and
bore three children, two of whom were subject to con-
vulsions. She lived pleasantly with her husband, but she
esteemed him only for his moral qualities. She gladly
avoided coitus. "I should have preferred intercourse with
a woman."
Until 1878 she had been neurasthenic. On the occa-
sion of a sojourn at a watering-place she made the ac-
quaintance of a female urning, whose history I have
reported as case 6, in the "Irrenfreund," No. 1, 1884.
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 415
The patient came home a changed person. Her
husband said: "She was no longer a woman, no longer
had any love for me and the children, and would have
no more of marital approaches. She was inflamed with
passionate love for her female friend, and had taste for
in >tliing else." After the husband forbade her lover the
house, there was interchange of letters with such expres-
sions in them as "My dove! I live only for you, my
soul." There were meetings and frightful excitement
when an expected letter did not come. The relation was
in nowise platonic. From certain indications it was pre-
sumable that mutual masturbation was the means of sexual
satisfaction. This relation lasted until 1882, and made the
patient decidedly neurasthenic.
She absolutely neglected the house, and her husband
hired a woman of sixty years as a housekeeper, and also
a governess for the children. The patient fell in love
with both, who, at least, allowed caresses, and profited ma-
terially through the love of their mistress.
In the latter part of 1883, on account of developing
pulmonary tuberculosis, she had to go south. There she
became acquainted with a Russian lady of forty years, and
fell passionately in love with her; but she did not meet
with a return of love in her sense. One day insanity be-
came manifest She thought the Russian lady a nihilist;
that she was magnetised by her; and she presented formal
persecutory delusions. She fled, was caught in an Italian
city, and placed in a hospital, where she soon became quiet.
Again she worried the lady with her love, felt herself very
unhappy, and planned suicide.
When she returned home she was greatly depressed
because she did not have the lady, and was harsh toward
her family. A delusive, erotic state of excitement came
on about the end of May, 1884. She danced, shouted,
and called herself a man ; demanded her former lover, and
said she was of royal blood. She escaped from the house
in male attire, and was taken to the asylum in a state of
eroto-maniacal excitement. After a few days the exalta-
416 PSYCIIOPATHTA SEXUALIS.
tion disappeared. The patient became quiet, and made a
desperate attempt at suicide; after it she was in great an-
guish of mind with toedium vitce. The perverse sexual
feeling grew less and less noticeable as tuberculosis pro-
gressed. The patient died of phthisis in the beginning of
1885.
The examination of the brain presented nothing unu-
sual so far as architecture and arrangement of convolu-
tions were concerned. Weight of brain 1150 grammes.
Skull slightly asymmetrical. No anatomical signs of de-
generation. External and internal genitals without anom-
aly.
Case 160. (Homo-sexuality in Transition to Vira-
ginity.) Mrs. v. T., wife of a manufacturer; age twenty-
six; married only a few months; was brought by her
husband for consultation because after a banquet she had
fallen upon the neck of a lady guest, covered her profusely
with kisses and caressed her like a lover, thus causing a
scandal.
Mrs. T. said that she had before their marriage ex-
plained to her husband her antipathic sexual feelings, and
had told him that she esteemed him solely for his mental
qualities. She accepted her conjugal duties merely as a
matter of unavoidable necessity. Her only condition was
that she should be incubus. In this position she obtained
a sort of gratification, for she imagined his body to be
that of a beloved woman in succubus.
Her brother was neuropathic, of feminine type, suf-
fered from hysteria, and was very weak in his sexual needs;
one of his sisters, it was said, bought her conjugal rights
from her husband for a sum of money, giving him full
liberty to find sexual satisfaction elsewhere. The mother
was hyper-sexual, and known as a Messalina. She made
her daughter sleep in the same bed with her till she reached
the age of fourteen. At fifteen v. T. was sent to a girl's
school. Being extraordinarily bright, she learned quickly
and soon dominated over all the other girls in her form.
COMM-.MTAL SEXUAL INVERSION IX WOMAN. 417
At the ago of seven she IKK! a i»v<-ltieul trauma when
a friend of the family exhibits! him.-eh' l.rfuiv lier.
Menses began at twelve, were regular and without
in rvoiiv enm-omitants. At that age she began already to
be powerfully drawn to other girls. Although for several
years she never associated these yearnings with sexual feel-
ings, she yet looked upon them as an anomaly. She only
felt bashful when undressing in the presence of persons
of her own sex. At twenty the sexual instinct awoke. At
once she turned to girls for gratification, avoiding men
entirely. She had sensual love affairs with girls by the
scores. When she returned home from school, having no
Mipervision and plenty of money, she found it easy to give
her passion full sway. She always felt like a man towards
woman. Masturbatio feminro dilectae was the common
occurrence in her orgies, until a female cousin taught her
the mysteries of Lesbian love. She now coupled the act
with etinuiliugus. She always played the active role, and
never allowed others to satisfy themselves on her own body.
Homo-sexual woman she disdained. She gave preference
to unmarried women of high standing endowed with men-
tal gifts, of voluptuous, Diana-like figure, but of modest
and retiring disposition. (Sensual women she did not care
for.) Whenever she met such a woman, she would be-
come erotically so excited that she fell upon her person
like a hungry wild beast. She said that at such momenta
everything appeared to her in a reddish gleam, and con-
sciousness was obliterated for the time being. Her nerves
were easily unstrung, and she could not master her feel-
ings.
At the age of twenty-three she became acquainted with
a young woman who, to all appearances, was not homo-
Mi, but very hypersexual, and could not find sexual
satisfaction on account of impotence in her husband. The
relations with this woman stimulated T.'s homo-sexuality
to a very high pitch and increased her sexual needs. She
furnished an apartment away from home, where she had
regular orgies cum digito et lingua, sometimes for hours,
27
418 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
until she herself collapsed in a state of exhaustion. She
had a love affair with a dressmaker's model with whom
she had herself photographed in man's attire, visited, in
the same costume, with her places of amusement and was
finally arrested on one of these occasions. She escaped
with a warning and gave up male attire out-of-doors.
A year before her marriage she had a period of melan-
cholia. At that time she meditated suicide, and wrote a
farewell letter to an intimate lady friend, a sort of con-
fession, from which a few passages are given:
"I was born a girl, but a misdirected education forced
my fiery imagination early into the wrong direction. At
twelve I had a mania to pose as a boy and court the atten-
tion of ladies. I recognised this abnormal impulse as a
mania, but, like fate, it grew with the years. The power
to rid myself of it was lost. It was my hashish, my happi-
ness, and grew into an overpowering passion. I felt like
a man, forced to play the active role. My exuberant dis-
position, tierce sensuousness and deep-rooted perverse in-
stinct gradually forged me into the chains of Lesbian love.
I took a certain interest in man, but a single touch by a
woman made my whole nervous system tremble. I have
suffered untold tortures in the bane of this passion.
"The reading of French novels and lascivious compan-
ions taught me all the tricks of perverse erotics, and the
latent impulse became a conscious perversity. Nature has
made a mistake in the choice of my sexuality and I must
do a life-long penance for it, for the moral power to suffer
the unavoidable with dignity is lost. Irresistibly I have
been drawn into the maelstrom of passion and shall be
swallowed up by it
"I languished for your sweet body. I was jealous of
your Victor as one rival is of the other. In my jealousy
I suffered the tortures of hell. I hated that man unto
death. I cursed my fate that made me a woman. I was
satisfied to play a stupid comedy before you, to endow
you with an artificial membrum. It only increased the
heat of my passion. Courage failed me to tell you the
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 419
(ruth, because it would have been so miserable and ludi-
crous. Now you know all. You will not despise me,
though; you will only feel what I have suffered. All my
joys resemble more a momentary intoxication than the real
gold of happiness. It was all but an illusion. I have fooled
life and life has fooled me. We are quits. I say good-bye.
Think sometimes in the hour of happiness of your poor,
comical fool who loved you truly and so well . . .
The vita sexualis of this woman contained also traces
of masochism and sadism. If the woman whom she wor-
shipped had chided or even struck her, it would have been
a delight, — so she claimed — and at the time of sex^ial ex-
citement she felt more like biting than kissing the object
of her love.
She was highly cultured and intellectual, felt her false
position painfully, but rather on account of her family
than her own self. She looked upon it all as fate, over
which she had no control. She bewailed it and declared
herself ready to do anything to rid herself of this perversion
and become a true wife and good mother, for she would
take good care that her child were brought up in the right
way. She would do everything to reconcile her husband
and perform her marital duties, but she could not bear
his moustache, and she must first rid herself of her un-
fortunate impulsive passion.
The physical and psychical secondary sexual charac-
teristics were partly masculine, partly feminine. Her
love for sport, smoking and drinking, her preference for
clothes cut in the fashion of men, her lack of skill in and
liking for female occupations, her love for the study of
obtuse and philosophical subjects, her gait and carriage,
severe features, deep voice, robust skeleton, powerful mus-
cles and absence of adipose layers bore the stamp of the
masculine character. The pelvis also (small hips), dis-
tantia spinarum 22cm., cristarum 26, trochanterum 31, ap-
proached the masculine figure. Vagina, uterus, ovaries
normal, clitoris rather large. Mammae well developed,
hair on mons veneris female.
420 PSYCHOPATHIA SF.XTTALIS.
I sent her to an hydropathic establishment, where an
experienced colleague succeeded in a few months to free
this patient by means of hydro- and suggestive treatment,
from her homo-sexual affliction. She became a decent,
sexually at least, neutral person. The relatives with whom
she lived afterwards for a considerable time found her be-
haviour absolutely correct.
Case 161. Viraginity. Miss N"., twenty-five years
of age. Parents supposed to be healthy. Her brothers
and sisters were all neuropathic. Three of her sisters were
married. She was very talented, especially in the fine arts.
Even in her earliest childhood she preferred playing at
soldiers and other boys' games; she was bold and torn-
boyish, and tried even to excel her little companions of
the other sex. She never had a liking for dolls, needle-
work or domestic duties. Puberty at fifteen. She soon
foil in love with young ladies, but only in a platonic fash-
ion, for she was a "respectable girl." For several years since
then her libido was very strong. She could hardly restrain
herself. Her dreams were of a lascivious character, only
about females, with herself in the role of man. She was
desperately in love with a woman of forty, whom she tor-
mented with her jealous conduct.
Miss N. was indifferent to men. She could safely live
with a man in the same room, whilst towards persons of
her own sex she was most bashful.
She was quite conscious of her pathological condition.
Masculine features, deep voice, manly gait, without
beard, small mammse; cropped her hair short, and made the
impression of a man in woman's clothes.
Case 162. Viraginity. C. R., maid-servant, aged
twenty-six, suffered from the time of her development
with original paranoia and hysteria. As a result of her
delusions, her life had been somewhat romantic, and in
1884, in Switzerland, where she had gone on account of
delusions of persecution, she came under the observation
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVEK8ION IN WOMAN. 421
of tbe authorities. On this occasion it was ascertained that
R. was affected with sexual inversion.
Concerning her parents and relatives, there was no in-
formation at hand. R. asserted that, with the exception
of an inflammation of the lungs at the age of sixteen, she
had never been severely ill.
First menstruation at fifteen, without any difficulties;
thereafter it was very often irregrtlar and abnormally ex-
cessive. The patient declared that she never had had
inclinations toward the opposite sex, and had never allowed
the approach of a man. She never could understand how
her friends could describe the beauty and amiability of
men. But it was charming and inspiring for her to im-
print a kiss on the lips of a beloved female friend. She
had a love for girls that was incomprehensible to her.
She had passionately loved and kissed some of her female
friends, and she would have given up her life for them.
Her greatest delight would have been to have constantly
lived with such a friend and absolutely possessed her.
In this she felt toward the beloved girl like a man.
Even as a little child she had an inclination only for the
play of boys, and she loved to hear shooting and military
music, was always much excited by them, and would
gladly have gone as a soldier. The chase and war have
been her ideals. In the theatre only feminine performers
interested her. She knew very well that the whole of this
inclination was unwomanly, but she could not help it. It
had always been a great pleasure for her to go about in
male clothing, and in the same way she had always pre-
ferred masculine work, and had shown unusual skill in it;
while with reference to feminine occupations, especially
handiwork, she had to say the contrary. The patient had
also a weakness for smoking and spirits. On account of
persecutory delusions, in order to rid herself of her per-
secutions, the patient had often gone about in male attire
and played the part of a man. She did this with such
(natural) skill that, as a rule, she was able to deceive peo-
ple concerning her sex.
422 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
It is authoritatively established that in 1884 for a
long time the patient went about in male attire, now in
the garments of a civilian, now in the uniform of a lieu-
tenant ; and in August of the same year, dressed as a male
servant, she fled to Switzerland through delusions of per-
secution. There she found service in a merchant's family
and fell in love with the daughter of the house, "the beau-
tiful Anna," who, on her side, not recognising the sex of
R., fell in love with the handsome young man.
Concerning this episode the patient made the follow-
ing characteristic statement: "I was madly in love with
Anna. I don't know how it came about, and I cannot put
myself right concerning this impulse. In this fatal love
lies the reason why I played the role of a man so long.
I have never yet felt any love for a man, and I believe
that my love is for the female and not the male sex. I
can in nowise understand my condition."
From Switzerland R. wrote letters home to her friend
Amelia, which were produced at the examination. They
are letters showing passionate love, which goes beyond
the bounds of friendship. She apostrophises her friend:
"My flower, sun of my heart, longing of my soul". ' She
was her greatest happiness on earth; her heart was hers.
And in her letters to her friend's parents she wrote : "You,
too, should watch my 'flower/ for if she should die I also
would be unable to endure life".
For the purpose of investigating her mental condition,
R. remained for some time in an asylum. On one occa-
sion, when Anna was allowed to pay R. a visit, there was
no end of passionate embraces and kisses. The visitor
acknowledged freely that they had before secretly em-
braced and kissed in the same way.
R. was a tall, slim, stately person, of feminine form in
all respects, but masculine features. Cranium regular;
no anatomical signs of degeneration. Genitals normal and
indicative of virginity. R. made the impression of a mor-
ally pure and modest person. All the circumstances in-
dicated that she had only indulged in platonic love. Eye
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 423
and appearance were indicative of a neurasthenic person.
Severe hysteria, occasional cataleptoid attacks, with vision-
ary and delirious states. The patient was very easily
brought into a state of somnambulism by hypnotic influ-
ence, and in this condition was susceptible to all possible
suggestions. (Personal case. "Friedreich's Blatter,"
1881, Heft i.)
Case 163. Viraginity. Miss O., twenty-three years
of age. Mother constitutionally and heavily hysteropathic.
Mother's father insane. Father's family untainted.
Father died early of pneumonia. Patient was brought
to me by her trustee because she ran away recently from
home in male attire in order to rove through the world
and become an "artiste". Very gifted in music.
For several years she attracted much attention by her
bold, mannish behaviour, and by wearing her hair and
attire in male fashion. Since she was thirteen she was
demonstrative in her love for girl friends, whom she often
wearied with fervent embraces.
She did not seek to conceal her passionate fondness
for persons of her own sex. Claimed that since her thir-
teenth year she was fully conscious of the fact that she
could love only women. She felt as a man towards woman ;
though she looked like a man, and would much rather wear
men's clothes.
A short time ago she seriously asked a relative who
was in the police department to obtain permission for her
to go about in male attire.
Her erotic dreams dealt only with intimate intercourse
with female friends. She never took the slightest interest
in men, and never thought of marriage.
She felt quite happy in her abnormal sexual condi-
tion, and did not recognise it as pathological. She could
not comprehend that her sexual instinct differed from that
of other women.
The circumference of the head was 51 cm. Frame
quite feminine; but the feet were exceptionally large and
424 PSYCIIOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
more of masculine type. Carriage, attitude and gait quite
masculine. Female voice. Monthly periods regular since
her thirteenth year.
Case 164. (Viraginity.) On the 5th of October,
1898, the police brought to my clinic W., age thirty-six,
a charwoman, for examination as to her sanity. She had
engaged herself to a young girl under the pretext that she
was a man and belonged to an aristocratic family. Exam-
ination proved this to be a classical case of original para-
noia. When she was five she imagined that the couple
with whom she lived were only her foster parents, at
eighteen that she came from a distinguished family, at
twenty-nine that her father was a king, her mother a
countess. Circumference of cranium 53 cm., parietal
bones slightly bulging. Ears abnormally small, of uneven
size, misformed, the right lobe joined groin-like to the
cheek, the left properly developed. Palate very narrow
and steep. Teeth carious, many missing (Rachitis). Stat-
ure medium size, willowy. Chest strongly arched. Waist
and region of hips smaller than in the normal. A promi-
nent gynecologist examined the pelvic regions and found
a small pelvis, narrow at the inferior outlet, in form almost
typically masculine. Ilium less inclined than in the nor-
mal.
The hard lines and severe features of the face gave it
a rather masculine appearance. Her hair was cut short.
Gait and bearing masculine. Skin very rough, adipose
layers sparse, mamma stunted. Genitals normal, hymen
intact. She was loath to speak of her vita sexualis, but
wanted an explanation why she had no desire for men and
only for persons of her own sex. "Her genitals could not
be right." Menses from the age of sixteen, but the flow
of blood came but seldom, and even then very sparsely.
With the advent of puberty inclinations to persons of her
own sex. She never was sensual. Her sexual ideas were
always about the female sex in general, never concentrated
on an individual. In this wise she had lived with another
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 425
girl of her own age; but their relations had been those of
sisters; sexual acts had never taken place between them.
She felt towards other women as a man does; she loathed
the idea of sexual intercourse with a man. When a child
she preferred playing with boys. "When playing at "rob-
bers" she would be the captain and chose a girl for her
wife, but without any sexual moment. At sixteen she
thought she possessed the qualities of a man. She was
then in a convent and there learned from a woman mas-
turbation. The thought of this woman was always pres-
ent when she masturbated, and acted as a sexual stimulus.
Later on she thought of other females during the act, but
without decided individuality.
At thirty-three she became neurasthenic, gave up the
practice successfully. She bewailed the fact that she was
not born a man, as she hated feminine things and dress
generally. "Would much, rather have been a soldier.
Sweetmeats she disdained, preferring a cigar. She was a
bright, intelligent person. Larynx and voice feminine.
She became convinced that she could not marry a woman
and upon promise to conquer her perverse sexual inclina-
tions she was dismissed.
Case 165. Miss X., aged thirty-eight, consulted me
late in the fall of 1881, on account of severe spinal irri-
tation and obstinate sleeplessness, in combating which she
had become addicted to morphine and chloral. Her mother
and sister were nervous sufferers, but the rest of the fam-
ily were healthy. The trouble dated from a fall on her
back in 1872, at which time the patient was terribly
frightened, though, when a girl, she had been subject to
muscular cramps and hysterical symptoms. Following
this shock, a neurasthenic and hysterical neurosis devel-
oped, with predominating spinal irritation and sleepless-
ness. Episodically, hysterical paraplegia, lasting as long
as eight months, and hysterical hallucinatory delirium,
with convulsive attacks, occurred. In the course of this,
symptoms of morphinism were added. A stay, of some
426 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALlS.
months in the hospital relieved the latter, and considerably
improved the neurasthenic neurosis, in the treatment of
which general faradisation exerted a remarkably favour-
able influence.
Even at the first meeting, the patient produced a re-
markable impression by reason of her attire, features and
conduct. She wore a gentleman's hat, her hair closely cut,
eye-glasses, a gentleman's cravat, a coat-like outer gar-
ment of masculine cut that reached well down over her
gown, and boots with high heels. She had coarse, some-
what masculine features; a harsh, deep voice; and made
rather the impression of a man in female attire than that
of a lady, if one but overlooked the bosom and the decid-
edly feminine form of the pelvis. During the long time
that she was observed, there were never signs of erotism.
When questioned concerning her attire, she would only
respond that the style she chose suited her better. Gradu-
ally it was ascertained from her that, even when she was
a small girl, she had had a preference for horses and
masculine pursuits, and never any interest in feminine
occupations. Later she developed a particular pleasure in
reading, and prepared herself to be a teacher. Dancing
had never pleased her; it had always seemed silly to her.
The ballet had never interested her. Her greatest pleasure
had always been in the circus. Until her sickness, in
1872, she had neither had inclination for persons of the
opposite nor of those of her own sex. From that time
she had, what was remarkable to herself, a peculiar
friendship for females, particularly for young ladies;
and she had a desire, and satisfied it, to wear hats and
coats of masculine style. Since 1869, she had worn her
hair short, and parted it on the side, as men do. She as-
serted that she was never sexually excited in the company
of men, but that her friendship and self-sacrifice for sym-
pathetic ladies was unbounded; while from that time she
also experienced repugnance for gentlemen and their so-
ciety.
Her relatives reported that, before 1872, the patient
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 427
had a proposal of marriage, which she refused ; and that
when she returned from a sojourn at a watering place, in
1874, she was sexually changed, and occasionally showed
that she did not regard herself as a female.
Since that time she would associate only with ladies,
had a kind of love-relation with one or another, and made
remarks which indicated that she looked upon herself as
a man. This predilection for women was decidedly more
than mere friendship, since it expressed itself in tears,
jealousy, etc.
When, in 1874, she was stopping at a watering place,
a young lady, who took her for a man in disguise, fell in
love with her. When this lady married, later, the patient
was for a long time depressed, and spoke of unfaithful-
ness. Moreover, since her illness, her relatives were struck
by her desire for masculine attire, her masculine conduct,
and disinclination for feminine pursuits ; while, previously,
at least sexually, she had presented nothing unusual.
Further investigation showed that the patient had a
love-relation, which was not purely platonic, with the lady
described in case 159; and that she wrote her affectionate
letters like those of a lover to his beloved. In 1887 I again
saw the patient in a sanatorium, where she had been placed
on account of hystero-epileptic attacks, spinal irritation,
and morphinism. The inverted sexual feeling existed un-
changed, and only by the most careful watching was the
patient kept from improper advances toward her fellow-
patients.
Her condition remained quite unchanged until 1889.
Then the patient began to fail, and she died of "exhaus-
tion," in August, 1889. The autopsy showed, in the vege-
tative organs, amyloid degeneration of the kidneys, fibroma
of the uterus, and cyst of the left ovary. The frontal bone
was much thickened, uneven on the inner surface, with
numerous exostoses; dura adherent to vault of cranium.
Long diameter of skull, 175 millimetres; lateral diameter,
148 millimetres; weight of the oedematous, but no atro-
phied brain, 1175 grammes. The meuinges delicate, easily
428 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
removed. Cortex pale. Convolutions broad, not numer-
ous, regularly arranged. Nothing abnormal in cerebellum
and great ganglia.
Case 166. Gynandry.1 History: On 4th November,
1889, the father-in-law of a certain Countess V., com-
plained that the latter had swindled him out of 800f.,
under the pretence of requiring a bond as secretary of
a stock company. It was ascertained that Sandor had
entered into matrimonial contracts and escaped from the
nuptials in the spring of 1889; and, more than this, that
this ostensible Count Sandor was no man at all, but a
woman in male attire — Sarolta (Charlotte), Countess V.
S. was arrested, and, on account of deception and
forgery of public documents, brought to examination. At
the first hearing S. confessed that she was born on the
6th Sept., 1866; that she was a female, Catholic, single,
and worked as an authoress under the name of Count
Sandor V.
From the autobiography of this man-woman I have
gleaned the following remarkable facts that have been
independently confirmed : —
S. came of an ancient, noble and highly respected
family of Hungary, in which there had been eccentricity
and family peculiarities. A sister of the maternal grand-
mother was hysterical, a somnambulist, and lay seventeen
years in bed, on account of fancied paralysis. A second
great-aunt spent seven years in bed, on account of a fancied
fatal illness, and at the same time gave balls. A third had
the whim that a certain table in her salon was bewitched.
When anything was laid on this table, she would become
greatly excited and cry, "Bewitched! bewitched!" and
run with the object into a room which she called the "Black
Chamber," and the key of which she never let out of her
hands. After the death of this lady, there were found in
this chamber a number of shawls, ornaments, bank-notes,
1 Cf. the expert medical opinion of this case, by Dr,
in " Friedreich't Blatter f. ger. Med.," 1891, Heft 1.
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 429
A fourth great-aunt during two years did not leave
In r room, and neither washed herself nor combed her hair;
ilicn she again made her appearance. AH these ladies
were, nevertheless, intellectual, finely educated and
amiable.
>.'s mother was nervous, and could not bear the light
of the moon.
She inherited many of the peculiarities of her father's
family. One line of the family gave itself up almost
entirely to spiritualism. Two blood relations on the
father's side shot themselves. The majority of her male
relatives were unusually talented; the females were de-
cidedly narrow-minded and domesticated. S.'s father had
a high position, which, however, on account of his eccen-
tricity and extravagance (he wasted over a million and a
half), he lost.
Among many foolish things that her father encouraged
in her was the fact that he brought her up as a boy,
called her Sandor, allowed her to ride, drive and hunt,
admiring her muscular energy.
On the other hand, this foolish father allowed his
second son to go about in female attire, and had him
brought up as a girl. This farce ceased when the son
was sent to a higher school at the age of fifteen.
Sarolta-Sandor remained under her father's influence
till her twelfth year, and then came under the care of her
eccentric maternal grandmother in Dresden, by whom,
when the masculine play became too obvious, she was
placed in an institute and made to wear female attire.
At thirteen she had a love-relation with an English
girl, to whom she represented herself as a boy, and ran
away with her.
Surolta returned to her mother, who, however, could
do nothing, and was- compelled to allow her daughter to
again become Sandor, wear male clothes, and, at least
once a year, to fall in love with persons of her own sex.
At the same time S. received a careful education and
made long journeys with her father, of course always as a
430 PSYCUOrATHIA SEXUALI8.
young gentleman. She early became independent and
visited cafes, even those of doubtful character, and, indeed,
boasted one day that in a brothel she had had a girl sitting
on each knee. S. was often intoxicated, had a passion for
masculine sports and was a very skilful fencer.
She felt herself drawn particularly toward actresses,
or others of similar position, and, if possible, toward those
who were not very young. She asserted that she never
had any inclination for a young man, and that she had
felt, from year to year, an increasing dislike for young
men.
"I preferred to go into the society of ladies with ugly,
ill-favoured men, so that none of them could put me ill
the shade. If I noticed that any of the men awakened
the sympathies of the ladies, I felt jealous. I preferred
ladies who were bright and pretty; I could not endure
them if they were fat or much inclined toward men. It
delighted me if the passion of a lady was disclosed under
a poetic veil. All immodesty in a woman was disgusting
to me. I had an indescribable aversion for female attire, —
indeed, for everything feminine, but only in as far as it
concerned me; for, on the other hand, I was all enthu-
siasm for the beautiful sex."
During the last ten years S. had lived almost con-
stantly away from her relatives, in the guise of a man.
She had had many liaisons with ladies, travelled much,
spent much, and made debts.
At the same time she carried on literary work, and was
a valued collaborator on two noted journals of the capital.
Her passion for ladies was very changeable; con-
stancy in love was entirely wanting.
Only once did such a liaison last three years. It was
years before that S., at Castle G., made the acquaintance
of Emma E., who was ten years older that herself. She
fell in love with her, made a marriage contract with her,
and they lived together as man and wife for three years
at the capital.
A new love, which proved fatal to S., caused her to
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 431
sever her matrimonial relations with E. The latter would
not have it so. Only with the greatest sacrifice was S.
able to purchase her freedom from E., who still looked
upon herself as a divorced wife, and regarded herself as
the Countess V.! That S. also had the power to excite
passion in other women was shown by the fact that when
she (before her marriage with E.) had grown tired of a
Miss D., after having spent thousands of guldens on her,
she was threatened with shooting by D. if she should be-
come untrue.
It was in the summer of 1887, while at a watering-
place, that S. made the acquaintance of a distinguished
official's family. Immediately she fell in love with the
daughter, Marie, and her love was returned.
Her mother and cousin tried in vain to break up
this affair. During the winter the lovers corresponded
zealously. In April, 1888, Count S. paid her a visit, and
in May, 1889, attained her wish; in that Marie — who,
in the meantime, had given up a position as teacher —
became her bride in the presence of a friend of her lover,
the ceremony being performed in an arbour, by a pseudo-
priest, in Hungary. S., with her friend, forged the mar-
riage certificate. The pair lived happily, and, without
the interference of the father-in-law, this false marriage,
probably, would have lasted much longer. It is remark-
able that, during the comparatively long existence of the
relation, S. was able to deceive completely the family of
her bride with regard to her true sex.
S. was a passionate smoker, and in all respects her
tastes and passions were masculine. Her letters and
even legal documents reached her under the address of
"Count S." She often spoke of having to drill. From
remarks of the father-in-law it seems that S. (and she
afterward confessed it) knew how to imitate a scrotum
with handkerchiefs or gloves stuffed in the trousers. The
father-in-law also, on one occasion, noticed something
like an erected member on his future son-in-law (probably
a priapus). She also occasionally remarked that she was
432 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
obliged to wear a suspensory bandage while riding. The
fact is, S. wore a bandage around- the body possibly as a
means of retaining a priapus.
Though S. often had herself shaved pro forma, the
servants in the hotel where she lived were convinced that
she was a woman, because the chambermaids found traces
of menstrual blood on her linen (which S. explained, how-
ever, as haemorrhoidal) ; and, on the occasion of a bath
which S. was accustomed to take, they claimed to have
convinced themselves of her real sex by looking through
the key-hole.
The family of Marie make it seem probable that she
for a long time was deceived with regard to the true
sex of her false bridegroom. The following passage in
a letter from Marie to S., 26th August, 1889, speaks in
favour of the incredible simplicity and innocence of this
unfortunate girl : "I don't like children any more, but '
if I had a little Bezerl or Patscherl by my Sandi — ah,
what happiness, Sandi mine!"
A large number of manuscripts allow conclusions to
be drawn concerning S.'s mental individuality. The
chirography possesses the character of firmness and
certainty. The characters are genuinely masculine. The
same peculiarities repeat themselves everywhere in their
contents — wild, unbridled passion; hatred and resistance
to all that opposes the heart thirsting for love; poetical
love, which is not marred by one ignoble blot, enthusiasm
for the beautiful and noble; appreciation of science and
the arts.
Her writings betray a wonderfully wide range of
reading in classics of all languages, in citations from
poets and prose writers of all lands. The evidence of
those qualified to judge literary work shows that S.'s
poetical and literary ability was by no means small. The
letters and writings concerning the. relation with Marie
are psychologically worthy of notice.
S. speaks of the happiness there was for her when
by M.'s side, and expresses boundless longing to see her
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 433
beloved, if only for a moment. After such a happiness
she could have but one wish — to exchange her cell for
the grave. The bitterest thing was the knowledge that
now Marie, too, hated her. Hot tears, enough to drown
herself in, she had shed over her lost happiness. Whole
quires of paper are given up to the apotheosis of this
love, and reminiscences of the time of the first love and
acquaintance.
S. complained of her heart, that would allow no reason
to direct it; she expressed emotions which were such
as only could be felt — not simulated. Then, again, there
were outbreaks of most silly passion, with the declara-
tion that she could not live without Marie. "Thy dear,
sweet voice; the voice whose tone perchance would raise
me from the dead; that has been for me like the warm
breath of Paradise! Thy presence alone were enough
to alleviate my mental and moral anguish. It was a
magnetic stream; it was a peculiar power your being
exercised over mine, which I cannot quite define; and,
therefore, I cling to that ever-true definition: I love you
because I love you. In the night of sorrow I had but
one star — the star of Marie's love. That star has lost
its light; now there remains but its shimmer — the sweet,
sad memory which even lights with its soft ray the
deepening night of death — a ray of hope."
This writing ends with the apostrophe: "Gentlemen,
you learned in the law, psychologists and pathologists,
do me justice! Love led me to take the step I took; all
my deeds were conditioned by it God put it in my
heart
"If he created me so, and not otherwise, am I then
guilty; or is it the eternal, incomprehensible way of
fate? I relied on God, that one day my emancipation
would come; for my thought was only love itself, which
is the foundation, the guiding principle, of His teaching
and His kingdom.
"O God, Thou All-pitying, Almighty One! Thou
seest my distress; Thou knowest how I suffer, Incline
28
434 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
Thyself to me; extend Thy helping hand to me, deserted
by all the world. Only God is just. How beautifully
does Victor Hugo describe this in his 'Legendes du
Siecle* ! How sad do Mendelssohn's words sound to
me : 'Nightly in dreams I see thee' !"
Though S. knew that none of her writings reached
her lover, she did not grow tired writing of her pain
and delight in love, in page after page of deification of
Marie. And to induce one more pure flood of tears, on
one still, clear summer evening, when the lake was aglow
with the setting sun like molten gold, and the bells of
St. Anna and Maria-Worth, blending in harmonious mel-
ancholy, gave tidings of rest and peace, she wrote: "For
that poor soul, for this poor heart that beats for thee till
the last breath".
Personal examination: The first meeting which the
experts had with S. was in a measure, a time of embarrass-
ment to both sides; for them, because perhaps S.'s some-
what dazzling and forced masculine carriage impressed
them; for her, because she thought she was to be marked
with the stigma of moral insanity. She had a pleasant
and intelligent face, which, in spite of a certain delicacy
of features and diminutiveness of all its parts, gave a
decidedly masculine impression, had it not been for the
absence of a moustache. It was even difficult for tho
experts to realise that they were concerned with a woman,
despite the fact of female attire and constant association;
while, on the other hand, intercourse with the man Sandor
was much more free, natural, and apparently correct.
The accused also felt this. She immediately became more
open, more communicative, more free, as soon as she was
treated like a man.
In spite of her inclination for the female sex, which
had been present from her earliest years, she asserted that
in her thirteenth year she first felt a trace of sexual feeling,
which expressed itself in kisses, embraces, and caresses,
with sexual pleasure, and this on the occasion of her
elopement with the red-haired English girl from the Dres-
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 435
den institute. At that time feminine forms exclusively
appeared to her in dream-pictures, and ever since, in
sensual dreams, she felt herself in the situation of a man,
and occasionally, also, at such times, experienced ejacu-
lation.
She knew nothing of solitary or mutual onanism.
Such a thing seemed very disgusting to her, and not
conducive to manliness. She had, also, never allowed
herself to be touched ad genitalia by others, because it
would have revealed her great secret. The menses began
at seventeen, but were always scanty and without pain.
It was plain to be seen that S. had a horror of speaking
of menstruation; that it was a thing repugnant to her
masculine consciousness and feeling. She recognised the
abnormality of her sexual inclinations, but had no desire
to have them changed, since in this perverse feeling she
felt both well and happy. The idea of sexual intercourse
with men disgusted her, and she also thought it would be
impossible.
Her modesty was so great that she would prefer to
sleep among men rather than among women. Thus,
when it was necessary for her to answer the calls of
nature or to change her linen, it was necessary for her to
ask her companion in the cell to turn her face to the
window, that she might not see her.
When occasionally S. came in contact with this com-
panion,— a woman from the lower walks of life, — she
experienced a sexual excitement that made her blush.
Indeed, without being asked, S. related that she was
overcome with actual fear when, in her cell, she was
compelled to force herself into the unusual female attire,
H»T only comfort was that she was at least allowed to
keep a shirt. Remarkable, and what also speaks for the
significance of olfactory sensations in her vita sexualis, is
hf-r statement that, on the occasions of Marie's absence,
she had sought those places on which Marie's head waa
accustomed to repose, and smelled them, in order to ex-
perience the delight of inhaling the odour of her hair.
436 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
Among women, those who were beautiful, or voluptuous,
or quite young, did not particularly interest her. The
physical charms of women she made subordinate. As
by magnetic attraction, sli3 felt herself drawn to those
between twenty-four and thirty. She found her sexual
satisfaction exclusively in corpore femincs (never in her
own person), in the form of manustupration of the beloved
woman, or cunnilingus. Occasionally she availed herself
of a stocking stuffed with oakum as a priapus. These
admissions were made only unwillingly by S., and with
apparent shame; just as in her writings immodesty or
cynicism are never found.
She was religious, had a lively interest in all that is
noble and beautiful, — men excepted, — and was very sensi-
tive to the opinion others entertained of her morality.
She deeply regretted that in her passion she made Ma-
rie unhappy, and regarded her sexual feelings as perverse,
and such a love of one woman for another, among normal
individuals, as morally reprehensible. She had great
literary talent and an extraordinary memory. Her only
weakness was her great frivolity and her incapability to
manage money and property reasonably. But she was
conscious of this weakness, and did not care to talk
about it.
She was 153 centimetres tall, of delicate build, thin,
but remarkably muscular on the breast and thighs. Her
gait in female attire was awkward. Her movements were
powerful, not unpleasing, though they were somewhat
masculine and lacking in grace. She greeted one with
a firm pressure of the hand. Her whole carriage was
decided, firm and somewhat self-conscious. Her glance
was intelligent ; mien somewhat diffident. Feet and hands
remarkably small, having remained in an infantile stage
of development. Extensor surfaces of the extremities
remarkably well covered with hair, while there was not the
slightest trace of beard, in spite of all shaving experi-
ments. The hips did not correspond in any way with
those of a female. Waist wanting. Pelvis so slim and
CONGENITAL SEXUAL INVERSION IN WOMAN. 437
so little prominent, that a line drawn from the axilla to
the- corresponding knee was straight — not curved inward
by a waist or outward by the pelvis. The skull slightly
oxycephalic, and in all its measurements below the aver-
age of the female skull by at least one centimetre.
Cireu inference of the head 52 centimetres; occipital
half circumference, 24 centimetres; line from ear to ear,
over the vertex, 23 centimetres; anterior half-circumfer-
ance, 28.5 centimetres; line from glabella to occiput, 30
centimetres; ear-chin line, 26.5 centimetres; long diam-
eter, 17 centimetres; greatest lateral diameter, 13 centi-
metres; diameter at auditory incut i, 12 centimetres; zygo-
matic diameter, 11.2 centimetres. Upper jaw strikingly
projecting, its alveolar process projecting beyond the under
jaw about 0.5 centimetre. Position of the teeth not fully
normal ; right upper canine not developed. Mouth remark-
ably small; ears prominent; lobes not differentiated, pass-
ing over into the skin of the cheek. Hard palate, narrow
and high ; voice rough and deep ; mammre fairly developed,
soft and without secretion. Mons veneris covered with
thick, dark hair. Genitals completely feminine, without
trace of hermaphroditic appearance, but at the stage of
development of those of a ten-year-old girl. The labia
majora touching each other almost completely ; labia
minora having a cock's-comb-like form, and projecting
under the labia majora. Clitoris small and very sensitive.
Frenulum delicate; perineum very narrow; introitus
vaginae narrow ; mucous membrane normal. Hymen want-
ing (probably congenitally) ; likewise the carunculsc myrti-
formes. Vagina so narrow that the insertion of a mem-
brum virile would be impossible, also very sensitive; cer-
tainly coitus had not taken place. Uterus felt, through the
rectum, to be about the size of a walnut, immovable and
retroflected.
Pelvis generally narrowed (dwarf -pelvis), and of de-
cidedly masculine type. Distance between anterior su-
perior spines 22.5 centimetres (instead of 26.3 centi-
metres). Distance between the create of the ilii, 26.5
438 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXTJALIS.
centimetres (instead of 29.3 centimetres) ; between the tro-
chanters, 27.7 centimetres (31) ; the external conjugate
diameter, 17.2 centimetres (19 to 20); therefore, the in-
ternal conjugate, presumably, 7.7 centimetres (10.8). On
account of narrowness of the pelvis, the direction of the
thighs not convergent, as in a woman, but straight.
The opinion given showed that in S. there was a
congenitally abnormal inversion of the sexual instinct,
which, indeed, expressed itself, anthropologically, in ano-
malies of development of the body, depending upon great
hereditary taint; further, that the criminal acts of S.
had their foundation in her abnormal and irresistible
sexuality.
S.'s characteristic expressions — "God put love in my
heart. If He created me so, and not otherwise, am I,
then, guilty; or is it the eternal, incomprehensible way
of fate?" — are really justified.
The court granted pardon. The "countess in male
attire," as she was called in the newspapers, returned
to her home, and again gave herself out as Count Sandor.
Her only distress was her lost happiness with her beloved
Marie.
A married woman, in Brandon, Wisconsin, whose
case is reported by Dr. Kiernan ("The Medical Standard,"
1888, November and December), was more" fortunate.
She eloped, in 1883, with a young girl, married her, and
lived with her as husband undisturbed.
An interesting "historical" example of androgyny is
a case reported by Spitzka ("Chicago Medical Review,"
20th August, 1881). It was that of Lord Cornbury,
Governor of New York, who lived in the reign of Queen
Anne. He was apparently affected with moral insanity;
was terribly licentious, and, in spite of his high position,
could not keep himself from going about in the streets
in female attire, coquetting with all the allurements of a
prostitute.
In a picture of him that has been preserved, his narrow
brow, asymmetrical face, feminine features, and sensual
CON KtJAL INVEB8ION IN WOMAN. 439
mouth at onco attract attention. It is certain that he
r actually regarded himself as a woman.
Complications of Antipathic Sexual Instinct.
Moreover, in individuals afflicted with sexual inver-
sion, in themselves, the perverse sexual feeling and inclina-
tion may be complicated with other perverse manifesta-
tions. Thus here, with reference to the activity of the in-
stinct, there may be acts quite analogous to acts indulged in
by individuals in perverse satisfaction of the instinct, but
who, at the same time, have a natural inclination toward
persons of the opposite sex.
Owing to the circumstance that abnormally increased
sexuality is almost a regular accompaniment of anti-
pathic sexual feeling, acts of lustful sadistic cruelty in
the satisfaction of libido are easily possible. A remarkable
example of this is the case of Zastrow (Casper-Liman, 7.
Auflage, Bd. i., p. 160; ii., p. 487), who bit one of his
victims (a boy), tore his prepuce, slit the anus, and
strangled the child.
Z. came of a psychopathic grandfather and melan-
cholic mother. His brother indulged in abnormal sexual
pleasures, and committed suicide.
Z. was a congenital urning, and in habitus and occupa-
tion masculine. There was phimosis. Mentally, he was
a weak, perverse, socially useless man. He had horror
femince, and, in his dreams, he felt himself like a woman
toward a man. He was painfully conscious of his want
of normal sexual feeling and of his perverse instinct, and
sought satisfaction in mutual onanism, with frequent
desire for pederasty.
Similar sadistic feelings of this kind, in those afflicted
with antipathic sexual instinct, are found in some of the
roing histories (rf. oases 128 and 129 of this edition,
and case 96 of the sixth edition; also Moll, "Contr. Sex-
ualempfindung," second edition, p. 189; v. Krafft, "Jahrb.
440 PSYCIIOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
f. Psychiatric," xii., pp. 357 and 389; Moll, "Unter-
siichungen iiber Libido sexualis," clases 26 and 27).
As examples of perverse sexual satisfaction dependent
on antipathic sexual instinct, may be mentioned the Greek,
who, as Athendus reports, was in love with a statue of
Cupid, and defiled it, in the temple of Delphi ; and besides
the monstrous cases reported by Tardieu ( " Attentats," p.
272), the terrible one reported by Lombroso ("L'uomo
delinquente," p. 200), of a certain Artusio, who wounded
a boy in the abdomen, and abused him sexually by means
of the incision.
Cases 92, 110 and 115 (eighth edition) show that
fetichism may also occur with antipathic sexual instinct ;
moreover a case of shoe-fetichism related by me in "Jahr-
biicher f. Psychiatric," xii., 1 ; Moll, op. cit., second edi-
tion, p. 179 ; Gamier, "Les Fetichistes," p. 98.
The following case, taken from Gamier, is a classical
example of boot-fetichism. At times masochism forms a
complication of sexual inversion Cf. Moll, second edition,
p. 172 (case 12) and p. 190; Hem, "Internat. Centralbl.
f. d. Physiol. and Pathol. der Harn- und Sexualorgane,"
iv., Heft 5 (homosexuality in a woman with passive flagel-
lantism and koprophagia) ; v. Krafft, case 43 in sixth
edition of this book, also case 137 of this edition and
114 of eighth edition; ditto "Jahrbiicher fur Psychiatric,"
xii., p. 339 (homosexuality, abortive masochism), p. 351
(psych, hermaphrod. masochism).
Case 167. Homosexuality. X., twenty-six years of
age, of the upper class, was arrested for having prac-
tised masturbation in a public park. By heredity heavily
tainted ; skull abnormal ; was peculiar from earliest youth ;
psychically abnormal ; at the age of ten he began to show
a peculiar interest in patent leather shoes; began to mas-
turbate at thirteen, but in order to procure ejaculation
he had to fasten his eyes upon patent leather shoes. He
never felt any inclination towards woman, and when, at
the age of twenty-one, he once attempted coitus at a
CONGENITAL HDP \l. I N v I.KM« >.\ IN WOMAN. -Ill
brothd driivid no satisfaction from the act. With the
twenty-fourth year his lu»ii»uH-xual instinct began to
assert itself more and more. But he felt himself drawn
only to young men who wore elegant clothes and patent
leather boots. Thinking of such nun, he masturbated.
II is ideal was to live with such a man and practice mutual
masturbation. Unable to realise his wishes, he would
introduce a ball into his anus, and moving it in and out
fancy himself to have coitus with his ideal young man
wearing patent leather boots. Simultaneously he would
masturbate. During this imitation of passive pederasty
he would wear drawers made of red silk. For some time
he was wont to stick notices on public buildings to this
effect: "My nates are at the disposal of handsome gentle-
men who wear patent leather boots". Whilst writing
such notices and looking at his own patent leather shoes,
he would have an erection. Since his sixteenth year,
when young men began to interest him, he had eyes only
for their patent leather boots. He loved to loiter about
the show-windows of boot shops and the drilling-grounds
of the military school, where he had opportunity for ad-
miring the officers in their patent leather boots. One
day he bought a pair for himself and became quite in-
toxicated by gazing at them. The very smell of them
was sufficient to excite him very much sexually. He
finally put them on, that in them he might make con-
quests; but he was not successful. Now he used them
for another purpose. He would masturbando ejaculate
into them. The most intense lustful pleasure he derived
when he put, during this act, one of the shoes to his anus
or inter femora, rubbing it about there. When one day
X. found a defect on the uppers of one of these shoes,
which he always saved most carefully, he was very de-
jected. He looked upon himself as a person who has
just discovered the first wrinkle in the face of his beloved.
One day when in the park he thought that a young man
made advances to him according to his own desire; he
was highly elated, and could not resist to expose hi» per-
442 PSYCHOPATH I A SKXUALIS.
son. He was arrested, but not sentenced. He was sent to
an insane asylum (Gamier, "Les Fetichistes," p. 114).
In general, the acquired cases are characterised in
that :—
1. The homo-sexual instinct appears as a secondary
factor, and always may be referred to influences (mas-
turbatic neurasthenia, mental) which disturbed normal
sexual satisfaction. It is, however, probable that here, in
spite of powerful sensual libido, the feeling and inclination
for the opposite sex are weak ab origine, especially in a
spiritual and aesthetic sense.
2. The homosexual instinct, so long as inversio sexualis
has not yet taken place, is looked upon, by the individual
affected, as vicious and abnormal, and yielded to only
faute de mieux.
3. The heterosexual instinct long remains predominant,
and the impossibility to satisfy it gives pain. It weakens
in proportion as the homosexual feeling gains in strength.
On the other hand, in congenital cases : —
(a) The homosexual instinct is the one that occurs
primarily, and becomes dominant in the vita sexualis. It
appears as the natural manner of satisfaction, and also
dominates the dream-life of the individual.
(&) The heterosexual instinct fails completely, or, if
it should make its appearance in the history of the indi-
vidual (psycho-sexual hermaphroditism), it is still but an
episodical phenomenon which has no root in the mental
constitution, and is essentially, but a means to satisfaction
of sexual desire.
The differentiation of the above groups of congenital
inverted sexuality from one another, and from the cases
in which the anomaly is acquired, will, after the foregoing,
present no difficulties.
» The jjrognQjSJs of the cases of acquired antipathic sexual
| instinct is, at all events, much more favourable than that
of the congenital cases. In the former, the occurrence
of effemination — the mental inversion of the individual, in
ANTIPATHIC SEXUAL IWBTIWOT. 443
the sense of perverse sexual feeling — is the limit beyond
which there is no longer hope of benefit from therapy. In
the congenital cases, the various categories established in
this book form as many stages of psycho-sexual taint, and
benefit is probable only within the category of the psychical
hermaphrodites, thought possible (vide the case of Schrenk-
Notzing) in that of the timings.
The prophylaxis of these conditions becomes thus the
more important — for the congenital cases, prohibition of
the reproduction of such unfortunates; for the acquired
cases, protection from the injurious influences which expe-
rience teaches may lead to the fatal inversion of the sexual
instinct.
Numerous predisposed individuals meet this sad fate,
because parents and teachers have no suspicion of the
danger which masturbation brings in its train to children.
In many schools and academies masturbation and vice
are actually cultivated. At present much too little atten-
tion is given to the mental and moral peculiarities of the
pupils.
If only the tasks are done, nothing more is asked.
That many pupils are thus ruined in body and soul is never
considered.
In obedience to affected prudery, the vita sexualis is
made a mystery to the developing youth, and not the slight-
est attention given to the excitations of his sexual instinct.
How few family physicians are ever called in, during the
years of development of children, to give advice to their
patients that are often so greatly predisposed!
It is thought that all must be left to Nature; in the
meantime, Nature rises in her power, and leads the help-
less, unprotected innocent into dangerous by-paths.
Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapie of Antipathic kxual
Instinct
The diagnosis of antipathic sexual instinct is of great
clinical and. particularly, forensic, import. At the first
444 PSTCHOPATHIA 8EXTTALIS.
glance, it opens some difficulties, since the symptoms are
rather of a subjective nature and the perverse acts offer
so many aspects which may mean perversion as well as
perversity. Much depends on the veracity of the patient,
and that leaves in many cases much to be desired. Auto-
biographies are to be taken cum grano sails, and should
be discounted. Nevertheless the expert will soon be able
to weed out exaggeration and untruth. Antipathic sexual
instinct is such a complicated psychical anomaly that only
the experienced specialist can quickly distinguish between
truth and fiction.
True knowledge is easiest ascertained from those who
despair of their existence, meditate suicide (which fre-
quently is found in those who have cultured minds and
realise the anomaly of their position), but as a last resort
come to the medical man for advice; also from those who
are confronted with legal proceedings, or who through cir-
cumstances are forced into marriage and doubt their
virility. These patients have an urgent need for help, and
will tell the truth. In strong contrast to these really un-
fortunate beings stand those, generally of but little ethical
and intellectual value, who seek to enrich medical
knowledge by fatuous gossip about their disease. Every
case of genuine homosexuality has its etiology, its concom-
itant physical and psychical symptoms, its reactions upon
the whole psychical being, and must be reduced to an ab-
normal sexual instinct which is diametrically opposed to
the physical sex of the affected individual, as it can be
explained upon that basis only. The diagnosis is to be
found in the anamnesis, the aetiology, the vita anteacta,
the psycho-sexual development of the case. To form a
clear opinion it behooves to judge the case from the stand-
point of the anthropological clinical history of its devel-
opment, and to collect synthetically all the various details.
The opinion will then be as definitely established as in
any other clinical case.
The first important point based upon ripe experience
is the fact that antipathic sexual instinct as an anomaly
ANTIPATHIC SEXUAL INSTINCT. 445
of sexual life is only found in individuals who are tainted,
as a rule, hereditarily. In foro particular stress should be
laid upon this point. In all cases in which anamnesis has
been proved, this taint will be readily found. Per &e, thi*
proof is of no value, for perversity also grows in this soil.
But it assumes importance when the same frailty is found
to exist in several members of the same family or appears
in the form of other perversions of the sexual life either
in the individual himself under consideration, or in other
members of his family. Often enough the patient pre-
sents other psychical or neurotic anomalies, even psychical
diseases, defects or such like. They are so frequent and
numerous that one is often led to doubt whether the man-
ifestation under observation belongs in the sphere of neu-
ropathia or that of psychopathia.
These neurotic and psychopathic manifestations de-
mand a most careful scrutiny as to their meaning. Not
uncommonly they are signs of taint or degeneration of
equivalent value with antipathic sexual instinct, or they
may be reactions emanating from external defects to which
tainted individuals are more subject than normal man is,
often indirectly depending on antipathic sexual instinct
on the ground of psychical conflicts in which these unfor-
tunates are frequently implicated by virtue of their sexual
perversions ; or they may be found to spring from the im-
perfect or perverse gratification of their sexual needs
(onanism).
Certain it is that these persons are, as a rule, also
abnormal so far as character is concerned. They are neither
man nor woman, a mixture of both, with secondary psy-
chical and physical characteristics of the one as well as the
other sex, which grow out of the interfering influences of
a bisexual predisposition and disturb the development of a
well defined and complete being. But this peculiarity is
only found in fully developed cases. A psychical disease
per se is not a necessary adjunct to antipathic sexual in-
stinct. All nations and all eras have produced perverse
446 PSYCHOPATHIA SKXUALIS.
men, whose renown and greatness adorn the history of
their mother country or that of the world.
This abnormality must not be looked upon as a patho-
logical condition or as a crime, but the development of the
vita sexualis with its reacting effects upon the mind and
the moral sense; it may proceed with the same harmony
and satisfying influence as in the normally disposed, a fur-
ther argument in favour of the assumption that antipathic
sexual instinct is an equivalent for heterosexuality. If
ethical and intellectual defects are present, they may be
looked upon merely as complicated anomalies resulting
from the taint.
An important factor is precocity in sexual life, which
together with its antithesis, i.e., retarded puberty, is the
distinguishing mark of a degenerated constitution. It is
quite another thing when the vita sexualis takes an inverted
course at an early period, particularly at a time when evil
influences or bad examples cannot be at work. For in-
stance, when little boys prefer male adults to their female
relations, or show a predilection for girls' games and oc-
cupations or particular skill in sewing, knitting, embroid-
ering, etc., or inclination for female toilet, find pleasure in
wearing girls' clothing, choose girls' characters in private
theatricals or in masquerades and betray great cleverness
in impersonating the female character, etc.
Homosexual acts (mutual masturbation, etc.) previous
to puberty are no proof of antipathic sexuality. They
may spring from hypersexuality, precocity or some exter-
nal influences. They do not necessarily lead to inverted
sexuality, only then when the individual is predisposed.
It is at the time of puberty that the vita sexualis is devel-
oped and receives its direction for the rest of life. An
unconscious desire for sexual union, often enough stimu-
lated by individuals of the same sex, brings the playmates
together, tickling and other tactile irritations — quite apart
from the genuine sexual instinct — lead to acts of mastur-
bation in corpore virili, but they are not coupled with psy-
chical feelings in the sense of homosexual acts. The same
ANTIPATHIC SEXUAL INSTINCT. 447
analogous manifestations may be observed in young ani-
mals.
But rarely antipathic sexuality develops from these
horseplays. Puberty teaches the youthful sinner to know
his true sex soon enough. From the sexual instinct, baaed
upon a series of physical and psychical attractions, ema-
nates the sexual leaning to persons of the opposite gender,
and the earlier homosexual encounters are remembered
with shame and confusion. But the homosexual act com-
mitted after puberty has set in, is the decisive step in the
wrong direction. The stadium of sexual differentiation
covers sometimes a long period and often reaches far be-
yond that of physical sexual development.
Of great value in diagnosing a case is to ascertain the
dream-life and that of sleep in the patient. The true
status of the sexual instinct is here often pitifully por-
trayed. Nocturnal pollutions are found to be coloured (a)
in cases of psychical herinaphroditism predominantly, (b)
in all the other grades of the anomaly exclusively in the
sense of homosexuality. In cases of effeminatio (viragin-
ity) they are accompanied by dream-pictures delineating
the passive (in man) or the active (in woman) role in the
sexual act
The presence of physical or psychical abnormal char-
acteristics may aid diagnosis if they are coupled with other
more distinctive signs. By themselves they prove nothing,
as they are also found in individuals not tainted, for in-
stance, in gyn&ecomasts, bearded women, etc., etc.
In the well-pronounced cases of antipathic sexual in-
stinct (effeminatio and viraginity) the physical and psy-
chical characteristics of inverted sexuality are so plentiful
that a mistake cannot occur. They are simply men in
women's garb, and women in men's attire, especially if they
have full freedom of action. Psychically they consider
themselves to belong to the opposite sex. We have seen
women urnings in the army, and men urnings among the
waitresses in restaurants. They act, walk, gesticulate and
behave in every way exactly as if they were persons of the
448 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUAI.I8.
f i
sex which they simulate. I have known malo urnmgs
who excelled woman in wiles, loquacity, coquetry, etc.,
etc.
In pronounced cases hashfulness and timidity in the
presence of persons of his own sex will be observed in the
homosexual individual.
That urnings know each other instinctively is a fable.
They recognize one another by their gait, natural shyness
and by signs just the same as normal persons of opposite
sexes do if they go adventure hunting.
The higher grades of homosexuality show horror fem-
inse to the extent of absolute impotence. Imagination
sometimes assists in producing erection and rendering coi-
tus possible. Diagnosis is definitely established when abso-
lute proof is at hand that a homosexual person is perma-
nently attracted by a person of the same sex and led to a
sexual act with that person, the act granting full satisfac-
tion to the sexual instinct, whilst similar attractions do not
exist in persons of the opposite sex, and if the disgust for
persons of the opposite sex is insuperable.
The distinction between congenital and acquired (or
rather retarded) homosexuality is considered to be of theo-
retical and therapeutical value.
Some authors claim that congenital homosexuality
does not exist, but that this anomaly is acquired from oth-
ers. But I cannot accept their arguments, for they do
not explain the presence of the distinguishing symptoms so
often found in the earliest years of the individuals af-
flicted, i.e., at a period in which external influences may be
considered to be absolutely excluded.
Case 1 68. Taken from Moll, "Libido Sexualis," case
69, p. 726. A young man, thirty-four years of age, was
from age seventeen drawn to young men, and had no
liking for girls. He was an effeminated character, had a
girl's nickname, and played with dolls. When drunk he
allowed men to masturbate him. When sober, however,
he would not permit it, because he thought it stupid.
ANTIPATHIC SEXUAL INSTINCT. 449
To parents and teachers, the experiences detailed in
this and numerous other scientific works on masturbation,
present valuable suggestions.
Educators are often too "naive" in their views, and
their power of observation is too limited to notice the sexual
abuses rampant among the boys entrusted to their care
and practised even during lesson time. In a few excep-
tional cases they have even become seducers of boys.
Everything that is calculated to unduly further the devel-
opment of the vita sexualis — such as prolonged sitting on
the form, the use of alcoholic drinks, etc. — should be
strictly avoided. A boy with inverted sexuality should be
rigidly excluded from all public educational institutions
for boys and sent to a hospital for nervous disorders. Boys
should not be permitted to sleep together at home. Swim-
ming lessons and bathing en masse should be under the
careful and strict supervision of a competent person.
Neither should "a child with antipathic sexual instinct
be placed under the isolated tuition of a tutor or private
master, for frequently the first object of homosexual love
is the instructor at home. Care should be taken that
tainted children are not caressed and fondled by persons
of the same sex. Flagellatio ad podicem should never be
permitted.
The best place for children that are perversely (sex-
ually) inclined is the public school where co-education of
the sexes prevails. An early preference for games, occu-
pations and pastimes of the opposite sex should be strongly
discountenanced and interdicted. Masturbation should be
carefully watched in both sexes. Early signs of antipathic
sexual instinct should at once be noticed, and hypnotic and
(suggestive treatment applied, for there is more hope for
(eradicating the evil in its earlier stages than when the in-
dividual so tainted has already been lost in the quagmire
of sexual perversion.
The lines of treatment, when antipathic sexual instinct
exists, are the following: —
29
450 P8YCHOPATHIA 8EXDALI8.
1. Prevention of onanism and removal of other influ-
ences injurious to the vita sexualis.
2. Cure of the neurosis (neurasthenia sexualis and tmi-
versalis') arising out of the unhygienic conditions of the
vita sexualis.
3. Mental treatment, in the sense of combating homo-
sexual, and encouraging heterosexual, feelings and im-
pulses.
The momentum of the treatment lies in fulfilling the
third indication, particularly with reference to onanism.
Only in very few cases, where acquired antipathic
sexual instinct has not progressed far, can the fulfilment
of 1 and 2 be sufficient, as a case fully reported by the
author in the "Irrenfreund," 1885, No. 1, proves. Cf.
case 128, ninth edition of this book.
As a rule, physical treatment, even though it be rein-
forced morally by good advice with reference to the avoid-
ance of masturbation, the repression of homosexual feel-
ings and impulses, and the encouragement of heterosexual
desires, will not prove sufficient, even in cases of acquired
sexual inversion.
Here a method of mental treatment — hypnotic sugges-
tion— is all that can really benefit the patient.
I know of but one case in which auto-suggestion proved
successful, cf. case 129, ninth edition.
As a rule, only suggestion coming from a second per-
son, and that by means of hypnosis, promises success.
In such cases, the object of post hypnotic suggestion
is to remove the impulse to masturbation and homosexual
feelings, and to encourage heterosexual emotions with a
sense of virility.
A prerequisite is, of course, the possibility to induce
hypnosis of sufficient intensity. It is, unfortunately, in"
these very cases of neurasthenia that this proves impossi-
ble, since the subject is often excited, embarrassed, and
in no condition to concentrate the thoughts.
By reason of the great benefit that can be given to
such unfortunates, and with Ladame's case in view (v.
ANTIPATHIC SEXUAL INSTINCT. 451
infra), in all such cases, everything should be done to force
hypnosis — the only means of salvation. The result, in the
three following cases, was satisfactory : —
Case 160. Antipathic sexual instinct acquired
through masturbation. Mr. X., merchant, aged twenty-
nine. Father's parents healthy. Nothing nervous in
father's family.
Father was an irritable, peevish old man. One brother
of the father was a man-about-town, and died unmarried.
Mother died in third confinement, when the patient was
six years old; she had a deep, rough, masculine voice, and
coarse appearance. Of the children, one brother is irri-
table, "melancholic," and indifferent to women.
When a child, patient had scarlet fever with delirium.
Up to his fourteenth year he was light-hearted and social,
but, after that, quiet, solitary, and "melancholic". The
first trace of sexual feeling appeared in his tenth or elev-
enth year, and at that time he learned masturbation from
other boys, and practised mutual onanism with them.
At the age of thirteen or fourteen, ejaculation for the
first time. Patient had felt no evil results of onanism until
the last three months.
At school he learned easily, but was troubled with head-
aches. After the age of twenty, pollutions, in spite of
daily practice of onanism. With pollutions occurred "pro-
creative" dreams, as man and wife might perform the act
In his seventeenth year he was seduced into mutual onan-
ism by a man having a love for men. He found satisfac-
tion in this, inasmuch as he was always very passionate
sexually. It was a long time before the patient again
sought new opportunities for intercourse with males. He
did it simply to rid himself of semen.
He felt no friendship or love for the person with whom
he had intercourse. Tie felt satisfaction only when he
played the passive role — when manustupration was prac-
tised on him. When the act was once completed, he had
no respect for the individual. If it happened that, later,
452 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
he came to respect the man, then he ceased to indulge in
the act with him. Later it became indifferent to him
whether he masturbated or had masturbation practised on
him. When he himself practised onanism, he always
thought of pleasing men practising onanism on him dur-
ing the act. He preferred a hard, rough hand.
The patient thought that, had he not been led astray,
he would have arrived at a natural mode of satisfaction of
his sexual desires. He never felt love for his own sex,
though he had pleased himself with the thought of loving
men. At first he had had sensual inclinations toward the
opposite sex. He had taken pleasure in dancing, and he
had been pleased with women, but he had taken more
pleasure in the figure than the face. He had had erections
at the sight of women that pleased him. He had never
attempted coitus, for fear of infection; whether he was
potent or not with women, he did not know. He thought
he could be so no longer, because his feeling for women
had grown cold, especially during late years.
While previously, in his sensual dreams, he had had
ideas of both men and women, of late years he had dreamed
only of approaches to men; he could not remember that
he had dreamed, in late years, of sexual relations with a
woman. At the theatre, as well as in the circus and ballet,
the feminine figure had always interested him. In mu-
seums, masculine and feminjjia statues had affected him
equally. ff
Patient was a great smoker, a beer-drinker, loved male
society, and was an athlete and skater. Anything dandi-
fied was repugnant to him, and he had never felt any de-
sire to please men; he would even have preferred to please
women.
He now felt his position to be painful, because onanism
had obtained the upper hand. Masturbation, that had
previously been practised without evil effects, now began
to disclose its bad results.
Since July, 1889, he had suffered with neuralgia of
the testicles. Tlie pain occurred particularly at night; and
ANTIPATHIC SEXUAL INSTINCT. 453
tt night there was also trembling (increased reflex excita-
bility).
1> was not refreshing, and he would wake up with
pain in the testicles. He was inclined, now, to indulge
more frequently in onanism. lie was afraid of the con-
sequences of the habit. He hoped that his sexual life
might still be turned into normal channels. Now, he
thought of the future; he had a relation with a girl, who
was attractive to him, and the thought to possess her as
a wife was pleasing.
For five days he had abstained from onanism, but he
could scarcely believe that he would be able, with his own
strength, to overcome the habit. Of late he had been
very much depressed, having lost all desire for work, and
become tired of life.
Patient was tall, powerful, well nourished, and had a
thick growth of beard. Skull and skeleton normal. Knee-
jerks very prompt ; deep reflexes in upper extremities much
increased. Pupils dilated, equal, and acted promptly.
Carotids of equal calibre; hyperaesthesia urethra; cords
and testicles not sensitive ; genitals normal.
The patient was calmed, and given hope for the future,
provided that he gave up onanism and attempted to trans-
fer his sexual desires from persons of his own sex to
females.
Hip-baths (24° to 20° R.^ ; extr. Secal. cornut. aquos.,
0.5; antipyrin, 1.0 (pro die) ; pot. brom. 4.0 (evenings),
were ordered. H
13th December. To-day the patient came, in a dis-
t turbed condition of mind, complaining that, unaided, he
was unable to resist the impulse to masturbate, and he
' asked for help.
A trial of hypnosis induced a condition of deep lethargy
in the patient.
He was given the following suggestions: —
1. I can not, must not, and will not masturbate again.
2. I abhor the love of my own sex, and shall never
again think men handsome.
454 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALJ8.
3. I shall and will become well again, fall in love with
a virtuous woman, be happy, and make her happy.
14th December. While out walking to-day, patient
saw a handsome man, and felt himself powerfully drawn
toward him.
From this time there were hypnotic sittings every
second day, with the above suggestions.
18th December (fourth sitting), somnambulism oc-
curred; the impulse to onanism and interest in men dis-
appeared.
At the eighth sitting "complete virility" was added to
the above suggestions. The patient felt himself morally
elevated and physically strengthened. The neuralgia of
the testicles had disappeared. He now found that he was
without sexual feeling.
He now believed himself free from masturbation and
inverted sexual inclination.
After the eleventh sitting he thought further help was
unnecessary. He wished to go home, and marry. He felt
well and potent. Early in January, 1890, treatment
ceased.
In March, 1890, the patient wrote: "I have since had
several occasions on which it has been necessary for me
to use all my moral strength in order to overcome my
habit, and, thank God, I have been successful in freeing
myself from this vice. Several times I have had oppor-
tunity for sexual intercourse, and I have found pleasure
in it. I look calmly on my happy future."
Other cases successfully treated by suggestion may be
found in Wetterstrand, Der Hypnotismus und seine An-
wendung in der praktischen Medicin, 1891, p. 52 u. ff. ; —
Berriheim, "Hypnotisme," Paris, 1891, etc., p. 38.
The foregoing details of the successful results of hyp-
notic suggestion, in cases of acquired sexual inversion,
make it seem possible that those unfortunates who are
afflicted with congenital perversion may be helped in some
degree by the same means.
Of course the proposition is different as regards cases
ANTirvillH si.MM. INSTINCT. 455
of a congenital anomaly. To correct a morbid psycho-
sexual existence is a most ilitiinilt proMcm.
The most favourable cases are those of psychosexual
hermaphroditism in which at least rudimentary hetero;
sexual feelings may be strengthened by suggestion and
brought into active practice.
Case 170. Mr. von X., aged twenty-five, landed
proprietor, lit- came "I a neuropathic, irascible father,
who was said to have been sexually normal. His mother
was nervous, as were her two sisters. Maternal grand-
mother was nervous, and maternal grandfather a roue,
much given to venery. Patient was like his mother, and
an only child. From birth ho was weak, suffered much
with migraine, and was nervous. lie passed through sev-
eral illnesses. At fifteen he began masturbation, without
having been taught.
Until his seventeenth year he never had feeling for
men, or, in fact, any sexual inclination; but at this time
desire for men arose. He fell in love with a comrade.
His friend returned his love. They embraced and kissed
and indulged in mutual onanism. Occasionally patient
praetised coitus inter femora riri. He abhorred pederasty.
Lascivious dreams were concerned only with men. In
circus and theatre males alone interested him. The inclin-
ation was for those of about twenty years. Handsome, tall
forms were enticing to him. Given these conditions, he
was quite indifferent to other characteristics of the men.
In his sexual affairs with men his part was always that of
a man.
After his eighteenth year the patient was always a
source of anxiety to his highly respected parents, for he
then began a love-affair with a male waiter, who fleeced
him and made him an object of remark and ridicule. He
was taken home. He consorted with servants and hostlers.
He caused a scandal. He was sent away to travel about.
In London he iM into a "blackmailing scrape," but suc-
ceeded in escaping to his home.
456 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
He profited in no way by this bitter experience, and
again- showed disgraceful inclinations toward men. Pa-
tient was sent to me to be cured of his fatal peculiarity
(December, 1888). Tall, stately, robust, well-nourished,
of masculine build ; large, well-formed genitals. Gait,
voice, and attitude masculine. Pronounced masculine pas-
sions. He smoked but little, and only cigarettes; drank
little, and was fond of confectionery. He loved music,
arts, aesthetics, flowers, and moved in ladies' society by
preference. He wore a moustache, the face being other-
wise cleanly shaved. His garments were in nowise re-
markable. He was a soft, blase fellow, and a do-nothing.
He would lie in bed mornings, and could scarcely be made
to rise before noon. He said he had never regarded his
inclination toward his own sex as abnormal. He looked
upon it as congenital ; but, taught by his evil experiences,
he wished to be cured of his perversion. He had little
faith in his own will. He had tried to reform, but always
lapsed into masturbation, which he found injurious, inas-
much as it caused (slight) neurasthenic symptoms. There
was no moral defect. Intelligence was a little below the
average. Careful education and aristocratic manners were
apparent. The exquisite neuropathic eye betrayed a ner-
vous constitution. The patient was not a complete and
hopeless urning. He had heterosexual feelings, his sen-
sual inclinations toward the opposite sex, however, were
manifested but weakly and infrequently. When nineteen,
he was first taken to a brothel by friends. He experienced
no horror femince, had efficient erections, and some pleas-
ure in coitus, but not the instinctive delight he experienced
while embracing men.
Since then, patient asserted that he had had coitus six
times, twice sua sponte. He gave the assurance that he
was always capable of it, but he did it only faute de mieux,
as he did masturbation, when the sexual impulse troubled
him, as a substitute for intercourse with men. He had
thought of the possibility of finding a sympathetic lady and
ANTIPATHIC SIXUAL INSTINCT. 457
marrying her. He would regard marital cohabitation and
abstinence from intercourse with men as hard duties.
Since there were rudiments of heterosexual feelings
present, and the case could not be looked upon as hopeless,
it seemed that treatment was indicated. The indications
were clear enough, but there was no support for them in
the will of the indolent patient, so unconscious of his own
position. It lay near to seek support for the moral influ-
ence in hypnosis. The fulfilment of this hope seemed
doubtful, because the famous //onsen had tried several
times, in vain, to hypnotise him.
At the same time, by reason of the most important
social interests of the patient, it was necessary to make
another attempt. To my great surprise, Bernheim's pro-
cedure induced immediately a condition of deep lethargy,
with possibility of post-hypnotic suggestion.
At the second sitting somnambulism was induced by
merely looking at him. The patient easily yielded to sug-
gestions of all kinds; indeed, contractures were induced
by stroking him. He was awakened by counting three.
Awakened, patient had amnesia for all the events of the
hypnotic state. Hypnosis was induced every second or
third day for the communication of hypnotic suggestions.
At the same time, moral and hydro-therapeutic measures
were employed.
The hypnotic suggestions were as follows:
1. I abhor onanism, because it makes me weak and
miserable.
2. I no longer have inclination toward men; for love
for men is against religion, nature and law.
3. I fool an inclination toward woman; for woman is
lovely and desirable, and created for man.
•During the sittings the patient always repeated ver-
batim these suggestions. After the fourth sitting it was
noticeable, that, when taken into society, he paid court to
ladies. Shortly aftor that, when a famous priraa-donna
Bang, he was all enthusiasm for her. Some days later the
jxatient sought the address of a brothel.
458 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
Yet he preferred the society of young gentlemen; but
the most careful watching failecl-to reveal anything sus-
picious.
17th February. Patient asked to be allowed to in-
dulge in coitus, and was very well satisfied with his expe-
rience with one of the demi-mondes.
16th March. Up to this time, hypnosis twice a week.
The patient always passed into deep somnambulism by
simply being looked at, and, at request, repeated the sug-
gestions. He was susceptible to all kinds of post-hypnotic
suggestion, and, in the waking state, knew not the least
of the influences exerted on him in the hypnotic state.
In the hypnotic condition he always gave the assurance
that he was free from onanism and sexual feeling for men.
Since he gave the same answers in hypnosis — e.g., that on
such and such a date he practised onanism for the last
time, and that he was too much under the will of the
physician to be able to lie — his assertions deserved belief;
the more, since he looked well and was free from all neu-
rasthenic symptoms, and, in the society of men, not the
slightest suspicion rested on him. An open, free, and
manly bearing was developed.
Moreover, since, of his own will, he now and then in-
dulged in coitus with pleasure, and occasional pollutions
were induced by lascivious dreams which concerned
women, there could be no doubt of the favourable change
of his vita sexualis; and it was presumable that the hyp-
notic suggestions had developed into auto-suggestive in-
clinations, which directed his feelings, thoughts and will.
Probably the patient will always remain a natura frigida;
but he more often spoke of marriage, and of his intention
to win a wife as soon as he had become acquainted with a
sympathetic lady. Treatment was stopped. (Author's own
case, "Internat. Centralbl. fiir die Physiol. und Pathol.
der Harn- und Sexualorgane" Band i.)
In July, 1889, I received a letter from his father, tell-
ing me of his son's good health and conduct.
On 24th May, 1890, by chance, I met my former
ANTir. \THIC SEXUAL INSTINCT. 459
patient, while on a journey. His bright, healthful appear-
ance allowed the most favourable opinion of his condition.
He told me that he still had sympathetic feeling for some
men, but never anything like love. He occasionally had
pleasurable coitus with women, and now thought of mar-
riage,
I hypnotised him, in the former manner, to try him,
and asked for the commands I had given him. In a deep
condition of somnambulism, and in the same tone of voice
as formerly, the patient repeated fte suggestions he had
received in December, 1888 — an excellent example of the
possible duration and power of post-hypnotic suggestion.
Other cases may be found in the eighth. edition, casea
137, 138, 140, 141 ; and ninth edition, case 133, of thii
book.
The cases quoted by the author, as well as those given
by Ladame, in which suggestion removed the homosexual
instinct, or, at least, neutralised it (as a protection from
shame and law), seem to afford a proof that even the
gravest cases of congenital sexual inversion may be bene-
fited by the application of hypnotism.
Weiterstrand (cf. Schrenck, op. cit.t case 49) Bern-
heim (cf. Schrenck, case 51), Muller (cf. Schrenck, case
53), Schrenck (op. cit., cases 66, 67), report even complete
success in displacing the homosexual by the heterosexual
instinct coupled with virility. Schrenck (op. cit., cases
62, 63) succeeded also in cases of effeminatio.
But only when hypnotism produces deep somnambu-
lism, decided and lasting results may be hoped for, which,
after all, are nothing more than suggestive training, not
a real cure. They are marvellous "artefacta" of hypnotic
science practised on abnormal human beings, but by no
means "transformations" (cf. Schrenck) of a psychosexual
existence.
Very instructive in this respect is a case related by
Schrenok, the representative of which after effected "cure"
says of himself: "I am ever conscious of a certain insu-
460 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIB.
perable coercion winch does not rest upon moral principles,
but must, as I believe, be referable directly to treatment".
At any rate such "cures" afford no proof whatsoever
against the assumption of original conditionality of sexual
inversion.
It is necessary here to warn the reader against illusions
about the true value of hypnotic therapy.
Attempts have been repeatedly made to question the
right of the medical adviser to treat cases of antipathic
sexuality. The advice given to the unfortunates so af-
flicted was to become reconciled with their anomaly and
to eschew homosexual intercourse. In some cases in which
the libido was weak or the sense of morality was not en-
tirely blunted, success has been achieved. It was pointed
out to these unfortunate beings that there are many other
dreadful afflictions, such as trigeminus neuralgia or malign
tumours, which man must bear with resignation. This
view involves, however, a defective knowledge of the
meaning and bearing of antipathic sexual instinct, in so
jfar as this affliction means nothing more or less than a
[hopeless existence, a life without love, an undignified
comedy before human society, and moral and psychical
marasmus if the advice is adopted; on the other hand,
eventual loss of social position, civic honour and liberty
are involved.
Castration is out of the question, because it is difficult
to justify such an operation, for the antipathic sexual in-
stinct with its psychical tortures, cannot be extirpated by
this process even though the libido sexualis be diminished.
To confine such people in an insane asylum is a mon-
strous idea. Justification for it can only then exist if the
perverse individual suffers also from a psychosis which
renders confinement imperative.
Another objection which has been made against treat-
ment is that the weal and welfare of society is jeopardized
in so far as an opportunity is given to tainted individuals
to propagate their perversions.
This objection appears comical in the face of the fact
ANTIPATHIC SEXUAL INSTINCT. 461
that no one has yet thought of prohibiting tin- marriage
of the congenital libertine or habitual drunkard. M\
perience teaches me that the sexual perverts in general
by no means constitute tin' worst type of degeneration.
The progeny of individuals thus tainted, which 1 have had
occasion to observe, has offered no pronounced manifesta-
tions of neuropathic constitution or taint.
Psychopathia sexualis is not often met with as a family
failing or a mark of heredity.
The number of cases which have been really cured of
tin.- anomaly will always be limited, because many of these
unfortunates refrain from taking into their confidence even
the medical man. Others despair beforehand of the effi-
ciency of treatment, whilst some who practise homosexual
intercourse and find satisfaction in it, hesitate to exchange
their method for something uncertain. Again others de-
mur for fear of becoming potent, and thus transmitting
their own weakness to the offspring. Others present psy-
chical impedimenta which s<"'in insurmountable, or they
do not react to hypnotic influence or suggestion, thus ren-
dering treatment futile.
If an individual afflicted with antipathic sexual in-
stinct, for ethical, social or any other reasons, demands
treatment, surely it cannot be denied him. It is the sacred
duty of every medical man to give advice and aid to the
best of his ability and knowledge whenever it is asked for.
The health and welfare of the patient must ever be para-
mount to that of society at large. Hygiene and prophy-
laxis enable him at all times to recompense the community
for any damage he may have done in an isolated case.
Moreover in the majority of cases the patient is quite
satisfied when he becomes sexually neutral, and under
these circumstances medical skill has rendered a signal ser-
vice to both society and the individual himself.
IV.— SPECIAL PATHOLOGY.
THE MANIFESTATIONS OF ABNORMAL SEXUAL LIFE IN THE
VABIOU8 FOBM8 AND STATES OF MENTAL
DISTURBANCE.
ABBEST OF MENTAL DEVELOPMENT.
SEXUAL life in idiots is, generally speaking, but slightly
developed. It is wanting entirely in idiots of high grade.
In such instances the genitals are frequently small and
deformed, and menstruation is late or does not occur at
all. There is either impotence or sterility. Even in
idiots of low grade, sexuality is not prominent. In rare
cases it is manifested with a certain periodicity, and then
with greater intensity. It may then find expression in
sudden impulses, and be violently satisfied. Perversions
of the sexual instinct do not seem to occur at the lowest
levels of mental development.
When the desire for sexual satisfaction is opposed in
these cases, great passion is excited, with danger of mur-
derous assault on the persons attacked. It is to be ex-
pected that idiots should not exercise choice, and even
attempt to satisfy the sexual instinct on their nearest
relatives.
Thus Marc-Ideler reports the case of an idiot who
attempted to rape his sister, and had almost strangled
her when he was discovered.
Friedreich reports an analogous case ("Friedreich's
Blatter," 1858, p. 50).
I have repeatedly had occasion to give opinions in
cases of attempts to rape little girls.
462
ARREST OF MENTAL DEVELOPMENT. 463
Oiraud ("Annal. m6d. psych.," 1885, No. 7) also re-
ports a case of this kind. Consciousness of the significance
of the act is always wanting; but an instinctive know-
ledge that such obscene acts are not publicly permitted
is often present, and causes the act to be undertaken in
a deserted place.
In imbeciles the sexual instinct is usually developed
as in normal individuals. The moral inhibitory ideas are
cloudy, and, therefore, the sexual impulse is more or less
openly manifested. For this reason imbeciles are sources
of disturbance in society. Abnormal intensity and per-
version of the sexual instinct are infrequent
The most frequent manner of satisfying the sexual
desire is onanism. The weak-minded seldom make sexual
attacks on adults of the opposite sex.
Sexual satisfaction with animals is frequently at-
tempted. The great majority of cases of injury (sexual)
to animals must be attributed to imbeciles. Children are
quite often their victims.
Emminghaus ("Maschka's Handb.," iv., p. 234) draws
attention to the frequency of unrestricted manifestation
of sexual instinct, which comprises open masturbation,
exhibition of the genitals, attacks on children and those
of the same sex, and sodomy.
Oiraud ("Annal. med. psycho!.," 1855, No. 1) hag
reported a whole series of immoral attacks on children* : —
1. H., aged seventeen, imbecile, enticed a little girl into
a barn, by giving her nuts. There he exposed her genitals
and showed his own, making movements of coitus on
the child's abdomen. He had no idea of the moral sig-
nificance of the act
2. L., aged twenty-one; imbecile; degenerate. While
1 For numerous case*, "r. Ufnkf'$ Zeitschr.," xxiii., "Erglnzungs-
heft," p. 147; Combe*, "Annal. meU psychol.," 1866; Ltmow,
" Zweifelh. Geisteazustlnde," p. 389 ; Ca*j>cr-IAman. " Lehrb., 7,
Aufloge," Fall 295 ; Bartelt, " Fricdreich'i Blatter f. gerichtl. lied.,"
1890, Heft 1.
464 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
he was watching cattle, his sister of eleven years, with a
playmate of eight years, came and told him how some
unknown man had attempted to do them violence. L.
led the children to a deserted house and attempted coitus
with the younger child, but let her go because immission
was unsuccessful, and because the child cried out. On
the way home he promised to marry her if she would
not say anything. At the trial he thought that by marriage
he could right the wrong he had done.
3. G., aged twenty-one, microcephalic, imbecile, had
masturbated since his sixth year, and practised active
and passive pederasty. He had repeatedly tried to per-
form pederasty with boys, and attacked little girls. He
was absolutely without an understanding of his acts.
His sexual desires were manifested periodically and in-
tensely, as in animals.1
4. B., aged twenty-one; imbecile. While alone in a
forest with his sister of nineteen, he demanded that she
allow coitus. She refused. He threatened to strangle
her, and stabbed her with a knife. The frightened girl
wrenched his penis, and he then left her and quietly
went on with his work. B. had a deformed, microcephalic
skull, and had no sense of the significance of his act.
Emminghaus (op. cit., p. 234) reports the case of an
exhibitionist : —
Case 171. A man, aged forty, married, had for six-
teen years been accustomed to exhibit himself in parks, at
dusk, to little girls and servants, and drew their atten-
tion to himself by whistling. After having been frequently
punished for it, he avoided the places, but he carried on
his practice elsewhere. Hydrocephalus. Mental weakness
of slight degree. Mild sentence passed.
Case 172. X., of tainted family ; imbecile ; defective
1 Other cases of pederasty, v. Catper, "Klin. Novellen," Fall 5;
Combe*, "Annul. m6d. psychol.," July, 1866.
ARREST OF MENTAL DEVELOPMENT. 465
and pervertc'd in inirllivt, feeling and will. For help
and protection lie was brought before an officer. It was
complained that he had repeatedly exposed his genitals
to servant-girls, and had shown himself at windows with
the upper portion of his body naked. No other mani-
festations of inverted sexual instinct No onanism re-
ported (Sander, "Archiv f. Psych.," p. 655).
Case 173. Pederasty with a child. On 8th April,
1884, at ten o'clock, A. M., while X. was sitting in the
street, holding a boy of eighteen months on her lap, a cer-
tain Vallario approached and took the child from X., say-
ing he was going to take it for a walk. He went the
distance of half a kilometre, and returned, saying that the
child had fallen from his arms, and thus injured its anus.
The anus was torn, and blood was pouring from it At the
place where the deed was done, traces of semen were
found. V. confessed his horrible crime, and, at his final
trial, he acted so strangely that an examination of his
mental condition was made. He had impressed the .
prison attendants as being an imbecile. V., aged forty-
five, mason, defective morally and intellectually, dolicho-
microcephalic ; narrow, deformed facial bones; the halves
of the face and the ears asymmetrical ; brow low and re-
treating; genitals normal. V. showed general diminution
of cutaneous sensibility, was imbecile, and had no ideas.
He lived in the present, had no ambition, and did nothing
of his own will. He had no desires and no emotional feel-
ing. ,He had never had coitus. Nothing more could be
ascertained about his vita sexualis. Proofs of intellectual
and moral idiocy, due to microcephaly; the crime was
ascribed to a perverse, uncontrollable sexual impulse. Sent
to an asylum (Virgilio, "II Manicomio," v: year, No. 3).
A case mentioned by L. Meyer ("Arch. f. Psych.," Bd.
i., p. 103) shows how female imbeciles may indulge in
shameless prostitution and immorality.1
»F. Bander, " Vierteljahrsschr. f. ger. M«L," xriit, p. 11;
Coiper, "Klin. Novellen," Fall 27.
30
466 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
States of Acquired Mental Weakness.
The numerous anomalies of the vita sexualis in senile
dementia have been described in the section on "General
Pathology". In other conditions of acquired mental
weakness — those due to apoplexy; trauma capitis; to the
secondary stages of psychoses; or to inflammatory pro-
cesses in the cortex (lues, paretic dementia), — perversions
of the sexual instinct seem to be infrequent; and here
the immoral sexual acts seem to depend on abnormally
increased or uninhibited sexual feeling, which, in itself,
is not abnormal.
I. Dementia Consecutive to Psychoses.
Casper ("Klin. Novellen," Fall 31) reports a case that
belongs here. It is that of a physician, aged thirty-three,
who attempted rape on a child. He was weakened
mentally, as a result of hypochondriacal melancholia.
He excused his deed in a very silly way, and had no
appreciation of the moral and criminal meaning of the
act, which was apparently the result of a sexual impulse
that could not be controlled on account of his mental
weakness.
Case 21, in Liman's, "Zweifelhafte Geisteszustande,"
is an analogous case (dementia after melancholia; offence
against morals by exhibition).
2. Dementia After Apoplexy.
Case 174. B., aged fifty-two. He passed through a
cerebral attack, and was no longer able to carry on his
business as a merchant.
One day, in the absence of his wife, he locked two
girls in the house, gave them liquors to drink, and then
carried out sexual acts with the children. He commanded
them to say nothing, and went to his business. The
medical expert established mental weakness, resulting
STATES OP ACQUIRED MENTAL WKAKNXM. -M>7
from repeated apoplexies. B., who, up to this time,
had been well-behaved, Bays he committed the criminal
act because of an uncontrollable and incomprehensible
impulse; and that, when he came to himself, he was
ashamed, and sent the girls away. Since his apoplectic
attack, B. had been weak-minded, incapable of business,
and hemiplegic; but, soon after arrest, he made an un-
skilful attempt at suicide. He often cried childishly.
His moral and intellectual energy in opposing his sexual
impulses was certainly much weakene'd. No sentence
(Qiraud, "Ann. med. Psychol.," March, 1881).
3. Dementia After Apoplexy of Head.
Case 175. K., when fourteen years old, was injured
on the head by a horse. The skull was fractured in
several places, and several pieces of bone required removal.
From that time K. was weak mentally, irascible, and
ill-tempered. Gradually he developed an inordinate and
truly beastly sensuality, which drove him to the most
immoral acts. One day he raped a girl of twelve, and
strangled her for fear of discovery. Arrested, he confessed.
The medical experts declared him responsible, and he
was executed.
The autopsy revealed ossification of almost all the
sutures, remarkable asymmetry of the halves of the skull,
and evidences of healed fractures. The affected hemi-
sphere had bands of cicatricial tissue running through
it, and was one-third smaller than the other (Friedreich'g
"Blatter," 1885, Heft 6).
4. Acquired Mental Weakness, Probably Resulting
from Lues.
Case 176. X., officer, had repeatedly committed
immoral acts with little girls; among other things, he
had induced them to perform manustupration on him,
had exposed his genitals, and handled theirs.
468 P8YCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
X., formerly healthy, and of blameless life, was in-
fected with syphilis in 1867. In 1879 paralysis of the
left abducens occurred. Thereafter mental weakness was
noticed, with a change of his disposition and character.
Headache, occasional incoherence of speech, failure of
power of thought and logic, occasional inequality of pupils,
and paresis of the right facial muscles, were observed.
X., aged thirty-seven, showed no trace of lues when
examined. The paralysis of the left abducens was still
present. The left eye was amblyopic. He was mentally
weak. Concerning the trial that was before him, he said
it was nothing but a harmless misunderstanding. Indi-
cations of aphasia. Weakness of memory, particularly
for recent events. Superficial emotional reaction; rapid
exhaustion of memory and ability to speak. Proved:
that the ethical defect and the perverse sexual impulse
are the symptoms of an abnormal condition of brain
induced by lues.
Suspension of criminal proceedings (personal case,
"Jahrbiicher fur Psychiatrie").
5. Paretic Dementia.
Here the sexual life is usually abnormally affected ; in
the incipient stages of the disease, as well as in episodical
states of excitement, it is intensified, and sometimes per-
verse. In the final stages libido and sexual power usually
become nil.
Just as in the prodromal stage of the senile forms, one
sees here, in -connection with more or less evident losses
in the moral and intellectual spheres, expressions of an
apparently intensified sexual instinct (obscene talk, las-
civiousness in intercourse with the opposite sex, thoughts
of marriage, frequenting of brothels, etc.), which is char-
acteristic of the clouding of consciousness.
Seduction, abduction and public scandal are here the
order of the day. At first there is still some appreciation
of the circumstances, though the cynicism of the acts is
EPILEPSY. 469
striking enough. As the mental weakness increases, such
patients become criminal by reason of exhibition, mastur-
bation in the streets and attempts at immoral acts with
children.
If conditions of mental excitement come on, attempts
at rape are commit tinl, or at least, grossly immoral acts, —
the patient attacks women on the street, appears in public
in very imperfect dress; or, half-clothed, tries to force his
way into strange houses, to cohabit with the wife of an
acquaintance, or to marry the daughter on the spot
Numerous cases belonging to this category are cited
by Tardieu ("Attentats aux rnoeurs") ; Mendel ("Progres-
sive Paralyse der Irren," 1880, p. 123) ; Westphal ("Arch,
f. Psvrh., vii., p. 622) ; and a case by Petrucci ("Annal.
med. Psychol.," 1875) shows that bigamy may also occur
here.
The brutal disregard of consequences with which the
patients in the advanced stages attempt to satisfy their
sexual needs is characteristic.
In a case reported by Legrand ("La folie," p. 519), the
father of a family was found masturbating in the open
street. After the act he consumed his semen.
A patient seen by me, an officer, of a prominent family,
in broad daylight, made attacks on little girls at a water-
ing-place.
A similar case is reported by Dr. Regis ("De la
dynamic ou exaltation fonctionnelle au debut de la paral.
gen.," 1878).
Cases reported by Tarnowsky (op. cit., p. 82) show that
also pederasty find bestiality may occur in the prodromal
stages and course of this malady.
Epilepsy.
Epilepsy is allied to the acquired states of mental
weakness because it often leads to them, and then all the
possibilities of reckless satisfaction of the sexual impulse
that have been mentioned may occur. Moreover, iu
4:70 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALJS.
many epileptics the sexual instinct is very intense. For
the most part it is satisfied by -masturbation, now and
then by attacks on children, and by pederasty. Perver-
sion of the instinct with perverse sexual acts seems to be
infrequent
Much more important are the numerous cases in
literature in which epileptics, who, during intervals,
present no signs of active sexual impulse, but manifest it
in connection with epileptic attacks, or during the time
of equivalent or post-epileptic exceptional mental states.
These cases have scarcely yet been studied clinically, and
forensically not at all; but they deserve careful study.
In this way certain cases of violence and rape would be
understood, and legal murders prevented.
From the following facts it will certainly be clear that
the cerebral changes which accompany the epileptic out-
break may induce an abnormal excitation of the sexual
instinct.1 Besides, in the exceptional mental states of
epileptics, they are unable to resist their impulses, by
reason t>f the disturbance of consciousness.
For years I have known a young epileptic, of bad
heredity, who, always after frequent epileptic seizures,
attacks his mother and tries to violate her. After a time
he comes to himself, and has no recollection of his acts.
In the intervals he is very strict in morals, and has but
slight sexual inclination.
Some years ago I became acquainted with a young
peasant, who, during epileptic attacks, masturbated shame-
lessly, but during the intervals was above reproach.
Simon ("Crimes et delits," p. 220) mentions an epilep-
tic girl of twenty-three, well educated, and of the best
morals, who, in attacks of vertigo, would shout out ob-
*Arndt ("Lehrb. d. Psych," p. 410) especially emphasises the
passionate element in epileptics : " I have known epileptics who
behaved in a most sensual way toward their mothers, and others who
were suspected by their fathers of sexual intercourse with the
mothers." But when Arndt declares that, wherever there is a
peculiarity of the sexual life, thought of an epileptic element should
come into consideration, he is in error.
EPILEPSY. 1 7 1
scene words, then raise her dress, make lascivious move-
ments, and try to tear open IUT undofgannentai
Kiernan ("Alienist and Neurologist," January, 1884)
reports the case of an epileptic who always had, as an
aura, the vision of a beautiful woman in lascivious atti-
tudes, which induced ejaculation. After some years, with
treatment with potassium bromide, the vision was changed
to that of a devil attacking him with a pitchfork. The
instant this reached him, he became unconscious.
The same author speaks of a very respectable man
who had, two or three times a year, epileptic attacks of
furor and dysthymia, with impulses to pederasty, which
lasted a week or two ; and of a lady who, with epilepsy that
came on during the climacterium, had sexual desire for
boys.
Case 177. W., of good heredity, previously healthy;
before and after the attack, sound mentally, quiet, kind,
temperate. On 13th April, 1877, he had no appetite. On
the 14th, in the presence of his wife and children, he de-
manded coitus, first of his wife's friend, who was present,
then of his wife. Taken away, he had an epileptoid attack ;
after this he became wildly maniacal and destructive,
threw hot water on those that tried to approach him, and
threw a child in the stove. Then he soon became quiet,
but for some days remained confused, and finally came
to himself with no recollection of the events of his attack
(Kowalewsky, "Jahrbiicher f. Psych.," 1879).
Another case, examined by Caspar ("Klin. Novellen,"
p. 267), may be attributed to epilepsy (latent). A respect-
able man attacked four women, one after another, in the
open street (one before two witnesses), and violated one
of them, "notwithstanding that his young, pretty and
healthy wife" lived hard by.
The epileptic significance of the sexual acts in the
following cases is unequivocal : —
472 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
Case 178. L., an official, aged forty; a kind husband
and father. During four years lie had offended public
morals twenty-five times, for which he had to endure
long imprisonment.
In the first seven complaints he was accused of expos-
ing his genitals to girls from eleven to thirteen years
old, while passing them on horseback, and calling their
attention by obscene words. While in confinement, he
had exposed his genitals at a window which opened on
a popular street.
L.'s father was insane; his brother was once met on
the street wearing only a shirt. During his military
service L. had had two attacks of severe fainting. Since
1859 he had suffered with peculiar attacks of vertigo, at
such times becoming weak, tremulous, and deathly pale;
it grew dark before his eyes, he saw bright stars, and was
forced to get support in order to keep upright. After
violent attacks, great weakness, profuse sweating.
Since 1861 he had been very irritable, which, respected
though he was as an official, caused him much trouble in
his work. His wife noticed the change in him. He had
days when he would run about the house as if insane,
holding his head between his hands, striking the wall, and
complaining of headache. In 1864 he fell to the ground
four times, lying there stiff, with eyes open. Confused
states of consciousness were also proved to have occurred.
L. declared that he had not the slightest remem-
brance of the crime of which he was accused. Observa-
tion showed further and more violent attacks of epileptic
vertigo. L. was not sentenced. In 1875 paretic dementia
developed with rapidly fatal results (Westphal, "Arch. f.
Psych.," vii., p. 113).
Case 179. A rich man of twenty-six had lived for
a year with a girl with whom he was very much in love.
He cohabited but rarely, but was never perverse.
Twice during the year, after excessive indulgence in
alcohol, he had had epileptic attacks. One evening after
EPILEPSY. 473
dinner, at which he had taken much wine, he hurried to
tin- house of his mistress, and into her sleeping-apartment,
although the servant told him she was not at home.
From there he hastened into a room where a boy of
fourteen was sleeping, and began to violate him. At the
cry of the child, whose prepuce and hand he had injured,
the servant hurried to them. lie left the boy and raped
the maid ; after that he went to bed and slept twelve
hours. When he awoke, he had an indistinct remem-
brance of intoxication and coitus. Thereafter there were
repeated epileptic attacks (Tarnowsky, op. cit.t p. 52).
Case 180. X., of high social position, led a dissolute
life for some time, and had epileptic attacks. He be-
came engaged. On his wedding day, shortly before the
ceremony, he appeared on his brother's arm before the
assembled guests. When he came before his bride, he
exposed his genitals and began to masturbate. He was
at once taken to an expert in mental disease. On the
way he constantly masturbated, and for some days was
actuated by this impulse, which gradually decreased in
intensity. After this paroxysm the patient had only a
confused remembrance of the events, and could give no
explanation of his acts (Tarnowsky, op. cii., p. 53).
Case 181. Z., aged twenty-seven; very bad heredity;
epileptic. He violated a girl of eleven, and then killed her.
He lied about the deed. Absence of memory, i.e., mental
confusion at the time of the crime, was not proved. Pug-
liese, "Arch, di Psich.," viii., p. 622).
Case 182. V., aged, sixty; physician; violated chil-
dren. Sentenced to imprisonment for two years. Dr.
Marandon later on proved the existence of epileptoid
attacks of apprehensiveness, dementia, erotic and hypo-
chondriacal delusions and occasional attacks of fear (Lacas-
sagne, "Lyon. med.," 1887, No. 51).
Case 183. On 4th August, 1878, H., aged about
474 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
fifteen, was picking gooseberries with several little girls
and boys as her companions. Suddenly she threw L.,
aged ten, to the ground and exposed her, and ordered A.,
aged eight, and O., aged five, to bring about conjunctio
membrorum with the girl, and they obeyed.
H. had a good character. For five years she had been
subject to irritability, headache, vertigo and epileptic
attacks. Her mental and physical development had been
arrested. She had not menstruated, but she manifested
menstrual molimena. Her mother was suspected to be
epileptic. For three months H., after seizures, had
frequently done strange things, and afterward had no
remembrance of them.
H. seemed to have been deflowered. Mental defect was
not apparent. She said she had no remembrance of the
act of which she was accused. According to her mother's
testimony, she had an epileptic attack on the morning of
4th August, and she had been, on that account, told by her
mother not to leave the house (Piirkhauer ', "Friedreich's
Blatter f. ger. Med.," 1879, H. 5).
Case 184. Immoral acts of an epileptic in states of
abnormal unconsciousness. — T., revenue collector; aged
fifty-two ; married. He was charged of being guilty of im-
morality with boys for the past seventeen years, by practis-
ing masturbation on them, and by inducing them to carry-
out the act on himself. The accused, a respected officer,
was overcome by the terrible crime attributed to him, and
declared that he knew nothing of the deeds of which he
was accused. His mental integrity was^ questionable.
His family physician, who had known him twenty years,
emphasised his peculiar, retiring disposition and his
mercurial moods. His wife asserted that T. once tried
to throw her in the water, and that he sometimes had
outbreaks in which he tore off his clothing, and tried to
throw himself out of window. T. knew nothing of these
attacks. Other witnesses testified to strange changes of
mood and peculiarities of character. A physician reported
EPILEPSY. 475
the observation of occasional attacks of vertigo and con-
vulsions in him.
TVs grandfather was insane; his father was affected
with chronic alcoholism, and of late years had had epilep-
tiform attacks. The father's brother was insane, and had
killed a relative while in a delirious state. Another uncle
of T. had killed himself. Of T.'s three children, one
was weak-minded, another cross-eyed, and the third was
subject to convulsions. The accused asserted that he had
occasional attacks in which consciousness was so reduced
that he did not know what he was about. These attacks
were ushered in by an auro-like pain in the back of his
neck. He was then impelled to go out in the air. He
did not know where he went. His wife had perfectly
satisfied him sexually. For eighteen years he had had
chronic eczema (actual) of the scrotum, which had often
caused him to have extraordinary sexual excitement.
The opinions of the six experts were contradictory (sane,
— attacks of latent epilepsy) ; the jury disagreed, and he
was dismissed. Dr. Legrand du Saulle, who was called as
an expert witness, found that, until his twenty-second
year, T. had urinated in bed from ten to eighteen times a
year. After that time the enuresis nocturna had ceased;
but, from that time, states of mental confusion, lasting
from an hour to a day, had occurred occasionally, and they
left the patient without any remembrance of them. Soon
T. was arrested again for public immorality, and sentenced
to imprisonment for fifteen months. In prison he grew
sick, and apparently much weaker mentally. For this
reason he was pardoned, but the mental weakness in-
creased. T. was noticed to have repeated epileptoid con-
vulsions (tonic convulsion with tremor and loss of con-
sciousness) (Auzouy, "Annal. med. psychol., 1874, Nov.;
Legrand du Saulle, "Etude mcd. legale," etc., p. 99).
The following cases of immoral acts with children, ob-
served by the author and reported in "Friedreich's Blat-
476 PSYCHOPATHIA BEXUALIS.
ter," will serve to conclude this group,1 so important in its
legal bearings. It is the more important, in that a state
of unconsciousness was established at the time of the act,
and because, for allied reasons, the facts related in Latin
show how a complicated and refined act becomes possible
in such a state of unconsciousness.
Case 185. P., aged forty-nine; married, hospital
beneficiary. He was accused of having committed the
following terrible acts with two girls, — D., aged ten, and
G., aged nine, — whom he had taken to his work-shop on
25th May, 1883.
D. testified: "I was in the meadow with G. and my
sister J., aged three. P. called us into his shop and
fastened the door. Turn nos exosculabatur, linguam in
os meum demittere tentabat faciemque mihi lambebal ;
sustulit me in gremium, bracas aperuit, vestes meas
sublevavit, digitis me in genitalibus titillabat et merabro
vulvam meam fricabat ita ut humida fierem. When I
cried, he gave me twelve kreuzers, and threatened to shoot
me if I exposed him. At last he tried to persuade me to
come again the next day."
G. testified : "P. nates et genitalia D . . se exosculatus,
iisdem me conatibus aggressus est. Deinde filiolum
quoque tres annos natum in manus acceptum osculatus
est nudatumque parti suee virili appressit. Postea quae
nobis essent nomina interrogavit ac censuit, genitalia
D. .se meis multo esse majora. Quin etiam nos impulit,
ut membrum suum intueremur, manibus comprehendere-
mus et videremus, quantopere id esset erectum."
At his examination, 29th May, P. said he had but an
indistinct recollection of having fondled, caressed and
made presents to a little girl a short time before. If he
had done anything more, it must have been in an irre-
sponsible condition. Besides, he had suffered for years
lCf. also Liman, " Zweifelhafte Geisteszustande," Fall 8;
Lastgue, " Exhibitionists, Union mfid.," 1877 ; Ball and Chambard,
"Art. Somnambulisme" ("Diet, des scienc. m6d.," 1881).
EPILEPSY. 477
with weakness in his bead as result of an injury. On
22nd June he knew nothing of the events of 25th May,
and nothing of his examination on 29th May. This
amnesia was shown also on cross-examination.
P. came of a family affected with cerebral disease; a
brother was epileptic. P. was formerly a drinker. Years
before he had actually received an injury to his head.
Since then, from time to time, he had attacks of mental
disturbance, introduced by moroseness, irritability, ten-
dency to alcoholic excesses, apprehension, and delusions of
persecution sufficient to induce threats and deeds of vio-
lence. At the same time ho would have auditory hyperacs-
thesia, vertigo, headache and cerebral congestion, — all this,
with great mental confusion and amnesia for the whole
period of the attack, which sometimes lasted for weeks.
During the intervals he was subject to headache,
which started from the seat of injury on the head (a
small scar in the skin over the right temple), which was
painful on pressure. With exacerbation of the headache
he became very irritable, morose to an extent that in-
clined him to suicide, and mentally like one drunk. In
1879, while in such a state, he made an impulsive attempt
at suicide, of which he afterward had no remembrance.
Soon after this, being sent to hospital, he gave the im-
pression of being epileptic, and for a long time was treated
with pot. bromide. At the end of 1879 he was taken
to the infirmary, no actual epileptic attack having been
observed.
During his lucid intervals he was a virtuous, indus-
trious, good-natured man, and had never shown any sex-
ual excitement; and, until this time, never sexual incli-
nations, even during his mental confusion. Moreover,
until lately he had lived with his wife. At the time of
the criminal act he had shown signs of an approaching
attack, and had asked the physician to prescribe pot.
bromide.
P. asserted that, since the injury to his head, he had
been intolerant of heat and alcohol, which immediately
478 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
brought on headache and confusion. The medical exami-
nation proved the truth of his- assertions about mental
weakness, irritability and poor sleep.
If pressure were made at the seat of the trauma, P.
became congested, irritable, confused and trembled all
over; he appeared excited; consciousness was disturbed,
and remained so for hours.
At times, when he was free from the sensations that
started from the scar, he seemed kind, free, willing and
open, though he was mentally weak and cloudy. P. was
not sentenced (vide "Friedreich's Blatter" for full report).
Periodical Insanity.
Just as in cases of non-periodical mania, an abnormal
intensity or a noticeable prominence of the sexual sphere
is very often manifested in the periodical attacks (v. infra,
"Mania").
The following case, reported by Servaes ("Arch. £.
Psych."), shows that it then may also be perverted: —
Case 186. Catherine W., aged sixteen; she had
not yet menstruated ; previously healthy. Father very
irascible.
Seven weeks before admission (3rd December, 1872),
melancholic depression and irritability. 27th November,
maniacal outbreak, lasting two days; thereafter, melan-
cholic. 6th December, normal condition.
24th December (twenty-eight days after the first
maniacal attack), silent, shy, depressed. 27th December,
exaltation (jolly, laughing, etc.), with violent love for an
attendant (female). 31st December, suddenly melan-
cholic catalepsy, which disappeared after two hours. 20th
January, 1873, new attack like the previous one. A simi-
lar one on 18th February, with traces of menses. The
patient had no recollection whatever for what occurred in
the paroxysms, and blushed scarlet with astonishment and
shame when told about them.
PERIODICAL INSANITY. 479
Tin n-aftiT ilirru were abortive attacks, which entirely
disappeared, to give place to the normal mental condition
in . I une.
In a case reported by Goclc ("Arch. f. Psych." v.),
which was probably circular insanity, in a man of very
bad heredity, during the state of exaltation there was
manifestation of sexual feeling for men. In this case,
however, the patient thought himself a girl, and it is ques-
tionable whether the sexual inclination was induced by the
delusion or by an antipathic sexual instinct
In connection with these cases of abnormal manifesta-
tion of the sexual instinct are those which, as a symptom
of mania, manifest an abnormal and frequently a perverse
sexual instinct in an impulsive way, analogous to dipso-
mania, while in the intervals the sexual instinct is neither
intense nor perverse.
Quite a genuine case of such periodical psychopathia
sexualis, connected with the process of menstruation, is
the following reported by Anjel ("Arch. f. Psych." xv.,
Heft 2) :—
Case 187. A quiet lady, near the climacterium.
Very bad heredity. In her youth attacks of petit mal.
Always eccentric, quick-tempered; very moral; childless
marriage.
Several years ago, after a violent emotional disturb-
ance, a hystero-epileptic attack, with post-epileptic insanity
of several weeks' duration. Thereafter there was sleep-
lessness for several months. Following this, there was
always menstrual insomnia, and the impulse to embrace
and kiss boys of ten, and fondle their genitals. During
this excitement there was no desire for coitus; certainly
not for intercourse with adults.
The patient often spoke openly of this impulse, and
asked to be watched, as she was not to be trusted. In the
intervals she anxiously avoided all talk of it, was very
modest, and in nowise passionate sexually.
480 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALI8.
With reference to the still imperfectly known cases of
periodical psychopathic, scxualis of this kind Tarnowsky
(op. cit., p. 38) has made valuable contributions, though
his cases were not all of a periodic nature.
Tarnowsky reports cases where married, cultured men,
the fathers of families, were, from time to time, compelled
to perform the most terrible sexual acts, while during the
intervals they were sexually normal, abhorred their parox-
ysmal sexual acts, and shuddered before the expectation of
their repetition.
If a new paroxysm came on, the normal sexual instinct
disappeared; a state of mental excitement arose with in-
somnia, and thoughts and impulses to commit the perverse
sexual acts, with anxious confusion and an increasing im-
pulse to the abhorred indulgence. In this state the act
was a relief, because it ended the condition. The analogy
with dipsomania is complete.
For other cases (of periodical pederasty), vide Tarnow-
sky, op. cit., p. 41. The case there reported, on page 46
belongs in the category of epilepsy.
The following case, reported by Anjel (Arch. f.
Psych.," xv., Heft 2), is one of the most topical of the
convulsive-like occurrence of sexual excitement : —
Case 188. A gentleman of high social position, aged
forty-five ; generally respected and beloved ; heredity good ;
very moral; married fifteen years. Previously sexually
normal, the father of several healthy children, and living
in happy matrimony. Eight years ago he had a sudden
fright. For some weeks thereafter he had a feeling of
apprehension of cardiac attacks. Then came attacks, at
intervals of several months or a year, of what the patient
called his "moral catarrh". He became sleepless. After
three days, loss of appetite, increasing irritability,. strange
appearance; fixed stare, staring into space; paleness,
changing with redness ; tremor of the fingers ; red, shining
eyes, with peculiar glassy expression; and violent, quick
manner of speech. There was a desire for girls of from
MANIA. 481
live- t«. ti-n years, evrn for his own daughters. He would
beg his wife to guard tin- children. For days at a time,
while in this state, he would shut himself in his room.
iously he was compelled to pass school-girls on the
t, and he found a peculiar pleasure in exposing his
genitals before them, by acting as if about to urinate.
For fear of exposure, he shut himself in his room,
morose, incapable of movement, and torn by feelings of
fear. Consciousness seemed to" be undisturbed. The at-
tacks lasted from eight to fourteen days. The cause of
their return was not clear. Improvement was sudden;
there was great desire for sleep, and, after this was satis-
fied, he was well again. In the interval there was nothing
abnormal. Anjel assumed an epileptic foundation, and
considered the attacks to be the psychical equivalents of
epileptic convulsions.
Mania.
With the general excitation that here exists in the psy-
chical organ, the sexual sphere is likewise often implicat-
ed. In maniacal individuals of the female sex, this is the
rule. In certain cases, it may be questionable whether
the instinct, which, in itself, is not intensified, is simply
recklessly manifested, or whether it is present in actual
abnormal intensity. For the most part, the latter is the
true assumption — certainly so where sexual delusions and
their religious equivalents are constantly expressed. In
accordance with the degrees of intensity of the disease, the
intensified instinct is expressed in different forms.
In simple maniacal exaltation in men, courting, frivol-
ity, and lasciviousness in speech, and frequenting of
brotln-ls, arc ohserved; in women, inclination for the so-
ciety of men, personal adornment, perfumes, talk of mar-
riage and scandals, suspicion of the virtue of other women ;
or there is manifested the reli^i-ms equivalent — pilgrim-
ages, missionary work, desire to become a monk or the
31
482 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
servant of a priest; and in this case there is much talk
about innocence and virginity.
At the height of mania there may be seen invitations
to coitus, exhibition, obscenity, great excitation at sight
of women, tendency to smear the person with saliva,
urine, and even faeces; religio-sexual delusions, — to be
under the protection of the Holy Ghost, to have given
birth to Christ, etc. ; open onanism and pelvic movements
of coitus.
In maniacal men care must be taken to prevent shame-
less masturbation and sexual attacks on women.
Nymphomania and Satyriasis.1
The description of these conditions is simply an annex
to the attempt made on page 69 to explain hypercesthesia
sexualis, in so far as we take into consideration temporary
sexual affects emanating therefrom, no matter whether they
are occasioned by abstinence or are of a permanent char-
acter. They may become so predominant that they com-
pletely sway the field of imagination and desire, and im-
peratively demand the relief of the affect in the correspond-
ing sexual act. In acute and severe cases, ethics and will-
power lose their controlling influence entirely, while in
chronic and milder cases restraint is still possible to a
certain degree. At the acme of paroxysm hallucinations,
delirium and benumbed consciousness make* their appear-
ance, and often continue during a prolonged period.
•Literature: Bienville, Traite" de la nymph., Amsterdam, 1771;
Louyer-Villermay, art. nymphomanie, diet, des sciences med., xxx.,
p. 563; Magnet, diet, en 60 vol. (vol xxxvi., p. 580) ; Meyer Alexit,
des rapporta conjugaux, Paris, 1882, 7 6d. ; Guibout, traite clinique
des malad. des femmes, Paris, 1886; Icard, la femine pendant la
pgriode menstruelle, 1890; Marc, die Geisteskrankheiten, (ibersetzt
von Ideler, ii., p. 138; Ideler, Grundriss der Seelenheilkunde, ii., p.
488; Foville, diet, de me'd. et de chirurch. pratique; Legrand du
Saulle, la folie devant des tribun., 1864; Hall, la folie e"rotique, 1888;
Moreau, aberrations du sens ggnlsique, 1884; Thoinot, attentats aux
inoeurs, p. 487; Legrand du Saulle, les hyste'riques, 1883.
NYMPHOMANIA AND 8ATTRIA8I8. 483
Such cases have led to the classification of nympho-
mania as a proper psychical disease. But this is an error,
for nymphoinania is only a syndrome within the sphere of
psychical degeneration. As such it may manifest itself
as an acute paroxysmic condition, analogous to dipsomania,
frequently coinciding with menstrual phases, recurring
either in stated periodical cicles, or at irregular intervals.
Or it may be a complication or combination of other condi-
tions and appear episodically in dementia senilis, climac-
teric psychosis, mania in degenerates, and delirium acutum
("acute deadly nymphomania" ).
Moreau (op. cit.) reports an interesting case. A young
girl became suddenly a nymphomaniac when forsaken by
her betrothed ; she revelled in cynical songs and expres-
sions, and lascivious attitudes and gestures. She refused
to put on her garments, had to be held down in bed by
muscular men ( !) and furiously demanded coitus. In-
somnia, congestion of the facial nerves, a dry tongue, and
rapid pulse. Within a few days lethal collapse.
Louyer-Villermay (op. cit.) : Miss X., aged thirty;
modest and decent, was suddenly seized with an attack of
nymphomania, unlimited desire for sexual gratification,
obscene delirium. Death from exhaustion within a few
days. Cf. three other cases with deadly result by Maresch,
Psychiatr. Centralblatt, 1871.
Chronic Nymphomania is more frequently met with,
but seems to occur only in individuals psychically degener-
ated. It is the result of sexual hyperaesthesia and exacer-
bations thereof reaching even to the state of sexual affects
which manifest themselves in impulsive acts, or, in milder
cases, are complicated with delusions. These, however,
need not by necessity lead to involuntary acts, in as much
as ethical considerations may counterbalance the milder
forms of sexual excitement and, moreover, recourse to soli-
tary masturbation as a means of temporary relief is here
always possible.
Tlipso milder cases of nymphomania claim our sym-
pathy not less that thoee unfortunate women who by lire-
484 P8YCIIOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
sistible impulses are forced to sacrifice feminine honour and
dignity, for they are fully conscious of their painful situa-
tion, they are a toy in the grip of a morbid imagination
which revolves solely around sexual ideas and grasps even
the most distant points in the sense of an aphrodisiac.
Even in their sleep they are pursued by lascivious dreams.
In the daytime the slightest cause will produce a crisis in
which a veritable erithismus cerebralis sexnalis, coupled
with painful sensations (pressure, vibration, pulsation,
etc.,) in the genitals torments them. Temporary relief
comes in time in the shape of neurasthenia gcnitalis, which
reacts promptly on the centre of ejaculation and readily
causes pollutions in lascivious dreams, or some erotic crisis
when awake. Full gratification, however, they cannot find
any more than those of their unfortunate fellow-sufferers
who abandon themselves to men. This anaphrodisia ex-
plains to a large extent the persistence of the sexual affect,
i.e., that nymphomania which heaps crisis upon crisis.
Neurasthenia sexualis, which inhibits orgasm and
sensual gratification, no doubt, fully explains this anaphro-
disia which restrains the beneficent assuagement of sexual
emotions, yet maintaining an incessant craving (libido in-
saiiata}, forces the woman, morally devoid of all power of
resistance, to auto-masturbation or psychical onanism, and
eventually as a Messalina to prostitution in which to find
satisfaction and relief with one man after another.
This neurasthenia is often caused by an abnormally
early and powerful sexual instinct, which prescribes onan-
ism; or it may be reduced to enforced continence with
strong coexisting sexual appetite.
Case 189. Mrs. V., from earliest youth mania for
men.- Of good ancestors, highly cultured, good-natured,
very modest, blushed easily, but always the terror of the
family. Quando quidem sola erat cum homine sexus alte-
rium, negligens, utrum infans sit an vir, an senex, utrum
pulcher an teter, statim corpus nudavit et vehement or
libidines suas satiari rogavit vel vim vel manus ei injecit.
NYMPHOMANIA AND 8ATYRIA8I8. 485
Marriage was resorted to as a cure. Maritum quam max-
ime amavit, neque tanien sibi teinperare potuit quin a
quolibet viro, si solura apprehenderat, seu verso, seu mer-
cennario, seu discipulo coitum exposceret.
Nothing could cure her of this failing. Even when
she was a grandmother, she still remained a Messalina.
Puerum quondam duodecim annos natum in cubiculum
allectum stuprare voluit. He tore himself away and fled,
and his brother gave her a severe punishment. But it
was all in vain. When sent to a convent she was a model
of good conduct and committed not the slightest act of
indiscretion. But the moment she returned home, she
resumed her perverse practices. The family sent her away,
giving her a small allowance. She worked hard to earn
the money she needed for "buying her lovers." In look-
ing at the trim, neat matron of sixty-five years of age, with
her modest manners and a most amiable disposition, no
one could ever suspect how shamelessly needy in her sexual
life she was even then.
At last she was sent to an insane asylum, where she
lived till May, 1858, when in her seventy-third year, she
succumbed to a stroke of cerebral apoplexy. Her beha-
viour at the asylum when under surveillance, was beyond
reproach; but if left to herself she utilized every oppor-
tunity in the same old fashion even to within a few daya
before her death. No other signs of mental anomaly could
be detected in her. (Trelat, "folie lucide.")
Case 190. Chronic nymphomania. Mrs. E., age
forty-seven. An uncle on father's side insane. Father
Buffered from self-conceit and was given to sexual excess.
A brother of the patient died from acute cerebral inflam-
mation. Always nervous, eccentric, erotic, began coitus
at the age of ten. Married at nineteen. Although her
husband was virile, she maintained a number of male
friends. Fully conscious of the abominable nature of her
conduct, she was powerless in restraining her insatiable ap-
petite. She kept up appearances, however. Later on she
486 PSYCIIOPATHIA SEXUALJS.
claimed that she had suffered from a "monomania for
men."
She had six confinements. One day she was thrown
from a carriage and sustained concussion of the brain.
This caused melancholia and paranoia persecutoria. With
approaching climacterium the menses became frequent and
very profuse, but the libido gradually disappeared. Slight
degree of descensus uteri and prolapsus ani.
Chronic conditions of nymphomania are apt to weaken
public morality and lead to offences against decency. Woe
unto the man who falls into the meshes of such an insatia-
ble Messalina, whose sexual appetite is never appeased.
Heavy neurasthenia and impotence are the inevitable con-
sequences. These unfortunate women disseminate the
spirit of lewdness, demoralize their surroundings, become
a danger to boys, and are liable to corrupt girls also, for
there are homosexual nymphomaniacs as well.1 By expos-
ing their feminine charms, even by exhibition, they lure
men. Nymphomaniacs endowed with the world's riches
purchase lovers. In many instances they resort to prosti-
tution.
The conditions of Satyriasis in men are analogous to
nymphomania. It is a central disturbance, either of an
acute character or chronic. In the acute stage it may lead
to hallucinations of erotic content, and where compensa-
tion of the sexual affect is rendered impossible, to furious
mania, delirium acutum.
This pathological sexual affect, stigmatised by abnormal
intensity and duration, fills the whole psychical life. Oc-
currences of the commonest and most indifferent nature
are taken as sensual hints or suggestions. The lustful
colouring of thoughts, ideas or natural perceptions by the
senses is strongly exaggerated. At the acme of the crisis
the patient is in a "rut-like" condition, in which conscious-
ness is clouded and a general physical excitement, similar
to that during coitus (cf. p. 40) pervades the whole
1 Thoinot, attentats aux moeurs, p. 498.
NTMPHOMANIA AND 8ATYBIA8I8. 487
frame. Ejaculation may be concatenated with a renewed
phase of orgasm in which the genital organs retain a per-
manent turgescence (priapism). The individual afflicted
with satyriasis is forever exposed to the peril of commit-
ting rape, thus becoming a common danger to all persons
of the opposite sex. Faute de mieux he resorts to mastur-
bation and sodomy. Luckily satyriasis is a rare disease.
It is not due to poisoning with cantharides, as some claim,
which only produces priapism, that is to say, though at
first causing erotic .-vn-ations and erection, after repeated
doses it produces the opposite effect
Analogous with nymphomania chronica mitis condi-
tions of a mild satyriasis exist in men, (chiefly after Abusus
Veneris) who suffer from neurasthenia sexualis ex mastur-
batione and subsequent impotence, yet are the slaves of
an insatiable libido. The imagination — the same as in
acute cases — is highly excited and consciousness is com-
pletely filled with obscene pictures and situations. The
\vln»le train of thought, the entire realm of desire in these
men is directed to sexual matters. Impotence and anaphro-
disia assisted by perverse fancies lead them to the worst
perversities possible in the sexual act and render them
particularly dangerous to children. They give offence by
exhibition, by masturbation and by sexual acts with per-
sons of the other sex in public. They are lascivious in
speech and revel in filthy language, etc.
Satyriasis mitis is often observed in the incipient stages
of dementia paralitica and senilis.
Case 191. Satyriasis. Delir. acuium ex abstinentia.
On the 29th of May, 1882, F., age twenty-three, unmar-
ried, cobbler, was received at the psychiatric clinic at
Graz. Father irascible, mother neuropathic, uncle on
mother's side insane.
Patient never had a severe illness, was not addicted to
fir ink, but sexually very needy. Five days previously he
was attacked with an acute psychical disease. In broad
dajlight, and in the presence of two witnesses, he made
488 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
two separate attempts at rape, went into a fit of delirium,
raving about obscene matters when arrested, constantly
masturbated, and became a raving maniac with violent
motoric irritability and fever. Treatment with ergotine
brought relief.
On January 5th, 1888, he was again arrested in a fit
of raving mania. On the 4th, he had been morose, irrita-
ble, squeamish, sleepless. He became furious when he
was foiled in two assaults on women. On the 6th his con-
dition became very much aggravated, heavy delirium acu-
tum (disturbance of consciousness, jactation, crinching of
teeth, facial contortions and other motoric manifestations,
temperature 40.7°). Masturbation as if by instinct. Re-
covery under treatment with ergotine till the llth of
January.
When restored to health again he gave some interesting
details about his illness.
His sexual needs were always very great. Coitus at
sixteen. Continence caused headaches, great psychical
irritability, dislike for work, laziness, sleeplessness. Hav-
ing no opportunity for coitus he resorted to masturbation,
once or twice daily.
For two months he had had no sexual intercourse.
As sexual excitement increased, masturbation failed as a
means of compensation, but the desire for coitus became
more vehement than ever. At the acme of the attack his
memory failed him. - In his normal state he was a decent
man and looked upon his state as a pathological condition
which filled him with alarm for the future.
Case 192. On the afternoon of 7th July, 1874,
Clemens, engineer, being on his way, on business, from
Trieste to Vienna, left the train at the town of Bruck, and,
passing through the town to the neighbouring village of
St. Ruprecht, attempted a rape on an old woman, aged
seventy, whom he found alone in a house. He was seized
by the neighbours and arrested by the local police. At his
hearing he declared that he had tried to find the pound,
HYMI'IIOMAXIA AND 8ATYRU8IB. 43d
in order to satisfy his sexual desire with a bitch. Tie said
that he often suffered with such sexual excitement. 1 It-
did not deny his act, but excused it as the result of disease.
The heat, the motion of the cars, and anxiety about his
family, to whom he wished to go, had confused him and
made him ill. Shame and remorse were not shown. Ilia
conduct was open, his mien gay; eyes red and bright, head
hot, tongue coated; pulse full, soft, beating over 100;
fingers somewhat tremulous. The statements of the ac-
cused were precise but hurried; his glance uncertain, and
with an unmistakable expression of lasciviousness. To the
medical expert summoned to examine him he gave the
impression of one suffering with disease — as if he were in
the beginning of alcoholic insanity.
( \ was forty-five years old, married, father of one child.
He did not know what diseases his parents or other mem-
bers of his family had. In childhood he was weak and
neuropathic. At the age of five his head was injured by
a blow with a hoe. A scar one-half cm. broad by one
cm. long, situated on the right parietal and frontal bones,
dated from that injury. The bone was here somewhat
depressed. The overlying skin was united to the bone.
Pressure at this point caused pain, which radiated along
the lower branch of the trigeminus. This spot was also
at times spontaneously painful. In his youth he suffered
"fainting spells"; before puberty, pnefamonia, rheumatism
and intestinal catarrh. At the age of seven he experienced
a peculiar inclination for men — i.e., for a certain superior.
Whenever he saw this man he had a peculiar feeling in
his heart ; kissed the ground he walked on. At ten he fell
in love with a certain deputy. Later he had an enthusiasm
f<>r men, though it was entirely platonic. He began to
masturbate at the age of fourteen ; first intercourse at sev-
enteen. Then the earlier manifestations of inverted sexual
feeling disappeared entirely. At that time he passed
through a peculiar acute j>-\vli<>pathic condition, which he
ribed as a kind of clairvoyance. From fifteen, haemor-
rhoids, with symptoms of abdominal plethora. When ho
4dO PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
had profuse hsemorrhoidal haemorrhage, which occurred
usually every three or four weeks, he was better. At
other times he was constantly in a condition of painful sex-
ual excitement, which he satisfied partly by means of onan-
ism and partly by coitus. Every woman he met excited
him ; even when he was among female relatives he was im-
pelled to make indecent proposals. Sometimes it was possi-
ble for him to master his desire ; sometimes he was driven to
indecent acts. If, after these, he was ejected from the
house, it seemed perfectly right to him; for he thought
that he needed such correction and support against his
powerful impulse, which was a burden to him. No period-
icity in this sexual excitement was recognisable.
Until 1861 he committed excesses in venery and was
several times infected with gonorrhoea and chancres. In
1861, marriage. He was sexually satisfied, but became a
burden to his wife on account of his great sensuality. In
1864 he passed through an attack of mania in the hospital
at Fiume, and in the same year he again fell ill, and was
taken to the insane asylum at Ybbs, where he remained
until 1867. There he suffered with recurrent mania, ac-
companied by great sexual excitement. He said that in-
testinal catarrh and anxiety were the cause of his illness
at that time.
Thereafter he was well, but he suffered much on ac-
count of his excessive sexual desire. If he were absent
from his wife but a short time the impulse became so
powerful that man or animal was indifferent to him for
the satisfaction of his lust. In summer these impulses
were much stronger, and were always accompanied by ab-
dominal plethora. Something that he remembered in
medical reading made him think that in his case the gan-
glionic system was more, powerful than the cerebral. In
October, 1873, on account of business, he had to leave his
wife. From that time until Easter, with the exception of
occasional masturbation, there was no sexual indulgence.
After that he made use of women as well as bitches. From
the middle of June until 7th of July, he had no oppor-
1TTMPHOMANIA AND 8ATYRIA8I8. 401
tunity for sexual indulgence. He felt nervously excited,
relaxed, and as if he were going crazy. Of late he had
slept badly. A longing for his wife, who lived in Vienna,
drove him to leave his business. He obtained leave of ab-
sence. The heat and the noise of the train confused him,
and he could no longer hold out against his sexual excite-
ment and the pressure of blood in his abdomen. Every-
thing danced before his eyes. He left the car at Bruck,
and was absolutely confused, not knowing where he went;
and for a moment the thought came to him to throw him-
self in the water; everything appeared as in a mist before
his eyes. Then he saw a woman, exposed his genitals, and
tried to embrace her. She cried for help, and thus he was
arrested.
After the attempt it suddenly became clear to him
what he had done. He openly confessed his crime,
which he remembered in all its details, but which seemed
to him to be something abnormal. He could not help it.
For some days after this C. suffered with headache and
congestions, and was now and then excited and restless,
and slept badly. His mental functions were undisturbed,
but he was, nevertheless, a congenitally peculiar man,
with a character weak and devoid of energy. The facial
expression had something lascivious and peculiar about
it. He suffered with hemorrhoids. The genitals pre-
sented nothing abnormal. The cranium was narrow and
retreating at the forehead. Body large and well nourished.
With the exception of diarrhrea, there was no disturbance
of the vegetative functions.
Case 193. For three years farmer D., universally
respected, married, aged thirty-five, had manifested states
of sexual excitement with increasing frequency and
severity, which during the past year had become true
paroxysms of satyriasis. It was impossible to discover
hereditary or other organic causes. D. was compelled a*
times, when his sexual excitement was excessive, to per-
form the sexual act from ten to fifteen times in twenty-
492 PSTCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
four hours, without deriving any feeling of satisfaction.
Gradually he developed a condition of general nervous
hyper-irritability (erethisme general) with increased emo-
tional irritability to the extent of pathological outbreaks
of anger, and impulse to over indulgence in alcohol, which
induced symptoms of alcoholism. His attacks of satyri-
asis became so violent that consciousness was interfered
with, and the patient raged about in blind impulse to
sexual acts. He demanded that his wife give herself to
other men or to animals in his presence; that she allow
copulation with him, presentibus filiabus, because this
would afford him greater enjoyment. Memory for the
events of these attacks, in which the extreme irritability
even led to outbreaks of maniacal rage, was entirely want-
ing. D. himself thought that he must have had moments
in which he no longer had control of his senses, and without
satisfaction from his wife would have been compelled to
seize the next best female. After an attack of violent
emotion these attacks of sexual excitement suddenly dis-
appeared (Lentz, Bulletin de la societe de med. mentale de
Belgique, No. 21).
Melancholia.
The thoughts and feelings of melancholiacs are not
favourable for the excitation of sexual desires. At the
same time, these patients sometimes masturbate. In my
experience such cases have always been hereditarily pre-
disposed and previously given to onanism. The act did
not seem to be so much due to a lustful desire as to be
induced by habit, ennui, anxiety and the impulse to change
temporarily the painful mental condition.
Hysteria.
In this neurosis the sexual life is very frequently
abnormal; indeed, always in predisposed individuals.
All the possible anomalies of the sexual function may
ICTMPHOMANIA AMD SATYBIA8IS. 493
occur here, with sudden changes and peculiar activity;
and, on an hereditary ate basis and in moral
inilxrility, they may appear in the most perverse
forms. The abnormal change and inversion of the
il fivling are never without effect upon the patient's
disposition.
The following case, reported by Giraud, is one of this
nature worthy of repetition: —
Case 194. Marianne L., of Bordeaux. At night,
while the household was asleep under the influence of
narcotics which she had administered, she had given the
rhildren of the house to her lover for sexual enjoyment,
and made them witness immoral acts. It was found that
L. \vas hysterical (hemiansesthesia and convulsive attacks),
but before her illness she had been a moral, trustworthy
person. Since her illness she had become a shameless pros-
titute, and lost all moral sense.
In the hysterical the sexual sphere is often abnormally
excited. This excitement may be intermittent (men-
strual ?). Shameless prostitution, even in married women,
may result. In a milder form the sexual impulse ex-
presses itself in onanisra, going about in a room naked,
smearing the person with urine and other filthy things, or
wearing male attire, etc.
Schiile ("Klin. Psychiatric," 1886, p. 237), finds very
frequently an abnormally intense sexual impulse "which
disposes girls, and even women living in happy marriage,
to become Messalinas".
The author cites known cases in which, on the wed-
ding-journey, attempts at flight with men who had been
accidentally met were made; and respected wives who
entered into liaisons, and sacrificed everything to their
insatiable impulse.
In hysterical insanity the abnormally intense sexual
impulse may express itself in delusions of jealousy, un-
494 PSYCHOrATHIA 8EXUALI8.
founded accusations against men for immoral acts,1 hallu-
cinations of coitus,2 etc.
Occasionally frigidity may occur, with absence of lust-
ful feeling — due, for the most part, to genital anaesthesia.
Paranoia.
Abnormal manifestations in the sexual sphere, in the
various forms of paranoia, are not infrequent Many of
these cases are developed on sexual abuse (masturbatic
paranoia) or sexual excitement; and, according to experi-
ence, in individuals psychically degenerate, with other
functional signs of degeneracy, the sexual sphere is, for the
most part, deeply implicated.
In paranoia religiosa and erotica the abnormally in-
tense and, under certain circumstances, perverse sexual in-
stinct is most clearly manifested. In the first variety,
however, the condition of sexual excitation is expressed
not so much in a direct method of satisfaction of the
sexual desires as (there are exceptions) in platonic love —
in enthusiastic admiration of a person of the opposite sex
who is pleasing aesthetically. Under certain circumstances,
the enthusiasm is for an imaginary person, a portrait, or a
statue.
A love for the opposite sex that is weak and purely
mental also, often has its basis in weakness of the genitals
due to long-continued masturbation; and, under the guise
of virtuous admiration for a beloved person, great lascivi-
ousness and sexual perversion are often concealed. Epi-
sodically, especially in women, violent sexual excitement
may occur as a nymphomania.
For the most part, paranoia religiosa rests upon sexual-
ity which manifests itself in a sexual impulse abnormally
1 Vide case of Merlac, in the author's " Lehrb. d. ger. Psycho-
pathol.," 2 Aufl., p. 322; Morel, " Traite" dea malad. mentales," p.
687 ; Legrand, " La f olie," p. 337 ; Process La Ronciere, in " Annal.
d'hyg.," 1 Serie, iv.; 3 Serie, xxii.
1 The iucubui in the witch-trials of the middle ages depended on
them.
PARANOIA.
early ami intcnso. The libido finds satisfaction in mas-
turbation or religious enthusiasm, the object of which may
be a certain minister, saint, etc.
The psycho-pathological relations between the sexual
and religious domains have been described in detail on
p. 10 et seq.
Apart from masturbation, sexual crimes are relatively
frequent in religious paranoia.
Marc's work (p. 160) contains a remarkable example
of religious insanity.
Giraud ("Annal. med. psychol.") has reported a case
of immorality with a little girl by a religious paranoiac,
aged forty-three, who was temporarily erotic. Here, also,
belongs a case of incest (Liman, "Vierteljahrsschr. f. ger.
Med.").
Case 195. M. impregnated his daughter. His wife,
mother of eighteen children, and herself pregnant by her
husband, lodged the complaint. M. had had religious
paranoia for two years. "It was revealed to me that I
should beget the Eternal Son with my daughter. Then a
man of flesh and blood would arise by my faith, who would
be 1800 years old. He would be a bridge between the Old
and the New Testament." This command, which he
deemed divine, was the cause of his insane act.
Sexual acts that have a pathological motive sometimes
occur in persecutory paranoia.
Case 196. A woman of thirty had, under promise
of money and food, enticed a boy of five, who played near
her, handled his genitals, and then attempted coitus. She
was a teacher who had been betrayed and then cast off.
Previously moral, for some time she had given herself to
prostitution. The explanation of her immoral change
was given, when it was found that she had various delu-
sions of persecution, and thought she was under the secret
influence of her seducer, who impelled her to sexual acts.
496 PSYCJIOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
She also believed that the boy had been put in her way
by her seducer. Coarse sensuality^ as a motive for her
crime came less into consideration, as it would have been
easy for her to satisfy sexual desire in a natural way
(Kiissner, "Berl. klin. Wochenschrift").
Case 197. Immoral Acts With Children — Paranoia.
On the 26th of May, X., aged forty-six, railway official,
was arrested in the act of sucking the penis of a boy eight
years of age in the public highway. On the way to prison
he committed the same offence on a fellow prisoner, who
was riding in the same vehicle with him; and again on
another prisoner. He was sent to the psychiatric ward of
the hospital, where he made similar attempts. lie was
then isolated.
The medical examination proved paranoia persecutoria,
developed from constitutional neurasthenia. X. was heav-
ily tainted by heredity. His illusion was that the admin-
istration under which he had served were persecuting him
and tried to force him to resume his former duties. He had
noticed that persons who were friendly to him, especially
his superiors, tried to show him a way in which he could
rid himself of this fear of persecution. They did so by
putting a finger in their mouth and sucking it. Still
plainer were the suggestions of his chums who, pointing to
a dog, i.e., meaning himself, would speak of "licking."
This started the idea in him that if he could be appre-
hended in the act of licking somebody's genitals, his su-
periors would become disgusted with him and dismiss him
from service, in which way he would regain his freedom.
For a long time he could not muster up courage enough
to commit such an act, but the idea became so strong that
at first he resorted to cunnilingus with prostitutes, who in-
vited him with cunning looks to this delectable feast. As
these women, however, refused to denounce him to the
authorities, he attacked boys and girls — the sex was im-
material— who, he fancied, invited him by gestures to the
act. He could not understand, however, why he should
PARANOIA. 497
come in conflict with the police by committing an act which
was suggested to him by his superiors in office, — and all
this in spite of the continued persecution of the railway
administration.
It is strange 'that X. should have had recourse to such
an abominable and nauseating sexual act and not to theft
or some other act of dishonesty, unless it is explained on
the ground of an increasing neurasthenia, coupled with a
perversion of the sexual instinct and subsequent impotence.
He was always hypersexual, with an heterosexual predis-
position, suffered for years from neurasthenia sexualis,
and derived no satisfaction from coitus. As in time erec-
tion became difficult, he had consulted several physicians,
who advised abstinence. His excessive libido rendered it
difficult to follow this advice, and impotence prevented
coitus. This suggested cunnilingus, which granted a cer-
tain amount of sexual gratification and at times even pro-
duced ejaculation. This also compensated him for the
nausea he experienced during the act and paved the way to
his folly on children.
He claimed that in this act he found sexual satisfac-
tion, but the chief object for it always was to rid himself
of persecution by his superiors. This passion calmed down
under treatment at the hospital, and he became a decent
man when put under domestic supervision.
Cullerre ("Perversions sexuelles chez les persecutes,"
in "Annal. medico-psychol.," March, 1886) has reported
similar cases, — the case of a patient who, suffering with
paranoia sexualis persccutoria, tried to violate his sister,
giving as a reason that the impulse was given him by
Bonapartists. ,
In another case a captain, suffering with delusions of
persecution by electro-magnetism, was driven to ped-
erasty,— a thing he abhorred. In a similar case the perse-
cutor impelled to onanism and pederasty.
V. PATHOLOGICAL SEXUALITY IN ITS LEGAL
ASPECTS.1
THE laws of all civilised nations punish those who com-
mit perverse sexual acts. Inasmuch as the preservation
of chastity and morals is one of the most important reasons
for the existence of the commonwealth, the state cannot
be too careful, as a protector of morality, in the struggle
against sensuality. This contest is unequal ; because only
a certain number of the sexual crimes can be legally corn-
batted, and the infractions of the laws by so powerful a
natural instinct can be but little influenced by punishment.
It also lies in the nature of the sexual crimes that but a
part of them ever reach the knowledge of the authorities.
Public sentiment, in that it looks upon them as disgraceful,
lends much aid.
Criminal statistics prove the sad fact that sexual crimes
are progressively increasing in our modern civilisation.*
This is particularly the case with immoral acts with chil-
dren under the age of fourteen.
Casper {Clinical novels), drew attention to this de-
plorable fact early in the sixties of the 19th century. As
a criminal physician (Berlin) he had fifty-two cases of
crimes against morality under observation from 1842-57,
but during the decade of 1852-1861 the number rose to 138.
*B. Weitbrod, "Die Sittlichkeitsverbrechen vor dem Gesetz,"
Berlin, 1891; Dr. Pasquale Penta, "1 pervertimenti sessuali nell'-
uomo," Napoli, 1893; Seydel, "Die Beurtheilung der perversen Sex-
ualvergehen in foro," " Vierteljahrsachr. fUr.ger. Med.," 1893, Heft
2; Viazzi, " reati sesauali " (" Biblioteca antropologico-giuridica ") ;
Archivio di Psichiatria, vol. xix., fasc. 1., " Strafgesetzbticher und
Unzuchtsdelikte." — v. Schrenk-Noteing, Archiv f. Kriminalanthropol.
Bd. 1, H. 1.
*Cf. Casper, "Klin. Novellen"; Lombroso, " Qoltdammer3*
Archiv," Bd. xxx.; Oettingen, "Moralstatistik," p. 494.
498
PATHOLOGICAL SEXUALITY IN ITS LEGAL ASPECTS. 499
According to the "Comptea rendus de la justice crimi-
nelle en France/' during the period of 1826-1840, "a//> n-
tats aux mocurs" formed only 20 per cent, of the criminal
proceedings, whilst from 1856-60 the average rose to 53
per cent. Sexual atrocities on children were but 1-13 of
all cases tried before the criminal forum from 1826-30,
but 1-3 during the period of 1856-60.
Oettingen ("Moralstatistik") quotes 136 cases of stup-
rum on children committed in France in 1826, but 805 in
1867.
Moreau ("Aberrations du sens genesique") quotes, for
the year 1872, 682 cases of immoral attacks on children
in France, for the year 1876 their number was 875.
In England similar delicts on children numbered 167
for the period 1830-34, and 1395 for the period 1855-57.
In Prussia, according to Oettingen, sexual attempts
were in the proportion of 325 :925 ; sexual crimes in the
proportion of 1477:2945. Ortloff also finds ("die straf-
baren Handlungen") a considerable increase in immoral
offences on children under the age of fourteen. We are
indebted to Thoinot for interesting statistics of moral
offences dealt with by the criminal courts of France (at-
tentats aux moeurs et perversions des sens genital, 1898,
Paris). Sexual criminal cases seem to have been on the
wane in France. There were in 1860 830 (2.3 to a
population of 100,000) offenders sentenced; in 1892 only
679 (1.7 to a population of 100,000). The proportion
of crimes committed on adults and children was in 1860
180 :650 (1 :3.6), whilst in 1892 it rose to 78 :601 (1 :7.7).
In 1885 it reached the highest point, viz. : 1 :9.5.
The moralist sees in these sad facts nothing but the
decay of general morality, and in some instances comes to
the conclusion that the present mildness of the laws pun-
ishing sexual crimes, in comparison with their severity in
past centuries, is in part responsible for this.
The medical investigator is driven to the conclusion
that this manifestation of modern social life stands in
relation to the predominating nervous condition of later
500 PSYCI10PAT1IIA SEXUALIS.
generations, in that it begets defective individuals, excites
the sexual instinct, leads to sexual abuse, and, with con-
tinuance of lasciviousness associated with diminished sex-
ual power, induces perverse sexual acts.
It will be clearly seen from what follows how such an
opinion is justified, especially with respect of the increas-
ing number of sexual crimes committed on children.
The relative increase of sexual delicts on children
seems to point to an advance in the physical decadence
(impotence) and psychical degeneration of the adult popu-
lation.
This view seems to be supported by Tardieu, Brouardel
and Bernard, who find that attacks on children are more
frequent in large cities, whilst those on adults, especially
rape, occur more often in the country.
The statistical facts compiled by Tardieu and Brouar-
del, according to which the proportion of sexual offences on
children is in ratio with the age of the offender, i.e., the
older the criminal the younger the victim, and the circum-
stance that acts of immorality by very old men are only
committed on children, seem to demonstrate that impotentia
cceundi and moral decay (dementia senilis) are the funda-
mental causes of these horrible crimes.
It is at once evident, from the foregoing, that neuro-
pathic, and even psychopathic, states are largely determin-
ate for the commission of sexual crimes. Here nothing
less than the responsibility of many of the men who com-
mit such crimes is called in question.
Psychiatry cannot be denied the credit of having re-
cognised and proved the psycho-pathological significance of
numerous monstrous, paradoxical sexual acts.
Law and Jurisprudence have thus far given but little
attention to the facts resulting from investigations in
psycho-pathology. Law is, in this, opposed to Medicine,
and is constantly in danger of passing judgment on in-
dividuals who, in the light of science, are not responsible
for their acts.
Owing to this superficial treatment of acts that deeply
PATHOLOGICAL 8EXUALITT IN ITS LEOAL ASPECTS. 501
rn the interests and welfare of society, it becomes
very easy for justice to treat a delinquent, who is as dan-
gerous to society as a murderer or a wild beast, as a crimi-
nal, and, after punishment, release him to prey on society
again; on the other hand, scientific investigation shows that
a man mentally and sexually degenerate ab origine, and
therefore irresponsible, must be removed from society for
life, but not as a punishment.
A judge who considers only the crime, and not its per-
petrator, is always in danger of injuring not only import-
ant interests of society (general morality and safety), but
also those of the individual (honour).
In no domain of criminal law is co-operation of judge
and medical expert so much to be desired as in that of
sexual delinquencies; and hero only anthropological and
clinical investigation can afford light and knowledge.
The nature of the act can never, in itself, determine a
decision as to whether it lies within the limits of mental
pathology, or within the bounds of mental physiology.
The perverse act does not per so indicate perversion of in-
stinct. At any rate, the most monstrous and most perverse
sexual acts have been committed by persons of sound mind.
The perversion of feeling must be shown to be pathological.
This proof is to be obtained by learning the conditions
attending its development, and by proving it to be part
of an existing general neuropathic or psychopathic condi-
tion.
The species facti is important ; but it, too, allows only
presumptions, since the same sexual act, according as it
is committed by an epileptic, paralytic, or a man of sound
mind, takes on other features and peculiarities, in accord-
ance with the manner in which it is done.
Periodical recurrence of the act under identical circum-
stances, and an impulsive manner in carrying it out, give
rise to weighty presumptions that it is of pathological sig-
nificance. The decision, however, must follow after re-
ferring the act to its psychological motive (abnormalities
of thought and feeling), and after showing this elementary
502 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
anomaly to be but one symptom of a general neuropathic
condition — either an arrest of mental development, or a
condition of psychical degeneration, or a psychosis.
The cases discussed in the portion of this work devoted
to general and special pathology will certainly be useful
to the medical expert, in assisting him to discover the
motive of the act.
To obtain the facts necessary to allow a decision of
the question whether immorality or abnormality occa-
sioned the act, a medico-legal examination is required — an
examination which is made according to the rules of
science; which takes account of both the past history of
the individual and the present condition, — the anthropo-
logical and clinical data.
The proof of the existence of an original,, congenital
anomaly of the sexual sphere is important, and points to
the need of an examination in the direction of a condition
of psychical degeneration. An acquired perversity, to be
pathological, must be found to depend upon a neuropathic
or psychopathic state.
Practically, paretic dementia and epilepsy must first
come to mind. The decision concerning responsibility
will depend on the demonstration of the existence of a
psychopathic state in the individual charged with a sexual
crime.
This is indispensable, to avoid the danger of covering
simple immorality with the cloak of disease.
Psychopathic states may lead to crimes against moral-
ity, and at the same time remove the conditions necessary
to the existence of responsibility, under the following cir-
cumstances : —
1. To oppose the normal or intensified sexual desire,
there may be no moral or legal notions, owing to (a) the
fact that they may never have been developed (states of
congenital mental weakness) ; or to (&) the fact that they
have been lost (states of acquired mental weakness).
2. When the sexual desire is increased (states of psy-
chical exaltation), consciousness simultaneously clouded
PATHOLOGICAL ST \ I \ I ITV I X ITS LEGAL ASPECTS. 503
and tin- nii-ntiil mechanism too much disturbed to allow
the opposing ideas, virtually present, to exert their in-
fluence.
B, When the sexual instinct is perverse (states of
psychical degeneration). It may, at the same time, be so
intensified as to be irresistible.
Cases of sexual delinquency that occur outside of states
of mental defect, degeneration, or disease, can never be
excused on the ground of irresponsibility.
In many cases, instead of an abnormal psychical condi-
tion, a neurosis (local or .general) is found. Inasmuch as
the transitions from a neurosis to a psychosis are easy,
and elementary psychical disturbances are frequent in
the former, and constant in profound perversion of the
sexual life, the neurotic affection — e.g., impotence, irritable
weakness, etc. — exerts an influence on the motive of the
incriminating act; and a just judge, notwithstanding the
lack of legal irresponsibility due to mental defect or dis-
ease, will recognize the circumstances which ameliorate
the heinousncss of the crime.
For various reasons the practical jurist will, in all cases
of sexual crimes, call medical experts to make a psychiatric
examination.
To be sure, his own conscience and judgment must be
the guides when necessity makes them his only reliance.
Under the following circumstances indices are given which
point to a pathological condition : —
The accused is senile. The sexual crime is commit-
ted openly, with remarkable cynicism. The manner of
obtaining sexual satisfaction is silly (exhibition), or cruel
(mutilation or murder), or perverse (necrophilia, etc.).
From what experience teaches, it may be said that,
among the sexual acts that occur, rape, mutilation, peder-
asty, amor Icsbicus, and bestiality may have a psycho-
pathological basis.
In case of lust-murdor — in as far as its ulterior object
goes beyond the murder itself — and likewise in cases of
mutilation of corpses, psychopathic conditions are probable,
504 PSYCIIOPATIIIA SEXUALIS.
Exhibition and mutual masturbation seem to indicate
the probable existence of pathological conditions. Mas-
turbation of another and passive onanism may occur in
connection with senile dementia and inverted sexual feel-
ing, but also with mere sensuality.
Cunnilingus and fellare (penem in os mulieris arri-
qere) have not thus far been shown to depend upon psycho-
pathological conditions.
These horrible sexual acts seem to be committed only
by sensual men who have become satiated or impotent
from excessive indulgence in a normal way. Pcedicaiio
mulierum does not seem to be psychopathic, but rather a
practice of married men of low morality, who wish to
prevent pregnancy; and of satiated cynics in non-marital
sexual indulgence.
The practical importance of the subject makes it neces-
sary that the sexual acts threatened with punishment as
sexual crimes be considered by jurists from the standpoint
of the medico-legal expert. Thus there is an advantage
gained, in that the psycho-pathological acts, according to
circumstances, are placed in the right light by comparison
with analogous acts that fall within the domain of physio-
logical psychology.
1. Offence Against Morality in the Form of Exhibition.1
(Austrian Statutes, §516; Abridgment, §195. German Statutes, §183.)
In man's present condition of civilisation, modesty is
a characteristic and motive so firmly fixed by centuries
of education that presumption of a psycho-pathological
element necessarily arises when public decency is coarsely
offended.
1 Boisticr et Lachaux, " Perversions sexuelles a forme obse'dante,"
" Archives de Neurologic," 1893, October; Schafer, " Vierteljahrsschr.
f. gerichtl. Med.," 3 Folge, x., 1.— Thoinot, attentata aux moeurs,
1898, p. 366-398;— Seiffer, Arch. f. Psych. Bd. 31, H. 1 and Z.-
Cramer, Die Beziehungen des Exhib. zum §51. des deutsch. Stfgsb.,
Zeitschr. f. Psych. 54, p. 481. — Bassenge, Der Exhibitionismus, Inaug.-
Dissert., Berlin, 1896. — Eoche, Neurolog. Centralbl., 1896, 2.
OFFENCE AGAINST MORALITY. 505
Tin1 presumption is justifiable that an individual who
has in this way offended public decency and his own self-
respect was incapable of (idiots) or had lost the feelings of
morality (states of acquired mental weakness) ; or that he
acted while in a clouded state of consciousness (transitory
insanity, states of partial consciousness).
A very distinctive act which belongs here is that of
exhibition (exposure). The cases thus far recorded are
exclusively those of men who ostentatiously expose their
genitals to persons of the opposite sex, whom in some in-
stances they even pursue, without, however, becoming
aggressive.
The silly manner of this sexual activity, or really
sexual demonstration, points to intellectual and moral
weakness; or, at least, to temporary inhibition of the
intellectual and moral functions, with excitation of libido
dependent upon a decided disturbance of consciousness
(abnormal unconsciousness, mental confusion), and at
the same time calls the virility of these individuals in
question. Thus there are various categories of exhibi-
tionists.
The first category includes acquired states of mental
weakness in which, owing to the causative cerebral (or
spinal) disease, consciousness is clouded, and the ethical
and intellectual functions are interfered with ; and in
which there can be no resistance made to a sexual desire
that has either always been intense or that has been
intensified by the disease-process. At the same time
impotence exists, and no longer permits expression of the
sexual instinct in violent acts (rape), but only in acts that
are silly.
The majority of reported cases1 fall in this category.
lLa»(guc, "Union MAdicale,"l877, May; Laugier, " Annal. d'hy
gi«ne publ.," 1878, No. 106; Pelande, " Pornopatha," " Archivio di
Psichiatria," viii. ; Hchurhardt, " Zeitschr. f. Medicinalbeamte," 1890,
Heft 6. — Duchateau, Bulletin de la Boci6t£ de m&leoinc de Gand, 1897,
Febr.-March. — Gamier, Annal. m(klico.-p«ychol. 1894, Jan.-Feb. —
\\gouruux, ibidem. — Moppc, Vierteljahr»»chr. f. gerichtl. Med., 3.
506 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
They are those of individuals afflicted with senile demen-
tia, paretic dementia, or mental defects due to alcoholism,
epilepsy, etc.
Case 198. Z., high official, aged sixty; widower,
father of a family. He gave offence in that, during
fourteen days, he had repeatedly exposed his genitals at
his window, to a girl of eight years who lived opposite
him. After a few months, under like circumstances, this
man repeated his indecent act. At his examination he
acknowledged the depravity of his action, and could give
no excuse for it. Death, a year later, due to cerebral
disease (Lasegue, op. cit.).
Case 199. Z., aged seventy-eight; seaman. He
had repeatedly exhibited his genitals on children's play-
grounds and in the neighbourhood of girls' schools. This
was the only way in which he was active sexually. He
was married, and the father of ten children. Twelve
years previously he had suffered a severe head-injury,
which left a deep scar, indenting the bone. Pressure on
this scar caused pain ; at the same time his face would flush,
his expression become fixed, and he would grow som-
nolent, with convulsive movements in the right upper
extremity (apparently epileptoid state in connection with
cortical disease). Moreover, there was senile dementia
and advanced senium. It is not reported whether the
exhibition coincided with epileptoid attacks or not. Senile
dementia proved; pardoned (Dr. Schuchardt, op. cit.).
Pelanda (op. cit.} has reported a number of cases of
this kind: —
1. Paralytic, aged sixty. At the age of fifty-eight he
Folge xx., 2. — Leppmann, Die Sachverstiindigenthatigkeit, p. 101. —
Rayneau, Annal. me'd.-pych. 1895, May-June. — von Schrenk-Notzing,
Arch. f. Criminalanthropol. Bd. i., H. 2 and 3, Fall 4 u. 5. — Struts-
mann, Vierteljahra. f. geriehtl. Med., 3. Folge, 10 Bd.
OFFENCE AOAIN8T MORALITY. 507
began to exhibit himself to women and children. In the
asvlum at Verona, for a long time thereafter, he was
lascivious, and also attempted fellatio.
2. A drinker, aged sixty-six, suffering with folie cir-
culaire. His exhibition was first noticed in church during
divine service. His brother was likewise an exhibitionist.
3. A drinker, predisposed, aged forty-nine. He was
always very excitable sexually; in an asylum on account
of chronic alcoholism. lie exhibited himself whenever he
saw a woman.
4. A man, aged sixty-four; married ; father of fourteen
children. Great predisposition. Rachitic, microcephalic
IK ':'.d. For years he had been an exhibitionist, in spite of
repented punishment.
Case 200. X., merchant, born in 1833 ; single. He
had repeatedly exhibited himself to children, or even
urinated at the same time; once, under these circum-
stances, he had kissed a little girl. Twenty years pre-
viously X. had had a severe attack of mental disease,
lasting two years, in which he was said to have had an
apoplectic attack. Later, after loss of his fortune, he
gave himself to drink, and of late years had often appeared
absent-minded. His condition was that of alcoholism,
senium prcecox and mental weakness. Penis small ; phi-
mosis; testicles atrophic. Proof of mental disease; par-
doned (Dr. Scliuchardt, op. cit.}.
Such cases recall the lasciviousness of youthful, sexu-
ally excited persons that are still more or less boyish ;
but also that of many mature cynics of low morality, who
find pleasure in defiling the walls of public closets, etc.,
with drawings of male and female genitals, — a kind of
ideal exhibition which, however, is still widely separated
from actual exhibition.
Another category of exhibitionists is made up of epilep-
tics.1 This category is essentially to be distinguished from
1 Instructive <-nse reported by Uoraclli, " Bolleiino della R.
Accademia medica di Geneva," vol. ix. (1804), fasc. 1.
508 PSYCHOPATIIIA 8EXUALIS.
the foregoing, because a conscious motive for the exhibition
is wanting; and it appears much more like an impulsive
act which, without any consideration of external circum-
stances, is performed as if it were an abnormal organic
necessity.
At the time of the act there is always a state of im-
perfect consciousness ; and thus is explained the fact that
the unfortunate individual, without consciousness of the
meaning of his act, or, at least, without cynicism, does it
in obedience to a blind impulse. On regaining conscious-
ness, he regrets and abhors it if there is not permanent
mental weakness.
The prime motive in this state of imperfect conscious-
ness, as with other impulsive acts, is a feeling of appre-
hensive oppression. If a sexual feeling become associated
with it, then the ideas are given a certain direction in the
sense of a corresponding (sexual) act.
How sexual ideas very easily arise temporarily in epi-
leptics may be understood from the discussion on p. 468.
If however, such an association has once been formed ;
if a particular act has taken place in an attack — it is the
more easily repeated in every subsequent attack; for, so
to speak, a known track has been established in the path
of motivity.
The feeling of anxiety, with the state of imperfect con-
sciousness, causes the associated sexual impulse to appear
as a command — an inner force, which is acted upon in
a purely impulsive manner and in a state of absolute
irresponsibility.
Case 201. K., a subordinate official, aged twenty-
nine; of neuropathic family; living in happy marriage;
father of one child. He had repeatedly, especially at dusk,
exhibited himself to servant-girls. K. was tall, slim, pale,
nervous and hasty in manner. There was imperfect mem-
ory of the crimes. Since childhood there had been fre-
quent severe congestive attacks, with intense flushing of the
face, a rapid, tense pulse, and a fixed, absent stare. At-
OFFENCE AGAINST MORALITY. 509
the same time there were, now and then, confusion and
vertigo. In this (epileptic) exceptional state K. would
answer only after repeated questioning, and then it was as
if he were waking from a dream. K. stated that he had al-
ways felt excited and restless for some hours before his
criminal acts, and experienced a feeling of fear, with
oppression, and congestion of the head. In this condition
he had often been giddy, and experienced an indistinct
feeling of sexual excitement. At the height of such states
IK- had left the house, without any purpose in view, and
exposed his genitals anywhere. When he had reached
home again, he had had but a dreamy remembrance of
what had occurred, and felt very weak and depressed.
It was also remarkable that, while exhibiting his genitals,
he had used lighted matches to make them visible. The
opinion was to the effect that the criminal acts depended
upon epilepsy, and were imperative impulses ; but he was,
nevertheless, sentenced, with the assumption of extenuat-
ing circumstances (Dr. Schuchardt, op. cit.).
Case 2O2. L., aged thirty-nine; single; tailor. His
father was probably a drinker; he had two epileptic
brothers, one of whom was insane. The patient himself
had slight epileptic attacks, and from time to time states
of imperfect consciousness, in which he ran about aim-
lessly, and thereafter did not know where he had been.
lie was considered a moral man, but he was now accused
of having exhibited and played with his genitals in a
strange house five or six times. His remembrance of
these acts was very imperfect.
On account of repeated desertion from the army (pro-
bably likewise in epileptic states of imperfect conscious-
ness), L. had been severely punished. In imprisonment
he became insane with "epileptic insanity," was sent to
the Charite, and from there discharged "cured". As far
as the criminal acts were concerned, cynicism and wanton-
ness could be excluded. That they were committed in a
state of imperfect consciousness was probable from the fact
510 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUAUS.
among other things, that to the policeman who arrested
him, the "imbecile" appeared to be in a remarkably cloudy
state of mental consciousness (Liman, "Vierteljahrsschrift
f. ger. Med.," N. F. xxxviii., Heft 2.)
Case 203. L., aged thirty-seven. From 15th October
to 2nd November, he had many times given offence by
exhibiting himself to girls in daylight in the open street,
and even in schools, into which he forced himself. It
happened occasionally that he wanted the girls to perform
manustupration or allow coitus, and, when refused, he
performed masturbation before them. In G., in a public-
house, he rapped with his exposed penis on the window
so that the children and servant-girls in the kitchen were
forced to see it.
After his arrest it was ascertained that since 1876 L.
had very frequently caused trouble by exhibitions, but
had always escaped punishment, owing to the demonstra-
tion of mental disease by physicians. On the other hand,
he had been punished for desertion and theft in the army,
and, later, once, as a civilian, for stealing cigars. L. had
repeatedly been in asylums on account of insanity (at-
tacks of insanity?). Besides, he was often remarkable on
account of his changeable, quarrelsome character, occa-
sional excitement and inconstancy.
L.'s brother died of paralysis. He himself presented
no degenerative signs; no epileptic antecedents. At the
time of observation he was neither insane nor mentally
weakened.
He behaved himself very well, and expressed great
regret for his sexual crimes, which he explained in this
wise: though not a drinker, he occasionally had an im-
pulse to drink. Soon after beginning, congestion of the
head, vertigo, restlessness, anxiety and oppression came
on. He then passed into a dreamy state. An irresistible
impulse now forced him to expose himself; and he then
experienced a feeling of relief and breathed more easily.
When he had once exposed himself, he knew nothing
OFFENCE AGAINST MORALITY. 511
more of what he did. As precursors of such attacks, he
had often, a short time before, had flames before the eyes
and vertigo. For the time of his clouded state of con-
sciousness he had but an obscure, dreamy memory.
It was only after a time that sexual ideas and impulses
had become associated with these apprehensive, cloudy
states of consciousness. Years ago, in such states, with-
out motive and with great danger, he had deserted; once
he had jumped from a third-story window; on another
occasion he had left a good position to wander about aim-
lessly in a neighbouring country, where he was at once
arrested for exhibition.
When outside of his abnormal periods, L. once became
intoxicated, there was no exhibition. In the lucid state
his sexual feeling and intercourse were perfectly normal
(Dr. Hotzen, "Friedreich's Blatter," 1890, Heft 6).
A clinical group that very nearly approaches the epi-
leptic exhibitionists is made up of certain neurasthenic
individuals, in whom, likewise, there may occur attacks
(epileptoid ?) of imperfect consciousness1 in connection
with a feeling of apprehensive oppression; and with this
sexual impulses may be associated, resulting in acts of
exhibition having an impulsive character.
Case 204. Dr. S., academic teacher, had aroused
public indignation by being seen repeatedly running about
in the Zoological Garden at Berlin, before ladies and chil-
dren, with his genitals hanging out. S. admitted this,
but denied all thought or consciousness of causing public
offence, and excused himself by saying that his running
about with exposed genitals afforded him relief from ner-
vous excitement. Mother's father was insane, and died
by suicide; his mother was constitutionally neuropathic,
a somnambulist, and had been temporarily insane. He
I
1 Cf. v. Krafft, " Ucber tranaitoriachea Irresein bei Neurasthen-
ischen," " Irrenfreund," 1883, No. 8; and "Wiener klin. Wochen-
•chr.," 1891, No. 50.
512 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
was neuropathic, had been a somnambulist, and had had
continuous aversion to sexual intercourse with females.
In his youth he practised onanism. He was a neuras-
thenic man, shy, torpid and easily became embarrassed and
confused. He was sexually always much excited. Fre-
quently he dreamed that he was running about with ex-
posed genitals, or that, dressed only in a shirt, he hung
from a horizontal bar with his head downward, so that the
shirt fell down, exposing his erected penis. His dreams
would induce pollution, and he would then have rest for a
few days or an entire week.
In his waking state also the impulse would often
come upon him, just as in his dreams, to run about with
exposed genitals. As he was about to expose himself, he
would become very hot, and then he would run aimlessly
about. The member would become moist with secretion,
but pollution was never induced. Finally, when it had
become flaccid, he would put it up, and then come to
himself, glad if no one had seen him. In such conditions
of excitement lie seemed to be in a dream; as if intoxicated.
He had never had the intention to offend women. S. was
not epileptic. His declarations had the impress of truth.
He had actually never followed or spoken to women while
in this condition. Frivolity and coarseness were excluded.
No doubt S.'s act was due to pathological sensation and
idea, and S. was in a condition of pathological disturbance
of mental action at the time of the commission of his acts
{Liman, "Vierteljahrsschrift fiir gerichtl. Med.," N. F.
xxx. viii., Heft 2).
Case 205. X., aged thirty-eight ; married ; father of
one child. Always sullen and silent. Suffered frequently
with headache. Very neurasthenic, though not insane.
He was troubled much at night by pollutions. He had
repeatedly followed shop-girls, for whom he had lain in
wait, exposing and handling his genitals. In one case he
even followed a girl into a shop (Trochon, "Arch, de 1'an-
thropologie criminelle," iii., p. 256).
OFFENCE AGAINST MOKA1.1TY. 513
In the following case the exhibition seems subsidiary
to tlu- impulsive desire to satisfy sudden, intense libido by
means of masturbation : —
Case 206. R., coachman, aged* forty-nine; Vienna;
married since 18@6; childless. Father neuropathic and
given to sexual excesses; died of cerebral disease. lie
presented no degenerative signs.
At the age of twenty-nine he suffered a severe concus-
sion by falling from a height. Up to that time the vita
scxualis had been normal. Since then, however, every
three or four months he had been seized with very painful
sexual excitement, accompanied by an intense desire to
masturbate. A feeling of weariness and discomfort, with
a desire for alcoholic indulgence, preceded this. In the
intervals he was sexually cold, and had but very infrequent
desire for his wife, who, moreover, for five years had been,
sick and incapable of cohabitation.
He gave the assurance that, as a young man, he never
masturbated, and that, in the intervals between his attacks,
he had never thought of satisfying himself sexually in this
way.
The impulse to masturbate during the attack was al-
ways excited by certain feminine charms — short cloak,
pretty foot and ankle, elegant appearance. Age made no
difference; even little girls excited him. The impulse was
sudden and unconquerable. R. described the situation and
act as characteristically impulsive. He had often tried to
resist it ; but then he would grow hot, terribly frightened,
his head would burn, and he would seem to be in a fog;
but he never lost consciousness. At the same time he
would have violent, darting pain in the testicles and sper-
matic cords. He regretted it, but had to confess that the
impulse was stronger than his will. In such a situation
it forced him to masturbate, no matter where he might
be. After ejaculation he would become calm, and regain
his self-control. lie regarded it as a terrible affliction.
Defence showed that R. had been punished six times for
33
514 PSYCHOPATH I A SEXUALIS.
similar offences — exhibition and masturbation in the open
street. Although an examination into his mental condi-
tion by experts was demanded by his counsel, the court
refused it on the ground that the proceedings had raised
no doubt as to his responsibility.
On 4th November, 1889, R., while in his worst condi-
tion, happened to be in the street as a crowd of school-
girls went by. This awakened his unconquerable impulse.
There was not time to run to a closet, he was too excited.
There was immediate exhibition, masturbation in front of
a house — great scandal and immediate arrest. R. was not
weak-minded, and had no ethical defect. He bemoaned
his fate, deeply regretted his act, and feared new attacks.
He regarded his condition as abnormal — as a fate against
which he thought he was powerless.
He thought himself still virile. Penis abnormally large.
Cremasteric reflex present; patellar reflex increased.
Weakness of the sphincter of the bladder, that had existed
for some years. Various neurasthenic difficulties.
The opinion showed that R. was subject to the influ-
ence of abnormal conditions, and had acted impulsively.
Patient was sent to an asylum, from which he was dis-
charged after a few months.
In the foregoing case the important point, clinically,
lies not in the neurosis that is present, but rather in the
impulsive character of the act (exhibition dependent on
masturbation).
With the enumeration of the categories of imbeciles,
of mentally weakened individuals, and of the exhibition-
ists that are in a neurotic (epileptic or neurasthenic) state
of benumbed consciousness, apparently the clinical and for-
ensic side of this phenomenon is still unexhausted; in
addition to these, there is another class, the represent-
atives of which, owing to deep hereditary taint (hereditary
degenerative neurosis?), are impelled to periodical and
very impulsive exhibition.
With reference to these conditions of psychopafhia
OFFENCE AGAINST MORALITY. 515
scxualis periodica(cf. "Periodical Insanity,") in which the
accidentally awakened impulse to exhibition is but a par-
tial manifestation of a clinical whole, like in dipsomania
periodica the craving for drink, Magnan,1 from whom I
borrow the following instructive cases, justly lays the
greatest stress upon the impulsive, periodical feature of
these abnormal impulses; and no less upon the fact that
they are often accompanied by terrible anxiety, which,
after the realisation of the impulse, gives place to a feeling
of relief.
These facts, and, no less, the clinical picture of de-
generacy that, for the most part, is referable to injurious
conditions that are hereditary, or that exercise an in-
jurious effect on the development of brain in early years
(rachitis, etc.,) are, medico-legally, of decisive importance.
Case 207. G., aged twenty-nine, waiter in a cafe.
In 1888, while standing under a church-door, he exhibited
himself to several girls working opposite. He confessed
the act, and also that, many times, in the same place and
at the same time of day, he had been guilty of the same
crime, having been punished for it the year before with
imprisonment for one month.
G. had very nervous parents. His father was mentally
unstable and very irascible. His mother was at times in-
sane, and suffered with severe neurotic affection.
G. had always had nervous twitching of the face, and
constant alternation of causeless depression, with tcedium
vita, and periods of elation. At the ages of ten and fifteen,
for slight cause, he wished to commit suicide. When ex-
cited, he had similar twitching of the extremities. He
presented constant general analgesia. In prison he was at
first beside himself with shame about the disgrace he had
brought on his family, and said he was the worst of men,
deserving the severest punishment.
Until his nineteenth year G. had satisfied himself with
1 " Recherche* sur les Centres Nerveux," 2% s4rie, Paris, 1893.
516 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUAXIS.
solitary and mutual masturbation, and, on one occasion,
he had practised onanism witfi a girl. From that time,
working in a cafe, the female customers had excited him
BO intensely that ejaculation was often induced. He suf-
fered with almost constant priapism, and, as his wife
stated, in spite of coitus, it often disturbed his rest at
night. For seven years he had repeatedly exhibited him-
self at his window, and also exposed himself naked to
female neighbours living opposite.
In 1883 he married for love. Marital intercourse did
not satisfy his needs. At times his sexual excitement was
so intense that he had headache, and seemed confused,
like one drunk, strange and incapable of work.
In one of these attacks he had recently exhibited him-
self before ladies in two streets of Paris (12th May, 1887).
Since then he was fighting a desperate battle against
these morbid impulses which had now become almost per-
manent, and when at their height made him morose and
confused, and caused him to weep all night. In spite of
all efforts he backslided again and again. Opinion: Proof
of hereditary degeneration with delusions and irresistible
impulses ("perversion delirante du sens genital"). Par-
don (Magnan, "Arch, de 1'anthropologie criminelle," v.,
No. 28).
Case 208. B., aged twenty-seven; of neuropathic
mother and alcoholic father. He had one brother who
was a drinker; and a hysterical sister. Four blood rela-
tions on paternal side were drunkards, one female cousin
is hysterical.
After his eleventh year, onanisra, solitary or mutual.
After his thirteenth year, impulses to exhibition. He at-
tempted it at a street urinal; he felt pleasure in it, but
also immediately twinges of conscience. If he attempted
to oppose his impulse thereafter, he became apprehensive,
and had a feeling of oppression in his chest. When a
soldier, he was often impelled to expose himself, under
various pretexts, to his comrades.
OFFENCE AGAINST MORALITY. 517
After his s <ith year he had sexual congress with
women. It gave him great pleasure to show himself
naked before them. He continued his exhibition on the
street. Since he could but infrequently count on female
spectators at urinals, he changed his place to churches.
In order to exhibit himself at such places, he always had
to strengthen his courage by drinking. Under the in-
fluence of spirits, the impulse, at other times controllable
with difficulty, became irresistible. He was not sentenced.
He lost his position, and then drank more. Not long
after, he was again arrested for exhibition and mastur-
bation in a church (Magnan, ibid.1).
Case 209. X., aged thirty-five; barber's assistant.
Repeatedly punished for offence against decency, he was
again arrested ; for, during three weeks he had been
hanging around girls' schools, trying to attract the at-
tention of the pupils, and, when he had succeeded in
this, had exhibited himself. Occasionally he had promised
them money, with the words, "Habeo mentulam pulcher-
rimam, venite ad me ut earn lambatis".
At his examination X. confessed everything, but did
not know how it had come about. He was the most
reasonable of men in other respects, but had the impulse
to commit this crime, and could not overcome it.
In 1879, when in the army, he was once out on leave,
and had run around exhibiting himself to children: im-
prisonment for a year. The same crime in 1881. He
chased the crying children, and "stared" at them: im-
prisonment of one year and three months. Two days
after his discharge, he said to two little girls: "Si mm-
tulam mcam videre vultis mecum in hanc tabernam veni-
atis". He denied these words, and claimed drunkenness;
imprisonment for three months.
In 1883 renewed exhibition ; during the act he said
nothing. At his examination he stated that, since a severe
* Analogous case : Boittier et Lachaux, " Archives de Neurologic,"
1803, October.
518 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIB.
illness, eight years previously, he had suffered with such
excitations: imprisonment for one month.
In 1884 exhibition before girls in a churchyard ; again
in 1885. He declared: "I understand my crime, but it
is like a disease. When it comes over me, I cannot keep
from such acts. It sometimes happens that, for quite a
long time, I am tree from these inclinations." Imprison-
ment for six months.
Discharged on 12th August, 1885, he had a relapse on
15th August. The same excuse was given. This time he
underwent medical examination. The examination re-
vealed no mental disturbance. Sentenced to three years.
After discharge, a series of new exhibitions. On this
occasion, examination revealed the following: —
His father suffered with chronic alcoholism, and was
said to have been guilty of the same crime. Mother and
a sister nervously ill, and the whole family of excitable
temperament.
From his seventh to his eighteenth year X. suffered
with epileptic convulsions. First cohabitation at sixteen;
later, gonorrhrea and, it was stated, syphilis. After that,
normal sexual intercourse until his twenty-first year. At
that time he often had to pass a playground, and at times
would urinate there; and it happened that the children
watched him out of curiosity.
He noticed, occasionally, that being watched in this
manner caused him sexual excitement, induced erection
and even ejaculation. He now found more pleasure in
this kind of sexual gratification, and became indifferent
about coitus ; satisfying himself only in this manner. He
felt that all his thought was ruled by this, and he dreamed
only of exhibitions, with pollutions. His attempts to con-
trol his impulse became more and more ineffectual. It
came over him with such force that he noticed nothing
around him, and saw and heard nothing, and was like one
"devoid of reason" — like "a bull trying to butt his head
through a wall".
X. had an abnormally broad head; small penis; the
OFFENCE AGAINST MORALITY. 519
left testicle deformed. Patellar reflex absent. Symptoms
of neurasthenia, especially cerebral. Frequent pollutions.
For the most part, his dreams were about normal coitus,
only infrequently about exhibition before little girls.
With reference to his sexual acts, he stated that the
impulse to seek and approach little girls was primary; only
when he had succeeded earum intentionem in sua geni-
talia nudata transferre, erectionem et ejaculationem fieri.
He did not lose consciousness in the act. After it he was
troubled about his deed, and, if undiscovered, said to
himself, "Once more I have escaped the authorities".
In prison he did not have the impulse; there, he was
troubled only with dreams and pollutions. In freedom he
had daily sought opportunity to satisfy himself with ex-
hibition. He would give ten years of his life to be free
from the thing; "this life of constant anxiety, this alter-
nation between freedom and imprisonment, is unendur-
able".
The opinion assumed a congenital ( ?) perversity of the
sexual instinct, with unmistakable hereditary taint, neuro-
pathic constitution, asymmetry of cranium, and defective
development of the genitals.
It is also worthy of remark that the exhibition began
when the epilepsy ceased; so that one might think of a
vicarious phenomenon.
The sexual perversity developed, with predisposition,
through accidental association of ideas of sexual content
(children looking at him urinating) with an act that, in
itself, was purposeless.
The patient was not sentenced, but sent to an asylum
(Dr. Freyer, "Zeitschr. f. Medicinalbeamte," 3 Jahrg.,
No. 8).
Case 210. At nine o'clock at night, in the spring of
1891, a lady, in great trepidation, came to the policeman
in the city park of X., with the statement that a man,
absolutely naked in front, had approached her from the
shrubbery, and she had run away frightened. The officer
520 PSYCHOPATJIIA SEXUALIS.
went at once to the place indicated, and found a man,
who exposed ventrem et genitalia nuda. lie attempted to
escape, but was overtaken and arrested. He stated that
he had been sexually excited by alcohol, and had been on
the point of going to a prostitute. On his way through
the park, however, he recalled the fact that exhibition
gave him much greater pleasure than was afforded him
by coitus, in which he seldom, and only faute de mieux, in-
dulged. After drawing up his shirt, he posted himself in
the shrubbery, and when two women came up the path he
approached them with exposed genitals. In such exhibi-
tion he had a pleasurable feeling of warmth, and the blood
mounted to his head.
The accused worked in a factory, and his employer
stated that he was faithful, thrifty, sober and intelligent.
In 1886 B. had been punished because he had twice
exhibited himself publicly, — once in broad daylight and
once at night, under a street lamp.
B., age 37, single, made a peculiar impression owing
to his dandified dress and affected manner. His eyes
had a neuropathic, languishing expression; around his
mouth played a smile of self-satisfaction. He was said to
come of healthy parents. A sister of his father and one
of his mother's were insane. Others of their relatives
were thought religiously eccentric.
B. had never had any severe illness. From childhood
he was eccentric and imaginative. He loved romances
about knights and others, was entirely absorbed by them,
and even went so far as to identify himself in fancy with
the heroes. He always thought himself a little better
than others, and thought much of elegant dress and
ornaments; and when he strutted about on Sundays he
imagined himself a high official.
B. had never shown epileptic symptoms. In youth
moderate indulgence in masturbation; Jater, moderate
indulgence in coitus. Previously, never any perverse
sexual feelings or impulses. Retired manner of life; in
leisure hours, reading (popular novels, heroic tales, Duma?
OFFENCE AOAIN8T MORALITY 621
and others). B. was not a drinker. Exceptionally be
made himself a kind of punch, by which he was always
excited sexually.
For some years, with marked decrease of libido, after
such alcoholic indulgence, he had developed the "accursedly
silly thought" and the desire geniialia adspectui femin-
arum publice exhibere.
If he got into this state he felt warm, his heart beat
violently, blood rushed to his head, and he could then no
longer resist the impulse. He heard and saw nothing
more, and was absolutely absorbed in his lust. Afterward
he had often pounded his crazy head' with his fists, and
firmly resolved never to do such a thing again; but the
crazy ideas had always returned.
In his exhibition his penis became only half-erected,
and ejaculation never occurred; even in coitus it was al-
ways tardy. In exhibition he was satisfied with genitalia
suo adspicere, and he had the lustful thought that this
sight must be very pleasant to women, since he himself
liked so much to see geniialia feminarum. He was capable
of coitus only when the puella showed herself very partial
to him; without this he preferred rather to pay and go
without doing anything. In his dreams he exhibited him-
self to young, voluptuous women.
The medico-legal opinion recognised the hereditary
psychopathic character of the culprit, and the perverse,
impulsive desire to perform the incriminating acts; and
pointed out, further, the remarkable fact that in B., who
was otherwise sober and saving, the impulses to indulge
in alcohol depended on abnormal conditions that recurred
periodically and forced him to indulge. That, during his
attacks, B. was in an exceptional psychical state, in a kind
of mental confusion, and absolutely absorbed in his per-
verse sexual fancy, was clearly shown by the species facti.
Thus was explained the fact that he became aware of the
approach of the police only when it was too late to try
to escape. In this hereditary and degenerate impulsive
exhibitionism, it is interesting to note how the perverse
522 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
sexual impulse is awakened from its latency by the in-
fluence of alcohol.
The foregoing cases seem to justify the assumption of
a psycho-pathological meaning of "exhibition" in the sense
of sexual demonstration.
A forensically important variety of exhibition, which,
clinically speaking, rests for certain upon a similar neu-
rotic and degenerate foundation, and which expresses itself
in a peculiar act, conditioned by vio^nt libido (hyperces-
thesia sexualis}, associated with diminished virility, is
made up of the so-called frotteurs.
The three following cases, borrowed from Magnan (op.
' cit. ) , are typical : —
Case 211. D., age forty-four; hereditarily predis-
posed; drinker, and suffering with lead poisoning. Until
the last year he had masturbated much, and often drawn
pornographic pictures and shown them to his acquaint-
ances. He had repeatedly dressed himself as a woman in
secret.
For two years, after becoming impotent, he had felt
desire, while in crowds at dusk, mentulam denudare
eamque ad nates mulieris crassissime ierere. Once, when
discovered in the act, he had been sentenced to imprison-
ment for four months.
His wife kept a milk-shop. Iterum iterumque sibi
temperare non potuit quin genitalia in ollam lacte com-
pletam mergeret. In the act he felt lustful pleasure, "as
if touched with velvet". He was cynical enough to use
this milk for himself and the customers. During im-
prisonment alcoholic persecutory insanity developed in
him.
Case 212. M., age thirty-one; married six years;
father of four children; badly predisposed; subject to
melancholia at times. Three years before, he was dis-
covered by his wife with a silk dress on, masturbating.
OFFENCE AGAINST MORALITY. 523
One day he was discovered, in a shop, in the act of frot-
tage on a lady. He was very repentant, and asked to be
severely punished for his irresistible impulse.
I
Case 213. G., age thirty-three; badly predisposed
hereditarily. At an omnibus station he was discovered
in the act of frottage with his penis on a lady. Deep re-
pentance; but he stated that at the sight of a noticeable
posteriora of a lady, he was irresistibly impelled to practise
frottage, and that he became confused and knew not what
he did. Sent to an asylum.
Case 214. A frottcur. Z., born in 1850; of blame-
less life previously ; of good family ; private official. He
was well to do financially ; untainted. After a short mar-
ried life he became a widower, in 1873. For some time
he had attracted attention in churches, because he crowded
up behind women, both old and young indifferently, and
toyed with their "bustles". He was watched, and one day
he was arrested in the act. Z. was terribly frightened,
and in despair about his situation; and, in making a full
confession, he begged for pardon, for nothing but suicide
remained for him.
For two years he had been subject to the unhappy
impulse to go in crowds of people — in churches, at box-
offices of theatres, etc. — and press up behind females and
manipulate the prominent portion of their dresses, thus
producing orgasm and ejaculation.
Z. stated that he was never given to masturbation,
and had never been in any way perverse sexually. Since
the early death of his wife, he had gratified his great
sexual desire in temporary love-affairs, having always had
an aversion for prostitutes and brothels. The impulse to
frottage had suddenly seized him, two years ago, while he
happened to be in church. Though he was conscious
that it was wrong, he could not help yielding to it
immediately. Since then he had been excitable to the
posteriora of females, and had been actually impelled to
524 PSYCHOPATH IA SEXUALIS.
seek opportunity for frottage. The only thing on women
that excited him was the "bustle" ; every other part of
the body and attire was a matter of indifference to him;
neither did he mind whether the woman was old or young,
beautiful or ugly. Since this began, he had had no more
inclination for natural gratification. Of late frottage
scenes had appeared in his dreams.
During his acts he was fully conscious of his situation
and the act, and tried to perform it in such a way as to
attract as little attention as possible. After his act he
was always ashamed of what he had done.
The medical examination revealed no sign of mental
disease or mental weakness, but symptoms of neurasthenia
sexualis — ex abstinentia libidinosa ( ?) — which was also
proved by the circumstance that even the mere touch of
the fetich with the unexposed genitals sufficed to induce
ejaculation. Apparently Z., weakened sexually and dis-
trusting his virility, and yet libidinous, had come to prac-
tise frottage by having the sight of posteriora femince fall
together accidentally with sexual excitement; and this asso-
ciative combination of a perception with a feeling per-
mitted the former to attain the significance of a fetich.
Whether these frotteurs (if considered as men who
in consequence of disturbed virility have become either
temporarily or permanently hypersexually degenerated)
should come under the category of exhibitionists, or should
be classified with the fetichists, as Gamier does ("Les
fetichistes," p. 73), can hardly be decided on account of the
limited number of cases thus far observed.
The point whether denudatio genitalium takes place or
not, cannot affect this decision, for it may depend in the
frotteur on the intensity of the orgasm which may lead
even to lustful ecstasy, or also from external circumstances
favourable to this loathsome impulse. The very fact that
up till now in pathological fetichism the fetich has never
had reference to paries genitales or the surrounding parts
seems to upset Gamier's theory as to fetichism of nates
femince (cf. p. 218).
OFFENCE AGAINST MORALITY. 525
The simplest explanation seems to be that "frottage"
is a masturbatorial act of a hypersexual individual who
is uncertain about his virility in corpore feminaj. This
would also explain the motive of the assault being made
not ad anleriora but ad posteriora (cf. case 211). That
fetichism may be involved seems to follow from case 212,
\\hirh clearly proves silk-fetichism. Very likely the lady
in question wore a silk gown, and the indecent attack was
directed upon the dress, not the nates. In case 214 the
act is evidently qualified by the "bustle" and not by the
particular part of the body.
As an act which offends public morals, and which is,
therefore, punishable, the violation of statues — a whole
series of cases of which Moreau (op. cit.) has collected
from ancient and modern times — may be enumerated here.
They are, unfortunately, given too much like anecdotes
to allow satisfactory judgment of them. They always
give the impression of being pathological — like the story
of a young man (related by Lucianus and St. Clemens,
of Alexandria) who made use of a Venus of Praxiteles for
the gratification of his lust; and the case of Clisyphus,
who violated the statue of a goddess in the Temple of
Samos, after having placed a piece of meat on a certain
part. In modern times, the ''Journal L'evenement" of
4th March, 1877, relates the story of a gardener who fell
in love with a statue of the Venus of Milo, and was dis-
covered attempting coitus with it. At any rate, these cases
stand in etiological relation with abnormally intense libido
and defective virility or courage, or lack of opportunity for
normal sexual gratification.
The same thing must be assumed in the case of the
so-called "voyeurs"1— i.e., men who are so cynical that
'Dr. Moll calls this perversion (?) mixoscopia (from
cohabitation; and oKtmttv, to look). Merzejewsky in his " gyne"-
cologie metlicolegnlp," relates the case of an old Castellan who, in
order to excite himself, made his servants to violate women and
girls in his presence. (Ivankow, Archiv. d'Anthropolog. criminelle,
xiii., p. 697.)
526 PSYCHOPATHIA BEXUA^IS.
they seek to get sight of coitus, in order to assist their
virility; or who seek to have orgasm and ejaculation at
the sight of an excited woman. Concerning this moral
aberration, which, for various reasons, cannot be further
described here, it will suffice to refer to Coffignon's book,
"La Corruption a Paris". The revelations, in the domain
of sexual perversity, and also perversion, which this book
makes, are horrible.
2. Rape and Lust-Murder. .
(Austrian Statutes, §§125, 127; Austrian Abridgment, 5192; German
Statutes, «177.)
By the term rape, the jurist understands coitus, out-
side of the marriage relation, with an adult, enforced by
means of threats or violence; or with an adult in a condi-
tion of defencelessness or unconsciousness; or with a girl
under the age of fourteen years. Immissio penis, or, at
least, conjunctio membrorum (Schiitze) is necessary to
establish the fact. To-day, rape on children is remarkably
frequent. Hofmann ("Ger. Med.," i., p. 155) and Tar-
dieu ("Attentats") report horrible cases.
The latter establishes the fact that, from 1851 to 1875
inclusive, 22,017 cases of rape came before the courts in
France, and of these 17,657 were committed on children.
The crime of rape presumes a temporary, powerful
excitation of sexual desire, induced by excess in alcohol or
by some other condition. It is highly improbable that
a man morally intact would commit this most brutal
crime. Lombroso (Goltdammer's "Arch.") considers the
majority of men who commit rape to be degenerate, par-
ticularly when the crime is done on children or old women.
He asserts that, in many such men, he has found actual
signs of degeneracy.
It is a fact that rape is very often the act of degenerate
male imbeciles,1 who, under some circumstances, do not
even respect the bond of blood.
»"Annal. m€dico-psychol.," 1849, p. 515; 1863, p. 57; 1864, p.
215} 1866, p. 253.
D LUST-MURDER. 527
Cases as a result of mania, satyriasis and epilepsy have
occurred, and are to be kept in mind.
The crime of rape may be followed by the murder of
the victim.1 There may be unintentional murder, murder
to destroy the only witness of the crime, or murder out of
lust (r. supra). Only for cases of the latter kind should
the term lust-murder* be used.
The motives of lust-murder have been previously con-
sidered. The cases given in illustration are characteristic
of the manner of the deed. The presumption of a murder
out of lust is always given when injuries of the genitals
are found, the character and extent of which are such as
could not be explained by merely a brutal attempt at
coitus; and, still more, when the body has been opened,
or parts (intestines, genitals) torn out and are wanting.*
Lust-murders dependent upon psychopathic conditions
are never committed with accomplices.
Case 215. Weak-mindedness; epilepsy; attempt at
rape; murder. On the evening of 27th May, 1888, a boy
eight years old, Blasius, was playing with other children
in the neighbourhood of the village of S. An unknown
man came along and enticed the boy into the woods.
The next day the boy's body was found in a ravine,
with the abdomen slit open, an incised wound in the
cardiac region and two stab-wounds in the neck.
Since, on 21st May, a man answering to the descrip-
tion given of the murderer of the boy had attempted to
treat a six-year-old girl in a similar manner, and had only
accidentally been prevented, it was presumed to be a case
of lust-murder.
It was proved that the body was found in a heap, with
only the shirt and jacket on; also that there was a long
incision in the scrotum.
Suspicion fell upon a farm-hand, E. ; but, on con-
1 Cf. the cases of Tardieu, " Attentats," pp. 182-92.
1 Cf. Holtsmdorff, " Psychologic des Mords."
'Tmrdieu, " Attentats," case 51, p. 188.
528 rSYClIOPATHIA BEXUALIS.
frontation with the children, it was not possible to identify
him with the stranger who had -enticed the boy into
the woods. Besides, with the help of his sister, he proved
an alibi.
The untiring efforts of the officers brought new evi-
dence to light, and finally E. confessed. He had enticed
the girl into the woods, thrown her down, exposed her
genitals, and was about to abuse her; but, as she had an
eruption on her head and was crying loudly, his desire
cooled, and he fled.
After he had enticed the boy into the woods, under
the pretext of showing him a bird's nest, he was taken
with a desire to abuse him. Since the boy refused to take
off his trousers, he did it for him ; and when the boy began
to cry out he stabbed him twice in the neck. Then he
made an incision, just above the pubes, in imitation of
female genitals, in order to use it to satisfy his lust. But,
since the body grew cold immediately, he lost his desire,
and, cleaning his knife and hands near the body, he fled.
When he saw the boy dead, he was filled with fear, and
his member became flaccid.
During his examination E. toyed apathetically with a
rosary. He had acted in a state of mental weakness.
He could not understand how he came to do such a thing.
He must have been beside himself; for he often became
so weak in his head that he would almost fall down.
Previous employers report that he had periods when he
was confused and stubborn, doing no work all day, and
avoiding others.
His father stated that E. learned with difficulty, was
unskilful at work, and often so obstinate that one did
not dare to punish him. At such times he would not eat,
and occasionally ran away and remained from home for
days. At such times he also seemed quite lost in thought,
screwed his face up, and said senseless things.
When a youth, he still sometimes wetted the bed, and
often came home from school with wet or soiled clothing.
He was very restless in sleep, so that no one could sleep
EAPE AND LU8T-MUEDEK. 529
beside him. lie h;i<l n<-vrr had playmates. Ho had never
been cruel, bad, or immoral.
Hi* mother gave similar testimony; and further, that,
in his fifth year, E. had convulsions for the first time,
and once lost the power of speech for seven days. Some-
time about his seventh year he once had convulsions for
forty days, and was also dropsical. Later, too, he was
often seized in sleep, and he often then talked in his sleep ;
and mornings, after such nights, the bed was found wet
through.
At times it was impossible to do anything with him.
Since his mother did not know whether it was due to
viciousness or disease, she did not venture to punish him.
Since the convulsions in his seventh year, he had failed
so in mind that he could not learn even the common
prayers; and he also became very irascible.
Neighbours, persons prominent in the community, and
teachers state that E. was peculiar, weak-minded, and
irascible ; that at times he was very strange, and apparently
in an exceptional mental state.
The examinations of the medical experts gave the fol-
lowing results : —
E. was tall, slim, and poorly nourished. His head
measured 53 centimetres in circumference. The cranium
was rhombic, and in the occipital region flattened.
His expression was devoid of intelligence; his glance
was fixed, expressionless; his attitude was careless, and his
body was bent forward. Movements were slow and heavy.
Genitals normally developed. E.'s whole appearance
pointed to torpidity and mental weakness.
There were no signs of degenerative marks, no abnor-
mality of the vegetative organs, and no disturbances of
motility or sensibility. lie came of a perfectly healthy
family. He knew nothing of convulsions or of wetting
his bed at night, but he stated that, of late years, he had
had attacks of vertigo and loss of mind.
At first, he denied the murder point blank. Later, in
great contrition, before the examining judge, he confessed
530 PSYCMOPATHIA SEXUAI,IS.
all, and gave a clear motive for his crime. He had never
had such a thought before.
He had been given to on tin ism for years; he even
practised it twice daily. He stated that, for want of
courage, he had never ventured to ask coitus of a woman,
though in dreams such scenes exclusively passed before
him. Neither in dreams nor in the waking state had ho
ever had perverse instincts; particularly no sadistic or
antipathic sexual feelings. The sight of the slaughter of
animals had never interested him. When he enticed the
girl into the woods, his desire, of course, was to satisfy
his lust with her ; but how it happened that he tried such
a thing with a boy, he could not explain. He thought
he must have been out of his mind at that time. The
night after the murder he could not sleep on account of
fear; he had twice confessed already, to ease his con-
science. He was only afraid of being hanged. This
should not be done, as he had done the deed in a weak-
minded condition.
He could not tell why he had cut open the boy's
abdomen. It had not occurred to him to grope among
the intestines, smell them, etc. He stated that, after the
attempt on the girl in the day time, and in the night, after
the murder of the boy, he had convulsions. At the time of
his crime he was indeed conscious, but he had given no
thought to what he was doing.
He suffered much with headache; could not endure
heat, thirst, or alcohol; there were times when he was
perfectly confused. The test of his intelligence showed a
high grade of weak-mindedness.
The opinion (Dr. Kautzner, of Graz) showed the im-
becility and neurosis of the accused, and made it probable
that his crime, for which he had only a general recollec-
tion, had been committed in an exceptional (pre-epileptic)
mental state, qualified by the neurosis. Under all circum-
stances, E. was considered dangerous, and probably would
require commitment to an asylum for life.
RAPE AND LUST-MURDER. 531
Case 216.' Rape on a /////»• <jirl by an idiot. Death
of the victim.
On the evening of the 3rd of September, 1889, Anna,
aged ten years, daughter of a labourer, went to the village
church, ilistnnt aln.ut two miles, but did not return. The
following day her body was found about fifty paces from
the main road, in a copse. The face was turned to the
ground; the mouth was gagged with moss; signs of a
criminal assault about the anus.
Suspicion fell upon a young labourer, K., nineteen
years of age, because he had on the 1st of September
attempted to entice the child in the wood when she was
returning from church.
K. was arrested. At first he denied the deed; but
afterwards made a complete confession. He had strangled
the child, and when she stopped kicking and resisting,
actum sodomiticum in ano infantis perpctravit.
During the preliminary examination no one had raised
the question as to the mental condition of this monster;
in consequence, when shortly before the trial counsel de-
fending him asked for an examination of the mental con-
dition of his client, his request was refused on the ground
"that the previous proceedings contained nothing which
could warrant the plea of insanity".
By accident, counsel for the defence succeeded in es-
tablishing the fact that the great grandfather and the
paternal aunt of the accused had been insane; that the
father was an inveterate alcoholist since earliest youth
and a cripple on one side of the body. These facts were
verified during the trial.
But it made no impression. The defence finally pre-
vailed upon the medical adviser of the court to suggest
that K. be sent for observation to an insane asylum for a
period of six weeks.
The opinion of the physician at the institute estab-
*Cf. the complete medico-legal opinion on thia case reported in
" Friedreich't Blatter." 1891, Heft 6.
532 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIB.
lished K.'s idiocy, thus rendering him irresponsible for his
deed.
He appeared insipid, stolid, apathetic; had forgotten
nearly all he had ever learned at school; neither by voice
or mien he betrayed the slightest emotions of compassion,
contrition, shame, hope, or fear of the future. His face
was immovable as a mask.
Head quite abnormal ; bullet-shaped. Proof that the
brain was diseased already during the foetal period or
during the earliest years of development.
Upon this report K. was permanently interned at the
asylum.
Through the indefatigable efforts of a brave lawyer
the court was saved from committing a judiciary murder,
and the honour of society was sustained.
Case 217. Lust-murder; moral imbecility. A man
of middle age; born in Algeria; said to be of Arabic de-
scent. Had served for several years in the colonial troops ;
had then shipped as a sailor between Algeria and Brazil,
and later on, in the hope of finding lighter employment,
had gone to North America. He was known among
his acquaintances as being lazy, cowardly and brutal.
Several times he had been sentenced for vagrancy; it was
said that he was a thief of the lowest kind; that he
knocked about with women of the lowest class, and made
common cause with them. His perverse sexual relations
and acts were also well known. On several occasions he
had bitten and beaten women with whom he sexually
conversed. According to the description given of him,
the authorities thought they had secured a certain un-
known party who had scared at night the women in the
streets by embracing and kissing them, and had the nick-
name of "Jack the Kisser".
He was a tall man (over six feet), slightly bent for-
ward. Low forehead, very prominent cheek bones, massive
jawbones ; small, narrow, inflamed eyes, piercing look ;
big feet, hands like birds' claws; shambling gait. His
TOBTURE OF ANIMALS DEPENDENT ON SADISM. 533
anus and hands were tattooed all over. Remarkable was
picture of a woman in colours, around which the
name "Fatima" was inscribed, because tattooing the fe-
male form upon the body is considered to be disgraceful
aiiK'iii: the Arabs of the Algerian army; and prostitutes
Lr' n< -rally have a cross tattooed in their skin. His general
appearance gave the impression of a low grade of intelli-
gence.
N. was convicted of the murder of an elderly female
with whom he had spent the night. The corpse bore
various wounds, some remarkable for their length; the
abdomen was ripped open, pieces of the intestines were
cut out, so was one of the ovaries ; other parts were strewn
around about the corpse. Several of the wounds were like
crosses ; one was in the shape of a crescent. The murderer
had strangled his victim. He denied the deed, and every
inclination to commit such an act (Dr. MacDonald, Clark
University, Mass.).
3. Bodily Injury, Injury to Property, Torture of Animals
Dependent on Sadism.
(Austrian, §§ 152, 411; German, i 223 [bodily injury]. Austrian,
(I 85, 468; German, { 303 [injury to property]. Austrian
Police Regulations; German statutes, § 360 [torture of ani-
mals].)
Aside from lust-murder, described in the foregoing
section, as milder expressions of sadistic desires, impulses
to stab, flagellate or defile females, to flagellate boys, to
maltreat animals, etc., also occur.
The deep degenerative significance of such cases is
clearly demonstrated by the series of examples given under
"(Jrneral Pathology". Such mentally degenerate indi-
viduals, should they be unable to control their perverse
impulses, could only be objects of care in asylums.
Case 218. Sadism on boys and girls committed by
« moral idiot.
K., fourteen years and five months old ; killed a small
534 PSYCHOPATHIA. SEXUALI8.
boy in a cruel manner. The trial developed the following
details: Two cases of murder; a long series of cases
(seven) in which K. had cruelly tortured little boys. All
these children ranged in age from seven to ten years. K.
would lure them into a hidden place, strip them naked,
bind them hand and foot, tie them against some object,
gag the mouth with a handkerchief and then beat them
with a stick, a strap or a piece of rope, slowly, pausing
for minutes — grinning all the time without uttering a
word. One of the boys he forced under threat of death
to repeat the Lord's Prayer twice, to promise under oath
secrecy and to repeat curse words and oaths after him.
In another instance he pricked the boy's cheeks with a
needle, played with his genitals, and stabbed him in the
pubic region; he then ordered him to lie on his stomach
when he would jump on his back, dancing all over the
body ; finally he stabbed him in the nates and dug his teeth
into them. Another boy he bit in the nose and stabbed
him with a knife.
The eighth victim, a little girl, he enticed into his
mother's shop, fell upon her from behind, and clapping
one hand over her mouth, cut her throat with the other.
The body was found in a dark corner, covered over with
ashes and manure. The head was severed from the body,
the flesh cut away from the bones, the whole body covered
with cuts and wounds. The largest cut was on the inner
side of the left thigh, penetrating through the genitals into
the abdomen. Another cut extended from the fossa iliaca
obliquely across the abdomen. The clothes and linen were
torn and cut into shreds.
The corpse of the ninth victim was found with the
throat cut across, blood was flowing from the eyes, the
heart was pierced by innumerable stabs. A number of
thrusts were found in the abdomen. The scrotum was
ripped open, the testicles were hanging out, and the glans
penis was cut off.
K. had first lured the boy to him as he had done the
little girl, cut his throat and then stabbed him all over.
KTUBE OF ANIMUS |.: \T ON SADISM.
K., whose hereditary conditions were not known, had
oeen suffering from a severe illness during the whole of
his first year's existence, and thus had become very much
emaciated. He began to recover, and it is claimed that
since then he was not afflicted with bad health, excepting
frequent complaints about pain in the head and eyes and
vertigo, until he was eleven, when he went through a "se-
vere illness," which made him delirious. Headaches would
suddenly seize him, so that he would run away from play,
and return only after a considerable interval. When asked
on such occasions about his conduct, he would slowly an-
swer, "My head, my head".
He was intractable, disobedient and beyond control.
Showed sudden and extreme moods, desires and opinions.
When three years old he was one day seen to torture a
chicken with a knife. He lied with every appearance of
truth. At school he was a disturbing element, making
faces, constantly talking to himself; was obstinate and dis-
respectful. Punishment to him was injustice ; he was reni-
tent. In the house of correction he was secluded, preoccu-
pied with himself, suspicious, disliked by his comrades — in
fact without any chum. His intellectual powers were good ;
he possessed sagacity, reason and a good memory. He
showed great defect in the ethical direction. He betrayed
not the slightest signs of sorrow or penitence for his deeds,
or the least consciousness of his responsibility. Only for
his mother he seemed to have a sort of tender feeling. He
could assign no object for his actions. He calmly dis-
cussed his chances: "they would not condemn him to
death because he was only fourteen years of age; hereto-
fore they had not been wont to hang boys of his age,
and surely they would not make a beginning with him".
What motive he had in his deeds cannot be ascertained
from him. Once he said that reading a description of
the tortures visited upon their victims by the Red Indians
had tempted him to imitate them. He had even once
thought of running away from home to join the Indians.
536 P8YCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
Whenever he espied a victim his imagination would be
filled with pictures of cruel actions.
On the morning of such days he would always wake
up with vertigo and pressure in the head, which condition
would last all day.
As physical anomalies only an exceptionally large ^>enis
and very big testicles are mentioned. Mons veneris com-
pletely and thickly covered with hair ; in fact, the genitals
were fully developed like those of an adult. No symptoms
of epilepsy (Dr. MacDonald, Clark University, Mass.).
Case 219. Sadism; bodily injury. B., seventeen
years of age, tinsmith, bought on the 4th January, 1893,
a long knife; went to a prostitute, had repeatedly sexual
intercourse with her, gave her money, and made her sit
undressed on the edge of the bed. He now stabbed her
slightly three times in the chest and abdomen whilst his
membrum was erected. When the girl began to yell and
people came to her assistance, B. fled, but immediately
gave himself up to the police. At first he said he had
stabbed the girl in a quarrel, but afterwards stated he had
had no motive for his deed. Several blood relations of
his father had been insane. B. was not tainted, not a
drunkard, had not gone through any severe illness, never
masturbated, but had practised coitus for two years.
Genitals normal. Seemed, under observation, mentally
normal ; was ashamed of his action, to which the experts
properly ascribed a sexual motive. In spite of definite
proof of mental sanity, he was released (Coutagne, "Annal.
med. psych.," 1893, July, Aug.).
Case 220. Acts of violence emanating from sadism.
M., sixty years of age, owner of several millions, happily
married, father of two daughters, one eighteen, the other
sixteen years of age, was convicted of seduction of minors
and acts of violence on females. He was accustomed to
go to the house of a procuress, where he was known as
I'homme qui pique, and there, lying upon a sofa in a pink
TORTURE OP ANIMALS DEPENDENT ON SADISM. 537
silk dressing-gown, lavishly trimmed with lace, would
await his victims — puellas tres nudas. They had to ap-
proach him in single file, in silence and smiling. They
gave him needles, cambric handkerchiefs and a whip.
Kneeling before one of the girls, he would now stick about
a hundred needles in her body, and fasten with twenty
needles a handkerchief upon her bosom; this he would
suddenly tear away, whip the girl, tear the hair from
her mons veneris and squeeze her mamma, etc., whilst the
other two girls would wipe the perspi ration from his fore-
head and strike lascivious plastic attitudes. Now excited
to the highest pitch, he would have coitus with his victim.
Later on, for the sake of economy, he was satisfied to per-
form his brutality with one girl alone. This girl fell in
consequence into a severe illness, and in her distress asked
him for help. He reported this "extortion" to the police,
who, on their part, made inquiries, and brought a charge
against him. At first he denied the facts, but convicted,
expressed his surprise that such a fuss should be made
about a mere trifle. M. was described as a man of re-
pulsive appearance, with receding forehead. He was sen-
tenced to six months' imprisonment, a fine of 200 francs,
and 1000 francs damages to his victim ("Journal Gil
Bias," Aug. U and 16, 1891).
A less revolting case, that of a young man, is related
by Ferrioni, "Archivio delle psicopatie sessuali," i., p. 106,
1896. This young sadist would first wrestle with the girl
in order to bring about virility and would, inter actum, bite
and pinch her in order to produce satisfaction. But one
day he bit the girl so hard that she brought an action
against him.
Case 221. Murder through sadism. Married man,
at the time of this crime thirty years of age. He had lured
a girl to the bell tower of the church of which he was
the sexton and there killed her. Circumstantial evidence
forcing him to admit the deed, he confessed to another
538 PSYCHOPATIIIA 8EXUALIS.
similar murder. Both corpses showed numerous contu-
sions about the fleshy parts of the" head, fractures of the
skull, extravasations under the dura mater and in the brain.
No other bodily injuries were found; the genital organs
were intact.
Spermal stains were found on the underwear of the
criminal, who was arrested soon after the deed was
committed. L. was described as of pleasing appearance,
of dark complexion, beardless. No details about his
hereditary relations, antecedents, vita sexualis ante acta,
etc.
His motive, according to his own admission, was "lust
of the cruellest and most abominable kind" (Dr. MacDon-
ald, Clark University, Mass.).
Guillebeau? Professor at the Veterinary College at
Berne, has collected a number of cases of horrible sadistic
acts of violence on dumb brutes.
1. Injuries to the vagina in six cows. Offender un-
known.
2. Mortal injuries on four calves and goats, committed
by a youth, nineteen years of age, with the sharp point of a
stick. He had become an imbecile at the age of four
through meningitis. He confessed that the act was one of
sexual lust. Considered irresponsible.
3. Repeated and numerous injuries to cows and goats
in the anus and in the vagina, by a stable-boy (age twenty-
four) with a stick. He confessed that when milking or
otherwise attending the animals he became sexually ex-
cited, had violent erections and sensations of fear. At
first he used his hand, and then a stick, which he would
introduce into the orifice. It was always an impulsive
act and only at such times when he suffered from sleep-
lessness and nervous and sexual excitement. After the
act he was always tormented by pangs of conscience but
could not help relapsing into the same fault. Considered
irresponsible.
('Schweizer Archiv f. Thierheilkunde, Heft 1, Jahrg. 1889.)
MASOCHISM AND SEXUAL BONDAGE. 539
4. A similar offence (in imitation of the former) in
the same stable by a feeble-minded cowherd, eighteen
years old, on the rectum of an ox.
Case 222. X., age twenty-four. Parents healthy,
two brothers died from tuberculosis, one sister suffered
from periodical fits. X. began to experience at the age
of eight pleasurable feelings with erection when he pressed
his abdomen against the form in school. He often did
this. Later he practised mutual masturbation with a
schoolmate. First ejaculation at the age of thirteen. In
the first attempt at coitus (when eighteen) he was im-
potent. He continued auto-masturbation. When reading
a popular book describing the dreadful consequences of
onanism, he became very neurasthenic. A water cure
brought improvement, but a second attempt at coitus proved
a fizzle. Return to masturbation. In time this failed
him, too. He would now pick up a living bird by the bill
and swing it around in the air. The sight of the tortured
animal provoked erection and when the flapping wing
touched his penis, ejaculation would ensue with enormous
sexual lust. (Dr. Wachholz, Friedreich's Blatter, f.
gerichtl. Med. 1892, 6 Heft, p. 336.)
See also, Murder through Sadism. Rivista Sperimen-
tale, 1897, xxiii., p. 702, and 1898, xxiv., fasc. l.—Kolle,
ger. psych. Gutachten, Fall 4. p. 48.
4- Masochism and Sexual Bondage.
Masochism1 may under certain circumstances attain
forensic importance, for modern criminal law no longer
'As Herbat ("Handb. d. flaterr. Strafrechts, Wion," 1878, p. 72)
remarks, there are, nevertheless, crimes conditioned by the absence of
assent on the part of the injured individual which cease to be such
as soon as the injured individual has given consent — c. g., theft, rape.
But Uerbtt also enumerates here the limitation of personal
freedom (T).
Of late a decided change of views on this point has taken place.
The German criminal law regards the consent of a man to his own
840 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
recognises the principle volenti non fit injuria, and the
present Austrian statute in § 4 says expressly: "Crimes
may also be committed on persons who demand their com-
mission on themselves".
Psychologically speaking, the facts of sexual bondage
are of greater criminal importance (cf. p. 181).
If sensuality is predominant, or in other words, if a
man is held in fetich-thraldom and his moral power of
resistance is but weak, he may by an avaricious or vin-
dictive woman into whose bondage his passion has led him
be goaded on to the very worst crimes. The following
case is a striking instance : —
Case 223. Murder of a family through sexual bond-
age. N., soap manufacturer in Catania ; thirty-four years
of age; previously of good character; stabbed his wife in
her sleep to death on the 21st of December, 1886, and
strangled his two daughters, one seven years and the
other six weeks old. At first he denied the deed, tried
to throw suspicion upon others, but finally confessed to
all the details and begged to be hanged.
N. came of a sound family, was heakhy himself, a
good business man and highly respected ; married well, but
for several years was under the fascinating influence of a
mistress who had captivated and completely controlled him.
He had kept this matter a secret from the world and
his wife.
By playing on his jealousy and declaring that by
marriage alone he could for the future possess her, this
monster of a woman had brought the weak and infatuated
N. to become the murderer of his wife and children.
death of such importance that a very different and much milder
punishment is inflicted under such circumstances (§ 216) ; and it is
the same in Austrian law (Austrian Abridgment, § 222). The so-
called double suicide ot lovers was the act considered. In bodily
injury and deprivation of freedom, the consent of the victim must
also receive consideration at the hands of the judge. Certainly a
knowledge of masochism is of importance in making a judgment of
the probability of asserted consent.
MASOCHISM AND SEXUAL BONDAGE. 541
After the deed he had induced his young nephew to fetter
him as if he himself were the victim of the villains and
under the threat of death commanded him to silence.
\Ylion the neighbors came in he played the role of the
unhappy, maltreated father.
After a full confession he showed the deepest contri-
tion. During the two years of the subsequent trial, N.
never showed signs of mental derangement.
His mad love for the mistress he could only explain
as an infatuation. lie never had cause to find fault with
his wife. There were no traces of abnormal or perverse
sexual instinct in this exceptional criminal. II is sorrow
and contrition over the deed gave sufficient proof that
no moral defect was present. His mental condition was
declared to be sound. Exclusion of irresistible impulse
(Madalari, "II morgagni," 1890, Feb.).
Case 224. Sexual bondage in a lady.
Mrs. X., thirty-six years of age; mother of four
children. Came from a neuropathic and heavily-tainted
mother. Father psychopathic. She began to masturbate
at the age of five, had an attack of melancholia at the
age of ten, during which period she was troubled with the
delusion that she could not go to heaven on account of
her sins. This made her nervous, excitable, emotional,
neurasthenic. At the age of seventeen she fell in love
with a man who was denied her by her parents. She
now showed symptoms of hysteria. When twenty-one
she married a man by many years her senior who had
but little sexual appetite. Her conjugal relations with
him never satisfied her ; coitus produced severe erethismus
genitalis which she could not satisfy with masturbation.
She suffered tortures from this libido insatiata, yielded
more and more to onanism, became heavily hystero-
neurasthenic, capricious and quarrelsome, so that marital
relations grew ever colder.
After nine years of mental and physical anguish, Mrs.
X. succumbed to the blandishments of another man in
542 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
whose arms she found that gratification for which she
had so long languished.
But now she was tormented with the consciousness
of having broken her marriage vow, often feared she
would become insane, and only the love for her children
prevented her from committing suicide.
She scarcely dared to appear before her husband whom
she highly esteemed on account of his noble character,
and felt dreadful qualms of conscience because she had
to conceal the awful secret from him.
Although she found full gratification and immense
sensual pleasure in the arms of the other man, she had
repeatedly made attempts to give up this liaison. Her
efforts were in vain. She got deeper and deeper into the
bondage of this man, who recognising and abusing hia
power had merely to dissemble as if he would leave her
in order to possess her without restraint. He abused this
bondage of the miserable woman only to gratify his sexual
appetite, gradually even in a perverse manner. She was
unable to refuse him any demand.
When Mrs. X. in her despair came to me for pro-
fessional advice she declared that she could no longer
continue such a life of misery and anguish. An insuper-
able libido, disgusting to herself, drew her to this man,
whom she could not love but as little do without, whilst
on the other hand she was constantly tormented with the
danger of discovery, and with self-reproach on account
of her offence against the law of God and man.
The greatest mental pain was caused by the thought
of losing her paramour, who often threatened to leave her
if she did not yield to his wishes, and who controlled her
so thoroughly that she would do anything and everything
at his bidding.
The soundness of mind in the horrible case 223 and
in many other analogous cases cannot be called in ques-
tion. As matters stand now-a-days when the public cannot
comprehend the more refined analysis of the motives in
BOBBERY AND THEFT DEPENDENT ON FETICHI8M. 543
a tragedy and when the law profession eschews psychology
in favour of logical formalism, it can hardly be expected
that judge and jury will regard the weight of sexual bond-
age— especially as in this condition the incentive to the
crime is not a morbid one and the intensity of the incentive
itself cannot be dealt with.
Nevertheless in such cases it behoves to consider
whether the accused was possibly still susceptible to
counter-motives or whether these were excluded from an
effective presence. If the latter be the case it would be
equivalent to a disturbance of the psychical equilibrium.
No doubt in these cases a sort of acquired moral weak-
ness is produced which impairs the soundness of mind.
Sexual bondage should certainly constitute a cause for
leniency in crimes committed through its agency.
5. Bodily Injury, Robbery and Theft Dependent on
Fetichism.
(Austrian, §190; German, §249 [robbery]. Austrian, §§ 171, 460;
German, §242 [theft].)
It is seen from the section on fetichism, under "Gen-
eral Pathology," that pathological fetichism may become
the cause of crimes. There are now recognised, as such,
hair-despoiling (cases 81, 82, 83) ; robbery or theft of
female linen, handkerchiefs, aprons (cases 86, 87, 91, 93) ;
shoes (cases 66, 93, 94), and silks (case 99). It cannot
be doubted that such individuals are the subjects of deep
mental taint. But, for the assumption of an absence of
mental freedom and consequent irresponsibility, it must
be proved that there was an irresistible impulse, which,
either owing to the strength of the impulse itself or to
the existence of mental weakness, rendered control of the
criminal perverse impelling force impossible.
Such crimes and the peculiar manner in which they
are carried out — whereby they differ very much from
common robbery and theft — always demand a medico-
legal examination. But that the act per se does not by
544 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
any means necessarily arise from psycho-pathological
conditions is shown by the infrequent oases of hair-
despoiling1 simply for the purpose of gain.
Case 225. P., labourer, age twenty-nine. Family
heavily tainted. Emotional, irritable, masturbated since
childhood. When ten years old he saw a boy masturbate
into a woman's handkerchief. This gave the direction to
P.'s vita sexualis. He stole handkerchiefs from pretty girls
and masturbated into them. The mother tried every means
to break him of this habit; she admonished him, took the
stolen handkerchiefs away and bought him new ones, all
in vain. He was caught by the police and punished for
theft. He then went to Africa and served in the army
with an excellent record. On his return to France he re-
sumed his old practices. He was only potent if the puella
held a white handkerchief in her hand during the act. He
married in 1894 and sustained his virility by grasping a
handkerchief during coitus.
The fetichistic crisis always came suddenly, like a
paroxysm, especially at moments of laziness. He would
feel out of sorts, psychically moody and sexually excited
and impelled to masturbate. Soon the fancy-picture of a
handkerchief would appear and take full possession of his
thoughts and feelings. If at that period he should catch
sight of a woman's handkerchief he would choke with fear,
palpitation of the heart would set in, he would tremble
and profuse perspiration would break out all over his body.
Although conscious of the risk involved, he was irresistibly
forced to steal the handkerchief. He was arrested on one
such occasion, but the examining physician declared him
irresponsible. During the time of detention he was free
from the obsession. He hoped to master his weakness in
future. The number of handkerchiefs he had stolen he
'According to Austrian law, this crime should fall under | 411,
aa slight bodily injury; according to the German criminal law, it i*
bodily injury (cf. Liszt, p. 325).
BOBBERY AND THEFT DEPENDENT ON FETICHI8M. 545
estimated to be one hundred. He used each handkerchief
only once and then threw it away. (Magnan in Thoinot,
attentats aux moeurs, p. 428.)
Case 226. Handkerchief '-fetichism; repeated theft* .
of handkerchiefs belonging to women.
D., forty-two years of age, man-servant, single, was
sent on llth March, 1892, by the police to the district
asylum of Deggendorf (Niedorbayern) for observation of
his mental faculties.
He was 1.62 m. high, muscular and well fed. Head
submicrocephalic ; expression of face blank. The eye
distinctly neuropathic. Genital organs normal. With
the exception of a moderate degree of neurasthenia and
increased patellar reflexes, there was nothing abnormal in
D.'s nervous system.
In 1878 D. received his first sentence of one and a
half years' imprisonment at Straubing for stealing hand-
kerchiefs.
In 1880 he stole a handkerchief from a tradeswoman
in the yard of an inn, and was sentenced to fourteen days.
In 1882 he made an attempt in the public road to
pull the handkerchief from the hand of a peasant girl.
Charged with attempted robbery, he was found not guilty
on the strength of medical opinion, which stated weak-
ness of mind and a morbid disturbance of the mental
faculties tempore delicti.
In 1884 he was tried before a jury for having com-
mitted, under similar circumstances, robbery of a woman's
handkerchief, found guilty, and sentenced to four years'
imprisonment.
In 1888 he took in the public market-place a hand-
kerchief from the pocket of a woman. Sentence, four
months.
In 1889, for a similar offence, nine months.
In 1891, ditto, ten months. Otherwise his record
shows only a few fines or detentions at the police station
35
546 P8YCHOPATHIA 8EXUALJ8.
for carrying a concealed weapon (a knife) and for va-
grancy.
All the thefts of handkerchiefs were committed from
young females, chiefly in broad daylight, in the presence
of other people, and so clumsily and impudently that each
time he was arrested on the spot. In the proceedings not
the slightest traces of theft of other articles, ever so small,
can be found.
On the 9th December, 1891, D. was once more re-
leased from jail. On the 14th he was caught stealing the
handkerchief from a peasant girl in a crowd at the annual
fair. He was at once arrested, and upon searching him
the police found two more white handkerchiefs belonging
to women.
On former occasions also whole collections of women's
handkerchiefs had been found on his person (1880, thirty-
two pieces; 1882, fourteen, nine of which he wore next
his skin; on another occasion twenty-five. In 1891 seven
white handkerchiefs were found upon him).
When questioned as to the motive for stealing hand-
kerchiefs, he always said that he was drunk at the time,
and had taken the handkerchiefs for a joke.
The handkerchiefs found upon him he claimed to have
bought or swapped for something else, or he said women
with whom he had relations had given them to him.
Under observation D. showed weakness of mind, ap-
peared run down through vagrancy, drink and masturba-
tion, but good-natured, obedient, and by no means afraid of
work.
He knew nothing of his parents, grew up without
supervision; when a child he made a living by begging;
at thirteen he was a stable-boy, and was used at fourteen
by others for pederasty. He declared that at a very early
period he felt the sexual instinct very strongly; began
early to have coitus and to practise masturbation. When
he was fifteen, a coachman had told him that great
pleasure could be derived by applying the handkerchiefs
of young women ad genitalia. He tried it, found it to be
BOBBERY AND THEFT DEPENDENT ON FETICUI8M. 547
the case, and now sought to obtain in all manner possible
such handkerchiefs. This craving became so strong that
wherever he saw a pleasing young woman with a hand-
kerchief in her hand or visible in her pocket violent sexual
excitement would seize him, and he was impelled to make
his way to this woman and take the handkerchief away
from her.
When sober he generally contrived to resist this
impulse for fear of punishment. But when he had drink
in him he could not resist. When serving in the army
he had often induced young and pleasing girls to give
him their handkerchiefs that had already been in use,
and to exchange them for others after he had used them
for a while.
When he slept with a girl he generally exchanged his
own handkerchief for the girl's. Often he had bought
handkerchiefs that he might exchange them with those
used by women.
New and unused handkerchiefs had no effect on him.
The girl must have carried it about and used it before it
excited him sexually.
In order to bring unused handkerchiefs into contact
with women, he would at times throw them in the road
in front of a woman. coming towards him, that she might
step on it (this is taken from the proceedings). Once he
fell upon a girl, pressed a handkerchief against her neck,
and ran away.
As soon as he came into possession of a handkerchief
that had been touched by a woman, he would have erection
and orgasm. He would then put the handkerchief ad
corpus nudum, or preferably ad genitalia, and thus pro-
duce a pleasurable ejaculation.
He never asked such women to have coitus with him,
partly because he feared a refusal, chiefly, however, be-
cause he preferred the handkerchief to the girl.
D. made all these confessions with great reserve, and
piecemeal. Repeatedly he broke into tears and refused to
548 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUAT.IS.
say more because "he was so ashamed of himself". "I
am not a thief, and have never stolen a penny's worth
even when I was in dire distress. I never could have
brought myself to sell one of these handkerchiefs. I am
not a bad man. Only when I do these stupid things I am
beside myself."
The favourable opinion given by the authorities of the
asylum attributed his misdeeds to an abnormal mental
condition producing a morbid, irresistible impulse to com-
mit these acts, coupled with weakness of intellect in a
moderate degree. Free pardon from theft.
Case 227. Violation of ladies' toilets emanating
from stuff -feticliism.
X., heavily tainted (great uncle insane, father a
drunkard, sister an idiot), was arrested in an office whilst
pushing up against ladies, he was cutting with a pair of
scissors pieces of fur, velvet or cloth from their apparel.
In his pockets and in his room a big lot of such cuttings
was found.
X. had shown since his tenth year a weakness for
woolly and fluffy materials. Even the very sight, but
especially the touch, of them would bring on orgasm and
ejaculation. Fur particularly had this effect on him, and
after that satin. The latter accounted for the fact that in
his collection a number of cuttings of satin ribbons were
found.
He induced lustful emotions by placing the stolen
pieces of stuff next to his skin. If ejaculation was not
spontaneous he assisted with masturbation. Woman in
her capacity as woman, or sexual intercourse with her,
had no charm for him (Gamier, "Les Fetichistes per-
vertes," p, 49, Paris, 1896).
SEXUAL OFFENCES CAUSED BT DELUSION. M'J
Notes on the Question of Responsibility in Sexual
Offences Caused by Delusion.1
The question of delusion in those sexual affects which
occur in fetichism, sadism and exhibition, offers many diffi-
culties. The all important point is to find the motive for
the act resulting either from fetichism or sadism, for it is
a sexual delict — likely an equivalent for impossible coitus
— and not a theft for instance, that claims our attention.
The offender, from shame over his act, is apt to mislead
the examining judge. Particular stress should be laid upon
the fact that the act emanated from an irresistible impulse,
a delusion which voids responsibility. The patient, al-
though not fully robbed of consciousness, is yet unable
to shake off the delusion and finds relief only in committing
the imperative act, which as a rule is accompanied by
strong paroxysms of fear and anxiety. The organic source
of this fear may be found in powerful somatic vasomotoric
manifestations. Of psychical importance is the conscious-
ness that the mind is inhibited in its power of forming
free thoughts, that the will power is impaired and quite
impotent in the presence of the delusion. This may be
accompanied by hypersexuality, and the affect of fear may
be overcompensated by an anticipated pleasurable feeling.
Thus the patient, though conscious of the wrongfulness of
the act and its consequences determines to end the situation
by yielding to the impulse, which is, after all, the only
psychologically possible way out of the difficulty. The
offender is merely an automaton, the slave of a driving
idea.
The situation is an organic force, an impulse to rid
himself of an intolerable position involving his very ex-
istence. As a matter of fact with the committal of the
deed, beneficent freedom from the constraint and the pre-
dominating idea is experienced. Delusions in the nar-
1 Abstracts from a paper read before the International Congress
at Paris.
550 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
rower sense, cardinal symptoms of which are the presence
of consciousness, struggle against' the prevailing impulse
and fear, must not be confounded with :
1. The sexual acts of psychically defective individuals
in whom the sensual appetite by virtue of ethical and in-
tellectual insufficiency finds prompt satisfaction in some
adequate sexual act, but without psychical affects, or a
conflict with moral principles.1
2. Impulsive sexual acts committed by heavily degen-
erated individuals by virtue of pre-eminent sexual feelings
in hyperaesthesia sexual is. These feelings suddenly grew,
even in statu nascendi, into a powerful sexual affect to the
occlusion of the spheres of will power and consciousness,
into a sexual delusion coloured with the character of a
psychical reflex, or a quasi psychical convulsion.
Alcohol and prolonged sexual abstinence are the provo-
cative causes of such affects in many degenerates. The
corresponding acts of violence consist, as a rule, in rape.*
They originate from epileptical3 and hysterical neuroses
or from over-indulgence in alcohol, whilst acts emanating
from delusions maintain clinical relations to neurasthenia.
3. The sexual acts (chiefly exhibition) which are com-
mitted under exceptional episodical psychical conditions
with or without delirium and hallucinations. These occur
in individuals afflicted with general neuroses (epilepsy,
hysteria) or alcoholism, when consciousness is clouded and
memory paralysed. They generally present the character
of an impulsive act.4
These perversions may be observed in heterosexual as
well as in homosexual individuals; likewise in those who
are sexually impotent or otherwise.
The perversions occurring in the performance of the
'Cf. cases 211, 212, 213, 214, 221, 225, 226, 228. (Cases by
Marc, Ideler, Friedreich, Oiraud.)
*Cf. cases 10, 23.
•Cf. cases 12, 172, 174, 175, 170. — Chevalier, 1'inversion sexuelle,
p. 362; les epileptiques, p. 81.
4Cf. cases 196-200.
SEXUAL OFFENCES CAUSED BY DELUSION. 551
sexual act or any other act that serves as an equivalent for
coitus consist (a) in heterosexual, potent individuals: in
imaginary representations of the female sexual organs.
(Raymond et Janet, necroses et idees fixes ii., p. 162) ;
gazing at the genitals of women (Petres et Regis, "ob-
sessions," p. 40) ; tenere genitalia propria ad pedes femin-
arum (case 76); mictio mulieris in os aegroti (case 68);
bestiality (cases 199, 201, 203) ; periodical pederasty
(Tarnowsky).
(6) In heterosexual, impotent individuals in sadistic
acts.
In homosexual individuals the same manifestations
may be observed only mutatis mutandis.
The question of responsibility in the individual case
depends on the psychical conditions by which the offender
was actuated. In many instances the culprit is devoid of
all moral worth and ethical and intellectual understanding,
is, in fact, in the transitory stage of becoming a psychically
defective sexual criminal. In other instances prolonged
sexual abstinence was the motive power which led to the
criminal act, or the complicating influences of alcohol with
its erogenous and demoralizing effects (chiefly in exhibi-
tion cases). Forensic responsibility in these cases is de-
termined by the question whether the offender succumbed
to an irresistible impulse or not. In how far the offender
is to be held accountable for having consciously and in
reckless manner impaired his moral will power by intox-
ication is for the jurist to decide. If the act is the result
of a delusion, it cannot be considered in the light of a pun-
ishable act.
An episode of psychical perversion especially when
manifested in the form of a delusion, can impossibly be
designated as a mental disease, it is rather a temporary
confusion of consciousness, a morbid state of the mind, a
transitory disturbance of the psychical life.
Nevertheless the offender is a danger to the common
weal and welfare and the interests of society are best
552 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
served by his confinement in an insane asylum, where ab-
stinence from alcohol is enforced and proper treatment
(if necessary hypnotic suggestion) offers promises of a
final cure.
6. Violation of Individuals Under the Age of Fourteen,
(Austrian Statutes, §§ 128, 132; Austrian Abridgment, f| 189, 191*;
German Statutes, §§ 174, 176'.)
By violation of sexually immature individuals, the
jurist understands all the possible immoral acts with
persons under fourteen years of age that are not com-
prehended in the term "rape." The term violation, in the
legal sense of the word, comprehends the most horrible
perversions and acts, which are possible only to a man
who is a slave to lust and morally weak, and, as is usually
the case, lacking in sexual power.
A common feature of these crimes, committed on
persons that really still belong more or less to childhood,
is that they are unmanly, knavish, and often silly. It
is a fact that such acts, excepting pathological cases, like
those of imbeciles, paretics, and senile dements, are almost
exclusively committed by young men who lack courage
or have no faith in their virility; or by roues who have,
to some extent, lost their power. It is psychologically
incomprehensible that an adult of full virility and mentally
sound should indulge in sexual abuses with children.
Non-Psychopathological Cases.
Non-psychopathological cases of immoral acts with
children may be summarized as under:
1. Debauchees who have tasted all the pleasures of nor-
mal and abnormal sexual pleasures with woman. The
only motive for the infamous act can be found in a morbid
psychical craving to create a novel sexual situation and to
revel in the shame and confusion of the child victim. A
VIOLATION OF INDIVIDUALS UNDER AGE OF FOURTEEN. 553
subordinate motive may be sexual impotence with the adult
seeking a new stimulus in the extraordinary coitus with
an immature female. If virility also fails in this instance,
sexual contact with boys is very likely resorted to, espe-
cially in the form of pederasty. In large cities the markets
for these filthy needs are well stocked. (Cf. Tardieu's
revelations of Paris, and Tarnowsky's of St. Petersburg.)
Casper tells us that lewd mothers often prepare their lit-
tle daughter for the use of these libertines.
2. Young men who are afraid of the adult female or
are diffident about their own virility. These are chiefly
recruited from the bands of masturbators suffering from
psychical impotence or some irritable weakness of the sex-
ual organs which render coitus cum muliere impossible and
seek a compensating equivalent in the manipulation of the
female organs in the child which as a rule suffices to pro-
duce orgasm and ejaculation in themselves. If potency is
still unimpaired, immissio penis will be attempted in al-
most every case.
Casper in his "Clinical Novels,"1 cases 4 and 5, shows
that even brothers have proved dangerous fiends toward
their little sisters.
3. A large percentage of cases is represented by lewd
servant girls, governesses and nursemaids, not to speak of
female relatives, who abuse the little boys entrusted to their
care, for sexual purposes2 and often even infect them with
the gonorrhceal poison.
The cases in which lascivious tutors, governesses, etc.,
cane or spank their pupils without provocation, are open
to investigation as to the pathological condition of the
malefactor.*
1 Tardieu, attentats aux moers ; Co*p«r, Klinical Novels, case 1 ;
Maichka, Handbuch, Hi., p. 175; Catper, Vierteljahrst-hr., 1852, Bd. 1,
1 Lop, Archives d'antropol. crimin., x., 5f>, Annales d'hygie'ne,
xxxv., p. 462 ; Bernard, attentats & la pudeur aur les petite* filles.
These de Lyon, 1886; New York Med. Journ., 1803, 13 December.
•Albert, Fricdreich's Blatter f. ger. Med., 1859, p. 17»
554 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
The manner in which acts of immorality are committed
on children differs widely, especially where libertines are
concerned. They consist chiefly in libidinous manipula-
tions of the pudenda, active manustupration (using the
child's hand for onanism), flagellation, etc. Less frequent
is cunnilingus, irrumare in boys or girls, psedicatio puel-
larum, coitus inter femora, exhibition. The possibilities
in this direction are inexhaustible.
The finer feelings of man revolt at the thought of
counting the monsters among the psychically normal mem-
bers of human society. The only presumption is that these
individuals have suffered shipwreck in the sphere of
morality and potency. This should not, however, preclude
the moral responsibility of the perpetrator, as sheer moral
depravity may be at the bottom of the act, especially in
individuals oversated with natural sexual intercourse, in
lascivious characters or drunkards. Judgment of the act
should ever be guided by the monstrosity and the degree in
which it psychically and physically differs from the
natural act.
Psychopathological Cases.
A great number of these cases, however, certainly
depend upon pathological states.
A review of the psycho-pathological cases of immorality
with children shows that the largest number may be re-
duced to conditions of acquired mental weakness. First
of all we must mention dementia senilis1 (Kim, "Allg.
Zeitschr. f. Psychiatric," 39, p. 217), then chronic alcohol-
ism,2 paralysis,8 mental debility due to epilepsy,4 injuries
1 Cases, No. 163, 164, 165 quoted in this book.
* Leppmann, " Die Sachverstandigenthatigkeit," p. 96 ; Lombroto,
"Archivio di psichiatria," viii., p. 519.
*Cf. supra, page 468, and my " Arbeiten," Heft 4, p. 96 (Incett,
immorality with children.)
4 Cases 181, 182, supra; Liman, " Zweifelhafte Geisteszuit&nde,"
case 6.
VIOLATION OF INDIVIDUALS UNDER AGE OF FOURTEEN. 555
to the head and apoplexy,1 lues cerebri." Then follow the
original mental defects,' and states of degeneration.4
The cause of these offences may also be found in
states of morbid unconsciousness.
Not infrequently these outrages on morality are due
to overindulgence in alcoholic stimulants or epilepto-
psychical conditions of an exceptional character, at times
also to error sexus aut persona. They may be explained
on the ground of the sexual excitement concomitant with
these conditions, especially in epileptic subjects." Rape
and pederasty are of frequent occurrence under these
circumstances. In the states of psychical weakness the
point whether virility is at command decides as to the
quality of the sexual act.
In addition to the aforesaid categories of moral rene-
gades, and those afflicted with psychico-moral weakness —
be this congenital or superinduced by cerebral disease or
episodical mental aberration — there are cases in which
the sexually needy subject is drawn to children not in
consequence of degenerated morality or psychical or phy-
sical impotence, but rather by a morbid disposition, a
psycho-sexual perversion, which may at present be named
pcedophilia erotica*
In my own experience I have come across four cases
only. They all refer to men. The first case is of more
value than the others for it appears in the form of platonic
love; but it manifests its sexual character in the fact that
'Cases 174, 175.
•Case 176.
• Casper's " Klin. Novellen," p. 101, 193, 272; Leppmann, op. cit.,
p. 116; Henke's, " Zcitschr." xxiii., " Ergttnzungsh.," p. 147; cf. supra,
pp. 445, etc.; 501, etc.
4 Vide supra, cases 103 and 194, 10th ed. and 209 supra, " Viertel-
jahrsschr. f. ger. Mcd., N. F. xlix., 2.
• Vide supra, cases 178, 179, 184, 185.— Also v. Krafft " Arbeiten,"
iv., p. 97 (Sch&ndung von Kindern ira epil. Dammerzustand des
Thftters).
• Cf. author's original article in Friedreich's " Blatter f. ger.
Med., 1890, and " Arbeiten," Heft 4, p. 105,
556 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
this (paranoic) lover of children is only stimulated by
little girls. He is quite callous towards the grown-up
woman and, as it appears, a hair-fetichist. (In the other
cases it came to libidinous acts.)
Observation No. 2 represents a man tainted by here-
dity. Since the time of puberty (which came very late at
the age of twenty-four) sensual emotions towards little
girls of five to ten years of age. The very sight of such
a girl brought on ejaculation; a touch from her absolute
sexual paroxysm with only a succinct recollection as to
its duration. The marital act gave a slight gratification,
thus enabling him to control his desire for little girls for
a time. But a heavy neurasthenia supervened (chiefly
due to coitus interruptus} when he became a criminal
either because his moral powers of resistance slackened, or
his sexual appetite increased in volume.
The third case is a man tainted by heredity and con-
stitutionally neurasthenic ; cranium abnormal, never had a
normal inclination to the adult woman ; but in coitus was
like an animal at rutting time. To immorally touch little
girls gave this man the highest possible pleasure. He be-
came psedophilic only at the age of twenty-five.
My fourth case is a man, tainted, who has ever found
sexual charm only in immature girls. Mature women
had but little attraction for him. When impotence (e
tabe?) and dementia paralytica set in he could no longer
resist the morbid impulse.
The cases quoted here under the head of "pcedophilia
erotica" in the sense of sexual perversion have the follow-
ing traits in common : —
(1) The individual afflicted is tainted.
(2) The affection for immature persons of the opposite
sex is of a primary nature (quite in opposition to the
debauchee) ; the imaginary representations are in an ab-
normal manner and very strongly indeed marked by lustful
feelings.
(3) The libidinous acts — if you exclude the one case
in which virility was present — consist only in immodest
VIOLATION OF INDIVIDUALS UNDER AGE OF FOURTEEN. 5S7
touches or manustupration of the victim. Nevertheless
tin v adduce the gratification of the subject, even though
ejaculation be not attained.
The following cases taken from Magnan ("Lectures
on Psychiatry") show clearly that this paedophilia erotica
occurs also in women.
Magnan's first case is a lady twenty-nine years of age,
tainted by heredity; has delusions and phobias.
Since eight years strong desire for sexual union with
one of her (five) nephews. First her desire is directed
towards the oldest when he was five years of age. She
transferred this desire to each of them in turn as they
grew up. The sight of the child in question was sufficient
to produce orgasm and even pollution. She was able to
resist her inclination, which she cannot explain. She had
no inclination for mature men.
The second case is a woman thirty-two years of age,
mother of two children; heavily tainted by heredity; sep-
arated from her husband on account of brutal treatment
For several months she had neglected her children,
had visited a friend's house every day, and always at the
time when the son of the house was returning from school.
She hugged and kissed the child, and at times said that
she was in love with him and wanted to marry him.
One day she told his mother that the boy was ill and
unhappy. She wanted to cohabit with him in order to
cure him.
She was forbidden the house, but laid siege to it
One day she tried to force her way in, when she was
sent to an asylum, where she continued to rave about the
boy.
That pcedophilia erotica may occur periodically is de-
monstrated by Anjel's observation (vide supra, cases ^87
and 188).
In the sphere of antipathic sexual instinct this perver-
sion is by no means rare. In the same measure in which
the former is an equivalent of the heterosexual instinct,
so in this instance the predilection for the immature is
558 PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALI8.
equally abnormal and exceptional. Practically speaking,
acts of immorality committed on- boys by men sexually
inverted are of the greatest rarity.
I have already laid stress upon this fact in my pam-
phlet "Der contrar Sexuale vor dem Strafrichter," second
edition, p. 9. I have pointed out there that the real
seducer of youth is the weak-minded man, though born
sexually normal; the roue who is impotent or at least
sexually perverted and morally depraved; the senile man
who is morally enfeebled but sexually excited.
Under such accidental conditions, the sexually in-
verted individual may also eventually become a danger to
boys (cf. case 127 of the present and 109 of the ninth
edition of this book) ; but this hag nothing to do with
paedophilia, for the very reason that in these cases the
boys were pubertati proximi, whilst in cases of genuine
paedophilia the subject is drawn only to the sexually quite
immature. The second case of Magnan seems to be the
most instructive in this regard, for in it the desire turned
in each instance from the older boy to the younger one as
he grew to the age of three to five years.
The following case, reported by Pacotte and Eaynaud
("Archives d'Anthropologie criminelle," x., p. 435), may
be looked upon as a proof that paedophilia erotica may also
occur in cases of antipathic sexuality.
Case 228. X., thirty-six years of age, journalist;
heavily tainted by heredity; ethically and intellectually
defective ; since early youth afflicted with epileptoid spells ;
intolerant of alcohol; face asymmetrical; never cared
for woman; masturbated since he was eighteen; attempts
at coitus found him cold and impotent.
*But boys of ten to fifteen years of age excited him
very much. Although he was conscious of the criminality
of the act, he could not resist the impulse to predicate
with them. Oftentimes he was sated with their "enchant-
ing looks and their sweet smiles".
Neither adult nor little girls possessed any charms
VIOLATION OF INDIVIDUALS UNDKB AOK OF FOUKTEEN. 559
for him. Only at the age of twenty-two, when a boy
twelve years old forced sexual intercourse upon him, he
became psedophilic. At that time he refused his seducer,
but soon he could resist no longer the desire awakened in
him by that incident, although he was repeatedly sen-
tenced and imprisoned for this offence. His life was
blighted by this unfortunate weakness, and he made
several attempts at suicide.
Expert opinion established congenital sexual inver-
sion, and, within the limits of homesexuality, a special
anomaly, viz., exclusive love for boys of a certain age and
of delicate constitution.
It was claimed that degenerative mental disturbance
affected the soundness of his mind and rendered him a
danger to the community.
X. was inconsolable over the result of his trial, for he
was sent to an insane asylum. He had anticipated a free
pardon.
In my "Arbeiten" (Heft 4, pp. 119-124) I have pub-
lished three other cases of paedophilia erotica, which came
under my personal observation. Two other cases in my
possession have never been published. It seems to me as
if all these cases might be reduced to fetichism. This
would at once account for the paradox apparent in the
manifestations of paedophilia erotica. It can only be ex-
plained on the ground of heavy taint, for a strongly
marked degenerative predisposition can always be found
in these individuals. That these cases are not of every-day
occurrence and require a fetichistic impulse, may also ac-
count for their rarity.
Pseudopcedophilia — occurring in individuals who have
lost libido for the adult through masturbation and subse-
quently turn to children for the gratification of their sexual
appetite — is much more frequently observed. (Cf. case
106 of the tenth edition of this book.)
Another classical case may be found in my "Arbeiten,*'
Heft 4, p. 125.
560 PSYCIIOPATHIA 6BXUALI8.
Irresponsibility sliould, as a rule, not be claimed in
these cases, for experience teaches that psedophilic impulses
can be mastered, unless a weakening or total loss of will
power has been superinduced by pathological conditions,
such as neurasthenia gravis or dementia paralitica. A
plea for ameliorating circumstances, however, may be indi-
cated. Nevertheless a criminal enquiry should always be
made in flagrant cases of paedophilia erotica. The question
of responsibility in concrete facto depends entirely on the
synthetic comprehension of all the characteristics of the
individual involved. Hypersexuality, overindulgence in
alcoholic drinks, moral weakness, etc., should be carefully
considered as they frequently counteract the freedom of
action.
At any rate these unfortunate beings should always
be looked upon as a common danger to the weal and wel-
fare of the community, and put under strict surveillance
and medical treatment. The proper place for such per-
sons is a sanitarium1 established for that purpose, not
the prison.*
That a cure is possible is evidenced by two severe
cases which came under my observation and treatment.
Unfortunately the presumption that psycho-pathologi-
cal conditions are present cannot always be proved. But
the fact that pathological moments are not wanting, should
be carefully weighed. At any rate, a thorough investiga-
tion of the mental status of the individual must be made.
This is especially the case when old men seduce children.
Moral and intellectual idiocy, heavy psychical degenera-
tion, defects springing from acquired organic causes and
mental aberrations are frequently at the bottom of these
excesses. The beginning of dementia senilis or paralitica
is not always as yet sufficiently pronounced to allow of a
proper diagnosis. Proper care must therefore be exer-
cised.
1 Fucks, Therapie der anomalen vita aexualis, p. 11.
1 Cf. Zeitschrift f. Psychiatric, 58, 4.
UNNATURAL ABUSE SODOMY. 561
7. Unnatural Abuse (Sodomy).1
(Austrian Statutes, f 129; Abridgment, | 100; German Statute*,
I 175.)
(a) Violation of Animals (Bestiality).*
Violation of animals, monstrous and revolting as it
seems to mankind, is by no means always due to psycho-
pathological conditions. Low morality and great sexual
desire, with lack of opportunity for natural indulgence,
are the principal motives of this unnatural means of
sexual satisfaction, which is resorted to by women as well
as by men.
To Polak we owe the knowledge that in Persia bestial-
ity is frequently practised because of the delusion that
it cures gonorrhoea; just as in Europe an idea is still
prevalent that intercourse with children heals venereal
disease.
Experience teaches that bestiality with cows and
horses is none too infrequent. Occasionally the acts may
be undertaken with goats, bitches, and, as a case of Tar-
dieu's and one by Schauenstein show ("Lehrb., p. 125),
with hens.
1 1 follow the usual terminology in describing bestiality and
pederasty under the general term of sodomy. In Genesis (chap, xix.),
whence this word comes, it signifies exclusively the vice of pederasty.
Later, sodomy was often used synonymously with bestiality. The
moral theologians, like St. Alphonsus of Ligouri, (Jury, and others,
have always distinguished correctly, t. c., in the sense of Genesis,
between sodomia, t. c., concubitus cum persona ejusdem sexus, and
bestialitas, t. e., concubitus cum bestia (cf. Olfert, " Pastoralmedicin,"
p. 78).
The jurists brought confusion into the terminology by establish-
ing a " Sodomia ratione sexus " and a " Sodomia ratione generis."
Science, however, should here assert itself as anrilla theologicr, and
return to the correct usage of words.
* For interesting histories, vide Krauts, " Psychol. d. Ver-
brechens," p. 180; Maschka, " Hdb.," iii., p. 188; Hofmann, " Lehrb.
d. ger. Med.," p. 180; Koaenbaum, " Die Lustaeuche," 5th edition. 1892.
36
562 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
The action of Frederick the Great, in a case of a
cavalryman who had committed -bestiality with a mare,
is well-known: "The fellow is a pig, and shall be reduced
to the infantry".
The intercourse of females with beasts is limited to
dogs. A monstrous example of the moral depravity in
large cities is related by Maschka (Handb.," iii.) ; it is
the case of a Parisian female who showed herself in the
sexual act with a trained bull-dog, to a secret circle of
roues, at ten francs a head.
Case 229. In a provincial town a man was caught
in intercourse with a hen. He was thirty years old, and
of high social position. The chickens had been dying one
after another, and the man causing it had been "wanted"
for a long time. To the question of the judge, as to the
reason for such an act, the accused said that his genitals
were so small that coitus with women was impossible.
Medical examination showed that actually the genitals
were extremely small. The man was mentally quite sound.
There were no statements concerning any abnormali-
ties at the time of puberty, etc. (Gyurkovechky, "Mannl.
Impotenz," 1889, p. 82).
Case 230. On the afternoon of 23d September,
1889, W., aged sixteen, shoemaker's apprentice, caught
a goose in a neighbour's garden, and committed bestiality
on the fowl until the neighbour approached. On being
accused by the neighbour, W. said, "Well! Is there
anything wrong with the goose?" and then went away.
At his examination he confessed the act, but excused
himself on the ground of temporary loss of mind. Since
a severe illness in his twelfth year, he several times a
month had attacks, with heat in his head, in which he
was intensely excited sexually, could not help himself
and did not know what he was doing. He had done the
act during such an attack. He answered for himself
in the same way at the trial, and stated that he knew.
UlfNATTTRAL ABU8JC - SODOMY. 563
n< -tiling of tlu> siircics facti except from the statements
<»f the neighbour. His father states that W., who comes
of a healthy family, had always been sickly since an attack
of scarlatina in his fifth year, and that, at the age of
twelve, he had a febrile cerebral disease. W. had a good
reputation, learned well in school, and later helped his
father in his work. He was not given to masturbation.
The medical examination revealed no intellectual or
moral defect. The physical examination revealed nor-
mal genitals; penis relatively greatly developed; marked
exaggeration of the patellar reflexes. In other respects,
negative result.
The history of the condition at the time of the deed
was not to bo depended upon. There was no proof of
previous attacks of mental disturbance, and there were
none during the six weeks of observation. There was
no perversion of the vita sexualis. The medical opinion
allowed the possibility that some organic cause (cerebral
congestion), dependent upon cerebral disease, may have
exercised an influence at the time of the commission of
the criminal act (From the opinion of Dr. Fritsch, of
Vienna.)
But there is another group of cases falling well within
the category of bestiality, in which decidedly a patho-
logical basis exists, indicated by heavy taint, constitutional
neuroses, impotence for the normal act, impulsive manner
of performing the unnatural act. Perhaps it would serve
a purpose to put such cases under the heading of a special
appellation; for instance, to use the term "bestiality" for
those cases which are not of a pathological character, and
the term "Zooerasty" for those of a pathological nature.
Case 231. Impulsive sodomy. A., aged sixteen;
gardener's boy; born out of wedlock; father unknown;
mother deeply tainted, hystero-epileptic. A. had a de-
formed, asymmetrical cranium, and deformity and asym-
metry of the bones of the face ; the whole skeleton was also
'564 rSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALI8.
deformed, asymmetrical and small. From childhood he
was a masturbator ; always morose, apathetic, and fond
of solitude; very irritable, and pathological in his emo-
tional reaction. He was an imbecile, probably much re-
duced physically by masturbation, and neurasthenic.
Moreover, he presented hysteropathic symptoms (limita-
tion of the visual field, dyschromatopsia ; diminution of
the senses of smell, taste and hearing on the right side;
anaesthesia of the right testicle, clavus, etc.).
A. was convicted of having committed masturbation and
sodomy on dogs and rabbits. When twelve years old he
saw how boys masturbated a dog. He imitated it, and
thereafter he could not keep from abusing dogs, cats and
rabbits in this vile manner. Much more frequently, how-
ever, he committed sodomy on female rabbits, — the only
animals that had a charm for him. At dusk he was
accustomed to repair to his master's rabbit-pen in order
to gratify his vile desire. Rabbits with torn rectums were
repeatedly found. The act of bestiality was always done
in the same manner. There were actual attacks which
came on every eight weeks, always in the evening, and
always in the same way. A. would become very uncom-
fortable, and have a feeling as if some one were pounding
his head. He felt as if losing his reason. He struggled
against the imperative idea of committing sodomy with
the rabbits, and thus had an increasing feeling of fear and
intensification of headache until it became unbearable. At
the height of the attack there were sounds of bells, cold
perspiration, trembling of the knees, and, finally, loss of
resistive power, and impulsive performance of the perverse
act. As soon as this was done he lost all anxiety; the
nervous cycle was completed, and he was again master of
himself, deeply ashamed of the deed, and fearful of the
return of an attack. A. stated that, in such a condition, if
called upon to choose between a woman and a female
rabbit, he could make choice only of the latter. In the
intervals, also, of all domestic animals he is partial only
to rabbits. In his exceptional states simple caressing or
UNNATURAL ABUSE SODOMY. 565
kissing, etc., of the rabbit sufficed, as a rule, to afford him
sexual satisfaction ; but sometimes he had, when doing
this, such furor sexualis that he was forced to wildly per-
form sodomy on the animal.
The acts of bestiality mentioned were the only acts
which afforded him sexual satisfaction, and they consti-
tuted the only manner in which he was capable of sexual
indulgence. A. declared that, in the act, he never had a
lustful feeling, but satisfaction only, inasmuch as he was
thus freed from the painful condition into which he was
brought by the imperative impulse.
The medical evidence easily proved that this human
monster was a psychically degenerate, irresponsible in-
valid, and not a criminal (Boeteau, "La France medicale,"
38th year, No. 38).
Case 232. X., peasant, aged forty; Greek-Catholic.
Father and mother were hard drinkers. Since his fifth
year patient had epileptic convulsions — i.e., he would fall
down unconscious, lie still two or three minutes, and
then get up and run aimlessly about with staring eyes.
Sexuality was first manifested at seventeen. The patient
had inclinations neither for women nor for men, but for
animals (fowls, horses, etc.). He had intercourse with
hens and ducks, and later with horses and cows. Never
onanism.
The patient painted pictures of saints; was of very
limited intelligence. For years, religious paranoia, with
states of ecstasy. He had an "inexplicable" lave for the
Virgin, for whom he would sacrifice his life. ' Taken to
hospital, he proved to be free from infirmity and signs of
anatomical degeneration.
I !•• always had an aversion for women. In a single
attempt at coitus with a woman he was impotent, but
with animals he was always potent He was bashful before
women ; coitus with women he regarded almost as a sin
(Kowalewsky, "Jahrb. f. Psychiatric," vii., Heft 3).
566 PSYCHOPATHIA BEXUALI8.
Case 233. T., thirty-five years of age. Father an
inebriate ; mother psychopathic. Never had a severe
illness; never showed special peculiarities. At the age of
nine immorality with a hen; later on with other domestic
animals. When he began to have sexual relations with
women his bestial desires disappeared. Married when
twenty, and found sexual satisfaction.
When twenty-seven he began to drink. Then his
former perverse inclinations were awakened. One day he
took a she-goat to a neighbouring village to have her
covered. He felt a strong desire to commit sodomy with
her, but he at first overcame the impulse. Palpitation of
the heart, pain in the chest, and a violent orgasm made
him succumb. T. declared that these bestial acts gave
him greater lustful gratification than coitus cum femina.
His acts of bestiality remained unnoticed. He was
finally sent to an insane asylum on account of delirium
iremens, when, during his examination upon admission,
he made the above revelations (Boissier et Lachaux, "An-
nal. medico-psychol.," July- August, 1893, p. 381).
In the explanation of zooerasty great difficulties are
encountered. The attempt to reduce it to fetichism, as is
possible in zoophilia erotica (cf. p. 281), has utterly
failed.
It is questionable whether zoophilia can ever lead to
sexual acts with beasts (eventually bestiality). If it be in
reality a fetichistic manifestation, this possibility cannot
be based upon the present knowledge of fetichism.
Even in the case of zoophilia erotica fetischistica (p.
281), acts of bestiality were never committed; in fact, the
sex of the animals there in question was never considered.
The only thing that at present can be done is to consider
zooerasty as an original perversion of the vita sexualis,
and place it on the same level with antipathic sexuality.
The following case, although it is only rudimentary
UNNATURAL ABUSE SODOMY. 567
and abortive, seems to support this theory and to establish
complete unconsciousness of the motive of the impulse.
Case 234. Y., twenty years of age, intelligent,
well educated; claimed to be free from taint by heredity;
physically sound except evidences of neurasthenia and
hypercesthesia urethra; said he never masturbated. Always
fond of animals, especially dogs and horses. Since the
age of puberty increased love for animals, but sexual
ideas in connection with sport seem to have been absent.
One day when he mounted a mare for the first time
he experienced a sensation of lust; two weeks later, on a
similar occasion, the same sensation with erection.
During his first ride he had ejaculation. A month
after the same thing happened. Patient felt disgusted
at the occurrence, and was angry with himself. He gave
up the saddle. But from now on pollutions almost daily.
When he saw men on horseback, or dogs, he had erec-
tions. Almost every night he had pollutions accompa-
nied by dreams in which he rode on horseback or was
training dogs. Patient came for medical advice.
Treatment with sounds removed the hypercesthesia
urethrce and diminished pollutions. The patient followed
reluctantly the advice of the physician to have coitus,
partly on account of dislike for women, partly on account
of diffidence in his virility.
He made abortive attempts at coitus, but could not
even bring about an erection, which, however, took place
the moment he saw a man on horseback. This depressed
him ; he considered his condition abnormal beyond remedy.
Continued medical treatment. A further attempt at
coitus was successful with the assistance of fancied images
of riders and dogs, which stimulated erection.
Patient grew more virile ; his love for animals waned ;
erections at the sight of riders and dogs disappeared,
nocturnal pollutions with dreams of animals became less
frequent; he dreamed now of girls. Erection, which at
first did not support cjaculatio praccox, and pathological
568 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
coitus grew normal under treatment with sounds. Patient
found normal sexual gratification, and was freed from his
perverse sexual impulse (Dr. Hanc, "Wien. med. Blatter,"
1887, No. 5).
The preceding case justifies the assumption of an
original perversion, for instead of the idea of the normal
object (woman), it is the idea of animals (dogs and horses)
frequently seen which awakens sexual feelings and desires.
There may have been a latent sadistic element in the
case, for, at least in the vita sexualis of the dreams, the
riding of horses and the training of dogs played a prom-
inent part.
The following case, that of a stupraior bestiarum, is of
pathological interest.
Case 235. Mr. X., forty-seven years of age, of high
social position, came to me for advice on account of a
troublesome anomaly of his vita sexualis. He was about
to be married and in his present condition considered it
morally impossible to enter upon matrimony.
X. was evidently heavily tainted — his father, two of
his sisters and one brother were highly neurotic. The
mother was presumed to have been a healthy woman.
The sexual instinct awoke early in X. ; he began to
masturbate spontaneously at the age of eleven.
He was decidedly hypersexual, practised masturbation
with passion, and at the age of fourteen he forgot him-
self so far as to sodoinise bitches, mares and other fe-
male animals. He ascribed these acts to excessive sexual
desire and to want of opportunity to satisfy his cravings
in the normal way — he spent his childhood and boyhood
in a lonely part of the country and later on he visited
a boarding school.
X. admitted that he was quite conscious of the abomin-
ation of his acts, and said that he fought with all his
will power against these bestial impulses. But the greed,
the lust, the pleasure which they jcrave, always over-
UNNATURAL ABUSE SODOMY. f.r.9
powered him. When grown up to manhood he never
had homosexual desires, nor did he feel an inclination
for woman.
Up to this part of his confession the opinion seems
justified that his bestiality was not a perversion, but only
a perversity which found root in his habits.
But it strikes one as peculiar that his erotic dreams
were always about bestial intercourse, and that when at
the age of twenty-five he sought to improve his condition
by coitus cum muliere, he derived not the slightest gratifi-
cation from it, although he was quite potent and the
puella pleasing and sympathetic.
He had the same experience at other attempts which
he repeatedly made during the subsequent twenty-two
years. He described coitus as a mere mechanical act
devoid of lustful excitement. He might as well have
coitus with a piece of wood. It simply disgusted him,
whilst cum bestia he experienced the height of pleasure.
The mere sight of animals excited him wildly. The
society of ladies caused him ennui. When he went with
a girl she had to resort to all kinds of manipulations to
prepare him for the act.
For two months previous to his first visit to me X.
had exerted all his will power to resist the impulses to
masturbation and bestiality.
He was physically a peculiar being, evidently a degen-
ere superieur. There were no symptoms of anatomical
degeneration, no traces of neurasthenia.
I made strong suggestions to be on his guard against
masturbation and bestiality, and to seek more the society of
ladies; prescribed anaphrodisiacs, advised frugality, slight
hydrotherapy, plenty of open-air exercise, steady occupa-
tion, and had the satisfaction to learn that the patient at
the end <>f ten months experirnced a slight gratification
in repeated sexual intercourse cum femina and that he was
almost free from his former perverse desires.
570 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
An analogous case is reported by Moll, "Libido
sexualis," p. 421.
Another remarkable case of zooerasty is published by
Howard ("Alienist and Neurologist," 1896, vol. xvii., 1.).
It refers to a young man of sixteen years of age who found
sexual gratification only with pigs.
The rarity of cases of real zooerasty seems to be re-
markable. But this may be explained by the ease with
which they are kept secret.
The present state of our knowledge does not permit
of a final judgment as to whether zooerasty is an original
anomaly or a perverse condition acquired through fetich-
istic influences.
Moll (Libido sexualis, p. 432) is inclined to the belief
that it is an arrest of unindifferentiated sexuality coupled
with hypersexuality directed to beasts (analogous to mas-
turbatory impulses) and that this craving for sexual deal-
ings with beasts is permanent and does inhibit the devel-
opment of libido towards the human female. Practically
speaking, sexual feeling and psychical potency seem to
be absent, even the power to differentiate between the
male and female beast as an object for sexual accomplish-
ment. Cf. Howard's case, in which only a certain species
of animal was preferred.
The forensically important distinction between bestial-
ity and zooerasty can never be difficult ir> concreto.
Whoever seeks and finds sexual gratification exclusively
with animals, although the opportunities for the normal
act are at hand, must at once be suspect d of a patho-
logical condition of the sexual instinct. At any rate more
so than the sexually inverted person, for in sexual acts
with animals the psychical infection is wanting, i.e., the
possibility of the perversion of one part leading to the
perversity of the other.
It may be assumed, however, that the number of cases
of zooerasty as compared with those of sexual inversion
is unequally smaller. This follows a priori from the
UNNATURAL ABUSE SODOMY. 571
character of both these perversions. The zooerast as
compared with the sexual invert is much farther removed
from the normal object. This would qualify the perver-
sion of the former as a much graver condition — because
more degenerative — than that of the latter.
(b) With Persons of the Same Sex (Pederasty; Sod-
omy in its Strict Sense).
German law takes cognizance of unnatural sexual
relations only between men; Austrian, between those of
the same sex; and therefore, unnatural relations between
women are punishable.
Among the immoralities between men, pederasty
(immissio penis in anum) claims the principal interest
Indeed, the jurist thought only of this perversity of sexual
activity; and, according to the opinions of distinguished
interpreters of the law (Oppenhoff, "Stgsb.," Berlin, 1872,
p. 324, and Rudolf and Stenglein, "D. Strafgesb. f. d.
Deutsche Reich," 1881, p. 423), immissio penis in corpus
vivum must take place to establish the criminal act covered
by § 175.
According to this interpretation, legal punishment
would not follow other improper acts between male per-
sons, so long as they were not complicated with offence to
public decency, with force, or undertaken with boys under
the age of fourteen. Of late this interpretation has again
been abandoned, and the crime of unnatural abuse between
men is assumed to have been committed when merely acts
similar to coh Citation are performed.1
'How difficult, unpleasant, and dangerous it may be for the
judge to form a proper judgment of these " coitus-like " acts for the
establishment of the objective fact of the crime is well shown by an
article on the punishableness of male intercourse, in the " Zeitschr.
f. d. gesammte Strafreehtswissenschaft., Bd. vii.. Heft 1, as well as
by a similar one in Friedreich't " Blatter f. ger. Medicin, 1891, Heft 6.
Vidf, further, Moll, " Contrttre Sexualemptindung, p. 223 et »cq., and
Bernhardi, "Her Uranismus," Berlin, 1895; van Erkclens, " Straf-
getetz u. widernatdrl. Unzucht," Berlin, \8Q5.-8chdfer, "Vierteljahrs.
f. gerichtl. Med.," 3 Folge, xvii., Heft 2.
572 PSYCHOPATIIIA 8EXUALIS.
The study of antipathic sexual instinct has placed male
love for males in a very different light from that in which
it, and particularly pederasty, stood at the time the statutes
were framed. The fact that there is no doubt about the
pathological basis of many cases of inverted sexual instinct
shows that pederasty may also be the act of an irresponsi-
ble person, and makes it necessary, in court, to examine
not merely the deed, but also the mental condition of the
perpetrator.
The principles laid down previously must also here be
adhered to. Not the deed, but only an anthropological
and clinical judgment of the perpetrator can permit a
decision as to whether we have to do with a perversity
deserving punishment, or with an abnormal perversion of
the mental and sexual life, which, undefcertain circum-
stances, excludes punishment.
The next legal question to settle is whether the anti-
pathic sexual feeling is congenital or acquired; and, in
the latter case, whether it is a pathological perversion or
a moral perversity.
Congenital sexual inversion occurs only in predisposed
(tainted) individuals, as a partial manifestation of a defect
evidenced by anatomical or functional abnormalities, or by
both. The case becomes clearer and the diagnosis more
certain if the individual, in character and disposition,
seems to correspond entirely with his sexual peculiarity;
if the inclination toward persons of the opposite sex is
entirely wanting, or horror of sexual intercourse with
them is felt; and if the individual, in the impulses to
satisfy the antipathic sexual instinct, shows other anomalies
of the sexual sphere, such as more pronounced degenera-
tion in the form of periodicity of the impulse and impul-
sive conduct, and is a neuropathic and psychopathic
person.
Another question concerns the mental condition of
the urning. If this be such as to remove the possibility
of moral responsibility, then the pederast is not a criminal,
but an irresponsible insane person.
UNNATURAL ABUSE SODOMY. 573
This condition is apparently less frequent in congenital
urn ings. As a rule, these cases present elementary psy-
chical disturbances which do not remove responsibility.
But this does not settle the question of responsibility
in the urning. The sexual instinct is one of the most
powerful organic needs. There is no law that looks upon
its satisfaction outside of marriage as punishable in itself ;
if the urning feels perversely, it is not his fault, but the
fault of an abnormal condition natural to him. His
sexual instinct may be aesthetically very repugnant, but,
from his morbid standpoint, it is natural. And again, in
the majority of these unfortunates the perverse sexual
instinct is abnormally intense, and their consciousness
recognises it as nothing unnatural. Thus moral and
{esthetic ideas fail to assist them in resisting the instinct
Innumerable normally constituted men are in a posi-
tion to renounce the gratification of their libido without
suffering from it in health. Many neuropathic indi-
viduals,— and urnings are almost always neuropathic, —
on the contrary, become nervously ill when they do not
satisfy the sexual desire, either as Nature prompts or in a
way that to them is perverse.
The majority of urnings are in a painful situation.
On the one hand, there is an impulse toward persons of
their own sex that is abnormally intense, the gratification
of which has a good effect, and is natural to them ; on the
other hand, there is public sentiment, which stigmatises
their acts, and the law which threatens them with dis-
graceful punishment. Before them lies mental despair, —
even insanity and suicide, — at the very least, nervous
disease; behind them, shame, loss of position, etc. It
cannot be doubted that, under these circumstances, states
of stress and compulsion may be created by an unfortu-
nate natural disposition and constitution. Society and
the law should understand and appreciate these facts.
The former should pity, and not despise, these unfortu-
nates; the latter must cease to punish them, — at least
574 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
while they remain within the limits which are set for the
activity of their sexual instinct.
As a confirmation of the opinions and demands con-
cerning these step-children of Nature, it is permissible to
reproduce here the memorial of an urning to the author.
The writer of the following lines is a man of high position
in London: —
"You have no idea what a constant struggle we ail-
particularly those of us who have the most mind and
finest feelings — must endure, and how we suffer under
the prevailing false ideas about us and our so-called
'immorality'.
"Your opinion that the phenomenon under considera-
tion is primarily due to a congenital 'pathological' dis-
position will, perhaps, make it possible to overcome
existing prejudices, and awaken pity for poor, 'abnormal'
men, instead of the present repugnance and contempt.
"Much as I believe that the opinion expressed by you
is exceedingly beneficial to us, I am still compelled, in the
interest of science, to repudiate the word 'pathological';
and you will permit me to express a few thoughts with
respect to it.
"Under all circumstances the phenomenon is anom-
alous; but the word 'pathological' conveys another
meaning, which I cannot think suits this phenomenon ; at
least, as I have had occasion to observe it in very many
cases. I will allow, a priori, that, among urnings, a far
higher proportion of cases of insanity, of nervous exhaus-
tion, etc., may be observed than in other normal men.
Does this increased nervousness necessarily depend upon
the character of urningism, or is it not, in the majority of
cases, to be ascribed to the effect of the laws and the pre-
judices of society, which prohibit the indulgence of their
sexual desires, depending on a congenital peculiarity,
while others are not thus restrained ?
"The youthful urning, when he feels the first sexual
promptings and naively expresses them to his comrades,
UNNATURAL ABUSE BODOMT. 675
soon finds that he is not understood; he shrinks into
himself. If he tells his parents or teacher what moves
him, that which is as natural to him as swimming is to
a fish is described as wrong and sinful, and he is told
it must be fought and overcome at any price. Then an
inner conflict begins, a powerful repression of sexual in-
clinations; and the more the natural satisfaction of desire
is repressed, the more lively the fancy becomes, and paints
the very pictures that the wish is to banish. The more
energetic the character that carries on this inner conflict,
the more the whole nervous system must suffer. Such
a powerful repression of an instinct so deeply implanted
in us, in my opinion, develops the abnormal symptoms
which are observed in many urnings; but this does not
necessarily follow from the urning's disposition.
"Some continue the conflict for a longer or shorter
time, and thus injure themselves; others at last come
to the knowledge that the powerful instinct born in them
cannot possibly be sinful, and, therefore, they cease to
try to do the impossible — the repression of the instinct
Then, however, begin constant suffering and excitement.
When a normal man seeks satisfaction of sexual inclina-
tion, he knows how to find it easily; it is not so with
the urning. He sees men that attract him, but he dares
not say — nay, not even betray by a look — what his feel-
ings are. He thinks that he alone of all the world has
such abnormal feelings. Naturally he seeks the society
of young men; but he does not venture to confide in
them. Thus he comes to provide himself with a satis-
faction that he cannot otherwise obtain. Onanism is
practised inordinately, and followed by all the evil results
of that vice. When, after a time, the nervous system has
been injured, the abnormality is again not the result of
urningism, but it is produced by the onanism to which
the urning resorts, as a result of the public sentiment
that denies him opportunity to satisfy the sexual instinct
that is natural to him.
"Or let us suppose the urning has had the rare for-
576 PSTCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
tune to soon find a person like himself; or that he has
been introduced by an experienced friend to the events
of the world of urnings. Then he is spared" much of the
inner conflict; but, at the same time, fearful cares and
anxieties follow his footsteps. Now he knows that he is
not the only one in the world that has such abnormal
feelings; he opens his eyes and wonders that he meets so
many of his kind in all social circles and in all callings;
lie also learns that, in the world of urnings, as in the
other, there is prostitution, and that men as well as women
can be bought. Thus there is no longer any want of
opportunity for sexual satisfaction. But here how differ-
ently the experience is gained from that obtained in the
normal manner of sexual indulgence !
"Let us consider the happiest case. After longing all
one's life, the friend of like feeling is found. But he can-
not be approached openly, as a lover approaches the girl
he loves. In constant fear, both must conceal their rela-
tions; nay, even intimacy that might easily excite sus-
picion— especially should they not be of like age, or should
they belong to different classes — must be kept from the
world. Thus, even in this relation, is forged a chain
of anxiety and fear that the secret will be betrayed or
discovered, which leaves them no joy in the indulgence.
The slightest thing that would not affect others makes
them tremble with fear that suspicion might be excited
and the secret discovered, and destroy social position and
business. Could this constant anxiety and care be en-
dured without leaving a trace, without exerting an influ-
ence on the entire nervous system ?
"Another less fortunate man does not find a friend of
like feeling, but falls into the hands of a handsome man,
who sought him until the secret was discovered. Now
the most refined blackmail is extorted. The unfortunate,
persecuted man, brought to the alternative of paying or
of losing his social position, and bringing disgrace on
himself and his family, pays; and the more he gives, the
more voracious the vampire becomes; until at last there
UNNATURAL ABUSE SODOMY. 577
remains nothing but absolute iinunriul ruin «>r dishonour.
Who can wonder that nerves are not equal to such a
terrible struggle!
••They give way; insanity comes on, and the miser-
able man at last finds the rest in an asylum that he could
not find in the world. Another, in the same situation,
driven to despair, finds relief in suicide. It cannot be
known how many of the suicides of young men are to
be attributed to this combination of circumstances.
"I do not think that I am in error when I declare
that at least one half of the suicides of young men are
due to such conditions. Even in those cases where urn-
ings are not persecuted by a heartless villain, but where
a happy relation between two men exists, discovery, or
even the fear of it, very often leads to suicide. How
many officers, how many soldiers, having such relations
with their subordinates or companions, in the moment
when they have believed themselves discovered, have sought
to escape the threatened disgrace by means of a bullet 1
And it is the same in all callings.
"Therefore, if it must be admitted that, among urn-
ings, more mental abnormalities and more insanity are
actually observed than among other men, yet this does
not prove that the mental disturbance is a necessary ac-
companiment of the urning's condition, and that the
latter induces the former.
"According to my firm conviction, by far the greater
number of cases of mental disturbance or abnormal dis-
position observed in urnings are not to be attributed to
the sexual anomaly; but they are caused by the existing
notions concerning urnings, and the resulting laws, and
dominant public sentiment concerning the anomaly. Any
one with an adequate idea of the mental and moral suffer-
ing, of the anxiety and care that the urning must endure;
of the constant hypocrisy and secrecy he must practise in
order to conceal his inner instinct; of the difficulties that
meet him in satisfying his natural desire, — can only bo
surprised that more insanity and nervous disturbance does
37
578 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXDALIS.
not occur in urnings. The greater part of these abnormal
states would not be developed if- the urning, like another,
could find a simple and easy way in which to satisfy his
sexual desire, — if he were not for ever troubled by these
anxieties !"
De lege laid, as far as the urning is concerned, the
paragraph with reference to pederasty should not be ap-
plied without the proof of actual pederasty; and psychical
and somatic abnormalities should be examined by experts
with respect to an estimate in the individual of the ques-
tion of guilt.
De lege ferenda, the urnings wish a repeal of the para-
graph. The jurist could not consent to this, if he is
to remember that pederasty is much more frequently a
disgusting vice than the result of a physical and mental
infirmity; and that, moreover, many urnings, though
driven to sexual acts with their own sex, are yet in
nowise compelled to indulge in pederasty, — a sexual act
which, under all circumstances, must stand as cynical,
disgusting, and, when passive, as decidedly injurious.
Whether for reasons of expediency (difficulty of fixing the
guilt, encouragement of blackmail, etc.), it would not be
opportune to strike from the statutes the legal punishment
of the male-loving man is a question for the jurists of the
future.1
My. reasons for abolishing the laws above referred to
are the following : —
(1) The offences referred to in these laws generally
spring from an abnormal psychical condition.
(2) Only a most careful medical examination can dis-
tinguish cases of sheer perversity from those of patholo-
gical perversion. As soon as the individual is charged
with the offence he is socially ruined.
(3) The majority of urnings are the victims of a per-
verse instinct of abnormal quality. In qualifying the sex-
1 Cf. the author's pamphlet " Der contrilr Sexuale vor dem Straf-
richter." Leipzig and Vienna (Deutike), 2 Aufl., 1895.
UNNATURAL ABUSE SODOMY. 670
ual instinct they arc irresistibly forced by physical com-
pulsion.
(4) Many urnings are incapable of considering their
sexual instinct as unnatural; on the contrary, their own
appears to them the natural act, and that permitted by
law as contra naturam. The moral means of correction
which might prevent the sexual transgression are there-
fore wanting.
(5) The definition as to what constitutes an immoral
offence is defective, and allows the judge too much latitude.
In Germany, for instance, the interpretation of § 175
growing more subtle and ingenious every day, gives direct
proof of the uncertainty of its proper legal understanding.
The deed in itself ought to be decisive in this matter,
and the verdict should be in accordance with it (As a
rule, the motive is scarcely ever scrutinised.) But how
is this to be established ? For the deed is, as a rule,
committed in secret and in the absence of witnesses.
(6) Theoretical criminal reasons for the retention of
the paragraph are never advanced. It does not deter
from crime and has no corrective influence, for patbo1
logical manifestations are not removed by penal remedies.
Decidedly it is not an atonement for a criminal act which
can only under certain and mostly false presumptions be
considered as criminal, and thus may lead to acts of gross
injustice. It must be remembered that in many civilised
countries this paragraph no longer is in vogue, that in
Germany it only exists as a concession to public morality,
whilst the latter is based on false principles, and frequently
mixes up perversion with perversity.
(7) In my opinion, public morality and youth are suffi-
ciently protected, in Germany at any rate, by other para-
graphs of the statutes; and I incline to the belief that
paragraph 175 does more harm than good, in so far as it
favours and abets blackmail — one of the basest and vilest
vices.
Of course, the blackmailer may be punished, but he
lias always the one chance in his favour, that his victim
580 PSTCHOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
will never resort to the extreme measure of appealing to
the law. If it comes to the worst the scoundrel is con-
fined to prison for a short time without running the risk
of losing the honour which he never possessed, whilst his
victim has lost all, i.e., his good name and the respect of
others, is thus ruined and often brought to self-destruction.
(8) If the German law-maker should deem public
morality endangered by the abrogation of § 175, surely the
extension of § 176, 1, to male persons as well should be
sufficient (at present this paragraph deals only with im-
moral acts committed on females either with force or under
threats). The "Code penal francais" has such a para-
graph. Eventually the age of fourteen years mentioned in
this paragraph 176, 3, and beyond which immoral actions
committed on youthful persons go unpunished, might be
raised to a higher figure. This would also benefit the
female portion of society, who scarcely possess at the
age of fifteen sufficient maturity of mind and judgment
to protect themselves against the evil. Moreover by this
act a more efficient protection would be given to young
people in general (say up to the end of the sixteenth
year) than is now granted by § 175, which after all is
only directed against pederasty (and according to more
recent interpretation against other acts of a coitus-like
nature) whilst it regards onanism and other immoral acts
with impunity. Perverse people but seldom endanger the
morality of the young by pederasty, but much more fre-
quently by other acts of immorality. Beyond a certain
age, say eighteen, when a sufficient degree of moral and
intellectual ripeness has been attained, the law has neither
the right nor the duty to impugn immoral acts which are
committed inter mares, portis clattsis and consensu mutuo.
The individual himself is responsible for such acts, for
they do not violate either public or private interests.
What has been said de lege lata concerning congenital
sexual inversion and its relation to the law is also appli-
cable to the acquired abnormality. The accompanying
UNNATURAL ABUSE SODOMY. 581
neurosis or psychosis should have much diagnostic and
forensic weight with reference to the question of guilt
It is of high psyi-hopathological and, under circum-
stances, also of criminal interest that individuals of anti-
pathic sexuality when unfortunate in their love affairs,
or when meeting with deception on the part of the be-
loved, are subject to all those psychical reactions in the
shape of jealousy and vindictfveness which occur in the
love affairs between man and woman; nay, often ever
lead to deeds of violence to revenge the affront or to punish
the robber of happiness.
Nothing else could prove more clearly the constitu-
tionality of these inverted sexual feelings; their dominat-
ing power over sense, thought and aspiration, and their
complete substitution for hetero-sexual normal feeling and
development. A case of such unrequited and betrayed
love is the following taken from recent American criminal
acts, the report of which was sent to me by Dr. Boeck of
Troppau.
Case 236. A sexually inverted girl kills the girl she
loves because she was rejected.
In January, 1892, Alice M., a young girl belonging to
one of the best^amilies of Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A.,
killed in the public street of that town her girl friend,
Freda W., also of the best society. She made several
deep gashes in the neck of the girl with a razor.
The trial elicited the following facts : —
Alice inherited taint from her mother — an uncle and
several cousins in the first degree were insane — the mother
herself was psychopathic, had puerperal dementia after
each confinement, the worst attack following the birth of
the seventh child, i.e., Alice, now a prisoner — afterwards
she declined mentally suffering from dementia persecu-
toria.
A brother of the accused suffered from mental derange-
ment for some time after an alleged sunstroke.
Alice was nineteen years of age, of medium height, not
582 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS.
pretty. The face was childlike and. "almost too small for
her size," and asymmetrical, the right facial side was more
developed than the left, the nose "of striking irregular-
ity," the eye piercing. She was left-handed.
With the beginning of puberty, severe and continued
headaches were of frequent occurrence; once a month
she suffered from epistaxis, often up to within the very
latest period from attacks of tremor. On one occasion
she lost consciousness during one of these attacks.
Alice was a nervous, irritable child, and very slow in
physical development. She never enjoyed children's or
girls' games. When she was four to five years old she
took much pleasure in tormenting cats, suspending them
by one leg.
She preferred her younger brother and his games to
her sisters; she vied with him in spinning tops, playing
baseball and football, or shooting at targets, and in many
silly pranks. She loved to climb trees and roofs, and was
very clever in this sport. Above all things she loved to
amuse herself in the stable among the mules. When she
was six to seven her father had bought a horse, and she
took great delight in feeding and tending it, and rode
about the paddock astraddle on its back like a boy, with-
out a saddle. Later on she would also groom the horse
and wash his hoofs. She would lead him along the street
by the halter, gear him up in the buggy, and became quite
an expert in harnessing him when required.
At school she was slow and faulty, incapable of con-
tinued occupation with the same subject, did not grasp
things easily, and had no memory. For music and draw-
ing she had not the slightest talent, and hated feminine
occupations. She never cared for reading, and could
bear neither books or newspapers. She was stubborn and
capricious, and was considered by her teachers and friends
as an abnormal being.
When a child she did not care for boys, and had no
companions among them; later on she never cared for
men, and had no lovers. She was quite indifferent towards
UNNATURAL ABUSE SODOMY. 583
the young men, even abnipt, and they looked upon h<
x "cracked".
Hut "as far as she can remember" she had an extra-
ordinary love f..r Freda \V., a girl of her own age, daughter
of a friend of the family. Freda was a tender and sweet
girl; the love was mutual, but more violent on the part
of Alice. It increased from year to year until it became
a passion. A year previous to the catastrophe Freda's
family moved away to another town. Alice was steeped
in sorrow; a very tender love correspondence now ensued.
Twice Alice went to visit Freda's family, during which
time the two girls, as witnesses attested, showed "disgust-
ing tenderness" for each other. They were seen to swing
together in a hammock by the hour, hugging and kissing
each other — "they hugged and kissed ad nauseam". Alice
was ashamed of doing this in public, but Freda upbraided
her for this.
When Freda paid a visit in return, Alice made an
attempt at killing her; she tried to pour laudanum down
her throat whilst asleep. The attempt failed because
Freda woke up in time.
Alice then took the poison herself before Freda, and
was taken violently ill. The reason for the attempted
murder and suicide was that Freda had shown some in-
terest in two young men, and Alice declared she could
not live without Freda's love, and again "she wanted to
kill herself in order to find release from her tortures and
make Freda free". After recovery they both resumed tho
amorous correspondence, even with more fervour than
before.
Soon after this Alice proposed marriage to Freda. She
sent her an engagement ring, and threatened death if she
proved disloyal. They were to assume a false name and
fly to St. Louis. Alice would wear men's clothes and
earn a living for both ; she would also grow a moustache,
if Freda were to insist upon it, as she felt confident that
by shaving frequently she could succeed in this.
Just before the attempted elopement the plot was
584 PSYCHOPATH I A BEXUAJ.I8.
discovered and prevented; the "engagement ring" was
returned together with other love tokens to Alice's mother,
and all intercourse between the two girls was stopped.
Alice was completely broken up. She lost her sleep,
refused food, became listless and confused (at the shops
had the purchased goods put down to the name of her
beloved). The ring and other love tokens — among them
a thimble of Freda's filled with the latter's blood — she
concealed in a corner of the kitchen, where she spent
hours in contemplating these objects, now bursting into
peals of laughter, now into floods of tears.
She became emaciated, the face assumed an anxious
expression, the eyes showed "a peculiar strange lustre".
When she learned of an intended visit by Freda to Mem-
phis she firmly resolved to kill her if she could not possess
her. She stole a razor from her father and carefully
concealed it.
In the meantime she started a correspondence with
Freda's admirer, simulating friendship for him in order
to find out his relations to Freda, and kept herself in-
formed about them.
All attempts to see her or hear from her made by Alice
during Freda's sojourn in Memphis failed. She waylaid
Freda in the street and once almost succeeded in carrying
out her purpose had not an accident prevented her. On
the very day, however, when Freda was leaving town and
on her way to the steamboat Alice overtook her.
She felt mortally hurt because Freda, although walk-
ing alongside of the buggy in which she herself was riding,
never spoke a word to her, but only gave her a glance
now and then. She jumped from the vehicle and cut
Freda with the razor. When Freda's sister tried to beat
her off she became frantic and blindly cut deep gashes
into the poor girl's neck, one reaching almost from ear to
ear. Whilst everybody was busy about Freda she drove
off furiously through the streets. When reaching home
she immediately told her mother what had happened.
She could not comprehend the awf illness of the deed;
CULTIVATED PEDERASTY. 685
she was cold and unmoved at the consequences pointed
out to her. But when she heard of the death and the
funeral of her beloved Freda and realised her loss she
burst into tears and passionate waitings, kissed the picture
of the dead girl and spoke as if she were not dead but
still alive.
During the trial her callous behaviour struck every
one; the deep sorrow of her own people did not affect
her in the least; she showed absolute indifference to the
ethical points of her deed.
At moments, however, when her passionate love for
Freda and her jealousy woke up, she yielded to boundless
grief and emotion. "Freda has broken her faith!" "I
have killed her because I loved her so!" The experts
called in the case found her mental development on a
level with that of a girl of thirteen to fourteen years. She
comprehended that no children could have sprung from
her "union" with Freda — but that a "marriage" between
them would have been an absurdity she would not admit.
She absolutely denied that sexual intercourse between the
two (even mutual masturbation) ever took place. But
nothing definite about this point or about her vita sex-
italis per acta could be learned. A gynaecological exam-
ination of her person was not made.
The verdict was insanity ("Memphis Medical Month-
ly," 1892).
Cultivated Pederasty.1
This is one of the saddest pages in the history of human
delinquencies.
The motives that bring to pederasty a man originally
1 For interesting histories and notes, v. Kraust, " Psychol. des
Verbrechcns," p. 174; Tardicu, "Attentats"; Uaschka, " Hamlb.,"
Hi., p. 174. This vice seems to have come through Crete from Asia
to Greece, and, in the times of classic Hellas, to have been widespread.
Thence it spread to Rome, where it flourished luxuriantly. In Persia
and China (where it is actually tolerated) it is widespread, as it also
is in Europe (cf. Tardieu, Tarnoicsky, et al.).
586 PSYCIIOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
sexually normal and of sound mind are various. It is
used temporarily as a means of sexual satisfaction faute de
micux — as in infrequent cases of bestiality — where absti-
nence from normal sexual indulgence is enforced.1 It thus
occurs on shipboard during long voyages, in prisons, in
watering-places, etc. It is highly probable that, among
men subjected to such conditions, there are single indi-
viduals of low morals and great sensuality, or actual urn-
ings, who seduce the others. Lust, imitation, and desire
further their purpose.
The strength of the sexual instinct is most markedly
shown by the fact that such circumstances are sufficient
to overcome repugnance for the unnatural act.
Another category of pederasts is made up of old roues
that have become supersatiated in normal sexual indulg-
ence, and who find in pederasty a means of exciting
sensual pleasure, the act being a new method of stimula-
tion. Thus they temporarily renew their power, that
has been psychically and physically reduced to so low
a state. The new sexual situation makes them, so to
speak, relatively potent, and renders pleasure possible that
it is no longer found in the normal intercourse with
women. In time power to indulge in pederasty also
flickers out. The individual may thus- finally be reduced
to passive pederasty as a stimulus to make possible tem-
porary active pederasty; just as, occasionally, flagellation
or looking on at obscene acts (Maschka's case of mutilation
of animals) is resorted to for the same purpose.
The termination of sexual activity expresses itself in
all kinds of abuse of children — cunnilingus, fellare, and
other enormities.
This kind of pederasts is the most dangerous, since
they deal mostly with boys, and ruin them in body and
soul.
1 Lombroso ("Der Verbrecher, p. 20 ct seg.) shows that also, in
case of animals, intercourse with the same sex occurs where normal
indulgence is impossible.
CULTIVATED PEDEBA8TY. 587
In reference t<> this, tin- experiences of TarnowsJcy (op.
elf., p. 53 et seq.), gathered from society in St. Petersburg,
are terrible. Thr plan •* \vh» n- pi <1« rusty is cultivated are
institutes. Old roues and unlinks play tho role of seducers.
At first it is difficult for the person to carry out the dis-
gusting act. Fancy is made to assist by calling up the
image of a woman. Gradually, with practice, the un-
natural act becomes easy, and at last tho individual, like
one debased by masturbation, becomes relatively impotent
for women, and lustful enough to find pleasure in the
perverse act. Such individuals, under circumstances, give
themselves for money.
As Tardieu, Hofmann, Simon and Taylor show, such
fiends are not infrequently found in large cities. From
numerous statements made to me by urn ings, it is learned
that actual prostitution and houses of prostitution for
male-loving men exist in large cities. The arts of coquetry
used by these male prostitutes are noteworthy — ornament,
perfumes, feminine styles of dress, etc., to attract pederasts
and urnings. This imitation of feminine peculiarities is
spontaneous and unconscious in congenital and in some
acquired cases of (abnormal) antipathic sexual tnstinct.
The following lines are of interest to the psychologist,
and may give the officers of the law important clues con-
cerning the social life and practice of pederasts : —
Coffignon, "La Corruption a Paris," p. 327, divides
active pederasts into "amateurs/' "entreteneurs" and "sou-
teneurs".
The "amateurs" ("rivettes") are debauched persons,
frequently of congenital sexual inversion, of position and
fortune, who are forced to guard themselves against detec-
tion in the gratification of their homosexual desires. For
this purpose they visit brothels, lodging-houses, or the
private houses of female prostitutes, who are usually on
good terms with male prostitutes. Thus they escape
blackmail.
588 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
Some of these "amateurs" are bpld enough to indulge
their vile desires in public places. They thus run the
risk of arrest, but in a large city little risk of blackmail.
Danger is said to add to their secret pleasure.
The "entreteneurs" are old sinners who, even with the
danger of falling into the hands of blackmailers, cannot
deny themselves the pleasure of keeping a (male) "mis-
tress."
The "souteneurs" are pederasts that have been pun-
ished, who keep their "jesus" whom they send out to entice
customers ("faire chanter les rivettes"), and who then, at
the right moment if possible, appear for the purpose of
plucking the victim.
Not infrequently they liye together in bands, the mem-
bers, in accordance with individual desire, living together
as husbands and wives. In such bands there are formal
marriages, betrothals, banquets and introductions of brides
and grooms into their apartments.
These "souteneurs" train up their "jesus".
The passive pederasts are "petits jesus/' "jesus" or
"aunts".
The "jpetits jesus" are lost, depraved children, placed
by accident in the hands of active pederasts, who seduce
them, and reveal to them the horrible means of earning a
livelihood, either as "entretenus" or as male street-walkers,
with or without "souteneurs".
The slyest and choicest "petits jesus" are those trained
by persons who instruct these children in the art of female
dress and manner.
Gradually they emancipate themselves from teacher
and master, in order to become "femmes entretenues" not
infrequently by means of anonymous denunciation of
their "souteneurs" to the police.
It is the object of the "souteneur" and the "petit
jesus" to make the latter appear young as long as possible
by means of all the arts of the toilet.
The limit of age is about twenty-five years; when
they all become "jesus" and "femmes entretenues" and are
I IVATKD PEDERASTY. 589
often sustained by several "souteneurs". The "jesus"
fall into three categories: "filles galantes," i.e., those that
have fallen again into the hands of a "soiit< / pier-
reuses" (ordinary street-walkers, like their female col-
leagues) ; and "domestiques".
The " domestiques" hire themselves out to active
pederasts, either to gratify their desires or to obtain "petits
jesus" for them.
A sub-group of these "domestiques" is formed by such
of them as enter the service of "petits jcsus" as "femmes
de chambre". The principal object of these "domestiques"
is to use their positions to obtain compromising knowl-
edge, with which they later practise blackmail, and .thus
assure themselves ease in their old age.
The most horrible class of active pederasts is made up
of the "aunts" — i.e., the "souteneurs" of (male) prosti-
tutes,— who, though normal sexually, are morally de-
praved, and practise pederasty (passive) only for gain or
for the purpose of blackmail.
The wealthy "amateurs" have their reunions and
places of meeting, where the passive ones appear in female
attire, and horrible orgies take place. The waiters, musi-
cians, etc., at such gatherings are all pederasts. The
"filles galantes" do not venture, except during the carnival,
to show themselves in the street in female attire ; but they
know how to lend to their appearance something indica-
tive of their calling by means of style of dress, etc. They
entice by means of gesture, peculiar movements of their
hands, etc., and lead their victims to hotels, baths, or
brothels.
What the author says of blackmail is generally known.
There are cases where pederasts have allowed their entire
fortune te be wrung from them.
That these monstrosities of large cities in the shape
of "petits jesus" are not only the productions of profes-
sional training, but rather of a degenerated mental condi-
tion is apparent from the researches made by Laurent
("Lea bisexues," Paris, 1894). He describe* oa page 175
590 PSYCHOPATH IA SEXUALIS.
of his book under the title of "Hermaphroditisme artifi-
ciel" manifestations of "effeminatiori" and "infantilisme".
They refer to boys who with incipient puberty show no
further development of the frame and the genital organs,
have no growth of hair about the face or pubes, do not
change the voice and are retrograde in their mental
faculties. Often it happens that in such cases secondary
physical and psychical female characteristics of sexuality
are developed. A post mortem of such "petits garroches"
(Brouardel) reveals a small bladder, mere rudiments of
the prostate, absence of the ischio and bulbo cavernosi
muscles, infantile penis, and a very narrow pelvis.
They are beyond doubt heavily tainted individuals who
have experienced at the time of puberty a sort of rudi-
mentary sexual change.
Laurent (p. 181) makes the interesting remark, that
from the ranks of these "Infantiles" and "Effeminates" the
professional passive pederasts ("petits jesus"} are re-
cruited.
It is evident, therefore, that these human monstrosities
are predestined for and trained, so to speak, in their abomi-
nable career by degenerative and anthropological factors.
The following notice from a Berlin newspaper, of
February, 1884, which fell into my hands by accident,
seems suited to show something of the life and customs of
pederasts and urnings : —
"The Woman-haters' Ball. — Almost every social ele-
ment of Berlin has its social reunions — the fat, the -bald-
headed, the bachelors, the widowers — and why not the
woman-haters ? This species of men, so interesting psy-
• chologically and none too edifying, had a great ball a few
days ago. 'Grand Vienna Fancy Dress Ball/ — ran the
; notice. The sale of tickets is very rigorous ; they wish to
be very exclusive. Their rendezvous is a well-known
dancing-hall. We enter the hall about midnight. The
merry dancing is to the strains of a fine orchestra. Thick
tobacco-smoke, veiling the gaslights, does not allow the de-
tails of the moving mass to become obvious; only during
ODLTIVA I 1 I' ri DKRA8TT. MM
the pause between the dunces can we obtain a closer view.
The masks are by far in the majority ; black dress-coats and
l>nll-i:<>wns are seen only now and tin -n.
"But what is that? The lady in rose-tarletan, that
just now passed us, has a lighted cigar in the corner of
her mouth, and puffs like a trooper; and she also wears
a small, blonde beard, lightly painted out. And yet she
is talking with a very decollete 'angel1 in tricots, who
stands there, with bare arms folded behind him, likewise
smoking. The two voices are masculine, and the conver-
sation is likewise very masculine; it is about the 'd
tobacco smoke, that permits no air'. Two men in female
attire! A conventional clown stands there, against a
pillar, in soft conversation with a ballet-dancer, with his
arm around her faultless waist. She has a blonde 'Titus-
head' sharp-cut profile, and apparently a voluptuous form.
The brilliant ear-rings, the necklace with a medallion, the
full, round shoulders and arms, do not permit a doubt of
her 'genuineness,' until, with a sudden movement, she
disengages herself from the embracing arm, and, yawning,
moves away, saying, in a deep bass, 'Emile, you are too
tiresome to-day !' The ballet-dancer is also a male !
"Suspicious now, we look about further. We almost
suspect that here the world is topsy-turvy ; for there goes,
or, rather, trips, a man — no, no man at all, even though
he wears a carefully trained moustache. The well-curled
hair; the powdered and painted face with the blackened
eyebrows; the golden ear-rings; the bouquet of flowers
reaching from the left shoulder to the breast, ornament-
ing the elegant black gown; the golden bracelets on the
wrists; the elegant fan in the white-gloved hand — all
these things are anything but masculine. And how he
toys with the fan ! How he dances and turns and trips
and lisps ! And yet kindly Nature made this doll a man.
lit- is a salesman in a large sweet shop, and the ballet-
dancer mentioned is his 'colleague'.
"At a little corner-table there seems to be a great
social circle. Several elderly gentlemen press around a
PSYCHOPATIIIA SEXUALI8.
group of decolletg ladies, who sit over a glass of wine and —
in the spirit of fun — make jokes that are none too deli-
cate. Who are these three ladies? 'Ladies!' laughs ray
knowing friend. 'Well, the one on the right, with the
brown hair and the short, fancy dress, is called "But-
terrieke," he is a hairdresser; the second one — the blonde
in a singer's costume, with the necklace of pearls — is
known here by the name of "Miss Ella of the tight-rope,"
and he is a ladies' tailor ; and the third — that is the widely
celebrated "Lottie".'
"But that person cannot possibly be a man? That
waist, that bust, those classic arms, the whole air and
person are markedly feminine!
"I am told that 'Lottie' was once a bookkeeper.
To-day she, or, rather, he, is exclusively 'Lottie,' and
takes pleasure in deceiving men about his sex as long as
possible. 'Lottie' is singing a song that would hardly
do for a drawing-room, in a high voice, acquired by years
of practice, which many a soprano might envy. 'Lottie'
has also 'worked' as a female comedian. Now the quon-
dam bookkeeper has so entered into the female role that
he appears on the street in female attire almost exclu-
sively, and, as the people with whom he lodges state, uses
an embroidered night-dress.
"On closer examination of the assembly, to my as-
tonishment, I discover acquaintances on all hands: my
shoemaker, whom I should have taken for anything but a
woman-hater — he is a 'troubadour,' with sword and plume;
and his 'Leonora,' in the costume of a bride, is accus-
tomed to place my favourite brand of cigars before me
in a certain cigar-store. 'Leonora,' who, during an inter-
mission, removes her gloves, I recognise with certainty
by her large, blue hands. Right! There is my haber-
dasher, also; he moves about in a questionable costume
as Bacchus, and is the swain of a repugnantly bedecked
Diana, who works as a waiter in a beer-restaurant. The
real 'ladies' of the ball cannot be described here. They
associate only with one -another, and avoid the woman-
CULTIVATED PEDERASTY. 593
hating nu-n ; and the latter arc exclusive, and amuse them-
selves, absolutely ignoring the charms of the women,"
These facts deserve the careful attention of the police,
who should be placed in a position to cope with male prosti-
tution, as they now do with that of women.
Male prostitution is certainly much more dangerous to
society than that of females; it is the darkest stain on
the history of humanity.
From the statements of a high police official of Berlin,
I learn that the police are conversant with the male demi-
monde of the German capital, and do all they can to sup-
press blackmail among pederasts — a practice which often
does not stop short of murder.
The foregoing facts justify the wish that the law-
maker of the future may, for reasons of utility, at least,
abandon the prosecution of pederasty.
With reference to this point, it is worthy of note that
the French Code does not punish it so long as it does
not become an offence to public decency. Probably for
politico-legal reasons, the new Italian Penal Code passes
over the crime of unnatural abuse in silence, as do the
statutes of Holland and, as far as I know, Belgium and
Spain.
In how far such cultivated pederasts are to be regarded
as mentally and morally sound may remain an open ques-
tion. The majority of them suffer with genital neuroses.
At least in these cases there are the stages of transition to
acquired pathological antipathic sexual instinct (see p.
286). The responsibility of these individuals, who are
certainly much lower than the women who prostitute them-
selves, cannot, generally speaking, be questioned.
The various categories of male-loving men, with respect
to the manner of sexual indulgence, may be thus char-
acterised in general: —
The congenital urning becomes a pederast only excep-
tionally, and eventually resorts to it after having practised
and exhausted all the possible immoral acts with males.
38 .
594 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
Passive pederasty is to him the ideally and practically
adequate form of the sexual act7 He practises active
pederasty only to please another. The most important
point here is the congenital and unchangeable perversion
of the sexual instinct.
It is otherwise with the pederast by cultivation. He
has once acted normally sexually, or at least had normal
inclinations, and occasionally has intercourse with the
opposite sex. His sexual perversity is neither congenital
nor unchangeable. He begins with pederasty and ends in
other perverse sexual acts, induced by weakness of the
centres for erection and ejaculation. At the height of his
power his sexual desire is not for passive, but for active
pederasty. He yields to passive pederasty only to please
another ; for money, in the role of a male prostitute ; or
as a means, when virility is declining, to make active
pederasty still occasionally possible.
A horrible act, that must be alluded to, in conclusion,
is pcedicalio mulierum* and even uxorum. Sensual indi-
viduals sometimes do it with hardened prostitutes, or
even with their wives. Tardieu gives examples where
men, usually practising coitus, sometimes indulged in
pederasty with their wives. Occasionally fear of a repeti-
tion of pregnancy may induce the man to perform and
the woman to tolerate the act.
Case 237. Imputation of pederasty that was not
proved. Resume from the legal proceedings : —
On 30th May, 1888, S., chemist, of H., in an anony-
mous letter, was accused by his stepfather of having im-
moral relations with G., aged nineteen, the son of a butcher.
S. received the letter, and, astounded by its contents, has-
1Cf. Tardieu, " Attentats," p. 198; Martineau, "Deutsche Med.
Zeitung," 1882, p. 9; Virchow'a " Jahrb.," 1881, i., p. 533; Coutagne,
" Lyon Medical," Nos. 35, 36. Eulenburg in " ZuJzer'a Klin. Handb.
d. Harn- u. Sexual-organe," iv. Abtheil., p. 45, relates cases of his
own experience, in which women brought actions for divorce on the
ground that the husband, in order to avoid offspring, practised
pcedicatio only.
CULTIVATED PEDERASTY.
tened to his maMer, \vh<> promised to proceed discreetly
in the matt- T. and to ascertain from the authorities what
i-'in^ said nUmt it by tin- public.
On tin- next morning, (J., who lived in the house of
S., was anv.-ird. At the time ho was suffering from
gonorrhoea and orchitis. S. tried to induce the authori-
ties to release G., and advised caution, but he was refused.
In his statement to the judge, S. said that he became
ae<jiiainted with G. on the street, three years previously,
and then saw no more of him until the fall of 1887, when
he mot him in his father's shop. After November G.
supplied S.'s kitchen with meat — coming in the evening
to get the order, and bringing the meat the next morning.
Thus S. gradually got well acquainted with G., and camo
to have a very friendly feeling for him. When S. fell ill
and was, for the most part, confined to his bed until the
middle of May, 1888, G. gave him so much attention that
S. and his wife were much attracted to him on account
of his harmless, child-like and happy disposition. S.
showed and explained to him his collection of curiosities,
and they spent the evenings pleasantly together, the wife
also being usually present ; besides, S. and G. experimented
in making sausages, jelly, etc. In February, 1888, G.
fell ill with gonorrhoea. S., being his friend, and having
studied medicine for several terms, took care of G., pro-
cured medicine for him, etc. In May, G. being still ill,
and, for several reasons, inclined to leave home, S. and
his wife took him into their own home to care for him.
S. denied the truth of all the suspicions that had been
raised by this revelation, and defended himself by pointing
to his life of previous respectability, his education, and to
the fact that G., at the time, was suffering with a disgust-
ing, contagious disease, and that he himself had a painful
affection (nephritic calculus, with occasional attacks of
colic).
Opposed to this statement of S.'s must be mentioned
the facts that were brought out in court, and which led
to conviction in the first trial.
596 PBYCHOPATHIA BEXUALI8.
The relation of S. to G. had, by reason of its obvious-
ness, given cause for remark by private individuals, as
well as by those in public houses. G. spent almost all his
evenings with S.'s family, and, finally, came to be quite
at home there. They took walks together. Once, while
out on such a walk, S. said to G. that he was a pretty
fellow, and that he (S.) was very fond of him. On the
same occasion, there was also talk of sexual matters, and
also of pederasty. S. said he touched on these subjects
only to warn G. With reference to the intercourse at
home, it was proved that occasionally S., while sitting on
a sofa, embraced G., and kissed him. This happened in
the presence of the wife, as well as of the servant-girls.
When G. was ill with gonorrhoea, S. instructed him in
the method of using a syringe, and, at the time, took the
penis in his hand. G. testified that S., in answer to his
question why he was so fond of him, said, "I don't know
myself". When, one day, G. remained away, S., with
tears in his eyes, complained of it to him when he re-
turned. S. also told him that his marriage was unhappy,
and, in tears, begged G. not to leave him; that he must
take the place of his wife.
From all this resulted the just accusation, that the
relation between the two men had a sexual direction.
The fact that all was open and known to everybody, accord-
ing to the complaint, did not speak for the harmlessness
of the relation, but more for the intensity of the passion
of S. The spotless life of the accused was allowed, as
well as his honesty and gentleness. The probability of
an unhappy marriage, and that S. was of a very sensual
nature, was shown.
During the course of the trial, G. was repeatedly ex-
amined by the medical experts. He was scarcely of
medium size, pale, and of powerful frame ; penis and testi
cles were very perfectly developed (large).
In consonance with the accusation, it was found that
the anus was pathologically changed, in that there were
no wrinkles in the skin about it and the sphincter was
CULTIVAIM. n.DEBABTY. .V,)7
.UK! i! was presume! that these changes pointed
to the probability of passive pederasty.
Tin- conviction was based on these facts. The judg-
nirnt passed recognised that the relation existing between
the culprits did not necessarily point to unnatural abuses,
any more than did the physical conditions found on the
person of G.
However, by reason of the combination of the two
facts, the court was convinced of the guilt of both culprits,
and held it proved: "That the abnormal condition of
G.'s anus had been caused by the frequently repeated in-
troduction of the penis of S. and that G. voluntarily per-
mitted the performance of this immoral act on himself."
Thus the conditions of § 175, R. St G. B., seemed to
be covered. In passing sentence there was consideration
of S.'s education, which made him appear to be G.'s
seducer; in G.'s case, this fact and his youth were given
weight; and the previous respectability of both was held
in view. Thus S. was sentenced to imprisonment for eight
months, and G. for four months.
They appealed to the Supreme Court at Leipzig, and
prepared themselves, in case the appeal should be denied,
to collect evidence sufficient to call for a new trial.
They subjected themselves to examination and ob-
servation by distinguished experts. The latter declared
that G.'s anus presented no signs of indulgence in passive
pederasty.
Since it seemed of importance to those interested to
make clear the psychological aspect of the case, which
was not touched on at the trial, the author was intrusted
with the examination and observation of S. and G.
I Results of the Personal Examination, from llth to
13th December, 1888, in Graz: — "S., aged thirty-seven;
two years married, without children. Ex-director of the
City Laboratory of II. He comes of a father who is said
to have been nervous, owing to great activity; who had
an apoplectic attack in his fifty-seventh year, and died,
598 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
at the age of sixty-seven, of another attack of apoplexy.
His mother is living, and is described as a strong person,
who has been nervous for years. Her mother reached
quite an old age, and is said to have died of a cerebellar
tumour. A brother of the mother's father is said to have
been a drinker. The paternal grandfather died early, of
softening of the brain.
"S. has two brothers, who are in perfect health.
"He states that he is of nervous temperament, and has
been of strong constitution. After articular rheumatism,
which he had in his fourteenth year, he suffered with
great nervousness for some months. . Thereafter he often
suffered with rheumatic pains, palpitation, and short-
ness of breath. These symptoms gradually disappeared
with sea-bathing. Seven years ago he had gonorrhrea.
This disease became chronic, and for a long time caused
bladder difficulty.
"In 1887 he had his first attack of renal colic, and he
had such attacks repeatedly during the winter of 1887
and 1888, until ICth May, 1888, when quite a large renal
calculus was passed. Since then his condition had been
quite satisfactory. While suffering with stone, during
coitus, at the moment of ejaculation, he felt severe pain
in the urethra and the same pain when urinating.
"With reference to his life, S. states that he attended
the Gymnasium until he was fourteen, but after that,
owing to the results of his severe illness, he studied pri-
vately. He then spent four years in a chemist's shop,
and then studied medicine for six semesters at the Uni-
versity, serving, in the war of 1870, as a voluntary hos-
pital assistant. Since he had no certificate of graduation
from the Gymnasium, he gave up the study of medicine,
and obtained the degree of doctor of philosophy. Then
he served in the Museum of Minerals in K., and later as
assistant in the Mineralogical Institute of II. Thereafter
he made special studies in the chemistry of food-stuffs, and
five years ago became director of the City Laboratory.
"He makes all these atatements in a prompt, precise
CULTIVATED PEDERASTY. .r.0'.»
manner, :m<l docs not think l<»ng about his answers; so
that one is more and iiuuv l«-d t<> think that he is a man
\vli<> loves and speaks the truth — the more, since, on the
following day, his statements are identical. With reference
to his rila sexualis, S., in a modest, delicate and open
way, states that in his eleventh year he began to have a
knowledge of the difference of the sexes, and for some
time, until his fourteenth year, was given to onanism.
He first had coitus at eighteen, and thereafter indulged
moderately. His sensual desire had never been very great,
but, until lately, the sexual act had been normal in every
way, and accompanied by gratifying pleasurable feeling
and full virility. Since his marriage, two years ago, he
had cohabited with his wife exclusively. lie had married
his wife out of love, and still loved her, having coitus with
her at least several times a week. The wife, who was
also at hand, confirmed these statements.
"All cross-questioning with reference to a perversion of
sexual feeling toward men S. answered repeatedly in the
negative, to repeated examination, and that without con-
tradiction or any thought of the answers. Even when,
in order to trap him, he is told that the proof of a perverse
sexual instinct would be of avail in the trial, he sticks to
his statements. One gains the important impression that
S. has not the slightest knowledge of the facts of male-love.
Thus it is learned that his lascivious dreams have never
been about men; that he is interested only in female
nudity ; that he liked to dance with ladies, etc. No traces
of any kind of sexual inclination for his own sex can be
discovered in S. With reference to his relations with G.,
S. expresses himself exactly as he did at his examination
before the court. In explanation of his partiality for G.,
he can only say that he is nervous, and a man of feeling
and great sensibility, and very sensitive to friendliness.
1 )urin«r his illness he had felt very lonesome and depressed ;
his wife had frequently been with her parents; and thus
it had happened that he had become friendly with G., who
was so gentle and kind. lie still had a weakness for him,
600 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
and felt remarkably quiet and contented while in his so-
ciety.
"He had had two such close friendships previously:
when he was yet a student, with a corps-brother, a Dr.
A., whom he also embraced and kissed; later, with a
Baron M. When it happened that he could not see him
for a few days, he became depressed, and even cried.
"He also had a similar feeling and attachment for
animals. Thus he had mourned the loss of a poodle that
died a short time ago, as if it had been a member of the
family; he had often kissed the animal. (On relating
this, the tears came to his eyes.) His brother confirmed
these statements, with the remark, with reference to his
brother's remarkable friendship for A. and M., that in
these instances there was not the slightest suspicion of
sexual colouring or relation. The most careful and de-
tailed examination of S. gave not the slightest reason for
such a presumption.
"He states that he never had the slightest sexual feel-
ing for G., to say nothing of erection or sexual desire. His
partiality for G., which bordered on jealousy, S. explained
as due merely to his sentimental temperament and his in-
ordinate friendship. G. was still as dear to him as if he
were his son.
"It is worthy of note that S. stated that when G. told
him about his love adventures with girls, it had hurt him
only because G. was in danger of injuring himself and
ruining his health by dissipation. He had never felt hurt
himself by this. If he knew a good girl for G., he would
be glad to rejoice with him and do all he could to promote
their marriage.
"S. states that it was first in the course of his legal
examination that he saw how he had been careless in his
intercourse with G., by causing gossip. His openness he
explained as due to the innocence of their friendship.
"It is worthy of note that S.'s wife never noticed any-
thing suspicious in the intercourse between her husband
and G., though the most simple wife would instinctively
CULTIVATED PEDERASTY. 601
notice anything of that nature. Mrs. S. had also made
no opposition to receiving G. into the house. On this
point she remarked that the spare-room in which G. lay
ill was on the second floor, while the living apartments
were on the fourth ; and, further, that S. never associated
alone with G. as long as he was in the house. She states
that she is convinced of her husband's innocence, and that
she loves him as before.
"S. states freely that formerly he had often kissed
G., and talked with him about sexual matters. G. was
much given to women, and in friendship he had often
warned him about sexual dissipation, particularly when
G., as often happened, did not look well. He had once
said that G. was a handsome fellow ; it was in a perfectly
harmless relation.
"The kissing of G. had been due to inordinate friend-
ship, when G. had shown him some particular attention,
or pleased him especially. In the act he had never had
any sexual feeling. When he had now and then dreamed
of G., it was in a perfectly harmless way."
It appeared of great importance to the author to form
also an opinion of G.'s personality. On 12th December
the desired opportunity was given, and G. was carefully
examined.
G. was a young man, aged twenty, of delicate build,
whose development corresponded with his years; and he
appeared to be neuropathic and sensual. The genitals were
normal and well developed. The author thought he might
be permitted to pass over the condition of the anus, as he
did not feel called upon to pass judgment upon it Pro-
longed association with G. gave one the impression that
he was a harmless, kind, and artless man, light-minded,
but not morally depraved. Nothing in his dress or man-
ner indicated perverse sexual feeling. There could not
be the slightest suspicion that he was a male courtesan.
When G. was introduced tn medias res, he stated that S.
and he, feeling their innocence, had told the matter as it
actually was, and on this the whole trial had been based.
602 PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALI8.
At first, S.'s friendship, and especially the kissing,
had seemed remarkable, even to" him. Later he had con-
vinced himself that it was merely friendship, and had
then thought no more about it.
G. had looked upon S. as a father-like friend; for he
was so unselfish, and loved him so.
The expression "handsome fellow" was made when
G. had a love-affair, and when S. expressed his fears
about a happy future for G. At that time S. had com-
forted him, and said that his (G.'s) appearance was pleas-
ing, and that he would make an eligible match.
Once S. had complained to him (G.) that his wife was
inclined to drink, and burst into tears. G. was touched
by his friend's unhappiness. On this occasion S. had
kissed him, and begged for his friendship, and asked him
to visit him frequently.
S. had never spontaneously directed the conversation
to sexual matters. G. once asked what pederasty was, of
which he had heard much while in England; and S. had
explained it to him.
G. acknowledged that he was sensual. At the age of
twelve he had been made acquainted with sexual matters
by schoolmates. He had never masturbated, had first
had coitus at the age of eighteen, and had since visited
brothels frequently. He had never felt any inclination
for his own sex, and had never experienced any sexual
excitement when S. kissed him. He had always had
pleasure in coitus normally performed. His lascivious
dreams had always been of women. With indignation,
and pointing to his descent from a healthy and respectable
family, he repelled the insinuation of having been given to
passive pederasty. Until the gossip about them came to
his ears, he had been innocent and devoid of suspicion.
The anal anomalies he tried to explain in the same way
that he did at the trial. Auto-masturbation denied.
It should be noted that Mr. J. S. claimed to be no less
astonished by the charge against his brother of male-love
than those more closely associated with him. Yet he
CULTIVATED PEDERASTY. 603
not understand what attached his brother to Q. ;
and all the explanations which S. made to him concerning
his relation to G. were vain.
The author took the trouble to observe S. and G.,
in a natural way, while they were dining, in company
with S.'s brother and Mrs. S., in Graz. This observation
revealed not the slightest sign of improper friendship.
The general impression which S. made on me was
that of a nervous, sanguine, somewhat overstrained in-
dividual, but, at the same time, kind, open-hearted, and
very emotional.
S. was physically strong, somewhat corpulent, with
a symmetrical, brachycephalic cranium. The genitals were
well developed ; the penis somewhat bellied ; the prepuce
slightly hypertrophied.
Opinion. — Pederasty is, unfortunately, not infrequent
among mankind to-day; but still, occurring among the
peoples of Europe, it is an unusual, perverse, and even
monstrous manner of sexual gratification. It presumes
a congenital or acquired perversion of the sexual instinct,
and, at the same time, defect of moral sense that is either
original or acquired, as a result of pathological influences.
Medien-leiral science is thoroughly conversant with
the physical and psychical conditions from which this
aberration of the sexual instinct arises; and in the con-
crete and doubtful case it seems requisite to ascertain
whether these empirical, subjective conditions necessary
for pederasty are present. It is essential to distinguish
between active and passive pederasty.
Active pederasty occurs : —
I. As a non-pathological phenomenon : —
1. As a means of sexual gratification, in case of great
sexual dcsin-, with enforced abstinence from natural sexual
intercourse.
2. In old debauchees, who have become satiated with
normal sexual intercourse, and more or less impotent, and
also morally depraved ; and who resort to pederasty in
order to excite their lust with this new stimulus, and aid
604 PSYCHOPATHIA BEXUALI8.
their virility that has sunk so low psychically and physi-
cally.
3. Traditionally, among certain barbarous races that
are devoid of morality.
II. As a pathological phenomenon : —
1. Upon the basis of congenital sexual inversion, with
repugnance for sexual intercourse with women, or even
absolute incapability of it. But, as even Casper knew,
pederasty, under such conditions, is very infrequent. The
so-called urning satisfies himself with a man by means
of passive or mutual onanism, or by means of coitus-like
acts (e.g., coitus inter femora) ; and he resorts to pederasty
only very exceptionally, as a result of intense sexual de-
sire, or with a low or lowered moral sense, out of desire
to please another.
2. On the basis of acquired pathological sexual inver-
sion : —
(a) As a result of onanism practised through many
years, which finally causes impotence for women with
continuance of intense sexual desire.
(&) As a result of severe mental disease (senile demen-
tia, brain-softening in the insane, etc.) in which, as experi-
ence teaches, an inversion of the sexual instinct may take
place.
Passive pederasty occurs: —
L As a non-pathological phenomenon : —
1. In individuals of the lowest class, who, having had
the misfortune to be seduced in boyhood by debauchees,
endured pain and disgust for the sake of money, and be-
came depraved morally, so that, in more mature years,
they have fallen so low that they take pleasure in being
male prostitutes.
2. Under circumstances analogous to those of I., 1 —
as a remuneration to another for having allowed active
pederasty.
II. As a pathological phenomenon : —
1. In individuals affected with sexual inversion, with
CULTIVATED PEDERASTY. 605
endurance of paiu and disgust, as a return to men for the
bestowal of sexual favors.
2. In urninga who feel toward men like women, out
of desire and lust In such female- men there is horror
f< mince and absolute incapability for sexual intercourse
with women. Character and inclinations an- frminine.
The empirical facts that have been gathered by legal
mnlicine and psychiatry are all included in this classifi-
cation. Before the court of medical science, it would be
necessary to prove that a man belonged to one of the
above categories in order to carry the conviction that he
was a pederast.
In the life and character of S., one searched in vain
for signs which placed him in one of the categories of
active pederasts which science has established. lie was
neither one forced to sexual abstinence, nor one made
impotent for women by debauchery; neither was he con-
genitally male-loving, nor alienated from women by mas-
turbation, and attracted to men through continuance of
sexual desire; and, finally, he was not sexually perverse
as a result of severe mental disease.
In fact, the general conditions necessary for the occur-
rence of pederasty were wanting in him — moral imbecility
or moral depravity, on the one hand, and inordinate sexual
desire on the other.
It was likewise impossible to classify the accomplice,
G., in any of the empirical categories of passive pederasty ;
for he possessed neither the peculiarities of the male pros-
titute nor the clinical marks of effemination ; and he had
not the anthropological and clinical stigmata of the female-
man. He was, in fact, the very opposite of all this.
In order to make a pederastic relation between the
two plausible medico-scientifically, it would have been
requisite for S. to present the antecedents and marks of
the active pederasts of I., 2, and G., those of the passive
pederasts of II., 1 or 2.
The assumption lying at the basis of the verdict waa
from a psychological standpoint, legally untenable.
606 PSYCIIOPATHIA 8EXUALI8.
With the same right, every man might be considered
a pederast. It remains to consider whether the explana-
tions given by Dr. S. and G. of their remarkable friend-
ship are psychologically valid.
Psychologically it is not without parallel that so senti-
mental and eccentric a man as S. — without any sexual
excitement whatever — should entertain a transcendental
friendship. It suffices to recall the friendship of school-
girls, the self-sacrificing friendship of sentimental young
persons in general, and the partiality which this sensitive
man sometimes showed even for domestic animals — where
no one would think of sodomy. With S.'s mental char-
acter his extraordinary friendship for the youth G. may
be easily comprehended. The openness of this friendship
permitted the conclusion that it was innocent, much rather
than that it depended upon sensual passion.
The defendants succeeded in obtaining a new trial.
The new trial took place on 7th March, 1890. There was
much evidence presented in favour of the accused.
The previous moral life of S. was generally acknowl-
edged. The Sister of Charity who cared for G. in S.'s
house, never noticed anything suspicious in the inter-
course between S. and G. S.'s former friends testified to
his morality, his deep friendship, and his habit of kissing
them on meeting or leaving them. The anal abnor-
malities previously found on G. were no longer present.
Experts called by the court allowed the possibility that
they had been due simply to digital manipulations; their
diagnostic value in any case was contested by the experts
called for the defence.
The court recognised that the imputed crime had not
been proved, and exonerated the defendants.
LESBIAN LOVE. 607
Lesbian Love.1
Whero tlio sexual intercourse is between adults, ita
legal importance is very slight. It could come into con-
ation only in Austria. In connection with urningism,
thi> phenomenon is of anthropological and clinical value.
The relation is the same, mutatis mutandis, as between
iiK-n. Lesbian love does not seem to approach urningism
in frequency. The majority of female urnings do not act
in obedience to an innate impulse, but they are developed
under conditions analogous to those which produce the
urning by cultivation.
These "forbidden friendships" flourish especially in
penal institutions for females.
Kraussold (op. cit.) reports: "The female prisoners
often have such friendships, which, when possible, extend
to mutual manustupration.
"But temporary mutual gratification is not the only
purpose of such friendships. They are made to be endur-
ing— entered into systematically, so to speak — and intense
jealousy and a passion for love are developed which could
scarcely be surpassed between persons of opposite sex.
When the friend of one prisoner is merely smiled at
by another, there are often the most violent scenes of
jealousy, and even beatings.
"When the violent prisoner has been put in irons, in
accordance with the prison regulations, she says 'she has
had a child by her friend'."
We are indebted to Parent-Duchatelet ("De la prosti-
tution," 1857, vol. i., p. 159), for interesting communica-
tions concerning Lesbian love.
»Cy. Mayer, " Friedreich's Blatter," 1875, p. 41; Krautold,
" Mi'I:inrholi«- un«l Schuld," 1884, p. 20; Andronico, " Archiv di paich.
acidize ponali ed anthropol. crim.," vol. iii., p. 145; Chevalier,
" I/inversion Bexuelle," Paris, 1803, p. 217 (searching description of
"sapphic love" in modern Paris). — Moraglia, op. cit., p. 24.
608 PSYCHOPATHIA 8EXUALIS.
According to this experienced author, repugnance for
the most disgusting and perverse- acts (coitus in axilla,
ore, inter mammas, etc.) which men perform on prostitutes
is not infrequently responsible for driving these unfortu-
nate creatures to Lesbian love. From his statements it
is seen that it is essentially prostitutes of great sensuality
who, unsatisfied with intercourse with impotent or per-
verse men, and impelled by their disgusting practices,
come to indulge in it.
Besides these, there are prostitutes who let themselves
be known as given to tribadism; persons who have been
in prison for years, and in these hot-beds of Lesbian
love, ex abstinentia, acquired this vice.
It is interesting to know that prostitutes hate those
who practice tribadism, — just as men abhor pederasts;
but female prisoners do not regard the vice as indecent.
Parent mentions the case of a prostitute who, while
intoxicated, tried to force another to Lesbian love. The
latter became so enraged that she denounced the indecent
woman to the police. Taxil (op. cit., pp. 166, 170) reports
similar instances.
Mantegazza ("Anthropol. culturhistorische Studien,"
p. 97) also finds that sexual intercourse between women
has especially the significance of a vice which arises on the
basis of unsatisfied hypercesthesia sexualis.
In many cases of this kind, however, aside from con-
genital sexual inversion, one gains the impression that,
just as in men (vide supra}, the cultivated vice gradually
leads to acquired antipathic sexual instinct, with repug-
nance for sexual intercourse with the opposite sex.
At least Parent's cases were probably of this nature.
The correspondence with the lover was quite as sen-
timental and exaggerated in tone as it is between lovers
of the opposite sex; unfaithfulness and separation broke
the heart of the one abandoned ; jealousy was unbridled,
and led to bloody revenge. The following cases of Lesbian
LESBIAN LOVX. 609
love, by Mantegazza, are certainly pathological, and pot-
sibly examples of congenital antipathic sexual instinct: —
(1) On 5th July, 1777, a woman was brought before a
court in London, who, dressed as a man, had been married
to three different women. She was recognised as a woman,
and sentenced to imprisonment for six months.
(2) In 1773, another woman, dressed as a man,
courted a girl and asked for her hand; but the trick did
not succeed.
(3) Two women lived together as man and wife for
thirty years. On her death-bed the "husband" confessed
her secret to those about her.
Coffignon (op. cit., p. 301) makes later statements
worthy of notice.
He reports that this vice is, of late, quite the fashion,
partly owing to novels on the subject, and partly as a
result of excessive work on sewing-machines, the sleeping
of female servants in the same bed, seduction in schools
by depraved pupils, or seduction of daughters by perverse
servants.
The author declares that this vice ("saphism") is met
more frequently among ladies of the aristocracy and pros-
titutes.
He does not differentiate physiological and pathological
cases, nor, among the latter, the acquired and congenital
cases. The details of a few cases, which are certainly
pathological, correspond exactly with the facts that are
known about men of inverted sexuality.
The saphists have their places of meeting, recognise
each other by peculiar glances, carriage, etc, Saphistio
pairs like to dress and ornament themselvei alike, etc.
They are then called "petites saeurs".
Moraglia makes a strong distinction between Cunnilin
gus and Tribady.
The former (Cuni.ilingus) he generally finds in woman
with normal sexual instinct but hypersexual feelings, i.e.,
in girls who have no opportunity for, or are afraid of
39
610 PSYCHOPATHIC 8EXUALI8.
coitus, pregnancy), or in married women whose sexual
desire* remain unsatisfied in consequence of the husband's
impotence or of anaphrodisia ex masturbatione. Here it
ia not a matter of love or intense jealousy, unless it be in
individuals with acquired antipathic sexual instinct— but
only an ephemeral union for the purpose of mutually to
satisfy libido, coupled with all sorts of other concomitant
acts to obtain the means desired.
Tribady (tritus mutuus genitalium appositorum) i»
according to this author, practised only by women of anti-
pathic sexual instinct as a mean* of sexual satisfaction in
a permanent bond of love in which the active individual
always assumes the male character toward the female eon-
sort. These women are much more subtle and persevering
in their campaigns of conquest and coquetry with hetero-
sexual women than man ever can be under similar f re-
versed) circumstances.
If this assumption be true, this method of sexual inter-
course would establish at once an easy means for diagnos-
ing perversity from perversion. The individuals referred
to by the author were, without exception, either wagos or
gynandries,
Chevalier very drastically characterises the perversity
and distinguishes it from the perversion in the following
words (cf. "L'inversion sexuelle," p. 268, Paris, 1895): —
". . . . que 1'on soit ped«raste ou lesbienne par sur-
excitation des sens epuises, par avilissement mercantile, par
besoin d'une 'trompe la faim/ par faiblesse d'esprit ou
dilettantisme ; il ressort de cette analyse que Fanoraalie
n« nait pas avec Pindividu, que 1'enfance 1'ignore, qu'elle
ne se montre guere d'un seul coup, mais pen a peu, gradu-
ellement, a un certain age, apres des pratiques sexuelles
normales, qu'elle n'est ni permanente, ni absolue, qu'elle
ge concilie avec la pleine conscience et 1'integrite de
^intelligence, qu'elle pent s'amender et disparartre, qu'elle
ne s'accompagne primitivement d'aucune tare physique
ICECBOPHIMA. 4J11
ou psychique saillantc, qu'elle n'a pas d'autre crit6rium
objoetif qne le fait lui-meme, qu'ello n'est ni fatale ni
istible dans ses impulsions, qu'elle constitue enfin un
£tat particulair d'origine plus sociaie qu'individuelle.
1 N'faut d'instinctivit6, de spontaneit6, d'incoercibilite',
d'iiuutabilite, absence ou posteriorite des dcfectuosites
organiques ct mcntales correlatives, acquisition tardive et
artificiellc, premeditation des actes, conscience; genese
d'ordre mesologique, necessite d'une initiation prealable,
et surtout nulle trace d'heredite", ce sont bien la lee carac-
teres de la passion pure, du vice sans alii age. Somme
toute: rien do pathologique ; ou doit done prevenir, ou
peut done reprimer."
8. Necrophilia.1
(Austrian Statutes, f 306.)
This horrible kind of sexual indulgence is so monstrous
that the presumption of a psycliopathic state is, under all
circumstances, justified; and Maschkas recommendation,
that the mental condition of the perpetrator should always
be investigated, is well founded. In any case, an abnormal
and decidedly perverse sensuality is required to overcome
the natural repugnance which man has for a corpse, and
permit a feeling of pleasure to be experienced in sexual
congress with a cadaver.
Unfortunately, in the majority of the cases reported,
the mental condition was not examined; so that the ques-
tion whether necrophilia is compatible with mental sound-
ness must remain open. But any one having knowledge
of the horrible aberrations of the sexual instinct would
not venture, without further consideration, to answer the
question in the negative.
*Cf. MatcM*. "Hdb.." «i., p. 191 (good hiitorieal noto.) ;
, " La folie." p. 621.
612 PSYCHOPATHIA BEXUALIS.
9. Incest.
(Austrian Statutes, | 132; Abridgment, | 189; German Statutes.
8 174.)
The preservation of the moral purity of family life is
a product of civilisation; and feelings of intense dis-
pleasure arise in an ethically intact man at thought of
lustful feeling toward a member of the same family. Only
great sensuality and defective ideas of laws and morals
can lead to incest.
Both conditions may, in tainted families, be opera-
tive. Drinking and a state of intoxication in men ; weak-
mindedness which does not allow the development of the
feeling of shame, and which, under certain circumstances,
is associated with eroticism in females — these facilitate
the occurrence of incestuous acts. External conditions
which facilitate their occurrence are due to defective separ-
ation of the sexes among the lower classes.
As a decidedly pathological phenomenon, the author
has found incest in states of congenital and acquired
mental weakness, and infrequently in cases of epilepsy1
and paranoia.
In many of the cases, probably a majority, it is not
possible, however, to find a pathological basis for the act
which so deeply wounds not only the tie of blood, but
also the feeling of a civilised people. But in many of the
cases reported in literature, to the honour of humanity,
the presumption of a psychopathic basis is possible.
Case 238. Z., age fifty-one, superintendent, enam-
oured with his own daughter since her puberty. She had
to leave home and reside with relatives abroad. He was a
peculiar, nervous man, somewhat given to drink, without
manifest taint. He denied being in love with his daughter,
but the latter stated that he acted and behaved towards her
like a lover. Z. was very jealous of every man who ever
approached his daughter. He threatened to commit suicide
lVallon, Annal. M6d. Psych., 1894, p. 116. (Immoral assault by
a father on his own little daughter.)
i. ST. 613
if >he eyer man-it ••!, and on one occasion proposed to in T
that they should 4'r together, lie knew how to arrange
tiling so that In- could IK- ul \\ays alone witli her, ami over-
whelmed her with presents and caresses. No signs of
hypersexuality. IMd not keep a mi.-trc.-vs and was looked
upon as a very decent man.
In the Fflillmann case (Marc-Ideler, vol. i., p. 18),
where a father constantly made immoral attacks on his
adult daughter, and tinally killed her, the, unnatural father
was weak-minded and, besides, probably subject to period-
ical mental disease. In another case of incest between
father and daughter (loc. cit.t p. 247), the latter, at least,
was weak-minded. Lombroso ("Archiv. di Psichiatria,
viii., p. 519) reports the case of a peasant, aged forty-two,
who practised incest with his daughters, aged, respectively,
twenty-two, nineteen, and eleven; he even forced the
youngest to prostitute herself, and then visited her in a
brothel. The medico-legal examination showed predispo-
sition, intellectual and moral imbecility, and alcoholism.
There was no mental examination in the case reported
by fichurmeyer ("Deutsche Zeitschr. fur Staatsarznei-
kunde," xxii., Heft 1), in which a mother laid her son of
five and a half years on herself, and practised abuse with
him; and in that given by Lafarque ("Journ. ^led. de
Bordeaux," 1874), where a girl, aged seventeen, laid her
brother, aged thirteen, upon herself, brought about mem-
brorum conjunctionem, and performed masturbation on
him.
The following cases are those of tainted individuals: —
Lcgrand ("Ann. med.-psych.," May, 1876) mentions a
girl, aged fifteen, who seduced her brother into all manner
of sexual excesses on her person ; and when, after two
years of this incestuous practice, her brother died, she
attempted to murder a relative. In the same article there
is the case of a married woman, aged thirty-six, who hnnu;
her open breast out of a window, and indulged in abuse
with her brother, aged eighteen; and also the case of a
mother, aged thirty-nine, who practised incest with her
1
PSYCHOPATMIA BEXUALIS.
son, with whom she was madly in love, became pregnant
by him, and induced abortion.
A second case published bj Kolle and taken from a
criminal psychiatric opinion of the psychiatric clinic of
Zurich refers to incest committed by a father on hi* im-
becile adult daughter. This man suffered from chronic
alcoholism.
Thoinot (op. cit.) reports a case of a nymphomaniac
(age 44), who made an attempt at suicide on account of
unrequited love to her own son, 23 years old. She pestered
him with kisses and caresses, tried one night to force him
to coitus, which he refused. Other similar attempts fol-
lowed with periodical spells of sanity. When all her
efforts had failed she made an attempt on her own life.
Another case reported by Tardieu is still more horrible.
A chronic nymphomaniac mother, apparently homosexual,
often masturbated her little daughter, 12 years of age, for
hours in the middle of the night, in vagina et ano. During
that time she was highly excited.
Through Casper we know that depraved mothers in
large cities sometimes treat their little daughters in a
most horrible fashion, in order to prepare them for the
sexual use of debauchees. This crime belongs elsewhere.
10. Immoral Acts with Persons in the Care of Others
as Wards; Seduction (Austrian).
(Austrian Statutes, §131; Abridgment, $188; German Statutes,
1173).
Allied to incest, but still less repugnant to moral sen-
sibility, are those cases in which persons seduce those
entrusted to them for care or education, and who are more
or less dependent upon them, to commit or suffer vicious
practices. Such acts, which especially deserve legal pun-
ishment, seem only exceptionally to have psychopathic
significance.
INDEX.
ADTTLTWY, 15.
Amor Irtbicui, 60S, 607.
— acquired. 608.
Aaaatbesia sexualis, CL
— congenital. 61.
— acquired, 66.
Androgyny. 387. 889.
Anthropological facts, 41.
Antbropopnagy, 06.
AphrodUla. 29.
Antipathic sexual Instinct. 282.
— acquired, 28*.
— congenital, 335. 860.
— treatment of, 400.
— complication! with other per-
renloBs, U9.
— diagnosis of acquired, 83V.
— — of concent Lai, SM.
— explanation «C SM.
— la the male, 850.
— In the female, 895.
- • prognoali of, 441.
— propkylacta of, 448.
— therapy by suggestion, 800.
— aymptoma of aettropatfck taint.
336.
Animali. rlolation of. Ml.
Apoplexy, 466.
Bm*»T tetlchlM. 281.
Be«tlallty, 661.
— dlffereoct between tooeraaty
and. 570.
BlarfcsBtlllac, 579.
Bodily Injury, 533.
Body, rlolatlon of, caused by fetlcfc-
Ism, 543.
fcy aaxllam, 630.
Bondage, 539.
Boys, lore for, 883.
CBLIBACT, 15.
Christianity, poaltloa of wovaa in,
5.
Cllmactertum. 14. 2f.
Coitus, 40.
Coquetry. 16.
Corpses, rlolatlea of. 99.
Crlaies. sexual. 498.
— character pathological, 501.
— responsibility In. 60a
Cruelty and lust, SO. 84.
— e«4ur*4 and luat, 181.
Cunnlllngus, 504.
DiriMIHATtOK, 207.
Defllement of women. IIS.
Dementia paralitica, 468.
— periodical, 478.
— mental due to apoplexy. 466.
— due to Injuries to the head,
466.
— due to \ut» e«rfbroM», 467.
— consecutive to psychoses. 466.
— paretlc. 468.
Derelopment, psychical Impedimenta
of. 462.
Diagnosis, 443.
(615J
, 882.
Ejaculatloa. oe«tn of. f 1.
— affections of, 51.
Epilepsy, 469.
Erection, 28.
Erection centre, affections of, 49.
Krogenous xone*. 88.
Erlratlon, 297.
Exhibitionists, 604.
— hereditary degenerates. 514.
— neurasthenics. 611.
— acquired, mental debility of,
505.
FANATICISM, religious. 7.
Kellare. 504.
Fetich, 18.
— animals, 281.
— apron, 268.
— dress, 247.
— ear. 224.
— eye, 224.
— foot, 21, 230.
— fur, 274.
— hair, 246.
despollers, 241.
— hand. 21. 226.
— handkerchiefs, 255.
— In woman, 24.
— kid cloves, 274.
— material, 260.
— month, 224.
— nose, 22i.
— odour. 2*.
— petticoat. 264.
— physical defects. 284.
— relations of other sexual per-
rerslon, 2M.
616
INDEX.
Fetich, shoe and foot fetlchlsm as
latent masochism, 171.
— shoos, 260.
— Bilk, 274.
— skin, 238.
— soul, 21.
— velvet, 274.
— voice, 22.
Fetlchlsm, 18, 218.
— as an acquired perversion, 23U.
— of beasts, 281.
— erotic, 18.
— explanation of, 218.
— essence of, 221.
— of the hair, 245.
— of things and clothes, 247.
— of parts of the body, 224.
— physiological, 18.
— religious, 18.
— robbery, theft, 543.
— violation of the body, 543.
Flagellation as apbrodlsla, 34.
— caused by masochism, 140.
sadism, 105.
Flagellants, 35.
Fondness of dress, 16.
Frottagc, explanation of, 522.
Frotteurs, 522.
Friendship, 13.
GlRL-STABBIN.1, 108.
Gynandry, 399.
Gynecomasty, 43,
HAIR despollers, 241.
Hermaphroditlsm, psychical, 352.
— psycho-sexual, 336.
Homosexuality (vide Antipathic
sexuality), 286.
Homosexual feeling as an abnor-
mal congenital manifesta-
tion, 335.
Hyperasthesla sexual, 69.
Hyperaesthctlc zones, 38.
Hysteria, 492.
IDEAL sadism, 118.
Impotence, 13.
— psychical, due to fetlchlsm,
223.
Immorality, 502.
Incest, 612.
Injury to women, 105.
Insanity among the Scythians, 302.
Instinct, sexual, 1, 27.
control of, 40.
In children, 52.
in old age, 57.
Inversion, sexual, In woman, 395.
KOPROLAONIA, 185.
LOVE, 13.
— for" boys, 383.
— for dress and finery, 17.
— Lesbian, 607.
— passionate, 2.
— Platonic, 13.
— sappblc, 607.
Lust, murder, 88, 526.
— In the sexual act, 51.
MALTREATMENT of women, 105.
Mania, 481.
Masochism, 131.
— and antipathic sexuality, 217.
— as original abnormality, 214.
— of Baudelaire, 169.
— desire for maltreatment and
humiliation, 134.
— • essence of, 131.
— explanation of, 200.
by Bind, 108.
- flagellation, 140.
— foot and shoe fetlchlsm, 171.
— Ideal, 161.
— latent, 185.
— of Jean Jacques Rousseau, 166.
— symbolical, 159.
— and sadism, analogy, 213.
In the same individual, 215.
— — relation to sexual bondage,
206.
— In woman, 195.
Masturbation, consequences of, 286.
— Impulsive, 286.
— mutual, 288.
Matrimony, 16.
Maturity, sexual, 26.
Melancholia, 492.
Menopause, 14, 26.
Mental debility consequent upon
psychosis, 46G.
— due to specific disease, 466.
Menstruation, 26.
Metamorphosis sexualis paranoica,
328
Modes.ty. 3, 16.
Monogamy, 4.
Morality, temporary decline of, 6.
Mujerados. 303.
NECROPHILIA, 611.
Neurasthenics, 511.
Neurosis, sexual, 49.
— cerebral, 52.
— peripheral, spinal, 49.
Nose, relation to sexual sphere*,
32.
Nymphomanla, 482.
Non-psychopatbologlcal cases, 552.
OLFACTORY sense and sexual
spheres, 32.
Offence against morality (exhibi-
tion), 504.
INDEX.
617
m«Iferwm. 504.
Paedophilia erotica, 555.
raglKiu. l
i'aradoxla, sexual. 55.
Parentheiiia of sexual Instinct, 79.
1'aranola, 494.
Pederasty. 571.
— active. 608.
— cultivated. 585.
— not pathological, 60S.
— passive, 604.
— pathological. 604.
Pathology, special. 462.
Pathologic-til sexuality In Its legal
aspects, 408.
Perfumes, 32.
Perversion, 79.
Perversity, 79.
Physiology of sexual life, 26.
Polygamy, 5.
Polygamy of Christian princes, 5.
Prognosis, 443.
Property, Injury to, 5.13.
Prostitution of men, 503.
Psychology of sexual life, 1.
— difference between man and
woman, 14.
PtychopatHia gctvalit perlodica,
470.
Psycbopathologlcal cases, 554.
Puberty, 26.
RAPB. 526.
Eellglon and sensuality, 8.
Robbery due to fetlchlsm, 543.
Responsibility, 549.
SADISM. 80.
— and antipathic sexuality, 217.
— of any object, 121.
— boy whipping, 121.
— corpse dealers, 99.
— defilement of female persons,
113.
— essence of, 118.
— Ideal. 118.
— and masochism, analogy, 213.
In the same Individual, 214.
— lust murder, 88.
— symbolic, 118.
— In woman. 129.
Sadistic acts perpetrated on ani-
mals. 125.
Satyrlasls, 482.
Scythians, dementia, 302.
Sexual Instinct, homo-sexual. 282.
perversions of, 79, 462.
basic of aesthetic senti-
ment, 12.
In childhood, 52.
— — In old age, 57.
as physiological process, 89.
psychical Inhibitory, 462.
— — elements In development of.
462.
social, 1.
— life, pathological In hysteria,
492.
periodical dementia, 478.
mania, 481.
— — melancholia, 492.
paranoia, 494.
Seduction, 614.
Skopzes, 13.
Sodomy, 561, 571.
Statues, defilement of. 520.
Sweat, 31.
Symbolic sadism. 118.
THEFT, caused by fetlchlsm, 543.
Treatment, 443.
Torture of animals, 533.
UNNATURAL abuse, 561.
Urnlngs, 364.
— forensic, 571.
— sexual acts of, 387.
Uranlsm, 398.
VIOLATION, 552.
— of statues, 525.
— of animals, 561.
— of wards, 614.
— of Individuals under the age of
fourteen, 552.
Vlraglnlty. 308.
Vita x<j-u<iliii, morality, 2.
Voyeurt, 522.
WOMAN, 3.
— position In Christian Church,
5.
In Islam. 5.
— congenital sexual Inversion In,
305.
ZONES, erogenous (hyper»«thetlc),
88.
Zooerasty, 561, 570.
— definition of. 561.
Zoophilia eroMoo, 281, 666.
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