“The most experienced physicians considered her case as hopeless. A physician at Berlin undertook to cure her. She was now fourteen years old. He remarked first in her a strong inclination to onanism: she indulged in this practice night and day. In this, there was a curative indication, which the physician embraced immediately. It seemed evident to him that masturbation prevented the development of the intellectual faculties. Hence, she was prevented from sitting down; and the head was cauterized, to obtain revulsion by the pain. The wound from this operation did not suppurate till after six weeks. Cold effusions were applied to the wound, and a solution of antimony was injected into it. These remedies were followed by a slight degree of amendment. Douches and emetics were then used, but in vain. Finally, when the patient was fifteen years old, her physician resolved to extirpate the clitoris. The operation was performed June 20, 1822, by Professor Graefe, of Berlin. The wound soon cicatrized; and the good effects of the process exceeded all expectations. The disposition to onanism was removed; the mind became expanded; and the education of the patient commenced. In three years, she could talk, read, write, and even play a few tunes on the piano--to be sure, rather imperfectly; but still she might be regarded as being in the way of recovering from her long and cruel disease.” The details of this case are not sufficient to establish whether idiocy was the cause or effect of onanism. We may conclude, however, from the result, that it was at least in great part the consequence of this habit. It, however, was necessary to put a stop to the onanism before the idiocy disappeared. Farther, this case shows the extent of the restorative power of nature, when it is no longer impeded by masturbation. It also shows, by the good effects arising from removing the clitoris, that it would be wrong to think, as several authors, and particularly Voisin, have asserted, that nymphomania always depended on an affection of the cerebellum. Powerful and the most energetic revulsives had been applied to this latter organ, but unsuccessfully. It was not the first time the remedies had been used. Villeneuve long since recommended the application of caustics to the legs, and of cups around the genital organs, with extensive scarifications, to appease venereal desires. The two following facts were communicated by Biett. The first is that of a lady, thirty-five years old, who became affected with nymphomania, after long absence from her husband. After many unsuccessful efforts to cure this disease, extirpation of the clitoris was decided upon. The operation was not easy, and there was considerable hemorrhage, requiring the application of ligatures. In a few weeks, the patient recovered. The success of this operation induced Biett to advise a similar one in the following case:--