Aphrodisiacs and Anti-aphrodisiacs: Three Essays on the Powers of ReproductionDavenport, John
Philosophy
Aphrodisiacs and Anti-aphrodisiacs: Three Essays on the Powers of Reproduction
Davenport, John
Phallicism; Sex; Sex customs -- France -- History -- 17th century
Case I. Jean de But, master fringe maker, was, in 1675, charged with
impotency by Genevieve Helena Marcault, his wife; he being inspected by
Renauolot, a physician, and Le Bel, a surgeon, by order of the official;
they declared that, after a due and thorough examination of all the
members and parts of the said De But, as well genital, as others which
might throw a light upon the case and likewise his condition of body,
his age, the just conformation and proportion of his limbs, but
especially his penis, which was found to be of as proper a thickness,
length and colour as could be wished: and likewise his testicles, which
exhibited no perceptible viciousness or malformation, they are of
opinion that from all these outward marks, which are the only ones they
consider themselves justified in judging from, the said De But is
capacitated to perform the matrimonial act. Signed by them at Paris,
July 18, 1675, and attested by the Sieur de Combes. And on August 23,
1675, by the sentence of M. Benjamin, official, the said Marcault was
non-suited and ordered to return to her husband and cohabit with him.
Case II. Inspection having been ordered by the official of Paris of the
body of Joseph Le Page, who is taxed with impotency by Nicola de Loris,
his wife, the said inspection was made by Deuxivoi and De Farci,
physicians, and Paris and Du Fertre, surgeons; their report is as
follows:--
"We have found the exterior of his person to be like that of
other men's, the penis of a good conformation and naturally
situated, with the nut or glans bare, its adjoining parts
fringed with soft, fine hair, the scrotum of an
unexceptional thickness and extent, and in it vessels of
good conformation and size, but terminating unequally; on
the right side, they end in a small, flabby substance
instead of a true testicle; and on the left side we observed
a testicle fixed to the extremity of one of the vessels, as
usual, invested in its tunicle, which left testicle we do
not find to be at all flabby, but of a middling size: upon
the whole, we are of opinion that the said Le Page is
capable of the conjugal act but in a feeble manner. Signed
and dated March 5, 1684. By the sentence of M. Cheron, the
official, the said De Loris's petition is rejected, and she
is enjoined to return to her husband."
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