[3] This view of _Krafft-Ebing_ is by no means “antiquated.” It is still maintained by _Stier_ (Zur Aetiologie des kontraeren Sexualgefuehls. Monatschrf. f. Psych, u. Neurol., vol. XXXII, 1914) and very energetically criticised (ibid.) by _Hirschfeld and Burchard_. “It is inconceivable,” state the above named authors, “how _Stier_ can ascribe an etiologic significance to onanism in connection with homosexuality. Its distribution, ubiquitous—in the opinion of most specialists, would permit one to hold masturbation responsible for any other sexual development as well.” According to _Stier_, early and long-continued onanism (especially mutual) is harmful because “it does away with the feeling of shame in connection with one’s sexual organs and makes for readier handling even by the uncorrupted adult.” _Fleischmann_ also finds 33 excessive onanists among 60 inverts and concludes (Beitr. zur Lehre der kontraeren Sexualempfindung, Zeitschr. f. d. ges. Neur. u. Psychol., vol. VII, 1911) that “like alcoholism, masturbation must influence the development of the perversion.” Many of his patients mentioned the habit in a casual relation. We know well that the sense of guilt is attached to the habit of masturbation. But _Fleischmann_ sees in that a proof. “Onanism plays a role in the development of the sexual perversion,” he argues, “because it rouses an increased sexual excitability while the will power is weakened by it at the same time and there follows a progressive wandering of the sexual instinct away from the normal sexual aim and object.” [4] This contention is altogether wrong. I have never seen so many and such pronounced idealists as among masturbators. Young artists, poets and musicians in particular often show, I have found, a strong tendency to masturbation, and this agrees with the pronounced bisexuality of all artists, which has been particularly pointed out by _Fliess_. The youths of this type are often so delicate and sensitive that they see in the sexual act only animal brutality and hide their own sexuality from the whole world. Among masturbators we find the champions of truth, the over-moralistic preachers, the ethical reformers and dreamers.