Psychopathia sexualis: With especial reference to contrary sexual instinct: A medico-legal studyKrafft-Ebing, R. von (Richard)
Science
Psychopathia sexualis: With especial reference to contrary sexual instinct: A medico-legal study
Krafft-Ebing, R. von (Richard)
Paraphilias
“From this time began the terrible struggle with the desire to give it
up, which I only too often abandoned. The fancies mentioned did not
leave me; I longed to be whipped by handsome young persons aged from
twenty to twenty-two years, wearing tight trousers. My fancy was
filled especially with young soldiers and hussars. At times I was able
to repress my imagination and avoid onanism; but I then had pollutions
with dreams of the same nature.
“After my twentieth year, to my astonishment, the sexual inclination
toward women, which I had noticed in comrades of my own age, and the
occurrence of which I expected in myself, did not appear. I was cold
toward women, and embarrassed in their presence. At the same time,
feminine nudity was not unpleasant; on the contrary, there was
something attractive about it, but my sensuality was not excited.
“I twice attempted coitus; I was not troubled about being in bed with
the girl, but rather kissed and embraced her with pleasure, and even
had traces of erection, but that was all. Since then I have had no
hope, and occasionally returned to onanism, which I had avoided for
some months previously. Nevertheless, I cultivated social intercourse
with ladies, and particularly young girls; and I was esteemed in
society, and liked for my graceful dancing. I was always hoping that
in this way my unhappy tendency would be overcome successfully, but in
vain; it grew constantly stronger. Thus I have lived hours of
wretchedness; and the ghost of suicide has passed before me. I once
confided in a physician in Pesth, but he had only the usual remedies
for persons suffering with sexual weakness,—cold baths, quieting
medicines, intercourse with women, etc.
“I tried everything in vain, until by accident a book on contrary
sexual instinct fell into my hands, and gave me the last ray of hope.
I have a respected position as a merchant, and appreciate thoroughly
the joys of family life; and I have an opportunity to marry, under the
most favorable circumstances, a young girl whom I love, and who loves
me. But I feel the cruel impossibility of this step. I suffer terribly
in thinking about these repulsive abnormalities. My only hope lies in
a cure by means of hypnosis. May it not be in vain!”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account