It would afford the patient a particularly intense pleasure if he were to be kicked by a woman, even without shoes, and with bare feet. He does not think that the blows, as such, would cause the excitement, but rather the thought of being maltreated by a woman; and this might follow scolding as well as actual blows. Besides, blows and cross words had an exciting effect only when they came from a proud and distinguished lady. In general it is the _feeling of humiliation and slavish subjection_ that gives the patient lustful pleasure. “Were a lady,” the patient tells me, “to command me to wait on her, even with distant coldness, I should, nevertheless, feel sensual pleasure.” To the question, whether with boots the feeling of humiliation came over him, the patient answers: “I think that this general passion for self-humiliation has been concentrated especially on ladies’ boots; for it is symbolic of one’s being ‘unworthy to loosen the latchet of another’s shoe’; and, besides, a subject kneels.” Women’s stockings also have an exciting effect on the patient, but only to a slight extent, and perhaps only through awakening an idea of boots. The patient’s passion for ladies’ boots had constantly increased, but of late years he thought he had noticed a diminution of it. He seldom visits public women, and is also more capable of self-restraint. Yet this passion still rules him absolutely, and every other pleasure is spoiled by it. A pretty female boot could attract his glance from the most beautiful landscape. At the present time he often goes about at night in the corridors of hotels,[71] seeking elegant ladies’ shoes, which he kisses and presses against his face and neck, but principally against his penis. The patient, who is very well-to-do, a short time ago went voluntarily to Italy, only with the thought of becoming the servant of a rich and distinguished lady unacquainted with him; but the plan failed. The patient, who came only for consultation, has not yet been treated medically. The foregoing history reaches almost to the present time, and in the interval he has made me communications by letter concerning his condition. It does not require an extensive commentary. It seems to me to be one of the best cases to illustrate the relationship between shoe-fetichism and masochism, as set forth by von Krafft-Ebing.[72] The principal charm for the patient, as he, without leading questions, always emphasizes, is his subjection to a woman, who, in pride and position, must be as far above him as possible.