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
Still far more frequent than the fetichism of linen garments is that of
women’s shoes. These cases are, in fact, almost innumerable, and a great
many of them have been scientifically studied; but I have but a few
reports at second hand of the similar glove-fetichism (concerning the
reason for the relative infrequency of glove-fetichism, _vide_ p. 161).
In shoe-fetichism the close relationship of the object to the feminine
person, which explains linen-fetichism, is absolutely wanting. For this
reason, and because there is a large number of well-observed cases at
hand, in which the fetichistic enthusiasm for the female shoe or boot
consciously and undoubtedly arises from masochistic ideas, an origin of
a masochistic nature, even when it is concealed, may always be assumed
in shoe-fetichism, when, in the concrete case, no other manner of origin
is demonstrable. For this reason the majority of the cases of shoe- or
foot-fetichism have been given under “Masochism.” There the constant
masochistic character of this form of erotic fetichism has been
sufficiently demonstrated by means of transitional conditions. This
presumption of the masochistic character of shoe-fetichism is weakened
and removed only where another accidental cause for an association
between sexual excitation and the idea of women’s shoes—the occurrence
of which is quite improbable _a priori_—is demonstrable. In the two
following cases, however, there is such a demonstrable connection:—
Case 87. _Shoe-fetichism._ Mr. v. P., of an old and honorable family,
Pole, aged 32, consulted me, in 1890, on account of “unnaturalness” of
his vita sexualis. He gave the assurance that he came of a perfectly
healthy family. He had been nervous from childhood, and had suffered
with chorea minor at the age of eleven. For ten years he had suffered
with sleeplessness and various neurasthenic ailments. From his
fifteenth year he had recognized the difference of the sexes and been
capable of sexual excitation. At the age of seventeen he had been
seduced by a French governess, but coitus was not permitted; so that
intense mutual sensual excitement (mutual masturbation) was all that
was possible. In this situation his attention was attracted by her
very elegant boots. They made a very deep impression. His intercourse
with this lewd person lasted four months. During this association her
shoes became a fetich for the unfortunate boy. He began to have an
interest in ladies’ shoes in general, and actually went about trying
to catch sight of ladies wearing pretty boots. The shoe-fetichism
gained great power over his mind. He had the governess touch his penis
with her shoes, and thus ejaculation with great lustful feeling was
immediately induced. After separation from the governess, he went to
puellis, whom he had perform the same manipulation. This was usually
sufficient for satisfaction. Only seldom did he resort to coitus as an
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