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 the cases published up to 1877, I have designated this peculiar
sexual feeling as a functional sign of degeneration, and as a partial
manifestation of a neuro-psychopathic state, in most cases hereditary,—a
supposition which has found renewed confirmation in a consideration of
additional cases. The following peculiarities may be given as the signs
of this neuro-psychopathic taint:—
1. The sexual life of individuals thus organized manifests itself, as a
rule, abnormally early, and thereafter with abnormal power. Not
infrequently still other perverse manifestations are presented besides
the abnormal method of sexual satisfaction, which in itself is
conditioned by the peculiar sexual feeling.
2. The psychical love manifest in these men is, for the most part,
exaggerated and exalted in the same way as their sexual instinct is
manifested in consciousness, with a strange and even compelling force.
3. By the side of the functional signs of degeneration attending
contrary sexual feeling are found other functional, and in many cases
anatomical, evidences of degeneration.
4. Neuroses (hysteria, neurasthenia, epileptoid states, etc.) co-exist.
Almost always the existence of temporary or lasting neurasthenia may be
proved. As a rule, this is constitutional, having its root in congenital
conditions. It is awakened and maintained by masturbation or enforced
abstinence.
In male individuals, owing to these practices or to congenital
disposition, there is finally neurasthenia sexualis, which manifests
itself essentially in irritable weakness of the ejaculation centre. Thus
it is explained that, in most of the cases, simply embracing and
kissing, or even only the sight of the loved person, induce the act of
ejaculation. Frequently this is accompanied by an abnormally powerful
feeling of lustful pleasure, which may be so intense as to suggest a
feeling of magnetic currents passing through the body.
5. In the majority of cases, psychical anomalies (brilliant endowment in
art, especially music, poetry, etc., by the side of bad intellectual
powers or original eccentricity) are present, which may even go so far
as pronounced conditions of mental degeneration (dementia, moral
insanity).
In many urnings, either temporarily or permanently, insanity of a
degenerative character (pathological emotional states, periodical
insanity, paranoia, etc.) makes its appearance.
6. In almost all cases where an examination of the physical and mental
peculiarities of the ancestors and blood-relations has been possible,
neuroses, psychoses, degenerative signs, etc., have been found in the
families.[109]
The depth of congenital contrary feeling is shown by the fact that the
lustful dream of the male-loving urning has for its content only male
individuals; that of the female-loving woman, only female individuals,
with corresponding situations.
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