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
Case 13. For three years the generally respected farmer D., married,
aged 35, has manifested states of sexual excitement, with increasing
frequency and severity, which, during the past year, have become true
paroxysms of satyriasis. It was impossible to discover hereditary or
other organic cause. D. was compelled, at times when his sexual
excitement was excessive, to perform the sexual act from ten to
fifteen times in twenty-four hours, without deriving any feeling of
satisfaction. Gradually he developed a condition of general nervous
hyper-irritability (_éréthisme général_) with increased emotional
irritability to the extent of pathological outbreaks of anger, and
impulse to over-indulgence in alcohol, which induced symptoms of
alcoholism. His attacks of satyriasis became so violent that
consciousness was interfered with, and the patient raged about in
blind impulse to sexual acts. He demanded that his wife give herself
to other men or to animals in his presence; that she allow copulation
with him, _presentibus filiabus_, because this would afford him
greater enjoyment. Memory for the events at the height of these
attacks, in which the extreme irritability even led to outbreaks of
maniacal rage, was entirely wanting. D. himself thought that he must
have had moments in which he no longer had control of his senses, and
without satisfaction from his wife would have been compelled to seize
the next best female. After an attack of violent emotion, these
attacks of sexual excitement suddenly disappeared entirely.
The two following cases show how powerful, dangerous, and painful sexual
hyperæsthesia may become in those afflicted with this anomaly:—
Case 14. _Hyperæsthesia Sexualis_—_Delirium Acutum ex Abstinentia._—On
May 29, 1882, F., aged 29, single, shoemaker, was received at the
clinic. Father was of passionate temper; mother neuropathic, and had
an insane brother. Patient had never been seriously ill previously,
and was not a drinker, but had always been sexually very passionate.
Five days before, he was taken acutely ill mentally. He made two
attempts at rape in broad daylight, before witnesses, and when
arrested talked in delirium only of obscene things, and masturbated
without stint, and for three days had been raving mad. On admission he
presented the picture of a severe acute delirium, with violent motor
symptoms of irritation, and fever. Under treatment with ergotin a cure
was effected.
On January 5, 1888, second admission, in a state of violent mania. On
January 4, he had become morose, irritable, whining, and sleepless;
and then, after vain assaults on women, had manifested symptoms of
increasing angry excitement.
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