Such irritations are not always peripheral in origin, as may be supposed, but more commonly a general neurasthenia, or at times a spinal turgescence, which qualifies the genitals for any disturbing titilations that come along. This may seem more evident, when it is once considered, that a hyperæmia of the nymphæ and clitoris may and has often existed and no nymphomania; and if the peculiar centric condition does not first exist, there will be no local venereal turgescence of the genitalia. Ovarian and uterine disease may produce first, a determination of blood to the cord, and then, by slight irritation of the vulva, the condition, nymphomania, may be established. Such is perhaps the most common cause; and the more have we reason to conclude so, from the fact, that the majority of these cases appear soon after puberty, when the first crisis of femininity has wrought its effect upon the uterus and ovaries. At such times is self-pollution most likely to produce a striking impression upon those organs, and most likely to bring about nervous shock by calling a superabundance of liquor-sanguinis to the developing genitalia and reproductive organs. This shock is sometimes so apparent that fainting results and alarming symptoms follow. To relate a case will the better illustrate what may sometimes occur. _Case._――Miss E. H., under the following peculiar circumstances, I was informed, needed my services, as it was known that I was the physician of her family. A young man, whom I well knew, came after me and returned with me to the house, and during our ride, he related the following story, to which I had reason to give entire credit: The young man and the patient were “sitting up” with a sick lady. During the night, when all was quiet, the young man had taken the liberty to place his hand upon the genitalia of Miss H., when he noticed that she rolled her eyes in rather a peculiar manner which he considered only submission, as she leaned toward him in a very passive manner. He took her in his arms and placed her on a couch, replaced his hand, introducing his finger into the vagina, when he became alarmed at seeing her froth at the mouth, with slight muscular twitchings of the eyes and mouth. He attempted to arouse her, but failed and, becoming still more frightened, called the family, and hastened to my office.