Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 2: Sexual InversionEllis, Havelock
Science
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 2: Sexual Inversion
Ellis, Havelock
Sex; Sex (Psychology)
I am indebted for this case to a well-known English alienist, who
remarks that the patient is fairly healthy to look at, but with
neurasthenia and tendency to melancholia, and neurotic
temperament. The body is masculine and pubic hair abundant. One
testicle shows wasting.
HISTORIES XXIX AND XXX.--I give the following narrative in the
words of an intimate friend of one of the cases in question: "My
attention was first drawn to the study of inversion--though I
then regarded all forms of it as depraving and abominable--at a
public school, where in our dormitory a boy of 15 initiated his
select friends into the secrets of mutual masturbation, which he
had learned from his brother, a midshipman. I gave no heed to
this at the time, though I remembered it in after-years when
immersed in Plato, Lucretius, and the Epicurean writers. But my
attention was riveted to it at the age of 20, when I spent a
holiday with A., a companion with whom I was, and still am, on
terms of great friendship. We enjoyed many things in common,
studied together and discussed most unconventional matters, but
not this. Previously we had always occupied separate sleeping
apartments; on this occasion we were abroad in a country place,
and were compelled to put up with what we could get. We not only
had to share a room, but a bed. I was not surprised at his
throwing his arm over me, as I knew he was extraordinarily
attached to me, and I had always felt a brute for not returning
his affection so warmly. But I was surprised when later I awoke
to find him occupied in _fellatio_ and endeavoring to obtain my
response. Had it been anyone else I should have resented strongly
such a liberty, and our acquaintance would have ended, but I
cared for him too well, though never very demonstrative. This
episode led to discussion of the topic. He told me that his
sexual strength was great, that he had tested it in many ways,
and that it was essential to his well-being that he should have
satisfaction in some way. He loathed prostitution and considered
it degrading; he felt physically attracted to some women and
intellectually to others, but the two elements were never
combined, and though he had been intimate with a few he felt that
it was not right to them, as he could not marry them because he
held too high an ideal of marriage. He had always felt attracted
to his own sex, and had kept up a Platonic friendship with a
college chum, X (to whom I knew he was passionately attached),
for some years. Both considered it perfectly moral, and both,
felt better for it. Both abhor _pedicatio_. X., however, would
never discuss the subject, and seemed half-ashamed of it. A., on
the other hand, though showing a great self-respect in all things
else, feels no shame, though he says he would never discuss it
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