Psychopathia sexualis with special reference to contrary sexual instinct: a medico-legal study / by R. von Krafft-Ebing; translation of the 7th German edition by Charles Gilbert Chaddock.

  • Krafft-Ebing, R. von (Richard), 1840-1902.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Psychopathia sexualis with special reference to contrary sexual instinct: a medico-legal study / by R. von Krafft-Ebing; translation of the 7th German edition by Charles Gilbert Chaddock. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    failure of corresponding psychical, pleasurable excitation during coitus, which is indulged in simply from sense of duty. I have often had occasion to hear complaints from husbands about this. In such cases the wives have always proved to be neuropathic ab origine. Some were at the same time hysterical. 2. Acquired Anaesthesia. Acquired diminution of sexual instinct, extending through all degrees to extinction, may depend on various causes. These may be organic and functional, psychical and somatic, central and peripheral. The diminution of libido, as age advances, and its temporary disappearance after the sexual act, are physio- logical. The variations with reference to the duration of the sexual instinct are dependent upon individual factors. Educa- tion and manner of life have a great influence upon the intensity of the vita sexualis. Intense mental activity (hard study), physi- cal exertion, emotional depression, and sexual continence de- cidedly diminish sexual inclination. Continence at first induces increase, but sooner or later, according to constitutional condi- tions, the activity of the generative organs decreases, and with it libido. At all events, in a person sexually mature, a close connection exists between the activity of the generative glands and the degree of libido. That this relation is not determinate is shown by the cases of sensual women, who, after the climac- terium, continue to have sexual intercourse, and may mani- fest states of sexual excitement (cerebral). Also in eunuchs it is seen that libido may long outlast the production of semen. On the other hand, however, experience teaches that libido is essentially conditioned by the function of the generative glands, and that the facts mentioned are exceptional manifesta- tions. As peripheral causes of diminution or extinction of libido, may be mentioned castration, degeneration of the sexual glands, marasmus, sexual excesses in the form of coitus and masturba- tion, and alcoholism [cocainism]. In the same way, the disap- pearance of libido in general disturbances of nutrition (diabetes, morphinism, etc.) may be explained. Finally, the atrophy of