intensely excited sexually, and satisfies herself by masturbation, or by pelvic movements of coitus.
Satyriasis is infrequent. Nymphomania is more frequently observed, and not seldom in the climacteric. It may occur in senility. Abstinence,[1] with constant excitation of the sexual sphere as a result of psychical or peripheral irritation (pruritus pudendi, oxyuris, etc.), may cause these conditions, but probably only in those predisposed.
The assertion that it may also result from poisoning by cantharides seems to depend upon confounding it with priapism. The primary lustful feeling that accompanies priapism due to cantharides soon becomes painful. Satyriasis and nymphomania are acute abnormal psycho-sexual states.
There are also cases that, not without reason, might be called chronic satyriasis or nymphomania. To these belong the men who, for the most part as a result of abusus veneris, or more particularly of masturbation, suffer with neurasthenia sexualis, and at the same time have intense libido sexualis. The imagination, as in acute cases, is in a state of excitement, and the mind full of obscene images; so that the most elevated ideas are besmirched with the most cynical images and thoughts.
The thought and desire of such men are solely directed to the sexual sphere; and since their flesh is weak, led on by their fancy, they come to indulge in the grossest perversions of the sexual act.
Analogous cases in women may be called chronic nymphomania. They naturally lead to prostitution. Legrand du Saulle ("La folie," p. 510) reports interesting cases which apparently are pure.
Melancholia.—The thoughts and feelings of melancholiacs are not favorable for the excitation of sexual desires. At the same time, these patients sometimes masturbate. In my experience such cases have always been hereditarily predisposed and previously given to onanism. The act did not seem to be so
- ↑ Comp. the interesting cases of Marc-Ideler, ii, p. 187.—Ideler, "Grundriss der Seelenheilkunde," ii, pp. 488-492.
