Page:Edward Prime-Stevenson - The Intersexes.djvu/574

 question set at the top of this chapter. Most psychiaters will insist on keeping it there; in spite of all the amiable wishes that one could answer the query by a clear and direct affirmative.

Two great camps, so to say, yet exist in the specialists study of similisexualism. One group ( including many strong names in scientific medicine and medical psychiatry) declare that the Uranian is a morbid human product, an aberration, an "abnormal." To hundreds of jurists he is indisputably a criminal; except if insane. Another group, equally dignified and firm, holds to the theory that uranianism is the manifestation of a species of natural intersex; not technically pathological. Such views, as thus outlined, naturally consider the average Uranian, in his intellectual, moral, sexual, psychic and physical attributes, not as to what is generally called vicious, decadent or degenerate, etc. In each faction the arguments are sharp. Needs not to be said, that there are numerous contingents of psychiatric observers, whose judgments halt between the two extremes, exhibiting various differences.

"Who shall decide, when doctors disagree?" The question in Shakespeare's familiar phrase is applicable here. The layman is not acccepted [sic] as arbiter, nor is often capable thereto. At this stage of our study of Uranianism, and of tracing its psychic cartography, one may do well, either as physician or layman, thoughtfully to hesitate. Far more important than analysis is giving to the unhappy intersexual man or woman the sympathy, protection and freedom that the worthy types of them deserve. The future may be trusted to decide the wrangles of science; let us imitate the Good Samaritan. The most hesitant theorist at least can care for the Intersexual meriting aid on the roadside; can drive away the prowlers that have stripped and beaten him; can bind up his