Page:Psychopathia Sexualis (tr. Chaddock, 1892).djvu/407

Rh Since that time, every three or four months, he has been seized with very painful sexual excitement, accompanied by an intense desire to masturbate. A feeling of weariness and discomfort, with a desire for alcoholic indulgence, precedes this. In the intervals he is sexually cold, and has but very infrequent desire for his wife, who, moreover, for five years has been sick, and incapable of cohabitation. He gives the assurance that, as a young man, he never masturbated, and that, in the intervals between his attacks, he has never thought of satisfying himself sexually in this way.

The impulse to masturbation during the attack is always excited by certain feminine charms,—short cloak, pretty foot and ankle, elegant appearance. Age makes no difference; even little girls excite him. The impulse is sudden and unconquerable. R. describes the situation and act as characteristically impulsive. He had often tried to resist it; but then he would grow hot, terribly frightened, his head would burn, and he would seem to be in a fog; but he never lost consciousness. At the same time he would have violent, darting pain in the testicles and spermatic cords. He regretted it, but had to confess that the impulse was stronger than his will. In such a situation it forced him to masturbate, no matter where he might be. After ejaculation he would become calm, and regain his self-control. He regarded it as a terrible affliction. Defense shows that R. has been punished six times for similar offenses—exhibition and masturbation in the open street.

On November 4, 1889, R., while in his worst condition, happened to be in the street as a crowd of school-girls went by. This awakened his unconquerable impulse. There was not time to run to a closet, he was so excited. There was immediate exhibition, masturbation in front of a house,—great scandal and immediate arrest. R. is not weak-minded, and has no ethical defect. He bemoans his fate, deeply regrets his act, and fears new attacks. He regards his condition as abnormal,—as a fate against which he is powerless.

He thinks himself still virile. Penis abnormally large. Cremasteric reflex present; patellar reflex increased. Weakness of the sphincter of the bladder, that has existed for some years. Various neurasthenic difficulties.

The opinion showed that R. was subject to the influence of abnormal conditions, and had acted impulsively. Patient was sent to an asylum, from which he was discharged after a few months.

In the foregoing case the important point, clinically, lies not in the neurosis that is present, but rather in the impulsive character of the act (exhibition dependent on masturbation).

With the enumeration of the categories of imbeciles, of mentally weakened individuals, and of the exhibitionists that