Psychopathia Sexualis: The Case Histories (Solar Asylum) - Softcover

Von Krafft-Ebing, Richard Freiherr

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0982046472 ISBN 13: 9780982046470

Publisher: Solar Books, 2011

Synopsis

Originally published in 1886, Psychopathia Sexualis was a groundbreaking look at the immense varieties of human sexual behavior. Based upon case studies compiled by psychiatrist Richard Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing, the book is well known for coining such terms as sadism, masochism, and fetish. Among the other psychosexual proclivities described in the Psychopathia Sexualis are necrophilia, pederasty, coprophilia, bestiality, transvestism, and exhibitionism.

This new, modern translation highlights the 238 case histories chosen by Krafft-Ebing to appear in his final edition of the book. These cases range from Sergeant Bertrand and Jack the Ripper to the most obscure and extreme instances of perversion known to nineteenth-century psychiatrists and criminologists. An essential reference for those interested in the development of medical and psychiatric diagnosis of sexual derangement, Psychopathia Sexualis, in this new edition also features a lengthy introduction by Terence Sellers, a former dominatrix and psychologist in New York.

About this title

About the Author:

Richard Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing (1840–1902) was an Austro-German sexologist and psychiatrist. He was head of the psychiatry department at the University of Vienna from 1892 until 1902. Domino Falls is a translator whose other translations include Wilhelm Stekel’s Sadism And Masochism, also published by Solar Books. She currently lives in Berlin.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Case 1. Erotic delirium J. Ren, always given to indulgence in sensuality and sexual pleasures, but always with regard for decorum, had shown, since his seventy-sixth year, a progressive loss of intelligence and increasing perversion of his moral sense. Previously bright and outwardly moral, he now wasted his property in concourse with prostitutes, frequented brothels only, asked every woman on the street to marry him or allow coitus, and thus became publicly so obnoxious that it was necessary to place him in an asylum. There the sexual excitement increased to a veritable satyriasis, which lasted until he died. He masturbated continuously, even before others; took delight only in obscene ideas; thought the men about him were women, and followed them with indecent proposals. Case 2. Erotic delirium Mr. X., aged eighty, of high social standing, born of a family with hereditary taint. He was always very sensual and a cynic, of uncontrollable temper, and, according to his own confession, as a young man preferred masturbation to coitus. However, he never showed signs of sexual perversion, and kept mistresses, raising a child by one. At the age of forty-eight he married, out of inclination, and begat six children, and never gave his wife cause for complaint. I could obtain but an incomplete history of his family. It was certain that his brother was suspected of homosexuality, and that a nephew became insane as a result of excessive masturbation. The patient's temper, always peculiar and quick, had for years been growing more violent. He had become exceedingly suspicious, and slight opposition to his wishes induced attacks of anger which turned at times into actual raving, when he would raise his hand even against his wife. For a year there had been unmistakable signs of incipient senile dementia. The patient had become forgetful, localised past events incorrectly, and had false ideas of time. For fourteen months it was noticed that he manifested affection for certain male servants, especially for a gardener's boy. Otherwise rude and overbearing to servants, he surfeited his favourite with favours and presents, and commanded his family and his house officials to treat the boy with the greatest respect. The aged patient awaited the hour of rendezvous in true sexual excitement. He sent his family away, that he might be with his favourite undisturbed, and remained shut up with him for hours. And when the doors were opened again, he was found lying...

About this edition

• Publisher: Solar Books
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0982046472
• ISBN 13: 9780982046470
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 213