[455] Cf. Koblanck, “Some Clinical Observations on Disturbances of the Physiological Functions of the Female Reproductive Organs,” published in the Zeitschrift für Geburtshilfe und Gynäkologie, vol. xliii., No. 3. Moriz Porosz (“Sexual Truths,” pp. 213-218; Leipzig, 1907) devotes with good reason a special chapter to the neurasthenia of young married women. The change from the virgin state into married life often gives rise to such transient neurasthenic conditions in the young wife, especially when there exists any sort of disharmony in respect of marital intercourse.
CHAPTER XVII
THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL ASPECT OF PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS
“I hope that in the not distant future, for the advancement of science, physicians will be glad to ally themselves with folk-lorists and ethnologists.”—Frederick S. Krauss.
CONTENTS OF CHAPTER XVII
Anthropological and clinical views of sexual anomalies — Ubiquity and enduring nature of psychopathia sexualis — Secondary rôle of civilization and degeneration — The fable of “the good old times” — The ungrounded fear of degeneration — “Nervous degeneration” in earlier times — Recent arguments against the degeneration theory — Metchnikoff’s book, “The Nature of Man” — Georg Hirth’s idea of “Hereditary Enfranchisement.”
Elements of the anthropological theory of psychopathia sexualis — The need for variety in sexual relationships — Sexual perversions in healthy persons — The effect of external influences — Morbid impressions — Artificial production of perversions (repetition, suggestion, imitation, seduction) — Importance of sexual differentiation — Congenital character of perversions — The diffusion of perversions among savage races — Examples — Immorality in the country — Influence of race and nationality — Of age and sex — Social differences — Influence of civilization — Influence of conventionality — The unrest of the present day — Spiritual configuration of modern perversity.
Appendix: Sexual Perversions due to Diseases. — General survey — Epilepsy and sexual perversions — Other mental diseases-Syphilis and sexual perversions — Abnormalities of the genital organs.