Dr. Potter further says that examination showed this case to be one of nymphomania, relying upon the turgescence of the clitoris and nymphæ and ichorous discharge from the os uteri as diagnostic.
It may be remarked that such turgescence not uncommonly produces an exalted erotic desire which is analogous to turgescence of the urethra in the male, manifested in gonorrhœal priapism.
Such irritations are not always peripheral in origin, as may be supposed, but more commonly a general neurasthenia, or at times a spinal turgescence, which qualifies the genitals for any disturbing titilations that come along. This may seem more evident, when it is once considered, that a hyperæmia of the nymphæ and clitoris may and has often existed and no nymphomania; and if the peculiar centric condition does not first exist, there will be no local venereal turgescence of the genitalia.
Ovarian and uterine disease may produce first, a determination of blood to the cord, and then, by slight irritation of the vulva, the condition, nymphomania, may be established. Such is perhaps the most common cause; and the more have we reason to conclude so, from the fact, that the majority of these cases appear soon after puberty, when the first crisis of femininity has wrought its effect upon the uterus and ovaries. At such times is self-pollution most likely to produce a striking impression upon those organs, and most likely to bring about nervous shock by calling a superabundance of liquor-sanguinis to the developing genitalia and reproductive organs. This shock is sometimes so apparent that fainting results and alarming symptoms follow. To relate a case will the better illustrate what may sometimes occur.
Case.—Miss E. H., under the following peculiar circumstances, I was informed, needed my services, as it was known that I was the physician of her family. A young man, whom I well knew, came after me and returned with me to the house, and during our ride, he related the following story, to which I had reason to give entire credit:
The young man and the patient were “sitting up” with a sick lady. During the night, when all was quiet, the young man had taken the liberty to place his hand upon the genitalia of Miss H., when he noticed that she rolled her eyes in rather a peculiar manner which he considered only submission, as she leaned toward him in a very passive manner. He took her in his arms and placed her on a couch, replaced his hand, introducing his finger into the vagina, when he became alarmed at seeing her froth at the mouth, with slight muscular twitchings of the eyes and mouth. He attempted to arouse her, but failed and, becoming still more frightened, called the family, and hastened to my office.
I found the patient, Miss H., who was aged 18, fleshy (her weight was 150 pounds), had been a very healthy girl, of an excellent family, and rather pleasant in disposition. She had always been very modest and retiring; had rosy cheeks, black hair and eyes. She was then in a very delirious state, with pupils contracted, face flushed, no cramping, feet cold; head very hot, with occasional epileptiform movements of the eyes and mouth; biting the tongue and frothing at the mouth; twitching of the facial muscles and sphincters. I informed an old lady that I suspected some private trouble and invited her only, to remain in the room while I made an external inspection, which only gave me the satisfaction of knowing that nothing was the matter with her genitals, and that the young man had not deceived me and effected intromission, as the hymen was perfect.
A large dose of chloral hydrate produced quietude for the night, and I ordered her to be taken home as soon as she was rested by sleep.
I visited her the next morning at her own home. She was conscious, with pulse at 120; temperature, 102; pupils contracted, and face flushed; skin dry; tongue dry and red; asking for water often; head drawn back; throbbing of the carotids, with spasms of the dorsal and posterior cervical muscles.