This case of hand-fetichism certainly does not depend on masochism or sadism, but is to be explained simply by early indulgence in mutual onanism. There is here, also, quite as little of contrary sexual instinct. Before the sexual appetite was clearly conscious of its object, the hands of school-fellows were used. As soon as the instinct for the opposite sex became evident, the interest for the hand was transferred to woman.
In hand-fetichists, who, according to Binet, are so numerous, it is possible that other associations lead to the same result.
Next to the hand-fetichists, naturally come the foot-fetichists. While glove-fetichism, which belongs to the next group of object-fetichism, seldom takes the place of hand-fetichism, we find shoe- and boot-fetichism, of which there are innumerable cases occurring everywhere, taking the place of enthusiasm for the naked female foot. There are only here and there traces of the latter enthusiasm, and these are scarcely pathological. It is easy to see the reason for this. The female hand is usually seen uncovered; the foot, covered. Thus the early associations which determine the direction of the vita sexualis are naturally connected with the naked hand, but with the covered foot.
Shoe-fetichism also finds its place in the following group of dress-fetichism; however, on account of its demonstrable masochistic character in the majority of cases, it has been, for the most part, described already (p. 123 et seq.).
Besides the eyes, hand, and foot, the mouth and ears often play the rôle of a fetich. Among others, Moll (op. cit.) mentions such cases. (Comp. also Belot’s romance, “La Bouche de Madame X.,” which, B. states, rests upon actual observation.)
The following remarkable case came under my personal observation:—
Case 77. A gentleman of very bad heredity consulted me concerning impotence that was driving him almost to despair. While he was young, his fetich was women of plump form. He married such a lady, and was happy and potent with her. After a few months the lady fell very ill, and lost much flesh. When, one day, he tried to resume his marital duty, he was absolutely impotent, and remained so. If, however, he attempted coitus with plump women, he was perfectly potent.
Even bodily defects may become fetiches.
Descartes, who himself (“Traité des Passions,” cxxxvi) expresses some opinions concerning the origin of peculiar affections in associations of ideas, was always partial to cross-eyed women, because the object of his first love had such a defect. (Binet, op. cit.)
Lydston (“A Lecture on Sexual Perversion,” Chicago, 1890[[93]]) reports the case of a man who had a love-affair with a woman whose right lower extremity had been amputated. After separation from her, he searched for other women with a like defect.[[94]]—A negative fetich.