[p. 288]
CHAPTER XII. ON SATYRIASIS
THE Satyrs, sacred to Bacchus, in the paintings and statues,
have the member erect, as the symbol of the divine performance.
It is also a form of disease, in which the patient has
erection of the genital organ, the appellation of Satyriasis
being derived from its resemblance to the figure of the god.
It is an unrestrainable impulse to connection; but neither
are they at all relieved by these embraces, nor is the tentigo
soothed by many and repeated acts of sexual intercourse.
Spasms of all the nerves, and tension of all the tendons, groins,
and perineum, inflammation and pain of the genital parts, redness
of countenance, and a dewy moisture. Wrapped up in
silent sorrow, they are stupid, as if grievously afflicted with
their calamity. But if the affection overcome the patient's
sense of shame, he will lose all restraint of tongue as regards
obscenity, and likewise all restraint in regard to the open performance
of the act, being deranged in understanding as to
indecency; for they cannot restrain themselves, are thirsty,
and vomit much phlegm. Afterwards, froth settles on their
lips, as is the case with goats in the season of rutting,
and the smell likewise is similar. The urine, after long
retention, is white, thick, and like semen; bowels constipated;
spontaneous titillations of the sides and arm-pits; they have
convulsions, loathe food, or, if presented to them, they snatch
it confusedly.
But if the illness tend to death, they become flatulent, belly
protuberant, tension of the tendons and of all the muscles,
difficulty of movement, contraction of the limbs, pulse small,
weak, and irregular.
All these symptoms have been sometimes removed by
copious discharges from the bowels of phlegm and bile, and by
