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OF ARETÆUS, THE CAPPADOCIAN, ON THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE DISEASE
BOOK II.
CHAPTER XII. ON SATYRIASIS
[p. 289]
vomiting in like manner, not without danger. The proper
cure is deep and very protracted sleep; for much sleep induces
coldness, paralysis, and torpor of the nerves; and torpidity
and refrigeration cure Satyriasis.
The affection, for the most part, is formed in spring and
summer. Of the periods of life, it occurs principally in boys
and striplings, more especially in such as are naturally prone
to sexual intercourse. It is a most acute, disgusting, and unseemly
ailment. For the most part, the patients die on the
seventh day. It is said, that women also suffer from this
affection; that they have the same impulse to venery, and
the other symptoms the same. I believe, indeed, that lust is
engendered in women of a humid temperament, so as to induce
a copious discharge of the superfluous humours; but I do
not at all believe that they are affected with Satyriasis, for their
nature, being cold, is not adapted to it. But neither, also,
has woman the parts necessary for erection, like those of a
Satyr, whence the affection derives its name; and neither also
are men subject to suffocation from the womb, because men
have not an uterus.
