6.
No external evidence of disease, and (as Aitken pointed out) the
nates are not flattened; the woman's physical condition is not
impaired, and she may be specially attractive to men. 7. Warmth
of climate and the season of spring and summer are conducive to
the condition. 8. The paroxysm in short and temporary. 9. While
light touches are painful, firm pressure and rough handling give
relief. 10. It may occur in the occupied, but an idle,
purposeless life is conducive. 11. The subject delights in
exciting sympathy and in being fondled and caressed. 12. There is
defect of will and a strong stimulus is required to lead to
action.
Among civilized women, the author proceeds, this condition does
not appear to subserve any useful purpose. "Let us, however, go
back to aboriginal woman--to woman of the woods and the fields.
Let us picture ourselves a young aboriginal Venus in one of her
earliest hysterical paroxysms. In doing so, let us not forget
some of the twelve characteristics previously mentioned. She will
not be 'acting her part' alone, or, if alone, it will be in a
place where someone else is likely soon to discover her. Let this
Venus be now discovered by a youthful Apollo of the woods, a man
with fully developed animal instincts. He and she, like any other
animals, are in the free field of Nature.
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