Psychopathia Sexualis

Book excerpt: Lustmurder, necrophilia, pederasty, coprophilia, fetishism, bestiality, transvestism and transsexuality, rape and mutilation, sado-masochism, exhibitionism All these and numerous other psychosexual proclivities are detailed in the 238 case histories that make up Richard von Krafft-Ebing's legendary Psychopathia Sexualis. This landmark text in the study of sexual mania and deviation is presented in a new, modern translation highlighting the cases chosen by Krafft-Ebing to appear in the 12th and final edition of the book, the culmination of his life's work. An essential reference book for those interested in the development of medical and psychiatric diagnosis of sexual derangement, the Psychopathia Sexualis will also prove a fascinating document to anyone drawn to the darker side of human sexuality and behaviour. Cases range from Sergeant Bertrand and Jack the Ripper to the most obscure and extreme instances of perversion known to 19th century psychiatrists and criminologists.