Some cases have been proved by dissection
to have been true hermaphrodites, portions or even entire
genitalia of both sexes having been found.
Numerous accounts, many mythical, but always interesting, are
given of these curious persons. They have been accredited with
having performed the functions of both father and mother,
notwithstanding the statements of some of the best authorities
that they are always sterile. Observation has shown that the
sexual appetite diminishes in proportion to the imperfections in
the genitalia, and certainly many of these persons are sexually
indifferent.
We give descriptions of a few of the most famous or interesting
instances of hermaphroditism. Pare speaks of a woman who, besides
a vulva, from which she menstruated, had a penis, but without
prepuce or signs of erectility. Haller alludes to several cases
in which prolonged clitorides have been the cause of the anomaly.
In commenting on this form of hermaphroditism Albucasiusus
describes a necessary operation for the removal of the clitoris.
Columbus relates the history of an Ethiopian woman who was
evidently a spurious female hermaphrodite. The poor wretch
entreated him to cut off her penis, an enlarged clitoris, which
she said was an intolerable hindrance to her in coitus.
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